Aunt Wang had returned as well. By the time Xie Yuqi finished her bath, dinner was just ready.
During the meal, Ning Che casually asked what she had been busy with over the past two days.
Xie Yuqi replied, “Just meeting some friends.”
Ning Che hummed in response, though her mind involuntarily flashed back to the photo Liu Xinxin had posted in the group chat, as well as Liu Xinxin’s accompanying remark.
She wanted to ask her if she had attended a banquet last night.
The words reached the tip of her tongue, but she never spoke them aloud.
Xie Yuqi did not like others prying into her private affairs.
Ning Che didn’t know who her friends were, didn’t understand her wealthy, upper class lifestyle, and even her knowledge of Xie Yuqi’s hobbies was strictly limited to what she saw at school and in the apartment.
Outside of those two places, Xie Yuqi and she were like two parallel lines, running alongside each other without ever intersecting.
Ning Che found herself dwelling on that same question again. What exactly did Xie Yuqi see in her? There were so many young talents and favored children of heaven at the Federal University, so why had she specifically chosen her to be her girlfriend?
She had always wanted to ask, but she never had the courage.
It felt as though once she asked, things would change. Moreover, knowing Xie Yuqi’s personality, Ning Che felt she wouldn’t like the question, nor would she appreciate how important the answer was to her.
Before long, Xie Yuqi noticed that Ning Che was much quieter than usual during dinner.
She guessed that the girl might be a little upset because she hadn’t paid attention to her for two days, but she didn’t say anything.
The word “coaxing” simply didn’t exist in Xie Yuqi’s dictionary.
The atmosphere lapsed into silence.
After a moment, Xie Yuqi put down her chopsticks and said indifferently, “I’m done eating.”
Coming back to her senses, Ning Che quickly asked, “Why did you eat so little? You used up a lot of energy during your bath just now. Have a bit more?”
Xie Yuqi raised her eyes to glance at her. “No.”
Ning Che picked up her bowl, hastily shoved a few mouthfuls into her mouth to finish the remaining food, and followed suit. “I’m done too. I’ll go for a walk with you.”
The corners of Xie Yuqi’s lips curved slightly. She really liked this about Ning Che, she was sensible, obedient, and never brought her any trouble.
Even when she was unhappy, Xie Yuqi didn’t need to worry, because Ning Che would always cheer herself up.
When they lay down that night, Xie Yuqi proactively snuggled into Ning Che’s arms. Her warm, soft, and fragrant body was like a ball of fire, intentionally or unintentionally brushing against Ning Che’s sensitive zones.
Ning Che immediately felt emboldened. She held her tightly, feeling for her lips.
Xie Yuqi could feel that her lips were scorching and her breath was hot. When Ning Che kissed her, her body trembled slightly.
A long-awaited tremor washed over her.
Xie Yuqi let out a soft moan.
Ning Che’s kiss gradually deepened, sucking and greedily feeding on her wet, soft tongue.
Xie Yuqi couldn’t help but let out bird like, delicate pants.
In truth, she actually quite liked it when Ning Che kissed her, though she would never admit it on the surface.
However, since the little Alpha was being so well-behaved, she didn’t mind rewarding her occasionally.
Tonight, she allowed Ning Che to dote on and taste “little Yuqi” for a long time.
Nevertheless, at the final step, she stopped her.
The difference in their statuses was like heaven and earth. Coveting a momentary warmth was only human nature, but she had no intention of fully surrendering her body and mind.
As expected, Ning Che was very sensible. She stopped immediately upon being checked, and even considerately carried her to the bathroom to wash up again, changing her into clean underwear and a nightgown.
Then, she tenderly placed a light kiss on her forehead and held her close as they drifted off to sleep.
When Xie Yuqi woke up the next morning, she found that Ning Che had already gotten up before her.
For a moment, she was a bit dazed. It had been a dreamless night, and she had slept exceptionally well.
Sometimes she even found it absurd that she had been able to stay with Ning Che for four whole years. According to her original plan, they should have parted ways within a year at most, but unexpectedly, through a twist of fate, four years had slipped by just like that.
Perhaps it was because Ning Che could provide her with psychological comfort and peace of mind. Whenever she was by her side, she could always get a good night’s rest.
Even better than when she was at home.
During breakfast, Ning Che told her enthusiastically, “Yuqi, my tutoring classes have ended, so I can focus entirely on accompanying you now. Do you want to go out and play today?”
Xie Yuqi actually had things to do. She needed to quickly grasp the background of the Ye family and the details of Ye Lingyi’s experiences abroad over the years; only by knowing her opponent could she avoid being passive.
In addition, just as Xu Ziwen and Lu Niansheng had said, she needed a qualified backup option.
Someone whose family background was respectable enough, whose appearance was outstanding enough, who was the successor to their family, and most importantly, someone who wasn’t as disgusting as Ye Lingyi.
Yet, looking at Ning Che’s eyes full of anticipation, she actually found herself hesitating.
“Yuqi, do you have plans?” Ning Che asked with a hint of worry.
Xie Yuqi replied, “No. Didn’t you say there’s a popular movie out recently? Let’s go watch a movie.”
She sent messages to Xu Ziwen and Lu Niansheng, telling them to look into things privately first.
Upon learning that they were going to a movie, Ning Che was incredibly thrilled.
Because of Xie Yuqi’s status, there were very few things the two of them could do together. A common couples’ date like watching a movie had only happened twice during their freshman year.
“I’ll book the tickets right away!”
She excitedly opened her phone, but Xie Yuqi said casually, “No need. I’ll have my assistant book out the entire theater.”
She didn’t want to be noticed by anyone at all, especially at this critical juncture when her family was preparing an arranged marriage for her. She couldn’t afford to appear carelessly in public places, and she absolutely couldn’t be seen together with Ning Che.
Ning Che calmed down and nodded, yet a strange sense of disappointment welled up in her heart.
But she couldn’t quite put her finger on what she was disappointed about. Xie Yuqi’s assistant booking the theater meant she didn’t have to worry about tickets, and with only the two of them in the auditorium, she could be intimate with her. No matter how she looked at it, it was a good thing.
Still, her heart felt a bit heavy.
When they arrived at the cinema’s underground parking garage, security guards were already waiting at the elevator entrance ahead of time.
No other cars passed by, and no one else took the elevator.
Ning Che couldn’t help but comment, “What a coincidence, it’s become our private elevator.”
Xie Yuqi gave a noncommittal hum.
Once inside the cinema, there were only staff members present. Ning Che looked around and asked curiously, “Isn’t today Saturday? How come there’s no one here?”
Xie Yuqi didn’t speak.
She wore a hat and sunglasses, her long hair draped down to cover almost her entire face. From a distance, one could only see her exquisite, beautiful nose and her pink, moist lips.
When she remained silent, she appeared exceptionally cold and aloof.
This was the third time she had brought Ning Che to this Era Cinema.
Ning Che had no idea that Era Cinema was actually a property of the Xie family. With just one phone call from her, the cinema would clear out and open for her alone for the day.
Entering the auditorium, Ning Che pulled her along to sit in the middle row and asked considerately, “Yuqi, what do you want to eat or drink? I’ll go buy it.”
Xie Yuqi looked at her from the side of her sunglasses. “Just sit tight. Let the assistant handle it.”
Ning Che behaved herself. “Oh.”
She sat down, but her bottom quietly nudged closer to Xie Yuqi’s side, and she surreptitiously reached out to clasp Xie Yuqi’s hand.
Xie Yuqi caught all of her little movements but didn’t stop her.
Ning Che looked like a cat that had successfully stolen some honey, the corners of her mouth turning up continuously as she gripped her hand tightly.
Xie Yuqi took off her sunglasses and hat, handing them to the assistant on her other side, and then pushed up the armrest between the seats.
She leaned against Ning Che’s shoulder.
Ning Che immediately turned her face to look at her, her eyes filled with intense pleasant surprise.
Xie Yuqi rarely showed intimacy with her in public, and even holding hands was a rare occurrence. She hadn’t expected her to proactively lean on her shoulder this time.
Ning Che’s heart bloomed with joy, and she carefully wrapped an arm lightly around her back.
The movie began.
However, both of them were a bit distracted.
Ning Che’s attention was entirely on Xie Yuqi, stealing a glance at her every now and then.
Xie Yuqi, on the other hand, was thinking about the arranged marriage.
It wasn’t that she was only starting to feel anxious now. As early as when she first entered the university, she had already begun planning for her marriage and had investigated many scions of the capital’s wealthy families. But after looking into them, not a single one caught her eye.
And precisely because of those interactions, she had ended up being harassed by two wealthy Alphas. Relying on their decent family backgrounds, they acted without restraint, blocking her at the Federal University every day, which only made her detest Alphas even more.
Her search for a suitable marriage partner had been delayed because of this.
After scheming in her mind for a while, Xie Yuqi suddenly felt a slight warmth on her forehead.
Ning Che was stealing a kiss from her.
A strange sensation stirred in Xie Yuqi’s heart.
Following that, she felt Ning Che’s fingers interlock tightly with her own, her palm warm and slightly damp.
She was sweating again.
Xie Yuqi suddenly turned her face upward to look.
Like a thief caught red-handed, Ning Che looked flustered and quickly turned her gaze back to the screen.
She pretended to be watching the movie intently.
Xie Yuqi asked intentionally, “I wasn’t paying attention just now. What happened at the beginning?”
Ning Che stammered, unable to give a coherent explanation.
In the dim light, the corners of Xie Yuqi’s lips curved slightly, and she suddenly threw her arms around Ning Che’s neck.
Ning Che was forced to meet her gaze directly.
Xie Yuqi looked perfectly composed, her tone teasing. “Do you like me that much?”
Ning Che shifted her body slightly, then froze, her eyes completely at a loss for where to look.
Xie Yuqi felt that her expression resembled a startled little animal, caught in the act, restless, yet not daring to run away.
She stroked Ning Che’s cheek, her tone arrogant and brimming with a desire for control. “What, you’re not willing to tell Sister?”
The movie screen suddenly brightened, illuminating Ning Che’s face.
Her face was flushed, her eyelashes cast downward, looking incredibly quiet and obedient. Those long lashes veiled her eyes, which seemed to hold a deep pool of water.
She said softly, “Yuqi, I like you. I like you very, very much.”
Having said that, she looked up at Xie Yuqi.
Xie Yuqi could clearly see the light shining in her eyes.
It felt as though her heart strings had been gently plucked.
She looked at her and said, “Ning Che, kiss me.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ning Che pressed against her lips.
Both of their lips were burning hot and wet. When they melded together, both of their hearts trembled.
Right at that moment, a phone started ringing.
Xie Yuqi frowned, turning her face away to ask, “Whose is it?”
The assistant replied, “Miss, it’s Miss Xu.”
Xie Yuqi glanced at Ning Che. Ning Che was looking back at her too, her eyes still so bright, though now covered with a layer of thin mist, appearing very watery.
Before she could speak, Ning Che said considerately, “It’s fine. Go answer the phone.”
Xie Yuqi nodded, took the phone, and walked out to the corridor outside the auditorium.
The security guards followed closely by her side.
“Yuqi, why did it take you so long to answer? What are you doing?” Xu Ziwen’s voice came through.
“Watching a movie.”
“Wow, you’re watching a movie and didn’t invite me and Sheng Sheng along? Ah, wait, you wouldn’t happen to be on a date with your little puppy, would you? Wow, a lone Omega and a lone Alpha in an empty theater… Were you two just…”
Xie Yuqi quickly interrupted her, “Spit it out. Ruining someone’s good time and still dawdling.”
Xu Ziwen’s voice instantly shot up a few notches. “Wow, wow! You really were up to no good! Tsk tsk tsk!”
“If you don’t speak, I’m hanging up.” Xie Yuqi felt a bit embarrassed and annoyed.
Xu Ziwen quickly said, “Don’t! I’m here to deliver some news to you. Do you know why Xia Li suddenly returned to the country?”
Xie Yuqi played along and asked, “Why?”
Xu Ziwen said mysteriously, “I found out that she came back specifically to break off an engagement with her fiancée!”
This piece of news was like a bolt from the blue. Xie Yuqi remained speechless for a long time.
“How reliable is this?”
Xu Ziwen: “My aunt told me. If not one hundred percent, it’s at least ninety-nine percent reliable.”
Xu Ziwen’s aunt had married a major general in the military, so her information channels were highly dependable.
While she was deep in thought, Xu Ziwen suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Yuqi, Xia Li is calling me. Hold on.”
A moment later, Xu Ziwen said excitedly, “Xia Li wants to gather with us tonight for a small get-together. Come join me and Sheng Sheng quickly!”
Xie Yuqi’s tone was cold. “She invited you, not me. I’m not going.”
Xu Ziwen burst out laughing. “She was just afraid you’d refuse, so she contacted me first and specifically begged me to make sure you attend. Come on, grant her some face, Eldest Miss Xie?”
A brief moment later, Xie Yuqi walked back into the auditorium.
Ning Che hurriedly lowered the seat to let her sit, but Xie Yuqi stared at her. “I have something to attend to. I have to leave.”
Ning Che was surprised. “You’re leaving right now? You haven’t even finished the movie…” Halfway through her sentence, her tone grew dispirited.
Xie Yuqi didn’t explain. She only said, “Yes, I have to leave right now.”
As she spoke, she leaned down and left a fleeting kiss on Ning Che’s cheek.
“Be good. Wait for me at the apartment.”
The tone of this sentence was rare in its gentleness, carrying a subtle hint of coaxing. Ning Che subconsciously agreed, “Okay.”
She watched her figure recede into the distance.