Chapter 12 (Trilogy)

Ning Yuxuan gently traced the bookmark in her hand and cast a faint glance at Cen Meng.

“Nothing,” Ning Yuxuan closed the book calmly. “It’s just that I happen to have an identical copy. A friend of mine sent it to me from England. I thought it was a bit of a coincidence.”

Cen Meng instinctively retorted, “How is that possible?”

The book in her hand had been a gift from Gu Yunhao.

After the first season of “Dear Mom” aired and became a huge hit, the guests’ popularity soared, and their opportunities increased significantly.

At that time, Cen Meng had just secured a spot on the variety show, knowing she would be appearing alongside two leading actresses.

She was fully aware that this show was a golden opportunity to elevate her career, especially with a guest like Ning Yuxuan—whose proud and unlikable personality could serve as a contrast to her.

So, once she got the spot, she immediately began preparing, crafting her public persona as a talented woman from a scholarly family in the entertainment circle.

To that end, she had Gu Yunhao’s villa refurbished, converting one room into a library filled with various classic literary works from home and abroad.

She even coaxed Gu Yunhao to help find some rare books—first editions, limited editions, and the like.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yunhao actually had connections and gave her a special commemorative edition novel, only eight copies of which existed worldwide.

He didn’t disclose how he obtained it, and Cen Meng hadn’t asked, thinking that it was normal for an old aristocratic family like the Gu’s to have literary connections.

Now, hearing Ning Yuxuan’s claim, Cen Meng’s first reaction was disbelief.

Although Ning Fei was wealthy, she was the lowest regarded actress in literary circles; how could Ning Yuxuan have the connections to get such a rare book?

However, Ning Yuxuan’s tone was composed and unhurried, not the kind of bluff someone would make out of bravado, but rather a calm assurance.

Considering that Gu Yunhao and Ning Yuxuan had once been a couple, Cen Meng felt uncertain.

Could it be... that Gu Yunhao had given Ning Yuxuan a copy as well?

Cen Meng didn’t immediately rebut. Instead, her fans grew more excited.

When Cen Meng and her mother’s votes ranked last earlier, many fans felt unfair and even accused foul play in the chat.

Once Cen Meng revealed the book, her fans seized the opportunity to rally, eagerly praising her in the live chat.

Now, seeing Ning Yuxuan shamelessly claim she had the same book, the fans instantly mocked her.

“How scared is Ning Yuxuan of being outdone? Cen Meng says she has the book, so Ning Yuxuan quickly claims the same?”

“Exactly. If you want to act like a scholar, you need the credentials. Cen Meng’s copy is a specially signed edition, one of only a few nationwide. Where did Ning Yuxuan get hers?”

“Ha! Ning Yuxuan probably doesn’t even know how precious this book is and tried to fake it, only to embarrass herself.”

Cen Meng’s fans flooded the chat with ridicule, silencing most ordinary viewers who liked Ning Yuxuan, leaving only a few onlookers commenting.

“Wait, I think Ning Yuxuan’s tone doesn’t sound like she’s bluffing.”

“Hmm? What’s this twist? The show is getting interesting.”

Within seconds, Cen Meng figured out the key point.

No matter what, she had first produced the book and thus held the advantage.

Even if Ning Yuxuan truly had a copy, without showing it immediately, her claim was unsubstantiated, leaving Cen Meng unassailable.

And if one day Ning Yuxuan proved she also owned a copy, she would still be accused of being a copycat, a poor imitation.

With that thought, Cen Meng’s anxiety vanished, and a confident smile returned to her face.

“Yuxuan,” she said, “you say you have the same book? Then where is it now?”

---

Ning Yuxuan admired the exquisite book cover in her hands and answered lightly, “Right here.”

For a moment, the smile on Cen Meng’s lips stiffened.

She had considered many possibilities—except one:

The book Gu Yunhao gave her was actually taken from Ning Yuxuan.

Though her mind raced, Cen Meng maintained her smile.

She quickly composed herself.

As long as she didn’t concede and insisted that the book was hers, what could Ning Yuxuan do with it?

“Yuxuan, I don’t understand what you mean,” Cen Meng said with a confused expression. “I personally went to England and obtained this from Ms. Yi Xin. If you really like it, I can lend it to you, but you can’t twist the truth and claim it as your own.”

Surprise, doubt, and a hint of pity filled her gaze, as if she was certain Ning Yuxuan was lying.

The production team hadn’t expected such drama to unfold from a simple gift-giving and voting round.

Viewers kept joining the live stream, their curiosity piqued, eagerly awaiting what would happen next.

Backstage staff urgently contacted the control room director, who ordered the broadcast to continue.

The director even cut to shots of other guests, heightening the tense atmosphere.

Jiang Ning’an looked anxious, seemingly wanting to intervene, but Qin Man stopped her.

With a glance, Qin Man told Jiang Ning’an to hold on and see how things unfolded.

She understood her daughter’s temper and knew Jiang Ning’an wanted to support Ning Yuxuan.

Having spent many years in the entertainment industry, Qin Man had already sensed the deliberate tone and expression on Cen Meng’s face, suspecting things were not so simple.

But since the full context was unclear, speaking out prematurely might backfire.

Besides, although Qin Man leaned more toward Ning Yuxuan between the two, as a mother, she didn’t want her daughter dragged into this mess.

Meanwhile, Ning Fei frowned, her expression serious as she pondered.

She recognized the book in her daughter’s hands—it was a birthday gift from her close friend Zheng Xinmei.

If the book Cen Meng produced was truly her daughter’s, what unknown connection existed between Cen Meng and her daughter?

Ning Fei had never met Cen Meng before, nor heard her name from her daughter, so she was filled with questions and concern.

Yet seeing her daughter’s calm demeanor, she seemed prepared and thus refrained from speaking.

Sure enough, upon hearing Cen Meng’s question, Ning Yuxuan merely twitched her lips.

“You said you personally obtained the book. Do you know that Ms. Yi Xin wrote a dedication in the book at a private reading event? Only Ms. Yi Xin’s close friends and invited guests were present, with no media.”

While casually stroking the spine, Ning Yuxuan spoke with an effortless tone—neither aggressive nor confrontational, yet impossible to ignore.

Not only was Cen Meng momentarily speechless, but many viewers in the chat were silenced as well.

“Sounds like the book really belongs to Ning Yuxuan. Otherwise, how would she know all that?”

“Right, Cen Meng couldn’t even respond—that only proves Ning Yuxuan is the original owner.”

Cen Meng’s fans refused to back down.

“Cen Meng just doesn’t want to expose Ning Yuxuan; she’s too kind!”

“Knowing about the reading event doesn’t prove the book is hers. Who knows if she heard it from someone else or just made it up?”

“Exactly, anyone can say anything. That’s not proof. I could make up something like that too.”

---

“I... I do know what you’re talking about!” Cen Meng, fearful of admitting her lie, instinctively played along with Ning Yuxuan’s story.

After a pause, she realized she had, in fact, admitted that Ning Yuxuan’s words were true.

Quickly recovering, she said, “Yuxuan, what are you trying to prove? This book is definitely mine. No matter what you say, I personally got it and gave it to my mother! Are you implying I stole it from you?”

The atmosphere shifted sharply.

Until then, though they had been at odds, their exchange remained civil.

But Cen Meng’s accusation made any chance of a graceful resolution impossible.

“I never said you stole it,” Ning Yuxuan said coldly, fixing Cen Meng with a steady gaze. “I only said this book was originally mine.”

“You claim the book is yours? There’s no name written in it. You just happened to know about the reading event—how dare you say that?” Cen Meng’s voice grew heated, contrasting starkly with Ning Yuxuan’s calmness.

Realizing this, Cen Meng began to regret her outburst.

She only wanted to embarrass Ning Yuxuan, not turn the live broadcast into such a mess, and now her emotions nearly spiraled out of control.

Even if she ultimately won, it would clash with her cultivated image and harm public opinion.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled, “Yuxuan, it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it...”

Before she could finish this diplomatic phrase, Ning Yuxuan suddenly smiled.

“Say that again.”

Cen Meng blinked in surprise. “I said, I know you didn’t...”

“The last sentence.”

Cen Meng fell silent.

Her expression changed as realization dawned.

“You said... there’s no name written in the book.” Ning Yuxuan leisurely flipped the book open, the bookmark resting exactly on the page she had studied so intently.

“Then look at this,” she said, holding up the book.

Cen Meng’s gaze involuntarily followed.

The cameraman, eager to capture the drama, immediately zoomed in for a close-up.

On the inner page Ning Yuxuan revealed was a handwritten inscription in blue ink:

“May we both steadfastly love one person until death.

by Yuxuan.”

Judging by the ink’s color, it was written a month or two ago.

---

The chat fell silent for a few seconds before a flood of comments erupted:

“No way? I’m dumbfounded... What’s going on?”

“This is ironclad proof. So the book really belongs to Ning Yuxuan?”

“OMG, I’m cringing on behalf of someone... Cen Meng bragged all this time, turns out it’s someone else’s?”

Cen Meng was utterly stunned.