By the time they arrived at the Xie residence, it was already night.
As Shen Bingci stepped out of the car, a beautiful hand reached toward her.
It was Xie Yuli.
Personally helping her out.
She felt slightly embarrassed but still placed her hand in his.
His other hand hovered protectively above her head to prevent her from bumping into the car frame.
Normally, this sort of task would have been Uncle Chen’s responsibility.
How could such a thing require the young master himself?
The moment the car stopped, Uncle Chen hurried out.
Yet Xie Yuli had moved even faster.
With a casual gesture, he signaled Uncle Chen to stop.
Then he opened the door himself and helped the young woman out.
The entire sequence flowed naturally and gracefully.
Watching it, Uncle Chen felt deeply moved.
The Xie family estate embodied traditional Chinese elegance.
Grand.
Refined.
Every building material, angle, and landscape arrangement had been meticulously planned.
Compared to it, the Shen residence felt more modern.
Mostly because Shen Bingci had a free-spirited personality, and her family often adjusted the layout to suit her preferences.
At a glance, the Xie estate clearly carried the legacy of a century-old noble family.
Pine branches brushed the eaves.
White jade railings lined the walkways.
Green-tiled roofs stretched across the property.
On the way inside, they passed a pond.
The water was crystal clear.
Several beautiful goldfish swam beneath the surface.
The entire place radiated an ancient elegance.
A family like this surely had countless rules.
The moment she entered, every servant she passed greeted her respectfully.
“Good evening, Miss Shen.”
A few even addressed her as “Madam.”
Uncle Chen quickly corrected them.
“I already informed everyone before. You can’t call her that yet.”
Then he turned apologetically toward Shen Bingci.
“Sorry, Miss Shen.”
She waved her hand.
“It’s fine.”
Then curiosity got the better of her.
“How do they all know who I am?”
Beside her, Xie Yuli’s tall figure moved steadily through the night.
Back home, he appeared noticeably more relaxed.
As they walked, he loosened his tie slightly.
The motion was casual yet elegant.
“Naturally they know.”
“The afternoon our engagement was finalized, everyone in the Xie family learned that you were my fiancée.”
For that matter, Uncle Chen had even organized a meeting.
Photos had been distributed.
Basic information about Shen Bingci had been provided.
Every servant in the household was informed that from that day onward, the eldest young master had a fiancée.
Treating her was equivalent to treating him.
She was to be protected.
Respected.
And regarded as family.
As soon as they entered the main hall, an elegant woman approached.
She wore a simple white dress with a green shawl draped across her shoulders.
Smiling warmly, she took Shen Bingci’s hand.
“Miss Shen, you must be exhausted after traveling all this way.”
“What made you suddenly come to Hong Kong?”
“You didn’t tell us in advance.”
“Look at Yuli’s father. He’s still away on business.”
Shen Bingci found herself holding the woman’s hand.
Ling Qinglian was graceful and gentle.
A classic noble lady.
At such a late hour, she should have already been asleep.
Yet because Shen Bingci was arriving, she had gotten out of bed, changed clothes, styled her hair, and come personally to welcome her.
Still, there hadn’t been enough time.
Ling Qinglian glanced at her son with mild reproach.
“Yuli.”
“All you ever think about is work.”
“How could you not know Miss Shen had come to Hong Kong?”
“Not only did she arrive without anyone receiving her, she even had to stay in a hotel.”
“And now she’s only just returning home this late.”
Shen Bingci immediately wanted to explain that the situation wasn’t his fault.
But Xie Yuli spoke first.
“It was my mistake.”
“I’ll apologize to Miss Shen properly and make it up to her later.”
He truly took responsibility.
A sweet feeling bubbled up inside Shen Bingci’s chest.
Before she realized it, she had already been guided to a sofa in the main sitting room.
Pressing her lips together, she said,
“Please don’t blame him, Auntie.”
“It was my fault for not informing Mr. Xie beforehand.”
“I know he’s very busy.”
“I didn’t want to trouble him.”
Though Shen Bingci could be spoiled and stubborn in private, she had always known exactly how to win over elders.
Ling Qinglian smiled warmly.
“Why are you still calling him Mr. Xie?”
“You two are practically engaged.”
“You should call him Yuli.”
Yuli?
That felt far too intimate.
She couldn’t do it.
And honestly…
She was too embarrassed.
It would sound as though they were very close.
Almost as if she were deliberately trying to get closer to him.
“Oh, right.”
“You could also call him by his childhood nickname—”
“Mother.”
Xie Yuli interrupted calmly.
His expression remained unreadable.
Shen Bingci immediately became interested.
He had a nickname?
Ling Qinglian laughed.
“Fine, fine.”
“I won’t say it.”
“Bingci, ask him yourself later.”
“After all, you’ll have plenty of time together.”
Probably a lifetime.
The conversation didn’t last long.
Considering that Shen Bingci was exhausted from traveling, they decided she should rest first.
Everything regarding her stay was entrusted to Xie Yuli.
Ling Qinglian also informed her that Xie Wanshi’s birthday celebration was only two days away.
She might as well stay at the estate until then.
As for Shen Bingci’s parents, Ling Qinglian promised to contact them personally.
She would assure them not to worry.
She would take good care of her future daughter-in-law.
At those words, Shen Bingci lowered her eyes shyly.
Meanwhile, she secretly observed Xie Yuli.
Throughout the entire conversation, he never looked at his phone once.
When his mother criticized him, he accepted it.
When she assigned responsibilities, he took them on.
He even remembered to have tea refilled for Shen Bingci and fresh pastries brought over.
Truthfully, she was hungry.
She had a habit of eating late-night snacks.
Usually barbecue.
Sometimes grilled seafood.
But obviously she couldn’t ask for those here.
Not only would it be improper, but eating greasy food would probably leave oil on her face.
What if Xie Yuli disliked that?
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became that he probably would.
He was as pure and refined as a lotus.
Elevated above worldly habits.
Surely someone like him didn’t indulge in such things.
She needed to maintain her image.
Eventually, Xie Yuli led her to a bedroom.
The room surprised her.
There was no soft pink princess bed.
Instead, everything was decorated in a traditional and elegant style.
Rare flowers adorned the walls.
Incense drifted softly through the air.
The desks, cabinets, and wardrobes were crafted from precious woods.
Shen Bingci glanced at the bed.
It looked extremely firm.
Only a thin quilt covered the surface.
She couldn’t imagine the entire Xie family sleeping on beds like that.
A female attendant brought fresh clothing.
Standing nearby, Xie Yuli had already removed his suit jacket.
Only a white shirt and black vest remained.
One hand rested casually in his pocket.
His broad shoulders and narrow waist revealed hints of an impressive physique beneath the clothing.
“I’m sorry.”
“We rarely have overnight guests.”
“We don’t keep spare supplies prepared.”
“These clothes belong to my sister.”
“Your figures are similar.”
“You can wear them to sleep.”
After a brief pause, he added as usual,
“They’re brand new.”
“No one has worn them before.”
“You can rest assured, Miss Shen.”
Miss Shen.
Miss Shen.
He kept calling her that.
Yet everyone expected her to call him Yuli?
No chance.
She absolutely wasn’t going to call him Yuli.
“Thank you, Mr. Xie.”
She maintained perfect noble-lady etiquette.
“It’s already very late.”
“I’ve caused enough trouble by coming here.”
“You should go rest as well.”
Something shifted within Xie Yuli’s dark eyes.
His face remained as calm as snowy mountains.
His voice sounded like jade fragments striking together.
“Miss Shen.”
“This is your home too.”
Every word landed firmly.
The Xie family residence was her home.
In the future, she wouldn’t need to refer to it as “your house.”
A strange emotion surged through her heart.
Growing stronger.
And stronger.
Until it wrapped itself around her like silk threads, making it difficult to breathe.
All she could do was stare at him.
Her eyes trembling slightly.