Willing to Be for Her - Chapter 25

The atmosphere in the office was stifling, as if the air itself had frozen solid. Only a potted pothos in the corner swayed gently in the breeze.

Zhang Yang was as gleeful as Qin Shiyi’s expression.

“Yi Qing, do you think Luo Xuan and Xia Zhiwan’s child will look more like Luo Xuan? Her silver hair is so striking, and her sharp, defined features must be highly heritable, right?”

Lan Leren’s face paled as she frantically tried to signal Qin Shiyi to stop, but Qin Shiyi ignored her, deliberately continuing:

“If Xia Zhiwan manages to win Luo Xuan over and have a child who looks just like her, that would be amazing! Yi Qing, you could even apply to be the child’s godmother. Wouldn’t that be like having a child with Luo Xuan yourself?”

Lan Leren hastily gulped down several mouthfuls of hot water, nearly speechless with shock at Qin Shiyi’s outrageous remarks.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, Yi Qing? You and Luo Xuan were just playing a game, weren’t you? You’re divorced now, so you should be magnanimous. Don’t put on this regretful act—it’s not a good look, really.”

Ning Yiqing gripped the Montblanc pen in his hand tightly, the cold metal pressing against his skin, sending an icy chill through him.

“So, what are you suggesting?” the woman asked coldly, expertly concealing the icy chill in the depths of her eyes.

*Would she one day see Luo Xuan walking hand-in-hand with someone else, the young couple clinging to each other, smiling sweetly at the camera as they gazed out at the sea?*

She had never considered this before. Now that the thought had taken root, she wondered: *If someone else could make Luo Xuan happier, healthier, and live a long and fulfilling life, shouldn’t she be relieved instead of letting this nascent jealousy consume her?*

*Could she truly say goodbye to Luo Xuan with genuine composure?*

“I think Luo Xuan and Xia Zhiwan make a great match. Once you let go, you let go forever,” Qin Shiyi continued, a cynical smile playing on her lips. “If you don’t want to be the godmother, let me be. I’d love to have a mini-Luo Xuan call me ‘Godmother.’ It would be so adorable.”

“Enough, you’re being too talkative.”

With barely suppressed agitation, Ning Yiqing slammed the fountain pen back into its holder. Behind his silver-rimmed glasses, his eyes seemed to swirl with the dark clouds before a storm, even the gentle beauty mark beneath his eye taking on a strange, unsettling quality.

“I was just telling the truth. Why don’t you want to hear it? Didn’t you used to say you reflect on yourself three times a day and aren’t afraid of bitter medicine or harsh truths?”

Ning Yiqing held her breath, closed her eyes, and waved her hand forcefully yet wearily, signaling the two women to leave her office immediately.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” Lan Leren said, feeling like she’d been granted a pardon. She grabbed Qin Shiyi’s arm, eager to escape the situation.

Heaven knows, she really didn’t want to know such intimate details about the CEO’s romantic life. But Qin Shiyi, presuming on their shared childhood with the CEO, had blurted out everything without restraint. She seemed to pour chili oil into the CEO’s wounds.

*What a disaster.*

Before Lan Leren could drag her away, Qin Shiyi muttered under her breath, still indignant, “Why are you so worked up? The child won’t even look like you. What’s the point of panicking now?”

The office fell silent again. Ning Yiqing reopened her fountain pen, intending to resume signing documents, but her hand froze above the paper. Qin Shiyi’s words echoed in her mind, repeating endlessly.

The cabin of the aircraft maintained a comfortable temperature, and the oxygen supply was ample.

The plane soon leveled out, and Luo Xuan, seated on the cream-colored armrest sofa, wearily watched the flight attendant serve a fruit platter and champagne.

The clean, crisp scent of White Sandalwood lingered faintly around her, neither close nor distant, as if it refused to fade completely.

Despite having undergone the surgery to remove the mark, she could still detect the unique, pristine scent of the woman. Luo Xuan chuckled bitterly to herself, acknowledging that removing the mark was likely the wisest decision she had ever made.

After all, what right did a C-Class Alpha like her have to permanently mark an S-Class Omega? Especially one of such noble lineage and immense power—someone far beyond her reach, someone she could never truly aspire to possess.

Accepting this reality felt surprisingly manageable.

She and Ning Yiqing had always been worlds apart.

Luo Xuan thought of He Qiuyue’s earlier words: “You don’t understand Ning Yiqing at all.”

She knew Ning Yiqing loved stargazing and had converted the villa’s attic into a celestial observatory.

The woman enjoyed mixing cocktails, reading classic detective novels, and tending to plants.

She had invested heavily in conservation efforts and environmental protection. Standing in her meticulously maintained garden, inhaling the pure, clean scents, was her most cherished moment of relaxation.

She also knew that women feared the dark, abhorred disorder, and needed cleanliness and order to feel at peace.

But what did any of that matter? She still didn’t understand Ning Yiqing. She couldn’t tell when the woman was happy or sad, nor did she know what she truly wanted.

All she had was a burning passion, foolish courage, and the lingering memories of her youth. But to Ning Yiqing, these things were as cheap as the daily tea she brewed and drank.

Her head began to throb again. The fever that came with her illness made her restless. She desperately wanted to unbuckle her seatbelt and wander aimlessly.

This wasn’t Luo Xuan’s first time on a plane, but it had been only a short time since her last flight. The golden sunlight streaming through the window bathed the billowing clouds below, like the taste of freedom.

If she could reach distant lands, those faraway cities would no longer be mere names or symbols to her, but vibrant landscapes, familiar faces.

Her world would grow larger, and she could escape farther.

Xia Zhiwan took a sip of champagne, frowning repeatedly as she glanced at He Ze, then shot furtive glances at Luo Xuan, her entire demeanor radiating unease.

Little did she know things would become so awkward. He Ze’s sister was infatuated with Ning Yiqing, utterly obsessed, one might say.

It was baffling how that cold, aloof woman could possess such irresistible allure.

When Xia Zhiwan first learned that Luo Xuan and Ning Yiqing had once been married, she was stunned for days. Who could have imagined that wherever she went, she would keep running into that woman’s messy romantic entanglements?

One could only conclude that Ning Yiqing’s charisma was truly extraordinary. Wealth, power, beauty—as the heir to a prominent family, who wouldn’t want to marry her? Even a brief affair with her would be a dazzling tale to recount for decades.

For Ning Yiqing, wealth and beauty were effortlessly attainable. She had grown indifferent to everything, finding the world utterly dull. Everything she desired was offered to her without her needing to lift a finger.

*Someone like that probably doesn’t know the meaning of genuine affection,* Xia Zhiwan thought with a soft sigh, glancing at Luo Xuan, who seemed to be asleep by the window. A complex mix of emotions stirred within her.

“Your sister doesn’t actually think she can marry Chairman Ning, does she?” Xia Zhiwan asked, carefully choosing her words as she tugged on He Ze’s sleeve. “I remember Chairman Ning always being cold toward her. They barely exchanged a word in school.”

The mere mention of the matter gave He Ze a headache. He repeatedly loosened and re-tied his long hair, even feeling the urge to smoke out of frustration.

“How am I supposed to know what she’s thinking? Half the Alphas in our circle secretly adore Chairman Ning, while the other half openly worship her. Do you really think a few words of advice from me would sway my precious little sister?”

“Besides,” he continued, “you think Chairman Ning spoke to Luo Wei any more often back in school? She was just as cold, yet Luo Wei nearly climbed to the top of the social ladder.”

Hearing Xia Zhiwan and He Ze whispering about Ning Yiqing, Luo Xuan tugged the airline blanket tighter around herself and pretended to doze off.

Some things were truly ironic. When she had yearned for Ning Yiqing, she couldn’t have her. Now that she had decided to give up and withdraw, the woman seemed poised to claim her entire world.

“Us Omegas just can’t understand what’s so captivating about Chairman Ning,” Xia Zhiwan said, deliberately shrugging her shoulders and turning her radiant, seductive profile.

“Don’t lump me in with you,” He Ze retorted, clearing his throat. “Even though I’m an Omega too, I still admire Chairman Ning.” He glanced at Xia Zhiwan, his peach-blossom eyes brimming with admiration and longing. “It’s just that no one truly understands her. They’re all just making assumptions.”

“So, are there any Omegas here who dream of an O-O relationship with Chairman Ning?”

“Of course not. As the heir to a top-tier, long-established aristocratic family, such a thing would never be permitted.”

He Ze put on his eye mask, signaling he was going to sleep. Xia Zhiwan was left to drink alone, eventually dozing off herself during the long, monotonous flight.

They landed at midnight in a northern region where heavy snow was falling. The crisp moonlight cast tranquil, silent shadows across the snow-covered landscape—lonely and fragile, yet breathtakingly beautiful.

Outside the airport, several rustic cabins stood, constructed from pine and fir logs. Dry grass and crushed stone were packed between the stacked logs, forming a tower-like structure that looked both warm and windproof.

Luo Xuan gazed at the cabins, a strange unease stirring within her.

“Who knew it would snow this heavily?” He Ze shivered in his down jacket, his breath fogging in the cold. He hastily pulled on a winter hat, but could barely keep his eyes open. “It’s past midnight. There’s no time to clear the snow, so they can’t send a car for us.”

Xia Zhiwan, who had just finished a phone call, walked over and murmured, “I spoke with the director at *Mucuda*. The car they sent to pick us up is stuck on the road. We don’t know when it will arrive.”

He Ze flicked his lighter, finally managing to light a cigarette. He took a deep drag, the smoke curling upward between his fingers, and said with a sigh, “Well, at least we’re not freezing to death yet.”

“Never mind, they’ve done their best. It’s freezing out here. Let’s just wait. At least we won’t freeze to death for now.”

“You, the Omega young master, are surprisingly down-to-earth,” Xia Zhiwan said with a soft laugh.

“And you, the Omega eldest miss, aren’t complaining either,” He Ze replied, glancing deliberately at Luo Xuan, who stood under the eaves, gazing up at the snow. He lowered his voice and added, “What’s this? Are you planning to steal her away from Chairman Ning?”

“You’re just too crude and utterly lacking in romance,” Xia Zhiwan retorted, turning to walk toward Luo Xuan.

He Ze exhaled a plume of smoke, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Right, right, right. You’re all refined elegance, while I’m just a commoner. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to you artists.”

At this hour, the airport was sparsely populated, and the heavy snow had travelers hurrying through, leaving them largely unnoticed.

“Xuanxuan, are you cold?” Xia Zhiwan asked, approaching Luo Xuan. Her breath formed a warm cloud as she spoke, and she held out her palm, revealing a piece of milk candy. “Have some. We might be waiting a while.”

Puzzled by the unnatural expression on Xia Zhiwan’s face, Luo Xuan hesitated before murmuring her thanks and accepting the small candy.

“It’s not actually that cold. One of the symptoms of my illness is a high body temperature, and I’ve rarely had direct contact with snow before.”

Against the backdrop of fine, white snow, Luo Xuan’s skin appeared pale, her eyes shimmering with a fragile light that somehow conveyed both profound weakness and sharp intensity.

“Is it because of your illness?” Xia Zhiwan asked.

“Well, the doctors would never let me go out and play casually,” Luo Xuan replied with a faint smile. “That’s why growing up is so wonderful.”

“Then… would you like some hot water?” Xia Zhiwan’s words had barely left her lips when two tall, muscular figures approached. One of them, wearing outdoor winter gloves, carried a delicate, compact clay pot.

“Miss Xia, Mr. He,” the bodyguard greeted them solemnly but respectfully before turning to Luo Xuan. “Miss Luo Xuan, this is the soup Chairman Ning instructed us to prepare for the three of you.”

Though the soup was said to be for all three of them, everyone knew who it was really intended for.

“Chairman Ning is too kind,” He Ze said, extinguishing his cigarette with a refined smile. “In this freezing weather, it’s touching that he would remember us from so far away. I’ll be sure to call him personally tomorrow to express my gratitude.”

“Mr. He, you’re too kind. It was no trouble at all,” the bodyguard said, producing a set of exquisite blue-and-white porcelain cups and saucers, pristine and clearly valuable. “If you enjoy using them, we’ve fulfilled our duty. It will also put Chairman Ning’s mind at ease.”

The tall, well-trained bodyguard meticulously described the soup, explaining where the water was sourced, which pasture the beef and chicken came from, which sea yielded the fresh shrimp, scallops, and dried scallops, and how long it had been simmered. The soup’s refreshing yet rich flavor, its savory aroma, and its delectable taste were all concentrated in a single bowl.

As the bodyguard methodically explained this humble bowl of soup, He Ze unconsciously lit another cigarette, his gaze drifting involuntarily toward Luo Xuan.

Though the details of the Ning Family’s affairs with the Luo Family were tightly guarded, rumors had inevitably leaked out.

He had been abroad on the day of the engagement banquet and couldn’t return in time. He only heard that Ning Yiqing had abruptly canceled his engagement with Luo Wei, maintaining a dignified and polite demeanor, but leaving no room for negotiation.

Even when Qi Qingqing brought Luo Wei to the Ning Family Mansion to “demand an explanation,” they were turned away at the gate.

Sometimes, Chairman Ning could be truly ruthless and uncompromising, making her intentions impossible to fathom.

Initially, everyone speculated that Ning Yiqing had called off the engagement because Luo Wei, spoiled and arrogant, had deliberately hyped up her relationship with Ning Yiqing on social media, incurring the displeasure of Old Master Ning.

After all, the Ning Family had always maintained a low profile, adhering to a philosophy of moderation. They weren’t the type to seek the limelight or relish public admiration, preferring to avoid the scrutiny of the media and gossip that often plagued other wealthy families.

Established aristocratic families tend to adhere to more traditional ways of doing things.

But now it seemed the truth was far more complex, with Luo Xuan playing a significant role.

Sensing He Ze’s probing gaze, Luo Xuan realized the young master wasn’t fully aware of the circumstances surrounding her marriage to and divorce from Ning Yiqing.

This was understandable. Few people knew about her marriage to Ning Yiqing, and the divorce had been even more discreet.

“Chairman Ning said that if Miss Luo Xuan wishes to see the snow in the forest, these cabins were just completed this afternoon. They’re equipped with warming stoves, humidifying aromatherapy diffusers, and brand-new bedding. You can rest here if you get tired.”

“Moreover, the forest scenery is stunning. Enjoying the snow around a warm hearth at night would be quite delightful.”

The mere sight of the soup was enough to astonish He Ze and Xia Zhiwan. But to learn that the nearby wooden cabin had also been hastily arranged by Ning Yiqing?

Xia Zhiwan’s expression was conflicted. On one hand, she found Ning Yiqing’s thoughtfulness remarkably considerate. On the other, she worried about Luo Xuan repeating past mistakes.

Having witnessed Luo Xuan’s disheveled state that day, she couldn’t bear to see the young woman drawn back into such turmoil.

The bodyguard handed the celadon soup bowls to Xia Zhiwan and He Ze before solemnly presenting one to Luo Xuan.

“The snowplow will arrive shortly, and a car will take you back to the hotel. It’s freezing out here—would you prefer to rest in the cabin?”

“Please convey my gratitude to President Ning,” Luo Xuan said, her dark lashes lowering slightly as she gazed at the jade-like clear soup in the celadon bowl. “But we’ve only met a few times. I feel undeserving of such kindness.”

“But…” The bodyguard hesitated, torn. Chairman Ning’s orders were clear: ensure Luo Xuan’s safety and comfort. While her safety was assured, comfort was another matter entirely. “At least drink the soup. Chairman Ning instructed us to take meticulous care of you, without the slightest oversight.”

“No need,” Luo Xuan replied casually, the tip of her nose flushed red and her lips pale. “I can take care of myself. She doesn’t need to worry about me.”

In the distance, the drone of snowplows grew louder as several luxury cars, their tires fitted with snow chains, lined up and began to approach.

The head bodyguard let out a sigh of relief. The snowplows had arrived just in time, finally allowing them to escort Luo Xuan to the hotel immediately.

“Ah, the show’s car is following behind,” He Ze said politely, nodding to the bodyguards. “My ride has arrived as well. I won’t trouble Chairman Ning any further. I’ll be sure to visit and thank her properly another day.”

As expected, Luo Xuan and Xia Zhiwan stepped into the ankle-deep snow, their footsteps uneven as they made their way toward the last car in the line.

The bodyguard standing rooted to the spot, still holding the Qinghua porcelain bowl, was at a loss. He quickly asked, “Boss, what should we do? We can’t force Miss Luo Xuan into our car, can we?”

The head bodyguard pulled out his phone and snapped a few photos. Gritting his teeth, he said, “We’ll follow behind to ensure Miss Luo Xuan’s safety. It’s too late to report to Chairman Ning tonight. We’ll inform her first thing tomorrow morning.”

When Ning Yiqing received the photos from her bodyguard, she was sitting upright on a genuine leather sofa in the living room of the Ning Family Mansion, sharing tea with Old Master Ning.

She was dressed casually today, in a white oversized shirt with the top button undone, revealing a hint of her fair skin beneath her long, dark hair. Her face, free of makeup, radiated an understated elegance, refined and serene.

The servants had already set out the tea leaves and utensils, and at Old Master Ning’s gesture, they withdrew, leaving only the grandfather and granddaughter in the vast living room.

The porcelain jar contained Lao Shou Mei white tea, its Silver Needle buds emitting a delicate, refreshing fragrance.

“How’s that Qin Family girl doing, now that she’s working with you?” Old Master Ning asked, setting his cane aside. He began preparing the tea with meticulous care, warming the cups, rinsing the utensils, pouring water, steeping the leaves, and decanting the brew in a seamless, practiced motion, exuding an air of leisurely refinement.

The old master poured the tea into a fairness pitcher and used tongs to retrieve two warmed teacups. Ning Yiqing took one cup and placed it on the bamboo tea mat. After inhaling the aroma, she replied calmly, “Shiyi may be lively and impulsive, but she’s diligent in her work. She’s responsible for the laboratories in several neighboring cities, and I have complete confidence in her.”

“Hmph, ‘lively’? That’s just your way of putting it. Her grandmother told me she’s had countless girlfriends this year, but she can’t seem to settle down,” Old Master Ning glanced at his granddaughter.

Ning Yiqing lowered her head, her jade-like fingers tightening around the small sandalwood teacup. She offered no response to her grandfather’s words.

“I admire this about you, Yi Qing. Anyone in power should understand the true weight of empire versus personal desires. You also know that the greatest threat to a prominent family is a succession crisis. At twenty-five, you should already be considering how to groom your heir,” the Old Master said, refilling his teacup. “An S-Class pheromone is essential. Think carefully about this.”

Ning Yiqing drank the hot tea, fully aware of her responsibilities to the family. Since childhood, she had enjoyed all the privileges of being the heir, living a life of pampered luxury and unquestioned authority.

She relished her power and was unwilling to relinquish the years of effort and dedication she had poured into the company since joining it at eighteen.

“Grandpa, I understand perfectly.”

“Good, good. I’ll arrange more matchmaking sessions for you soon. Young people should socialize more.”

Ning Yiqing lowered her gaze, saying nothing, though a cold glint flickered in her eyes.

Seeing his granddaughter offer no resistance, the Old Master dismissed her, leaving his tea untouched. He clasped his hands behind his back and strode toward his bedroom, his aging body weary after the brief conversation.

Watching him leave, Ning Yiqing shook her head before unlocking her phone to view the photos sent by her bodyguard.

Amidst the snowstorm that blanketed the northern lands in darkness, Luo Xuan’s figure stood frail yet resolute, a slender silhouette against the swirling snowflakes. She resembled a young maiden embarking on a solitary journey, sword in hand, her courage unwavering, refusing to look back.

Attached to the photo was a message from the bodyguard:

President Ning, Miss Luo Xuan says she’s only met you a few times and feels unworthy of the soup and cabin.

Only a few times.

Ning Yiqing instinctively tightened his grip on his phone, his eyes darkening with a storm of disappointment and loss.

*Luo Xuan’s stubbornness has flared up again,* he thought. *In time, I’ll bring her back to get proper treatment.*

Besides, he dismissed Luo Xuan’s earlier blessings for her and Luo Wei’s “eternal happiness” as mere childish spite, best forgotten.

Even if they divorced, the permanent mark would gradually fade, but he still had a responsibility toward Luo Xuan.

*Just responsibility,* he reminded himself. He would fulfill his duty, leaving Luo Xuan free to live as she pleased.

Except when it came to her health.

A strange bitterness welled up in his chest, which he consciously ignored. He closed his eyes wearily, his elegance remaining almost breathtaking.

She’s just being stubborn. Continue watching over her. Keep me updated on Xiao Xuan’s daily schedule and meals.

During the seven days between the fashion show and her return home, Luo Xuan was constantly shadowed by two diligent bodyguards.

In addition to the soup from that day, she received meticulously prepared congee, exquisite three-course meals, convenient snow sleds for travel, and even a small aquarium delivered during a blizzard, filled with dwarf sharks and vibrant coral reefs to alleviate her boredom when she couldn’t go outside.

Luo Xuan understood this was Ning Yiqing’s benevolence at work, treating her like a pet: buying her toys, building her a cozy den, offering her delicious treats, and keeping her entertained—all to make the pet feel grateful and dependent on its owner.

Even when caring for a pet, Ning Yiqing maintained her aloof, superior air, never deigning to do anything herself.

Yet this was already quite considerate. For a woman of such privileged status and unapproachable demeanor to go to such lengths to please her was an extraordinary gesture, a significant condescension.

In truth, Ning Yiqing had always shown her special attention.

But Luo Xuan was no longer a pet.

On the flight back home, Luo Xuan gently expressed to He Ze and Xia Zhiwan that she needed more time to consider the modeling offer. She was an introverted person who struggled with social interactions, her true passion lying in wood carving.

Moreover, her illness further limited her capabilities.

“We’ll wait for you,” He Ze said outside the airport, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his demeanor both carefree and charismatic. “I have a feeling you’ll come to enjoy this kind of adventurous work.”

After politely declining Xia Zhiwan’s offer to drive her home, Luo Xuan took a taxi directly to the Luo Family residence, intending to retrieve all the belongings that had belonged to her mother. She unexpectedly ran into Luo Wei, who was resting at home.

The Eldest Miss leaned listlessly against the wall, a chocolate bar dangling from her lips.

Perhaps indulging in sweets helped soothe her anxiety, or perhaps she simply enjoyed taunting Luo Xuan.

“Trying to sneak something else from our house while Mom and Dad aren’t looking? Have you become addicted to being a thief? First you steal people, now you’re stealing things too?”

“I’m here to take what’s mine. As for people, I have no interest,” Luo Xuan replied, unwilling to waste words. She silently hugged a box of belongings, her silver ponytail swaying with a faint shimmer.

“What’s ‘yours’? You crashed my engagement party. You should be grateful Mom and Dad didn’t hold you accountable. How dare you show your face here again?”

Luo Xuan didn’t respond, merely glancing at Luo Wei with a drowsy expression.

“Dad said you were diagnosed with a terminal illness as a child, not expected to live past twenty-one. But you’ve survived. Isn’t that a kind of miracle? People should learn to be content.”

After a long silence, Luo Xuan’s lips curved into a casual smile. Was Luo Wei trying to intimidate her?

A healthy, privileged woman flaunting her superiority over a dying, incomplete monster.

As if the monster had stolen their cherished treasures.

“If you say so,” Luo Wei replied indifferently.

Dressed in a silk house dress, her once lustrous hair now appeared dull and lifeless, reflecting her dejected mood.

She stared at Luo Xuan, the young woman’s beautiful yet fragile face radiating her usual mockery and indifference. Like a wild, thorny rose, Luo Xuan’s beauty was undeniable, but her rebellious nature could draw bl00d from anyone who dared to approach.

Luo Wei couldn’t understand why Ning Yiqing had called off their engagement. If he cared for Luo Xuan, why had he divorced her and then proposed to Luo Wei?

Yet at their engagement banquet, Ning Yiqing had undeniably lost his composure for a fleeting moment upon seeing Luo Xuan.

Moreover, Qin Shiyi had told her that Ning Yiqing had been marked by Luo Xuan long ago.

This revelation both bothered and didn’t bother her. She admired Ning Yiqing—a woman of natural nobility and beauty, as cool and radiant as the moon, irresistible to those who sought to possess her.

But what she truly coveted was the Executive Director of the Ning Group. The identity of the Executive Director mattered little to her.

As for Luo Xuan’s C-Class Alpha mark, it could easily be overwritten by her own S-Class status. What was there to fear?

But, but everything had gone completely wrong, nothing had gone according to her plan.

For days, she had pondered the reason, unable to understand why. Perhaps it was because she had gotten into another scandal with an Omega from the drama crew right before the wedding.

That made sense. The Ning Family was a century-old aristocratic clan, and they would never tolerate their Alpha being involved with someone else.

It certainly wasn’t because Ning Yiqing had developed feelings for Luo Xuan.

“She said we were very different,” Luo Wei said abruptly, pulling the dark green cashmere shawl embroidered with phoenix patterns tighter around her shoulders.

Luo Xuan nodded, showing no curiosity, and simply checked to make sure she had all her belongings. “Yes, yes, you’re all right.”

“Yi Qing and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts. The unique experiences and bond we share are beyond your understanding or comparison.”

“That’s wonderful,” Luo Xuan replied, her tone casual and innocent.

At this realization, Luo Wei suddenly felt a sense of clarity, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. Regaining her confidence, she smirked coldly at Luo Xuan. “Sister, all your efforts to sabotage my engagement with Yi Qing will ultimately be futile.”

“You’re joking. You and her have a long road ahead,” Luo Xuan said, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes, the color of rare gemstones, shining with genuine sincerity. “Just as I wished you before: Happy engagement, may you have a hundred years of happiness together.”

“You’re mocking me, aren’t you? You know the engagement was canceled…”

“You can still fight for her,” Luo Xuan interrupted with a cold laugh.

A Luo Family servant rushed in, startled by the tense confrontation. “Eldest Miss, President Ning has arrived to see you. She’s brought many valuable gifts.”

Clutching the wooden box, Luo Xuan slowly descended the stairs. Behind her, Luo Wei called out desperately, “Do you think I’m the only one who loves her? He Family’s Eldest Miss, He Qiuyue, has been secretly in love with Yi Qing for years. You never stood a chance. Why are you still clinging to such delusions?”

The slender, fragile figure paused and turned back. Luo Wei felt a surge of triumph, convinced she had struck a nerve. Her smile, unconsciously exaggerated, twisted into something almost grotesque.

The next moment, a woman in a long black coat approached the Luo Family’s bird’s-eye-patterned wooden gates, her bodyguards trailing behind her with over a dozen expensive gifts.

She possessed a cool, aloof beauty, like a pristine patch of snow atop a mountain peak. Yet her gentle, approachable demeanor gave the illusion that even the distant moon might be within reach.

“Excellent,” Luo Xuan said in her usual innocent, childlike tone. Her pale pink lips, soft and moist like a sweet cherry just ripening, curved into a smile. “You and He Qiuyue should boldly pursue Ning Yiqing and claim your S-Class Omega as soon as possible. When you finally get married, don’t forget to invite me. I’ll give you a generous red envelope.”

“Luo Xuan, what do you mean? What are you planning?” Luo Wei asked, bewildered by the barrage of words. She hadn’t even noticed the aloof, dignified figure standing at the gate, who had been there for quite some time.

“Me?” Luo Xuan lowered her head in thought for a moment, then sighed deeply, her posture relaxed and unhurried. “Of course, I’ll pursue the person I truly love, spend my life with them, and live a fulfilling life.”