Willing to Be for Her - Chapter 13

A woman, ethereal and aloof, stood in a place of pristine brilliance. Beside her, an Alpha radiated dazzling charisma. The pair looked as perfectly matched as nobles in an oil painting, their distance from ordinary people seemingly insurmountable.

Luo Xuan stood quietly in the fragrant shadows, watching the scene unfold. Distant lights drenched the scene like rain.

The rain had ruined her paper windmill, and she felt as if she, too, had been ruined.

To become the head of a powerful clan, Ning Yiqing must have paid an unimaginable price. She was as cold and calculating as a precisely calibrated machine, her thoughts utterly inscrutable.

Rainwater dripping from the eaves brushed Luo Xuan’s pale nose. She lowered her head, but then heard footsteps approaching through the puddles.

“Miss Luo Xuan, hello,” Lan Leren said, holding an umbrella. Through the rain, she saw a fleeting flicker of joy and disappointment in Luo Xuan’s eyes. “President Ning sent me. She has an important client to entertain.”

“Just a client?” Luo Xuan’s dark lashes fluttered slightly, her smile carrying a fragile beauty.

Suppressing her surprise, Lan Leren knew the cardinal rule of being a secretary: carry out the boss’s instructions without questioning their motives.

“Yes.”

Luo Xuan nodded, continuing to stare at the shadows on the ground.

“This is a gift from President Ning. Today’s engagement is very important, and I apologize on his behalf once again.”

Luo Xuan accepted the beautifully packaged gift. Inside was the same star and moon bracelet she’d seen before, but this time it was made of warm jade, smooth and delicate to the touch, and undoubtedly valuable.

Under the lamplight, the stars and moon shimmered, as if sending down a celestial glow.

The gift was exquisite, and Luo Xuan could almost see Ning Yiqing’s flawless, noble face—her beauty unparalleled, her expression as gentle as the moonlight. But the moon hung high in the sky, its flawless radiance illuminating all.

You could only gaze at the moon. Its light shone on you, yet it shone equally on others.

“Miss Luo Xuan, President Ning is truly remorseful. If there’s anything you need or are dissatisfied with, please let me know. He will do everything possible to compensate you.”

“No,” Luo Xuan said, her smile unwavering as she stroked the bracelet. “I’m perfectly satisfied. This is perfect. I need nothing more. Please thank Ning Yiqing for me.”

Everything was flawless, yet Luo Xuan didn’t want to be compensated, as if she were some wronged, pitiable figure.

“Very well. President Ning will be delighted to hear that,” Lan Leren replied in her usual polite tone. Hearing Luo Xuan call President Ning by his full name felt strange.

Perhaps because she had rarely heard anyone address President Ning by her full name, Lan Leren was momentarily stunned.

“Then… why aren’t you wearing the bracelet?”

“It might get dirty.”

Lan Leren nodded again, suddenly at a loss for words. She felt like she had been sent by Ning Yiqing to feed a stray cat.

They assumed the stray cat wanted so much, but in reality, it was easily satisfied. After hiding the premium salmon, it squatted to the side, waiting.

As if waiting for a cat bed that would never appear.

Lan Leren returned to the dining hall, its gilded splendor now hosting a single table where guests and hosts alike were enjoying a harmonious atmosphere.

“President Ning, the gift has been delivered, but Miss Luo Xuan…” Lan Leren trailed off, unsure whether Ning Yiqing truly cared about Luo Xuan and hesitant to speak out of turn.

“Hmm, you’ve worked hard. Take a week off,” Ning Yiqing said, gently swirling the wine in her glass. Even in this decadent setting, she maintained her aloof, self-possessed demeanor, radiating a restrained, ascetic aura.

Lan Leren nodded, offered a polite smile to the Luo family, and walked toward the door.

She softly closed the beechwood door behind her, the murmur of conversation drifting through the crack.

“I asked the doctor. Luo Xuan’s condition is worsening. She looks healthy now, but it’s just a temporary reprieve.”

“Exactly, President Ning. You were originally supposed to marry our Luo Wei. If Luo Wei hadn’t been injured, Luo Xuan would never have had a chance at such a fortunate match.”

“Mom, don’t say such things. We should be grateful to Luo Xuan for forging such a strong bond between the Ning and Luo families,” Luo Wei said, raising her wine glass to clink against Ning Yiqing’s. Seeing the woman’s gentle, water-like expression, Luo Wei’s heart swelled with satisfaction.

Marrying such a beautiful and noble Omega would be the greatest happiness of her life. She believed that after marking Ning Yiqing, they would jointly produce an S-Class heir.

“President Ning, Weiwei is right. Our families should discuss your marriage to Weiwei soon.”

Ning Yiqing adjusted her silver-rimmed glasses. Though her demeanor remained elegant, the coldness in her eyes silenced Qi Qingqing and Luo Guoren.

*Luo Wei or Luo Xuan?* Ning Yiqing tapped her fingers lightly on the table, suddenly recalling Luo Xuan’s self-introduction on their wedding night:

“My name is Luo Xuan. Hmm, Xuan, as in ‘hanging by a thread.'”

*Star is a good child, but unfortunately, not the one I need.*

What is no longer needed has no value.

In her principles, anything without value should be discarded.

As Ning Yiqing settled into the car heading back to the villa, she leaned against the seat, her aloof and refined features veiled in the flickering neon shadows. With one hand, she twirled snow-blue prayer beads, her fingers pale as if bathed in moonlight.

“Le Ran, is there any liquor in the car?”

The clinking of ice against amber-colored whiskey filled the air, a melodious sound in the dimly lit cabin. The faint light, like scattered gold dust, blurred Ning Yiqing’s features through the misty night, revealing glimpses of her elegant and dignified presence.

She set down the flat-bottomed glass without taking a sip.

There was no need to compromise her principles for anyone. She refused to break her vows.

Back at the villa, Ning Yiqing frowned unconsciously at the pitch-black rooms. Had Luo Xuan not returned home again?

The woman leaned wearily against the sofa, closing her eyes to rest. Her expression was languid yet captivating, her posture relaxed but her back still ramrod straight.

Someone switched on the crystal chandelier in the living room. In the warm, amber light, Luo Xuan slowly approached, carrying a delicate porcelain bowl.

A wisp of curled black hair framed the girl’s forehead, lending her an endearing charm. Her entire being radiated purity and flawlessness, like fresh rain in a secluded valley, or dew glistening on bamboo leaves.

“Did Star make me steamed egg custard?” Ning Yiqing blurted out, unconsciously using Luo Xuan’s nickname.

For some reason, every time Ning Yiqing called her Star, a subtle warmth stirred deep within Luo Xuan’s heart.

Perhaps Ning Yiqing was the only person left in the world who would ever call her that.

This gave Luo Xuan a sliver of courage, allowing her to finally voice the question she had been harboring.

“Ning Yiqing, do you like me even a little bit?”