Chapter 30

Tao You stood at the entrance of the shopping mall, holding two fruit teas, waiting for Ning Yuxuan.

When Ning Yuxuan finally arrived, Tao You handed her the one filled with green grape pulp.

"So, how did it go?" Tao You asked, looking at Ning Yuxuan with curiosity. "What did your overbearing CEO boyfriend have to say to you?"

Before Ning Yuxuan could answer, Tao You cleared her throat with exaggerated seriousness. "Wait, let me guess. Was it something like—'Woman, use my card. Buy whatever you want in this entire mall, and I’ll come to pick you up when you’re done'?"

Ning Yuxuan couldn't help but laugh. "I’d say you got about twenty percent of it right."

Tao You blinked. "Why only twenty percent? Is it because of the word 'woman'?"

Ning Yuxuan shook her head as she unwrapped her straw. "No."

"Then... is it the 'use my card' part?"

"Not that either."

Tao You had a sudden epiphany. "Oh, then it must be the 'I'll come to pick you up when you're done'!"

Ning Yuxuan inserted her straw into the tea. "He said that when we’re finished shopping, he’ll have his driver take us both home."

Tao You looked visibly disappointed. "Oh, so he’s not coming himself?"

She had really wanted to hear some classic CEO lines; after all, such opportunities were rare.

Ning Yuxuan smiled. "He had a dinner engagement with an elder, so he went to show his respects. It’s more convenient for us to have the driver pick us up."

Had it been someone prone to overthinking, they might have mistaken Tao You’s look of disappointment for a secret interest in Xie Zhiyan. But Ning Yuxuan knew her well enough to know that she was simply curious about her "boyfriend."

Ning Yuxuan took a sip of her tea and asked, "Back when I was in school and people pursued me, you were always desperate for me to stay as far away from them as possible. How come you’ve suddenly turned into a different person?"

Tao You also took a large gulp of her tea, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

"That’s not the same thing at all," Tao You replied. "Those guys back then were just like Shen Chipeng and Chu Bowen. They should have looked in a mirror—they were so unsightly, yet they still had the nerve to chase after a beauty like you."

Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow. "Did you even get a clear look at what he looks like?"

"He was too far away; I didn't see him clearly," Tao You answered honestly.

"But!" Tao You added immediately, "I could still feel his aura. And his silhouette—you don't need to see his facial features to know he's a very handsome man. Plus, he's so tall. Either way, I'm very satisfied!"

Ning Yuxuan curled her lips. "I didn't expect you to rate him so highly. I'll pass that along to him when I have the chance."

Tao You smiled with her eyes. "By the way, besides saying he’d send a driver, what else did you two talk about? It took such a long time."

It had taken her ten minutes to buy the tea, and she had expected Ning Yuxuan to be waiting for her, but she had spent another two minutes standing at the mall entrance before finally seeing her.

Ning Yuxuan’s brows twitched slightly. Just now...

Xie Zhiyan had asked her if she wanted to have a grand wedding.

And she, as if possessed, had actually said yes.

Only a few minutes later, Ning Yuxuan was already beginning to regret it.

Planning a wedding was a troublesome affair. Although she had never done it herself, she had heard enough about how much energy it required. It was all the man's fault—his gaze and his tone had been so bewitching that she had inexplicably said "yes."

Seeing that Ning Yuxuan remained silent for a long time, Tao You gave an understanding "Oh." "I get it, I get it. Young lovers whispering sweet nothings, right? I won’t ask anymore. Come on, let’s go shopping!"

The two spent two hours in the mall, and even as the place was about to close, they still felt like they hadn't had enough. Tao You made plans with Ning Yuxuan to go again next time.

***

Xie Zhiyan’s driver was already waiting at the mall entrance. He dropped Tao You off at her home first before taking Ning Yuxuan to the villa district.

Ning Yuxuan had an appointment with a designer the next morning, so she showered and went to bed early.

When she woke up the next morning and headed to the dining room while yawning, she bumped straight into Ning Shiyue.

Ning Shiyue was busy with work, and Ning Yuxuan rarely saw him at home during the day.

Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow. "Morning. Why are you here?"

Ning Shiyue was busy spreading strawberry jam on a piece of toast and rolled his eyes at her. "Why *can't* it be me?"

Ning Yuxuan went to grab a piece of toast as well. "Where’s Mom?"

Ning Shiyue handed her a table knife. "Mom said she’s meeting with a producer today, along with Teacher Qin Man."

Ning Yuxuan realized. "Oh, right. I forgot."

After reading the script for *The Misdirected Letter* on Sunday, Ning Fei had become interested in the role.

That same evening, news that Ning Fei and Qin Man might collaborate hit the trending topics. The producer had contacted Ning Fei immediately, expressing great enthusiasm for a potential partnership.

With the drawing power of two major award-winning actresses like Qin Man and Ning Fei, combined with the buzz of their first-ever collaboration on a film project, the financing for the movie was virtually guaranteed. It was no wonder the producer was so eager.

Ning Fei happened to be interested as well, so she had gone off early that morning to meet with the producer.

"What about you?" Ning Yuxuan asked Ning Shiyue. "Don't you have work today? That’s rare."

As one of the top young actors, Ning Shiyue rarely had a day without work.

Ning Shiyue gave a light scoff. "It’s a rare moment of leisure, but only for a few days. I’m heading to set next week."

Seeing Ning Yuxuan sit down opposite him, Ning Shiyue stood up to pour her a glass of milk.

Ning Yuxuan took the milk. "What project are you filming?"

Ning Shiyue: "..."

He gave her a speechless look. "I told you your memory was bad, and you wouldn't admit it."

Ning Yuxuan thought for a second. "Is it that historical drama I recommended to you?"

Ning Shiyue nodded. "That's the one."

"So fast?" Ning Yuxuan said, surprised. "It hasn't even been half a month since your audition, and you're already heading to set?"

Ning Shiyue gave a hum of affirmation. "They were just missing a lead actor when I went. The director was very satisfied with me, and I happened to have an opening in my schedule, so..."

As he said this, Ning Shiyue tried to appear completely indifferent, keeping his head down as he spread jam, avoiding eye contact with Ning Yuxuan. In reality, he was keeping a close watch on her every move.

Ning Yuxuan took a bite of her bread and gave him an approving look. "Not bad at all! I just finished your latest drama, and I think with your acting skills, you’ll be able to perfectly portray the protagonist in that novel!"

The corners of Ning Shiyue’s lips curled up. "You don't need to tell me that!"

"What about you?" Ning Shiyue asked. "I heard from Mom that you’ve been busy with the hotel business lately."

At the mention of this, Ning Yuxuan’s eyes lit up. "Yes! I haven't told you about my vision for it yet, have I? Do you have time? Want me to tell you about it?"

Ning Shiyue coughed, feigning reluctance. "If you really want to talk about it, is it like I can plug my ears and refuse to listen?"

In truth, he had brought up the hotel specifically to see how things were progressing.

Recently, Ning Yuxuan had been busy with opening new hotel branches, sometimes discussing it with Ning Fei, sometimes with the hotel’s general manager, Chen Jun, and sometimes even chatting with Xie Zhiyan. But she had never talked to him about it.

Ning Shiyue knew it was likely because he was busy with work and rarely home, and he wasn't a professional, so Ning Yuxuan didn't want to bother him. Still, he felt a sense of being ignored.

He could tolerate it when it came to Ning Fei or the hotel manager, but even if Brother Zhiyan was Ning Yuxuan's boyfriend, he, as her own brother, shouldn't be ranked behind a boyfriend, right? That was why he had deliberately brought it up today.

Ning Yuxuan quickly finished her toast, ran to the study to fetch her laptop, and placed it in front of Ning Shiyue.

Ning Shiyue silently pulled his chair back.

Ning Yuxuan sat down. "So, here’s the plan—"

She showed him the design blueprints. "Of the four properties I bought, I plan to renovate two of them, updating the equipment. I’m going to meet the designer later today to do a site inspection and discuss the details."

"As for the other two," Ning Yuxuan opened another document, "I’m thinking of turning them into themed hotels. My current idea is to make the one near the university town an e-sports hotel, and the other one will be focused on a retro Republic of China style. It looks something like this—"

She showed him the images and asked, "What do you think?"

A look of surprise appeared on Ning Shiyue’s face. "It’s quite good."

It was much more professional than he had imagined.

In Ning Yuxuan’s eyes, Ning Shiyue’s "quite good" was equivalent to "excellent."

Having her hard-earned plan validated, Ning Yuxuan smiled happily. "Right? Do you have any suggestions? Or any thoughts at all? I’d love to hear them."

Ning Shiyue scrolled through the document and mused, "This retro-themed hotel reminds me of a movie Mom starred in."

Ning Yuxuan nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! I got the inspiration after watching that movie! It’s no wonder you’re my brother; we think exactly alike!"

Ning Shiyue gave a light huff. "You only praise me when it suits you."

The two discussed the hotel designs for a while, and Ning Yuxuan was inspired by several new ideas, which she noted down in the document.

If not for the 10:00 AM appointment with the designer, Ning Yuxuan would have likely discussed it with Ning Shiyue for the entire morning.

Ning Yuxuan had Uncle Li drop her off at the subway station near the first location in Tongxing District.

The designer, who had taken the subway, arrived at the same time.

The hotel was not far from the subway station, and the two walked over together after meeting up.

The designer’s name was Yuan Shu. She was thirty-one years old but looked younger than her actual age. Yuan Shu favored a loose, casual style of dress, wearing a shirt and trousers, but the cut and color coordination were harmonious, giving her a very comfortable vibe.

Ning Yuxuan had hit it off with her yesterday; every time she expressed an idea, Yuan Shu grasped it immediately.

As soon as they met, they began discussing the hotel design again.

When they reached the entrance of the hotel, a man in a security guard uniform blocked their path.

"Excuse me," the man said, looking down his nose at them. "This hotel has changed owners and is currently closed. If you're looking for a place to stay, go somewhere else."

Ning Yuxuan said, "I am the owner."

The security guard glanced at Ning Yuxuan, then at Yuan Shu beside her.

Two young ladies, neither appearing to be over thirty.

His superiors had told him that the owner of this hotel was a retired actress in her fifties. As for the hotel manager, he had seen a photo; it was a man, and certainly not this young.