"Let's go back to the counter and settle the payment for the ring." Zhang Xinlan took the initiative to grab Ye Chen's hand, feeling ripples in her heart.

Zhang Xinlan had never been so close to a man before, taking the initiative to hold Ye Chen's hand was definitely a huge breakthrough for her.

"Silly girl, I already paid for it," Ye Chen said warmly. "I just wanted to share a thrilling experience with you, a surprise!"

"You!" Zhang Xinlan's heart tightened and then relaxed.

Without a word, their hearts drew closer, the moment was beautifully picturesque, and they emotionally connected, sensing each other's presence.

Had anyone witnessed the two of them, they would have covered their eyes in embarrassment and exclaimed, "This scene is too beautiful, I can't bear to look!"

Eventually, the pair walked towards the parking lot.

Zhang Xinlan skillfully looped her arm through Ye Chen's, and although he hadn't confessed and she hadn't bared her feelings, they were still so close to each other.

This feeling of romantic affection had come so swiftly, happiness so suddenly, it still felt like a dream to Zhang Xinlan.

Ye Chen, ever the gentleman, closed the car door for Zhang Xinlan and then ran back to the driver's seat. The feeling was really wonderful.

"Xinlan~! Is it really you? Why didn't you let me know when you came to Longcheng?" It was at this moment that an unwelcome visitor suddenly appeared.

The man was handsome and mature, not more than thirty years old, with an aura of authority emanating from him.

There are some people you know are exceptional with just one glance, and this man was of that kind.

He called Zhang Xinlan by her name, displaying an intimacy that clearly showed their familiarity with each other.

Zhang Xinlan lowered the car window slightly, looked up to see the newcomer, but didn't show any excessive enthusiasm.

"It turns out to be Liu Tianxing! I've just arrived in Longcheng and my schedule for the next few days is packed, so I didn't want to bother you." Zhang Xinlan said politely, her eyes signaling Ye Chen to drive away quickly.

"Haha, what are you saying, Xinlan? There's no bother. Do you have time tonight? I…"

Liu Tianxing couldn't finish his sentence as Zhang Xinlan's business car suddenly revved the engine and sped off.

"I wanted to invite you to dinner! You ungrateful woman, really, some people don't appreciate kindness!"

Liu Tianxing, seeing Zhang Xinlan drive away without a care for his face saving, lost his image completely and cursed openly.

"Boss, do you want to stop them?" An elderly man with the air of a butler behind Liu Tianxing spoke up.

"No need!"

"Liu Shihua is coming to Longcheng for a Tianda commercial performance. She will definitely attend the banquet held by Tianda tonight. Find out the identity of the man with Zhang Xinlan; I'm going to attend Tianda's banquet tonight..."

"Zhang Xinlan, you wait for me, I'm going to get you today!"

Liu Tianxing's face was grim, like a venomous snake hissing threats.

Ye Chen drove, and Zhang Xinlan sat quietly beside him. They said nothing, the atmosphere slightly tense.

"Don't you have any questions you want to ask me?" In the end, it was Zhang Xinlan who couldn't help but speak first.

"No." Ye Chen shook his head.

"Don't you want to know who that man just now was?" Zhang Xinlan asked.

"He has nothing to do with you," Ye Chen stated confidently, being observant was his strong suit. He had only glanced at Zhang Xinlan a moment ago and knew that there were no serious implications between them.

Because of what Ye Chen said, the car fell silent once again.

Zhang Xinlan quietly fiddled with the silver ring on her finger, the one engraved with a little star, that Ye Chen had just given her.

"You're really smart, but sometimes you can be so silly, I wonder if it's all an act." Zhang Xinlan glanced at Ye Chen.

Sometimes he seemed lack intelligence, acting foolishly, but he also had his wise moments, like just before, where he was spot on in his judgment; she indeed had nothing to do with that man.

"That man is called Liu Tianxing, a suitor who has pursued me for a long time and seems to not have given up completely yet!" Zhang Xinlan stated truthfully. She hoped for Ye Chen to show a hint of jealousy, it would make her feel proud and accomplished.

But in the end, she was disappointed. Ye Chen didn't give away much emotion, as if he was someone who naturally never got jealous.

"Even if he is your suitor, I've already won, since you are wearing the engagement ring I gave you." Ye Chen said smugly.

"What?" Zhang Xinlan doubted her own hearing.

"The engagement ring I proposed with, you're already wearing it!" Ye Chen shamelessly repeated.

"Nonsense, when did you propose!" Zhang Xinlan exclaimed angrily.

She thought to remove the silver ring from her finger, but for some reason, suddenly gave up the idea, as if reluctant.

"Just now." Ye Chen lied effortlessly, without even a hint of a blush.

Zhang Xinlan: "..."

Trees cannot survive without their bark; death is certain. People cannot survive without their face; they are invincible! At this moment, Zhang Xinlan finally grasped the profound meaning of this saying. Ye Chen was that absolutely invincible person.

However, was his proposal of marriage serious?

Seeing Zhang Xinlan's silence, Ye Chen felt a strong sense of elation.

Initially, Zhang Xinlan wore a large diamond ring on her right ring finger, but after he gave her the silver ring engraved with little stars, she slid off the diamond ring and put on the silver one.

The underlying meaning was self-evident—an unspoken acceptance from the beauty. Even though it was revealed now, sooner or later, they would consummate their relationship.

Two people walking along the river of love, with their shoes already wet, were pondering their feelings for each other.

"Do you still want this antique phone?" Zhang Xinlan said as she took out Ye Chen's old Nokia.

"You want it?" Ye Chen asked.

"Mhm, I want to keep it as a special gift!" A blush appeared on Zhang Xinlan's face after she spoke.

Ye Chen was somewhat wooden when it came to love, but he wasn't stupid. Seeing Zhang Xinlan's expression, he understood her intentions.

"Okay!" Ye Chen nodded as he held the steering wheel, but he instructed her earnestly, "However, you must ensure that this phone is not damaged, that it is on call 24 hours a day, and that it cannot be turned off! There's a number in this phone that you must not dial out, but if someone calls this number, you must tell me immediately!"

Ye Chen's expression was serious, not as if he were joking, as if this antique phone was of great importance to him.

In fact, this phone had once been used by an old commander in the military region, and later it was gifted to Ye Chen. Although it was an antique phone flaking with age, it represented the highest honor.

After Ye Chen was ordered to retire, the old commander who had extended great kindness to him sighed to the heavens, deeply reluctant to part, and finally had someone note down Ye Chen's mobile number.

Ye Chen did not know whether the old commander would call this number, but he had to be prepared. Now, entrusting the phone to Zhang Xinlan for safekeeping was not an issue, because Ye Chen was here.

Zhang Xinlan nodded silently, clutching the antique phone in her hand. Thoughts about the phone began to swirl in her heart. Could it hold his secret?

After returning to the villa, Ye Chen, with big and small bags hung all over him, followed behind Zhang Xinlan.

"Shihua, why are you still sleeping?"

Zhang Xinlan unlocked the door with her key and was surprised to see Liu Shihua still sprawled on the sofa, sound asleep.

"No peeking! Don't come over!" Zhang Xinlan stopped Ye Chen, who was curious about the sleeping posture of the famous actress.

"Alright!" Ye Chen nodded and said, "Then I'll put the clothes back in my room. But I don't know how to operate that gold phone of yours. Will you come to my room and show me how?"

Ye Chen tried to keep his tone even. Whether the Big Bad Wolf would succeed in catching the little lamb depended on this moment.

"You!" Zhang Xinlan understood Ye Chen's indecent thoughts in seconds, her face showing anger.

Without a word, she moved to kick Ye Chen.

Ye Chen, a peerless master, easily dodged the kick with a sidestep.

"Wife, how could you be so merciless? Aren't you afraid of hurting your husband?" Ye Chen and Zhang Xinlan progressed rapidly, becoming much bolder in their speech.

"Who's your wife? I have nothing to do with you for the rest of my life. Just scram; I don't want to see you!"

Zhang Xinlan was furious; this guy was addicted to teasing beauties, and she would have to strictly discipline him in the future!

Ye Chen fled in disgrace, while Zhang Xinlan touched her hot face and calmed the turmoil in her heart before realizing there was still a big star napping in the living room.

"Shihua, why are you still asleep? Ye Chen and I bought a lot of delicious food. It only needs a little preparation before we can eat. Wake up quickly, aren't you hungry?" Zhang Xinlan sat on the sofa, tracing Liu Shihua's little face with her finger.

Liu Shihua breathed steadily, completely unaffected by Zhang Xinlan's teasing.

"Shihua, if you keep pretending to sleep, I'm going to tease you!"

Zhang Xinlan was making a lot of noise; she didn't believe Liu Shihua was still asleep. She was sure this girl was just pretending to sleep to fool her.

Because Ye Chen had put her in a good mood, Zhang Xinlan started to play tricks on Liu Shihua.

However, no matter how Zhang Xinlan teased her, the famous actress didn't move at all, as if she was sleeping too deeply to notice any external disturbances.

"That's not right. Usually, just a slight touch wakes her up instantly. What's wrong with her today?"

Zhang Xinlan felt something was very wrong with Liu Shihua, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"Could it be that Shihua...?" Zhang Xinlan's heart tightened suddenly, aware that the life of an artiste was highly irregular, and there had been cases in the entertainment industry of stars dying suddenly from overwork.

"Normal body temperature, steady pulse. This girl must be pretending again to scare and mock me!"

After checking Liu Shihua's temperature and pulse and finding everything normal, Zhang Xinlan immediately realized that Liu Shihua must be faking her death to see her react in panic.

"Hmph, keep pretending, Liu Shihua. I'll pinch your tender flesh. If it doesn't hurt you to death, let's see if you can keep it up!"

However, after Zhang Xinlan pinched her frantically for a while, the actress remained deep asleep with no sign of waking, which turned Zhang Xinlan's face deathly pale in an instant—something was seriously wrong!

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