Chapter 18

Ning Yuxuan never imagined that things would end up with Xie Zhiyan, Ning Fei, and herself going to the supermarket together.

When it came to winning the favor of elders, Xie Zhiyan seemed to be naturally gifted, as if he had maxed out all his skill points.

Back in the day, Xie Zhiyan was the quintessential "child everyone admires." During middle school, Ning Yuxuan would often hear stories of his achievements from teachers and the parents of other students.

Although Ning Fei didn’t say much, Ning Yuxuan could tell that she was quite fond of this son of her close friend.

Since Xie Zhiyan invested in Huayuan, Ning Fei’s attitude toward him had become exceptionally warm and kind.

Ning Yuxuan almost wanted to tell Ning Fei that the reason Xie Zhiyan agreed to invest was because she had exchanged a bright red notebook from her bag—not because he was simply a good person.

After leaving the villa district, it took less than ten minutes on foot to reach a comprehensive supermarket.

Xie Zhiyan parked the car in the villa’s garage, and the three of them walked to the supermarket.

Ning Fei walked in the middle, Ning Yuxuan held her mother’s arm on the right side, and Xie Zhiyan walked on their left.

Xie Zhiyan and Ning Fei started chatting about Zheng Xinmei, making Ning Fei laugh heartily.

“If you keep making up stories about your mother like this, next time I see Xinmei, I’ll have to have a serious talk with her about you.”

The two were engrossed in their conversation, leaving Ning Yuxuan feeling somewhat superfluous.

After a short exchange, Ning Fei extended an invitation: “Zhiyan, Xiao Yue will be back tonight. You remember how clingy he was to you when he was little, right? If you’re free this evening, why not join us for hot pot?”

Ning Yuxuan had already anticipated this turn of events: “He—”

“Sure,” Xie Zhiyan answered even faster than she did. “I’m not busy today anyway.”

Ning Yuxuan was speechless.

It seemed that on the day they registered their marriage, she was destined to see Xie Zhiyan’s face all day long.

At the supermarket, Xie Zhiyan went to grab a shopping cart.

Since it was still early for dinner, the supermarket wasn’t crowded. The three of them strolled leisurely.

Most of the ingredients for hot pot were frozen, so they first bought some snacks and drinks.

Naturally, Ning Yuxuan did most of the buying, as Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue rarely ate snacks.

Ning Fei mentioned the specialty from Xingcheng that Xie Zhiyan had brought last time: “By the way, Zhiyan, I haven’t properly thanked you for the specialty Xiao Yue brought back. Especially the brand of dried tofu—Xuanyuan really likes it. She said she couldn’t find it online and even wanted to find someone to buy it for her.”

Xie Zhiyan gave Ning Yuxuan a meaningfully sharp glance before smiling gently at Ning Fei: “Is that so? I actually didn’t know about this.”

Ning Yuxuan was speechless.

What Ning Fei said was true—the brand of dried tofu was better than any she had tried before, and it was quite obscure. Ning Yuxuan had even taken photos to search online but couldn’t find any stores selling it.

However, it was rather ridiculous to trouble a busy man like Xie Zhiyan just to ask for a pack of dried tofu, so she let it go.

After Xie Zhiyan’s pointed look earlier, Ning Yuxuan immediately felt she had been too considerate.

She deliberately slowed down her speech: “Since we’re on the topic, Zhiyan, how about you become my personal buyer? Whenever you or your friends go to Xingcheng, you can bring me a few packs of dried tofu. How does that sound?”

Xie Zhiyan agreed without a flicker of emotion: “Sure.”

Ning Yuxuan replied, “It’s a deal then! If you ever forget, I’ll hold you accountable!”

Xie Zhiyan, intrigued, responded, “Should we sign a contract?”

Ning Yuxuan, stirred by his teasing, fired back with competitive spirit: “Fine! I’ll draft the terms for you to sign when we get back!”

The two exchanged banter while Ning Fei remained silent, watching her daughter and Xie Zhiyan thoughtfully.

As far as Ning Fei knew, since she stopped taking her daughter to the Xie family, the two hadn’t been in contact for several years.

Could their relationship be really that good?

Midway through their supermarket stroll, Xie Zhiyan received a call from his assistant.

If it weren’t for urgent work matters requiring his decision, the assistant wouldn’t disturb him on a whim.

Xie Zhiyan found a quiet corner to take the call, while Ning Fei and Ning Yuxuan continued walking ahead.

Ning Fei glanced back at Xie Zhiyan in the distance and asked her daughter, “Yuxuan, you and Zhiyan…”

Ning Yuxuan blinked: “What?”

Ning Fei hesitated: “That suitor you mentioned before… was it Zhiyan?”

Ning Yuxuan was momentarily stunned.

She almost forgot that after recording the livestream that day, she had talked to Ning Fei about having a suitor.

After asking, Ning Fei gently shook her head, as if she found it hard to believe.

She had just blurted out the question on a whim, but upon reflection, the possibility of Xie Zhiyan pursuing her daughter was very slim.

Firstly, Ning Fei knew her close friend’s son well and understood that Xie Zhiyan’s personality was worlds apart from her own daughter’s.

Secondly, if Xie Zhiyan had been interested in her daughter, he would have shown it years ago—why wait until now?

Besides, Zheng Xinmei and herself, the two who knew the children best, hadn’t noticed any signs all these years.

It must have been her overthinking.

Ning Yuxuan was about to go along with the idea and admit it, but seeing her mother deny it first, she immediately felt indignant.

“Mom,” Ning Yuxuan tugged at Ning Fei’s arm and nodded toward Xie Zhiyan, “What do you mean by shaking your head? Do you think it’s impossible for him to pursue you?”

Ning Fei replied, “Not exactly…”

Ning Yuxuan looked at her mother seriously and made a case for herself: “Look closely at your daughter—this face, this figure, and such a good personality. What’s not worth him pursuing?”

Ning Fei laughed at her daughter’s teasing: “Yes, yes, she’s worth it!”

“Exactly!” Ning Yuxuan said earnestly. “That’s why I’m seriously considering it. Even if Xie Zhiyan’s conditions are just okay and he really likes me, I’m not that easy to pursue…”

Ning Fei tried to speak but hesitated: “Yuxuan…”

Ning Yuxuan showed no embarrassment or hesitation: “What did I say that’s wrong?”

Ning Fei gave her a meaningful glance over her shoulder.

Ning Yuxuan realized something.

She turned to look and saw that Xie Zhiyan had finished his call and was now standing behind her.

Ning Yuxuan was speechless.

In recent days, whether on the show or at home, it had always been Ning Yuxuan putting Ning Shiyue at a loss for words.

This time, seeing her daughter take a hit was rare, and Ning Fei couldn’t help but laugh as she smoothed things over: “Sorry, Zhiyan, Yuxuan and I were just joking.”

Xie Zhiyan’s eyes held a faint smile: “I know.”

Ning Yuxuan glared at him while standing beside her mother.

Xie Zhiyan slightly raised an eyebrow and calmly added, “And Yuxuan really is outstanding, I also… like her very much.”

He deliberately slowed his last few words, meeting Ning Yuxuan’s gaze without betraying any emotion.

Suddenly, Ning Yuxuan’s heart skipped a beat.

…

Gu Yunhao, after realizing Ning Yuxuan had blocked him, was left with a fury he had nowhere to vent.

Just then, Cen Meng called.

Irritated, Gu Yunhao answered abruptly: “Didn’t I tell you not to contact me these days?”

Two days ago, he and Cen Meng had agreed to keep a low profile and avoid meeting for the sake of their future.

If paparazzi caught them, it would harm both Cen Meng’s and the Gu family’s reputations.

There was a brief silence on the phone before Cen Meng’s aggrieved voice came through: “Yunhao… what’s wrong with you? I didn’t say I wanted to see you, I was just calling…”

Gu Yunhao took a deep breath.

He realized his impatience toward Cen Meng was harsher than before.

It was Ning Yuxuan who constantly occupied his thoughts and unsettled his emotions.

He told himself: this isn’t right.

The one he loved had always been Cen Meng. How could he grow impatient with the person he loved because of a woman he had long abandoned?

Gu Yunhao tried to regain his patience and spoke more gently: “Sorry, Mengmeng, I’m in a bad mood and took it out on you.”

After a moment, the gentle voice on the other end replied: “It’s okay, Yunhao. I know you didn’t mean it.”

Gu Yunhao felt some relief.

His choice was right; only his Mengmeng could be so understanding and gentle.

“Mengmeng, why did you call me?”

“Yunhao, I heard… the Xie family invested in the hotel owned by Ning Yuxuan’s family?”

That was striking a sore spot.

Gu Yunhao instantly grew irritated again and reluctantly answered, “Yeah, so?”

“Yunhao, do you think Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan are…”

“Impossible!” Gu Yunhao denied without hesitation. “Absolutely impossible!”

He exhaled slowly: “Mengmeng, what exactly are you calling for? To tell me these ridiculous things? You have to understand, I’ve sacrificed so much to be with you!”

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

Cen Meng gripped her phone tightly.

She could feel Gu Yunhao’s impatience today.

But with what had almost involved him recently, she could only endure in silence to keep him from disliking her and to regain his love.

No matter how poorly Gu Yunhao treated her, she had to remain gentle and composed.

Besides, the matter she wanted to pursue now could only be helped by Gu Yunhao.

Recently, Cen Meng had been having a recurring dream.

In the dream, she had everything she desired: love, wealth, career—while Ning Yuxuan lost everything, left with nothing.

At the dream’s end, she stood as an absolute victor, looking down on Ning Yuxuan with disdain, mocking her arrogance and greed.

But upon waking, all those things she longed for still belonged to Ning Yuxuan.

Unwilling to accept this, Cen Meng was determined to change everything.

“Yunhao,” Cen Meng said softly, “didn’t you say your father gave you some money you wanted to invest in the hotel industry? Since Ning Yuxuan’s family is opening a new branch in Tongxing District, why don’t we buy a chain hotel there? Didn’t you recently look at a suitable high-end hotel?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yunhao sneered inwardly: women really understood nothing.

He patiently explained, “I thought that at first, but now that Xie Zhiyan has invested, hotel prices throughout Tongxing District have risen. Although the increase isn’t huge, I’ve calculated that if we buy that hotel at current prices, the funds for renovation and opening will be very tight.”