Chapter 16
She certainly can’t go into details about the fact that the two of them had already shared a marital relationship and were bound to be together, but her affirmative attitude was evident and firm.
At a glance, anyone could see that she was serious.
Zhong Zinuan fell silent, and the group reached the entrance of the villa.
With no bodyguards accompanying them, Zhong Ning took on the responsibility of leading the way voluntarily.
She walked a little ahead, tightened her grip on Xie Shiqing’s hand, and led her to the sofa, where she seated her before sitting down beside her.
Fresh fruit, just brought in by the servants, was laid out on the coffee table. Zhong Ning turned her head slightly and softly named each fruit one by one, then asked, "Is there anything you'd like to eat? I’ll get it for you."
Xie Shiqing’s voice was sweet. "No, there isn’t."
The Head of the Zhong family sat on another sofa nearby. Her manner was warm and welcoming as she encouraged Xie Shiqing to make herself comfortable.
In fact, the Zhong and Xie families had always maintained a very good relationship. They had long been partners. The Xie family ran an entertainment company that also dabbled in other industries, while the Zhong family operated cinemas and shopping malls, leading to many areas of business cooperation.
The funeral of the Xie family’s head and Madam Xie had, back in the day, been managed entirely by the Head of the Zhong family, who had taken charge of everything personally.
Back then, Xie Shiqing truly believed that the Head of the Zhong family was someone who valued emotions and bonds. Who could have thought that such a generous, tolerant, and kindly elder would secretly wield a hidden knife?
The smile on her lips was one of warmth and familiarity. The two exchanged polite pleasantries for quite some time, with barely any room for others to interject.
Eventually, after enough reminiscences and concern for the present, the Head of the Zhong family finally raised the question she cared about most. "Shiqing, when do you think would be a good time for the engagement banquet? It’s entirely up to you."
Xie Shiqing pretended to think for a moment. "Let’s set it for mid-August, so we have time to send out the invitations."
It was currently mid-July, a timeframe that greatly pleased the Head of the Zhong family. It was quick and early enough.
Among people of their class, once something was decided, it was rare to be reversed. Marriage alliances, even more so.
Settling the matter early and making it public meant there would be no room for change.
Even if the couple didn’t get along, wanted a divorce, or found separate paths, that would be something to deal with only after marriage.
Though the Zhong and Xie families had a genuinely good relationship, a marital alliance involved an exchange of shares, a connection even deeper than that of business partners.
The Head of the Zhong family beamed with joy and said, "Good, good, good. Then mid-August it is. We’ll hold it at Haiyue Restaurant."
This was a starred restaurant owned by the Zhong family, frequently used for large banquets. Xie Shiqing had no objections.
With the main matter settled, the Head of the Zhong family invited her to the study to further discuss business cooperation.
Madam Zhong was a full-time housewife who usually spent her days socializing with other ladies and getting beauty treatments. She did not interfere in the company’s affairs.
After the two left, she turned to Zhong Ning with a smile and said, "You ran out yelling yesterday. I really thought something big was going to happen."
Zhong Ning looked slightly embarrassed. "I was too impulsive yesterday, Mom, but thankfully Miss Xie didn’t mind."
Madam Zhong was so shocked that she couldn’t hide the surprise on her face. It surfaced from within and twisted the smile on her face. "What did you say?"
When had she ever heard the word "Mom" from this girl’s mouth before! It was already a good day if she didn’t call her a bitch!
Zhong Ning thought she was asking about the details but felt too embarrassed to be specific, so she answered vaguely, "Miss Xie is so gentle and generous. I... got drunk, and she let me stay the night. Today she brought me home."
Was this really Zhong Ning? Was this really Xie Shiqing?
Xie Shiqing, gentle? They really ought to ask her countless defeated competitors what they thought about that.
Madam Zhong was momentarily at a loss for words, nearly unable to maintain her carefully constructed image of kindness.
"You’re really sure about this marriage alliance? No regrets? You know, you’ll be marrying into the Xie family."
"I’m really sure."
Zhong Ning silently muttered to herself—was marrying into a family really that terrifying? Why did everyone make such a big deal out of it?
Wasn’t it just a title? Both parties were going to live separately after marriage anyway, and besides, Xie Shiqing was genuinely successful and made a ton of money. Zhong Ning even felt like she was the one freeloading.
With her own abilities, even if she’d started saving from the beginning of time, she still wouldn’t be able to match the Xie family’s wealth.
Especially when she thought of those bank transfers, her heart felt even more guilty.
Even if she claimed to be independent, she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.
If she called it "marrying in", at least she could mentally cope with it a bit better.
Seeing that Madam Zhong looked like she wanted to say more but was holding back, Zhong Ning abruptly stood up and said hesitantly, "I’m going back to my room."
She was afraid the other woman would ask for more details. What happened last night—she couldn’t utter a single word of it.
Zhong Ning slipped away from the living room and, after going upstairs, casually called over a servant, saying she wanted to pack her things and asking to be led to her room.
The servant suspected nothing and brought her to the third-floor bedroom, then took the initiative to head into the walk-in closet.
Zhong Ning, meanwhile, went to the nightstand, found her wallet and ID, and breathed a sigh of relief. Then she also went into the closet to pick out some clothes.
The original owner's closet was very large, and the clothing style was quite distinct. Zhong Ning thought it resembled Harajuku or Hong Kong street style—actually pretty cool.
Thinking of the blue-purple highlights in her hair, it wasn’t hard to guess that the original owner was a very individualistic person.
Zhong Ning had a very diverse fashion sense and liked almost every style, so she adapted easily and cheerfully picked out some clothes she liked. She originally wanted to help fold them with the servant, but was gently refused.
She had never worn such expensive clothes before and didn’t realize there were particular ways to store them. Instead of helping, she was just getting in the way.
Awkwardly stepping out of the closet, she noticed a tablet on the window seat. She walked over, picked it up, and casually scrolled through it. At a glance, she saw that in the nearby glass greenhouse, Xie Shiqing and Zhong Zinuan were talking.
Lush plants were growing in full bloom, obscuring most of their figures. Zhong Ning could only tell who was who by their clothes.