Xiang Wan was exasperated by her pathetic display. Even though she didn’t believe in Ning Che and Xie Yuqi’s relationship at all, the Xiang family’s ancestral craftsmanship was absolutely beyond reproach!
She said coldly, “I’ll give it to you in three days!”
Only then did Ning Che leave with a bounce in her step.
In three days, her diamond ring would be in her hands!
By then, there would still be a week left before the graduation gala. She would have plenty of time to set up the venue and ask her close friends to help set the ambiance.
That night, Xie Yuqi naturally did not return to the apartment.
Ning Che ate dinner alone, then pulled out the DIY picture frame she had meticulously purchased and began working on her handicraft.
The housekeeper finished cleaning the kitchen and, seeing this scene upon stepping out, couldn’t help but walk over to take a closer look.
Noticing her approach, Ning Che quickly flipped the frame over to cover it, saying shyly, “I haven’t finished it yet, so don’t look just yet.”
The housekeeper couldn’t help but smile. “Miss Ning must be making a gift for the eldest young lady.”
Ning Che blushed, neither denying nor confirming it.
The housekeeper tactfully walked away. Before stepping out the front door, she took one last look at Ning Che. Seeing the girl carefully picking up dried flower petals and arranging them onto the frame with absolute devotion, she couldn’t help but shake her head.
She really is a good kid. What a pity.
By ten o’clock, Ning Che wrapped up her work. Looking at her mostly completed project, she let out a satisfied breath. She carefully packed it away, covered it with a layer of dust cloth, and finally returned to the master bedroom.
Picking up her phone, she scrolled through her chat history with Xie Yuqi.
Today, Xie Yuqi had replied to three of her messages. She had already lost count of how many times she had re-read them, smiling to herself each time. Reading them once more now, her longing only intensified.
She couldn’t resist typing out a long paragraph and hitting send.
Ding-dong.
To her surprise, she received another reply. It was brief, but it sent her heart soaring.
Unable to suppress her longing any longer, Ning Che sent a video call request.
Xie Yuqi accepted it.
She was wearing a champagne colored camisole nightgown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Under the soft lighting, she appeared a few degrees softer and more glamorous than usual.
Ning Che blurted out, “Yuqi, you’re so beautiful.”
Xie Yuqi hummed softly in response. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Ning Che’s voice carried a heavy weight of longing: “I miss you so much.”
Xie Yuqi: “I’ve been busy lately. I won’t be coming back.”
She was actually reminding Ning Che that the fact she was answering her calls was already a concession, so she shouldn’t get greedy.
Ning Che, however, thought that since she needed to set up the proposal venue, it was actually better if Yuqi didn’t return, as it would prevent her from discovering the surprise early.
She quickly said, “Yuqi, the graduation gala is in ten days. Remember to attend, don’t forget it.”
Xie Yuqi was indifferent to the event and replied casually, “Got it.”
The video call that night made Ning Che’s heart burn even hotter. The love she had suppressed for so long began to sprout like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
The next morning, she couldn’t help but call Xie Yuqi. Xie Yuqi answered.
At noon, she called again, but Xie Yuqi didn’t answer, nor did she reply later.
Recalling her statement about being busy lately, Ning Che automatically rationalized it for her.
By evening, driven by her emotions, she dialed the number once more.
The phone rang continuously, and just as the call was about to time out, Xie Yuqi finally picked up.
Her voice carried a note of sharp impatience: “What is it?”
Ning Che had always been sensitive, so she instantly detected the shift in her mood. She quickly softened her voice and said, “Yuqi, are you busy? Is it a bad time to talk right now?”
Xie Yuqi fell silent for a moment. “Yes. If there’s nothing else, let’s hang up.”
The tiny bit of softheartedness she had felt from craving Ning Che’s warmth had completely evaporated. Now, she only wanted to reinstate her original rules: reply when she felt like it, and ignore when she didn’t.
Ning Che’s frequent calls and messages lately were starting to annoy her.
She felt that her previous leniency had caused the girl to lose her sense of propriety.
Ning Che said very considerately, “Then go ahead with your work, Yuqi. Get some rest early once you’re done. Goodnight.”
Following this conversation, Xie Yuqi reverted entirely to her cold, indifferent self, ignoring messages and refusing to answer calls.
Ning Che didn’t think much of it.
Her mind was entirely consumed by the anticipation of the surprise at the graduation gala. Her heart was filled with hope, sweetness, and expectations for the future. She instinctively didn’t want anything to go wrong before such an important day, so she maintained her relationship with absolute care and devotion.
Besides, she had long since grown accustomed to Xie Yuqi’s coldness and detachment.
The Xie family possessed immense wealth and power, and Yuqi was an only child. Managing such a massive family estate by herself must be exhausting, and it was natural to feel irritable when busy.
She really shouldn’t be bothering her.
She cherished this relationship deeply and had always kept to her place. She didn’t ask for much, only wishing to grow old together with her.
Ning Che tried her best to understand Xie Yuqi, showing no resentment toward her indifference.
She stopped calling, but maintained her routine of sending texts every morning, afternoon, and night.
On June 2nd, three days remained before the annual graduation gala of Federal University.
Ning Che suddenly received a call from her mother.
After hanging up, her face was bright with joy.
Her parents had decided to come to her graduation ceremony at the end of the month, and they were bringing her younger sister along too!
Overjoyed, she immediately wanted to share the news with Xie Yuqi.
However, afraid of disturbing her, she sent a text first.
“Yuqi, I have something I want to tell you. Can I call you?”
About half an hour later, Xie Yuqi initiated a call.
“What is it? Speak.”
Ning Che’s voice was bright and cheerful. “Yuqi, my parents and sister are coming to attend my graduation ceremony!”
Xie Yuqi froze for a moment, her brow instinctively furrowing. After a pause, she asked, “And?”
Immersed in her excitement, Ning Che failed to notice the coldness in her tone and continued happily, “The graduation ceremony is at the end of the month. I specifically checked, and the undergraduate and postgraduate ceremonies will be held together.”
Xie Yuqi listened silently, but her frown deepened. Her understanding of the ways of the world far exceeded Ning Che’s.
Ning Che continued, “Will you be attending the graduation ceremony?”
Xie Yuqi spat out a single word: “Yes.”
Sensing the coldness behind that crisp word, Ning Che’s voice became less confident as she tested the waters. “Yuqi, if it’s convenient for you, could you meet my parents and sister when the time comes.”
Before she could finish, Xie Yuqi cut her off: “It’s not convenient.”
Her voice was ice cold.
She felt a wave of regret. She shouldn’t have let her guard down just because Ning Che had accompanied her for a night on the mountain. Replying to her pointless texts and answering her hollow calls had only allowed the girl to push the boundaries, to the point where she actually wanted her to meet her parents?!
How did she even have the nerve to say that out loud?
Just as she decided to lay her cards on the table and break things off with Ning Che immediately, Ning Che spoke up in a timid, cautious voice. “Yuqi, it was inconsiderate of me. If it’s not convenient, then we won’t meet. But will you be attending the graduation gala three days from now?”
Xie Yuqi’s anger subsided slightly at her cautious tone, and her plan to break things off on the spot shifted into a new perspective.
The graduation gala? She had actually forgotten all about it. Since that was the case, she might as well attend. It could serve as a closing chapter to her university life, and it would provide the perfect opportunity to clarify things face to face.
The two of them belonged to completely different worlds. If Ning Che was willing, she wouldn’t mind keeping her as a mistress and continuing to provide for her, but she must abandon any other improper fantasies.
If she wasn’t willing, then that was fine too, they would sever ties completely.
Having a formal showdown like this wouldn’t be unfair to her.
Xie Yuqi stated decisively, “Fine, I will attend.”
Ning Che was overjoyed. She reminded her once more of the time and location of the gala before reluctantly hanging up.
The moment the call disconnected, she couldn’t help but cheer aloud, “Yes! I’m going to propose!”