Ning Qiuxiu intentionally and unintentionally avoided Zhan Qingyue for a few days.

She was feeling a bit uneasy, unsure how to be honest with him, and found it awkward when they were alone together.

Most importantly, if Zhan Qingyue didn’t accept her, it would be very awkward for her.

But it also seemed a bit pointless if Zhan Qingyue were to stay with her just out of gratitude for saving him.

Aside from these two scenarios, the only other possibility seemed to be a fairy-tale ending of instant love, which was obviously unrealistic.

Still, Ning Qiuxiu felt a bit reluctant to just give up on this relationship.

After all, he was the man she had saved, and it wasn’t her style to simply hand him over to someone else.

Moreover, his unique constitution was something she had only seen in him among many different people.

So Ning Qiuxiu found herself in a dead end.

All the things she had previously not needed to consider now became important, which was very bothersome.

To avoid dealing with it, she used being busy with filming as an excuse and stayed away for a few days, only learning about Zhan Qingyue’s recovery through Jingjing.

— Mr. Zhan woke up for four hours today.

— Mr. Zhan was able to have a few conversations.

— Mr. Zhan is doing well with his rehabilitation under the doctor’s guidance; today he could lift his arm.

— Mr. Zhan was picky with his food today and refused to eat noodles.

Actually, the most he had been fed while unconscious was porridge.

— Mr. Zhan…

— Mr. Zhan asked why you haven’t come lately. Ning Miss, have you changed your mind?

Ning Qiuxiu: “!!!”

He finally remembered her!

Ning Qiuxiu texted Jingjing back: “How did you respond?”

[Jingjing: The old gentleman said you were busy and couldn’t come over, so Mr. Zhan didn’t ask any more questions.]

That’s it?!

Ning Qiuxiu felt a bit disappointed.

Well, tomorrow she needed to return to the city to sign a contract, so she decided to visit the hospital.

After all, Zhan Qingyue’s mind wasn’t fully recovered yet, and it was easy for him to forget if she didn’t frequently appear before him.

Last time, Qu Hua had told her about the beauty brand.

After a few days of negotiation, they had finalized the cooperation details and compensation.

Ning Qiuxiu just needed to sign the contract tomorrow.

The company was not based in this city, so they sent a representative to meet with her.

Since this wasn’t a high-profile international trade contract, there was no need for news coverage or formalities.

They arranged to meet at a club and have lunch together.

The next day, the driver took Ning Qiuxiu back to the city.

She met with Qu Hua at the agreed location, and they went together to meet the company’s representatives.

The company sent their market manager and assistant vice president, who were very polite.

At the end, they even gave Ning Qiuxiu a set of their most popular skincare products as a gesture of goodwill.

The meal was enjoyable for both parties.

After signing the contract, the representatives left to catch their flight, and Ning Qiuxiu and Qu Hua went downstairs.

While waiting for the elevator, Ning Qiuxiu received a call from the driver saying there was an event at the mall across from the club, with celebrities in attendance.

Since it was Saturday and the mall was crowded, combined with the event, the streets were congested.

The driver couldn’t get through, so he asked if Ning Qiuxiu and Qu Hua could walk over.

Ning Qiuxiu didn’t mind.

She put on a mask and baseball cap and walked to the parking area with Qu Hua.

“Look, isn’t that Ning Qiuxiu?”

“Wow, it’s really Qiuxiu!”

“Wow, Qiuxiu actually showed up. Does this mean there will be a reunion?”

“Ahhh, it must be! I’m so excited, I’m crying!”

…

Ning Qiuxiu and Qu Hua had just walked a few steps down the street when a group of girls heading to the mall suddenly noticed her.

Before she could react, the girls excitedly surrounded her.

Despite her simple disguise, it was obvious who she was up close, and the girls confirmed it was indeed Ning Qiuxiu.

“Shh,” Qu Hua made a shushing gesture to the excited girls and said, “Please don’t make too much noise; there are too many people here.”

Understanding that they were on a busy street, the girls behaved themselves and just excitedly asked Ning Qiuxiu for autographs and bombarded her with questions.

“Qiuxiu, are you here for an event today? Is it going to be the long-awaited full reunion?”

As Ning Qiuxiu signed an autograph and moved to the next request, she asked, “Oh, what event?”

“The opening of the Shengfu Gold store at Qitai Mall. Didn’t you know that members of the Mystery Girl Group are performing here?”

“1551, Qiuxiu didn’t know? I thought there was going to be a reunion. How disappointing.”

It turned out that her former girl group was performing at this event, which explained the excitement and why she was recognized despite her disguise.

The girls were fans of the group and knew her well.

Seeing the girls looking disappointed, Ning Qiuxiu felt a bit guilty and said, “I’m here to take care of some nearby business. I didn’t know they were performing here.”

“So, no reunion for us?”

“Don’t cry, Qiuxiu, give us a surprise, save the day!”

“It’s nice to take a photo together,” one of the young girls said.

Ning Qiuxiu noticed that these girls, who were around 20 years old, probably didn’t know she had left the group and wouldn’t be returning since she had fallen out with Yixing.

But she couldn’t say that.

Qu Hua quickly stepped in to help Ning Qiuxiu, saying, “Qiuxiu also attends some brand events. If you want to see her, you can follow the official WeChat updates and come anytime~ You should hurry in; with this crowd, the venue will likely be packed, and you might not get a front-row seat if you’re late~”

The girls, clearly excited, asked Ning Qiuxiu for her autograph and a photo before saying their goodbyes. Ning Qiuxiu watched them leave, smiling and shaking her head.

“So rich,” Ning Qiuxiu said.

Qu Hua understood that Ning Qiuqiu was referring to the fact that Shengfu Golden had invited the Mysterious Girl Group for a commercial performance.

Ning Qiuxiu leaving the group had brought a surge of popularity to the already high-profile group.

Recently, the news about the stalking incidents involving Ning Qiuxiu had stirred up a lot of buzz, which the group capitalized on by releasing their new song.

Their commercial performance fees were now very high.

“You’re even richer than they are,” Qu Hua said with a smile that couldn’t hide his satisfaction, “This endorsement contract is worth much more than what they’d make from ten commercial performances. How do you feel about that?”

Everyone likes to make money, but… “Qu Hua, who didn’t support me leaving the group back then, saying that ten commercial performances wouldn’t be worth as much as an endorsement?”

“Ah~ I didn’t know your acting was so good. Speaking of which, I’ve never asked you: Did you sneak into a supplementary class to become so outstanding?”

“Well…” Ning Qiuxiu said with a mysterious tone, “I received guidance from a great mentor.”

“A great mentor? Which acting master?”

“That’s a secret. If you ask, it’s a matter that cannot be revealed.”

Qu Hua: “……”

“Alright, if you won’t say, then fine. You have the skills, and I benefit from it. You’re like a moving gold mine to me now, sparkling all over.”

“……” Why didn’t you blind me with your presence?

The two of them chatted and laughed as they reached the parking area.

Ning Qiuxiu used the excuse of visiting a friend at the hospital to have Qu Hua go back first.

She then went to the hospital where Zhan Qingyue was staying.

The hospital room door was slightly ajar. As Ning Qiuxiu reached the door, she heard voices from inside.

Her hand paused on the door handle; someone was visiting.

The Zhan family had kept Zhan Qingyue’s awakening under wraps.

In a high-profile family like theirs, there were always many visitors, and with the news of Zhan Qingyue waking up, the attention would be overwhelming.

They didn’t want to deal with the commotion, so the news was kept quiet.

Given that someone was already inside, it was likely a familiar face.

Ning Qiuxiu thought about this and pushed the door open. She saw Lin Xitian sitting on the sofa outside, chatting and being playful with Grandpa Zhan.

When she heard the door open, Lin Xitian looked up and, seeing it was Ning Qiuxiu, smiled and said, “Oh, Qiuxiu is here to see Brother Qingyue too! Wow, we have great timing, arriving on the same day.”

Ning Qiuxiu had a good impression of Lin Xitian.

Although she was a bit naïve, she was kind-hearted and pleasant to be around. Ning Qiuxiu smiled back and said, “Xitian, Grandpa.”

“I was just about to call you to come over, and here you are,” Grandpa Zhan said. “Qingyue has just woken up. Go in and see him.”

He then gave Ning Qiuxiu a knowing look.

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

There was someone else inside.

Ning Qiuxiu had a pretty good idea of who it might be.

What perfect timing for her visit.

Ning Qiuxiu put down her bag and walked toward the inner ward.

Just as she reached the door, she heard Jia Qing’s voice: “Let me feed him.”

Feed him? What is she feeding him?!

“No need, Miss Jia, I…” Chen Yi’s words were cut off as Jia Qing took the bowl from him.

As a man and a caregiver, he had no way to refuse, so he anxiously glanced at Zhan Qingyue, who had not yet expressed his preference.

“She should do it.” Zhan Qingyue’s gaze shifted past them to the door.

After a few days of recovery, although speaking was still somewhat difficult for him, he could at least clearly express his intentions, and there was no need for others to guess based on intuition.

Neither Jia Qing nor Chen Yi noticed Ning Qiuqiu’s arrival.

They turned to the door and saw Ning Qiuxiu standing there.

Ning Qiuxiu, who had been feeling displeased, felt as if the icy anger she had was instantly melted by a bucket of boiling water upon hearing his words.

“Miss Ning is a distinguished guest; how can we trouble her with this?” Jia Qing scooped a spoonful of soup and held it to his mouth. “Come, Mr. Zhan, drink it while it’s hot.”