Willing to Be for Her - Chapter 28

The hospital room was filled with a tranquil aroma. Luo Xuan leaned against a soft goose-feather pillow, her chin slightly raised, half her face hidden in shadow, the other half illuminated by Ning Yiqing’s graceful figure looming above her.

Luo Xuan couldn’t immediately grasp Ning Yiqing’s meaning. She repeated the meaningless question in stunned disbelief, “What? What do you mean?”

“Star, you know I have to get married eventually,” the woman said, her voice betraying a weary indifference. She added tentatively, “But I love you. I want to be with you. Will you?”

Luo Xuan’s eyes widened abruptly as she stared at the cold, aloof woman before her—her face pale and beautiful, yet her heart cold and ruthless.

*As expected of Ning Yiqing,* Luo Xuan thought bitterly. *She never does anything unnecessary, only making the choices that benefit her most. Ambition, pragmatism, calculation, and ruthless self-control—these are her true names.*

For a moment, Luo Xuan lacked even the strength to sneer. Clenching her teeth, she spat through the bl00d in her mouth, “Ning Yiqing, don’t call me Star. It makes me want to vomit.”

Perhaps the greatest pain wasn’t never having possessed something, but being given it only to live in constant fear of losing it.

She had heard Ning Yiqing call her Star, had witnessed the woman’s tender affection, her radiant tenderness, her meticulous care.

After that, she lived in constant fear of losing everything, her heart filled with unease. When hope finally appeared, it was shattered in an instant, leaving her dazed, doubtful, and utterly lost.

Ning Yiqing observed Luo Xuan, slowly approaching as if trying to discern whether the coldness and rejection in the girl’s eyes were genuine or merely a facade.

Her voice carried a detached calmness as she stared intently at Luo Xuan with dark eyes, each word measured and deliberate:

“Business alliances or political marriages—I’ll never feel anything for those people. They’re just window dressing, marriages of convenience for the sake of appearances and social standing. But I only love you. I’ll give you everything I have.”

“President Ning, are you telling me jokes this late at night?” Luo Xuan’s eyes held little amusement, only a sense of the world’s utter absurdity.

*Who’s truly mad here? Mad to the core, without reservation?*

“Furthermore, the contract will be notarized, signed, and sealed, clearly outlining our respective rights and obligations. It will be in black and white, and I’ll strictly adhere to every clause. If you find any terms unsatisfactory, you’re free to propose revisions.”

So this was how Ning Yiqing weighed benefits and risks, treating everything as a business transaction. To her, love was truly just a commodity to be bought and sold.

If she couldn’t have it, she’d simply raise the price. After all, anything with a price tag was easily within Ning Yiqing’s reach, requiring no effort whatsoever.

Unfortunately, even the all-powerful President Ning had miscalculated this time.

Luo Xuan chuckled softly, deeply savoring the so-called tenderness, thoughtfulness, wealth, and generosity of women. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel that none of it compared to this man’s indifference.

For Ning Yiqing, love was unimportant—something to be traded, sacrificed.

Luo Xuan herself was just another expendable object, no different from a bouquet of flowers, a meal, a car, or a diamond ring—all easily discarded and sacrificed.

An object doesn’t become more than just an object simply because it’s expensive or highly sought after.

No matter how much a vase sells for, it remains merely a plaything.

Blind adoration from the world won’t imbue it with a precious soul.

But she was a living, breathing person. Her dignity was inviolable, and love was sacred, not to be defiled.

She viewed love as a sacred, untainted, noble tribute that transcended humanity’s selfish instincts.

In short, she was a romantic to the core.

The irony was that she was nearly being killed by her own “romanticism.”

In truth, she had imagined countless times how Ning Yiqing would eventually find a worthy Alpha partner, build a happy family, and have healthy children. They would share countless days and nights together, stretching longer than the longest river.

Only those who are loved can afford to be fearless, while those forsaken by fate must be pragmatic and know what’s good for them.

Luo Xuan lowered her head, moonlight illuminating her soft, silver hair. After a long silence, she suddenly smiled childishly, meeting Ning Yiqing’s deep, inscrutable gaze. “So, President Ning, if you’re being so generous, would you really give me anything I ask for?”

“Xing… Xiao Xuan, I’ll always be by your side. I’ll give you everything, except for the status of being my wife.”

“How generous,” Luo Xuan murmured, clapping softly as her silver hair cascaded down, veiling her starlit eyes. “But President Ning, aren’t you afraid I’ll take your money and live it up with someone else?”

“Xiao Xuan, you wouldn’t do that. You’re not that kind of person.”

Ning Yiqing maintained what little composure remained, speaking in her usual negotiating tone—balanced, measured, and strategic.

“Why wouldn’t I? You underestimate me. If I had enough money, of course I’d make time for someone I truly love. You don’t understand me at all. I’m far more despicable than you think.”

Luo Xuan turned her face toward the moonlit window, indifferent to Ning Yiqing’s sudden change in expression.

“What if I don’t allow it?” Ning Yiqing asked, her gaze fixed on Luo Xuan’s luminous eyes, realizing the conversation was slipping beyond her control.

She had always been adept at reading people, maintaining her composure and dominating negotiation tables. But her usually meticulous and precise conversation veered off course, tainted by her bitter, restless emotions.

The question that slipped from her lips fell into Luo Xuan’s casual manipulation.

Luo Xuan glanced up at the woman, then quickly averted her gaze, laughing with childlike ease. Her tone was as light as if she were discussing the weather.

“President Ning, by then you’ll be living with another Alpha, inseparable and raising children. You won’t have time to care whether I’m living happily with the person I love. Don’t worry, you won’t even remember me.”

Ning Yiqing’s face darkened, but she forced her voice to remain calm. “Who do you love? Xia Zhiwan, or those three Omegas from last time?”

Luo Xuan and Xia Zhiwan had been neighbors for a time, walking to and from school together. Their mothers had indeed been university classmates and close friends, and the arranged marriage agreement from childhood was actually true.

But what was so appealing about Xia Zhiwan? Could a childhood friendship really sway Luo Xuan?

Or were they already living on love alone?

Ning Yiqing’s expression grew uglier, her previously effortless tone turning cold and low.

“Not yet,” the girl replied crisply.

“Really?”

Luo Xuan didn’t answer her immediately.

A long-dormant bitterness welled up in Ning Yiqing’s chest. She unconsciously bit her lip, and after several attempts, her cherry-red lips became slightly swollen and flushed, glistening with moisture.

The cold, detached expression on Ning Yiqing’s face began to crumble, dissolving bit by bit, retreating inch by inch. By the end, her face was expressionless, yet she was on the verge of losing all composure.

Finally, the woman reached out and pinched Luo Xuan’s delicate, snow-white chin, turning Luo Xuan’s face slowly but inescapably toward her.

“Xiao Xuan, tell me.”

“Who I love is no longer President Ning’s concern,” Luo Xuan said with a smile, casually freeing herself from the woman’s long-fingered grip, leaving a faint mark on her pale cheek.

Ning Yiqing was momentarily stunned.

“Xiao Xuan, you can’t… you can’t. I won’t allow it.” Ning Yiqing paused, then emphasized with a sense of foreboding, “I won’t allow it.”

“I’ll have a new life, a bright future, and naturally, someone I’ll want to love with all my heart,” Luo Xuan said, her smile radiant, her eyes clear and pure. “I’ll strive to live fully, completely forgetting the past. You simply can’t understand me.”

Ning Yiqing’s breath caught slightly. The unspoken truth hung in the air: *who is the past?*

“Then who can understand you? Xia Zhiwan?”

Luo Xuan tilted her head, appearing to consider the question earnestly for a moment, then nodded. “At least she understands me better than you do. But you’ll find someone who understands you too.”

Her words carried a carefree sense of release: “Marrying someone of equal status will give you security.”

Ning Yiqing’s fingers slid down Luo Xuan’s wrist, but she still gripped it tightly. The force she used was considerable, leaving it unclear whose flesh and bones were being strained more.

“Just treat me like I’m dead. Your wedding day was supposed to be my funeral. A useful tool, once its purpose is served, should gracefully fade away. Isn’t that what all of you think?”

A warm, humid breeze drifted in from the window. Ning Yiqing shook her head, her voice strained and faltering. “That’s not true. At first… but later…”

“President Ning, your sun doesn’t shine on me.”

Luo Xuan’s words and tone flickered with ambiguity. Ning Yiqing nearly couldn’t resist the urge to embrace her without hesitation.

The silver-haired girl with heterochromatic eyes sat frail on the hospital bed, chuckling softly as she spoke, her presence so ethereal she seemed about to drift away with the wind.

“Do you understand?” Luo Xuan suddenly fixed Ning Yiqing with a serious gaze, her deer-like eyes clear and bright. “The sun of the living doesn’t shine on the dead. That’s your world, and I don’t belong there. Just pretend I’m dead. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“No,” Ning Yiqing said, her carefully maintained composure nearly shattering. “I won’t allow it. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Luo Xuan shook off Ning Yiqing’s hand, ignoring the fact that their skin was already red and chafed.

She lay back, her silver hair spreading like water. “I told you, I’m not angry with you, let alone resent you. I want you to be happy and fulfilled, to live a life of smooth sailing, where all your wishes come true.”

The woman couldn’t speak, a sudden chill running through her body. *No hatred, no love?*

She stared at Luo Xuan’s pale, serene face, which seemed utterly devoid of emotion.

“I just want a little freedom. Before, this world wouldn’t let me love you—even you wouldn’t allow it.” She paused, her tone deliberately tinged with naive confusion and accusation. “So now, even not loving you isn’t permitted? Was I born unworthy of choice?”

“You have complete freedom, except for being with someone else,” the woman said, slowly drawing closer. Her refined features softened, her voice losing its icy edge, as if pleading. “Xiao Xuan, come back with me, okay?”

“Freedom in a cage?” Luo Xuan’s eyes flashed with defiant anger. “President Ning, you’re used to the gilded comfort of a golden cage, but I crave the wild, restless freedom of the streets.”

Ning Yiqing remained silent, unable to offer any rebuttal.

A soft knock echoed through the hospital room, followed by Lan Leren’s perfectly modulated voice.

“President Ning, you’ve already missed half an hour of the meeting. Tonight’s overseas conference is of the highest importance, and as Executive Director, your attendance is mandatory.”

A nurse opened the door and stepped inside, her voice sweet and professional. “Good evening. The patient needs to rest in darkness. Since you’ve requested to stay overnight, you should also rest to avoid disturbing her.”

“Xiao Xuan, I’ll come back later. Get some rest.”

Luo Xuan pulled the blanket over herself and lay flat, her frail body beneath the thin fabric as delicate as a sheet of white paper.

In the spacious, luxurious back seat of the Maybach, the leather seats warmed steadily. Ning Yiqing’s jade-like hands remained ice-cold as she stared blankly at the mystery novel in her lap, not turning a single page for what felt like an eternity.

Her eyes concealed a deep confusion and pain, while a faint, persistent ache permeated her limbs. It wasn’t severe—something she could probably endure without much trouble.

Yet Luo Xuan’s words kept echoing in her mind:

*Who I like is none of President Ning’s business.*

*Just pretend I’m dead. Wouldn’t that be better?*

How could she pretend Luo Xuan was dead? Such words were unspeakably cruel.

She felt as if she had fallen into an abyss with no escape, the vines of reason and composure snapping one by one. She desperately needed something to cling to, something to anchor her heart and bring her peace, or she would spend another sleepless night.

“President Ning, will you be returning to the hospital after the meeting?” Lan Leren asked, driving while trying to engage the visibly distressed Ning Yiqing in conversation.

“Return to the hospital? She’d only see it as an intrusion,” the woman replied, turning to gaze out the window, her profile bathed in faint light, radiating loneliness.

*Perhaps the person Luo Xuan most wants to see right now is Xia Zhiwan,* Lan Leren thought.

Sensing the woman’s unease, Lan Leren pressed on, “President Qin called earlier to invite you for tea in the next few days. He mentioned Dingcui Pavilion has new pastries and thought it would be a good way for you to relax and take your mind off things.”

After a long silence from the back seat, Lan Leren casually added, “If you’re not interested, I’ll call President Qin back right away.”

“The day after tomorrow afternoon,” Ning Yiqing finally replied. “I remember Xiao Xuan likes Dingcui Pavilion’s milk cakes. Tell them to prepare extra osmanthus syrup and deliver them tomorrow morning at their peak freshness.”

*President Ning and Luo Xuan have only spent a few days together,* Lan Leren thought as she drove. *How does she know she likes milk cakes? Is she just saying things out of frustration?*

Nevertheless, she quickly agreed and drove to the Ningyi Building, headquarters of the Ning Group. There, she accompanied Ning Yiqing to the 37th floor for a multinational conference.

Dingcui Pavilion’s pastries were renowned throughout Capital City. As spring lingered, Qin Shiyi sat at the table, legs crossed, happily scrolling through her phone while enjoying Qingtuan.

A pot of early spring Longjing tea sat on the Huangyang wood table, and a sprig of cut roses was artfully arranged on the landscape screen, its elegance and freshness adding a touch of refined charm.

“Let me tell you, President Ning is always so gentle. There’s no need to be afraid of her. She just seems unapproachable at first, but once you get to know her…” Even then, she remained somewhat unapproachable.

Qin Shiyi cursed Ning Yiqing’s peculiar temperament under her breath, making it difficult to even introduce her properly.

The Alphas exchanged glances, their eyes meeting in silent agreement. It wasn’t fear of President Ning that held them back, but rather the feeling that she was so unattainable that even a glance in her direction felt like an intrusion and a sacrilege.

“Wouldn’t we be bothering Chairman Ning too much? We really don’t want to waste her time or make her feel burdened.”

These Alphas were all exceptional talents cultivated by prestigious families, achieving remarkable success at a young age: fashion directors, professional race car drivers, and principal cellists. Yet they all felt a mix of admiration and longing for Ning Yiqing, yearning to get closer but lacking the courage to act.

“Don’t worry about disturbing me, just relax,” Qin Shiyi said, cracking open a salted melon seed. “Young people should have fun together. Your mission today is to help her take her mind off things.”

She had no patience for the cliché of “realizing what you had only after losing it.” Luo Xuan wouldn’t appreciate such a trite drama.

*After all the effort I put into introducing young Omegas to Luo Xuan and finding suitable Alphas for Ning Yiqing, what’s this all about?*

*It’s about giving these divorced couples a second chance at happiness, preventing them from getting entangled in endless drama that annoys everyone.*

A server in traditional Hanfu led Ning Yiqing to the private room Qin Shiyi had reserved. The path was so quiet that only birdsong could be heard, and they barely encountered any other guests.

*Qin Shiyi must have booked the entire place. That’s odd. She’s usually so laid-back and casual—why would she care if other guests were present?*

The room was decorated in an antique style, with a gilded bronze incense burner emitting a tranquil fragrance. Outside the window, flowers bloomed in vibrant clusters, and a crystal chandelier hung in an ancient style, exuding timeless elegance—a scene of extravagant refinement.

Yet Ning Yiqing found herself unconsciously twirling her Buddhist prayer beads, her mind momentarily blank, unsure of where or when she was.

As she entered, she caught sight of the three other Alphas and frowned almost imperceptibly before settling into the boxwood chair beside Qin Shiyi.

With her eyes half-closed, Ning Yiqing’s expression remained as polite and gentle as ever, though her voice carried a weary husk, perhaps from a sleepless night.

“Shiyi, why are you the only one here?”

The faint dark circles beneath her eyes and the languid tone of her voice betrayed her exhaustion.

“These three Alphas are all rising stars in Capital City. I organized this gathering to introduce them to each other, hoping it would benefit them both in business and romance.”

The three Alphas immediately rose to greet Ning Yiqing, feeling both honored and overwhelmed by her mere presence.

Setting aside her stunning beauty, winning her hand would be akin to leaping into the highest echelons of society—a transformation worthy of a carp leaping over the dragon gate to ascend to heaven.

Ning Yiqing toyed with her Buddhist prayer beads, her gaze snapping up at the mention of “romance.” She shot Qin Shiyi a cold, sidelong glance.

“Have you become quite the decision-maker lately?”

Something felt off, Qin Shiyi thought. She had never seen Ning Yiqing lose her temper so directly, or give someone such a cold look.

This was a once-in-a-millennium occurrence.

Rising to her feet, Qin Shiyi chatted briefly with the three young Alphas, then instructed them to move to the adjacent room for tea, dinner, and spring flower viewing, assuring them that the expenses would be charged to her and Ning Yiqing.

Fortunately, these young heirs had been raised in the arena of fame and fortune, adept at social maneuvering and knowing when to advance or retreat with grace. Not a hint of resentment showed on their faces; instead, they departed with smiles and impeccable manners, like emotionless puppets programmed for flattery.

At that moment, Ning Yiqing felt an overwhelming weariness and irritation, barely able to contain it.

After the hinged door of the private room swung shut, silence returned. Qin Shiyi, washing the tea set, casually asked, “What’s wrong? You seem off. Is it work, or something else?”

“Urgent documents requiring approval. The Old Master and the Executive Director’s office are pressing me hard. It’s been draining.”

For the past two days, Ning Yiqing had been relentlessly engaged in high-intensity speeches, meetings, approvals, and social engagements. Overwhelmed and exhausted, she found herself unable to sleep, caught in a daze.

“Come try this early spring Longjing tea,” Qin Shiyi said earnestly, cracking melon seeds between her teeth. “I’m starting to think Old Master Ning was right to set you up on blind dates. Stop being so stubborn. There are plenty of fish in the sea.”

The jade porcelain cup touched Ning Yiqing’s soft lips. She paused, then a cold glint flashed behind her silver-rimmed glasses, like a deep, impenetrable fog. “What makes you say that?”

“Well, as the saying goes, ‘A good horse doesn’t eat grass it’s already grazed.’ Luo Xuan clearly isn’t coming back for this ‘old grass’ of yours. You’d better make other plans sooner rather than later, before you end up hanging yourself from a single tree.”

“Are you bored at work?” Ning Yiqing’s narrow eyes flashed with a sharp, intimidating light.

Qin Shiyi picked up a piece of honey quinoa cake, smiling brightly. “I’m serious, not joking. Luo Xuan clearly has no lingering feelings for you. I hope you can move on soon too… People shouldn’t fixate on one thing; it leads to obsession, which isn’t healthy.”

“I can’t move on.”

“You should look forward… What?”

Ning Yiqing closed her eyes, her expression calm and composed, like a deep, still pool.

After a long silence, Qin Shiyi heard the woman’s cold voice: “If we could each find happiness separately, that would be good.”

But they couldn’t. She couldn’t. She had tried.

She couldn’t.

Qin Shiyi considered herself to know Ning Yiqing well. As a member of the Ning family, wielding power and influence, she was expected to fulfill all the duties of an heir.

While Ning Yiqing had autonomy over her marriage, her freedom wasn’t absolute.

“Are you being a bit too stubborn?” Qin Shiyi asked cautiously, receiving no response. “I think your mental state needs improvement.”

Perhaps Ning Yiqing didn’t realize that sometimes clinging to the past and stubbornness could be self-destructive.

She didn’t dare speak directly to the woman, fearing it would further agitate her and trigger another impulsive decision, causing unnecessary trouble for everyone.

Thus, an elegant spring tea party ended on a dull, even bleak note. Throughout the event, no one appreciated the wildflowers, exquisite decorations, or delicate refreshments.

As they prepared to leave, Ning Yiqing settled into the back seat but hesitated to instruct Lan Leren to drive. Just as Qin Shiyi grew increasingly puzzled, she noticed the woman clutching her prayer beads, the jade-white fingertips pressed so tightly they left red marks.

Abruptly changing her mind, Ning Yiqing declared, “Take me to the hospital.”

“Seriously?” Qin Shiyi clutched her chest. *How many times is this woman going to change her mind in an hour?* She couldn’t help but wonder if Ning Yiqing was about to subject herself to Luo Xuan’s cold reception again.

*What’s the point of all this?*

Qin Shiyi retracted her earlier assessment. Even without external triggers, Ning Yiqing was acting abnormally enough.

In the hospital room, a new ash wood table had been brought in, draped with a pale blue silk cloth and adorned with a jade pendant of watery green.

A calming incense burner beside it released wisps of fragrant smoke, creating a serene and cozy atmosphere.

The cypress wood in Luo Xuan’s hands had already been roughly shaped. The carving knife had carved out the basic outline, and she was now slowly refining the details.

In the warm, damp twilight, tiny wood shavings swirled and danced with each breath, reflecting the heavy, subdued light as they settled on the girl’s pale, sharp jawline, creating an oddly romantic effect.

“Xuanxuan, you’ve been carving all afternoon. Aren’t your hands tired?” Song Yanshi alternated between resting her chin in her hands and clumsily wielding a carving knife to thin another piece of wood, never quite mastering the technique.

The moderately soft wood was being carved into conspicuous watermelon rind shapes.

This was the wealthy young lady who had worn the qipao that day. She had mentioned to Luo Xuan her interest in wood carving, which Luo Xuan had initially dismissed as a joke. To her surprise, the girl had actually brought her tools and come to the hospital today.

A chance encounter, bound by a shared interest in wood carving, had helped alleviate the boredom of her hospital stay.

“I’m not tired. I used to carve all day when I was little, so my stamina is already well-trained. Don’t rush; just get a feel for the tools first.”

The weather was perfect today, and the doctor had given her permission to get out of bed. Her hands itched to carve something.

In truth, being sick had taken a heavy toll on her emotions, leaving her irritable, depressed, and occasionally manic. Carving, on the other hand, required focus and tranquility.

Each stroke of the chisel revealed a different landscape, always calming her mind.

Song Yanshi tilted her head, watching Luo Xuan. Even though Luo Xuan was two years younger, she repeated the same monotonous motions with such patience. Song Yanshi was already feeling hot and restless, her neck aching.

*Is this what makes artists so captivating?*

It was certainly pleasing to watch, stirring a restless curiosity in her. Learning woodcarving was just an excuse; she was really here to observe Luo Xuan.

Unfortunately, the little dork Luo Xuan actually believed she was genuinely interested in woodcarving.

“The way you hold the chisel and guide it,” Luo Xuan said, gently smoothing the simple double-petaled peony she had carved, “requires practice. Usually, you hold the chisel with both hands, your left hand in front and your right hand behind.”

“Xuanxuan, can I ask you something personal?”

After taking a sip of her chilled yogurt, Song Yanshi’s cheeks flushed pink. After much deliberation, she decided to ask.

Luo Xuan, who was slowly polishing and oiling a wooden sculpture, replied casually, “Mm, go ahead.”

“What’s your relationship with Chairman Ning? Why would she seek you out personally? My father does business with the Ning Clan, but he can only reach the deputy general manager level. He never even sees Chairman Ning all year, and even trying to send gifts through intermediaries is impossible—they have their own exclusive circles.”

The hospital room fell silent, the air still and quiet. Even the swirling wood shavings settled obediently. After a moment of silence, Luo Xuan replied nonchalantly, “I met her once. There’s no relationship between us. You don’t need to overthink it.”

Song Yanshi was slightly surprised. No matter how she looked at it, the way Ning Yiqing had looked at Luo Xuan that day was far from simple, even bordering on inappropriate.

However, Luo Xuan’s tone and demeanor were so natural that it was impossible not to believe her claim of having no connection to Chairman Ning.

Yet President Ning’s reaction… it really left everyone’s imaginations running wild, conjuring up all sorts of fantasies.

Rumor has it that the paparazzi tailing Ning Yiqing had recently caught wind of something big, their noses twitching at the scent of a major scandal.

“Really? You don’t admire Chairman Ning? I mean, the Ning Family is a top-tier, century-old dynasty, with immense power and influence. Their descendants are all highly successful, their family traditions are strict and disciplined, and they maintain impeccable reputations, with virtually no scandals ever surfacing.”

Song Yanshi concluded emphatically, “Chairman Ning truly possesses all the qualities that make someone desirable.”

“Desirable… qualities?” Luo Xuan asked, slightly surprised. This was a realm she had never considered or explored before. Perhaps she was too naive to understand that love often comes with unspoken conditions.

“Yes, everyone’s like that. A partner needs to be tall, attractive, wealthy, and capable. Chairman Ning checks every box at the highest level, and she’s an S-Class Omega too.”

“Then do you truly love her? Or, if your partner lost all those qualities, would you still love them?”

“Uh…” Song Yanshi hesitated, unable to answer Luo Xuan’s question. “I’ve never thought about that. What about you? Do you just… love anyone?”

“Maybe,” Luo Xuan chuckled softly. “I’m rather foolish. I fell in love on a whim, without thinking too much about it. But don’t follow my example—it’s a recipe for disaster.”

“Do you mean your past choices were wrong?” Song Yanshi asked, her curiosity piqued. She couldn’t help but feel that this carefree, unrestrained young woman radiated a bewitching aura of confusion and reckless abandon.

“Choices aren’t about right or wrong,” Luo Xuan said, carving a delicate petal. “The most important thing is to have no regrets.”

“Then do you regret your past choices?”

Perhaps it was easier to confide in someone she’d only known for a few days. Luo Xuan felt a sense of relief.

“No regrets.”

She didn’t regret falling in love with Ning Yiqing, nor did she regret falling out of love.

Maybe she was deceiving herself—who could say? But even if she was wrong, she couldn’t be bothered to fix it.

Having no attachments to begin with, losing was just losing. She lacked the competitive spirit to care.

“Xuanxuan, you seem to have quite a story. Are you really only 21? You’re so young,” Song Yanshi said, inching closer to Luo Xuan.

“Pay close attention to this cut I’m making. The blade must be sharp, and you must strike without hesitation,” Luo Xuan said, her focus returning to the wood carving. Her profile was serious and meticulous, her gaze unwavering.

“Xuanxuan,” Song Yanshi cooed, settling beside Luo Xuan. She casually swept her long hair aside with one hand, revealing the sweet, tempting scent of her glands, filling the room with a refreshing, green tea-like aroma. “I think I have a fever. Could you help me?”

Qin Shiyi waited for Lan Leren to park the car before they went upstairs together. But when they arrived, she was greeted by a familiar scene: Ning Yiqing standing tall and motionless at the hospital room door.

As they approached, Qin Shiyi overheard the soft, obedient voice of the Omega inside asking Luo Xuan for a temporary mark.

Her heart skipped a beat. *A mark?* Luo Xuan had undergone surgery to remove Ning Yiqing’s permanent mark. Wasn’t this walking straight into the lion’s den?

*This is going to be a show,* she thought. *I have to see this.*

Before she could stop him, Qin Shiyi watched Ning Yiqing step into the dimly lit room, his slender figure radiating an overwhelming presence.

“Xiao Xuan, why didn’t you reject her?” The woman’s voice was low and heavy, like dark clouds gathering before a storm.

Luo Xuan showed neither surprise nor shock at Ning Yiqing’s arrival. She slowly tucked her long hair behind her ear, twirling the carving knife in her hand. The blade flashed with a mirror-like gleam.

“President Ning must be very bored,” she said coolly. “What brings you here in broad daylight? I won’t sign the contract. Focus your attention on other Alphas.”

“I’ve come to take you home.”