Xie Yuli was always elegant and distinguished.
Whatever he did became the center of attention.
Whatever he touched seemed to represent success, authority, and prestige.
People treated his words as life advice.
Some time ago, Shen Bingci had searched obsessively online for information about him.
She discovered that many successful people openly admitted during interviews that a single piece of advice from Mr. Xie had helped them find direction in life and achieve success.
Though some of it was undoubtedly flattery, it couldn’t all be false.
At the very least, Xie Yuli truly had a remarkable ability to leave a lasting impression on others.
Yet he himself remained indifferent to it all.
As though none of the excitement or admiration around him had anything to do with him.
He always stood apart.
Pure.
Refined.
Like a gentleman carved from jade.
Meanwhile, Shen Bingci lay on the hard bed.
Rolling left.
Rolling right.
Turning over again and again.
No matter what she did, she couldn’t fall asleep.
Her heart simply refused to calm down.
Tiny ripples of emotion continued stirring within her.
Opening her eyes, she sat up.
She was wearing a blue pajama set.
The style was simple and proper.
Completely different from the countless elaborate dresses hanging in her enormous walk-in closet.
Compared to those outfits, she almost felt daring.
So Xie Wanshi liked this kind of obedient style.
Honestly.
Xie Yuli was too much.
It was already bedtime.
Why did he have to say things like that to her?
Sure, they were engaged.
But the engagement ceremony hadn’t even happened yet.
The media hadn’t officially announced anything.
Their relationship had barely begun.
Yet he seemed eager for the entire world to know.
Wasn’t he embarrassed at all?
Holding her burning cheeks, Shen Bingci exhaled softly.
Her skin was naturally delicate.
The slightest emotion turned her pink.
She still hadn’t married into the family.
How could he say the Xie residence was her home already?
Growing up, her parents had always taught her that a young lady should remain reserved.
Perhaps Xie Yuli had simply been polite.
In another room, Xie Yuli finished his final phone call.
Standing by the window in casual clothing, he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
His chest rose and fell gently.
Shen Bingci’s arrival in Hong Kong had been sudden.
There were many things he hadn’t prepared.
After all, she was a guest.
More importantly—
She was his fiancée.
No matter what, he should show her around Hong Kong and take proper care of her.
Thinking back to seeing her unexpectedly at the restaurant earlier, he still felt surprised.
She had come to Hong Kong.
Yet she hadn’t contacted him.
Was it really because she didn’t like him?
He had assumed she liked the jade bracelets he had sent.
Apparently she still felt distant toward him.
She continued calling him “Mr. Xie.”
She was young.
Shy.
Looking at it that way, it was understandable.
After all, he was older than she was.
Perhaps she simply didn’t feel comfortable around him.
…
Objectively speaking, he was still young.
But his fiancée was so young and beautiful that he suddenly felt old in comparison.
People constantly praised him for being young and successful.
Before now, he had never questioned it.
Yet for the first time in his life, a strange thought appeared.
Maybe he wasn’t that young after all.
Planning to step outside for some fresh air, he ran a hand through his hair and walked into the hallway.
Suddenly—
Rustling sounds.
He turned around.
And found himself face-to-face with a sneaking Shen Bingci.
???
Shen Bingci’s eyes widened.
The night was dark.
Dim yellow lights illuminated the courtyard outside.
In the shadows, Xie Yuli appeared taller and more imposing.
His sharp features were partially hidden in darkness.
His eyes looked deep as ink.
“Miss Shen.”
“Why are you out here?”
Why?
Because she couldn’t sleep, of course.
Letting out an awkward laugh, she quickly adjusted her hair.
Although he probably couldn’t see clearly in the darkness, she still instinctively wanted to look presentable.
“I just came out to look around…”
“Mr. Xie, you’re not asleep either?”
He nodded.
“Handling some work.”
“Oh.”
Her concern was genuine.
“It’s very late.”
“You shouldn’t work so much.”
“It’s bad for your health.”
Did Xie Yuli even have time to sleep every day?
Slowly, he began walking toward her.
One step at a time.
His voice lowered slightly.
The tone carried a subtle implication.
“Miss Shen.”
“Do you think my health is poor?”
Shen Bingci blinked.
“Huh?”
???
Xie Yuli gazed at her quietly.
Waiting for her reaction.
The night concealed many things.
Yet she was so beautiful that even darkness couldn’t hide her.
And his eyesight was excellent.
He could still make out every expression on her face.
Panic immediately filled her eyes.
Her bright gaze trembled.
“Of course not!”
“Mr. Xie, that’s not what I meant!”
“I just wanted you to go to bed earlier!”
He nodded calmly.
Then asked,
“So you believe sleeping early is important?”
“Of course.”
“Then why aren’t you asleep?”
This time he wasn’t asking.
It sounded more like a statement.
After all that conversation, he had somehow guided the topic right back to her.
Shen Bingci genuinely admired his ability to control a conversation.
He always caught people off guard.
No matter what he wore, he remained impressive.
Even dressed in a simple white shirt instead of expensive suits, he still seemed radiant and distinguished.
“Miss Shen.”
“If something is bothering you, you can tell me.”
There had to be a reason she couldn’t sleep.
She simply didn’t want to tell him.
Yet how could he fail to notice she was making excuses?
Shen Bingci was beautiful.
But she wasn’t good at lying.
Even her attempts at acting were transparent.
Easy to read.
Xie Yuli was truly remarkable.
She hadn’t done anything.
She hadn’t said anything.
Yet he saw through her immediately.
Now she felt like the dishonest one.
Biting her lip, she looked up at him.
“If I tell you…”
“You can’t get angry.”
“And you can’t scold me.”
“And you absolutely can’t laugh at me.”
“Okay?”
“Miss Shen.”
A genuine laugh escaped him.
Her three bossy conditions had amused him.
“Do I really look like someone who would scold people?”
“Do I seem short-tempered?”
“Petty?”
“Lacking manners?”
Was that really how she saw him?
He didn’t continue the thought.
Because he didn’t want to.
Surely he hadn’t left that kind of impression on her.
No.
Certainly not.
Embarrassed beyond words, Shen Bingci finally confessed.
“…The beds in your house are too hard.”
“Way too hard.”
“I really can’t sleep.”
“So I came outside for a walk…”
The bed was too hard.
That answer genuinely surprised him.
Of all the possibilities, he hadn’t expected that one.
She truly was delicate.
Her body must be soft and pampered if a slightly firm mattress prevented her from sleeping.
Just how soft was she?
The image of the Princess and the Pea unexpectedly surfaced in his mind.
Lost in thought, Xie Yuli came to a realization.
His fiancée was far more delicate than he had imagined.
Perhaps…
He should add twenty more blankets to her bed.