Ning Yuxuan locked eyes with Xie Zhiyan, her heart pounding like a drum, yet she refused to be the first to look away.
It was as if by holding his gaze, she could somehow find the answers she sought in the depths of his dark, unfathomable eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, the man finally spoke.
Xie Zhiyan: "Why do you ask?"
The question was tossed back to her, unchanged.
Ning Yuxuan had no intention of playing this game of evasion any longer. She decided to voice the thoughts swirling in her mind. "Because... there are so many reasons."
A faint trace of amusement flickered in Xie Zhiyan’s eyes.
"Such as?"
Ning Yuxuan pressed her lips together, her mind flooded with memories—some she’d noticed long ago, others she hadn’t dwelled on at the time but later realized held deeper meaning.
For a moment, she didn’t know where to begin.
Xie Zhiyan didn’t rush her. His gaze remained patient, warm even, as he watched her.
Amid the whirlwind of thoughts, Ning Yuxuan finally found a starting point.
"That day we got our marriage certificate..." she began slowly, "after we left the Civil Affairs Bureau, you took me to the breakfast place I loved most during college."
She glanced up at Xie Zhiyan. His expression was unreadable, betraying nothing.
Ning Yuxuan continued, "I thought about it later. That shop wasn’t exactly close to the bureau—it was a fifteen-minute drive. Out of all the places, you chose that tiny, unassuming breakfast spot."
She had frequented that shop for an entire year, only for it to suddenly close at the end of her freshman spring semester. The owner vanished without a trace, leaving Ning Yuxuan heartbroken. She’d complained about it to anyone who would listen.
As fate would have it, that summer after her freshman year, she interned near the Xie family’s old estate. She often dropped by for meals, sometimes even staying overnight if work ran late.
During that month, she must have vented her disappointment to Zheng Xinmei more than a few times—intentionally or not.
Xie Zhiyan had probably overheard.
At the time, he’d brushed it off as a random choice, and Ning Yuxuan hadn’t pressed further. But the more she reflected, the harder it became to believe it was mere coincidence.
She fixed her gaze on him. "So, Xie Zhiyan, you tracked down the owner’s new location and deliberately took me there on our wedding day, didn’t you?"
Xie Zhiyan studied her for a long moment before finally responding with a quiet, "Mm."
Ning Yuxuan’s breath hitched.
"You..." she couldn’t help asking, "how did you even find that place? Beicheng is huge, and that shop was so small."
Xie Zhiyan: "During your freshman year, only one breakfast shop near A University closed. It wasn’t hard to identify the owner. Once I contacted her, I got the new address."
His tone was matter-of-fact, as if it had been the simplest thing in the world.
But anyone with sense knew better.
Ning Yuxuan was momentarily speechless.
Had she not remembered that breakfast and brought it up now, Xie Zhiyan would have never used it to claim credit.
"So..." she murmured, "you planned that detour on purpose that day?"
Xie Zhiyan gave a faint, noncommittal smile. "Getting married is a significant occasion. You should eat something you love."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
She couldn’t quite describe the feeling in her heart—it wasn’t just surprise, but a sense of satisfaction that felt unexpected yet somehow inevitable.
After a pause, she spoke again, “After the Gu family’s birthday banquet that day, the restaurant you took me to served my favorite food. And also… you’ve always remembered my favorite flower.”
That day, when they were aligning their stories, Xie Zhiyan had asked her if her favorite flower was the Ecuadorian Explorer.
Memories flooded in like a tide. Before Xie Zhiyan could respond, Ning Yuxuan continued, “The drinks I like, the movies I enjoy—you remembered all of it after hearing it just once.”
Xie Zhiyan silently smiled at her, neither confirming nor denying.
Ning Yuxuan thought this was probably his way of tacit agreement.
Normally, she wasn’t the type to press for answers.
But right now, she just wanted to pour out everything on her mind.
“And that day we returned from Jiangcheng,” Ning Yuxuan said. “When you put the ring on my finger at the restaurant, that piano piece…”
She paused, looking at Xie Zhiyan. “Do you remember what it was?”
Xie Zhiyan replied, “A Commemoration of Love.”
Hearing his immediate answer, Ning Yuxuan knew she hadn’t been mistaken.
“The Xie family’s old house has a grand piano,” she said. “During the holidays, I played it a few times—it was always this piece.”
When he didn’t deny it, she asked, “But I don’t think I ever played it specifically for you. How did you remember?”
Xie Zhiyan chuckled. “Because it seemed like the only song you could play. Every time I heard you at home, it was the same melody.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
She pursed her lips. “It’s been years since I practiced. I forgot all the others—only this simple one stuck.”
Almost letting him divert the topic, she steered it back. “That song—did you ask the restaurant’s pianist to play it?”
Xie Zhiyan: “Yes.”
Ning Yuxuan: “But you didn’t say anything…”
Xie Zhiyan: “I didn’t need to. You recognized it anyway.”
Ning Yuxuan: “What if I hadn’t?”
Then wouldn’t his deliberate arrangement have been wasted?
Xie Zhiyan replied evenly, “Then it would’ve meant the song wasn’t special to you. No point mentioning it.”
Ning Yuxuan fell silent for a moment, at a loss for words.
At this point, it seemed no further proof was needed to confirm her suspicions.
But remembering that Zheng Xinmei’s remark at dinner had sparked this conversation, Ning Yuxuan decided to voice one last question.
Or rather, she stated the final fact outright: “You changed your tastes because of me.”
Xie Zhiyan suddenly laughed.
“I think,” he said leisurely, “you’re growing more and more confident in your assumptions.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
Because the more she thought about it, the more certain she became that there was no other explanation.
She looked at the composed man before her, a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Xie Zhiyan feigned ignorance. “Which question?”
Ning Yuxuan: “You’ve liked me all along, haven’t you?”
As she asked again, the uncertainty in her heart had nearly vanished.
Yet the tension remained. Ning Yuxuan unconsciously clenched her hands, feeling the rapid thrum of her heartbeat.
She kept her gaze fixed on Xie Zhiyan, waiting for him to give her a definitive answer.
What she received instead was his deep, penetrating stare and the sudden embrace of his cool, intoxicating aura.
Caught off guard by his abrupt closeness, Ning Yuxuan let out a soft gasp.
But before she could react further, her voice was swallowed whole by the man.
After a few seconds of stiffness, her body gradually melted into his.
First time awkward, second time familiar.
Though their first kiss had only been three days ago, the two had already developed an unspoken rhythm in this intimate dance.
There was no need for hesitation—their bodies naturally entwined.
Within moments, Ning Yuxuan did as she had before, wrapping her arms around Xie Zhiyan’s shoulders to anchor herself against him.
The motion came effortlessly, as if her body had memorized the position.
As her hands slid around his neck, Xie Zhiyan let out a low, muffled chuckle.
He hadn’t said a word, yet somehow, Ning Yuxuan instantly understood what amused him.
He was definitely laughing at her for being "too eager," clinging to him without needing to be told.
Her cheeks burned, and frustration bubbled in her chest.
Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, she tried to pull her arms back and wriggle free from his hold.
But Xie Zhiyan’s strong arms locked her in place, leaving her no room to escape.
Irritated, Ning Yuxuan retaliated by nipping at his lower lip with her teeth.
The man’s body stiffened slightly.
This was her first time doing something like this, and seeing it work, she felt a flicker of smugness.
The next moment, she regretted it.
What followed was Xie Zhiyan’s relentless counterattack.
As oxygen grew scarce, her head spun dizzily.
The hands she had withdrawn now helplessly found their way back to his body.
Only by holding onto him could she keep herself from sliding bonelessly onto the couch.
Dazed and breathless, Ning Yuxuan thought weakly: Next time… next time, I’ll definitely resist him properly.
But for now… she’d let him have his way.
……
When the kiss finally ended, both were left panting.
Ning Yuxuan slumped against Xie Zhiyan’s shoulder, too drained to even lift her head and look at his expression.
"Xie Zhiyan…" she murmured.
His voice was rough. "Hm?"
"You still haven’t answered me…"
She already knew the answer in her heart, but she wanted to hear him say it outright.
Xie Zhiyan chuckled, his chest vibrating against her.
After the heated exchange, his voice was no longer clear but thick with amusement.
"Since when have you been so persistent?"
Ning Yuxuan huffed. "Only because you keep dodging the question…"
Xie Zhiyan fell silent for a beat.
From her position, Ning Yuxuan couldn’t see his face.
She shifted in his arms, trying to adjust so she could read his expression.
Before she could even struggle, he held her firmly in place.
Ning Yuxuan protested, "You—"
"You’re right," Xie Zhiyan’s deep voice rumbled near her ear.
His warm breath brushed against her skin, and she froze.
Holding her close, he spoke slowly, his voice low and deliberate.
"I’ve liked you for a long time."
Their breathing had yet to calm after the intense kiss they had just shared.
Yet, in an instant, Ning Yuxuan felt as though everything around her had fallen into complete silence—so quiet that she could barely even hear her own rapid breaths.
Only one thought lingered in her mind.
I’ve liked you all along.
Unable to hold back, Ning Yuxuan asked, “…How long is ‘all along’?”
Xie Zhiyan chuckled softly, not giving her a clear answer. “Long before you even realized it.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
Her heart suddenly felt full, brimming with a satisfaction she had never known before.
The exact length of time didn’t seem to matter anymore.
She stopped pressing him and simply leaned quietly against him.
The atmosphere was serene, comforting.
Occasionally, she could faintly hear the laughter of Ning Fei and Zheng Xinmei downstairs—old friends chatting about something, clearly in high spirits.
After what felt like a long while, Xie Zhiyan suddenly spoke. “It’s strawberry.”
Ning Yuxuan froze.
For a moment, her mind couldn’t catch up.
His deep, magnetic voice carried unmistakable amusement. “I didn’t misidentify the taste, did I?”
Then it hit her.
Earlier in the bathroom, there had been two bottles of mouthwash—one grapefruit-flavored, the other strawberry.
After hesitating, she had chosen the strawberry one.
Blood rushed to her head in an instant.
Ning Yuxuan: “Xie Zhiyan! How could you?!”
Xie Zhiyan: “How could I what?”
Ning Yuxuan, flustered and indignant: “You’re making fun of me!”
She could no longer bear staying pressed against him and pushed him hard.
Xie Zhiyan let her.
Finally freeing herself, she glared at him.
Xie Zhiyan smirked. “So it really was strawberry?”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
No, the issue wasn’t the flavor at all.
She put on a fierce front, her tone sharp. “Xie Zhiyan, don’t overthink it!”
Xie Zhiyan raised a brow.
Ning Yuxuan: “I didn’t use mouthwash just to… Anyway, it wasn’t for that with you!”
Xie Zhiyan remained unruffled. “For what with me?”
Her face burned crimson.
Why was he dragging this out?!
Unable to win against him, Ning Yuxuan decided it was better to avoid the conversation altogether. She turned her back on him and stayed silent.
A few seconds later, the hand closest to him was gently taken into his.
Xie Zhiyan’s large palm enveloped hers, a quiet reassurance.
Ning Yuxuan let him hold her hand, gradually settling back into calm.
Fine, I’ll let it go.
She glanced at the wall clock, even wondering why her mother hadn’t come upstairs to call them yet.
Then her phone buzzed in her pocket, startling her.
The screen showed an incoming call from Ning Fei.
She answered. “Mom?”
Ning Fei’s voice was warm. “I’ve cut some fruit. Come down with Zhiyan if you’re free? There’s your favorite peaches, plus apples, grapes, and more.”
Ning Yuxuan: “Okay, we’ll be right down.”
“Alright,” Ning Fei replied gently before hanging up.
She could guess why her mother had chosen to call instead of coming up in person.
It must have been because her mother had noticed something off in the past two days, so this time she guessed what they might have been doing upstairs.
At the thought, Ning Yuxuan felt the heat that had barely faded from her cheeks threatening to rise again.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself not to dwell on such thoughts.
Ning Yuxuan turned to the man beside her. "My mom wants us to go downstairs for some fruit."
Xie Zhiyan: "Should we go now?"
Ning Yuxuan: "...Yeah."
Xie Zhiyan stood up and reached out his hand to her.
Ning Yuxuan silently glanced at his slender, well-defined fingers but didn’t take his hand.
Though he had kissed her until her body felt weak, she wasn’t so unsteady that she needed help just to stand up.
As she rose, Ning Yuxuan deliberately avoided Xie Zhiyan, stepping ahead of him.
Xie Zhiyan said nothing, following behind her.
When Ning Yuxuan reached the top of the stairs, she paused just as she was about to take the first step down.
Xie Zhiyan stopped behind her. "What’s wrong?"
Ning Yuxuan turned around.
She spoke with slight unease. "Can you check if I look... normal?"
Even if they acted natural after spending so long upstairs, it would still seem suspicious.
But at the very least, she shouldn’t look disheveled in front of their parents.
The corners of Xie Zhiyan’s lips lifted as he replied gently, "Let me see."
His gaze traveled slowly from top to bottom, sweeping over her.
The moment his eyes lingered on her collarbone, Ning Yuxuan couldn’t help but say, "Maybe I should just check in the bathroom myself."
Before she could move, his hand caught hers.
Ning Yuxuan: "...What are you doing?"
Xie Zhiyan reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Ning Yuxuan’s breath hitched slightly.
His touch was light—just the faintest brush against her cheek as he smoothed her hair.
Ning Yuxuan suppressed the tingling sensation. "Done?"
"Not yet." Xie Zhiyan answered methodically, his hands moving to her collar.
With unhurried motions, he straightened the fabric until it lay perfectly flat.
"There." Xie Zhiyan finally said. "No one should be able to tell now."
Ning Yuxuan: "...Alright, let’s go."
She decided to trust him this once. After all, Xie Zhiyan had no reason to leave her disheveled on purpose, letting their mothers notice anything amiss.
Xie Zhiyan: "Wait."
Ning Yuxuan gave him a questioning look.
Xie Zhiyan: "Will you check me too?"
After a pause, he added in a neutral tone, "Are all my shirt buttons still fastened? Or did you tug them out of place again, like last time?"
Ning Yuxuan shot him a glare.
Still, she gave him a quick once-over.
Perhaps because she had kept her arms wrapped around his neck and back the whole time, she hadn’t messed with his clothes.
Aside from slight wrinkles, his shirt looked perfectly presentable.
Once satisfied, the two descended the stairs one after the other.
Ning Fei and Zheng Xinmei were already seated on the living room sofa, enjoying the fruit.
When they saw the pair coming down, Zheng Xinmei smiled and patted the spot beside her, beckoning Ning Yuxuan to sit.
"I was telling you about Zhiyan's childhood during dinner earlier, but I didn't finish," Zheng Xinmei said. "I just remembered another story related to his elementary school graduation photo."
...
Zheng Xinmei stayed at the Ning residence until a quarter to nine in the evening.
If it weren’t for Ning Fei’s habit of retiring early, she would have stayed even longer.
Since Xie Zhiyan had driven over this time, he naturally took his mother home as well.
With the elders present, Ning Yuxuan didn’t accompany Xie Zhiyan to the door alone as she usually would.
She and Ning Fei saw Xie Zhiyan and Zheng Xinmei off together, watching them leave.
Ning Fei had been tired since earlier in the day after filming a program.
But Zheng Xinmei’s enthusiasm and the fact that they hadn’t seen each other in a while kept her engaged until now.
After Zheng Xinmei left, Ning Fei gave her daughter a few brief reminders before heading upstairs to shower and rest.
Ning Yuxuan returned to her room and checked her messages.
Tao You confirmed with her that they would visit the boutique together on Tuesday to try on dresses for the engagement banquet.
Ning Yuxuan replied that it was no problem and that they’d meet then.
After freshening up, she received another message from Xie Zhiyan.
It contained the address of the property they were going to view the next day, along with some additional details.
Ning Yuxuan skimmed through the document—all her previous questions had already been addressed.
Xie Zhiyan asked if he could pick her up after lunch the following day.
She replied with a simple "Okay."
Exhausted from the day, she soon drifted off to sleep.
...
The next morning, Ning Yuxuan woke up and checked her work emails and messages.
Although she had already discussed with Zhou Lin and Chen Jun at Huayuan that they would handle all matters, big and small, for the week—and a detailed plan had been laid out in their previous meeting—she still couldn’t completely let go of her responsibilities.
At noon, she had lunch at home with Ning Fei.
At a quarter to two, Xie Zhiyan texted, saying he would arrive at the villa gate in ten minutes.
He and the driver arrived right on time. After informing Ning Fei, Ning Yuxuan headed out.
The car was parked by the roadside, and she carefully smoothed her skirt as she got in.
For the outing, she wore a dusty pink cotton maxi dress.
When selecting the property earlier, Ning Yuxuan had prioritized proximity to their current home.
As a result, their destination wasn’t far—less than ten minutes away outside of peak hours.
Upon arrival, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan stepped out of the car together.
This was just a preliminary visit. The place had already been cleaned, and the keys had been handed over to Xie Zhiyan.
Neither the driver nor the assistant accompanied them—it was just the two of them.
The neighborhood was an upscale residential area with low density.
On a weekday afternoon, they barely encountered anyone along the way.
When they entered the elevator to the apartment, they were alone again.
As the floor numbers ticked upward, Ning Yuxuan’s heartbeat inexplicably grew unsteady.
Logically, she knew this was just a property viewing.
But being alone with Xie Zhiyan in an enclosed space, and knowing they’d be the only ones in the apartment—the very apartment that would serve as their nominal marital home—made her take a deep breath.
Xie Zhiyan had been standing silently by her side when he suddenly spoke up, "Nervous?"
Ning Yuxuan's heart skipped a beat.
He hadn't even seen her expression—how could he be so perceptive?
She refused to admit it. "...No."
Xie Zhiyan remarked casually, "You always fiddle with your fingers when you're nervous or deep in thought."
At his words, Ning Yuxuan's left hand, which had been gripping her right fingers, froze.
She hadn't even realized she had this habit.
Caught red-handed, she stubbornly insisted, "I was just thinking."
Xie Zhiyan added nonchalantly, "When you're thinking, you bend them one by one. But when you're nervous, you squeeze all four fingers together."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Why couldn't he have said all that in one go?
She released her hand and shot him a glare just as the elevator doors opened.
Without waiting for him, Ning Yuxuan stepped out first.
The man behind her reminded her, "Turn right."
Her steps faltered mid-left turn before she changed direction.
The apartment had a keypad lock, though it could also be opened with a key.
Xie Zhiyan unlocked the door.
The first thing that caught her eye was the enormous floor-to-ceiling window at the far end.
It was a clear, sunny day, and the light streaming in was at its brightest.
Ning Yuxuan's eyes lit up, and without a second thought for the man beside her, she hurried toward the window.
A soft "beep" sounded in the distance—probably Xie Zhiyan turning on the air conditioning.
She ignored him, absorbed in the panoramic city view before her.
Her family's villa also had large windows overlooking lush gardens, a sight she adored.
But this place was higher, with an even broader vista—a completely different experience.
Footsteps approached from behind, stopping quietly beside her.
Still gazing at the scenery, Ning Yuxuan mused, "If we really buy this place, I want to put a lounge chair right here."
Xie Zhiyan spoke beside her, "It's our home. You can put whatever you like."
