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"It doesn't hurt anymore?"
Ning Yuxuan couldn't hide her emotions. Her eyes, fixed on Xie Zhiyan, seemed to say: Are you alright?
The man, however, remained calm and composed, as if his request was perfectly reasonable.
Seeing that Ning Yuxuan did not answer, Xie Zhiyan paused for a few seconds before adding, "Thank you?"
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Is that what she meant?
Her silence clearly signified rejection!
Needless to say, the live stream room was already filled with screams from the CP fans.
[Ahhhh, what else could this be but a couple?! Xie Zhiyan asked Ning Yuxuan to help him tie an apron!]
[Say yes, say yes! Tying an apron behind your back is practically a hug! And practically a date!]
Happiness came so suddenly! I can't believe it!
Previously, when these fans were shipping the couple, other viewers were mocking them for shipping too hard, which was no different from the behavior of those on Weibo supertopics who take the time of celebrities' posts as a sign of affection.
But this time, there were significantly fewer people mocking him.
Because everyone felt that Xie Zhiyan's request for Ning Yuxuan to help him tie his apron was... a bit strange.
Given that the two had barely spoken in the previous few hours, some viewers automatically offered explanations for Xie Zhiyan's behavior.
[It must be because Xie Zhiyan's shirt was too tight and inconvenient to tie the belt, so he asked Ning Yuxuan for help.]
[Think about it, Mr. Xie can only ask Ning Yuxuan for help. Who else can he ask? He can't exactly ask Teacher Ning Fei, can he?]
[It's just helping me tie a strap, there wasn't even any physical contact, so don't overthink it!]
At the scene, Ning Yuxuan finally spoke up: "...Can't you do it yourself?"
Xie Zhiyan said without changing his expression, "I've never worn a similar style of apron before, so I'm not very familiar with it."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Aren't all aprons pretty much the same style? What's the difference?
She realized that no matter what she said, Xie Zhiyan would have a hundred reasons to insist that she wear the apron today.
Ning Yuxuan took two hesitant steps forward, closing the distance between them a little.
“Turn around,” she said.
Ning Yuxuan tried her best to keep her tone calm, but a hint of reluctance still lingered in her voice.
Xie Zhiyan raised an eyebrow slightly and turned his back to her as instructed.
Before she started, Ning Yuxuan said, "Don't move around before I finish tying it."
Xie Zhiyan: "Okay."
Ning Yuxuan frowned slightly, as if the two straps in front of her were not apron straps, but some kind of topological problem.
Many viewers were amused by her reaction.
[Hahaha, what is Ning Yuxuan doing? Her reluctance is written all over her face.]
[Ning Yuxuan, if you're not willing, let me do it! I'm willing to tie an apron for President Xie!]
I want one too!
The people in front of me are hilarious! You guys might as well just take a number and wait in line.
There were also those who took the opportunity to gloat and attack the CP (couple) fans.
[See? Ning Yuxuan isn't willing to give it! This means she definitely has another boyfriend and is avoiding suspicion.]
[Those who are forcing a couple to be together can stop now. If they were really a couple, they wouldn't be unhappy about such a small thing!]
Finally, Ning Yuxuan reached out and touched the two cloth strips.
She carefully tied a slipknot, making very small movements to ensure she didn't touch Xie Zhiyan's body.
If it's too loose, it will easily fall apart with the slightest movement.
After thinking for a second, Ning Yuxuan decisively followed a tutorial she had seen on social media and tied the ribbon into a pretty bow.
To avoid touching Xie Zhiyan, Ning Yuxuan moved slowly, recalling the steps of the tutorial as she carefully wound the ribbon around.
The tutorial she was watching taught how to tie a trench coat belt, and to ensure the decorative effect, the final step of repeatedly adjusting it was essential.
After tying it, Ning Yuxuan calmly spent a long time tidying it up to make the bow look fuller and prettier.
It wasn't because she had obsessive-compulsive disorder; it was purely her desire for revenge.
Although Xie Zhiyan himself can't see it, the audience can.
She could then take screenshots during the live stream and use them to mock Xie Zhiyan.
Seeing how carefully Ning Yuxuan organized the items, the comments section erupted in laughter again.
【Ning Yuxuan, what are you doing?! Is it really necessary to be such a perfectionist at a time like this?!】
[I suspect she did it on purpose, haha, a domineering CEO with a bow tie, haha]
Halfway through tying the knot, Ning Fei, who had just gone to the restroom, came over.
Seeing her daughter and Xie Zhiyan standing at the kitchen door, Ning Fei paused for a moment, then didn't say anything to disturb them.
It took Ning Yuxuan a full two minutes to tie a "perfect" bow.
She admired her work with satisfaction and said, "It's done."
Xie Zhiyan turned around and looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Thank you."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Isn't he curious why it took her so long?
She's been working on it for so long, and he hasn't even asked her about it. It makes her feel so unaccomplished!
Noticing Ning Yuxuan's hesitant look, Xie Zhiyan raised an eyebrow: "What?"
Ning Yuxuan: "...It's nothing."
This guy is so boring!
Ning Yuxuan looked at Ning Fei: "Mom, let's begin."
Ning Fei agreed.
The menu for tonight has been finalized. Ning Fei and Xie Zhiyan will each prepare a few of their signature dishes, while Ning Yuxuan, knowing her own limitations in cooking, will naturally be the one to assist.
The kitchen at home is spacious, and there are enough knives.
Xie Zhiyan and Ning Fei each occupied one side of the kitchen, working at different counters.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ning Yuxuan chose to help Ning Fei, saying enthusiastically, "Mom, just tell me what you need, and I'll get it for you!"
Ning Fei couldn't help but chuckle: "You silly child, why haven't you been this enthusiastic before?"
Ning Yuxuan said matter-of-factly, "Isn't this a TV show recording? I'll do my best!"
Actually, she didn't want to help Xie Zhiyan, lest that man make any more unreasonable demands on her.
Ning Fei smiled and shook her head.
Ning Yuxuan did indeed keep her promise.
Every time Ning Fei was about to reach out, Ning Yuxuan would immediately cut in front of her: "What do you want? Light soy sauce or dark soy sauce, or oyster sauce?"
Ning Fei said helplessly, "If I had told you, I would have taken it myself."
Ning Yuxuan's eyes crinkled into a smile as she said sweetly, "Mom!"
Ning Fei couldn't resist: "There's half a bag of star anise and a bag of newly opened cinnamon in the cabinet next to me, bring them over for me."
“No problem!” Ning Yuxuan replied immediately.
After a similar scene repeated itself several times, Ning Fei finally couldn't help but say, "Xuanxuan."
Ning Yuxuan blinked: "Hmm?"
Ning Fei: "I'm almost done here, why don't you go and help Zhi Yan out?"
Ning Yuxuan: "...I'm fine here too."
Ning Fei said softly, "Even if we finish cooking here ahead of time, we still have to wait for Zhi Yan to finish before we can eat together. Besides, I'm about to heat the oil in the wok, and if you stand next to me, the oil might splatter on you."
As she spoke, she smiled at her daughter and winked at her.
Xie Zhiyan is, after all, a guest on the show, so it wouldn't be right to just leave him hanging like this.
Ning Yuxuan couldn't refuse her mother, so she slowly walked to the other side of the kitchen.
Xie Zhiyan had just washed the side dishes and was preparing a plate of prawns.
The man's skillful movements just now drew praise from the live stream viewers.
[Help! How can someone look so handsome even while wearing an apron in the kitchen!]
That's what charisma is! And a man who can cook is a huge plus!
Honestly, Xie Zhiyan's caliber doesn't need any extra points, but he is undeniably charming.
Ning Yuxuan stopped a step away from Xie Zhiyan and said lightly, "Mr. Xie, is everything going smoothly here? You shouldn't have encountered any difficulties, right?"
The implication is: I probably don't need her help, right?
There were two plates beside Xie Zhiyan, one with shrimp to be processed and the other with shrimp that had already been processed.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at the plate of shrimp; Xie Zhiyan had already prepared half a plate of shrimp by himself before she arrived.
She can help with other things, but dealing with shrimp requires some skill, which she really doesn't know how to do.
With this mindset in mind, Ning Yuxuan confidently looked at the man who was cleaning the shrimp veins with his eyes down.
Xie Zhiyan's eyes were focused on the work in his hands, and he didn't look at her.
He spoke calmly, "If it's convenient, could you help me roll up my sleeves?"
Previously, Xie Zhiyan had rolled up his sleeves to make it easier to move around and to avoid getting his light-colored shirt dirty.
However, after the movement just now, the cuffs fell down a bit, so this request sounds quite reasonable at first glance.
But Ning Yuxuan felt it was very unreasonable.
He hadn't had time to pay attention to his sleeves for so long, but now that she's here, he finds his cuffs in the way.
He was clearly certain she wouldn't be able to find a reason to refuse, so he deliberately waited until she arrived.
Xie Zhiyan paused for a moment after finishing processing the shrimp in his hand.
Their eyes met, and the meaning in the man's eyes was clear.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at his wet hands and resigned herself to her fate.
Fine, I'll help.
That's how compromises are; once you compromise the first time, you'll have to compromise countless times afterward.
Xie Zhiyan's hands were covered in water and other dirt from handling the shrimp, so it would seem rather inhumane for her to let him roll them himself.
At worst, I'll let him cook more shrimp later.
Thinking this, Ning Yuxuan reached out and helped Xie Zhiyan roll up his sleeves.
She stood beside Xie Zhiyan and first helped him roll up his right sleeve.
After finishing, the man calmly turned his body to the side and raised his left arm in front of her.
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
He was quite self-aware.
Ning Yuxuan helped him roll up the other sleeve as well: "Okay, all done."
Xie Zhiyan: "Thank you."
Ning Yuxuan raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a flawless smile: "You're welcome. You're a guest, and it's only right that I help you cook, since you've worked hard with us."
She deeply suspects that the most hypocritical thing she has ever said in her life is about to be delivered in today's live stream.
Today is definitely the day Xie Zhiyan thanked her the most.
There was a slightly subtle tension between the two, which some viewers noticed.
Why do I feel like these two people... are both familiar and unfamiliar?
Yes, they spoke very politely, but their actions seemed quite coordinated, like Xie Zhiyan extending his arm to roll up Ning Yuxuan's sleeve.
Speaking of which, I had the same feeling when President Xie fed Ning Yuxuan grapes before; Ning Yuxuan's way of catching the grapes was just too natural.
As for the CP fans, needless to say, they've already been obsessed with it to death.
That level of contact they just had was enough for them to expand into a short essay of eight thousand words.
Dinner preparations are proceeding smoothly.
At six o'clock sharp, all the food was ready.
The photographers carried their equipment and moved their location to the restaurant.
Although Ning Yuxuan didn't cook, she could still do what she could.
"Mom, you've been busy all day, take a break first," Ning Yuxuan said. "I'll take care of bringing the dishes over."
Ning Fei: "Okay."
Ning Yuxuan first went to the kitchen to bring Ning Fei's stewed beef and potatoes to the table, and then went back to the kitchen to get another dish of steamed asparagus.
As she came out of the kitchen, she bumped into Xie Zhiyan, who was also there to serve the dishes.
The corridor was wide enough for two people to pass at the same time, provided that Xie Zhiyan cooperated with her.
The man stood in the middle of the corridor, blocking her way.
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
She instinctively turned her head to look at the open kitchen, where two GoG Pro cameras were installed for auxiliary filming.
Given their position and angle, the GoPro in the kitchen probably couldn't capture them.
The photographers were busy setting up their equipment at the restaurant, and no staff members came to supervise them for the time being.
Ning Yuxuan breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately sensed something was wrong—
Why is she being so secretive?
She and Xie Zhiyan weren't having an affair!
Xie Zhiyan stood in the middle of the corridor, blocking her way.
Ning Yuxuan glared at the man and mouthed, "What...are...you...want...to...do...?"
They couldn't film her, but the microphone for recording sound was still attached to her, so anything she said could be broadcast.
Xie Zhiyan smiled silently.
"Give it to me," the man said gently. "I'll take it over."
Ning Yuxuan stared at Xie Zhiyan for a second, wondering if he was up to something again.
It's just serving a dish, there shouldn't be anything wrong with that.
Ning Yuxuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and handed over the plate she was holding.
Xie Zhiyan accepted it.
Just as Ning Yuxuan was thinking that he must have really meant well this time, her view was suddenly blocked.
Before she could even react, the man's lips pressed against hers.
For a moment, my mind went blank.
Ning Yuxuan's body went limp, and she almost cried out.
After a fleeting, light kiss, Xie Zhiyan left.
Ning Yuxuan stared at the man in front of her in disbelief, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
What is he doing?!
Xie Zhiyan met her gaze, a clear smile playing in his eyes.
He whispered a reminder: "Be careful, don't fall."
Ning Yuxuan realized that Xie Zhiyan's words could have been heard.
However, the live stream viewers couldn't see the footage.
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
The words of accusation that were about to come out of her mouth were swallowed back.
Ning Yuxuan tried hard to suppress her chaotic emotions: "...I know."
Xie Zhiyan nodded slightly and took the plate of steamed asparagus to the restaurant.
Ning Yuxuan stood there, her heart pounding for a long time before it returned to normal.
This man is simply...
This is outrageous!
...
After all the dishes were served, the three of them began to eat dinner.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at Xie Zhiyan silently.
The man praised Ning Fei's cooking skills with a calm expression: "This steamed asparagus tastes very good."
As he spoke, he showed no remorse for what he had done to her while serving the dish.
Ning Yuxuan pursed her lips.
I don't know if I should say Xie Zhiyan has too good a mental fortitude, but in any case, he's really hateful.
The braised prawns in the center of the table were made by Xie Zhiyan.
With its vibrant colors and garnish of red chili peppers and green scallions, it's a dish that's sure to whet your appetite.
Ning Yuxuan washed her hands and picked up a shrimp to peel.
The force was so great that it seemed as if the person was venting all their dissatisfaction on the shrimp.
Ning Fei, who was standing nearby, asked, "Xuanxuan, do you want Mommy to peel it for you?"
Ning Fei usually dotes on her daughter and often peels shrimp for her, and her technique is more skilled than Ning Yuxuan's.
"No need, Mom," Ning Yuxuan said, head down. "I prefer to do it myself. Shrimp tastes best when you peel them yourself!"
Ning Fei's brow twitched slightly as she thought to herself that her daughter used to love being lazy and would often whine and ask her to help peel the fruit. How come she had suddenly changed her ways today?
She didn't press further: "Okay, then just say if you want Mom's help."
Ning Yuxuan nodded.
After eating several shrimp, Ning Yuxuan wiped her hands with a wet wipe before trying the other dishes.
The dishes on the table were all her favorites. Needless to say, her mother's cooking was excellent, and the dishes Xie Zhiyan made also suited her taste.
Adhering to the principle that she could never let her stomach suffer, Ning Yuxuan ate heartily.
Compared to Ning Fei and Xie Zhiyan's refined eating manners, Ning Yuxuan's way of eating looks very appetizing.
Viewers with nothing to do started analyzing which dish Ning Yuxuan ate most frequently.
[I counted, Ning Yuxuan ate that plate of Mapo Tofu the most times, she's already had her seventh spoonful!]
[The tofu was made by Mr. Xie; it seems his cooking skills are really quite good!]
[Seriously, someone of Xie Zhiyan's caliber probably doesn't have time to cook for himself, right? How does he know how to make so many dishes?]
CP fans answered this question without even thinking.
[That must be something Mr. Xie learned specifically for his girlfriend! The fact that Ning Yuxuan is eating so heartily says it all!]
After dinner, the day's recording came to an end.
After the live broadcast ended, the program crew packed up their equipment and left.
After seeing the staff off, Ning Fei gave her daughter and Xie Zhiyan some time alone together.
"I'll leave the first floor to you; I'm going upstairs to rest."
Ning Fei noticed that her daughter's behavior had been somewhat unusual that afternoon.
Right now, my daughter definitely wants to have a private talk with Xie Zhiyan.
As for why her daughter didn't choose to publicly reveal her relationship with Xie Zhiyan through this program, Ning Fei plans to ask her daughter separately when she has the opportunity later.
After Ning Fei went upstairs, only Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan remained in the living room.
Ning Yuxuan looked at Xie Zhiyan silently.
Xie Zhiyan spoke gently, "Is there anything you want to ask me?"
Ning Yuxuan glared at him: "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to the show?"
Xie Zhiyan calmly retorted, "Don't other guests also keep their participation in the show a secret?"
Ning Yuxuan blurted out, "Then you're not just anyone!"
A faint smile flickered in Xie Zhiyan's eyes: "Who am I?"
Ning Yuxuan was speechless for a moment.
Taking this opportunity, Xie Zhiyan held her hand.
Ning Yuxuan tried to dodge but couldn't; her hand was firmly held by the man.
Xie Zhiyan smiled and said, "Don't be angry, okay?"
Ning Yuxuan: "...Why? You haven't even said why you suddenly appeared on the show yet."
Xie Zhiyan: "For the past month, you've been coming to record this program every weekend."
Ning Yuxuan: "So?"
Xie Zhiyan said unhurriedly, "So, I also want to try to integrate into your life and abide by the rules of your program."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
Xie Zhiyan: "If I come again next time, I promise I'll tell you in advance?"
Ning Yuxuan immediately looked up at him: "There will be a next time?"
Xie Zhiyan: "You don't want me to come?"
Ning Yuxuan hesitated for half a second.
Thinking about what might have happened in the hallway, she immediately replied, "No!"
Xie Zhiyan: "Why?"
That's a good question. Ning Yuxuan recounted all of this person's behavior: "Because ever since you came, you've always deliberately done things that are easy to expose yourself, like feeding me grapes, making me tie your apron, rolling up your sleeves, and..."
Xie Zhiyan: "Anything else?"
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
And then suddenly kissing her.
Ning Yuxuan ignored his meaningful gaze and said decisively, "...In short, I'll be on tenterhooks whenever you come, so you'd better not come!"
Xie Zhiyan calmly said, "I have a way to solve this once and for all."
Ning Yuxuan: "What?"
Xie Zhiyan: "We are making our relationship public to netizens."
Ning Yuxuan finally couldn't hold back any longer and grabbed a cushion from the sofa, throwing it at Xie Zhiyan.
She knew he did all that on purpose!
...
In the end, Ning Yuxuan did not agree to Xie Zhiyan's request.
Actually, she didn't necessarily intend to hide this relationship.
She would eventually have to tell others about her marriage to Xie Zhiyan; their marriage would no longer be a secret sooner or later.
Ning Yuxuan just felt that it was weird to announce her relationship on a variety show.
Especially since it happened during a live broadcast.
Dating is a very private matter, and everyone's behavior is magnified in a live stream.
Ning Yuxuan couldn't bring herself to do intimate things with Xie Zhiyan on a live stream without any regard for others.
Moreover, next week is the last episode of the show, so there seems to be no need to make the relationship public on the show.
If we hold a wedding in the future, everyone will naturally know.
Seeing that Ning Yuxuan wouldn't budge, Xie Zhiyan stopped pressuring her.
He changed the subject: "Is your lip better?"
Ning Yuxuan was taken aback.
Xie Zhiyan said calmly, "Someone sent me photos last night to accuse me, but then disappeared."
And because of that photo, he was forced to postpone his bedtime by an hour.
I replied to her message in three minutes, but never received a reply after that.
I took five minutes to go back to the bathroom and take another shower. Then I looked at documents for almost an hour before I was finally calm enough to fall asleep.
The culprit has clearly forgotten all about it.
Ning Yuxuan finally remembered what Xie Zhiyan had said.
She went to sleep shortly after sending the message, and then started recording the show the next morning, completely forgetting about the incident.
Xie Zhiyan seemed to have replied with something like "sorry," but she hadn't had time to read it carefully.
Seeing that Ning Yuxuan's expression indicated she had remembered, Xie Zhiyan asked again, "Does it not hurt anymore?"
Ning Yuxuan glanced at him: "It's been almost 24 hours, it's been fine for a long time."
Xie Zhiyan gave an ambiguous "hmm".
Ning Yuxuan: "Why are you suddenly asking this—"
Before she could finish asking the question, the man had already answered her with his actions.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
Before Ning Yuxuan's mind went blank from Xie Zhiyan's kiss, her last thought was:
Although my mother said she wanted to leave the living room to them alone, what if she suddenly had to go downstairs?
However, Ning Yuxuan soon ran out of energy to continue thinking about this problem.
Xie Zhiyan deepened the kiss.
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