Ning Yuxuan was in the second-floor reception room of the old mansion when she heard that Xie Zhiyan had arrived.
After the formal ceremony concluded, Old Master Gu had been surrounded by guests taking turns toasting and congratulating him on his birthday. It wasn’t until 2:15 that the old man excused himself, citing fatigue, and then instructed Steward He to summon Ning Yuxuan to the small reception room on the second floor.
When Ning Yuxuan arrived, Old Master Gu smiled and beckoned to her. "Yuxuan, come sit with me."
Having long held a position of authority, Old Master Gu could effortlessly command his presence, but at this moment, his expression was gentle, making him seem like nothing more than an ordinary, kindly old man.
Ning Yuxuan took a seat in the chair beside him.
The old man took a sip of tea and began chatting casually, as if making small talk. "It’s been a month since we last met. How is your family?"
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "They’re all well. My father will be coming to Beicheng on business next week."
Old Master Gu chuckled. "Ah, Yuanfeng mentioned that to me—said he wanted to wish me a happy birthday in person. If I weren’t so old, I’d have insisted on sharing a few more drinks with him."
After a few more pleasantries, the conversation finally turned to the main topic.
"Yuxuan," Old Master Gu said, his face lined with wrinkles but his eyes still sharp. "Tell me, what exactly happened between you and Yunhao?"
Ning Yuxuan knew this was the real reason the old man had called her here.
She remained composed. "Our personalities aren’t very compatible, and Gu Yunhao doesn’t actually like someone like me. So this time, we’ve really broken up."
She was well aware that no matter how kindly Old Master Gu treated her or how sternly he disciplined his grandson, his heart would always side with his own flesh and blood. So she kept her explanation simple, without any hint of accusation.
But Old Master Gu was far too shrewd.
Coupled with Steward He’s earlier remark that his grandson had brought another woman today, the old man immediately grasped the implication behind Ning Yuxuan’s words. "Are you saying Yunhao has fallen for someone else?"
Ning Yuxuan smiled faintly. "Grandfather Gu, I can’t say for certain what Gu Yunhao is thinking. Perhaps you should ask him yourself. But as for the breakup, my mind is made up. Thank you for your kindness all these years, but it seems I’m not fated to be your granddaughter-in-law."
Old Master Gu fell silent, his gaze deep as he studied the young woman before him.
Having lived a life of discerning people’s true natures, he could tell that Ning Yuxuan seemed different from before. He also recognized that her decision to end things with his grandson was genuine—not some ploy to play hard to get.
Before today, Old Master Gu had been more than happy—even eager—to see Ning Yuxuan marry Gu Yunhao.
Years ago, when the Gu family faced a crisis with their capital chain on the verge of collapse, it was Ning Yuxuan’s father, Lin Yuanfeng, who had stepped in to help them weather the storm. The old man had never forgotten that debt of gratitude.
If not for Ning Fei’s adamant refusal, Old Master Gu would have even gifted Ning Yuxuan a property as repayment for that past kindness.
Over the years, he had watched Ning Yuxuan grow up, knowing that while she could be impulsive, she was fundamentally good-hearted and uncomplicated.
Yet after just a month apart, she seemed to have matured considerably, her demeanor and speech carrying a newfound depth.
Being clever wasn’t a bad thing—but for someone who might become the Gu family’s daughter-in-law, it wasn’t necessarily a good thing either.
Besides, matters of the heart couldn’t be forced. The old man understood that well.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Very well. If you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say more. But no matter what..." His face softened into a kindly smile again. "I’ll always be your Grandfather Gu. If anyone ever gives you trouble in the future, come find me. I’ll make sure justice is served."
Ning Yuxuan nodded obediently. "Thank you, Grandfather Gu."
If she and Gu Yunhao ever came into conflict later, these words would likely amount to nothing, but for now, at least, the old man would still give her face.
That was enough.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door, followed by Steward He’s voice. "Old Master, it’s me."
The old man’s tone turned serious. "Come in."
Steward He wouldn’t interrupt unless it was urgent.
Sure enough, the steward entered and spoke in a low voice. "Old Master, that… Mr. Xie has arrived."
Old Master Gu had been lifting his teacup to take a sip, but his hand paused mid-motion. "Xie Zhiyan?"
"Yes."
The old man allowed Steward He to help him to his feet. "I’ll go greet him."
He then gestured to Ning Yuxuan, indicating that she was free to do as she pleased.
The second floor was the Gu family’s private area, so Ning Yuxuan couldn’t very well linger. She followed Old Master Gu out of the room.
Her heart, too, was racing with surprise.
When she had heard "Xie Zhiyan," she had almost doubted her own ears.
She checked her phone—2:40.
A glance at WeChat confirmed there were no new messages from Xie Zhiyan.
Earlier, he had told her to wait for his message, and she had assumed it was because he wasn’t sure when his work would wrap up, so he’d contact her when he was free.
Or perhaps he would send an assistant or driver to pick her up.
She had considered every possibility—except that Xie Zhiyan would personally attend the birthday banquet.
Lost in thought, Ning Yuxuan walked forward absentmindedly.
By the time she snapped back to reality, she realized she had followed Old Master Gu all the way to the banquet hall.
When she looked up, her gaze landed on the striking man at the center of the crowd.
Most of the guests, men and women alike, were dressed in formal evening wear, yet Xie Zhiyan stood out effortlessly in an ordinary business suit, his commanding presence making the attire seem anything but out of place.
As someone unrelated to the Gu family, Ning Yuxuan had no reason to stand beside the host while he welcomed an honored guest—but by the time she realized this, it was already too late to retreat gracefully.
The crowd had parted automatically when Old Master Gu appeared, and having followed closely behind him, turning away now would seem abrupt.
So Ning Yuxuan simply stood quietly behind the old man.
Old Master Gu stepped forward. "Zhiyan, you should have told me you were coming."
Xie Zhiyan extended his hand with a faint smile. "It was a last-minute decision. I hope I’m not intruding."
The old man laughed heartily. "Not at all! For you to grace this old man’s humble celebration in person is an honor."
The two had no prior friendship, nor did the Xie and Gu families have any business dealings. That Xie Zhiyan had chosen to attend the banquet at all was a significant gesture of respect.
After the initial exchange of pleasantries, Xie Zhiyan’s gaze swept lightly across the room before settling on Ning Yuxuan, who had subtly retreated two steps behind Old Master Gu.
Her steps faltered.
Old Master Gu followed Xie Zhiyan’s line of sight, surprised to find it resting on Ning Yuxuan. But his expression remained genial. "Zhiyan, I don’t believe you’ve met this young lady before. Shall I introduce you?"
Xie Zhiyan smiled faintly. "No need. We’ve met on several occasions."
His eyes locked with Ning Yuxuan’s. "Miss Ning."
Ning Yuxuan hesitated for a split second before stepping forward to shake his hand. "Mr. Xie, it’s been a while."
No one dared to comment openly in Xie Zhiyan’s presence, but Ning Yuxuan could already feel countless eyes scrutinizing her from every angle.
Xie Zhiyan rarely attended social gatherings, so his appearance at such a crowded event had drawn no shortage of people eager to curry favor.
Several of the Gu family’s sons had already taken their turns greeting him.
Everyone was whispering that whoever among them could befriend Xie Zhiyan first would gain a significant advantage in the inheritance battle.
The others also rushed over to offer drinks, knowing that Xie Zhiyan might not stay long—if they missed this opportunity, who knew when the next would come?
Under such circumstances, it was inevitable that people would speculate when Xie Zhiyan took the initiative to greet a young woman.
The news spread quickly.
The business magnates, mindful of their status, kept their curiosity to themselves, discreetly ordering investigations rather than openly discussing it.
But the banquet was also filled with younger attendees and "idle gossips," and soon, murmurs filled the air.
"Who is this Miss Ning? I’ve never heard of her before. Why would President Xie greet her personally?"
"Not just that—Old Master Gu also seemed to favor her, praising the gift she brought."
"I remember her name—Ning Yuxuan. Old Master Gu specifically mentioned it."
Before long, rumors spread that Ning Yuxuan and Gu Yunhao might be dating.
"No way! I thought she and President Xie… So she’s actually with the Gu family’s young master?"
"I’m not entirely sure either… But this Miss Ning is impressive—first getting close to Gu Yunhao, now catching Xie Zhiyan’s eye."
"Exactly! Do you think Xie Zhiyan is only treating her differently out of respect for the Gu family?"
"That’s possible… But from what I’ve seen, President Xie barely acknowledges the rest of the Gu family. Why only her?"
...
Among the guests were many of Gu Yunhao’s friends, including his childhood buddy Qi Ang.
Having just shared drinks with Gu Yunhao the previous night, Qi Ang knew about the messy situation between him and Ning Yuxuan. Hearing the gossip, he couldn’t resist asking.
"Hey, Yunhao, what’s really going on between you and Ning Yuxuan? Did you two break up or not?"
Already irritated, Gu Yunhao snapped, "What’s it to you?"
"Alright, alright, I won’t pry. But seriously…" Qi Ang lowered his voice, "Having your ex and your current flame in the same room? Bold move. Aren’t you afraid Old Master Gu will tear into you?"
Gu Yunhao’s expression darkened further.
He had tried to speak with Ning Yuxuan earlier, only to be intercepted by his grandfather. Later, he couldn’t find a moment alone with her.
Just as he spotted her heading to fetch a drink, Steward He called her upstairs.
Fresh from a scolding by Old Master Gu, Gu Yunhao didn’t dare follow. But he worried—what if Ning Yuxuan said something unfavorable to his grandfather?
Frustrated, he sent a few messages to Cen Meng, determined to smooth things over and ensure she wouldn’t act impulsively.
If Cen Meng blurted out something careless and word got back to Old Master Gu, the fallout would be disastrous.
When they finally met, Gu Yunhao poured all his charm into placating Cen Meng, eventually convincing her to keep their relationship under wraps for now.
To avoid gossip reaching his grandfather, he told Cen Meng to stay out of sight until the banquet ended.
Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, news reached him—Xie Zhiyan, the untouchable titan, had arrived and spoken with Ning Yuxuan. The whispers were everywhere.
Gu Yunhao was baffled.
He had known Ning Yuxuan for years, dated her for over one—how had he never heard of any connection between her and the Xie family?
If she really knew Xie Zhiyan, how could he, her boyfriend, have been completely in the dark?
Qi Ang, ever the opportunist, seized the moment: "By the way, Yunhao, that ex of yours—Ning Yuxuan—she actually knows Xie Zhiyan?"
"I don’t know!" Gu Yunhao snapped, agitation clear.
Qi Ang pressed on, "You were together so long. Didn’t you say she was obedient, told you everything? How could you not know?"
Provoked, Gu Yunhao stiffened. "They’ve probably just crossed paths at some business dinner. Nothing more."
Satisfied, Qi Ang grinned and patted his friend’s shoulder. "Exactly. A woman from a modest background like her—how would she have the connections to mingle with the Xies?"
Though aware that Qi Ang’s flattery stemmed from his own inferior social standing, Gu Yunhao still felt somewhat soothed.
Qi Ang added, "She was lucky you even noticed her. Without you, she’d never have stepped foot in high society!"
The words stroked his ego. Gu Yunhao finally smirked. "Obviously. No need to state the obvious."
...
Xie Zhiyan had merely said, "Miss Ning," before resuming his conversation with Old Master Gu.
Ning Yuxuan seized the chance to slip away.
Though she suspected Xie Zhiyan had come because of her, she had no intention of flaunting their "familiarity" in front of the guests.
Otherwise, by the next morning, every elite family in Beicheng would be speculating about their relationship.
If they were actually married, fine—but right now, there wasn’t even a hint of that.
In the past, Ning Yuxuan had only met Xie Zhiyan when Ning Fei took her to the Xie family’s estate outside the city.
After Xie Zhiyan rose to prominence as the unapproachable "President Xie" of Beicheng’s business world, their interactions dwindled to almost nothing.
Hardly anyone in their circles knew they had known each other for years.
Ning Yuxuan retreated to a quiet corner, wondering when she could leave.
Realistically, over half the guests were queuing up to toast Xie Zhiyan.
The rest either didn’t dare or knew they weren’t important enough to approach him.
If Xie Zhiyan didn’t leave, neither could she.
At this rate, even an hour later, she might still be stuck in the Gu mansion.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Xie Zhiyan was calling.
She checked the time—2:58 p.m.
Coincidence, or was the man just that punctual?
She answered. His voice, deep and cool, came through: "Where are you? I’ll send someone."
After she gave her location, the call ended.
Soon, a young man approached.
"Miss Ning," the assistant said quietly, "please follow me. President Xie is waiting."
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "...Alright."
The hushed tone made her feel like they were sneaking around.
After a few turns, they reached a bronze Bentley.
The assistant opened the door—inside were the driver and Xie Zhiyan.
As she settled into the plush backseat, Xie Zhiyan asked, "Did you eat enough at lunch?"
Ning Yuxuan paused.
Of all the questions she’d expected, this wasn’t one.
She had only taken a few bites at home, and the food at the birthday banquet didn’t suit her taste either, so she was genuinely a little hungry.
Ning Yuxuan answered truthfully, "No."
Xie Zhiyan gave the driver an address—what sounded like the name of a restaurant.
Ning Yuxuan tried to hold back but couldn’t resist asking, "Aren’t you going to ask me first? What if this place doesn’t suit my taste?"
Food was the essence of life, and even Xie Zhiyan couldn’t force her to eat something she disliked.
Xie Zhiyan glanced at her. "You spent an entire summer mooching meals off my mom back then. Do you really think I don’t know your preferences?"
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
It had been nearly five years. His memory was annoyingly sharp.
Ning Yuxuan pressed, "What if my tastes have changed now?"
Xie Zhiyan leaned back, relaxed. "Then tell me, how have they changed?"
Ning Yuxuan fell silent.
Her tastes were consistent—they hadn’t shifted much since adulthood.
Besides, considering Xie Zhiyan was here today to discuss "giving her money," she decided she could temporarily suppress the urge to argue with him.
When the car stopped at a crosswalk, Ning Yuxuan noticed the driver discreetly observing her through the rearview mirror.
Probably unused to seeing someone dare to challenge Xie Zhiyan like this.
The private restaurant Xie Zhiyan took her to was clearly upscale just from its decor.
The waiter handed the menu to Xie Zhiyan, who then passed it to her.
Ning Yuxuan skimmed through it—the dishes did seem tailored to her preferences.
Without hesitation, she ordered one of her favorite stir-fried dishes and a cold appetizer, figuring it wasn’t a full meal and didn’t need more.
While waiting for the food, Xie Zhiyan spoke up. "I’ve reviewed the hotels you want to buy."
After spending half the day at the Gu residence and another twenty minutes in the car, Ning Yuxuan had started to feel tired.
But at his words, her energy returned.
She blinked and fixed her gaze on him. "President Xie, what’s your verdict?"
...
True to his reputation as a businessman known for his precision and ruthlessness, Xie Zhiyan was concise and straight to the point.
In less than an hour, they reached an agreement.
Once the contract was signed, the funds for purchasing the hotels would be available within the week.
As for the marriage, it was essentially a contractual arrangement—
After registering their marriage, they would live separately, manage their own finances, and wouldn’t even need to share a home.
Perhaps influenced by her parents’ failed marriage, Ning Yuxuan didn’t consider matrimony sacred or hold any particularly rosy illusions about it.
So the fact that she was soon going to be legally married to a man didn’t faze her.
Xie Zhiyan would provide the funds for the hotels, and in return, she would play the role of his wife in public—especially in front of his mother, Zheng Xinmei.
After all, the only reason Xie Zhiyan was marrying her was to make his mother happy.
But Ning Yuxuan had one additional condition: For the first two months after their marriage, they wouldn’t disclose it to anyone, including their families.
"President Xie, think about it..." Ning Yuxuan explained, "We should at least have a courtship period. Otherwise, your mother would suspect something, right? So let’s ‘date’ for two months first, then tell our families about the marriage."
What she really meant was that if she announced the marriage right after Xie Zhiyan funded her hotel purchase, her mother, Ning Fei, would see through the real motive.
Ning Yuxuan had her reasons—she needed to prevent the events from the novel from repeating and protect her mother’s life’s work from ruin.
But she couldn’t explain this to Ning Fei. From her mother’s perspective, it would look like her daughter had sold herself for a few hotels.
Worse, it might seem like she’d married the first available man out of heartbreak after being abandoned by Gu Yunhao.
Better to keep it a secret for now—tell her mother she’d convinced Xie Zhiyan to invest in the family business and reveal the marriage later.
She wasn’t sure if the shrewd man had fully bought her explanation, but Xie Zhiyan agreed nonetheless.
Waiting for the family driver would take time, so Ning Yuxuan shamelessly hitched a ride back with Xie Zhiyan.
As they neared the villa’s entrance, she thanked him. "Thanks for dropping me off."
Xie Zhiyan gave a slight nod, then asked, "Should I come in with you to greet Aunt Ning?"
Ning Yuxuan froze. "...What?"
Xie Zhiyan looked at her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Didn’t you say we needed a process?"
A courtship process.
