Yan Ning was completely stunned.

Her eyes were wide open, and her long eyelashes were still damp.

Her mind seemed to freeze instantly; she even forgot to breathe.

The slight buzz from the alcohol earlier.

It vanished in an instant, utterly destroyed by those four unexpected words.

All that remained was the thunderous pounding of my heart, each beat striking my eardrums.

It was as if the whole world consisted only of him holding her hand.

And his eyes, brimming with earnestness and tenderness.

"I don't like the Su family's daughter, nor do I like anyone who is worthy of me."

He spoke each word clearly, his gaze intense:

"Yan Ning, I just like you."

"I like Yan Ning, the little Taoist priest in Qingshan Temple, who can catch ghosts and tell fortunes. He glares when he's angry and smiles when he's happy."

Yan Ning was completely dumbfounded.

The alcohol, combined with these words, left her feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a single word.

She instinctively shrank back, her eyes filled with panic and helplessness.

Xie Huaiye observed her reaction.

My heart tightened, yet it also softened terribly.

He didn't approach her; instead, he released her, giving her some space.

"Don't be afraid."

His voice was deep and gentle, filled with patience:

"I'm not asking you to answer me right now, nor am I trying to force you to do anything."

He stepped back slightly.

His gaze remained fixed on her face with utmost devotion.

"You can take your time to think about it and consider it. It doesn't matter how long it takes."

A night breeze swept by.

The old wind chimes under the eaves of the Taoist temple tinkled softly.

It was as if they were testifying to his words.

"I will wait for you."

Xie Huaiye continued, "As long as you don't avoid me and don't say anything about breaking off the engagement."

"Give me a chance to slowly tell you how I feel."

Yan Ning stood there, her cheeks burning.

"You...you like me?"

She stammered, barely able to speak a complete sentence, "This is really too sudden..."

Xie Huaiye, however, remained calm. He smiled slightly, his voice low and gentle:

"It's okay, you don't need to rush to answer me. We have plenty of time, take your time."

He looked up at the sky.

The wind gradually picked up, rustling the leaves.

"It's getting cold, let's go back first."

He paused, then added, "Xiao Zhuo and my dad are waiting for you."

"Wait for me?" Yan Ning was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, they were all very worried about you running away alone," Xie Huaiye said naturally.

The two walked side by side down the mountain.

Yan Ning's heart was pounding, and she kept her head down the whole way, not knowing what to say.

Xie Huaiye, on the other hand, seemed much more natural.

He would occasionally turn his head to look at her, a faint smile in his eyes.

When they reached a steep slope, Yan Ning slipped and nearly fell.

Xie Huaiye quickly reached out and supported her arm. "Be careful."

The warmth of his hands seeped through his sleeves.

Yan Ning, as if burned, hurriedly steadied herself, "Thank you..."

Xie Huaiye did not immediately let go.

He only let go slowly once she was steady on her feet.

After descending the mountain, the two got into the Rolls-Royce.

Xie Huaiye drove back to the Xie family home.

Yan Ning sat in the passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce, watching the scenery rush past the window.

She couldn't help but turn her head away, pretending to admire the scenery.

But his gaze quietly fell on Xie Huaiye, who was driving.

He was very focused while driving.

Rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel.

The cuffs were rolled up slightly, revealing a section of the wrist with smooth lines.

The light and shadows flashing past the window occasionally brushed against his profile.

It outlines a high, straight nose and a defined jawline.

Yan Ning couldn't help but recall what he had said on the mountain earlier, and her heart began to race uncontrollably again.

She hurriedly turned around.

But his reflection was right in the car window.

Xie Huaiye's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Is the air conditioning temperature comfortable?

His sudden words startled Yan Ning.

"Suitable, appropriate".

She answered instinctively, her voice a little strained.

Xie Huaiye didn't say anything more.

However, he reached out and adjusted the direction of the air vent to prevent the cold air from blowing directly on her.

This small gesture warmed Yan Ning's heart.

The red light came on, and the car slowly came to a stop.

Taking the opportunity, Yan Ning boldly examined his hands on the steering wheel.

Its joints are clearly defined, and it is long and strong.

She inexplicably recalled the feeling of those hands steadily supporting her as she descended the mountain.

My cheeks started to burn again.

Is there something in my hand?

Xie Huaiye suddenly asked, his gaze still fixed straight ahead.

Yan Ning, like a thief caught red-handed, nearly jumped up in panic: "N-nothing!"

He chuckled softly and finally turned to look at her:

"Then why did you stare at it for so long?"

Yan Ning wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground, stammering and unable to speak.

Xie Huaiye did not press the matter further, but the smile in his eyes deepened.

The green light came on, and the car started moving again.

Yan Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but continue to let her mind wander:

Was he watching me the whole time?

Why does he know my preferences so well? Has he always taken care of others like this before?

Thinking about this, she felt inexplicably uneasy.

She unconsciously let out a soft sigh.

"What's wrong?" Xie Huaiye asked immediately, his keen insight surprising Yan Ning.

"nothing……"

She said softly, hesitated for a moment, and then couldn't help but ask, "You seem to be very good at taking care of people?"

Xie Huaiye raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, as if he understood what she was thinking:

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