Ning Yuxuan collided with the inscrutable darkness in Xie Zhiyan's eyes, her cheeks burning.
"What do you mean I'm the one making things difficult for you?" She forced herself to hold his gaze. "You're the one who didn’t prepare everything properly, and now you’re blaming me..."
This afternoon in the apartment, mustering her courage had already been hard enough—how could she have considered every little detail?
Xie Zhiyan sighed softly. "My fault."
He had the desires of any normal man, and every time they tangled together, she ignited the most primal urges in him.
But the more he treasured her, the more he restrained himself.
After waiting for her all these years, he had long grown accustomed to self-control.
At first, he worried she’d think things were moving too fast and didn’t want to push her.
Today... he hadn’t expected her to be so bold.
Xie Zhiyan stared into Ning Yuxuan’s eyes, his voice low. "Let me off tonight, hm?"
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
"No." She pressed a fingertip to her own plump lower lip. "I want you to kiss me here."
Xie Zhiyan fell silent, his gaze darkening dangerously.
Ning Yuxuan had never demanded anything so brazenly from him before. Now, her heart threatened to pound right out of her chest.
All bark and no bite—that phrase suited her perfectly in this moment.
Back in school, she never understood why those couples could linger kissing at the dorm gates for so long, as if tomorrow meant the end of the world and they’d never see each other again.
Now, she was starting to get it.
Physical attraction was uncontrollable. Even after countless kisses, she still craved his touch every second.
Xie Zhiyan didn’t move immediately, just watched her intently.
Ning Yuxuan’s pulse roared in her ears, her courage nearly faltering.
After a few seconds, she parted her lips slightly. "I—"
The rest of her words were swallowed by his mouth.
Xie Zhiyan kissed her fiercely, one broad hand pressing her entire body against him with enough force to almost hurt.
Every shred of restraint was forgotten.
Ning Yuxuan melted into his chest, her mind blank except for one final thought before coherence fled—
Thank goodness Xie Zhiyan kissed me. If I’d gotten rejected after mustering the nerve to ask, that would’ve been humiliating.
......
The kiss seemed to last an eternity.
When they finally broke apart, both were gasping for air.
Ning Yuxuan clung to his neck, looking up at him with uneven breaths. "Was I... too selfish?"
She’d known exactly what she was provoking, yet still recklessly demanded his kiss.
Pressed against him, she’d felt the evidence of his desire all too clearly.
Xie Zhiyan’s voice was rough. "Very selfish."
Her eyes locked on his, her words trembling slightly from oxygen deprivation. "Are you angry?"
A soft chuckle escaped him.
His thumb traced from her forehead down the curve of her face, finally pausing to gently stroke the shell of her ear.
Xie Zhiyan: "If I said yes, would you stop next time?"
Her lashes fluttered.
She heard herself say, "I’d do it again."
......
By the time they returned to the villa, the clock’s hour hand hovered between nine and ten.
Ning Fei had left the living room light on for her. Ning Yuxuan changed her shoes, this time abandoning any pretense of hiding things from her mother.
Her mother knew her too well—the slightest change would give her away. Trying to conceal it would only make it more obvious.
Ning Yuxuan slowed her steps as she climbed upstairs, pausing outside Ning Fei’s bedroom door before softly calling out, "Mom."
Ning Fei’s voice came from inside: "Yuxuan? I’m still awake, come in."
Pushing the door open, Ning Yuxuan entered to find her mother closing the book in her hands and placing it on the nightstand.
Ning Fei motioned for her daughter to come closer. "Yuxuan, I heard about you and Xie Zhiyan going public."
Ning Yuxuan sat beside her mother. "Did Ning Shiyue tell you?"
Ning Fei smiled. "Yes, he sent me a message. But besides him, quite a few friends also reached out, asking if you and Zhiyan were getting married."
Ning Yuxuan blinked in surprise—she hadn’t expected her single Weibo post to draw so much attention from her mother’s circle.
Ning Fei chuckled lightly. "But I already replied to them, saying it’s your private matter, still under discussion, and that I don’t know the details."
"Mom..."
Ning Fei shook her head. "No need to explain. Didn’t I already tell you before? Whether or not to go public is your decision—I won’t interfere."
"You’re not upset I didn’t discuss it with you first?"
Ning Fei tapped her daughter’s nose playfully. "Of course not."
Ning Yuxuan grinned, her eyes curving into crescents.
Then Ning Fei tilted her head and teased, "But if something similar happens in the future, will you blame me?"
Ning Yuxuan froze for a moment before processing the implication. Her eyes widened slowly. "Mom… don’t tell me you—"
Ning Fei’s expression turned slightly bashful. "Well… Liang Jihuai officially confessed to me today."
Before this, there had been an unspoken tension between them, but over dinner tonight, Liang Jihuai had openly expressed his feelings.
With both her children approving of him and their recent time together sparking her own affection, Ning Fei found herself drawn to him.
Add to that Liang Jihuai’s striking looks, steady demeanor, and respect for her stance on marriage—along with their natural compatibility—she had no reason to refuse.
Ironically, not long after she accepted, she saw the news of her daughter and Xie Zhiyan’s relationship announcement on her way home.
After a brief moment of surprise, Ning Yuxuan was genuinely thrilled for her mother.
With mock solemnity, she declared, "Madam Ning Fei, congratulations on embarking on a sweet romance."
Ning Fei shot her a playful glare. "At my age, what’s there to be ‘sweet’ about?"
Ning Yuxuan clung to her mother’s arm, pouting. "What age? You’re still so young people mistake us for sisters!"
Ning Fei knew her daughter was buttering her up, but she couldn’t help laughing.
"By the way," Ning Fei asked after a moment, "didn’t you go house-hunting with Zhiyan today? How was it?"
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "It was great—good location, great amenities, and close to here. Oh, I took photos. Let me show you—"
...
After chatting a while longer and bidding each other goodnight, Ning Yuxuan returned to her room to wash up and sleep.
The next morning, she had Uncle Li drive her to a bridal boutique.
She’d promised Tao You she’d accompany her for a dress fitting.
Tao You had started browsing wedding gowns months ago, already settling on an elaborate one as her main dress and a sleek satin number for the reception.
Both had been booked in advance, and Tao You had sent Ning Yuxuan photos earlier.
This time, the goal was to pick out two sets of attire for the engagement banquet, plus a toast dress for the wedding—three outfits in total.
Upon arriving at the bridal shop, Tao You was already waiting at the entrance.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at the time.
Tao You eagerly rushed over. "Oh, Yuxuan, you're not late at all—I just came way too early! Come on, I’ve already spotted a few nice ones before you got here."
Ning Yuxuan was pulled into the shop by Tao You, where the staff immediately greeted them with enthusiasm.
"You must be Ms. Tao’s friend?" the salesperson said. "You two are absolutely stunning—such beauties! In all my years in this business, I’ve never seen a pair with such high looks!"
The salesperson didn’t hold back on the compliments, seizing the chance to promote their services. "Ma’am, if you see any dresses you like, feel free to try them on. As long as you end up making a purchase, the fitting fee is completely free!"
Ning Yuxuan smiled. "No need for me—I’ll just accompany her for now."
"Of course, no problem!" The salesperson nodded eagerly before turning to Tao You. "Ms. Tao, shall we start with those two qipaos you liked earlier?"
The staff carefully retrieved the qipaos from their dust covers and led Tao You to the fitting room.
Before heading in, Tao You reminded Ning Yuxuan to take note of any dresses she thought looked good, so she could try them later.
Tao You explained that she planned to wear two outfits for the engagement ceremony—one qipao and one Western-style gown.
Ning Yuxuan wandered around the shop idly.
She recalled that Xie Zhiyan had also mentioned holding a wedding.
But since then, he hadn’t brought it up again, and Ning Yuxuan had been too busy with her show and Huayuan’s matters to dwell on it.
Now, surrounded by dazzling wedding dresses and formal gowns, the thought resurfaced.
Ning Yuxuan had never really imagined what her own wedding would be like.
Where would it be held? Who would be invited? How many outfits would she change into?
Just as her thoughts began to drift, Tao You’s voice pulled her back to reality.
"Yuxuan!" Tao You emerged from the fitting room with a bright smile, twirling in front of her. "How’s this one? Not bad, right?"
The salesperson had already showered her with praise. "It looks amazing! This qipao complements your figure perfectly, and with your fair skin, it’s just the right fit!"
Tao You blinked, waiting for Ning Yuxuan’s opinion.
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "It really does suit you—the cut and color are great. But I remember you never liked dresses with too much sequin detailing?"
Tao You immediately agreed. "Exactly! Honestly, I still don’t. I wasn’t too fond of the sequins on this qipao from the start. But people say engagement qipaos shouldn’t be too plain, or they won’t stand out enough..."
Ning Yuxuan chuckled. "Then try some others. Standing out doesn’t have to mean sequins. It’s your engagement—your look should be something you’re completely happy with."
Tao You nodded emphatically. "You’re right, Yuxuan. I’ll try a few more!"
With the salesperson’s recommendations, Tao You picked out several other qipaos to try.
By the fourth one, her expression as she checked the mirror was noticeably different.
The salesperson, skilled at reading reactions, instantly recognized her satisfaction and once again piled on the compliments.
Tao You had always been easily swayed by praise—every dress she tried on was called "gorgeous" by the staff, leaving her unsure what to believe.
She had no choice but to look to Ning Yuxuan for her opinion.
This cheongsam wasn’t as heavily embellished with sequins as the first one, but it had delicate lace patterns and was adorned with a pearl chain, ensuring it didn’t appear too plain.
The tailoring also accentuated Tao You’s figure perfectly—the length was just right, elegant without overwhelming her petite frame.
Ning Yuxuan affirmed, "It looks beautiful. Out of all the ones you’ve tried, this is my favorite."
Tao You’s eyes lit up. "Mine too! Perfect, then this will be the cheongsam for the engagement!"
She turned to the shop assistant and said, "I’ll take this one. Please note it down for me—I’ll keep looking at the others."
The assistant eagerly agreed.
"By the way," Tao You added, "I really liked that long one earlier, but I’m not tall enough to carry it off. Yuxuan, it would suit you perfectly—want to try it?"
Ning Yuxuan hesitated slightly.
Noticing this, the assistant chimed in, "How about this, Miss Ning? I’ll arrange a discount for you. Even if you don’t end up ordering it, I won’t charge you the fitting fee—just recommend our shop to your friends in the future."
Since Tao You had already settled on a cheongsam, the assistant, sensing Ning Yuxuan’s reluctance, waived the fitting fee altogether.
This young lady carried an air of sophistication—if they could gain a high-end client like her, it would far outweigh the cost of a single fitting fee.
Ning Yuxuan wasn’t hesitating because of the money, but seeing Tao You’s enthusiasm and not minding the idea herself, she nodded in agreement.
The assistant handed her the cheongsam. "The fitting room is this way. Let me know if you need anything."
A few minutes later, Ning Yuxuan stepped out of the fitting room.
Tao You gasped immediately. "I knew my taste was spot-on! This one looks absolutely stunning on you!"
Without another word, she grabbed her phone and started snapping pictures of Ning Yuxuan.
"Since we’ve got time to spare, Yuxuan, why not try a few more?" Tao You suggested. "We can try them together."
Under Tao You’s relentless urging, Ning Yuxuan tried on several more dresses, each one photographed.
Eventually, Ning Yuxuan grew tired, while Tao You still seemed full of energy.
Declining Tao You’s offer to try yet another, Ning Yuxuan sat on the sofa and waved her off, signaling for her to continue without waiting.
Tao You had already tried on far more dresses than her but showed no signs of fatigue—judging by her momentum, she’d likely try at least five more evening gowns.
Ning Yuxuan, however, was done. She accepted the lemon water handed to her by the assistant and settled on the sofa to scroll through her phone.
Xie Zhiyan sent her a message, asking if she wanted the driver to pick her up afterward.
He had accompanied her from noon till night yesterday, but today he had back-to-back meetings and couldn’t get away.
Ning Yuxuan replied:
Sure, I’ll let you know when we’re almost done. Oh, and make sure the driver brings the Rolls-Royce.
Tao You had been deeply impressed by Xie Zhiyan’s Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase, finding it incredibly stylish, and had gushed about it to Ning Yuxuan multiple times.
Xie Zhiyan:
Got it. Everything going well on your end?
Ning Yuxuan:
Not bad. The dresses at this shop are quite nice—I tried a few myself.
Xie Zhiyan:
You’re not usually one to send photos. Why not this time?
Ning Yuxuan: "…"
So what if she’d sent him photos twice in the middle of the night? Did this man have to tease her every chance he got?
Ning Yuxuan:
Not sending any.
Xie Zhiyan: [What's wrong?]
Ning Yuxuan: [Avoiding suspicion. Don’t want you accusing me of seducing you.]
Xie Zhiyan: [It’s fine. I’m on my lunch break.]
Ning Yuxuan was speechless—what did he mean by "it’s fine" just because he was on break?
There were plenty of photos in her phone’s gallery, all taken by Tao You earlier.
But they were all proper formal dresses, far from anything scandalous.
Ning Yuxuan replied seriously: [If you’re really interested, I’ll send you a few.]
Xie Zhiyan: [Okay.]
Ning Yuxuan had tried on three qipaos and two mermaid-style gowns earlier. The wedding dress was too troublesome to put on and take off, so she hadn’t bothered.
She scrolled through her gallery and picked one photo of each dress to send.
Ning Yuxuan: [Well? Any that meet President Xie’s standards?]
She asked, but if he dared say they weren’t good, she’d immediately fire back.
A moment later, his reply came.
Xie Zhiyan: [They all look beautiful on you.]
Ning Yuxuan rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. [Such an unoriginal answer. If we were really picking a dress for a wedding, your response would be completely useless.]
Xie Zhiyan: [I’m not lying. They really do suit you.]
Xie Zhiyan: [If you want, you can wear all your favorite dresses at the wedding—change as many times as you like.]
He had no personal experience, but he’d attended a few high-society weddings.
In their circles, extravagance was everything. Brides often changed outfits for every segment of the ceremony, pairing each gown with different jewelry.
Ning Yuxuan laughed. [No thanks. You might not mind the hassle, but I’d get exhausted.]
Still, the idea of a wedding did stir a faint longing in her heart.
Just then, Tao You stepped out in another reception dress and asked Ning Yuxuan for her opinion.
Ning Yuxuan sent Xie Zhiyan a quick ["Talk later"] before looking up to give Tao You her thoughts.
Meanwhile, Xie Zhiyan’s driver received a message.
He was to bring the Bentley to the company—the afternoon business meeting would use that car instead, while the Rolls-Royce would be reserved to pick up Miss Ning later.
Normally, Xie Zhiyan preferred the Rolls-Royce for formal events, but when it came to Miss Ning, he’d already broken many of his usual rules.
The driver knew better than to question it and simply replied, [Understood.]
Ning Yuxuan and Tao You had spent the entire morning trying on dresses.
Over in Jiangcheng, Ning Shiyue finished filming his morning scenes and was greeted by fans during his lunch break.
They’d brought gifts—handwritten letters, plush toys, and some snacks.
Knowing Ning Shiyue wouldn’t accept anything too extravagant, they’d kept things simple and heartfelt.
Ning Shiyue had always been gentle with his fans, which was why he’d earned such loyal support.
"Thank you," he said. "You’ve already gone through the trouble of coming here—next time, no need to bring so much."
The fans insisted it was no trouble.
Ning Shiyue shook his head. "Really, don’t bring gifts. I don’t even have space for them. Like these—"
He held up a few snack packets. "The catering on set is great. You should keep these for yourselves."
The fans exchanged glances.
This was a rare chance to see their idol—of course they wanted him to accept their offerings.
A bold fan spoke up: "Shiyue, these snacks are for Sister Yuxuan! Doesn’t she love snacks? We bought them for her!"
Ning Shiyue paused, the snacks in his hand.
He glanced casually at the packaging—some of them did seem like the kind Ning Yuxuan would enjoy.
"...Alright." Ning Shiyue nodded hesitantly. "I’ll take the snacks, but these plush toys—"
Before he could finish, another fan quickly followed suit: "This toy is also for Sister Yuxuan!"
Ning Shiyue: "...?"
Afraid he might refuse, the fan hastily added, "Really, really! I saw in that 'Mom' variety show—Sister Yuxuan’s room was full of plush toys, right? She’d definitely love this one too!"
Ning Shiyue’s expression froze for a few seconds.
Now that he thought about it, Ning Yuxuan’s room was indeed cluttered with stuffed animals and decorations.
He’d even complained about it before, saying her bedroom was a mess of random things—hardly tidy, and a tripping hazard if she got up at night.
Ning Shiyue: "Well... fine."
The other fans exchanged glances, sensing a pattern.
As long as the gifts were for Ning Yuxuan, Ning Shiyue wouldn’t refuse.
So, every present suddenly had a roundabout connection to her.
Ning Shiyue could tell some of the excuses were made up—some more outrageous than others.
But he’d already set a precedent, and to avoid disappointing the rest, he had to accept them all.
Finally, one fan dared to ask: "Shiyue, that tweet you reposted yesterday—does that mean you approve of that brother-in-law?"
Originally just Ning Shiyue’s fan, she’d become a fan of the whole Ning family after watching 'Mom,' plus a half-hearted shipper of Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan.
Hearing this, the other fans also turned curious eyes on Ning Shiyue, waiting for his answer.
Anyone paying attention lately could see how much he valued his family.
So now, no true fan of Ning Shiyue would dislike Ning Yuxuan.
Ning Shiyue paused, then cleared his throat. "Sort of."
Encouraged by his lack of resistance, the fan pressed further: "So, Shiyue, does that mean you support Sister Yuxuan and CEO Xie being together?"
Ning Shiyue coughed lightly. "Of course. If I didn’t support it, would Ning Yuxuan even be with him?"
The fans chorused an understanding "Ohhh."
Ning Shiyue smiled and nodded, though a flicker of guilt crossed his mind.
...
After seeing off the fans, Ning Shiyue had his assistant help organize the gifts and snapped a photo.
He sent it to Ning Yuxuan: This is all your fault. I had to accept so many gifts from fans because of you.
Ning Yuxuan: Your fans—what does that have to do with me?
Ning Shiyue: They all said the gifts were for you. I couldn’t refuse. And your shippers even tracked me down on set, asking if I support you and Zhiyan-ge being together.
Ning Yuxuan: Oh? And what did you say?
Ning Shiyue: Like I’d bother answering something so pointless. I said I don’t care—you can be with whoever you want!
Ning Shiyue: [Anyway, when I get back from Jiangcheng, you’re responsible for transporting all these gifts for me!]
...
In Beicheng, Ning Yuxuan finished replying to Ning Shiyue’s message and took a bite of her mozzarella cheese stick.
After a whole morning, Tao You had finally settled on two outfits for the engagement party and a reception dress for the wedding.
Just as the two of them were leisurely enjoying Italian cuisine at a restaurant near the bridal boutique, a piece of news quietly spread throughout the elite social circles.
The northwestern part of Tongxing District had been designated as a resort area, set to become a key tertiary industry project in Beicheng, with an estimated total investment exceeding ten billion.
Before this news broke, all related information had been strictly kept confidential by top officials, leaving no one in Beicheng’s high-society circles with any prior knowledge.
Before this, Tongxing District had often been overlooked as a less prosperous area of Beicheng, and few investors had made major moves there recently.
The last notable action many had heard of was just one thing—
Huayuan Hotel, under Ning Fei’s ownership and managed by Ning Yuxuan, had acquired four properties in Tongxing District a month and a half ago. All were now in preparation for opening.
