The words “husband” coming from the soft, sweet princess struck Xie Yuli like a powerful blow, completely overwhelming his composure.
Shen Bingci’s body was incredibly soft.
Like a cloud of cotton pressing gently against him.
Xie Yuli unconsciously moved his chin.
Her cheek rested against his neck as she listened to the pulse beating beneath his skin, feeling her own heart race wildly in response.
There was a strong masculine scent about him.
Dangerous.
Compelling.
She had already said what she wanted to say.
She had hugged him long enough.
So Shen Bingci let him go.
She didn’t dare look at his expression.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, Xie Yuli might become angry.
After all, he cared so much about etiquette.
She had hugged him without asking for permission.
That wasn’t very proper.
But she couldn’t help it.
She simply wanted to hold him.
She wanted to tell him those words.
After she left, the sweet, soft sensation lingered in his chest.
A few seconds later, Xie Yuli took a deep breath, closed the car door, straightened his tie, and clenched his hand.
The veins on the back of his hand stood out.
In the rearview mirror, his elegant neck and even the tips of his ears were completely red.
Yet his expression remained calm and composed.
Slowly, he adjusted the gemstone cuff button on his wrist.
Then quietly closed his eyes.
He really was hopeless.
And she was far bolder than he had imagined.
For him, that was not good news.
When he opened his eyes again, the sharp gaze reflected in the car window had become colder and more restrained.
Seeing the two of them embrace, Shen Jingqian and Lan Shixi were both surprised.
Lan Shixi laughed.
“Look at those two. They’re already that attached?”
“They’ve only been apart for a moment.”
Shen Jingqian looked proud.
So what if Xie Yuli was Hong Kong’s most outstanding young man?
He had still fallen for his daughter’s charm.
Men loved beauty.
Especially when it came to a woman as stunning as his daughter.
“You can’t tell it’s your daughter who’s clingy?”
“She hugs him every chance she gets.”
“They’ve only just gotten engaged. If she’s already this attached, what will happen after they’re married?”
Lan Shixi immediately disagreed.
“What’s wrong with being clingy?”
“She’s being affectionate with her own husband.”
“And our daughter is amazing. If she wants to cling to him, that’s his good fortune.”
The couple argued back and forth several times before Shen Bingci finally walked over.
Lan Shixi immediately changed expressions and teased her daughter.
“Oh my, look at that red face.”
“You know how to hug people in public now?”
Shen Bingci became even more embarrassed.
“Mom, stop talking about it.”
“I just… gave him a little hug.”
Lan Shixi laughed and fixed her daughter’s hair.
Then she gently pinched her pretty cheek.
“Fine, fine.”
“I won’t say anything.”
“But you should still be careful.”
“Girls should be a little reserved.”
“If you’re too clingy, men won’t like it.”
Shen Bingci had been ignoring most of what she said.
But that last sentence caught her attention.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Men need their own space too.”
“You’ve only just gotten engaged. Take things slowly.”
Something about her mother’s expression suddenly seemed suspicious.
Shen Bingci hurried toward the private jet.
“Alright, Mom.”
“I’m not clingy.”
She had only hugged him once.
Besides—
Why was she even worried about whether Xie Yuli might get tired of her?
That thought was ridiculous.
She shouldn’t think about it anymore.
After sitting inside the private jet for a while, a pilot emerged from the cockpit.
Wearing a pilot’s uniform, Xie Yuli’s broad shoulders and narrow waist were perfectly highlighted.
His long legs were especially striking.
Resting one arm casually against a luxurious seat, he smiled at the passengers.
“I am the captain for today’s flight, Xie Yuli.”
“I hope everyone enjoys a pleasant journey.”
The moment she recognized him, Shen Bingci froze.
Her eyes widened.
“Xie Yuli, you can fly a plane too?”
Not only Shen Bingci was surprised.
Even Shen Jingqian and Lan Shixi were astonished.
Shen Jingqian looked impressed.
“I thought Yuli already knew enough.”
“It seems we were the ignorant ones.”
“You’re too kind, Uncle Shen.”
Xie Yuli accepted the praise naturally.
There was no false modesty.
The fact that he was personally flying them home represented his greatest sincerity.
Everyone present understood that.
As Xie Yuli returned to the cockpit, he handed Shen Bingci a tissue.
“Miss Shen.”
“The corner of your mouth.”
Then he left.
Confused, Shen Bingci quickly checked a mirror.
There was a bit of cream on her lips from something she had eaten earlier.
Oh no!
How embarrassing!
That evening, after returning to Beijing, Xie Yuli did not stay long.
His assistant picked him up at the airport.
He headed directly to work.
There were several important business matters in Beijing that required his attention.
That night, Shen Bingci couldn’t fall asleep.
She kept replaying everything that had happened during the past few days.
Originally, she hadn’t wanted to visit the Xie family.
Now she felt fortunate that she had.
While sitting in front of a mirror brushing her hair, Lan Shixi came to chat.
As always, she helped brush her daughter’s hair.
The little princess hated doing such things herself.
Even brushing her hair was usually left to her mother.
“Chaochao.”
“Before, you weren’t very satisfied with Yuli.”
“What do you think of him now?”
Lan Shixi’s expression was full of meaning.
Shen Bingci lowered her eyes and played with her fingernails.
“Mom, don’t ask so much.”
“We’ve only known each other for a short time.”
Lan Shixi chuckled.
“Fine, I won’t ask.”
“Oh right.”
“Yuli personally flew us home today.”
“Remember to thank him.”
“Understood?”
Shen Bingci agreed.
The CEO of the Xie Group personally flying someone home was probably a rare occurrence.
It was the highest form of respect Xie Yuli could offer.
Lying in bed, Shen Bingci stared at the contact name she had saved for him.
It was still simply:
Xie Yuli
Then she remembered his contact name for her:
Fiancée
Perhaps she should change his name too…
To Fiancé?
After hesitating for a long time, rolling around on the bed and nervously tugging at her hair, she finally blushed and changed it one character at a time:
Fiancé
But this definitely didn’t mean she liked him.
It was only…
Only returning the courtesy.
Yes.
That was all.
Shen Bingci:
Mr. Xie, thank you for personally bringing us home today.
(Little Cat Says Thank You)
Five minutes later—
Fiancé:
It’s nothing, Miss Shen.
It’s what I should do.
Was it because his name was now saved as “Fiancé”?
His message somehow felt very gentle.
As though the two of them were already quite close.
As if he were saying:
“I’m your fiancé. Of course it’s my responsibility.”
Warmth crept into her chest.
A simple thank-you suddenly felt insufficient.
Shen Bingci:
Sometime soon, I’d like to treat you to a meal. Would that be alright?
(Bunny Looks Curious)
A pink bunny with upright ears stared at the camera with wide eyes, asking a question.
Five more minutes passed.
Fiancé:
Miss Shen, you don’t need to be so polite with me.
Fiancé:
Listening to my fiancée is what I’m supposed to do.