It had only been about a year, but as Ning Yunhuan drew closer, she noticed that the Ning family seemed to have undergone some changes. The pure white, Western-style wrought iron fence gate outside the villa was now entwined with clusters of rambling roses, giving it a somewhat idyllic appearance from a distance—something Ning Father, always a man of stern precision, detested, considering it insufficiently dignified.

Ning Yunhuan paused when she saw the flowered gate, then frowned and walked toward it. The iron gate was locked from the inside, so she took out her key, opened it, and stepped through. The small front garden outside had been sectioned in two: one half was planted densely with Chinese roses, currently blooming beautifully, releasing faint, delicate fragrances that invigorated the senses.

The other side featured a set of rattan chairs and a table placed upon the lawn, alongside a swing set—a complete departure from the previous strictly formal atmosphere. If Ning Yunhuan hadn't just produced her key to unlock the gate, she might have suspected she had the wrong address, perhaps that Ning Father had already sold the house to someone else!

Inside the villa, contrary to expectations, it was not empty; instead, sounds of laughter and conversation drifted out, the loudest of which seemed to belong to Ning Father.

Ning Yunhuan frowned, wondering if she had arrived at an inconvenient time, perhaps coinciding with guests.

However, the Ning family was not one for large social gatherings. Usually, Ning Father’s own social obligations were sufficient. Furthermore, the former Ning Yunhuan had been quiet and obedient, while Ning Yuncheng was often dismissed by his father as too dissolute to bring into polite company. Thus, in Ning Yunhuan’s memory, very few guests ever came, save for a few women who were close friends of Mrs. Ning and occasionally brought their children over. If these were Mrs. Ning’s friends, Ning Father shouldn't have stayed home instead of going to the office. Could it be that Mrs. Ning was arranging a blind date for Ning Yuncheng?

In an instant, a strange thought bloomed in Ning Yunhuan’s mind, and the more she considered it, the more plausible it seemed. If Mrs. Ning were arranging a match for Ning Yuncheng, it would certainly be a significant event, and Ning Father would naturally want to observe the potential daughter-in-law. Such private affairs were indeed best handled at home.

Ning Yuncheng was not young; he was eight years older than Ning Yunhuan, already twenty-seven. It was high time Mrs. Ning was anxious for him. Even if the meeting was today, allowing half a year for courtship, followed by an engagement, a wedding in a family like the Nings—who valued propriety—would require at least six months of preparation, regardless of the modest scale compared to truly wealthy families. By that calculation, even starting now, Ning Yuncheng would only marry at twenty-eight or twenty-nine. Mrs. Ning being proactive now was highly probable.

Ning Yuncheng was utterly detestable, and Ning Yunhuan was curious to see what kind of woman would become his wife—preferably someone fierce who could properly discipline him and keep him firmly in check!

With this thought, Ning Yunhuan’s interest piqued. She made no sound and crept toward the entrance. Just then, Ning Father's booming laughter echoed from inside, followed by Mrs. Ning’s voice. It wasn’t anything scandalous; the door was ajar, and the curtains on the French windows were not drawn. Several people seemed to be seated inside. Mrs. Ning was on the sofa, flanked by three or four somewhat constrained individuals. At that moment, Mrs. Ning, her face beaming with smiles, looked directly out the window and met her daughter’s gaze. She froze, unable to react for a long moment.

Ning Yunhuan had never heard Ning Father laugh with such unreserved joy. A slight smile touched her lips as she saw the sheer excitement in Mrs. Ning’s eyes upon spotting her. She made a gesture for silence toward her mother. Mrs. Ning hadn't seen her daughter in a year and was flushed with emotion, sitting bolt upright. Seeing Ning Yunhuan’s gesture, she remained silent. Ning Father had his back to the outside and didn't see the scene. Seated beside him, shoulder-to-shoulder, was Ning Yuncheng. After a year apart, the relationship between father and son had suddenly become this close—Ning Yunhuan was quite startled and couldn't help but glance sideways.

A figure seemed to be tucked away in the corner, only the lower half visible: a dress ending just above the knees, revealing a pair of slender calves. Just looking at those legs, Ning Yunhuan couldn't help but silently curse Ning Yuncheng for his good fortune.

"Since Xi'er and the in-laws are here today, we might as well have dinner here tonight," Ning Father chuckled heartily. Whatever had amused them inside had made him so delighted that he was insisting they stay. Ning Yunhuan frowned, a bad feeling bubbling up. Meanwhile, Mrs. Ning couldn't bear to see her daughter standing outside. Ignoring the gesture Ning Yunhuan had just made, she smiled joyfully at Ning Father. "Changnan, look who's arrived outside!"

The name she called, Changnan, was Ning Father's given name. Hearing Mrs. Ning, Ning Father quickly turned his head, and Ning Yuncheng followed suit, instantly spotting Ning Yunhuan standing outside, wrestling with her luggage. Perhaps overwhelmed with emotion, Ning Father momentarily struggled to breathe, his eyes lighting up. He thumped his chest, unable to utter a sound.

It was Mrs. Ning who understood her husband's feelings, and moreover, she desperately missed her daughter. Seeing her suddenly return and appear right outside the door was an immense, unexpected delight. She waved frantically toward her. "Huanhuan, hurry and come in!"

Since it was her own home, and the surprise for Ning Father had achieved its effect, Ning Yunhuan stopped lingering outside. She carried her things into the house. Ning Father quickly patted Ning Yuncheng’s back. "Aren't you going to help your sister with her bags?" Having recovered his breath, he stared at his daughter with joy, muttering about whether the food in England hadn't been good enough to make his daughter thin. Just as Ning Yunhuan was preparing to embrace her parents and unceremoniously toss her bags into Ning Yuncheng’s hands, she entered the room and her eyes locked onto the woman she hadn't noticed before. At that moment, both their expressions drastically changed!

"How is it you?" they both exclaimed in unison. Gu Yingxi’s legs nearly buckled, and she almost collapsed onto the floor.

Ning Yunhuan hadn't anticipated running into the female lead so immediately upon returning home, before she’d even had a chance to specifically inquire about her whereabouts. Just earlier, Lan Lingyan had warned her to be cautious about the female lead. She never imagined she would encounter her here, even before reaching school. Her face instantly turned ashen.

Gu Yingxi also hadn't expected to run into Ning Yunhuan here. Recalling their past encounters, her complexion immediately paled, her body swayed several times, and her eyes betrayed a look of sheer panic.