Chapter Thirty-Four: Qin Nuanyu’s Sense of Crisis

In the past, old sailors by the sea used to say that steering a large ship back into port was a skill that demanded the highest level of expertise.

Out at sea, after some tentative maneuvering, the cruise ship slowly glided into the correct position inside the harbor. Once the direction was confirmed, it accelerated briefly—the entire process swift and precise. Because the channel was narrow, the distance available to the ship was limited. For the captain, this required unwavering focus and steady hands to ensure the vessel docked at the exact spot.

At last, the ship came to rest alongside the quay. The anchor plunged into the deep, the strike so accurate it stilled the cruise ship completely, letting it settle quietly upon the water.

...

An hour later, Yang Xiaofan lay on the bed, watching Qin Nuanyu, who wore his shirt while crouching in the bathroom, scrubbing the bedsheets. His face brimmed with pride and satisfaction, like a victorious general returning from battle, or a triumphant rooster strutting in the barnyard.

Qin Nuanyu knelt by the sink, furiously scrubbing at the plum-blossom stains on the sheet. Sunlight streamed through the window, shining on her long legs, her fair skin reflecting a faint, luminescent glow, as if she were carved from precious jade.

It was dazzling to the point of dizziness.

After a while, Qin Nuanyu emerged from the bathroom and met Yang Xiaofan’s gaze, her cheeks flushed crimson. The endearing expression made Yang Xiaofan break into a mischievous grin.

She glared at him fiercely. “How can you still laugh! If Yiyi and the others see blood on my bedsheet, they’ll never let me live it down!”

“What are you afraid of? We’re a proper couple now, and we’re going to get married anyway.”

“Ugh! I’m not as shameless as you are.”

“Oh really~?”

There was something in Yang Xiaofan’s tone that Qin Nuanyu instantly picked up on, and she wasn’t having it. She spread her hands, lunged at him, and began tickling him in a flurry.

“Ah! Let’s see you laugh at me now, let’s see you laugh at me...”

Yang Xiaofan begged for mercy again and again. Yet as time passed, he somehow managed to reverse their positions once more.

His mother had once said that if you only clear a patch of land but don’t tend to it, weeds will quickly grow back, and someone else might even come and steal it. The best way was to be diligent every day, sow some seeds, and let them take root and sprout. Only then could you truly call that land your own.

...

Another hour passed before Yang Xiaofan and Qin Nuanyu finally left the dorm and went downstairs together.

Yet for some reason, Qin Nuanyu walked with a limp, as if she’d been hurt.

Yang Xiaofan felt a pang of guilt. “Nuanyu, I’m sorry—this was all my fault.”

“You jerk, I don’t want to talk to you!” Qin Nuanyu snapped, fuming.

The rice was already cooked, after all. Was she supposed to run away now? Or wait until it scorched and stuck to the pot, so hard it could break a tooth, before she’d be satisfied?

Yang Xiaofan kept apologizing and coaxing her gently.

In the end, a lavish breakfast was what finally soothed Qin Nuanyu’s mood.

After she’d eaten her fill, Yang Xiaofan grinned and said, “Class monitor, why don’t you take the morning off?”

“You’re asking for leave again!” Qin Nuanyu’s brows knitted in slight displeasure. Yang Xiaofan was taking more and more time off—did this mean she wouldn’t see him all day?

Yang Xiaofan quickly explained, “Not me—I have rehearsals every morning, so I don’t have to go to class. I meant you should take a day off.”

“Why should I?”

“Aren’t you curious where I went last night? Today, I’ll take you to see for yourself.”

Qin Nuanyu’s eyes lit up at once. She had indeed been curious about Yang Xiaofan’s whereabouts the night before, especially since she’d spent the whole day feeling aggrieved. And now, he’d asked her to wear the designer outfit they’d bought a few nights ago, so wherever they were going today must be special.

“I’ll tell the counselor right now,” Qin Nuanyu said, and quickly took leave from her advisor before following Yang Xiaofan on his way to the auction house.

Soon, their car arrived. From a distance, Qin Nuanyu saw luxury cars—one after another—entering the auction house parking lot. Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maybach... every kind of high-end vehicle imaginable, each worth a fortune.

Altogether, it looked like a miniature auto show.

Qin Nuanyu couldn’t help but gasp. “So many rich people! Xiaofan, is there some kind of gathering here today?”

Yang Xiaofan chuckled and pointed to the electronic screen at the auction house entrance, as well as the congratulatory banners from various companies.

“Look over there.”

“Oh, so an auction house is having its grand opening,” Qin Nuanyu said, a trace of envy in her eyes.

From the outside, it was clear this was a massive operation, with a considerable investment behind it. In northern Jiangsu, a business of this scale was already quite impressive. Whoever owned this auction house must be someone extraordinary.

“In that case, Madam Boss, shall we go in together?” Yang Xiaofan said.

“Oh, okay!”

At that moment, Qin Nuanyu suddenly paused, as if something had dawned on her. “???”

“Xiaofan...what did you just call me?”

Yang Xiaofan grinned mischievously. “Madam Boss.”

“No...wait...this auction house is yours!” Qin Nuanyu’s body trembled, her beautiful eyes wide with shock.

She could hardly believe her ears.

“What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to run an auction house this big?”

“No, no,” Qin Nuanyu waved her hands, delighted. “But—what made you want to open an auction house?”

“Of course, so my darling can walk tall across all of northern Jiangsu. Come on, let’s go inside.”

With that, Yang Xiaofan took her hand and led her into the auction house.

Gu Hao hurried over to greet them. “Xiaofan, sis-in-law, you’re here!”

Hearing herself called “sis-in-law,” Qin Nuanyu blushed, but her heart filled with warmth and happiness. To be acknowledged by Yang Xiaofan’s close friends only confirmed her place in his life.

Yang Xiaofan nodded. “Is the auction about to start?”

“It’s just about to. President Mu and President Liu have both arrived—we were just waiting for you.”

“Then let’s go in.”

“Alright.”

They entered the auction house together. Mu Shuyu and the others were already waiting. When they saw Yang Xiaofan bring Qin Nuanyu along, they couldn’t resist teasing him.

“We were wondering where Master Yang had gone. Turns out he was off pampering his girlfriend, tricking us into coming here to do all the work, while he’s out there enjoying himself.”

Yang Xiaofan immediately tried to appease them with a sheepish grin. “It’s nothing like that—please, don’t tease me. After today, each of you will receive a painting from me as thanks for your help.”

Their eyes lit up.

They all knew how valuable Yang Xiaofan’s paintings were. Even if they weren’t short on money, a ten-million-yuan painting as a token of appreciation was certainly welcome.