Chapter 125

Chapter 125

After New Year’s Day came a brand-new beginning. Lately, Xie Qiyan had been almost entirely occupied with overseas cooperation projects. After returning from a two-day business trip, he immediately threw himself into matters concerning the newly listed entertainment company.

The new company was called Yuexia Entertainment.

As if he were afraid people wouldn’t know he liked Xia Wanzhi.

Every time Xia Wanzhi got teased about it, she couldn’t help cursing Xie Qiyan in her heart.

Who would’ve thought this man was actually such a hopeless romantic?

“Why did you have to drag me into opening an entertainment company…” Recently, all the entertainment news she came across was about Yuexia Entertainment. Netizens didn’t know the meaning behind the name, but she did. Every time she saw it, she felt a little embarrassed.

How was this any different from announcing to the entire world, I love you?

Xie Qiyan took off his glasses. Because he’d been so busy, dark shadows had settled beneath his eyes. Rubbing the space between his brows, he reached out and pulled Xia Wanzhi into his arms, his voice tinged with laughter. “I hope Teacher Wanzi can run through my daily life in every possible form.”

Xia Wanzhi choked. “…”

If he was a lovestruck fool, then he was a lovestruck fool. Why did he have to dress it up with so much flowery nonsense?

“Does everyone else in the Xie Family know?”

Xie Qiyan answered as if it were perfectly justified. “My business has nothing to do with them.”

Xia Wanzhi was speechless with frustration. “Your second and third uncles’ families are probably gossiping behind my back, saying I’m after the Xie Family’s fortune.”

“The Little Princess of the Becker Family wouldn’t care about the Xie Family’s little bit of money.” Xie Qiyan’s lips curved into a smile. “They’d only gossip that I set my sights on you.”

Xia Wanzhi grabbed his arm and demanded fiercely, “What’s wrong with setting your sights on me?”

“You are priceless. To marry you, even offering up the entire Xie Corporation wouldn’t be enough.” Xie Qiyan gently caught a lock of her silky hair and wound it around his finger. It was fine and soft, and he couldn’t bear to let go.

Xie Qiyan’s skill at sweet-talking had improved quite a bit lately. Xia Wanzhi listened, trying to hold back her laughter, but in the end, she couldn’t contain it and buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder, laughing.

Xie Qiyan let her laugh. Only after she’d laughed enough did he hold her and kiss her. After the kiss, he silently went off to deal with his physical reaction.

Xia Wanzhi turned her head to watch him walk toward the bathroom. Rubbing the mark on her collarbone, she picked up her phone and secretly asked Ms. Ross about the progress.

Rose: Don’t worry, my baby. Once Mommy makes a move, it’s as good as done!

Xia Wanzhi: I need the important part, my darling Mommy!

Rose tossed over the main point: It’ll be delivered into your hands tomorrow.

Xia Wanzhi suddenly grew nervous. She took a deep breath. Having you is my blessing!

Rose was just as excited. Mommy wishes you success in bringing the handsome man home!

Mother and daughter were in cahoots. Heaven knew, earth knew, she knew, and her mother knew. No one else had any idea.

It wasn’t that Xia Wanzhi was deliberately hiding it from everyone else. It was just that something this surprising was suited to giving them one enormous shock.

Most importantly, Ms. Ross would support her without another word. If the others found out, they probably wouldn’t let her take the initiative to do this.

Xia Wanzhi had her own plans.

Two days ago, when she had finally worked up the courage to message Ms. Ross and say she wanted to give Xie Qiyan a home, she hadn’t even explained in detail before Ms. Ross sent back a sticker raising both hands in approval.

Xia Wanzhi was Rose’s precious daughter.

Whatever she wanted, Rose, as her mother, knew it-and supported it one hundred percent.

Xia Wanzhi turned off her phone screen. Her right hand slowly covered the spot over her heart as she felt the beat there grow fiercer with every thump.

–

The day everything was ready happened to be the Laba Festival. On this day, there was a custom of drinking Laba porridge. Xie Qiyan came home earlier than usual and cooked a pot of steaming hot Laba porridge to celebrate the season with Xia Wanzhi.
“Today is Qiyue’s birthday. The whole Jiang family got together to celebrate over Laba porridge, and Jiang Baichuan wanted to take Yun Li with him, but Yun Li chickened out and didn’t dare go.” Xia Wanzhi recounted it with relish. Just thinking of how Yun Li wanted to go but lacked the nerve, then had simply hidden at her place and wailed for ages, still made her want to laugh.

At that point, Xia Wanzhi began probing. “Back when you came home with me, how did you feel?”

Xie Qiyan tried hard to recall the feeling at the time. “Excited?”

Xia Wanzhi’s eyes shone as she waited a moment. When he offered nothing more, she started questioning him. “That’s it?”

“Thrilled. Nervous.” Xie Qiyan raised a hand and wiped the corner of Xia Wanzhi’s mouth, chuckling softly. “But I didn’t chicken out.”

Xia Wanzhi gave a light snort. “Men and women are different.”

“Mm.” Xie Qiyan nodded in agreement. “After all, I was going to steal his daughter from my father-in-law.”

Xia Wanzhi almost laughed. “Are you trying to say that if Yun Li went to the Jiang family, she’d be walking into a wolf’s den?”

Xie Qiyan followed her lead. “You’re the one who said that.”

Xia Wanzhi: “…”

“Why are we talking about other people?” After finishing his food, Xie Qiyan wiped his mouth and looked at Xia Wanzhi with a serious expression, cutting straight to the point. “Teacher Wanzi, what are you nervous about?”

Only when Xia Wanzhi was nervous would she grasp for things to talk about.

She never took the initiative to speak during meals unless someone else threw the topic to her first.

But tonight, from the moment Xia Wanzhi sat down, something had been off about her gaze and expression. Every word and action was full of tells.

Xia Wanzhi took a sip of porridge and looked into Xie Qiyan’s eyes, feigning calm. “Who’s nervous? You’re the nervous one…”

“Are you hiding something from me?” Xie Qiyan coaxed her patiently. “Be good. Tell me, and I promise I won’t get angry.”

Having guessed she couldn’t escape his sharp eyes, Xia Wanzhi stopped pretending. Cheerfully and unhurriedly, she focused on drinking her porridge. “I’ll tell you in a bit.”

Xie Qiyan: “…”

Now that his curiosity had been piqued, he was the one who could no longer stay calm.

For the first time, Xie Qiyan felt that ten minutes could be endlessly long. Once Xia Wanzhi finished eating, he cleared the bowls and chopsticks at top speed. Even when he went into the kitchen, he kept glancing back now and then to see if Xia Wanzhi was doing anything else.

Xia Wanzhi was so amused by his suspicious expression that she couldn’t stop smiling.

Xia Changsheng crouched at her feet and rubbed against her. Xia Wanzhi picked it up, her eyes curving as she whispered in a breathy voice, “Changsheng, call me Mommy.”

“Meow-” The old cat’s voice was a little hoarse. Xia Wanzhi’s heart filled with joy when she heard it, yet her eyes grew faintly warm.

“Promise Mommy you’ll stay healthy, okay?” Xia Wanzhi quietly negotiated with Changsheng.

“What are you saying?” Xie Qiyan came over after drying his hands.

Xia Wanzhi placed Changsheng in his arms and issued an order. “I’m going back to the room to change. In a bit, we’re going to the Studio.”

The phone beside the sofa kept buzzing with messages. Xie Qiyan watched her mysteriously pick up her phone and return to the bedroom. Puzzled, he stared at Changsheng, the two of them eye to eye. “What did your mom say to you?”

Changsheng meowed. Its paw pressed against his chest, and its eyes turned bright and alert, as if it were about to tell him everything Xia Wanzhi was up to tonight.

Xie Qiyan didn’t understand.

“Well, that’s rare. Xia Changsheng, you actually answered me.”

Xie Qiyan licked his lips, growing even more unable to figure out what Xia Wanzhi was planning.