Mei Mei’s tiny cries followed Shen Xuan all the way to the courtyard gate.
The little white cat stood beneath the eaves, her fluffy tail swaying anxiously from side to side as she looked up at Shen Xuan.
"Meow..."
The sound was soft and pitiful.
Shen Xuan stopped.
She turned around and looked at Mei Mei.
The little cat took a few hesitant steps toward her before sitting down and letting out another mournful cry.
Shen Xuan’s heart immediately softened.
She looked at Mei Mei.
Then she looked at Ning Yichen.
Ning Yichen understood the question in her eyes immediately.
He shook his head.
"No."
Shen Xuan’s mouth fell open slightly.
"But..."
Ning Yichen shook his head again, his expression firm.
"Mei Mei stays here."
The little cat seemed to understand that she was being left behind.
She immediately cried louder.
"Meow!"
Shen Xuan’s heart broke.
"Mei Mei..."
She crouched down and reached out to touch the little cat’s head.
"I’m sorry. I really am."
Mei Mei rubbed her little head against Shen Xuan’s palm.
Shen Xuan’s heart almost shattered.
"I’ll bring you delicious treats when I come back, all right?"
Mei Mei stared at her with those mismatched eyes.
Shen Xuan hesitated.
Then she reluctantly stood.
"Don’t look at me like that. I’ll be back soon."
She took one final glance at the little cat before turning away.
The moment she turned around, she caught Ning Yichen looking at her with an amused expression.
"What?"
"Nothing."
His lips curved slightly.
"You really love that cat."
"Of course I do."
Shen Xuan puffed out her cheeks.
"Mei Mei is adorable."
Ning Yichen’s smile faded slightly.
He had heard those exact words far too many times recently.
Still, before his jealousy could return, Shen Xuan suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Let’s go!"
She pulled him forward.
Ning Yichen was caught completely off guard.
"Awu?"
"Quickly!"
Shen Xuan started running.
Ning Yichen stared at their joined hands for a moment.
Then a helpless smile appeared on his face.
He allowed her to drag him along.
Behind them, Mei Mei sat beneath the eaves and watched them leave.
"Meow..."
By the time they reached the entrance of the Shen Residence, Shen Xuan had begun to pant lightly.
She stopped beside the stone steps and placed her hands on her knees.
"Wait..."
She took several breaths.
"I ran too fast."
Ning Yichen looked at her with amusement.
"You were the one who dragged me."
"I know."
Shen Xuan straightened.
"But I didn’t realize my legs would protest."
Ning Yichen shook his head helplessly.
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a clean white handkerchief.
Without saying anything, he gently wiped the fine layer of sweat from Shen Xuan’s forehead.
His movements were slow and careful.
Shen Xuan simply stood there and allowed him to do it.
There was something very natural about his actions now.
She had grown accustomed to his small acts of care.
Once he was satisfied, Ning Yichen folded the handkerchief and put it away.
"Let’s go."
He extended his hand toward her.
Shen Xuan looked at it before placing her small hand into his.
"Thank you."
Ning Yichen’s fingers closed gently around hers.
"Be careful."
He led her toward the carriage waiting outside the manor.
The carriage was neither overly extravagant nor plain. Its dark wooden frame was polished until it gleamed beneath the morning sunlight, while the inside had been furnished with soft cushions and thick curtains to keep out the cold.
Ning Yichen helped Shen Xuan inside before following.
The moment the carriage began moving, Shen Xuan lifted the curtain slightly.
Her eyes immediately brightened.
The capital.
She had only visited the city a handful of times, and even after all these years, its liveliness never failed to fascinate her.
The broad streets were already crowded.
Merchants stood beside their stalls calling out to customers.
Steam rose from large bamboo baskets filled with freshly prepared buns.
A vendor roasted chestnuts over hot coals, their sweet fragrance drifting through the street.
Another stall displayed colorful pastries arranged neatly on wooden trays.
Children ran between their parents, laughing as they chased one another.
Carriages passed one another along the broad avenue while horse hooves struck rhythmically against the stone road.
Shopkeepers stood at their doors welcoming customers.
Red lanterns hung beneath the eaves of many buildings, swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Shen Xuan’s eyes moved from one thing to another.
I can never get tired of seeing this.
The capital is truly beautiful.
Ning Yichen watched her quietly.
He had seen the capital countless times.
Yet somehow, seeing it through Shen Xuan’s eyes made it seem different.
She suddenly leaned farther out.
Ning Yichen immediately reached out.
"Careful."
His hand stopped the top of her head just before she could bump it against the wooden frame of the carriage.
Shen Xuan blinked.
She slowly withdrew.
"Oh..."
She rubbed her nose sheepishly.
"Thank you."
Ning Yichen smiled.
"You’re welcome."
Shen Xuan immediately returned her attention to the street.
She was completely unaware that the young man beside her was watching her with an indulgent expression.
The carriage eventually stopped before a large two-story building.
Shen Xuan lowered the curtain and looked outside.
A beautifully carved wooden sign hung above the entrance.
Delicious Pavilion.
A/N: Don’t mind the name.
The restaurant was one of the most famous eating establishments in the capital.
Even Shen Xuan had heard about it.
It was said that its dishes were so delicious that some wealthy families would send servants to queue for hours just to purchase a particular dish.
Shen Xuan’s eyes lit up.
"Wow..."
She leaned forward.
"Delicious Pavilion really lives up to its reputation."
The exterior of the restaurant was elegant without being excessively extravagant.
Red lanterns hung beneath the roof.
The wooden pillars had been polished until they shone.
Several flower pots decorated the entrance, and the sound of lively conversation could already be heard from inside.
Ning Yichen stepped down first.
He turned and extended his hand.
Shen Xuan placed her hand in his and carefully stepped down from the carriage.
"Let’s go."
He kept hold of her hand as they entered.
The moment they stepped inside, a server immediately approached.
"Young Master."
Ning Yichen gave a slight nod.
"Take us upstairs."
"Yes."
The server led them to a private room on the second floor.
The room overlooked the bustling street below.
A round wooden table stood in the center, while a folding screen decorated with a painting of mountains and flowing water separated the room from the corridor.
A small incense burner released a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Shen Xuan sat down.
Ning Yichen took the seat opposite her.
"What would you like to eat?"
Shen Xuan blinked.
"Everything."
She almost said it.
Instead, she caught herself.
She was supposed to maintain the dignity of a young lady.
So she coughed lightly.
"I don’t know what is good here."
Ning Yichen smiled.
"What would you recommend, Yichen?"
He turned toward the server and whispered a few instructions.
The server immediately bowed.
"Understood."
He left.
Shen Xuan stared at Ning Yichen suspiciously.
"What did you tell him?"
"You’ll know soon."
He gave her a mysterious smile.
Shen Xuan narrowed her eyes.
He’s definitely hiding something.
The dishes began arriving one after another.
First came a plate of golden fried fish with crisp skin.
Then came braised pork that was so tender that it practically fell apart when touched with chopsticks.
There was also lotus-root soup, steamed dumplings, stir-fried vegetables, sweet-and-sour chicken, roasted duck, delicate pastries and several other dishes Shen Xuan had never tasted before.
Her eyes practically sparkled.
Ning Yichen watched her expression and smiled.
"Try this."
He placed a piece of meat into her bowl.
Shen Xuan tasted it.
Her eyes widened.
"...Delicious."
Ning Yichen smiled.
"I knew you’d like it."
And so the meal continued.
Shen Xuan tried everything.
She ate slowly at first.
Then faster.
Then she completely forgot about trying to appear refined.
By the time the last dish was cleared away, Shen Xuan leaned back in her chair and rubbed her stomach with satisfaction.
"That was delicious."
Ning Yichen laughed softly.
"I’m glad you enjoyed it."
He had honestly been surprised.
He had expected Shen Xuan to eat only a little of each dish, as most young noble ladies did when dining outside.
Instead, she had tasted nearly everything he ordered.
And she had enjoyed every bite.
His gaze softened.
"I knew it."
Shen Xuan looked at him.
"Knew what?"
"My Awu is different."
He reached over and gently wiped a tiny trace of sauce from the corner of her lips with his handkerchief.
Shen Xuan froze.
The tips of her ears immediately turned red.
She quickly turned her face away.
"But I didn’t know you owned this restaurant."
She desperately changed the subject.
Ning Yichen did not tease her.
He simply poured her another cup of tea.
"While I was travelling several years ago, I came across a chef who had remarkable talent."
He handed her the tea.
"He had gotten himself into trouble because of a powerful family."
Ning Yichen’s expression became slightly colder.
"I helped him settle the matter."
"And then?"
"I didn’t want his talent to be wasted, so I brought him to the capital and gave him the means to open this restaurant."
Shen Xuan looked around.
"So this is his restaurant?"
"Yes."
Ning Yichen nodded.
"I only provided the capital and protection. He handles everything else."
Shen Xuan looked at him with a new expression.
"Hmm..."
She lifted her tea.
"You’re really softer than you look."
Ning Yichen said nothing.
He simply smiled.
But inside, his thoughts were very different.
I’m soft only because you changed me.
Just then, a soft feminine voice came from outside the room.
"Yichen?"
Both Shen Xuan and Ning Yichen turned toward the entrance.
The door was pushed open.
A young woman stood outside.
She appeared to be around seventeen.
She wore a pale-colored silk dress embroidered with delicate flowers. Her long hair was arranged in an elegant style, with a few jade ornaments resting among her dark locks.
Her features were graceful and refined.
She looked like the sort of noble maiden who would naturally attract attention wherever she went.
Her eyes brightened when she saw Ning Yichen.
"Yichen."
Ning Yichen slowly stood.
And then—
He smiled.
It was not the polite smile he gave to strangers.
It was warm.
Natural.
Familiar.
Shen Xuan’s heart gave a strange little jolt.
He smiled?
She stared.
He actually smiled!
A strange feeling began to rise inside her chest.
Something she did not want to identify.
Something suspiciously close to jealousy.
No.
Shen Xuan immediately shook her head inwardly.
Shen Xuan, calm down.
You are a salted fish.
Salted fish don’t get jealous.
Salted fish eat, sleep and enjoy life.
She stood abruptly.
"I’ll be in the carriage."
Ning Yichen turned toward her.
"Awu?"
But Shen Xuan was already walking away.
Her steps were slow enough to appear composed.
Yet they were just slightly too hurried to be considered normal.
She left the private room.
The moment Shen Xuan stepped out of the restaurant, she took a deep breath.
She needed fresh air.
She needed to calm down.
She needed—
Her eyes suddenly caught sight of someone across the street.
Shen Xuan stopped.
There, standing beneath the eaves of an elegant tea house, was a familiar figure.
A young man dressed in dark blue robes stood with several guards behind him.
His posture was straight.
His bearing was dignified.
Even surrounded by the noisy capital, there was an unmistakable authority about him.
Shen Xuan’s eyes widened.
"Zhang Jingyuan..."
The Crown Prince had returned.
He had been away for weeks.
She had heard nothing from him since he left for the southern province.
Yet here he was.
Standing across the street.
As though fate had deliberately placed him there.
Perhaps sensing someone’s gaze, Zhang Jingyuan slowly raised his head.
His eyes met Shen Xuan’s.
For one brief moment, surprise flashed across his face.
Then warmth.
His eyes softened.
But that warmth lasted only for a heartbeat.
Because his gaze shifted.
He saw the restaurant behind Shen Xuan.
Then he saw the figure approaching her from behind.
Ning Yichen.
The warmth in Zhang Jingyuan’s eyes disappeared.
Something colder replaced it.
His expression remained calm.
Too calm.
But the displeasure in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Awu."
A soft voice sounded beside Shen Xuan.
A hand gently settled on her shoulder.
Ning Yichen had followed her outside.
Shen Xuan slowly looked from Ning Yichen to Zhang Jingyuan.
Then back to Ning Yichen.
Then to Zhang Jingyuan again.
Her eyes widened.
Oh.
Oh no.
A strange thought suddenly appeared in her mind.
Is this the legendary... rivals-meet arc?
Across the street, Zhang Jingyuan began walking toward them.
His steps were unhurried.
His expression was calm.
But somehow, the entire atmosphere around him seemed to grow colder with every step.
Shen Xuan swallowed.
For the first time that day, she suddenly felt that perhaps staying home and being a salted fish had been a much safer choice.