There were four people at the dining table, and the gazes of the other three were all fixed on Xie Zhiyan.
Xie Zhiyan spoke softly, "I really don’t eat much at home."
Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow.
Zheng Xinmei chimed in, "Zhiyan takes after me in this regard—his tastes are almost identical to mine. He’s never liked spicy food since he was little."
Ning Yuxuan’s heart stirred slightly. "Never at all?"
Zheng Xinmei thought for a moment. "Well, as far as I can remember, there was only one time—when he was a child, someone teased him by giving him a bite of stir-fried potatoes with chili. Zhiyan took one bite and immediately started crying uncontrollably."
Ning Yuxuan burst into laughter. "He cried from the spiciness?"
Zheng Xinmei smiled fondly. "Exactly. I had to wipe his tears and comfort him for ages before he finally calmed down."
Ning Yuxuan glanced at Xie Zhiyan and couldn’t hold back her laughter, nearly doubling over.
When Ning Fei first brought Ning Yuxuan to the northern city, she was barely eight years old. She might have met Xie Zhiyan a few times back then, but she had no memory of it.
Their first proper meeting and the start of their friendship happened when Ning Yuxuan was in her third year of middle school, and Xie Zhiyan tutored her during a holiday break.
At that time, Xie Zhiyan was already nineteen. Though he wasn’t as authoritative and imposing as he was now, the shadow of his future composed and steady demeanor was already visible.
Ning Yuxuan genuinely couldn’t imagine what Xie Zhiyan must have looked like as a child, crying his eyes out over a single bite of spicy potato.
Still laughing, she asked Zheng Xinmei, "Auntie, how old was he when that happened?"
Zheng Xinmei pondered. "Probably around six or seven, just starting elementary school."
Ning Yuxuan couldn’t help but picture it—a six- or seven-year-old Xie Zhiyan, his face round and chubby like a little dumpling.
She turned to look at Xie Zhiyan.
Xie Zhiyan’s brow twitched. "What?"
Ning Yuxuan suppressed a giggle. "I was just thinking about what you looked like as a kid, and also..."
She blinked and lowered her voice so only he could hear, "And how utterly adorable you must have been, crying like a delicate flower drenched in rain."
Xie Zhiyan gave her a deep look.
Zheng Xinmei only caught the first half of Ning Yuxuan’s words and eagerly added, "That’s easy! I have tons of photo albums at home filled with pictures of Zhiyan as a child. Next time you visit, Yuxuan, I’ll show them all to you."
Ning Yuxuan smiled at her. "That’d be wonderful. I’ll remind you when I come over."
Zheng Xinmei beamed. "Yes, yes! Oh, wait—"
She set down her chopsticks and pulled out her phone.
"I actually have a few photos saved here too," Zheng Xinmei said, scrolling through her gallery. "Hold on, Yuxuan, let me find them for you."
Over a decade ago, taking photos wasn’t as convenient as it is now, so most of Xie Zhiyan’s childhood pictures were stored in thick physical albums.
But Zheng Xinmei occasionally flipped through them at home, and whenever she came across an especially adorable one, she couldn’t resist snapping a photo with her phone.
Now that she had stepped away from high-society circles, these photos mostly just brought her personal joy.
But with Ning Yuxuan asking about them, Zheng Xinmei was eager to share.
Ning Fei watched her old friend’s impatience with an amused sigh.
Some things never changed.
After marriage, Zheng Xinmei might have appeared more gentle and composed compared to her youthful exuberance, but around those who knew her well, her old personality always resurfaced.
"Xinmei, no rush," Ning Fei said. "You can show her after dinner."
Zheng Xinmei waved her off. "But we’re already talking about it now—ah, here it is!"
She reached across the table to hand the phone to Ning Yuxuan, but the distance was too far, and a bubbling hot pot sat between them.
Xie Zhiyan smoothly intervened. "Let me, Mom."
His long limbs made it effortless to take the phone from Zheng Xinmei.
But once he had it, he hesitated before passing it on.
Ning Yuxuan stared at him intently.
Xie Zhiyan chuckled. "Why are you looking at me like that? Afraid I’ll keep it for myself?"
Ning Yuxuan knew he wouldn’t, but she played along. "Who knows? Maybe you’re trying to hide your embarrassing childhood moments from me."
Xie Zhiyan tilted his chin up. "You can have it after you finish eating."
Ning Yuxuan still had half a beef ball pinched between her chopsticks, uneaten.
"No," she said, dropping the meatball back into her bowl. "I’m not taking any chances. I want to see now."
Xie Zhiyan sighed but relented, handing her the phone.
Across the table, Ning Fei and Zheng Xinmei exchanged a knowing glance, both smiling.
Zheng Xinmei was especially surprised. The last time her son had brought Ning Yuxuan home, their interactions hadn’t been this natural.
Back then, Ning Yuxuan had been lively and confident, but there were still traces of restraint in her demeanor.
Now, though, she could openly tease Xie Zhiyan in front of them—as if their relationship had deepened significantly in just half a month.
Ning Yuxuan happily took the phone and began flipping through the photos.
The first one was a close-up of a boy no older than ten, wearing a blue-and-white striped T-shirt and looking straight at the camera.
The original photo’s quality was limited, and the digital copy was even fuzzier, but the boy’s striking features still shone through—delicate brows, a tall nose bridge, and a face slightly more angular than most kids his age.
His lips were pressed together in an expression that was neither a smile nor a frown, giving off a shy yet somewhat aloof vibe.
Like a tiny adult.
Xie Zhiyan’s voice, warm and amused, sounded beside her. "Thoughts?"
Ning Yuxuan glanced at him and gave an honest assessment: "Pretty handsome."
She couldn’t bring herself to lie and say the boy in the photo wasn’t good-looking.
Besides, with both elders at the table, a little compliment wouldn’t hurt.
Zheng Xinmei laughed delightedly from across the table. "Right? Yuxuan, are you looking at the one where he’s wearing the striped shirt?"
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "Yeah."
The photos saved on the phone were Zheng Xinmei’s absolute favorites—each one etched into her memory.
Zheng Xinmei explained, "That was taken during his summer break in third grade, at a relative’s house. This child never liked having his picture taken, and he rarely smiled. I had to beg and plead just to get him to cooperate for that one shot."
Ning Yuxuan grinned at the boy’s defiant expression in the photo. "I can tell. Definitely not a fan of smiling."
Zheng Xinmei seized the opportunity. "See? He never listens to me. Yuxuan, you should scold him for me. What’s the point of a photo if you’re not smiling?"
She shot her son a mock-stern look.
Xie Zhiyan remained unruffled. "No one said smiling is mandatory for photos."
Zheng Xinmei couldn’t help but laugh at her son’s stubbornness. “No one’s forcing you, but smiling makes you look better. Besides, when you and Yuxuan get married someday, do you really plan to keep a straight face in your wedding license photo and the wedding album?”
Xie Zhiyan didn’t argue back.
Beside him, Ning Yuxuan felt an inexplicable twinge of guilt.
Time-wise, she and Xie Zhiyan had already been married for a month.
After they left the registry office that day, Xie Zhiyan had asked who should keep the marriage certificates.
Ning Yuxuan thought it’d be safest—and most practical—to keep them herself. That way, she’d have control. So, both certificates ended up in her possession.
Now, those two marriage certificates were tucked away in a locked drawer in the small study of their villa. Since she was the only one who used that study for work, and the drawer had a lock, it felt like double security.
She hadn’t taken them out since, and honestly, she couldn’t even remember what their wedding license photo looked like.
Had Xie Zhiyan smiled in it?
For some reason, she couldn’t recall.
When guilt crept in, she instinctively sought solidarity—someone on the same side.
And in a way, she and Xie Zhiyan were in this together, both keeping their marriage a secret from their families.
So, without thinking, she glanced at Xie Zhiyan—only to meet his deep, unreadable gaze.
Maybe he was thinking the same thing, because for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Zheng Xinmei misinterpreted their silence.
Her eyes darted between the two, lingering on her son before settling on the quiet Ning Yuxuan.
“Zhiyan,” she frowned, “don’t tell me you’re the one who doesn’t want to take wedding photos?”
Xie Zhiyan pulled his gaze away from Ning Yuxuan and answered calmly, “No.”
But Zheng Xinmei wasn’t buying it.
She knew her son too well—he’d hated taking photos since he was a child. Even when forced, he’d barely crack a smile, leaving every picture looking like a stiff, lifeless snapshot.
The way he and Ning Yuxuan had just exchanged looks? That was the unmistakable tension of two people who’d already discussed wedding photos—and failed to reach an agreement.
A young, beautiful woman like Ning Yuxuan, at the peak of her youth—of course she’d want to capture her most radiant, happiest moments in a wedding gown.
So, obviously, the problem had to be her son’s reluctance.
With that conclusion, Zheng Xinmei fixed Xie Zhiyan with a firm stare. “No way. Zhiyan, when the time comes, you will take wedding photos with Yuxuan—and you’d better cooperate. Smile properly.”
Xie Zhiyan: “…”
Zheng Xinmei: “Understood?”
Xie Zhiyan glanced at Ning Yuxuan again.
She was still a little dazed, struggling to process how they’d gone from flipping through childhood photos to arguing about wedding shoots.
Ning Fei, sensing the tension, chimed in. “Xinmei, wedding photos are the kids’ business. Let’s not interfere.”
But Zheng Xinmei wouldn’t budge. “Absolutely not, Fei. Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Where and how they take the photos is up to them—but if Yuxuan wants them, then they are happening.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
Had she ever said she really wanted wedding photos?
Misreading her silence, Zheng Xinmei patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Yuxuan. Auntie’s got your back. I’ll make sure Zhiyan takes as many photos as you want, until you’re completely satisfied.”
Ning Yuxuan pressed her lips together.
At this point, she couldn’t exactly admit she wasn’t that invested—not without sounding ungrateful.
At the very least, she had to play along for now.
Ning Yuxuan: “Thank you, Auntie.”
Zheng Xinmei beamed. “No need for thanks! Your happiness is what matters. Here, there are more photos in the album—keep looking.”
With that, she picked up her chopsticks and helped herself to a slice of lamb with wild onions.
The sudden wedding photo discussion had left Ning Yuxuan’s mind in disarray.
Why did it feel like their “debt” kept piling up?
First the house, then the wedding, the honeymoon—and now, wedding photos?
She shot a glance at the man beside her.
Xie Zhiyan met her gaze, his expression practically spelling out: This is your fault for insisting on looking at photos now.
Of course, his face didn’t actually convey that much nuance.
But Ning Yuxuan, projecting her own thoughts onto him, was convinced that’s exactly what he meant.
So, she glared at him silently.
The corner of Xie Zhiyan’s mouth lifted slightly. His eyes flicked to her bowl as he remarked, “The meatball will get cold if you don’t eat it soon.”
The half-eaten beef ball in Ning Yuxuan’s bowl had gone untouched.
She’d taken a small bite earlier, only to recoil from the heat, leaving it unfinished.
She had forgotten about it—but now that Xie Zhiyan had pointed it out, she reflexively retorted, “I’m not eating it.”
She’d just silently scolded him—no way was she going to obediently follow his suggestion now.
Xie Zhiyan didn’t push further.
As Ning Yuxuan turned back to the phone to swipe to the next photo, his chopsticks suddenly darted into her bowl, effortlessly picking up the half-eaten meatball.
Ning Yuxuan stared as her food disappeared: “…?”
Without missing a beat, Xie Zhiyan popped it into his mouth.
Her heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she glanced across the table.
Zheng Xinmei was busy with her lamb, and Ning Fei was sipping water—no one had noticed.
Just as she relaxed, she caught Xie Zhiyan’s faintly amused gaze.
Ning Yuxuan: “You—”
Xie Zhiyan chewed slowly, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement, though his tone remained even. “It really would’ve gotten cold. If you still want one, I’ll get you another.”
Ning Yuxuan: “I—”
Zheng Xinmei, having finished her lamb, overheard and chimed in, “Yes, Zhiyan, you can reach farther. Help Yuxuan with the dishes.”
Xie Zhiyan: “Okay.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
He was the one who’d eaten her leftovers—and no one else had even seen it.
So why did she feel like she’d just been teased and left speechless?
---
After dinner, Ning Fei and Zheng Xinmei settled on the couch to chat over the TV.
Zheng Xinmei had brought gifts this time—something for each of the three Nings.
Over the years, Zheng Xinmei had always sent presents, and Ning Fei had long since stopped standing on ceremony. The two women exchanged gifts regularly.
Meanwhile, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan headed upstairs.
The moment they were alone, Ning Yuxuan whirled on him. “Xie Zhiyan,” she accused, “what was that? Stealing my food?”
Xie Zhiyan replied smoothly, “I didn’t steal it. I ate it openly.”
Ning Yuxuan: “Semantics! That was my half-eaten meatball!”
Xie Zhiyan didn’t respond, instead casting a meaningful glance at her lips.
Ning Yuxuan: “…What do you mean by that?”
Xie Zhiyan spoke leisurely, “We’ve already kissed.”
He left the latter half unsaid, but Ning Yuxuan understood immediately.
If they’d already kissed, what did it matter if he ate the leftover meatball she’d been nibbling on?
In an instant, her cheeks burned.
How could he say something like that?
And to make it worse, the man wore an utterly nonchalant expression as he countered, “Isn’t that right?”
Ning Yuxuan: “…No!”
“Then…” Xie Zhiyan watched her unhurriedly, “Maybe a few more times, and you’ll get used to it?”
As the man seemed to inch closer, Ning Yuxuan’s heartbeat raced.
What did he mean by “a few more times”?
A few more times eating her leftovers—or a few more kisses?
At the thought of the latter possibility, she immediately took several quick steps back to put distance between them.
Not only could Ning Fei and Zheng Xinmei return upstairs at any moment, but more importantly… they’d just finished hotpot!
And she was the only one who’d been eating from the spicy broth the entire time. Without even brushing her teeth afterward, she absolutely refused to kiss him now!
In her haste to retreat, Ning Yuxuan misjudged the distance and bumped her calf against the sofa behind her.
She gasped in pain.
Xie Zhiyan moved to steady her. Gripping his arm, she pulled herself upright—only to immediately shoot him a glare.
Xie Zhiyan glanced at the spot she’d hit and asked gently, “Does it hurt?”
Ning Yuxuan rubbed her leg. “It hurts so much!”
The sofa was mostly soft, but the corner had a firmer frame, making the impact slightly painful.
Still, the pain was nowhere near as bad as she made it out to be. She was just annoyed at Xie Zhiyan.
If he hadn’t suddenly closed the distance, she wouldn’t have bumped into the sofa in the first place.
Xie Zhiyan: “Let me take a look?”
Ning Yuxuan: “No need.”
After a pause, she added, “This is all your fault!”
Instead of arguing, Xie Zhiyan simply conceded, “My bad.”
Perhaps sensing she wasn’t actually in much pain, he then asked with a hint of amusement, “Why were you in such a hurry to back away?”
Ning Yuxuan: “I was trying to avoid you…”
Xie Zhiyan: “Avoid me how?”
She pressed her lips together.
She’d retreated because she was afraid he’d suddenly kiss her.
But she couldn’t say that out loud—what if she’d misread him, and he’d never intended to kiss her at all?
That would be beyond embarrassing.
Misinterpreting his actions, then hurting herself in the process…
After hesitating for two seconds, Ning Yuxuan cleared her throat. “Never mind. I’m going to the bathroom—don’t follow me!”
The bump hadn’t been serious, and the pain had already faded by now.
She strode briskly to the second-floor bathroom, pausing at the door to glance back.
Xie Zhiyan hadn’t followed. He remained by the sofa, though his gaze stayed fixed on her.
Ning Yuxuan shut the bathroom door behind her.
First, she inspected her calf—the impact really hadn’t been bad.
No mark, not even a red spot. Though she wondered if a faint bruise might appear tomorrow.
Satisfied her leg was fine, she straightened and eyed the mouthwash on the counter.
There were two flavors. After a brief hesitation, she picked one.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, Xie Zhiyan was on the sofa, replying to messages.
Ning Yuxuan approached and casually glanced at his phone. “Work stuff?”
Xie Zhiyan: “No.”
She’d only asked offhandedly, but now her curiosity was piqued. “Then what is it?”
Xie Zhiyan: “Liu Cheng messaged me. The apartment you liked the most has been fully prepped. All the details you were concerned about have been checked and confirmed.”
Ning Yuxuan blinked.
She’d only discussed the housing matter with Xie Zhiyan on Friday. Out of all the options, she’d favored one particular unit for its layout and location.
However, since it came fully furnished, she’d wanted to verify the interior design matched her preferences.
She hadn’t expected things to move so quickly—by the weekend, everything was settled.
Now she couldn’t help feeling eager.
Though buying a place had been a spontaneous decision, this would be her first time living independently.
Apart from her college dorm years, she’d always lived with family. She’d never even rented alone before—this was her first time handpicking a home.
Ning Yuxuan: “When can we go see it?”
Xie Zhiyan’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before a faint smile touched his eyes.
She was baffled—what had she said to suddenly please him?
Xie Zhiyan replied, “It’s a new property. Liu Cheng already has the keys. We can visit anytime.”
Ning Yuxuan mentally reviewed her schedule for the coming week.
Her work at Huayuan was running smoothly under Chen Jun and Zhou Lin’s management, requiring little oversight.
With only the final episode of Dear Mom left to film, she planned to focus fully on her new store’s launch after wrapping up the show.
Still, despite the lighter workload, her week was far from empty.
On Tuesday, she was accompanying Tao You to try on dresses for her engagement party.
Tao You had been working overtime to free up time for the celebration and had only just secured Tuesday off.
Friday marked the start of Dear Mom’s final recording.
As the last episode, the schedule differed slightly—filming would run from Friday morning until the following Monday.
The location had also changed. Instead of Beicheng, the crew hinted at travel by train or plane, though the destination remained undisclosed.
That ruled out Thursday as well—the day before a trip required packing and rest.
Ning Yuxuan: “Next week, I’m only free on Monday or Wednesday, so…”
She hesitated, leaning toward Wednesday—until Xie Zhiyan cut in.
Xie Zhiyan: “Tomorrow?”
Ning Yuxuan: “…Sure.”
Xie Zhiyan nodded. “Then I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”
She hummed in agreement.
After a brief silence, Xie Zhiyan asked, “Does your leg still hurt?”
Ning Yuxuan: “Not anymore…”
Xie Zhiyan: “Still upset about me eating your meatball at dinner?”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
This man really knew how to poke at sore spots.
Determined to regain the upper hand, she wracked her brain for a countermove—and finally seized on an idea.
Adopting a solemn tone, she declared, “Xie Zhiyan.”
Xie Zhiyan: “Hm?”
Ning Yuxuan: “During dinner tonight, I noticed something.”
Her sudden seriousness made his eyes flicker with interest. “What?”
Originally, she’d just wanted to salvage her pride after several embarrassing moments.
Meeting Xie Zhiyan's deep gaze at this moment, she felt her heart begin to race at the thought of what she was about to say, her throat suddenly going dry.
Ning Yuxuan took a deep breath to steel herself, forcing herself to hold his gaze.
"Xie Zhiyan," she murmured nervously, biting her lip. "Did you always like me? I mean... before we decided to get married."
