Chapter 13 (Trinity)

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#Cen Meng’s Boast Backfires#
#Cen Meng and Ning Yuxuan#
These two trending topics appeared side by side on the hot search list, glaringly conspicuous.
Even though she had already anticipated the ridicule from netizens, Cen Meng couldn’t resist clicking in.

“Help, Cen Meng is so awkward! Stealing someone else’s book just to show off—her shamelessness must be thicker than the city walls!”
“After all this, she still acts like nothing happened and continues recording the show? This Cen Meng really doesn’t mind losing face.”
“Hahaha, this is hilarious. I always thought she seemed fake, so it’s no surprise she got exposed.”
“So it’s true what they say—people brag about what they lack. In my opinion, Cen Meng is nowhere near Ning Fei’s daughter, neither inside nor out.”
...

After reading just a few of the top comments, Cen Meng couldn’t bear it any longer and swiped away the app, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Without a second thought, she opened her contacts, found a number, and dialed from a secondary SIM card.

“Hello?” she lowered her voice as soon as the call connected. “It’s me, yes...”
“Mm... yes. Take down the hot search, deploy the trolls, and... find a way to leak those specific messages...”
“Yes, focus on the word ‘third party,’ steer the discussion toward Ning Yuxuan meddling in someone else’s relationship...”
“What’s there to fear? Gu’s family has Yun Hao; he won’t blame me! If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. Just do your thing!”

After giving detailed instructions to the person on the other end, Cen Meng hung up.
She exhaled slowly.
Everything was under her control. It wouldn’t take long before public opinion shifted.

...

In the villa’s kitchen, the atmosphere was lively.
Pan Wenyan had claimed decent cooking skills when Ning Yuxuan asked earlier, naturally becoming the head chef.
Unexpectedly, Ning Shiyue also volunteered to take the lead.

When Ning Shiyue lived alone in his apartment, he often cooked for himself and had developed good culinary skills.
However, Ning Fei employed a dedicated cook, and out of concern for her son’s exhausting work, she never allowed Ning Shiyue to enter the kitchen when he came home.
Neither Ning Fei nor Ning Yuxuan had really tasted Ning Shiyue’s cooking.

Ning Yuxuan looked at Ning Shiyue in surprise. “Is the sun rising in the west today? You actually had a change of heart and volunteered to make food for your sister?”
Ning Shiyue replied calmly, “It’s for Mom and the other guests—not for you.”
Ning Yuxuan just said “Oh.”
Before Ning Shiyue could respond, she coolly pointed out the fact: “But the two dishes you’re making were both my choices.”

Just now, when they divided tasks, Ning Shiyue was responsible for garlic ribs and braised pork—both dishes Ning Yuxuan wanted to eat.

Ning Shiyue: “...”

[“Hahaha, these siblings crack me up every time they speak!”]
[“Is Ning Yuxuan the only person who can leave Ning Shiyue speechless?”]
[“Ning Fei is such a graceful goddess, but she really gave birth to two clowns—so funny!”]
[“Don’t forget, Ning Shiyue plays the cool, arrogant guy on other shows but here he’s just comic relief.”]

Ning Yuxuan gave a look that said, “What are you gonna do about it?” and stared at Ning Shiyue with complete confidence.
Ning Fei watched the siblings and couldn’t help but smile.
Pan Wenyan looked on, equally amazed.

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As a young actor from the same generation, he had attended several events with Ning Shiyue, and in his impression, Ning Shiyue was neither silent nor lively.
He never expected Ning Shiyue to have this kind of personality on this show.
Pan Wenyan glanced at Ning Yuxuan, marveling inwardly.

When Ning Shiyue was blocked by Ning Yuxuan’s remark, he showed no sign of anger.
On the contrary, he seemed in a very good mood, glancing at Ning Yuxuan and saying, “Fine, say whatever you want.”

Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow.
“Did you get some good news today?” she asked curiously. “You’re so easygoing?”
Ning Shiyue smiled faintly, “Nothing much, just in a good mood. What’s wrong with that?”
Then he stopped looking at Ning Yuxuan and grabbed a scallion.

Before coming to the show, Ning Shiyue indeed had some “good news”—

Four hours ago, at Xingcheng International Airport.
The flight to Beicheng was boarding in ten minutes.

Footsteps approached the VIP lounge entrance, and Ning Shiyue casually glanced over to see someone he recognized—Xie Zhiyan.
Because Ning Fei and Xie Zhiyan’s mother were close friends, Ning Shiyue and Xie Zhiyan had once been quite familiar.
Xie Zhiyan was six years older, and Ning Shiyue had admired him as a “big brother” who excelled academically and was skilled at gaming.
Especially once, when Ning Shiyue couldn’t pass a game level, Xie Zhiyan came over and helped him clear it, deepening Ning Shiyue’s fondness for him.

At that time, Ning Shiyue had followed Xie Zhiyan around all the time, calling him “Brother Zhiyan” endlessly, even more closely than with Ning Yuxuan.
But childhood friendships often come and go quickly.
As Ning Shiyue’s studies became busier and holidays no longer involved visiting the Xie family, they gradually drifted apart and eventually lost contact entirely.

Now, with Xie Zhiyan a powerful figure in Beicheng, Ning Shiyue certainly had no intention of trying to get close.
Out of politeness and respect for their elders, Ning Shiyue stood and greeted him, “Mr. Xie, didn’t expect to see you here in Xingcheng.”

Meeting acquaintances at the airport was normal, and their assistants tactfully stepped aside, leaving space for them to chat.

Xie Zhiyan’s voice was calm: “I’m here on business.”
Ning Shiyue: “Same here, I have work here.”

There was a two-second pause.
With nothing more to say, Ning Shiyue prepared to make his exit.

Xie Zhiyan glanced at a nearby bag in Ning Shiyue’s hand. “Gifts for your family?”
Ning Shiyue hesitated slightly. “Yes. Ning Yu... someone at home likes snacks from Xingcheng, so I bought some.”

He was rushed on the way to the airport, but after security, he had extra time.
No time to carefully pick out designer gifts, and ordinary things weren’t lacking for Ning Fei or Ning Yuxuan, so he just bought some snacks from the airport shops.
Ning Fei didn’t touch such salty, greasy food, so Ning Shiyue bought only what Ning Yuxuan liked.

Xie Zhiyan nodded slightly and said softly, “A client gave me some specialties from Xingcheng. They taste good. Shiyue, take some back for your family to try.”

He signaled to his assistant, who immediately fetched the delicacies as instructed.
Ning Shiyue hesitated briefly but agreed.
Since Ning Fei was friends with Zheng Xinmei and Xie Zhiyan was sending gifts as a gesture, it would be improper to refuse.

Xie Zhiyan then asked, “How is your family lately?”

After so many years apart, Ning Shiyue noticed Xie Zhiyan was more talkative than he remembered.

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Since Xie Zhiyan’s mother was Ning Fei’s best friend, Ning Shiyue answered sincerely: “Mom’s doing fine except her old sleep problems, but otherwise she’s okay.”
He paused, then added, “My sister is also well. She even appeared on a show with Mom. But lately... she seems different. I can’t quite explain it.”

People’s hearts are unknowable, especially in the entertainment industry. Even with a few friends he got along with, Ning Shiyue never talked about family.
Perhaps because he hadn’t spoken about family in a long time, or maybe due to memories of childhood playmates, Ning Shiyue unconsciously felt more warmth toward Xie Zhiyan and said a little more than usual.
After answering, Ning Shiyue realized he might have said too much.

Xie Zhiyan showed no reaction, just nodded lightly and said calmly, “Hmm, maybe it’s because the breakup was recent. That’s normal.”

Ning Shiyue reflexively responded, “Mm,” then suddenly realized something.
His face showed surprise, and he even forgot to be polite as he asked, “When did she... no, how do you know my sister broke up?”

Xie Zhiyan’s expression was unruffled, as if it was casual information: “I heard it by chance. It must have happened just a few days ago.”

Ning Shiyue: “...”

The news took him some time to digest. After Xie Zhiyan left, Ning Shiyue immediately messaged Ning Fei:

Ning Shiyue: [Mom, did Ning Yuxuan break up with that Gu guy?]

A few minutes later, Ning Fei replied:

Ning Fei: [You found out too? Yes, they broke up.]
Ning Fei: [But don’t bring it up around your sister for now! Don’t text her about it—I’m afraid it will upset her.]
Ning Fei: [Coincidentally, the production team asked me to buy gifts for your sister. I want to use this opportunity to comfort her.]

Ning Shiyue: [Don’t worry, I understand.]

With confirmation from Ning Fei, Ning Shiyue felt much lighter inside.

Throughout the journey, even his assistant Ding Yan noticed something was off.
With such a tight schedule, Ning Shiyue should have been exhausted.
Yet on the way back to Beicheng, Ning Shiyue’s lips twitched into a smile every now and then, sometimes even humming a tune.

Having worked with Ning Shiyue for years, Ding Yan had never seen him so cheerful.
What good news had happened?

Ding Yan watched Ning Shiyue suspiciously as he smiled again for no apparent reason.

...

Ning Shiyue was chopping scallions in the kitchen, replaying the joy of learning about Ning Yuxuan’s breakup in his mind.
He had disliked Ning Yuxuan’s boyfriend for a long time.
Ever since Ning Yuxuan liked Gu Yunhao, Ning Shiyue found that Gu increasingly unbearable.
Besides coming from a wealthy family, Gu was full of flaws. How could Ning Yuxuan fall for such trash and love him so deeply for years?

When they finally dated, Ning Shiyue grew even more annoyed.
If Ning Yuxuan hadn’t exploded every time he mentioned Gu, Ning Shiyue probably would have urged her to break up a hundred times by now.

After waiting so long, the two finally parted ways. Could he not be happy?

Finishing with the scallions, Ning Shiyue hummed a happy tune and turned to grab the meat.
Ning Yuxuan eyed him suspiciously. “Suspicious.”

This guy usually watched TV with a cold, expressionless face, but now he was humming while chopping vegetables.