Chapter 136 I’m Not in Love

"…Okay."

Ning Xi stared at the delicate black box in her hand, took a breath, and opened it. Inside was a pink crystal bracelet with a unique design; the crystal-clear beads contained several tiny, silver stars.

The bracelet lay quietly in the box, shining with a lively beauty under the light in the living room.

"Wow!"

Ning Xi's eyes were full of surprise as she took the bracelet in her hand, looking at it with delight and a sweet smile on her face. "It's so pretty! Is this for me?"

"Who else?"

Ye Fan joked with a smile, "What, do you want me, a guy, to wear something like this out in public?"

"Pfft—"

Ning Xi's eyes curved into crescent moons as she chuckled. Then she lifted her delicate face and cast a questioning look at Ye Fan. "Why did you suddenly buy me a gift? And aren't you short on money lately?"

"Why waste money like this?!"

Although she was young, Ning Xi knew well enough that this bracelet was not cheap. Just from the material, she could tell it must have cost at least a few thousand, if not tens of thousands.

Facing her question, Ye Fan explained with a smile, "Last weekend, Sister Lan gave me some money. I thought about returning it to her, but knowing her personality, she would never take it back. Since this money was meant for you anyway, I decided to buy you a bracelet instead."

He took the crystal bracelet from Ning Xi's hand with his right hand and playfully pinched her fair nose with his left. "Don't like it? If you don't, I'll return it this weekend."

"Don't return it!"

Hearing that, Ning Xi quickly snatched the bracelet back from his hand, held it protectively to her chest, and said firmly, "It's a gift you gave me. Now that you've given it, how could you return it?"

"This bracelet is mine now. I decide what to do with it!"

Seeing her stubborn look, Ye Fan chuckled softly and said gently, "Alright, it's up to you. At least let me put it on for you?"

"O-Okay…"

Ning Xi's voice suddenly grew quiet. She handed the bracelet back to him, turned her head away, and extended her right hand. Out of Ye Fan's sight, her face was flushed with shyness.

Ye Fan gently placed the bracelet on her slender, fair wrist, the pink crystal reflecting a soft blush against her skin. He nodded in satisfaction and praised, "Looks nice. Very pretty."

"Not for you to look at!"

Ning Xi quickly pulled her hand back, covering the bracelet with her sleeve. She stared intently at Ye Fan, her soft voice tinged with a hint of reproach. "No more wasting money like this, okay? And… no need to buy me gifts. It's too expensive!"

"Alright."

Ye Fan nodded in agreement, but his thoughts were quite different.

After all, this was money given by his future mother-in-law, meant for Ning Xi. How could he ignore such kindness?

Ning Xi didn't say anything more. She picked up the glass of lemon water on the coffee table, drank it in one gulp, then picked up her bag and said softly, "I should be heading home."

"I'll walk you out."

"…Mm."

At the community gate.

Before getting into the car, Ning Xi turned around and waved at Ye Fan from a few meters away. Her sleeve naturally fell back, revealing the crystal bracelet on her wrist. Her cheeks flushed as she said, "Thank you for the gift. I… really like it. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Watching the car disappear into the distance, Ye Fan's lips moved slightly. Only after it was out of sight did he turn and head back into the building.

Back home, he took care of his hunger and then continued grinding experience points in his game...

…

"Xiao Xi, these crabs are good. Have one."

"Thank you."

In the dining room, Ning Xi looked at the mountain of food piled in her bowl, her face filled with helplessness. She took a couple of bites before asking, "Mom, when is Dad coming home?"

"I'm not sure."

Lan Xi paused her eating and explained gently, "But he called me this morning, saying he should be home tonight, though he might be a bit late."

Curious, she looked her daughter up and down. "Xiao Xi, do you need something from your dad?"

Ever since last weekend, her daughter had been asking when her husband would be home every day for three days straight. In Lan Xi's memory, her daughter had never acted like this before.

"Mm."

Ning Xi put down her chopsticks and nodded.

She hadn't told her parents about becoming Master Gu Yun's disciple yet. For some reason, she wanted to wait until they were both home to tell them together.

Lan Xi was intrigued. She walked around the table and sat beside her daughter. "If there's anything you want to discuss, you can tell Mom. I can help, too."

Ning Xi whispered, "Mom, it's not something that needs handling. It's just… some good news, and I want to tell both you and Dad together."

"Good news?"

Lan Xi's eyes sparkled, and she teased, "What's the good news? Can't you tell me first? Is it about Ye Fan?"

"Mom, how did you know?" Ning Xi asked, surprised.

"Just a guess."

Lan Xi raised her brows, genuinely surprised.

She was only trying to tease her daughter, but to her shock, she had guessed correctly. Her curiosity grew even stronger as she smiled, coaxing, "Xiao Xi, who knows when your dad will get home? Tell me first, let me be happy for a bit."

As she spoke, she also started guessing.

Could it be…

Is it possible…

Already? No way!

"No way."

Ning Xi shook her head, smiling sweetly. "I have to wait for Dad. Otherwise, I'm not saying a word."

Lan Xi thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Xiao Xi, about that… Mom fully supports you and Ye Fan, but you're still in your senior year. You mustn't let it affect your studies, understand?"

Ning Xi scratched her head, confused. "Mom, what are you talking about? That? What do you mean?"

"That, you know!" Lan Xi's lips twitched.

"What…?"

Halfway through her question, Ning Xi stopped, suddenly understanding her mother's implication. Her face turned crimson as she exclaimed, "Mom, it's not what you think! You've misunderstood!"

"Why be shy with me?"

Lan Xi held her daughter's hand and smiled gently. "Mom's been through it too. When your dad courted me, I was only 18. I kept him waiting for four years until I graduated before agreeing to date him."

"Love is a curious thing; when it comes, you can't stop it. Isn't there a saying? Fate is never too early or too late but always right on time. I understand you're longing for love at your age, and I support you with Ye Fan."

"But until your exams are over, focus on your studies, okay? In college, protect yourself and try to take it slow, like I did. Only with time can you truly get to know someone. Got it?"

"Mom!"

Ning Xi wanted to hide in a hole, her cheeks blazing red.

She wasn't naïve; she understood her mother's words. Involuntarily, her voice rose, "I'm not dating Ye Fan! You really misunderstood!"

"Huh?"

Hearing her daughter's words, Lan Xi was stunned, feeling awkward.

So she had wasted all that effort for nothing. What an embarrassing mistake...

The best way to handle such an awkward moment was to change the topic.

"Ahem—"

Lan Xi composed herself as if nothing had happened. Smiling, she asked, "So, Xiao Xi, what's the good news?"

"Wow, we're having crab tonight?"

At that moment, Ning Xi's father, Ning Xiangtian, walked into the dining room after being away for three days. He looked slightly weary but wore a radiant smile. He sat down next to his daughter and winked at his wife, saying, "Honey, could you get me some utensils? I'm starving."

"Alright."

Lan Xi nodded, went to the cupboard, and brought him a set of utensils, smiling as she said, "It's about time you came home. Your sweet daughter has been asking when you'd be back every day."

Ning Xiangtian laughed heartily and patted his daughter's head. "Xiao Xi, did you miss Dad?"

"No."

Ning Xi shook her head.

"..."

Silence filled the air, making the moment even more awkward.

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