Noticing Ning Yuxuan’s gaze, Xie Zhiyan raised a brow and slightly withdrew the hand holding the egg tart.
“What?” Xie Zhiyan asked. “Afraid of being seen?”
Ning Yuxuan: “I’m not—”
Xie Zhiyan’s tone carried obvious amusement. “Where’s the boldness from earlier when you threw yourself at me?”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
What did he mean by she threw herself at him? He’d been plenty enthusiastic too!
It wasn’t her who had held her tight in the room for ages afterward, nor was it her who had to take a cold shower to cool down.
She could tell Xie Zhiyan was baiting her, but… she couldn’t help rising to it.
Gritting her teeth, Ning Yuxuan lifted her chin. “Fine, go ahead.”
Xie Zhiyan chuckled at her martyr-like expression.
Now, however, he wasn’t in a hurry to feed her anymore. Leaning back leisurely, he said, “So worried about being discovered?”
Ning Yuxuan blinked.
Thinking about it, she really had no reason to be.
Since they hadn’t gone public on the show, she’d instinctively wanted to keep her relationship with Xie Zhiyan under wraps.
But honestly, what did it matter if people found out?
She wasn’t a celebrity—just a normal person dating someone. It wasn’t a big deal.
With that in mind, she said, “I’m not. I’m just not used to it yet.”
Xie Zhiyan’s eyes flickered.
Ning Yuxuan glared at him. “Why so many questions? Are you going to feed me or not?”
Xie Zhiyan stifled a laugh.
“Of course.” His voice was impossibly gentle. “Here, open up.”
The way he spoke, as if coaxing a child, made Ning Yuxuan fidget. She glanced at the egg tart now held near her lips again.
Then, as if making a monumental decision, she took a determined bite.
…Delicious.
With the delicious treat in front of her, Ning Yuxuan gradually forgot the awkwardness of being fed by a man.
Two bites later, she’d devoured most of the tart. Finding it inconvenient to keep eating from Xie Zhiyan’s hand, she simply snatched the rest and stuffed it into her mouth.
Xie Zhiyan watched her puffed-out cheeks and laughed under his breath.
After swallowing, Ning Yuxuan took a sip of water, then shot him a disgruntled look.
“What are you staring at?” she said. “Never seen a pretty girl eat before?”
Xie Zhiyan’s smile deepened.
A moment later, he replied, “Never seen one this pretty.”
Ning Yuxuan gave a soft huff.
Fine. Since he knew how to sweet-talk, she’d let him off the hook.
By the time they finished all the desserts on the table, it was nearly evening.
Ning Yuxuan checked the time and complained again, “If it weren’t for you, we’d have finished these tarts ages ago and could’ve moved on to dinner by now.”
Xie Zhiyan said mildly, “How about we take a walk first, then decide on dinner later?”
Ning Yuxuan sighed. “Guess we’ll have to.”
Xie Zhiyan: “There’s a small park not far from here. Want to go?”
The neighborhood park nearby was free to enter, a quiet spot for locals to unwind.
After paying, the two left the dessert shop and headed for the park.
Neither noticed the two pairs of eyes fixed intently on their retreating figures.
“Xinyi!” The girl with the princess-cut hairstyle immediately spoke up once they were gone. “I saw you take out your phone! Show me what you got!”
The short-haired girl, Xinyi, replied, “Hold on, let me check!”
Twenty minutes earlier…
Xinyi was a viewer of Dear Mom. Though she didn’t catch every episode live, she’d seen the latest one.
While enjoying cake with her friend, she spotted a striking couple entering the shop and instantly recognized them.
Too shy to stare outright, she pretended to glance around, discreetly confirming their identities.
At one point, she accidentally locked eyes with the woman and nearly choked, quickly looking down at her phone.
But that brief exchange convinced her—that was Ning Yuxuan!
She looked almost identical to how she appeared on-screen, though in person, her delicate features were even more striking, radiating an undeniable beauty.
As for the tall, poised man beside her? No question—it had to be Xie Zhiyan.
Having just watched the newest episode, Xinyi had a strong impression of Xie Zhiyan, especially his interactions with Ning Yuxuan.
Honestly, any live viewer would remember them well.
Every time the two so much as exchanged words on the show, fans would flood the comments, squealing about how sweet they were.
At the time, Xinyi hadn’t been a full-fledged shipper—she just thought they made a visually stunning pair.
When Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan later trended online, Xinyi had only skimmed the headlines without clicking.
She’d shipped actor pairings before and knew how fans could spin the tiniest details into “proof” of romance, even when it was pure imagination.
But this was different.
She was seeing Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan together in a dessert shop, acting intimate!
Her heart was ready to leap out of her chest.
She frantically typed to her friend: Look at the couple two tables over! Be subtle—don’t let them notice!
Soon, her friend messaged back: Wow, they’re gorgeous! Who are they? Celebrities?
Xinyi excitedly explained: The woman is Ning Yuxuan, from that mother-daughter reality show I told you about! The guy is Xie Zhiyan—super impressive, elite-tier!
Her friend: So they’re dating?
Xinyi: That’s the thing! On the show, they said they’re just friends. They have tons of shippers, but it’s not official!
Her friend: Wait… so we’re witnessing a secret celebrity couple on a date?!
Xinyi: YES!
Her friend: Don’t get too excited. Maybe they’re just discussing business over dessert?
Xinyi: No way! Who holds meetings in a dessert shop?! Gotta go—I need to observe more!
After their frenzied exchange, both girls set their phones down and subtly turned toward the couple.
They didn’t dare look too obviously, only stealing cautious glances.
They watched as the server delivered desserts to the table. Ning Yuxuan took a bite of the egg tart, laughing at something Xie Zhiyan said.
The short-haired girl lowered her voice, "See? Don’t they look exactly like a couple?"
The girl with a princess-cut hairstyle whispered back, "It kinda seems like it, but they haven’t hugged or kissed, so it’s hard to say for sure..."
The short-haired girl hushed her, "Shh, let’s keep watching—"
The two girls fell silent again.
Two minutes later.
Xie Zhiyan picked up an egg tart from the table and held it to Ning Yuxuan’s lips.
Both girls held their breaths, not even sparing a glance at each other, afraid to miss a single moment.
The short-haired girl quietly pulled out her phone, eyes glued to the scene while her fingers swiftly activated the camera, hoping to snap a few photos.
Ning Yuxuan didn’t take the bite at first, exchanging a few words with Xie Zhiyan—too soft for the girls to hear from their distance.
Finally, Xie Zhiyan raised the egg tart to her lips again.
This time, Ning Yuxuan shot him a mock-annoyed look before taking a bite.
...
Neither girl spoke, but their minds were screaming in silent excitement.
This was straight out of a sweet romantic drama!
With their ridiculously good looks, how was this any different from an idol series?
And the best part? They might be the first netizens to confirm Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan’s relationship—with exclusive footage!
As soon as the pair left, the short-haired girl immediately checked her phone.
Her eyes slowly widened in disbelief.
The princess-cut girl across from her nearly lunged for the phone. "Hurry up! What did you get? Show me!"
The short-haired girl swiped through her screen, murmuring, "There’s good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"
The other girl clicked her tongue impatiently. "No time for games! Fine—bad news first!"
"Bad news is, I messed up and didn’t take any photos."
The princess-cut girl groaned in disappointment. "Ugh, seriously?! Then what’s the good news?"
A sudden spark lit up the short-haired girl’s eyes. "Good news is, I accidentally hit record instead. I think we got a video!"
...
After a ten-minute walk, Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan arrived at the neighborhood park.
Having indulged in desserts late, they weren’t ready for dinner yet.
But the park was already lively with elderly residents and early diners strolling or enjoying evening activities.
Different corners buzzed with energy—dog walkers, shuttlecock kickers, fitness equipment users.
And of course, no park was complete without group activities.
Clusters of people divided by interest: elderly ladies waving silk fans in synchronized dance, a tai chi group practicing Ba Duan Jin, and a mixed-age crowd grooving to upbeat square dance music.
Ning Yuxuan’s gaze darted around, unsure where to spectate first.
After some deliberation, she headed toward the most rhythmic beats—the square dancers.
Without thinking, she grabbed Xie Zhiyan’s hand and tugged him along.
He interlaced their fingers in response.
They weren’t the only onlookers.
Finding a decent spot, Ning Yuxuan paused to watch.
To the lively tempo, the group moved in unison under the summer breeze.
Skill levels varied—some in the back were clearly beginners, missing steps or lagging behind.
Yet every face glowed with joy.
Even Ning Yuxuan caught the mood.
She glanced at Xie Zhiyan. "When I’m old, I’m joining them. Square dancing every day."
The corner of his mouth lifted. "No need to wait. You could join now if you want."
She glared. "Xie Zhiyan, are you saying I’m already old?!"
His tone stayed mild. "Of course not. You’re young now—and always will be, compared to me. If anyone’s old here, it’s me."
"Much better," she huffed. "Then what did you mean?"
Amusement flickered in his eyes. "Just that you look eager. If you want to jump in now, I won’t stop you."
Ning Yuxuan stared. "‘Won’t stop me’? You’re not coming with?"
"I don’t know how."
"Neither do I! It doesn’t look hard—we could learn." She nudged him. "What if I insist you join me?"
For the first time, the unflappable man seemed genuinely conflicted.
Watching him weigh the absurd request, Ning Yuxuan burst out laughing.
She pictured Xie Zhiyan square dancing—the mental image so vivid, she doubled over against his shoulder, giggling uncontrollably.
Xie Zhiyan steadied her with a resigned look.
When her laughter finally subsided, she waved a hand. "Fine, I’ll spare you today. If we actually did this and someone filmed it, Hengjiang’s stock might plummet."
Adopting a news anchor’s tone, she dramatized: "Hengjiang Group faces unprecedented crisis! Chairman and CEO Xie spotted square dancing in Beicheng park to relieve stress."
Xie Zhiyan endured her antics, then deadpanned, "If that ever happens, the headline should read: CEO Xie and his wife square dance together to weather the storm."
She snorted. "No way—I’d pretend not to know you."
He tightened his grip on her hand, lifting it between them.
Ning Yuxuan followed the motion, eyeing the diamond ring still on her left middle finger.
A recent purchase from Jiangcheng, she’d been wearing it off-camera, the novelty not yet worn off.
Xie Zhiyan nodded at it. "We’re holding hands, and you’re wearing this. Denial won’t work."
She blinked at the ring.
She’d treated it as mere jewelry—yet his words made it feel like a shackle.
Ning Yuxuan tilted her head. "Suddenly, this feels unfair."
He raised a brow, inviting explanation.
"People will see my ring and assume I’m at least taken," she said. "But your hand? Completely bare."
Xie Zhiyan smiled with a playful glint in his eyes. "Then you should buy me a ring too, to stake your claim?"
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Why did she feel like she’d just dug herself into another hole?
Ning Yuxuan: "We’ll talk about it later!"
As she spoke, the fast-paced music from earlier faded, replaced by a softer, more melodic tune.
The crowd of square dancers slowed their steps accordingly.
Ning Yuxuan recognized the song and hummed along lightly.
Her musical talent was mediocre at best—she sang off-key, and the only instrument she’d ever learned, the piano, had long been abandoned.
But moving to the rhythm was human instinct.
She swayed casually to the music, her body naturally following the beat.
One hand remained intertwined with Xie Zhiyan’s.
She glanced at their joined hands, then at him, shooting him a look: You’re cramping my style.
Xie Zhiyan didn’t let go. Instead, he lifted her hand above her head.
Realizing what he meant to do, Ning Yuxuan burst into laughter.
She played along, twirling under his arm as if they were dancing a waltz.
Coincidentally, she was wearing a cotton dress with a wide skirt that day, and as she spun, the fabric flared gracefully in the air.
Her mood soared along with the motion.
Xie Zhiyan watched her with a tender smile.
Ning Yuxuan met his gaze. "Xie Zhiyan, when we’re old, you have to come dancing with me."
Since getting together, they’d never exchanged any grand romantic vows.
But this time, the words slipped out effortlessly, carrying a promise she didn’t even realize she was making.
Xie Zhiyan studied her deeply.
Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow. "What? If you’re not up for it, I’ll just find some other old man to dance with. With my looks, even when I’m old, I’ll be popular—"
Before she could finish, Xie Zhiyan tightened his grip on her hand.
Caught off guard, Ning Yuxuan stumbled into his arms.
He brushed his lips lightly against the corner of her mouth. "Don’t even think about it."
Her heart raced at the contact.
After a moment, she regained her composure and straightened up, feigning nonchalance. "Say what you want. By then, you’ll just be an old man too—good luck stopping me."
But the smile tugging at her lips was impossible to suppress.
By the time they left the park, it was nearly seven in the evening.
They had dinner at a nearby homestyle restaurant before Xie’s driver arrived to take Ning Yuxuan home first.
On the way, Ning Shiyue sent her a message: Have you seen the trending list?
Ning Yuxuan was baffled: No, why? Did you win an award or something?
Ning Shiyue: ...
Ning Shiyue: Are you and Zhiyan planning to go public? Or are you keeping it under wraps?
Reading between the lines, Ning Yuxuan sensed something was up.
Before she could piece it together, another message arrived.
Ning Shiyue: Never mind. Doesn’t matter either way. Just check the trending list yourself.
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
She opened Weibo and immediately spotted the hashtag Ning Shiyue was referring to:
#NingYuxuanAndXieZhiyanOnADate
The top post was a video of them in a dessert shop.
The footage was slightly grainy, but clear enough to identify the couple.
In the clip, Xie Zhiyan gently lifted a custard tart to Ning Yuxuan’s lips, feeding her with unmistakable tenderness.
The comments section was flooded with ecstatic fans, especially shippers who’d been waiting for this moment.
The previous trending topic had already led netizens to uncover plenty of evidence linking Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiuan.
But no matter how convincing the theories were, they lacked definitive proof.
Now, the shippers could finally gloat.
OMG THEY’RE REAL!! MY SHIP HAS SAILED!!!
Whoever filmed this deserves a medal!!
I’ve watched this 10-second clip like 50 times already—I’m losing it!!!
SO SWEET!!! The way Xie Zhiyan feeds her… my heart can’t take it!!!
Someone wondered what Xie Zhiyan had said during the moment, since the audio was too muffled to catch.
Soon, a lip-reading expert chimed in:
Pretty sure he said, "Yuxuan, when do you want to make us official?"
Netizens compared the mouth movements and confirmed the translation.
The excitement skyrocketed.
XIE ZHIYAN IS IMPATIENT TO ANNOUNCE THEIR RELATIONSHIP CONFIRMED!!!
He wants the whole world to know they’re together!!!
Take that, haters! All those people saying Ning Yuxuan was chasing him—look who’s eager now!
As the video went viral, fans began dissecting it frame by frame.
Before long, someone noticed a suspicious glint on Ning Yuxuan’s left ring finger at a certain angle.
It looked unmistakably like… a diamond ring.
The revelation was almost too much for the shippers to process.
Wait… is that an engagement ring?! Are they not just dating but MARRIED?!
Calm down, guys! It’s on her middle finger—probably an engagement, not wedding ring.
“JUST” AN ENGAGEMENT?! MY SHIP IS SAILING STRAIGHT TO THE ALTAR!!!
I might cry… this is the most real-life romance I’ve ever shipped!!!
However, the glint only appeared briefly, leading some skeptics to doubt:
Are we sure it’s a diamond? The video’s so blurry.
Could just be a regular decorative ring. Not everything shiny is a diamond.
But then, another bombshell dropped.
A netizen claiming to be a sales associate at a Jiangcheng jewelry store came forward, saying she’d served Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan a few days prior. According to her, the couple had purchased several pieces, including a diamond ring.
Though she didn’t provide photo proof, her detailed account of the time and location lent credibility.
She even shared a photo of the ring’s design.
After zooming in and comparing, fans confirmed the match.
IT’S REAL!!! They just bought an engagement ring in Jiangcheng—wedding bells soon?!
I’M OBSESSED!!!
Ning Yuxuan quietly finished watching the videos under the trending hashtag, along with several popular posts.
She also skimmed through the netizens' comments.
After reading everything, she fell silent for a few seconds.
Though she hadn’t intended to strictly keep their relationship under wraps, still… she’d taken a chance just once, and they’d already been caught on camera?
Ning Yuxuan glanced at Xie Zhiyan.
The man had been sitting beside her the entire time she browsed the trending topics.
"What… do you think we should do?" Ning Yuxuan asked him. "Should we issue a clarification?"
Xie Zhiyan raised a brow.
"Clarify what?" he replied nonchalantly. "That we’re not just preparing to get engaged, but already married?"
Ning Yuxuan: "…"
