Yan Ning turned her head, looking completely bewildered:
"What happened next? All I remember is fighting the fox demon? We actually ended up in the garden?"
"No...it's nothing."
Xie Huaiye reacted as if he had been burned.
She quickly waved her hand in denial, her ears burning slightly.
He almost blurted it out.
Fortunately, I managed to hold back.
How embarrassing would it be if I said it out loud and the person had no recollection of it at all!
"Something must have happened!" Yan Ning's curiosity was piqued.
She stopped, took a step closer, her large eyes sparkling in the moonlight, and asked:
"Tell me! Don't hide anything! I drank too much that night, did I do something embarrassing?"
Xie Huaiye felt even more embarrassed by her gaze, and his face flushed.
No, I absolutely cannot tell the truth!
He quickly came up with a clever idea, pointing to the fish tank next to him, and made up a reason:
"It's just... you were walking unsteadily and almost fell headfirst into this fish tank. I was quick-witted and pulled you back!"
He spoke with absolute certainty, trying his best to make his eyes appear sincere:
"Otherwise you'll be soaked to the bone, and you might even bump your head."
"Huh? That's it?"
After listening, Yan Ning's tone carried a hint of disappointment:
"I thought it was some big secret!"
"Oh, you almost fell into the fish tank... Thanks!"
She waved her hand, thinking Xie Huaiye was making a fuss over nothing.
At this moment.
Achoo!
A night breeze blew by.
Yan Ning sneezed unexpectedly.
"See, you've caught a cold."
Xie Huaiye immediately took off his outer garment.
Without saying a word, she wrapped herself around Yan Ning.
The fabric, warmed by his body heat, instantly dispelled the chill.
He moved so quickly it was as if he was afraid she would refuse, "Go back quickly, you've just finished something, don't catch a cold!"
After saying that, he turned around first.
Under the moonlight, his silhouette appeared somewhat hurried.
Yan Ning was wrapped in an outer garment that carried Xie Huaiye's body heat and faint fragrance.
Watching his retreating figure, he muttered to himself:
"This person... is acting strangely."
At this moment.
Ye Qingling was carrying a pot of freshly cooked hot soup as she turned out of the kitchen.
She looked up.
Just then, I saw Yan Ning and Xie Huaiye walking side by side out of the garden path.
Ye Qingling paused in her steps.
The fingers holding the soup bowl tightened.
She watched Yan Ning's retreating figure, then glanced at the soup in her hand, her eyes flickering.
Finally, she turned around and took the soup back to the kitchen.
Early the next morning.
The group packed their bags and prepared to leave the Ye residence.
Ye Qingling, holding a delicate little brocade box, walked straight up to Yan Ning.
"Miss Yan Ning."
She said gently, "This is for you, a small token of my appreciation. I hope you like it."
She opened the box.
Inside were several pieces of dazzling jewelry.
Yan Ning quickly waved her hand: "Miss Ye, this is too precious, I cannot accept it."
That's when she noticed.
Ye Qingling was dressed very simply today.
She wore faded old clothes and only had a simple wooden hairpin in her hair.
Let's take another look at the Ye residence.
The servants were busily carrying various boxes and furniture out.
"Is the Ye family... moving away?" Yan Ning asked in surprise.
Ye Qingling nodded, her expression calm yet conveying a sense of relief:
"Yes, after this incident, Father has finally come to his senses. He said that we should not monopolize wealth and honor."
"We decided to give away all our wealth, keeping only the necessities for daily life, and exchange the rest for food to distribute to the poor families in town."
"Consider it... an atonement for our past extravagance."
Yan Ning was deeply moved upon hearing this:
"It's truly commendable that Mr. Ye has such a kind heart. You all continue with your work; I'll be leaving now."
"Wait a moment."
After Yan Ning finished speaking, she turned to leave when Ye Qingling suddenly called out to her.
"Is there anything else?" Yan Ning stopped, somewhat puzzled.
Ye Qingling glanced at the busy people around her and whispered:
"There are some things I want to tell you alone."
She gestured for Yan Ning to follow her to a secluded corner behind a pillar.
The surroundings became quiet.
Ye Qingling looked at Yan Ning with a complicated expression.
He spoke softly, as if he had made a great decision:
“Miss Yan Ning, there’s something… that’s been on my mind for a while, but I haven’t told you.”
She paused, her voice lower, "It was the night before the incident, my personal maid, Xiao Cui..."
"She was passing by the rockery in the garden... and accidentally saw... saw you and Mr. Xie... kissing."
"What?! Kissing?!"
Yan Ning felt a buzzing in her head.
Her eyes widened, her face flushed red, and she was completely stunned.
"How is this possible! I...I don't remember anything like this at all! Oh my god!"
Ye Qingling looked at Yan Ning's shocked and bewildered expression.
Instead, he revealed a smile that conveyed a sense of blessing:
"That's why I asked you later what your relationship with Mr. Xie was, but you seemed to have no recollection at all."
She took a step forward and said sincerely:
“Miss Yan Ning, Mr. Xie is an upright and reliable person, and you are kind-hearted, brave and intelligent.”
"You two are a perfect match, and I sincerely hope you can have a good outcome."
Ye Qingling's smile deepened, tinged with a hint of teasing:
"If you two get married in the future, don't forget to invite me to your wedding!"
"We're...wedding?! Wedding banquet?!"
Yan Ning felt all the blood rush to her head.
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