Another rest day waking up naturally.
Unlike her mother, Ning Yuxuan wasn't used to going to bed too early at night, but the movie she watched last night unexpectedly became a lullaby, lulling her into dreamland before ten o'clock.
So, when she woke up in the morning, she was astonished to find that Xie Zhiyan was still in bed.
She glanced at the phone on the bedside table—it was only 6:55 AM, no wonder.
Usually, Xie Zhiyan was up before her, either leaving breakfast for her in the fridge or preparing it in the kitchen.
Ning Yuxuan didn't wake Xie Zhiyan and quietly got out of bed to wash up in the bathroom.
While brushing her teeth, she observed herself in the mirror. The most noticeable love bite on her neck had faded considerably; a little powder should cover it up easily.
Fortunately, otherwise, it would definitely be spotted when meeting the elders in the evening. Not everyone was as easy to fool as Ning Shiyue.
After finishing her morning routine, she came out to find Xie Zhiyan still asleep.
Ning Yuxuan tiptoed out of the bedroom. While looking in the fridge for something to eat, she had a sudden whim—she wanted to prepare breakfast for Xie Zhiyan too.
After all, she usually got up late and never had the chance.
However, she was self-aware about her cooking skills and didn't plan anything complicated.
Ning Yuxuan took some yogurt from the fridge, divided it into two bowls, and sprinkled granola over it.
She then sliced a banana and a kiwi, adding them along with some washed blueberries to the bowls.
Back at home, her mother often made similar simple breakfasts for her.
After preparing it, Ning Yuxuan tasted her own portion first—it was quite good.
Footsteps sounded at the doorway. She turned to see that Xie Zhiyan had gotten up at some point.
Xie Zhiyan just out of bed looked different from usual—his expression was nonchalant, and his hair wasn't quite behaving.
Ning Yuxuan couldn't help but laugh, and then she saw Xie Zhiyan raise an eyebrow.
She explained, "A strand of your hair is sticking up."
Ning Yuxuan turned on the tap, wet her finger, stood on her tiptoes, and smoothed down the unruly strand of hair for him.
Then, like presenting a treasure, she pointed to the bowls behind her. "You came just in time. I made breakfast. Want to try it?"
Xie Zhiyan's eyebrow arched again, his voice sounding somewhat lazy. "This makes me think I'm still dreaming."
Ning Yuxuan pretended to be offended. "What do you mean?"
Xie Zhiyan leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I mean I'm pleasantly surprised."
Ning Yuxuan gave a light humph. "Don't rush with the sweet talk. Try it first."
She picked up a spoon and handed it to him.
Xie Zhiyan didn't take it, looking at her meaningfully.
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
"Fine," she said, deciding not to argue. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll see this through."
Ning Yuxuan scooped up a spoonful of yogurt and brought it to the man's lips.
Xie Zhiyan took a bite and gave a four-word positive review: "Absolutely delicious."
Ning Yuxuan curved her lips into a smile. "You'd better not dare say otherwise."
Pleased with the praise, she happily fed him another spoonful.
Xie Zhiyan was half a head taller than her, so she had to raise her arm high to feed him, worrying about spilling the yogurt.
By the third spoonful, Ning Yuxuan was unwilling to continue.
"That's enough, right?" She pushed the spoon handle toward him. "My arm's getting sore. Finish the rest yourself."
Xie Zhiyan took the spoon, scooped up another portion, but instead of eating it himself, he brought it to her lips.
Ning Yuxuan was slightly taken aback and shot him a reproachful look. "I have my own."
But she opened her mouth anyway.
After eating that spoonful from his hand, she picked up her own bowl. "I'm not going to be all lovey-dovey with you here. I'm going to eat in the dining room."
A light chuckle came from behind her.
After breakfast, she asked Xie Zhiyan to take her along for his morning run.
Ning Yuxuan had always had a constitution that didn't gain weight easily. Although she loved good food and wasn't particularly keen on exercise, her weight hadn't changed much since graduating from university.
However, the painful lessons from people around her warned that this metabolism would likely disappear with age.
So, taking advantage of waking up early today, Ning Yuxuan decided to seize the opportunity to cultivate an exercise habit.
It also helped that she had stayed home all day yesterday without going out and hadn't engaged in any ahem strenuous activities, allowing both body and mind ample rest.
Feeling refreshed and energetic, it was the perfect time to start exercising.
Xie Zhiyan had a regular exercise routine and always kept workout clothes in the apartment.
When Ning Yuxuan moved this time, she also dug out her long-unused running gear.
After changing, the two went for a morning run at the nearby neighborhood park.
After the run, they went to watch the aunties practicing their fan dance.
The lead auntie, surnamed Zhang, seeing Ning Yuxuan watching intently, enthusiastically explained that they were preparing for a square dancing competition next week and trained for two hours each in the morning and afternoon every day lately.
Ning Yuxuan expressed genuine admiration: "That's amazing. I'm not sure I could stick to four hours of training every day."
Auntie Zhang chuckled. "How could that be? You young people are definitely in much better shape than us."
With sincere earnestness, Ning Yuxuan said, "Auntie, you have such a rosy complexion and radiant glow; you look incredibly healthy. Not like me—I was out of breath after just a few laps earlier."
Auntie Zhang, delighted by the praise, held Ning Yuxuan's hand and chatted for a long time.
Xie Zhiyan couldn't get a word in edgewise.
After the auntie left, the man looked helplessly at his wife. "It seems you're more popular here than I am."
Ning Yuxuan's eyes curved into smiles. "Of course. Your 'successful person' aura doesn't work on the aunties here."
The aunties didn't care about Xie Zhiyan's net worth; they just knew this young man didn't seem like someone who would appreciate a fan dance, so there was no common topic.
"Oh, right," Ning Yuxuan said mysteriously. "Guess what Auntie Zhang told me while she was holding my hand?"
Xie Zhiyan: "I'm all ears."
Ning Yuxuan said with feigned seriousness, "The auntie said she's remembered you're my husband now. So, if you dare bring another girl to stroll in the park, be careful—she'll report you."
Xie Zhiyan laughed.
Ning Yuxuan put her hands behind her back with a straight face. "Well? Scared?"
Xie Zhiyan first shook his head helplessly, then replied composedly, "Fear isn't quite the word. I'm just a bit surprised. I didn't expect you to grant me the title so quickly this time."
Ning Yuxuan was amused by the man's reply and rolled her eyes at him.
They whiled away the entire morning in the park, then had a simple, home-style meal for lunch.
After a short nap in the afternoon, they watched another movie with Xie Zhiyan.
This time, Ning Yuxuan learned her lesson and picked one with high ratings, finally managing to stay awake through it.
Before dinner, they left a little early, first stopping at a flower shop to buy flowers, then driving to the Xie family's old house.
Upon arriving at Zheng Xinmei's place, they were greeted by Ning Shiyue.
"Mom is in the kitchen helping Auntie Zheng prepare dinner. She asked me to welcome you," Ning Shiyue said. "I took a peek earlier—lots of your favorite dishes."
Once inside, everyone exchanged pleasantries.
The two bouquets from the flower shop were presented, one to Zheng Xinmei and one to Ning Fei.
Then the two ladies returned to the kitchen to continue their work, leaving the three young people in the living room.
Ning Shiyue crossed his arms and voiced his opinion: "How come I didn't get any flowers?"
Ning Yuxuan retorted without ceremony: "You didn't bring me a gift either, did you?"
Ning Shiyue had anticipated this. He produced a bottle from seemingly nowhere.
"Here." He tilted his chin towards the item in his hand. "Mosquito repellent. The crew staff recommended this brand to me. It's really effective, even works outdoors. This is the indoor version. Keep it at home and you won't get bitten."
Thinking about why Ning Shiyue would suddenly think to give her this, Ning Yuxuan stiffened.
She almost instinctively raised a hand to cover her neck, but managed to stop herself.
Xie Zhiyan, however, thanked him expressionlessly and accepted the repellent on her behalf.
After some casual chat, dinner was served.
With five people eating in total this time, Zheng Xinmei's culinary skills had ample room to shine, resulting in a table full of dishes.
"It's been a long time since I've cooked dinner for so many people," Zheng Xinmei said with a smile. "It almost feels like an early Chinese New Year celebration."
Ning Yuxuan smiled back: "Then when New Year comes, we'll come over for another meal."
Zheng Xinmei said delightedly, "Really? That would be wonderful. I was worried you might not be willing to come."
Ning Fei chimed in with a gentle smile: "When the time comes, our whole family will come over. We can all celebrate together."
Zheng Xinmei beamed, agreeing repeatedly.
Everyone took their seats.
Several dishes on the table were Ning Yuxuan's favorites, and as usual, she provided ample appreciative feedback.
Ning Shiyue was also much more well-behaved in front of the elders than usual, making Zheng Xinmei like him more and more.
"Shiyue, it's been so long since I've seen you. How have you been lately? Do you have a girlfriend?"
Ning Shiyue's expression faltered slightly: "Not yet."
"I see," Zheng Xinmei nodded. "It's alright, no rush. These things depend on fate. Look at our Zhiyan. I originally thought he'd be a bachelor for life. Who would have thought that in less than three months, he went swiftly from being single to a married man?"
Ning Shiyue glanced at Xie Zhiyan, wanting to say something but hesitating.
After that incident of his drunken boasting, Xie Zhiyan hadn't confronted him about it.
But precisely because of that, Ning Shiyue had been feeling increasingly guilty.
Ning Yuxuan spoke up for him: "With Ning Shiyue's personality, it's probably for the best he's not dating, to save some poor girl from being driven mad."
Ning Shiyue muttered, "You're one to talk. Your temper is worse than mine."
"Where is my temper bad?" Ning Yuxuan asked without a hint of blush, turning to the man beside her. "Aren't I gentle?"
Xie Zhiyan deliberately picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in her bowl: "Very gentle."
Ning Shiyue: "..."
This is utterly unjust.
Yet, aside from him, everyone else at the table was laughing.
Ning Shiyue thought to himself that marriage really can make people lose all sense of principle, even someone like Xie Zhiyan.
Amidst the laughter and conversation, the topic shifted to the hotel operations.
Starting from the opening ceremony of the first new branch, three of the four new Huayuan hotels were now officially open and running smoothly.
The last one, a retro Republic of China era-themed hotel, was scheduled to open next Friday.
Ning Yuxuan had invested the most thought into this particular hotel, going through the most revisions with the designers from the initial planning stages.
She had put tremendous effort into every aspect, from the environment and exterior architecture to the interior decoration and furniture arrangement.
Part of the inspiration came from a movie Ning Fei had starred in, and it also referenced the styles of many other buildings, such as that retro hotel Xie Zhiyan had stayed at during his business trip abroad.
Ning Yuxuan hoped this hotel would become Huayuan's flagship property, attracting tourists to come and visit.
This branch had the longest preparation time and was the last to open.
Besides Ning Yuxuan and Ning Fei, Zheng Xinmei happened to be free on the day of the opening ceremony and had also agreed to attend.
Ning Shiyue had a promotional event recording for a TV drama and couldn't get away.
He instructed Ning Yuxuan: "Make sure to send me lots of photos from the event. I'll help promote it on my social media."
Ning Yuxuan took a sip of orange juice and said casually, "If you're really busy, don't worry about it. It's not like we're short on promoters."
Ning Shiyue looked somewhat awkward. "Other people, who aren't even that close to you, posted about it for you. I'm your own brother, of course I should post something."
Ning Yuxuan blinked, sharp as ever. "Who are these 'other people'?"
Ning Shiyue paused his chopsticks, quickly glancing at Xie Zhiyan. "...No one in particular."
His evasiveness only piqued Ning Yuxuan's curiosity further. "Who exactly are you talking about?"
The others at the table also looked over.
Ning Shiyue regretted it deeply; he shouldn't have brought it up.
"Really, no one special," he said. "It's just that on the day the esports hotel opened, I saw Duan Ziyao also helped promote it."
Ning Fei remembered this person.
Hearing her son mention him, she explained to her friend beside her: "He's probably that young man who recorded a show with me and Yuxuan. A nice fellow, though not very talkative."
Zheng Xinmei nodded.
Ning Shiyue silently shoveled a mouthful of rice.
Ning Yuxuan caught the key point: "How do you know he promoted it for me? Did you add him on social media?"
Ning Shiyue coughed. "Just added him casually."
Back then, he had always suspected that guy had ulterior motives, so he had specifically asked Zhuang Yiming for his contact info to better understand his 'rival'.
Ning Yuxuan took out her phone, went to Duan Ziyao's profile, and found the post where he had helped with the promotion.
She had been swamped during the opening period and hadn't had time to browse social media, so she had been completely unaware.
No wonder several professional esports players had visited afterwards, bringing in quite a few customers.
"I had no idea about this," Ning Yuxuan said. "I should send him a message later to thank him."
Ning Fei agreed: "Yes, he did free promotion for us. We should properly express our gratitude."
Ning Shiyue: "..."
He fiercely shoveled two more mouthfuls of rice.
After dinner, Ning Yuxuan used her phone to send Duan Ziyao a message of thanks.
The two of them must have chatted a bit more, as a slight smile played on Ning Yuxuan's lips, and she seemed to be in a good mood.
Ning Shiyue looked over and met the gaze of the man beside Ning Yuxuan.
Xie Zhiyan's look was meaningful.
Ning Shiyue guiltily averted his eyes.
This really isn't my fault!
He thought Ning Yuxuan already knew about it. Who could have guessed that guy would do a good deed without leaving his name?
Ning Shiyue silently prayed: Brother Zhiyan, please don't blame me.
The next second, Xie Zhiyan walked over. "Shiyue."
Ning Shiyue's heart skipped a beat. "Huh? What is it, Brother Zhiyan?"
Xie Zhiyan smiled. "I recall you specifically sent me a message before, saying you played games with Yuxuan and a few others, and this person was among them?"
Ning Shiyue: "..."
He never should have sent those messages!
It's over. Brother Zhiyan probably thinks I'm on Duan Ziyao's side and will be even angrier with me now.
