While everyone else is busy preparing for the Lunar New Year, Su Yuan's hot pot restaurant is packed every day.

Ning Hong had eaten there once.

The broth wasn't flavorful enough, and the taste was unremarkable; its only redeeming quality was its novelty.

Of course, Su Yuan also has the added benefit of being the female lead.

That's why her hot pot restaurant is doing so well.

These endeavors are the foundation of Su Yuan's confidence.

Although these things may sound a bit vulgar, they are the truth: in any world, the wealthy always have more confidence than the poor.

That's why she's more confident and dares to challenge others than other women.

Of course, Su Yuan certainly didn't expect this.

Many women in ancient times also had careers.

There are even people more capable than her.

If it were just a matter of skill, Su Yuan would definitely be no match for them.

But Su Yuan had powerful backers.

Whether it's the Seventh Prince or the current Emperor, they all protect her, so naturally no one else can touch her.

Of course, Su Yuan had been too successful in this regard, and she didn't seem to realize it herself.

Ning Hong sat in the teahouse, chin in hand, thinking about the memories of the original owner and Su Yuan.

Before Su Yuan met the Seventh Prince, she had stayed at the Duke of Wei's mansion for a period of time.

Based on those memories of contact, Ning Hong was quite certain that Su Yuan had never truly considered herself a member of this world.

Perhaps, subconsciously, she looked down on these ancient men.

That makes sense. No matter how outstanding or powerful a man was in ancient times, could he talk to her about the internet or technology?

Can I talk to her about male and female idols?

They've never even made a car.

This is a difference in time and space, a difference that cannot be easily overcome.

So in the beginning, Su Yuan treated all these men as brothers and never agreed to any of their requests.

Until she met the Seventh Prince.

Ning Hong thought for a moment and compared the Seventh Prince with other men.

Well, he has to admit something.

This Su Yuan is probably a sucker for good looks.

The Seventh Prince was the most handsome of these men.

The original owner of this body was the one Su Yuan used to despise the most.

After all, the original owner had a full beard and a daughter who became an empress.

Although he was about the same age as her in modern times, in this world he was considerably older. Having finally become a young woman, she certainly didn't want to date an older man again.

Therefore, the original owner gave her hints many times, but she ignored them repeatedly.

Until she met the Seventh Prince, she moved directly into his mansion.

It's embarrassing to admit.

The Seventh Prince got to know Su Yuan because of the original owner of this body.

In the original owner's eyes, he had ruined his sister's life—

"Brother Ning."

Just as Ning Hong was about to get up and leave, Su Yuan walked into the teahouse with a delighted expression. "Brother Ning, are you having tea here?"

"Yes, that's right."

Was it because they saw him and came looking for him on purpose, or was it just a coincidence?

"You should still call me Uncle. I've always called you Uncle."

Ning Hong retorted without hesitation that this woman had changed too quickly; before, no amount of coaxing or cajoling could get her to call him Brother Ning.

People said she was still young, and Ning Hong looked like her father, so calling him "uncle" was a way of giving him face.

The original owner was severely damaged at the time, and his heart was ice-cold.

But now, they're even calling him "Big Brother."

Ning Hong mentally complained as he called over the waiter and asked him to settle the bill.

"Brother Ning, don't be so petty. It's just that you really looked very old back then."

That full beard just doesn't look good no matter what.

Who would have thought that such a handsome face was hidden beneath that thick beard?

“I don’t look that much younger now,” Ning Hong said, touching her face. “Actually, I just shaved off my beard.”

She didn't get any cosmetic injections or wrinkle removal treatments.

"But you look very young now."

To be honest, he looks even younger than the Seventh Prince.

It made her—inexplicably fall in love.

Su Yuan's gaze is a bit off!

That tender look—it seems like she's taken a liking to him.

Really?

Just because he shaved?

If the original owner of this body found out, wouldn't he be furious?

The original owner had worked so hard for so long and treated Su Yuan so well, but Su Yuan had never paid any attention to him. Now, he just shaved off the beard he had grown for many years, and Su Yuan was moved.

Is it really that superficial?

Just look at—the face?

"Thank you for the compliment." Ning Hongze's expression grew even more indifferent. "However, please still call me Uncle, otherwise, I'm not used to it."

"No, I'm going to call you brother. As long as you stay this way, you can always be my brother."

In this way, they can be in the same generation.

“To stay the same as I am now—that’s really too difficult.” Ning Hong shook her head. “I’m not an old monster, I’ll definitely get old.”

"That's not what I meant. I just said you shouldn't grow a beard. A beard ruins your appearance."

He's clearly a super handsome guy, but his true appearance is completely obscured by his thick beard.

"You don't like me having a beard?" Ning Hong suddenly took a step forward, looked down at Su Yuan, and deliberately lowered her voice, adding a touch of allure.

The deep voice struck Su Yuan's heart instantly, and she took two steps back, her cheeks flushing red.

She seemed a little shy.

Her eyes darted from side to side, and even her earlobes slowly turned red, following the movement of her face.

Ning Hong chuckled softly, glancing at a corner of her eye out of the corner of her eye.

I wonder when Su Yuan will discover that the Seventh Prince is standing in that corner?

The Seventh Prince's face was completely black, like a man who had caught his wife cheating on him.

Well, it's not quite like that, but judging from Su Yuan's reaction, that's exactly it.

Su Yuan raised her head, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at Ning Hongze.

“Brother Ning, I…” This man’s appearance is just too much to her liking. Just looking at him makes her heart race.

"Su Yuan." Seeing that Su Yuan seemed to want to say something more to Ning Hongze, the Seventh Prince couldn't stand still any longer.

He quickly called out to stop her.

Su Yuan's expression froze instantly.

Oh no, how did Song Zhi see this?

Only now, watching Song Zhi stride towards her, did she feel like she was Song Zhi's woman.

Suddenly, she felt a pang of regret. Why had she agreed to Song Zhi's request?

"Alas, it's a pity we're not meant to be. Su Yuan, I wish you and the Seventh Prince happiness."

Ning Hong bent down and whispered in her ear.

When the Seventh Prince walked up to them, they quickly straightened up.

"Okay, I'm leaving now. Let's talk again sometime."

"Wei Guogong..."