「In the restaurant.」
Ning Guiwan hadn't expected the elder to bring this up. After a pause, she smiled slowly. "No rush."
"You have to marry someone eventually," declared Elder Mrs. Quan. "No matter how your dad treats you, staying in that family home surely isn't comfortable. Finding someone suitable to be with is also about giving yourself a new environment."
"Your Uncle Yu has a cousin on his mother's side who, when idle, loves to matchmake. I'll invite her over tomorrow at noon, and you should also come. Whatever requirements you have, bring them up to her."
Ning Guiwan felt somewhat helpless after hearing this. She knew the elder meant well, but… "I have no plans in that regard for the time being."
After a moment, she added, "I won't have any for the next few years either. Grandma Quan, you needn't trouble yourself for me."
"Listen to you! Do you want to remain an old maid?" For Elder Mrs. Quan, at her age, marriage was more important than anything else. "Your maternal grandmother and your mother are both gone; I can't let you have your way in this matter."
"Sir, you're back? Why don't you come in? The Old Madam is having dinner with Miss Ning; your timing is perfect." A servant's voice came from outside the restaurant, but before she could finish speaking, Quan Yu had already entered.
Ning Guiwan looked over at him. Quan Yu was dressed more formally today; a wheat-ear lapel pin was inserted at the notch of his navy-blue suit—exquisite and unique, perfectly accentuating his elegant, mature demeanor.
"Why didn't you say you were coming back earlier?" Elder Mrs. Quan frowned upon seeing her son.
He's always busy. Does he even remember his old mother?
"I came back to join you for dinner, and you're not pleased?" Quan Yu pulled out the chair opposite Ning Guiwan, his gaze sweeping past her face before settling on his old mother. "What were you discussing just now?"
"I'm planning to have your mother's cousin arrange a match for Xiaowan. Tomorrow at noon, you should come too. I'll ask her to keep an eye out for someone suitable for you as well. You're in your thirties; it's time you settled down."
Quan Yu took off his suit jacket and casually hung it over the back of the chair. He sat down while unbuttoning his cuffs. Upon hearing the topic turn to him, he curled his lips slightly, his expression nonchalant. "These things can't be rushed. Let's take it slow."
Elder Mrs. Quan's eyes brightened. In the past, whenever she brought up this topic, her son would avoid it. But listening to him today, has he agreed to matchmaking?
Thinking this, Elder Mrs. Quan hurriedly struck while the iron was hot. "I'm not forcing you to marry tomorrow, just as long as you're open to the idea. So it's settled then. You and Xiaowan both come by tomorrow at noon."
By the end, the old lady was all smiles.
Ning Guiwan: "..."
After dinner, Ning Guiwan didn't stay long with the old lady, as she soon felt unwell.
"You take Xiaowan home," Elder Mrs. Quan instructed Quan Yu.
Quan Yu didn't refuse.
During their last meal together, Ning Guiwan had realized that Quan Yu's attitude towards her wasn't as antagonistic as before, so she didn't decline his offer this time.
She had her own plans and agenda for returning to the country. Ruiyin Group held significant sway in Shencheng's business world, and cultivating a relationship with Quan Yu could only be advantageous.
From the car window, Ning Guiwan saw the reflection of Quan Yu's profile: a straight nose and a well-defined jaw. A man like him, even without power, would still be highly sought after.
"There's a reception tomorrow night. Some old friends from our circle will be there. Are you interested?" Quan Yu suddenly spoke, his deep gaze turning towards her.
Ning Guiwan had her head turned sideways. Quan Yu couldn't possibly see where her gaze was focused, yet she still felt as if he'd caught her peeking.
Composing herself, she turned to face Quan Yu. "Would it be convenient for you to bring me along?"
She didn't refuse.
The 'old friends' Quan Yu mentioned were undoubtedly influential figures in the business world.
Quan Yu offered a faint smile. "It's no inconvenience at all."
The black Cullinan slowly stopped at the entrance of the Ning family home.
"Uncle Yu, wait for me a moment."
After saying this, Ning Guiwan pushed open the car door, ran into the villa, and emerged shortly after with a delicate garment bag and a black umbrella in hand.
The girl was dressed in a form-fitting business suit, her long, curly hair cascading over her shoulders. As she ran towards him, it was like an exquisitely beautiful slow-motion scene, gradually drawing closer from a distance and imprinting itself deep into Quan Yu's eyes.
"The suit has been cleaned."
Ning Guiwan bent over to hand the garment bag and umbrella into the back seat. Her hurried sprint had left her slightly breathless, and her fair cheeks were flushed a rosy pink like the dawn, adding to her captivating allure.
Quan Yu glanced at her, then reached out to open the car door on the other side.
After getting out of the car, he walked over to Ning Guiwan.
He stood a head taller than her. Ning Guiwan tilted her head up, her beautiful eyes blinking gently. "Uncle Yu, is there something you want to say?"
Quan Yu stared at her for a long moment, then slowly put his right hand into his trouser pocket. "I'll pick you up from your company at noon tomorrow."
A flicker of confusion crossed Ning Guiwan's eyes.
"The old lady invited you to lunch. Have you forgotten already?" Quan Yu said, his features appearing sharply defined against the backlight.
Ning Guiwan crossed her hands in front of her and smiled. "Then I'll have to trouble you."
Watching the Cullinan gradually recede into the distance, the smile on Ning Guiwan's face also slowly faded.
The weather had been poor since a rainstorm a few nights prior, remaining persistently gloomy and exceptionally cool. Ning Guiwan slowly raised her arms to hug herself, standing in the night wind for a long moment.
Ning Honghua and the two sisters had not yet returned. Ning Guiwan went back to her room, took a shower, and then turned on her phone, which she had previously switched off.
Apart from a few missed calls from Ning Rongyue, there was a text message from an unknown number: "Xiaowan, I heard you're back. How are you?"
Just as Ning Guiwan was wondering who it could be, another message arrived from the same number: "It's Ziyan."
Zhang Ziyan: her friend and classmate from elementary through high school, now a moderately famous actress in the entertainment industry.
Ning Guiwan felt none of the joy of reconnecting with an old friend. After reading the messages, she tossed her phone aside and opened her laptop to check her email.
She opened an email signed "Winston Churchill." Inside were several pictures of a little girl, about two or three years old. She was a typical product of mixed Eastern and Western heritage, with brown hair, large brown eyes, and snow-white skin—as beautiful as a doll.
Beneath the photos was a single line in English: "Aila misses you."
Ning Guiwan looked at the child and smiled tenderly. Her eyes were clear and pure, without a trace of coquetry. Her fingers tapped across the keyboard as she replied, "I miss Aila too."
She clicked "Send," and just then, there was a knock at the door.
Ning Guiwan closed her laptop and went to open it. Ning Rongyue stood in the doorway.
"Why didn't you go to Baiyu Palace?" Ning Rongyue asked. Though her smile was poised and amiable, her gaze and tone were rather forceful.
Clearly, Ning Guiwan's backing out had displeased her.
Ning Guiwan leaned against the doorframe. Her red nightgown clung to her figure, revealing her exquisite curves and an indescribable allure.
She laughed with abandon, a bewitching glint in her eyes. "I'm not the main character. My presence or absence makes no difference, don't you think?"