Although they had been active until midnight before quieting down, and her body had no strength left, with eyelids heavy as if filled with lead, Ruan Sixian still didn’t want to sleep.

The curtains had excellent light-blocking properties; even though the outside world sparkled with neon, not a trace of light entered the room.

Ruan Sixian curled up in bed, chattering endlessly about various things, and in the end, didn’t even know when she fell asleep. The next day, Fu Mingyu had to wake her up.

After boarding the plane, Ruan Sixian put on an eye mask to catch up on sleep, but the child next to her cried throughout the entire journey. The child’s parents tried singing and walking around, but nothing worked.

So after landing, Ruan Sixian opened her eyes and leaned against the seat without moving for a long time. Her gaze seemed somewhat weary of life. The young woman beside her who had borrowed her charger didn’t dare say much, just threw a “thank you” and hurriedly disembarked.

The plane hadn’t docked at the jetway, so first-class passengers boarded the shuttle bus first.

Ruan Sixian was the last to board, resting her head against the window, her eyes half-closed, seemingly about to fall asleep at any moment.

When the shuttle bus slowly approached the terminal, it braked suddenly, causing her head to knock against the window, instantly dispelling her drowsiness.

She rubbed her eyes and looked outside. Two young men were carrying something across the tarmac, running quickly.

Because the two men looked strangely familiar, she looked at them for a few more seconds, then followed their destination with her gaze. First, she saw lighting boards, then tripods, and beside them stood… Zheng You’an?

“What are you doing here?”

Ruan Sixian, pulling her flight case, wandered onto the tarmac. After asking, she noticed another person sitting in a chair behind—thinking of the photo on Fu Mingyu’s phone, she twitched her lips and said, “Mr. Yan is here too?”

Yan An, who had been crossing his legs and looking at his phone, raised his eyes upon hearing Ruan Sixian’s voice. Seeing her expression, he inexplicably felt a chill down his spine.

But Yan An had a clear conscience.

He put away his phone, picked up a cup of coffee beside him, and calmly took a couple of sips. “What?”

“Nothing,” Ruan Sixian leaned on her suitcase, looked around, and said with a smile, “Just wanted to ask when you’re next going to see a movie, so I can avoid it.”

“You—”

Yan An was somewhat speechless, thought for a moment, then let it go.

No point arguing with a woman.

But he had kindly informed Fu Mingyu, and not only did Fu not appreciate it, but he bit the hand that fed him.

Turning his head, he saw Zheng You’an observing him, so he stood up, loosened his tie, “Ask Zheng You’an about that. Whenever she wants to watch a movie early in the morning, that’s when I’ll go.”

After saying this, he carried his coffee cup to Zheng You’an’s side, nudging her shoulder, “I’m going to the restroom.”

In the sunset, Zheng You’an looked at the camera, not raising her head, “Oh.”

Yan An wanted to say something more, but seeing Zheng You’an’s attitude, he closed his mouth.

Passing by Ruan Sixian, seeing she didn’t look unhappy at all, he also knew that day was most likely some kind of confused misunderstanding, so he didn’t bother to ask more.

The shooting location behind was also nearing completion. When Ruan Sixian looked back, several pilots had foreheads drenched in sweat, facing the photographer before them, daring to be angry but not daring to speak.

Zheng You’an, flipping through photos on the display screen, frowned, “What do you think?”

Is she talking to me?

Ruan Sixian leaned half her body over to look for a couple of seconds, then nodded, “Not bad.”

“Not bad?!” Zheng You’an turned off the camera, hand supporting the tripod, “Not bad means not good enough. You and your boyfriend have the same level of appreciation.”

Ruan Sixian: “…?”

Nothing in this world is eternal, except Zheng You’an.

But by now the daylight had dimmed, and even if Zheng You’an wanted to continue torturing people, she’d have to choose another time.

She raised her hand, asking her assistant to pack up, temporarily releasing those poor non-professional models.

Now without Zheng You’an’s explanation, Ruan Sixian knew what she was doing here.

“Are you taking promotional photos for this year’s Northern Aviation Exhibition?”

“Yes.”

Zheng You’an nodded, took the water handed by her assistant, and drank a couple of sips, her eyeballs rotating, “Yesterday morning…”

“Classmates, a chance meeting, not familiar.”

“Oh…”

Ruan Sixian raised her hand to block the sun, pulled her suitcase preparing to leave, then heard Zheng You’an ask: “You didn’t just come back from Singapore, did you? Did you go personally to clear your name?”

“What else? Thanks to you.”

Ruan Sixian turned back to ask, “Speaking of which, I’m also curious, why were you and Yan An at the movies so early? Is your bed not warm enough?”

“Don’t talk nonsense, we didn’t sleep together.”

“…”

Is that the point?

Wait.

Ruan Sixian tilted her head, very puzzled, “What do you mean? Are you and Yan An dating?”

“I suppose so.”

I suppose so.

This could be answered with “I suppose so”?

Ruan Sixian didn’t understand the world of wealthy people, while Zheng You’an stirred her straw with an indifferent expression.

“We’re getting engaged.”

“What?”

No matter how shocked Ruan Sixian was, the engagement between Zheng You’an and Yan An was set in stone.

Two months later, both she and Fu Mingyu received invitations. The engagement party would be held at Warner Manor on the eve of Valentine’s Day in August.

Fu Mingyu was invited by the Yan family, while Ruan Sixian received a personal invitation from Zheng You’an.

In fact, during these two months, Ruan Sixian had also heard Fu Mingyu mention this matter occasionally.

It wasn’t sudden; the two families had been discussing it for a long time.

“So, is this a business alliance marriage?”

Ruan Sixian asked.

On the video call, Fu Mingyu leaned against the headboard, lazily flipping through the book in his hand, “An alliance marriage requires equal strength between families. This doesn’t qualify.”

“Then what is it?”

Fu Mingyu looked up at the camera, “The Zheng family’s current situation requires someone to give them a hand.”

“Is their situation that bad…” Ruan Sixian muttered, “Last month their wedding anniversary celebration looked quite grand.”

The wedding anniversary she mentioned was naturally that of Dong Xian and Zheng Taichu.

“Precisely because of this, the outward appearance of grandeur cannot be lacking,” Fu Mingyu said. “Two years ago, the Zheng family’s capital flow and business operations had already collapsed. They…”

Fu Mingyu thought for a moment and didn’t continue.

“When is your high-altitude route exam?”

“Next month.”

Ruan Sixian pulled the topic back, seemingly very interested in this question, “It doesn’t make sense though. What kind of person is Mr. Yan? Would he be willing to give up his vast forest just to pull the Zheng family up?”

“Do you think the Yan family is running a charity?”

Fu Mingyu said, “Although the Zheng family is tottering, their foundation in the hotel industry built over many years is still there. The Yan family spending resources to help them out will result in benefits worth the investment. In a few years, the actual profits of the Zheng family hotels will flow into the Yan family.”

He didn’t say the rest, but Ruan Sixian understood.

Making this decision was nothing more than choosing to serve another.

Though they lost autonomy, at least they avoided massive debt.

As for this marriage, it was merely a measure placed by the Zheng family on the Yan family, marking the bottom line for the Yan family’s actions.

Ruan Sixian propped her chin, seemingly lost in thought.

Fu Mingyu stood up, with only his lower body visible in the camera.

He stepped back twice, lifted his shirt to take it off, threw it on the bed, and didn’t put on anything else, holding an iPad, looking at something unknown.

Ruan Sixian’s gaze wandered around the lines of his abs for a couple of rounds. She scratched her ear, pretending to be nonchalant, “Had they previously set their sights on you?”

After all, if they wanted an “alliance marriage,” Ruan Sixian thought Fu Mingyu would be more suitable than Yan An from any perspective.

“Yes.”

Fu Mingyu answered so directly that Ruan Sixian didn’t know what to say.

She suddenly felt a bit scared in retrospect.

Although this “fear in retrospect” was completely unnecessary at this point.

“Ah…” Ruan Sixian’s heart pounded a bit, saying very quietly, “That was close.”

But Fu Mingyu still heard it. He turned to look at the camera, “Close what? I refused at that time.”

“When was that?”

“When you slapped me the first time.”

Ruan Sixian’s pupils shook; she thought this person was too strange.

“So you refused because of me?”

Fu Mingyu walked to the camera. The yellowish light reflected on his face, softening his features, and making him seem within reach.

“Yes, honored?”

Ruan Sixian stared at him for a long time, shocked by his confidence: “You’re so arrogant. For something so uncertain, you dared to make such a choice?”

What if he couldn’t win her over? Wouldn’t that be a huge loss?

“But facts have proven,” Fu Mingyu looked at her calmly, “I was right.”

Outside the window, the summer insects’ chirping hadn’t ceased. Memories pulled back to that time last year.

It seemed like just yesterday, yet also felt like a long time ago.

Ruan Sixian’s eyes held tiny sparks of light, looking at Fu Mingyu on the small screen.

She felt it, that feeling of being firmly chosen despite all odds.

There were many words she wanted to say in her heart, but at her lips, they became a simple sentence.

“Come back soon.”

In August, Fu Mingyu had finished his work in Singapore, but he hadn’t returned yet. He was leading a team to inspect various overseas branches, like playing a flight chess game—today in Australia, the day after tomorrow in America, and in another two days, Europe.

Zheng You’an and Yan An’s engagement party was also this month. Ruan Sixian received a call a week in advance, asking her to try on her dress.

There was a formal dress customization workshop in Jiang City. The owner was one of the few designers in China who had obtained membership in the Paris Haute Couture Association. They only modified based on existing patterns for semi-custom dresses, with a short production cycle, but were extremely sought after in Jiang City.

Originally, Ruan Sixian didn’t even want semi-custom, thinking buying ready-made clothes would be simple and convenient. But He Lanxiang strongly recommended this place, and she couldn’t refuse. She made time to select a style, and today the finished product was ready, so she was called to try it on.

After all, it was someone else’s engagement party, and guests shouldn’t outshine the hosts. Ruan Sixian ordered a pearl white spaghetti strap fishtail dress.

The style was very simple and suited her figure. She had no extra requirements.

She took a photo in front of the mirror and sent it to Fu Mingyu.

“Does it look good?”

After waiting for two minutes with no reply from Fu Mingyu, Ruan Sixian didn’t bother anymore.

When she called him yesterday morning, he was still in Dubai, not sleeping through the night. He was probably catching up on sleep now.

While waiting for the dress to be packaged in the store, a saleswoman took Ruan Sixian to see other styles.

Since she had nothing else to do, Ruan Sixian followed her upstairs to look at new styles in the cabinets.

But just as she climbed the stairs, she heard several familiar voices.

When her view cleared, she saw that the people standing in front of a large mirror were indeed Zheng You’an and Dong Xian.

Zheng You’an was wearing a light gold-colored gown, the hem inlaid with tiny rhinestones. When she moved, the dress sparkled brilliantly.

Dong Xian bustled around her, saying the waist needed to be taken in a bit more one moment, then saying the off-shoulder design was too tight the next.

Even the matching lace gloves weren’t quite satisfactory.

“Whatever,” Zheng You’an said, “Just make it passable.”

“No way,” Dong Xian called someone over to remeasure, “A once-in-a-lifetime engagement can’t be done casually.”

Zheng You’an lowered her head, adjusting her gloves, muttering: “Who knows if it’s the only one?”

Dong Xian’s expression changed, words caught in her throat, and her tone altered.

“An’an, your father and I… we’ve let you down.”

They hadn’t noticed someone behind them, and their voices weren’t low. Ruan Sixian heard everything.

She frowned.

You’ve let down more than just her.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Zheng You’an, tired of standing, lifted her dress to sit on the sofa, patting the seat beside her, “I have to do something for this family anyway, and Brother Yan An isn’t bad either. His family is rich, he’s quite handsome, and still young. Looking at the available options, isn’t he the best choice?”

Seeing Dong Xian not sitting, Zheng You’an lowered her head, arranged her dress, and continued on her own: “If we divorce, I could still get a large sum of money, and by then our family should be better off. Then I’ll marry a pretty boy—I won’t need him to be rich, just obedient.”

Dong Xian took a deep breath, hugging Zheng You’an, letting her head rest against her waist.

“It’s okay if he doesn’t treat you well, you can always come home.”

Ruan Sixian watched from behind for a while, feeling it somewhat heartbreaking.

This scene felt quite piercing to her, as if her presence would make her an outsider, disturbing their harmonious scene.

But before she could turn away, Zheng You’an spotted her reflection in the mirror.

“You’re here too?”

Zheng You’an spoke, and Dong Xian also turned to look.

“Mm,” Ruan Sixian had no choice but to walk forward, “I came to pick up my dress.”

Zheng You’an turned to look at Dong Xian and Ruan Sixian, suddenly lifting her dress and saying: “This is too tiring to wear. I’ll go change.”

She went to the changing room, but Dong Xian stared directly at Ruan Sixian.

Since their last meeting at home, winter had gone and summer had come, and the two hadn’t seen each other for half a year.

The attendant brought Ruan Sixian a cup of hot tea and placed it on the table.

White steam rose, obscuring their line of sight.

Normally, Ruan Sixian would have left already.

But today was different.

After a long silence, she suddenly said: “Today is Dad’s birthday.”

Dong Xian was startled for a moment, clearly not remembering.

This was the reaction Ruan Sixian had expected.

She sighed, “Never mind, I’ll leave first.”

“Wait,” Dong Xian stopped her, “Ruan’er, do you still mind what happened between your father and me?”

Ruan Sixian felt helpless, her heart stinging, yet not knowing what to say.

It felt like saying too much would be self-torment, but not saying anything wasn’t an option now that Dong Xian had brought it up.

Without waiting for Ruan Sixian’s answer, Dong Xian spoke.

“Some things, I didn’t tell you before because you were young and wouldn’t understand.”

She paused, “Later…”

“Just say it directly,” Ruan Sixian interrupted, “No need for all that other stuff.”

Dong Xian seemed to be formulating her words, holding back for a moment, then said: “As a mother, I’ve failed you. But as a wife, I’ve done my best.”

That’s quite good.

Ruan Sixian thought, washing clothes, cooking, taking care of her husband, she really had done well.

“As for why we divorced, on this point, I admit I was selfish,”

She said, “When Mr. Guo found me, I was thirty-seven.”

She emphasized those words heavily, “I was thirty-seven, I had missed out, and I would never have another chance in this lifetime.”

Ruan Sixian knew what she meant, but didn’t fully understand.

“Is there a conflict?”

“At first, I also thought there wasn’t,” Recalling past events, Dong Xian held her head, her expression faint, “But the reality wasn’t as beautiful as I imagined. Nothing comes without investing time and energy. I had to sign with Mr. Guo, had to travel north and south with him, had to seclude myself, had to produce new works, which meant I definitely couldn’t stay at home like before.”

Ruan Sixian didn’t speak, and Dong Xian’s train of thought wasn’t very clear anymore as she repeated: “I was thirty-seven. Since marrying your father at twenty-two, for fifteen years, I was a devoted wife and mother, respecting the elderly, almost believing this would be my life forever. Then a talent scout appeared, and my first reaction was to tell your father. But what about him?”

Ruan Sixian: “He…”

Dong Xian switched hands, lowering her eyes, continuing on her own: “I’ll never forget what he said, ‘You are a wife, a mother. If you go pursue your dreams, what about the family?'”

The words she originally wanted to say suddenly couldn’t come out. Ruan Sixian fell silent, listening quietly to Dong Xian for the first time.

But she didn’t continue that topic, thinking of the arguments behind closed doors that year; even now it gave her a headache.

“I was quite selfish. After divorcing your father, I indeed didn’t think about taking you with me. I knew I would be without a fixed home for the next few years, which wouldn’t be suitable for you. So I thought it would be best for you to stay at home with your father, study, and live your life.”

She raised her eyes to look at Ruan Sixian, the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes couldn’t be concealed even with makeup.

“I’ve failed you, not being there while you grew up, not fulfilling a mother’s responsibilities.”

Zheng You’an stayed in the changing room for a long time, her legs almost cramping. She peeked through the crack several times, finally waiting until Ruan Sixian stood up.

She took a breath, was about to go out, when she heard Dong Xian say: “Can’t you give me a chance to make it up to you?”

Her hand stopped at the door.

Zheng You’an silently retreated.

“Forget it.”

After a long silence, Ruan Sixian only said “Forget it.”

When the secret belonging to her parents was revealed, she was surprised, but not that difficult to accept.

After all, she understood her father, who had a bit of that male chauvinism in his bones.

She could even understand Dong Xian’s choices now.

But so what?

The consequences of these choices shouldn’t be borne by her.

“What is there to make up for?”

Ruan Sixian shrugged, “When I was a teenager, what I lacked was a doll, a floral dress, a pair of small leather shoes. Will you give those to me now? It’s meaningless; I don’t need them anymore.”

Dong Xian closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “Ruan’er, we are blood mother and daughter after all.”

“I know, I haven’t denied this point. You are still my mother, and this can never change in this lifetime. And now I understand your choices, but emotions need companionship. When I needed you most, you weren’t by my side. Now I’ve grown up, I can buy and do everything myself. I even have a boyfriend now; he is my greatest support.”

Seeing Dong Xian seemingly not understanding, Ruan Sixian explained word by word, “In other words, your compensation now is of little importance to me, so it doesn’t mean much. Relationships have degrees of closeness and distance. You and I are mother and daughter with a rather cold relationship, but I will still call you mother. If you need anything, when I get married and have children, whatever your role is will remain the same. This point won’t change.”

“But there’s no need to deliberately try to repair things. It’s tiresome.”

When she came out, the driver was still waiting at the door, helping her put things in the trunk, and then opening the car door for her.

When Ruan Sixian stood by the roadside, she didn’t rush to get in the car.

She recalled what she had said to Dong Xian today. It was like a thorn stuck in her heart had finally been pulled out—relieved, but also a bit painful.

Only she hadn’t expected that she would instinctively say “I even have a boyfriend now; he is my greatest support.”

If she hadn’t thought about it, it would have been fine, but once she did, she missed him terribly.

Just then her phone rang. Ruan Sixian took it out and looked—after several hours, Fu Mingyu had finally replied with two words.

“Looks good.”

So coldly dismissive it seemed perfunctory.

“It’s driving me mad.”

Ruan Sixian hadn’t eaten all morning, her stomach was empty, and when the wind blew, she felt like Lin Daiyu from “Dream of the Red Chamber.”

She walked toward the car while calling Fu Mingyu.

After two rings, he quickly answered.

“When are you coming back?!”

Ruan Sixian stepped into the car, “Your girlfriend is about to starve to death on the side of the road!”

“Missing me?”

“Yes,” Ruan Sixian supported herself against the car door, irritably saying, “I miss you, so hurry back, will you?”

“Alright.”

“Then you—” Ruan Sixian stopped mid-sentence.

She felt the voice wasn’t just coming through the phone but seemed very close to her.

The wind stopped, but a familiar cold pine scent gradually drifted toward her.

Ruan Sixian stood by the car door and was embraced from behind.

“Mm, I’m back.”

Hearing his voice, Ruan Sixian was still a bit dazed. She didn’t turn around, afraid that if she did, she’d find she was hallucinating.

But the temperature of his body was directly transmitted from behind her.

Finally, she turned around, looking at him without blinking, and reached out to pinch her thigh.

“Checking if I’m dreaming,” Ruan Sixian saw Fu Mingyu twist his eyebrows and said, “Oh, it hurts, not a dream.”

Fu Mingyu’s eyebrow twitched, “Then why are you pinching my thigh?”

Ruan Sixian didn’t answer but asked: “When did you get back?”

“Just now.”

“Oh…”

The car was still parked at the roadside, with the door waiting.

“Get in the car first, don’t stand here.”

Ruan Sixian obeyed and got in, sitting in the inner position.

But as soon as Fu Mingyu got in, she immediately nestled into his arms.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, Fu Mingyu could still keenly sense that something was off about her mood.

“What’s wrong?”

Ruan Sixian said glumly: “I just went to pick up my clothes and ran into Zheng You’an and my mom.”

“What did they say?”

“Nothing much,” Ruan Sixian sighed heavily, “My mom said today that she wanted to make it up to me, and I told her there’s no need.”

She rubbed her chin against Fu Mingyu, “It’s tiring and unnecessary, and besides—”

She raised her head, looking at Fu Mingyu’s jawline, her nose a bit sour, “I told her I have a boyfriend now, and my boyfriend is currently my greatest support.”

Fu Mingyu lowered his head, looking at the person in his arms, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

He had some emotions surging inside.

When they returned to Mingchen Apartments, Ruan Sixian instinctively pressed the button for her floor.

Fu Mingyu took her hand and pressed another floor.

“Let’s go upstairs.”

“Mm.”

Perhaps because of the long separation, Ruan Sixian was unusually obedient.

Bai Yang had already arranged for people to move all of Fu Mingyu’s luggage back, and many gift boxes were placed on the living room table.

Ruan Sixian glanced at those things and asked: “Gifts you brought back?”

“Mm.”

Fu Mingyu acknowledged, adding, “For my mother.”

“What about me?” Ruan Sixian, with her hands on her waist, strolled, “Do I have a gift?”

“Yes.”

Ruan Sixian reached out to him, “Let me see quickly.”

Instead of receiving anything in her hand, she was embraced in his arms.

After kissing tenderly for a while, Ruan Sixian’s cheeks were flushed; she gently pushed him away.

“Who wanted this gift? Not original at all.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Mingyu turned around and took out a blue velvet box from the cabinet behind.

He opened it; inside was a diamond ring.

“Is-is this a gift for me?”

“No,” Fu Mingyu took her hand and placed it on the ring, “The gift is me.”

Ruan Sixian stared at him, stunned.

“Will you accept a husband?”

Seeing Ruan Sixian still staring at him in a daze as if she didn’t understand, Fu Mingyu kissed the back of her hand and changed his wording.

“Marry me, will you?”