51 051

"Taking advantage of someone's misfortune."

In an instant, Ning Yuxuan felt her heart rate soar to 110.

At first, Ning Yuxuan thought she was just chatting with Xie Zhiyan, so she didn't consider soundproofing or anything like that, and even left the door ajar.

Later, out of nowhere, the topic of marriage by agreement came up.

Ning Yuxuan quickly went through in her mind what she and Xie Zhiyan had just said.

Fortunately, the two ended up discussing how to buy the house and didn't mention the agreement again.

Moreover, judging from Ning Fei's expression, it didn't seem like she had heard those things.

Ning Yuxuan looked at her mother and hesitated before saying, "Mom, Xie Zhiyan and I were just having a casual chat..."

Ning Fei noticed her daughter's hesitation and smiled reassuringly, "How about this, let's go downstairs for dinner first, and you can talk to Mom about the rest when you have time."

Even though Ning Fei was quite shocked, she still prioritized her daughter's well-being.

I was surprised when I grabbed my daughter and asked her questions, and I couldn't help myself for a moment. Now that I've calmed down a bit, I realize I shouldn't have pressed her for answers.

Ning Yuxuan: "...Mm."

Upon arriving at the restaurant, the housekeeper had already prepared several home-style dishes, all of which Ning Yuxuan loved to eat.

Ning Fei seemed somewhat distracted.

She was still thinking about the conversation she had just overheard between her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend.

Judging from the tone, it seems that Xie Zhiyan prefers to buy a house sooner, but his daughter has not expressed any objection, just not as enthusiastic as Xie Zhiyan.

Ning Fei remembered that her daughter had only confessed to her about being with Xie Zhiyan last week, and the two of them had spent no more than a month together.

Just a month ago, my daughter was still with her ex-boyfriend.

Ning Fei knew better than anyone how much her daughter liked that young man from the Gu family.

How come my daughter is already thinking about marrying Xie Zhiyan so soon?

Or are they just planning to buy a house and live together?

Ning Fei is increasingly unable to understand her daughter's thoughts.

When you're thinking about something, your movements become sluggish.

Ning Fei picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and put it in her bowl, but didn't touch it for a long time.

Seeing Ning Fei's appearance, Ning Yuxuan looked up and met Xie Zhiyan's gaze.

Ning Yuxuan couldn't help but glare at Xie Zhiyan: It's all your fault, you had to bring up buying a house, now Mom definitely overheard you.

The next moment, Xie Zhiyan coughed lightly.

Ning Fei snapped out of her daze and looked at her daughter's boyfriend apologetically: "Sorry, Zhiyan, look at me, I guess I was too stressed from recording the show and I just spaced out for a while without realizing it. Come on, you and Xuanxuan eat more, don't let me affect you."

Xie Zhiyan smiled and nodded.

“Aunt Ning,” Xie Zhiyan said again.

Ning Fei: "Hmm? What's wrong?"

Xie Zhiyan put down his chopsticks and said solemnly, "I'm sorry, Auntie, the matter of buying a house was brought up by me and Xuanxuan on my own. Perhaps we were a little too hasty."

Ning Fei was taken aback, not expecting Xie Zhiyan to bring this up at the dinner table.

Ning Yuxuan was also stunned for a moment, silently looking at Xie Zhiyan.

Xie Zhiyan continued unhurriedly, "Auntie, I don't know if Xuanxuan has told you that Xuanxuan and I will be together, and that I took the initiative to pursue her."

Ning Fei didn't know why Xie Zhiyan brought this up for a moment, but after thinking about it, she said truthfully, "...Yes, Xuanxuan told me."

Xie Zhiyan said gently, "Between Xuanxuan and me, I am the one who takes the initiative more, and I like her more. Sometimes I am inevitably too eager. If there is anything inappropriate, Auntie, you don't need to worry. Just tell me directly, and I will pay attention."

Ning Fei was stunned for two seconds.

Since the other party had already said so, Ning Fei thought for a moment and decided not to beat around the bush.

"Zhiyan," Ning Fei said, "I absolutely support you and Xuanxuan being together. I also spoke with Xinmei on the phone a couple of days ago. We are both very happy that the two of you are together. As for when to take things further, it depends on your personal wishes. I fully respect my daughter's decision, and as long as she agrees, I will not object."

She made it very clear that as long as Ning Yuxuan agreed, she, as her mother, would support her.

Conversely, if her daughter is unwilling, she will definitely stand firmly on her daughter's side.

Xie Zhiyan: "Auntie, I understand what you mean. Xuanxuan and I will discuss it together, and I will definitely not force her to make a decision."

Ning Fei smiled faintly: "Okay."

Ning Yuxuan felt a lump in her throat as she listened: "Mom..."

Ning Fei patted her daughter's hand reassuringly: "Xuanxuan, as long as it's a choice you've thought through carefully, Mom will fully support you."

Ning Yuxuan pursed her lips: "I know, Mom."

Ning Fei smiled and said, "Okay, let's eat first, okay?"

Ning Yuxuan nodded.

After talking things out openly, Ning Fei came to her senses.

If it were in the past, if her daughter told her that she wanted to get married, Ning Fei would have absolutely disagreed.

One reason is that the young man from the Gu family is unreliable, and another is that Ning Fei is worried that her daughter is still too naive and might make a decision she will regret on impulse.

But ever since her daughter broke up with her boyfriend and she started helping her manage the hotel, Ning Fei has been able to sense changes in her daughter.

My daughter has matured a lot since then. She's no longer the little girl who acts on a whim and has her own ideas now.

Moreover, although the daughter and Xie Zhiyan have not been together for long, they have known each other for a long time. It seems that Xie Zhiyan is also wholeheartedly devoted to the daughter, so there is nothing wrong with settling down sooner.

Of course, it's also because the Xie and Ning families know each other very well. Ning Fei and Zheng Xinmei have been friends for decades and have watched Xie Zhiyan grow up to where he is now.

Ning Fei wouldn't be so at ease if it were anyone else.

The atmosphere at the table was a little heavy, but Ning Fei smiled and changed the subject: "Xiao Yue just sent me a message saying that he'll be finishing up soon and will call home in a bit."

Ning Yuxuan remembered: "Oh right, didn't he also say that the crew is changing cities to film next week and that we can visit the set?"

Ning Fei hummed in agreement: "Yes, but with all this back and forth, by the time we get back from the set visit, the next episode will be filming again. Xuanxuan, do you want to go? If you don't want to travel back and forth, I can go see Xiaoyue by myself."

When Ning Shiyue went to film in other places, Ning Fei would occasionally visit him on set.

However, Ning Yuxuan didn't like going before, saying that if she went, she would just be watching Ning Shiyue filming on set, which wasn't very interesting.

Ning Yuxuan: "Go, why wouldn't we go?"

Ning Fei teased, "Zhiyan should be in Beicheng recently, right? If you want to come with me to visit Xiaoyue on set, it will take at least three days to go back and forth. If you stay on set for two more days, it will be almost a week."

Ning Yuxuan understood her mother's meaning and glanced at Xie Zhiyan: "He's fine on his own, he doesn't need me to accompany him."

Xie Zhiyan smiled faintly and said, "When are you leaving? I'll take you to the airport."

Ning Fei quickly replied politely, "No need, no need to trouble you."

...

Just after dinner, Ning Shiyue called.

Ning Fei chatted with Ning Shiyue for a while, then handed the phone to her daughter.

As soon as Ning Yuxuan answered the phone, Ning Shiyue's raised voice came from the speakerphone.

"You brought your boyfriend home for dinner behind my back again!"

Ning Yuxuan laughed out loud: "What do you mean by 'carrying you on my back'? If you have to say it, this is Mom's house, not yours. If I want to bring someone home for dinner, Mom just needs to agree, right?"

Ning Shiyue was furious: "Ning Yuxuan!"

Ning Yuxuan asked with a smile, "Then how about I send you a message before Xie Zhiyan comes over for dinner next time to let you know?"

Ning Shiyue: "That's more like it—"

Ning Yuxuan: "But whether you agree or not, it won't affect the final result."

Ning Shiyue: "..."

Ning Yuxuan suppressed a laugh: "Alright, so you called just to accuse me? Is there anything else you want to say?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the phone.

Ning Shiyue: "...Why did you suddenly decide to log into the game last night?"

Ning Yuxuan chuckled: "How do you still remember this? It was just two games, is it really worth you holding a grudge until now and asking about it on the phone?"

Ning Shiyue argued vehemently: "When you saw me playing games at home before, you never said you wanted to play with me! But as soon as someone invited you, you immediately logged into your game account that you hadn't used in months. Why can't I hold a grudge?"

Ning Yuxuan blinked: "People? Who?"

Ning Shiyue: "Who else could it be? It's that... Duan something-or-other guy."

Ning Yuxuan seemed to understand Ning Shiyue's thought process: "You think I logged into the game because Duan Ziyao invited me to play together?"

Ning Shiyue: "Isn't that right?"

Ning Yuxuan patiently explained, "No, it was Ning An who asked me to play together, and that's why I agreed. Then Ning An said she wanted to invite Duan Ziyao along."

Ning Shiyue: "...Really?"

Ning Yuxuan: "Why would I lie to you? Besides, you've seen Jiang Ning'an's account. She plays that game often and has a very high rank."

Ning Shiyue: "..."

A few seconds later, Ning Shiyue reluctantly said, "Alright, I'll believe you for now."

Ning Yuxuan: "Ning Shiyue, are you jealous because I didn't call you right away when I was playing games with other people?"

Ning Shiyue raised his voice again: "Why would I be jealous? It's just that a skinny guy who hasn't even grown a beard yet played two games with you. What's there to be jealous about?"

Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow: "How do you know he's thinner than a bamboo pole? Aren't you busy filming during the day? How do you have time to watch TV shows?"

Ning Shiyue: "...I heard it from someone else, is that not allowed? Besides, isn't he some kind of genius professional player? His information can be found with a simple search, it wouldn't even take two minutes."

Ning Yuxuan smiled, too lazy to expose him: "Okay."

Ning Shiyue could tell she didn't believe him: "Besides, even if someone were to be jealous, it wouldn't be my place!"

Ning Yuxuan pondered Ning Shiyue's words and felt that something was amiss.

She suddenly asked, "Ning Shiyue, did you say something to Xie Zhiyan?"

Ning Yuxuan remembered that the reason she wanted to check Xie Zhiyan's phone was because she felt that Xie Zhiyan must have had some reason for suddenly showing up at the recording site.

The conversation then shifted to buying a house, and that topic was dropped.

Ning Yuxuan only remembered this matter again after Ning Shiyue brought it up.

Upon hearing this, there was a two-second silence on the phone.

Ning Shiyue: "...No."

Ning Yuxuan could tell he was guilty.

If it really wasn't true, Ning Shiyue would have denied it without even thinking.

Ning Yuxuan glanced back at the living room.

The TV was on, and Xie Zhiyan and Ning Fei were sitting on either side of the sofa, seemingly discussing a TV series or something else.

Ning Yuxuan took two steps to the side: "Tell me the truth, did you send Xie Zhiyan any messages?"

Ning Shiyue knew he couldn't hide it from Ning Yuxuan.

He coughed twice, pretending to be serious: "It's nothing, I just told him that you, me, and that e-sports player would play games together."

Ning Yuxuan: "Anything else?"

Ning Shiyue's voice grew softer and softer: "And...and there was a time when some netizens were shipping you and that e-sports player as a couple, so I just mentioned it to Brother Zhiyan."

Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow: "...What CP? I didn't even know about this myself. How come you have more information than I, the person involved?"

"I only saw it on Weibo by chance..." Ning Shiyue knew he was in the wrong. "If you're angry, I'll apologize to you."

Ning Yuxuan wasn't angry; she just found it funny.

She had no idea that Ning Shiyue had formed an alliance with Xie Zhiyan and was even secretly exchanging messages with him.

Moreover, it seems that Xie Zhiyan, such a composed person, was actually influenced by Ning Shiyue's words, otherwise why would he suddenly go to the show to pick her up?

Ning Yuxuan remained silent for a long time, and Ning Shiyue began to panic.

Ning Shiyue: "You...are you really angry?"

Ning Yuxuan was originally just thinking, but upon hearing this, she deliberately remained silent.

Ning Shiyue took it seriously and cleared his throat: "Um, I really didn't mean to... I just wanted to make Brother Zhiyan feel a little threatened, and I know that with Brother Zhiyan's intelligence, he definitely wouldn't really suspect you, so that's why I sent it!"

Ning Yuxuan remained silent.

Ning Shiyue said anxiously, "I promise I will never send him anything like that again! I'll break my promise!"

Ning Yuxuan: "Is that all?"

Ning Shiyue: "...Aren't you and Mom coming to visit the set next week? The crew happens to have a day off, so I'll take you to a famous restaurant around here. It's spicy and flavorful, definitely to your liking!"

Ning Yuxuan: "Am I eating alone? Or are you eating with me?"

Ning Shiyue gritted his teeth: "...As long as you calm down, I'll eat spicy food with you!"

Ning Yuxuan laughed out loud: "Okay, I'll record it! If you don't eat it, I'll put the recording next to your ear and play it on repeat!"

Ning Shiyue sensed something was wrong: "You're not angry?"

If Ning Yuxuan were truly angry, she wouldn't have recovered so easily and still be in the mood to joke with him.

Ning Yuxuan retorted, "Who said I was angry?"

Ning Shiyue: "..."

Ning Yuxuan said seriously, "Whether I'm angry or not doesn't affect the promise you've already made. Remember to practice in advance these next couple of days, so when I get to your place, you can eat spicy food with me."

Ning Shiyue: "...Fine! A promise is a promise."

After chatting with Ning Shiyue for a while, Ning Yuxuan hung up the phone.

Upon entering the living room, Ning Fei and Xie Zhiyan were chatting.

“I think a single-level apartment is better,” Ning Fei said. “A single-level apartment has a better view, and since it’s just the two of you and Xuanxuan, you don’t have to worry about privacy. A single-level apartment is more convenient. If you have children in the future, you can always move to a villa when they’re older.”

“I agree with you, Auntie,” Xie Zhiyan said with a smile. “Then I’ll discuss it with Xuanxuan and see what she thinks.”

Ning Yuxuan: "..."

What's going on?

She had only been on the phone with Ning Shiyue for about ten minutes, so how did Ning Fei start discussing buying a house with Xie Zhiyan?

And a child? Who said she was going to have a child with Xie Zhiyan?

Seeing Ning Yuxuan arrive, Ning Fei stood up: "Did you finish your call with Xiao Yue? Qin Man just texted me to ask me out. I'll go upstairs to call her back, and you two can chat."

Ning Fei and Qin Man have been in frequent contact lately, mainly discussing the movie.

With that, Ning Fei turned and went upstairs, leaving the living room space to her daughter.

Ning Yuxuan watched Ning Fei go upstairs, then looked at Xie Zhiyan without saying a word.

Xie Zhiyan smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

Ning Yuxuan glared at him: "What kind of spell did you cast on my mother? How come she's starting to discuss with you what kind of house to buy?"

The mother's previous reaction seemed to be more "surprised" than "happy," so why did she change her attitude so quickly?

Xie Zhiyan picked up a grape and brought it to Ning Yuxuan's lips, while replying, "I was just chatting with Auntie, and we happened to talk about buying a house."

Ning Yuxuan reflexively opened her mouth and put the grape in her mouth.

Take a bite, and the sweet juice fills your entire mouth.

Ning Yuxuan savored the taste in her mouth: "Is this the same variety of grape we ate at your house before?"

Xie Zhiyan: "Yeah, I brought it from home. Didn't you have enough before?"

“No wonder it tastes familiar.” Ning Yuxuan said, picking up another seedless grape and popping it into her mouth. “I rarely eat such big and sweet seedless grapes.”

After eating two pills, Ning Yuxuan remembered to continue the previous topic: "Is it really just a casual chat? You're not deliberately trying to sway my mom first, then have her persuade me, are you?"

Xie Zhiyan smiled faintly: "Didn't Auntie already say that she fully respects your ideas? How could I dare to sway Auntie?"

Ning Yuxuan popped another grape into her mouth: "Who knows if you really don't dare."

Xie Zhiyan smiled calmly: "Don't just focus on eating grapes, other fruits taste good too, try some."

Ning Yuxuan glanced at him.

There's always this feeling that this man is using fruit as an excuse to shut himself up.

However, the fruit was indeed delicious, and Ning Yuxuan ate some apples and peaches cut into small pieces.

The peaches are very soft, and the juice easily drips onto your hands.

Xie Zhiyan handed her two tissues.

Ning Yuxuan took the tissue, wiped her mouth and fingers, and asked him, "Besides buying a house, what else did you and my mom 'casually' talk about?"

Xie Zhiyan's gaze swept over her fingers: "That's all. Auntie mentioned that she's currently preparing for a movie. Several lead actors have been cast, but due to the subject matter, the investors haven't been finalized yet."

Ning Yuxuan asked in surprise, "She even told you this?"

It seems that Ning Fei truly considers Xie Zhiyan as one of her own.

Ning Yuxuan understands her mother and knows that she usually doesn't talk to outsiders about her career, especially since the movie is only in the preparation stage and not yet finalized.

Xie Zhiyan: "Yes, that's why I'm interested in investing in this movie."

Ning Yuxuan was about to put another piece of peach into her mouth when she heard this and paused.

She slowly raised her eyes to look at Xie Zhiyan: "I remember Hengjiang hasn't invested in film and television in recent years, has it?"

Xie Zhiyan remained calm: "Yes, but I've always had this idea, and I'll start with this one."

Ning Yuxuan: "Isn't it to please my mom so that she'll be on your side?"

Xie Zhiyan subtly retorted, "Why don't you say I'm doing this to curry favor with you?"

Ning Yuxuan: "..."

The peach was too soft, and after being held in mid-air for too long by Ning Yuxuan, it couldn't withstand the pressure and slipped down to the ground.

Ning Yuxuan's fingers also got covered in peach juice.

She snapped out of her daze and reached for a napkin.

Xie Zhiyan had already taken action, grabbing a tissue from the coffee table to wipe her face.

Wrap a tissue around Ning Yuxuan's fingers and gently wipe away the peach juice stains.

The warmth of the man's hand seeped through the tissue and onto her sensitive fingertips.

Ning Yuxuan's breath caught in her throat for a second.

Xie Zhiyan withdrew his hand, bent down and picked up the piece of peach that had fallen on the ground, putting it into the trash can as well.

Ning Yuxuan's gaze followed the man's movements, her heart pounding wildly.

After Xie Zhiyan finished doing all this, he looked over.

Ning Yuxuan met the man's gaze and blurted out, "So you're only considering investing because of me?"

Xie Zhiyan's eyebrows twitched.

“That’s partly the reason,” Xie Zhiyan said calmly and steadily, “but the main reason is that I have high hopes for the production team of this film.”

Ning Yuxuan: "...Oh."

I can't quite describe the feeling; it's a bit like a sigh of relief, but also a bit like disappointment.

She breathed a sigh of relief because Xie Zhiyan's investment in the film wasn't entirely for his own benefit, so she didn't have to worry about owing him too much money that she couldn't repay.

And disappointment...

Ning Yuxuan felt uneasy when she realized that she actually had such emotions.

Because she discovered that she had expectations of Xie Zhiyan that she would never have had before—

They hoped he would spend a fortune, investing hundreds of millions in a movie just to make them smile.

Ning Yuxuan hadn't had a chance to think deeply about what such expectations really meant. She only knew that, generally speaking, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

In the silence, Xie Zhiyan suddenly asked, "Would you like some ice cream?"

Ning Yuxuan blinked her eyelashes: "Hmm?"

Xie Zhiyan: "Aunt Ning just went to check, and there's only one mung bean paste flavor left in the freezer."

Ning Yuxuan: "...Eat!"

Forget it, there are some things I shouldn't force myself to think too much about. Emotions can't be controlled just by rational analysis.

Xie Zhiyan stood up and went to get her some ice cream.

Ning Yuxuan opened the packaging and took a bite.

Xie Zhiyan glanced at his watch: "The supermarket should still be open, shall we go and buy some more?"

Ning Yuxuan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll tell my mom and we'll go out to buy it."

Ning Fei had just finished a phone call with Qin Man.

Ning Yuxuan told her mother that she was going to the supermarket with Xie Zhiyan and asked her if there was anything she needed to buy.

Ning Fei thought for a moment: "There doesn't seem to be much juice left in the refrigerator. Why don't you buy some of your favorite juice?"

Ning Yuxuan agreed.

She changed into a dress, went downstairs, and waved to Xie Zhiyan.

Let's go.

Countless times, the two of them walked together on this road at night.

Ning Yuxuan looked at the moon, which was faintly visible in the sky, and realized that she seemed to have begun to get used to walking with Xie Zhiyan like this.

"Xuanxuan." The man's deep, gentle voice rang out.

Ning Yuxuan turned to look at him.

Xie Zhiyan: "You just asked me if I decided to invest in that movie because of you."

Ning Yuxuan blinked: "What's wrong? Are you regretting not saying you invested to please me, so I could owe you a big favor?"

"No," Xie Zhiyan said calmly. "I just remembered that you called me a month ago and asked if I would be willing to pay for your hotel."

Ning Yuxuan paused slightly.

It was because of that phone call that she and Xie Zhiyan became entangled, which is why they are walking side by side here now.

But why did Xie Zhiyan suddenly bring this up?

Ning Yuxuan looked at Xie Zhiyan and said half-jokingly, "Yes, and then you took advantage of my vulnerability and proposed to marry me."

Xie Zhiyan chuckled: "Indeed, it's taking advantage of someone's misfortune."

Perhaps "profiteering from a disaster" would be a more appropriate description.

No one knew that the moment Ning Yuxuan said she had broken up with Gu Yunhao, he was already prepared to "take advantage of her misfortune".

Ning Yuxuan looked at Xie Zhiyan inquisitively: "So? Why did you suddenly bring this up?"

Xie Zhiyan's tone was nonchalant: "Because it was you who called, I took advantage of your vulnerability. You are the only exception."