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Epilogue 2: Xin Li & Xie Yuran

The corridor was dimly lit, adding a touch of ambiguity to the atmosphere. Xie Yuran looked at her, neither agreeing nor refusing, his gaze somewhat peculiar.

The smile on Xin Li’s face slightly froze.

Could it be that he wasn’t interested in me?

How will the blind date tomorrow continue then?

Just as they fell into silence, her girlfriend’s voice suddenly sounded, “Xin Li, your brother is here to pick you up!”

Xin Li: “…….”

Why wasn’t she this vigorous usually?

Why come at a time like this!

Muttering a complaint under her breath, Xin Li turned around. As she left, she glanced at Xie Yuran again, who was still looking at her. Due to the lighting, his exact expression was indiscernible.

Outside the well-lit mansion, luxury cars were parked in twos and threes. Xin Yu stood there with one hand in his pocket, leaning against the car door in a relaxed stance.

“Why, do I have the honor of you personally picking me up today?”

Xin Li approached unsteadily, almost stumbling. 

Smelling a strong scent of alcohol from her, Xin Yu reached out and helped her steady herself. “Afraid that the jewel of our family will be kidnapped.”

Xin Li gripped his arm and raised her exquisite face before scoffing, “Are Mom and Dad worried that I’ll run away from tomorrow’s blind date, so they sent you to drag me back?”

Xin Yu couldn’t help but chuckle, “It’s just a meeting. If you really don’t like him, you can refuse.”

Xin Li glared at him, saying resentfully, “Do you think if I refuse, it really would be a refusal? Do you think Mom and Dad will listen to me? They probably want to pack me up and send me to the Xie family right now.”

Xin Yu chuckled, “Don’t worry so much. What if Xie Shuo isn’t interested in you?”

Hearing this, Xin Li immediately exploded and said, “What do you mean he might not be interested in me? Are you really my own brother?”

Xin Yu didn’t respond. Instead, he smiled lovingly and ruffled her hair before opening the passenger door and helping her into the car.

After getting in the car, Xin Li was dazed for a moment before managing to grab her seatbelt and fasten it.

The car started and turned onto the wide street before passing streetlights one after another.

Upon arriving home, a barrage of scolding was inevitable. Her father, Xin Yuanhong, was on the verge of exploding with anger upon seeing her drunken state, but fortunately, her mother intervened.

“Okay, okay, I got it.”

Xin Li waved her hand dismissively, floating up the stairs and returning to her room.

Whether it was due to the scolding or not, she unexpectedly dreamt of “Xie Shuo” that night. However, it was nothing in particular, just a blurry silhouette. 

The next day, after sobering up, Xin Li didn’t throw a fit and dolled up extra nicely, preparing to go on the blind date.

If Xie Shuo was as she saw him last night, it wouldn’t be bad to progress further.

However, to her utter surprise, just when she was all prepared, Xie Shuo dipped on her, claiming that an urgent matter had popped up and rescheduled it for next Saturday.

Hearing this, Xin Li felt a lump in her throat, almost choking her.

He had time to attend a party but no time to meet me?

Thinking about last night’s encounter with “Xie Shuo,” Xin Li couldn’t help but wonder if he really wasn’t interested in her, so he deliberately found an excuse to delay the meeting.

Recalling his strange expression last night, Xin Li became more and more upset: What lousy taste! If he isn’t attracted to someone as beautiful as me, I wish him a lifetime of being a bachelor!

Due to this incident, Xin Li was so angry that she stayed home for two days.

On the third night, she was invited to a girlfriend’s birthday party at a private club in a private room. 

The celebration went on late into the night.

Feeling a headache from the noise, Xin Li checked the time and said goodbye to her friend before leaving the party.

As she exited the club and walked toward the parking area, she unexpectedly ran into “Xie Shuo” again.

He seemed to be discussing a deal with a middle-aged man as the two were walking forward while engaged in conversation.

After sending off the other party, Xie Yuran turned around and noticed Xin Li not far away.

The surroundings were filled with colorful lights and a festive atmosphere, making it a dazzling sight. Xin Li stood still, not making a move.

Xie Yuran spotted her, and his gaze paused briefly before he looked away.

Like the night before, he didn’t linger and continued walking.

Xin Li felt a surge of anger rushing to her head. She could tolerate him postponing the blind date, but not even greeting her when they met was like rubbing her face in the dirt!

If he wasn’t interested in her, why agree to the blind date and keep her hanging?

Why not just reject her directly?

The more Xin Li thought about it, the angrier she became. Fueled by alcohol, she walked over in her high heels, blocking his path with an accusatory stance.

In her haste, she wasn’t steady on her feet. This time, however, Xie Yuran took the initiative to reach out and steady her.

It was, however, only a brief touch, and he quickly withdrew his hand as if avoiding something.

Xin Li, now standing somewhat stable, looked up, unsure of what to say.

Should I confront him directly?

That seems improper.

Xie Yuran, with one hand in his pocket, calmly looked at her, and a knowing smile appeared on his face. “Did Miss Xin forget to bring a chauffeur again?”

“…….”

“On Saturday, you said you had something to attend to and couldn’t make it. Was that just an excuse?” Xin Li straightforwardly asked, not bothering to pretend.

Xie Yuran was momentarily puzzled. “What Saturday?”

He looked puzzled, and Xin Li became even more confused. Was he refusing to acknowledge her?

After a moment, Xie Yuran vaguely guessed what might be happening and asked, “Miss Xin, did you mistake me for someone else?”

Xin Li: “?”

A sudden pang hit Xin Li’s chest. She stared at him with widened eyes, her beautiful eyes filled with a shimmering light. “Aren’t you Xie Shuo?”

Xie Yuran once again showed that peculiar expression. After a few seconds, he said, “Miss Xin, you’ve mistaken the person. Xie Shuo is my brother.”

“……”

The night breeze blew by, and Xin Li stood there stiffly, experiencing an unprecedented awkwardness.

No wonder he looked at me weirdly last time.

So, I flirted for half a day but with the wrong person?

Moreover, he’s the person’s younger brother?

She was wearing a short skirt, with her arms and legs exposed, goosebumps breaking out by the chill.

Xie Yuran saw her standing still for a while and raised an eyebrow, asking, “Miss Xin, do you still want me to send you back?”

His tone carried a hint of teasing.

“…….”

In this awkward situation, Xin Li naturally declined, leaving a simple “no need” before hurriedly walking away.

Until she got back home, Xin Li remained in a state of bewilderment, unable to accept the fact that she had mistaken someone.

While going upstairs, she ran into Xin Yu and grabbed him, asking, “Ge*, do you know if Xie Shuo has a younger brother?”

Ge – means “brother”

Xin Yu looked at her puzzledly, “Yea, not biological. He’s called Xie Yuran. Why do you ask?” 

So, I indeed mistook the wrong person…

“It’s nothing,” Xin Li replied with a sense of helplessness. She went upstairs and closed her bedroom door.

Leaning against the door, she covered her face with her hands.

Why wasn’t it the younger brother I went on the blind date with?

After spending two to three days recovering from the embarrassment of mistaking her blind date, Xin Li finally got over it and prepared herself for her first meeting with Xie Shuo on Saturday.

This time, Xie Shuo didn’t stand her up.

The two agreed to meet at a cafe, and Xie Shuo arrived on time, neither early nor late.

In terms of appearance and temperament, Xie Shuo indeed lived up to his reputation and the praises of the elders in the Xin family. However… This man was just too boring!

After about half an hour of chatting, Xin Li couldn’t stand it anymore. She completely lost the desire to talk to him and just decided to enjoy her coffee in silence.

Xie Shuo also seemed uninterested in her. After finishing the coffee, Xie Shuo escorted her home out of courtesy, and there were no further indications of interest from him.

This outcome was what Xin Li wanted, but her parents were not pleased. They believed that her deliberate lack of enthusiasm led to the failure of the blind date.

Mrs. Xu Wanqin, her mom, even took her aside and lectured her for a long time, urging her to visit the Xie family more often, leaving a good impression on the elders to facilitate further development.

Soon, an opportunity for such a visit arose…

Upon learning that Grandfather Xie was unwell, Xu Wanqin immediately prepared gifts and dragged Xin Li to the Xie family estate to pay a visit.

With no other choice, Xin Li had to follow along.

She didn’t get to see Xie Shuo but instead bumped into Xie Yuran again.

Seeing her, Xie Yuran smiled, seemingly at her mistaking him for Xie Shuo.

Xin Li stole several glances at him behind Xu Wanqin’s back.

Xu Wanqin left in less than half an hour due to a matter to attend to. She didn’t take Xin Li, hoping that she might catch Xie Shuo. 

This time, Xin Li didn’t refuse and obediently stayed behind. 

Not long after Xu Wanqin left, Xie Yuran greeted Grandfather Xie and prepared to return to the city.

Seeing this, Xin Li immediately used not wanting to disturb Grandfather Xie’s rest as an excuse to take her leave. At that, Grandfather Xie asked Xie Yuran to escort her back on his way.

Outside, with a gentle breeze and warm sunlight, this was the first time the two met during the daytime. Xie Yuran was dressed casually in a beige sweater, appearing even more youthful.

“My brother will be coming over later,” he suddenly mentioned as they walked into the courtyard.

Xin Li, originally observing him, was taken aback for a moment at his words. Soon after, she realized he was hinting that if she stayed a bit longer, she might bump into his brother, Xie Shuo.

Looking up, she met his eyes and smiled slightly. “I’m here to visit Grandfather Xie.”

As she said that, she walked forward nonchalantly.

Xie Yuran was surprised by her response.

Walking to the parking area, he took a few steps forward and opened the passenger door.

Xin Li glanced at him and got in, thinking that after all the turns and twists, he couldn’t escape the fate of taking her home.

Soon, she heard the sound of the door closing on the other side. Absent-mindedly lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard him remind her, “Seatbelt.”

Xin Li reached for the seatbelt and fastened it before turning to him, saying, “You don’t resemble your brother much.”

Resting his hand on the steering wheel, he glanced at her. “And Miss Xin still mistook me?”

Calling her “Miss Xin” with every sentence was annoying, and Xin Li couldn’t help but say, “Have you never mistaken someone in your life?”

Xie Yuran didn’t answer and just smiled, looking out at the road again.

Meanwhile, Xin Li leaned back in her seat, appreciating his side profile and occasionally making small talk.

Xie Yuran dropped her off at the entrance of the Xin family estate. Xin Li unfastened her seatbelt, intending to thank him, but the words stuck in her throat.

Looking at him, a foxy smile appeared on her face, and she asked lightly…

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

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Epilogue: Xin Li & Xie Yuran

Xin Li first met Xie Yuran at a private party.

As the young lady of the Xin family, she grew up pampered and spoiled since childhood, with an older brother doting on her, too. It could be said that she had experienced little hardship.

Yet, she could not escape the fate of being pushed into a political marriage for the benefit of the Xin family when she came of age.

Her father meticulously selected and ultimately chose the eldest son of the Xie family, Xie Shuo.

Given the Xie family’s status, many sought a connection through marriage. Initially, Xin Li had no particular advantage, but her grandfather happened to know the Xie family patriarch. Leveraging this connection, she successfully secured a blind date with Xie Shuo.

Xin Li deeply resented these transactional marriages, and who knew whether this Xie Shuo had any bad habits or tendencies. 

She knew many young masters from prestigious families, and few entered her eyes. They changed girlfriends as quickly as they changed clothes, showing little inclination for marital fidelity even after marriage.

So, despite her father’s hype and praise of how amazing Xie Shuo was, she remained indifferent.

Naturally, indifference aside, the blind date, set for Saturday, was inevitable.

The night before the blind date, her parents took turns advising her, urging her to set aside any airs of arrogance and behave properly.

Unable to endure the pressure from both sides, Xin Li decided to accept a girlfriend’s invitation to attend a private party, hoping to improve her mood and vent her frustration.

……

The party was super boisterous, with familiar faces and complete strangers.

Feeling irritated, Xin Li had a few more drinks than she should have. She walked through the venue with a glass in hand unsteadily, narrowingly colliding with someone.

It was a slender young man dressed in a white shirt with good-looking features. Compared to the others, he appeared clean and refreshing, resembling a somewhat inexperienced youth.

Just as she was about to collide with him, he steadied her with a touch before quickly withdrawing his hand.

Their eyes met briefly. The man paused for a moment before turning away, leaving before she could apologize. 

Xin Li watched his retreating figure for a moment before returning to her girlfriend, pouring another half glass of wine.

Afterward, her gaze remained fixed on the young man as he moved through the party, chatting with others at the party.

Seeing how focused she was, her friend curiously leaned in and asked, “Who are you looking at so seriously?”

Xin Li gestured with her eyes in the direction of the man. “Who is that? Do you know him?”

“Who?”

“The one in the white shirt that’s decent looking.”

Following her gaze, her friend scanned the crowd and finally found the target after a long while. After a glance, she said, “Oh, him. Seems to be the young master of the Xie family, but I don’t know him.”

Xie Shuo?

So he looked like this… Didn’t they say he was steady in conduct and successful in his career? Why did he look like a recent graduate who just entered the workforce?

Xin Li held her crystal glass by the stem and felt a slight flutter in her heart. Suddenly, she thought that tomorrow’s blind date might not be as unbearable as she had imagined. 

Her friend nudged her with her shoulder and teased, “What, you’re interested in him? He is pretty good-looking. Go up and flirt a little?”

Xin Li hadn’t shared that she was going on a blind date tomorrow, so her friend thought she had developed an interest in him and kept urging her.

Xin Li remained silent, taking a sip of her red wine. 

He did match her taste…

The party was bustling with people, and the man’s figure quickly disappeared into the crowd. Xin Li didn’t bother to search for him deliberately; after all, she would see him tomorrow, wouldn’t she?

Before long, her friend went elsewhere to seek fun, leaving Xin Li alone in a corner, pouring herself another drink.

However, she couldn’t stay seated for long as a pest appeared by her side—the second son of the Chen family, a renowned playboy in their social circle.

He had always been interested in her. Seeing that she seemed to have had a bit too much to drink, he quickly approached with a glass of wine, uttering some cringey words while encouraging her to keep drinking. It was clear that he intended to make her drunk. 

Her friend still hadn’t come back. Unable to endure his pestering anymore, Xin Li placed down her glass and walked away on her high heels. 

The knee-length skirt accentuated her slender legs, catching his sight as he followed her.

Xin Li passed through the crowd and exited the party as her heels tapped on the floor, her footsteps slightly unsteady.

Reaching the corner, she stumbled and nearly fell.

“Xiao Li, you’ve had too much to drink. Let me take you back.”

Coming over, he tried to pull her arm into his embrace.

Although Xin Li had too many drinks and her mind was hazy, she still had some basic sense of defense. She pushed his hand away and leaned to the side.

When she looked up, she suddenly caught sight of a slender figure dressed in a white shirt; he appeared pure as snow in the night.

A bright idea struck her; she walked over unsteadily and reached out to grab his arm, almost stumbling into him.

“Why are you here? I’ve been waiting for you for so long,” she said, her tone playful, as if a lover was coquettishly complaining.

The girl, with a flush, caught Xie Yuran off guard. He was momentarily taken aback.

Glancing at Xin Li, then at the man not far away, still uncertain about what was happening, he found himself being pulled to the side.

The second son of the Chen family originally intended to take advantage of her inebriation but abandoned his plan when he saw someone picking her up. After all, the Xin family wasn’t one to mess with.

Xin Li, pulling Xie Yuran along, was unsteady.

After walking a distance away, Xie Yuran glanced back and told her, “He’s gone.”

Xin Li stopped in her tracks, looked in the direction he pointed, released her grip, and turned her gaze back to him. She smiled drunkenly, “Thanks.”

Xie Yuran also smiled and said nothing before turning around to leave.

Xin Li, spoiled since childhood, had an impulsive nature, doing whatever she wanted. Now, having had alcohol, she acted even more unrestrained.

Stumbling forward, she took another step and once again grabbed his arm. “Wait a moment!”

Xie Yuran stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.

Xin Li held onto his arm and struggled to steady himself before looking up at him with a glimmer in her eyes.

Xie Yuran sensed something in her gaze had subtly changed compared to before. He didn’t rush to pull away and asked with a slight smile. “What?”

He had just come down from the party and had also drunk quite a bit. His eyes looked quite intoxicated, and the youthful aura from earlier had diminished somewhat.

This attitude… Isn’t it a bit too indifferent?

Could it be that she’s not pretty enough?

This dealt a severe blow to Xin Li’s self-esteem. Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly realized he didn’t even know her name. He probably thought she was just a girl trying to hit on him and had a bad first impression, so he was indifferent. 

So, she adjusted her smile and introduced herself, “I’m Xin Li.”

Xin Li…

Hearing that name, Xie Yuran’s expression slightly changed, and he looked at her with a renewed impression.

Thinking that he had remembered who she was, Xin Li let go of his arm and stood up straight with some effort, looking at him.

The night breeze brushed her skirt, and she placed her hands behind her back. Her slender legs stood straight, and the corner of her rosy lips slightly curved, resembling a cunning fox.

“I forgot to bring my chauffeur tonight. Can you take me home?”

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The day after the proposal, it was Saturday, so Ye An accompanied Xie Shuo to visit Grandfather Xie.

During dinner, Grandfather Xie seemed to have noticed that the two of them had reconciled and once again brought up the topic of great-grandchildren again.

In the past, it was Ye An who took charge of dealing with such situations. However, things were different now. She no longer needed to pretend, so she discreetly kicked Xie Shuo’s leg under the table.

Xie Shuo glanced at her and finally spoke up, “Yeye, there’s no rush for kids yet. I want to make up for a wedding first.”

“?”

Ye An was taken aback and looked up at him.

Xie Shuo didn’t avoid her gaze, instead meeting it calmly.

They had only thrown a family banquet when they got married due to Xie Shuo’s blindness. Now, making up for a wedding seemed fitting.

Grandfather Xie paused for a moment before nodding and saying, “Indeed, we should have a proper celebration, make it lively…”

Xie Baiyan, on the side, did not express any objections.

The topic of having children was temporarily pushed aside, and everyone shifted their focus to planning the wedding.

After dinner, Ye An and Xie Shuo returned to the Xie family manor.

Outside the car window, the dim, yellow lights cast a warm glow. Ye An was still immersed in the surprise from earlier, her eyes sparkling. She turned to Xie Shuo and asked, “When did you decide about the wedding? Why haven’t I heard you mention it before?”

Xie Shuo, holding her hand, smiled. He had been preparing for it even before the proposal but hadn’t told her until now.

Suddenly realizing something crucial, Ye An tightened her grip on his fingers and asked anxiously, “What about the wedding gown? Have you found someone to make it?”

Not many girls could resist the allure of a wedding gown, and Ye An was no exception.

Xie Shuo replied with a smile, “The design is already done; they’re working on it right now. It should be ready by early next month.”

Xie Shuo expected Ye An to be excited, but her expression changed. “It’s already been decided? How could you make such a big decision without discussing it with me? What if I don’t like your choice?”

Pulling her into an embrace, he looked down and said, “I’ll show you the design when we get back. If you truly don’t like it, we can change it and have it remade.”

Ye An was speechless. It was easier said than done to change a handmade, custom wedding gown, given the time constraint.

Upon arriving home, Xie Shuo immediately pulled her into the study, retrieving the design sketches and photos that were sent over a couple of days ago and handing them to her.

Taking them, Ye An reviewed them and felt relieved.

Eldest Young Master Xie indeed had great taste. Both the necklace from before and the current wedding gown design hit all the right notes for her.

That night, Ye An couldn’t help but keep looking at the wedding gown design in her hands. She couldn’t bring herself to go to sleep, and in the end, Xie Shuo had to take the design from her hands and place it on the nightstand, forcibly pulling her into his arms.

He leaned over, wanting to kiss her, but she resisted, placing her hand on his shoulder, “The wedding gown will be ready by next month?”

Her eyes sparkled as if she couldn’t wait to see the finished product right now. Xie Shuo kissed her eyelid and said, “En, I’ll accompany you to try it on when it’s ready.” 

Ye An wanted to ask about the wedding gown photos, but before she could speak, her lips were already sealed by his.

She struggled for a moment, gradually getting lost in the kiss, and her hands slowly dropped…

Outside the window, a gentle breeze brushed by, shadows floated, and the moonlight rippled like water.

……

After some discussion, the two of them decided to set the wedding date in June.

Originally, Xie Shuo had planned to wait until October and hold the wedding on an island abroad where they could see the Northern Lights. However, considering the distance and Grandfather Xie’s health, he had to abandon that plan and chose a nearby estate instead.

Before the wedding, he accompanied Ye An to visit her hometown and meet Xia Jin.

It was Xie Shuo’s first visit, and when Xia Jin opened the door and saw him, she was momentarily stunned.

Different from the coldness from last time, this time, Xie Shuo followed Ye An and greeted her with “Mom.”

Xia Jin momentarily couldn’t react, so she just nodded and let the two into the house.

During that exchange, she glanced at Xie Shuo’s eyes several times, confirming that he had indeed regained his sight, and felt relieved.

Although she was unhappy with Ye An for secretly getting married without telling her, she naturally hoped for the best for her daughter. 

Moreover, disregarding his previous blindness, Xie Shuo’s overall conditions were indeed good. Now, she was more concerned about whether he would treat her daughter well or not.

After sitting down and chatting for a while, Ye An brought up the topic of holding a wedding ceremony.

Hearing this, Xia Jin was taken aback. “You guys didn’t have a wedding ceremony before?”

She had thought that Ye An had just secretly gotten married without telling her, but she didn’t expect it to be so rushed that they didn’t even have a proper wedding ceremony.

Seeing her change in expression, as if she was about to get angry, Ye An quickly grabbed Xie Shuo’s hand and explained before he could speak, “At that time, it wasn’t very convenient for A’Shuo, so we just had a family banquet. We originally planned to hold a proper wedding ceremony later, but we just haven’t found the time.”

Xia Jin’s expression eased, but she still looked a bit unhappy. It took a while before she asked about the specifics of the wedding.

Ye An provided a general overview of the wedding plans.

Most of the wedding matters were personally decided by Xie Shuo, with nothing skimped out on. After hearing it, Xia Jin only then felt somewhat pleased. 

Around three or four in the afternoon, Xu Ji came over to find Xia Jin as usual. Ye An was not very familiar with him, so after she greeted him, she led Xie Shuo back to her room.

Standing in the room, Xie Shuo looked around his surroundings. There weren’t many items in the room, and most of the furnishings looked a bit old, indicating that she didn’t come back here often.

Guessing what he was thinking, Ye An held his arm and sat down on the bed, saying, “Actually, my relationship with my mom wasn’t that great before. Due to her divorce, she was very strict with me, always wanting to compare me with others and forcing me to learn this and that. Later, because I went to seek help from Ye Yuan Nian, she refused contact with me for quite a long time. It’s only in the past two years that things have improved a bit…”

Although Xia Jin’s attitude had noticeably changed in the last couple of years, and she was no longer as demanding as before, time had passed, and Ye An was no longer a child. Trying to restore the close bond they had in her childhood felt like something was missing.

Feeling her emotional downturn, Xie Shuo wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead lovingly.

After a moment of sorrow, Ye An hugged his neck and smiled, “But now, I have you…”

Everyone would grow up eventually; even parents could only accompany their children for a certain part of the journey. Now, she had a husband, her own home, and in the future, her own children.

For the rest of their life, they would spend it together.

She hugged him, resting her chin on his shoulder, and said, “You have to continue treating me well like this, got it?”

Her tone carried a hint of her usual domineering attitude.

Xie Shuo smiled and rubbed her back, responding with a soft “en.”

……

In mid-May, the wedding was mostly planned, and Ye An’s long-awaited wedding gown was finally ready.

The gown had a pure white base, with layers of petals unfolding, and the skirt was adorned with Swarovski crystals, making it exquisite and gorgeous. It was so stunning that it was hard to look away.

Ye An couldn’t wait to change into the gown, swirling in front of Xie Shuo, lifting the hem of the skirt. The gown showcased her slender shoulders and waist, every inch perfectly fitting.

Capturing his awed expression,  she couldn’t resist going up to him. Wrapping her hands around his neck, she looked up and gave him a rewarding kiss. “You have a good eye.”

Xie Shuo embraced her slender waist and looked down at her exquisite face, bright eyes, and vivid lips, like a stunning flower in full bloom.

He smiled, “En, it’s pretty good.”

With the wedding gown ready, next were the wedding photos. Ye An had been trying to decide on a photographer when she coincidentally met Zhuang Yinian while accompanying Xie Shuo to a friend’s party.

Upon hearing that she was looking for a photographer to take wedding photos, Zhuang Yinian recommended her studio, expressing that she could make time to shoot for them.

Zhuang Yinian was pretty well-known in the industry and had taken photos of many celebrities. Ye An gladly accepted her offer.

Everything proceeded smoothly, and Ye An never felt so alive before. Even when she had to wake up early to take photos in the morning, she was exceptionally spirited—radiant every day.

For the wedding photos, the two of them traveled to many places, both within the country and abroad, resembling a honeymoon.

The final photos turned out beautifully. When Ye An received the finished photos, she almost couldn’t resist posting them on Weibo to show off. However, considering that she had long been married online, posting her wedding photos at this point might seem too deliberate. With many fans and haters alike, she decided to restrain herself.

In the end, she selected only a few photos that were more casual and everyday to share.

Among them were two photos that showed her wedding ring. Sharp-eyed fans immediately noticed that the ring was slightly different from the one she had previously shared. This sparked a wave of speculation and discussions, with some fans even writing analyses.

Holding her phone, Ye An was thoroughly engrossed, and the smile on her lips couldn’t be smoothed away. 

Since the preparations for the wedding began, there has been a visible change in Xie Shuo. His emotions were more apparent, and a smile could often be seen on his face. 

However, while he was happy, not everyone shared the same sentiment—such as Xie Yuran.

Due to being busy with wedding preparations, Xie Shuo couldn’t handle much of the affairs of the company. Additionally, Xie Baiyan had completely stepped back, focusing on his health. Consequently, Xie Yuran was brought back to HQ to manage operations.

Whether it was due to the heavy responsibilities or other reasons, Xie Yuran had been looking a bit lifeless lately, as if he had inherited Xie Shuo’s past cold and somber demeanor.

……

The days passed in busyness and excitement, and soon, the chosen wedding date arrived.

On that day, the sky was clear, and the weather was beautiful.

Ye An woke up early and had her makeup done before changing into her wedding gown and heading to the venue.

Unlike before, when it was cold and cheerless, Xia Jin, Shi Shuangshuang, and other relatives and friends were present this time.

Seeing her in the wedding gown, Shi Shuangshuang was stunned for a while before taking out her phone to take photos while reminding Ye An, “Remember to toss the bouquet to me later.”

Ye An smiled, her eyes and brows were captivating.

Upon arriving at the venue, most of the guests had already arrived, eagerly waiting for the wedding to begin. 

The vast estate was adorned with clusters of vibrant flowers, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. 

The smell of flowers wafted in the air, and the soothing, melodious music sounded under the sunny day.

Wearing a light veil, Ye An walked through the flower-lined path, step by step, approaching the tall figure waiting for her at the end. The train of her gown shimmered like a galaxy of stars.

Xie Shuo, in his groom’s attire, watched as she approached him from the other end. He held out his hand toward her, his fingers long and elegant like jade.

The man stood tall and noble with a smile on his face.

Ye An placed her hand in his as he led her to stand before him.

At that moment, everything around them seemed to fade into nothingness, and as their gaze met, a reflection of each other appeared in their eyes. 

He gently lifted the veil, lowering his head to kiss her.

The past regrets were now, at last, fulfilled. 

……

The banquet continued into the night. After the wedding ceremony finished, the two of them changed into formal attire to entertain the guests.

With Xie Shuo by her side, Ye An didn’t drink much. Her cheeks were just slightly flushed.

After the celebration, instead of staying at the estate, they drove back to the Xie family manor.

Xie Shuo was quite drunk, leaning against Ye An with his eyes nearly closed throughout the drive back.

The car’s headlights pierced through the night, stopping in the garden. The stillness was accompanied by the faint chirping of insects. Ye An, holding her dress, stepped out of the car and turned to help him.

Xie Shuo opened his eyes, the depths filled with unmistakable drunkenness. He rubbed his temples, leaning on her as he got out.

The lights on the ground scattered like moonlight. Ye An supported Xie Shuo inside, careful not to step on her dress with her high heels.

Seeing this, Xie Shuo, wanting to wrap his arm around her waist, was pushed away by her. “You’re this drunk, and you still want to embrace me? Be careful not to make me fall!”

Xie Shuo looked down and smiled. “I won’t.”

“It’s not okay even if you say you won’t!”

Ye An didn’t trust him at all, helping him up the stairs, swaying as they went, their shadows dancing on the floor.

Although tonight was considered their wedding night, after being husband and wife for more than a year, there was nothing particularly novel or nerve-wracking about it.

Back in the bedroom, Ye An, as usual, fetched some pajamas from the closet and helped him into the bathroom.

Just as she put down the clothes and was about to turn around, her wrist was suddenly pulled, and then a warm breath enveloped her, drowning her in sensation.

After being intimate, Xie Shuo finally became somewhat clear-headed. However, Ye An was irked, especially when she saw the slightly tipsy smile on his face. That anger only grew.

She rubbed her waist and wrists, too lazy to bother with him. Wrapped in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom.

During the day, the weather was sunny and warm. But at night, it suddenly started to rain heavily, smashing against the glass windows.

Listening to the sound of the rain, Ye An’s heart inexplicably calmed down. She walked to the window and observed the rainy scene outside.

Since that rainy night six years ago, Ye An had dreamt more than once about the events of that night, but over time, the memories gradually faded.

She had once thought that she and him would never meet again, but unexpectedly, after twists and turns, she ended up by his side.

After a while, footsteps approached from behind, and Xie Shuo also came out in a robe.

She didn’t turn around and said, “It’s raining.”

Xie Shuo walked up and embraced her from behind, his breath light as it brushed past her ear.

The rain continued to fall, creating a mist under the lights outside. The reflected figures onto the glass window became blurry, blending into one.

After the commotion in the bathroom, Xie Shuo didn’t initiate anything more. The two of them lingered by the window for a while before lying down in bed, whispering to each other.

The sound of rain gradually faded. Leaning against Xie Shuo’s chest, Ye An began to feel drowsy as she slowly closed her eyes.

Before drifting off to sleep completely, she mumbled, “Goodnight.”

Xie Shuo held her and kissed her gently on the forehead before whispering, “Goodnight.”

The room fell into silence, accompanied only by the faint sound of rain.

……

It was a little after five in the morning when Ye An suddenly woke up for some unknown reason.

Her mind was unusually clear, and there was a slight excitement as if today were the day of the wedding.

Unable to go back to sleep, she decided to gaze at the peaceful sleeping face next to her.

The sky was still dark, with a faint hint of light outside.

With the limited light, she gently touched Xie Shuo’s curled eyelashes.

Mhm, not bad. 

Probably because of alcohol, Xie Shuo was in a deep sleep. He didn’t react even when she disturbed him.

Ye An leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

After the kiss, she then kissed his chin.

This time, Xie Shuo finally woke up. His large hand swept behind her, pulling her into his embrace.

He lowered his head, resting it on her neck. His voice, still groggy from just waking up, was hoarse. “Why are you awake so early?”

His warm breath brushed over her neck, and Ye An reached out to embrace him, savoring the clean scent emanating from his body. She smiled brightly and said, “Can’t sleep.”

Feeling the softness in his arms, Xie Shuo closed his eyes before rolling over, pressing down on her with a heavy breath.

Ye An, however, suddenly felt a surge of excitement. She turned to look outside and said, “How about we get up and watch the sunrise?”

Her eyes sparkled, and before Xie Shuo could kiss her, she pulled him out of bed.

The two of them went up to the rooftop. After the rain, the air still carried a hint of moistness, and the refreshing smell of plants wafted into their noses with the breeze.

The sky remained dark, with a deep ink-like darkness extending to the horizon. It was only diluted by a faint grayish-white, spreading gently like a watercolor brush dipped in water.

Leaning against the railing, Ye An gazed into the distance with Xie Shuo standing by her side.

The long night gradually passed, and the sun slowly emerged from the horizon. Its golden light was magnificent, flooding the mountains, trees, and meadows like a tide, finally painting the world in hues that touched the eyebrows and eyes.

The morning rays cast onto Ye An’s eyelashes, and her eyes sparkled. Looking at her side profile bathed in the morning sun, Xie Shuo felt his heart flutter.

Many memories flashed through his mind once again…

The laughter that accompanied him in the darkness, vibrant and carefree; her familiar scent by the pillow when falling asleep at night; the first sight of her when he regained his vision…

He reached out and embraced her.

In his embrace, Ye An looked up and said with a smile, “Is there something I haven’t told you yet?”

Xie Shuo looked down at her bright smile.

Ye An leaned in close to his ear, her voice gentle like the morning breeze, “I love you too.”

As night turned to dawn, the rising sun leaped out from behind the distant mountains, illuminating everything.

You and I were once deeply immersed in the darkness, but now, we finally get to glimpse the light…

End of Main Story…

Previous | Index | Next

On the fourth day since returning from the clinic, Xie Shuo had to travel out of the city for another business trip.

Ye An had planned to go with him, but due to an unexpected issue with a new movie project that the studio took on, she had to stay behind to handle the situation.

When Ye An was finally not busy and emerged from the recording studio, it was four days later.

During these few days, she and Xie Shuo had only briefly texted during their rare breaks. There was usually no communication between them.

Previously, when their feelings were not known, it didn’t seem like a big deal. However, now that they had been apart for just a few days, there was a sense of a long and distant separation.

When Ye An returned home at 4:00 p.m. she nestled on the sofa and sent a message to Xie Shuo.

Ye An: “I’m done with work and on vacation now!”

She added a cute emoji as well.

Xie Shuo was probably busy on his end as he took a while to respond, replying with a brief, “Rest well.”

Ye An: “How much longer until you come back?”

Xie Shuo: “Three days or so.”

Not even a “Miss me?” in his response; it seemed that he was indeed super busy, perfectly fitting his workaholic CEO persona.

Ye An couldn’t just keep bothering him, so she closed her phone and leaned back on the sofa.

In his absence, the house seemed noticeably quieter. Holding her phone, Ye An pondered for a moment before a sudden thought flashed through her mind.

She got up and quickly booked the earliest available flight before swiftly packing her bags and heading to the airport.

Xie Shuo’s business trip this time was in Haicheng. Her flight landed a little after 8 p.m.

Looking around at the vibrant city lights, Ye An, wearing a mask, hailed a taxi on the street.

She only knew the hotel where Xie Shuo was staying and not the specific room number. After getting into the taxi, she called Zhong Fu, asking him to meet her in the hotel lobby and instructing him not to inform Xie Shuo in advance.

When Zhong Fu received her call, he had just come out of Xie Shuo’s room. Upon hearing her instructions, he hurriedly took the elevator down and waited at the hotel lobby entrance in advance.

The lights reflected onto the glass walls, flickering. After about half an hour, Ye An appeared outside the hotel. She had an embroidered silk scarf around her neck, fluttering in the night breeze.

Zhong Fu quickly approached her, taking the carry-on from her hand, and greeted, “Madam.”

Ye An smiled. “Did he sleep yet?”

“Not yet,” Zhong Fu replied.

Ye An followed Zhong Fu to take the elevator upstairs. When they were near Xie Shuo’s room, she turned to ask, “Do you have the room key?”

Zhong Fu took out Xie Shuo’s room key from his pocket and handed it to her.

Taking the key, Ye An smiled and whispered, “Go rest. I’ll go in and find him myself.”

Zhong Fu nodded, “Alright.”

With the room key in hand, Ye An opened Xie Shuo’s room and entered the foyer, noticing that the lights were on. The sound of running water could be heard clearly from the direction of the bathroom.

It seemed he was taking a shower, and Ye An breathed a sigh of relief. She walked in confidently, hung her clothes in the closet from her carry-on, then took off her scarf before sitting on the sofa to wait for him.

Before long, the sound of water ceased, and the opening of a door echoed.

Ye An quickly got up from the sofa, discreetly hiding in the other side of the closet.

Footsteps approached, and a slender, lean figure appeared under the light. Xie Shuo, in a white robe, slowly stepped into the room, toweling his hair with strands of wet hair clinging to his forehead.

He happened to be facing away from Ye An. Quietly, she tiptoed behind him and playfully covered his eyes with her hands like a mischievous child.

The refreshing scent of shower gel wafted into her nose. She tiptoed closer, leaning toward his ear, and playfully blew a breath.

“Mister, would you like some service?”

She intentionally adjusted her voice to sound completely different from usual, as if dubbing a certain role.

Sensing someone approaching, Xie Shuo initially frowned. When the gentle hand covered his eyes and a familiar voice sounded beside his ear, his expression immediately softened and a smile appeared on his lips.

“What kind of service?” he asked.

Ye An kept one hand over his eyes, and the other slid down, wrapping around his waist. She pressed against him from behind, and her fingers mischievously wandered around his waist.

“What do you think?”

The next moment, her delicate wrist was caught in his grip.

Xie Shuo swiftly turned and pulled her to his front, encircling her waist before looking down at her. “Why did you come?”

Ye An looked up and smiled while raising an eyebrow, “For a surprise inspection!”

As she said, she pulled at the lapels of his robe and glared at him. “A strange woman comes into your room, offering services, and you actually dare to agree? You’ve become bold now, huh?”

Xie Shuo looked at her, his eyes deepening as the hand around her waist tightened. 

“Strange women aren’t allowed, but wifey can.”

He said hoarsely before suddenly kissing her. 

Ye An was forced to lift her chin, and between her lips, there was only his breath, stealing away every breath.

Gradually, she felt a bit unsteady as her slender, fair fingers gripped tightly on his robe, a faint redness appearing on her ears.

Under the lights, her vision was blurred, as if immersed in a dream, undulating.

After a while, the warmth on her lips gradually receded, moving down to her neck.

Ye An could finally breathe freely and pressed her hand against his chest, turning her face away and preventing him from continuing. “I just got off the plane and haven’t even taken a shower.”

Xie Shuo looked up from her neck, holding her waist, his fingertips gently stroking her lips as he asked, “Have you had dinner?”

Ye An grabbed his hand and replied, “I had a little on the plane.”

He loosened his grip slightly, leading her to sit next to him. “Are you hungry? I’ll have some food delivered up?”

Ye An shook her head. “No need, I’m gonna go take a shower.”

She got up and grabbed her pajamas before heading to the bathroom.

After taking a shower, Ye An found that Xie Shuo was no longer on the sofa but sitting at the desk as he typed swiftly away on his laptop.

Seeing her, he finished typing the last line and closed the laptop.

Ye An, wearing a chemise with her long, fair legs exposed, towel-dried her hair and handed the hairdryer to him wantonly, saying, “Help me dry my hair.”

Taking it, Xie Shuo got up and sat with her on the sofa. He combed through her scattered hair with one hand while holding the blowdryer in the other, with a faint fragrance filling the air.

It was already quite late. The curtains fluttered in the wind, revealing sporadic lights from the buildings across.

After drying her hair, Ye An felt a bit tired and lazily leaned against his chest, unwilling to move.

Leaning against the sofa, Xie Shuo let his hand rest behind her waist. The loose necklines of his robe exposed a glimpse of his chest and collarbones combined with his cold profile; he appeared exceptionally sexy.

Having not seen each other for a few days, Ye An couldn’t help but sneak a few more glances.

Catching her in the act, Xie Shuo lowered his head and teased, “Craving my body again?”

Ye An: “……”

What she said when she was drunk, why does he still remember it?

Ye An’s face flushed, feeling a bit annoyed. She decisively pulled open his collar, openly giving herself a good look.

So what if I’m craving your body?

Xie Shuo’s robe was wide open, revealing his lean and well-defined chest.

He chuckled before wrapping one arm around her waist and the other across her knee, lifting her onto his lap and leaning down to kiss her.

Ye An purposely leaned backward, refusing to let him his way. She pressed her hands against his shoulders and smiled smugly. “Who exactly is craving whose body?”

Xie Shuo didn’t answer, just lowered his head to kiss her.

The next moment, Ye An’s body lifted off the ground, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Xie Shuo carried her, taking large strides to the bed before placing her down and pressing against her.

In the midst of the night, Ye An was curled up under the covers, drifting into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, Xie Shuo leaned against the bedhead. Bathed in the dim, yellow light, he reached for a small velvet box.

……

The next day, Xie Shuo woke up early to discuss a partnership, leaving Ye An to rest in the hotel.

Feeling bored, Ye An dragged her aching body out of bed, changed into suitable attire, and joined him.

Having often assisted him in reading documents and accompanied him in negotiating deals before, Ye An had accumulated enough experience. Now, she could effortlessly handle such occasions, even understanding some of the contents they discussed. 

After the meeting, Ye An linked arms with him and said jokingly, “You should consider giving me an extra salary for this.”

Xie Shuo chuckled and said while looking at her, “How about giving you some shares and bringing you into the company?”

Ye An was taken aback, afraid he might actually do it, and quickly said, “There’s no need for that; just a salary is fine.”

If Xie Baiyan and Grandfather Xie knew about this, they wouldn’t just think of it like that. Moreover, she hadn’t reached a point where could genuinely contribute anything to the company.

Three days later, Xie Shuo had finished with the things he needed to do on his business trip and spent a few more days with Ye An in Haicheng before returning.

As the spring chill passed, the weather was getting warmer and warmer day by day.

Just two days after returning, Ye An was invited to participate in an indoor variety show.

In addition to her and Xiang Quan, there were also other well-known voice actors from the industry attending the show, mainly to promote their studios.

It wasn’t the first time Ye An had participated in these kinds of variety shows, so she took the stage calmly with a smile. However, when she scanned the audience, she froze for a moment.

Seated in the front row was a familiar figure… She wasn’t sure when Xie Shuo had arrived, but there he was, watching her from the audience. His face was somewhat blurred in the lights, but there was a faint smile on his lips.

He was wearing a black shirt, his features cold and stern, exuding a charismatic aura that immediately attracted many eyes.

Ye An snapped back to reality, and guided by the host, took her seat. However, her gaze couldn’t help but be drawn to where he was sitting, occasionally wandering toward his direction.

After the lively opening, it was time for everyone’s voice acting performance. 

On the elevated stage, bathed in dazzling lights, Ye An walked to the center, the lights instantly enveloping her. Under the lights, her features became more distinct, stunning, and captivating.

The fans in the audience cheered excitedly. Xie Shuo sat among the audience, quietly watching her. In his deep eyes, a faint glimmer seemed to resemble stars in the sky.

After the show ended, the audience began to disperse, and Xie Shuo went backstage with one hand in his pocket, waiting for her. In his suit, his long legs drew attention. 

After exchanging greetings with the crew members, she eagerly ran over to him while holding the hem of her dress. Her eyes sparkled as her face expressed pure joy. “Why did you come? Didn’t you say there was a problem at the company?”

Before the show, she had called him, and he mentioned something had come up at the company, so he couldn’t come to pick her up tonight. Ye, he unexpectedly appeared in the audience. 

Xie Shuo smiled and didn’t answer her, just taking her hand and leading her out under the gaze of numerous staff members. 

That night, the comments under Ye An’s Weibo exploded. 

Some fans had photographed Xie Shuo sitting in the audience and watching the show. They had posted them on Weibo. Despite the dim lighting and blurry images, it still stirred up some fervor on Weibo.

……

Even after leaving the recording studio, Ye An’s heart continued to beat erratically, her face slightly red from the night breeze. 

After getting into the car, Xie Shuo turned to ask, “Let’s get dinner?”

Ye An smiled with a sparkle in her eyes. “Okay.”

Before the show, she had eaten something light, not fully satisfied. Now, she could have dinner with him.

Soon, the driver parked the car in front of a restaurant.

When getting out of the car at the entrance, Ye An couldn’t shake off the feeling that the surroundings seemed oddly familiar, as if she had been there before, but she couldn’t recall when.

Inside the restaurant, the soft lighting created a romantic atmosphere. Xie Shuo poured half a glass of red wine, and Ye An smiled, resting her chin on her hand. “What’s the occasion? Why such a grand setup all of a sudden?”

Xie Shuo looked up and smiled. “En, it’s a very important day.”

Why so mysterious…

Ye An, unsure of what he was up to, took a few sips of the wine, awaiting his next move.

After dinner, they left the restaurant, not in a hurry to return home, strolling along the street.

The night breeze was gentle, and a few cherry blossom trees planted along the road filled the air with a faint floral fragrance.

After walking for a while, Ye An finally realized why the surroundings felt so familiar… This seemed to be the road leading to her university.

Going further back in her memories… she recalled that it was here where he first encountered her. He had escorted her back to the university, marking this the place of their initial meeting.

However, it was raining that night while the moon was bright tonight—a rare sight.

The hazy light enveloped the shadows of the trees, and clusters of cherry blossoms adorned the branches, with occasional petals falling gently. 

Six years had passed, and the surroundings had changed, but the general layout remained the same.

“Why did you suddenly think of coming here?” She asked, gently holding his hand.

Xie Shuo turned to look at her and smiled, “Finally remembered it?”

“Of course.”

Ye An raised her chin with a smile. “I thought you had long forgotten.”

Xie Shuo remained silent, holding her fingers and looking ahead, his features shrouded in the night.

He couldn’t recall it before because he didn’t care, but after she brought it up, memories flooded in, gradually becoming clear. Even details like the dress she wore and the expression on her face when they first met came vividly back to him.

As they walked a bit further and turned onto another street, Ye An suddenly said, “Do you remember the last time when I took you out for shopping? That street is the same one you passed by when you escorted me back to campus.”

No wonder she asked if he had been there before; now, it made sense.

The scene from that year flashed through his mind once again.

Seeing him silent, as if contemplating something, Ye An tugged at his hand and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Coming back from his thoughts, Xie Shuo turned to look at her and smiled. “I was thinking… why didn’t I ask for your name back then.”

If he had cared a bit more back then, perhaps they could have been together sooner.

If she hadn’t remembered throughout the years and taken the initiative to approach him, they might have missed each other.

Ye An was taken aback and realized what he meant before whispering, “What else could it be? You simply weren’t interested in me back then. Not leaving me on the road to fend for myself was already pretty good.”

Not everyone’s first meeting came with a love-at-first-sight plot. He grew up privileged and exposed to all kinds of girls. How could he be easily attracted to a reckless little girl who bumped into him?

Moreover, she was so disheveled at the time; her beauty was probably long gone, leaving only a pitiable appearance.

He helped her most likely out of sheer pity.

To be fair, if he had genuinely shown interest in her at that time, considering her extreme mindset back then, she might have seen him as some kind of sponsor, thinking he was taking advantage of her vulnerability.

With one hand in his pocket and toying with the velvet box in his hand, Xie Shuo gazed at her silently. 

They strolled and chatted for about half an hour before finally returning home.

Once they returned home, Ye An was about to head to the bedroom when he pulled her to the music room.

The room had obviously been decorated in advance, filled with a sweet scent and adorned with a large bouquet of roses, their petals vibrant and alluring in the halo of light.

The cover on the piano had been removed, revealing a piano with a gleaming, new-like surface.

Ye An stared in astonishment at the scene before her.

Xie Shuo smiled, “Didn’t you want to listen to me play the piano?”

As he said that, he released her hand and walked to the piano before sitting down. His long, clean fingers gently pressed the keys, producing a soothing melody that flowed like moonlight.

The light enveloped him, outlining his handsome profile and making him appear both elegant and noble.

In an instant, it felt as if she had traveled back in time to the moment when she first met him. Ye An stood still, her gaze fixed on him, taking a long while to come back to her senses.

As the piece ended, Xie Shuo got up and pulled her to sit in front of the piano. He reached into his pocket and took out an exquisite velvet box.

Opening the box revealed an exquisite diamond ring, sparkling and dazzling.

Recently, he had thought about various ways to propose, repeatedly envisioned and rejected them, and in the end, he chose something simple like this.

“Marry me.”

He knelt on one knee, looking up at her. His eyes were as deep as the sea, reflecting only her figure.

Ye An was stunned, her fingers curled up on her lap, and the corners of her eyes couldn’t help but turn red.

There were some things she didn’t actively seek because she had long been accustomed to it, but she hadn’t expected that he had remembered all along.

She looked away, holding back her tears. After a while, she pretended to be dissatisfied and joked, “You also realized that you still owed me a proposal…”

Xie Shuo smiled and took her hand before sliding the diamond ring onto her ring finger, pushing it up slowly.

Her fair, slender finger completed the diamond ring perfectly.

He propped himself up with one hand by her side, standing up slowly as his fingertip brushed over the corner of her eye. He lowered his head to kiss her forehead, his voice unusually loving.

“I love you.”

I love you, not because of a fleeting attraction nor not out of pity.

Simply because I love you.

Previous | Index | Next

The sunset painted the sky. Ye An walked into the headquarters while carrying her purse.

Usually, she would come with Xie Shuo, but appearing alone this time caught the front desk off guard. They were taken aback momentarily before quickly coming forward to greet her respectfully, “Madam.”

Ye An smiled and nodded toward her before walking through the corridor, heading toward Xie Shuo’s office.

A female secretary quickly approached to guide her, knocking on the office door.

When Ye An entered, Xie Shuo sat at his desk looking through documents. He wore a white button-up, black pants, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, appearing to be a refined delinquent.  

He rarely wore glasses before, but after regaining his vision, occasional use became normal due to eye strain.

Looking up and spotting Ye An approaching, his stern expression softened into a gentle smile.

Ye An walked up to the desk, leaning her slender figure against the edge, and asked, “Still not done with work?”

Xie Shuo looked at his watch; it was half past five.

“Almost.”

Ye An didn’t rush him, pulling a chair over and sitting beside him. With her chin resting on her hand, she observed as he reviewed documents then signed and stamped them.

His fingers holding the pen were clean and slender, his gaze slightly lowered, and reflections danced on the lenses of his glasses.

After watching for a while, Ye An took out her phone from her purse and adjusted the angle discreetly before snapping a photo of him.

A moment later, Xie Shuo finished with the documents and was about to remove his gold-rimmed glasses when Ye An stopped him, “Don’t take them off yet!”

Xie Shuo paused in his movements.

Leaning forward, Ye An scratched his chin and said with a playful smile, “I’ve found that you, with this appearance, look quite like a refined delinquent. Let me look a bit more.”

Refined delinquent… Upon hearing these words, Xie Shuo reached over and grabbed the hand she placed on the table.

Capturing the subtle change in his expression, Ye An could naturally guess his thoughts after being married for so long. She stood up and sat on his lap before wrapping her arms around his neck.

“What are you thinking?”

She leaned in and asked softly by his ear.

Holding her waist, Xie Shuo’s eyes darkened slightly behind his glasses. “Thinking about what a refined delinquent should do.”

Sometimes, the more serious and formal the place, the more it stirred up the desire to do something naughty. 

Ye An had never been a docile person. She wrapped one hand around his neck as the other traced his jaw, sliding down along his Adam’s apple to the buttons of his shirt.

The reason she dared to be so wantonly was that she was certain that Xie Shuo wouldn’t make any moves on her.

With his workaholic and serious attitude, she simply didn’t believe he would do anything inappropriate to her in this office.

However, she clearly underestimated the man’s self-control…

In the next moment, her waist was grabbed, and her entire body was lifted, then placed onto the desk, her skirt spreading out like water.

Ye An was taken aback. Why did things not go as she had anticipated?

Xie Shuo pushed his chair back and unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, revealing his collarbone, before unfastening his cufflinks, giving off the appearance that was unmistakably preparing for business.

Ye An couldn’t help becoming nervous. Her fingers gripped the edge of the desk, sitting back slightly with the documents that he just reviewed behind her.

“What do you want to do? This is the office.”

Xie Yan glanced at her. His glance clearly conveying the message: “Isn’t that what you brought yourself up here for?”

Ye An: “…….”

Leaning forward, Xie Shuo suppressed his desires and propped both of his hands on either side of her.

The desk was cold and hard, and Ye An’s legs were still a bit sore. Unprepared to do something like that with him in this kind of place, she timely pressed his hands when he lowered his head, taking the initiative to kiss him.

She brushed against his lips fleetingly as if comforting him.

Xie Shuo wrapped his arm around her back, deepening the kiss.

After a while, Ye An, still embracing his neck, descended from the desk. Taking advantage of the moment, she softened her tone and said, “Honey, I’m hungry. Let’s get dinner?”

Xie Shuo looked down at her, the dark depths of his eyes revealing that he didn’t want to just let her off so easily.

Ye An kissed him again, one hand holding onto his arm and the other picking up her purse. “Are you done with work?”

Xie Shuo looked at her fervently and suddenly pulled her back into his embrace before placing her on the desk again.

Before Ye An could react, her lips were sealed again, and she couldn’t break free. She could only pat his shoulder.

After a while, Xie Shuo finally released her and straightened up before adjusting his shirt collar and sleeves, once again displaying that gentlemanly appearance.

Ye An’s red lips were slightly swollen. She couldn’t but kick his shin.

Xie Shuo paused, casting a sidelong glance at her.

Ye An immediately became timid, fearing he might change his mind and really proceed with something here. She quickly jumped off the desk, but her legs were numb, nearly causing her to fall. Xie Shuo reached out to support her.

He smelled clean and pleasant, so Ye An didn’t push him away, leaning affectionately against him as they walked out.

However, just as they exited the office, they ran into Zhong Fu and two other familiar high-level executives, along with… other assistants.

“…….”

Ye An froze.

Why didn’t he inform her that there were people outside?

Fortunately, they hadn’t really done anything inside… She subtly straightened her posture to be more proper, attempting to salvage some of the dignity befitting the CEO’s wife.

The gazes of the onlookers were peculiar, silently observing. Zhong Fu had no choice but to take the bullet and said, “President Xie, the contents from the meeting this afternoon have been organized…”

Xie Shuo, true to his “refined delinquent” reputation, remained completely unruffled, calmly saying, “I’ll deal with it later.”

With that, he embraced Ye An and walked through the corridor, heading toward the elevator. 

They took the elevator down to the garage. After getting in the car, Ye An still felt a bit embarrassed, and the flush on her face had yet to subside. She took out a small mirror from her purse, intending to touch up on her makeup.

While rummaging through her purse, she accidentally touched the ring box inside. She hesitated for a moment, initially planning to have Xie Shuo put the ring on her finger, but when she looked up and saw him leaning against his seat, appearing calm and composed, combined with the incident at the office at first, she felt she couldn’t let him be so complacent. So, she stuffed the ring box back into her purse.

Hmph, we’ll see when he behaves well next time.

After having dinner, it was still quite early, so the two of them took a stroll in the courtyard outside the restaurant before heading home.

On the way back, they encountered traffic.

The street lights stretched into the distance, and the cars moved like snails in the slow-moving traffic. Ye An turned to the side and spotted a girl by the road singing to the passersby while holding a guitar, with long hair flowing down her back. 

Xie Shuo followed her gaze and recalled something before saying, “I remember you sang a song before?”

Hearing this, Ye An turned around and raised an eyebrow. “I’ve sung more than just one song. Which one are you talking about?”

Looking into her eyes, Xie Shuo said, “The time you were drunk and came back, saying you wanted to sing a song for me while holding a guitar.”

Ye An reminisced for a moment before realizing which occasion he was referring to. She laughed, “You mean ‘Youth’? That was the OST of the movie I shot in college. It’s not very well-known. Why do you ask?”

Xie Shuo held her hand and whispered, “How about singing it again when we get back?”

Ye An couldn’t help but chuckle. She leaned in, raised her chin, and said, “Didn’t you shun it at that time? Why do you want to hear it now?”

Xie Shuo playfully pinched her chin, attempting to lower his head for a kiss, but she evaded him.

She rolled her eyes and said teasingly, “Depends on my mood.”

Despite her words, when they returned home, Ye An accompanied Xie Shuo to the music room. She retrieved the guitar that had been accumulating dust and started playing and singing.

The lively and melodious melody filled the air, her vocals clear and bright, accompanied by the light night breeze.

The woman, dressed in a light-colored dress, was focused on her performance, radiating a soft glow as the curtains behind her swayed gently, resembling the flow of water.

She gently plucked the strings, and a hint of youthful vigor emerged in her expression.

When she sang this song initially, Ye An was at the prime of her youthful, frivolous era. Although she was tired from the daily hustle and bustle, she was filled with both passion and hope, so the lyrics and melody were vibrant and full of life. 

Xie Shuo stood quietly on the side, watching her. It was as if, across the expanse of time, he glimpsed her past self. 

At that moment, a thought flashed through her mind. If, back when they first met, he had just asked for her name, could they have been together a little earlier?

As the song came to an end, Ye An stood up and set aside the guitar, asking him, “How was it?”

This time, Xie Shuo finally didn’t remain silent like the last time and said with a smile, “Beautiful.” 

Ye An was very satisfied with this response. Turning around, she saw the piano covered by a cloth nearby and asked, “You can play the piano, right?”

Xie Shuo followed her gaze and replied, “En.”

He had learned it since elementary school, purely for the purpose of cultivating his artistic talent and enhancing his appreciation for the arts.

Ye An grabbed his hand, her eyes brightening. “Play for me then?”

Xie Shuo was about to walk over when he suddenly thought of something. “Not today, a while later.”

Did playing the piano require lighting incense, bathing, and choosing an auspicious day, or what?

Ye An couldn’t understand what he was thinking. Was it because he hadn’t played in a long time, so he wanted to practice first?

Before she could figure it out, Xie Shuo had already taken her back to the bedroom.

Due to the reckless behavior in the afternoon, that night, Ye An deeply experienced what a true “refined delinquent” was. The next day, she almost couldn’t get out of bed again.

……

On Thursday, Xie Shuo had an appointment for a check-up at Cen Qingyan’s place to check on the recovery of his eyes.

Although Ye An knew it was just a routine check-up, she was still worried. The night before, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Sensing her unease, Xie Shuo embraced her from behind, his lips brushing against her neck, “Can’t sleep?”

Ye An had no intention of being intimate with him at the moment. She turned around, using the dim light to look into his eyes, and asked worriedly, “You said your eyes hurt a few days ago. Are there any other symptoms?”

Xie Shuo was slightly taken aback, looking at her for a moment before asking, “If I were to lose my sight again, would you leave?”

Ye An kicked him from under the blanket, “Don’t make such assumptions!”

Xie Shuo chuckled and pulled her closer into his arms, whispering, “Go to sleep.”

Ye An leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

……

On that day, it wasn’t particularly sunny as the sun hid behind the clouds, and the leaves on the tree-lined path swayed gently.

After arriving at the clinic, Xie Shuo went in for an examination. Meanwhile, Ye An waited for him outside just as usual.

Before entering, she gave him a hug just like she did the first time, saying, “I’ll be waiting for you outside.”

There were not many people in the corridor. Ye An felt more at ease and calm compared to the previous visits. Leaning against the chair, she gazed toward the window at the end of the corridor. Spring had arrived, and the branches were lush and green.

This time, the check-up didn’t take long. Cen Qingyan gave some instructions and informed Xie Shuo that the follow-up visits could be extended to once every three months. After half a year, he probably wouldn’t need to come anymore.

Exiting the medical room, Xie Shuo immediately spotted the familiar figure waiting outside. The sunlight gently basked her in a warm glow.

In the tumultuous year that followed his accident, he was trapped in darkness, experiencing too much disappointment. At one point, he felt restless, unwilling to undergo examinations or surgery, thinking it was all meaningless.

He didn’t know when it started, but he no longer feared or rejected it because… she would always be here waiting for him.

Regardless of what kind of result.

Regardless of whether he could see or not.

Hearing the noise, Ye An turned around, and just like before, she smiled brightly.

Xie Shuo also smiled. He stood in place, tall and upright, holding his hand toward her.

Smiling, Ye An quickly walked over and threw herself into his arms.

“Let’s go home.”

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