Chapter 88

At this moment, even if Yan Xi were a fool, she could guess that Yuan Yi must have done some things for her behind the scenes, though she was unaware of them.

In front of others, Yan Xi didn't directly ask Yuan Yi what he had done for her. Instead, she smiled at Shen Xingyan as if she hadn't noticed that Shen Xingyan had intentionally let this slip in Yuan Yi's presence.

Shen Xingyan was an extremely intelligent and thoughtful woman. If she had promised someone something, she would never break that promise. However, wanting Yan Xi to know about this, she simply chose to "accidentally" reveal it openly in front of Yuan Yi.

Turning her head slightly, Yan Xi glanced at the man beside her, whose expression seemed slightly uneasy. With a smile, she said, "Sister Shen, you're joking again."

"What can I say? President Yuan is so dashing. If I were ten years younger, I'd probably be competing with you for him," Shen Xingyan said, shaking the wine glass in her hand with a playful smile. "Take your time, you two. Tonight's lucky draw prizes are quite interesting. Let's hope your luck is good."

Yan Xi sighed bitterly. She wasn't sure if her luck in other areas was so good that it canceled out her chances in lotteries. Even a few years ago, during a beverage promotion with a 30% chance of winning a "free bottle," she hadn't won a single time.

After Shen Xingyan left, a few other high-ranking executives from the station came over to exchange pleasantries with Yuan Yi. Yan Xi rarely saw Yuan Yi interacting with business associates, but watching him now, every move and gesture exuded textbook elegance and composure. Suddenly, she understood why some women loved to show off their boyfriends.

At this moment, she too wanted to pull out her phone, record a short video of Yuan Yi, and post it on her social media. Her "domestic treasure" was clearly the most dazzling and handsome man in the room—no one could argue otherwise.

"Are you bored?" Yuan Yi, noticing Yan Xi staring silently at him, dismissed a manager he'd had dealings with in the past and leaned in to whisper by her ear, "Let's go find some seats. If your superiors talk too much, it's uncomfortable to stand around."

"Don't worry. With so many big shots here today, the boss won't talk for long," Yan Xi said as she grabbed Yuan Yi and headed to the fruit tray. She picked up two forks and chose a nearby seat. A few dolled-up young women noticed Yuan Yi and were about to come over to introduce themselves, but seeing the two of them sharing fruit from the same plate, they instantly gave up.

Whoever said wealthy and powerful men were all unfaithful? Why was this one so devoted to Yan Xi?

Yan Xi guessed correctly. Normally, their boss could talk for half an hour straight during meetings, but today, after wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year, he only told a lighthearted yet tasteful joke and stepped off the stage amidst laughter.

The station had no shortage of hosts. After the boss left, a well-known comedic host stepped up to liven the mood. Staff handed out raffle tickets to everyone present, and the prize draw began.

There were over a hundred prizes in total, but even after all the prizes were drawn, Yan Xi and Yuan Yi didn't win a single thing—not even a consolation prize. Staring at the rows of winning numbers on the big screen, Yan Xi sighed, resting her face in her hands. "I knew I wouldn't win."

"Maybe you didn't wash your hands before coming," Yuan Yi joked mercilessly, showing no sympathy. Yan Xi, pouting in frustration, decided to ignore him.

"So petty, getting angry again." Yuan Yi stood up. "Wait for me here."

Seeing him head toward the restroom, Yan Xi got up, threw her ticket into the trash, and sat on another chair sulking. No wonder people said the spark fades in relationships over time and men start to take women for granted. Yuan Xiaoer, this jerk, didn't even bother to humor her anymore.

"Isn't this Host Yan?" Zhao Wantong approached with a male host from the station, sizing Yan Xi up as she spoke. "Surprising that President Yuan didn't accompany you tonight. He's really slacking as a boyfriend."

Here we go again.

Yan Xi looked up at Zhao Wantong, who was wearing a black one-shoulder evening gown, exuding a touch of cute sensuality.

Zhao Wantong felt a bit unnerved under Yan Xi's silent gaze. What's with just staring at me and not saying anything? Did she argue with Yuan Yi? Frowning, she turned her head away and said, "By the way, last time when Young Master Song took you away, nothing happened, right?"

"Was it you who saw me being taken away that day?"

Yan Xi recalled that she and Zhao Wantong had parted ways at the gate that evening. It was possible that Zhao Wantong later noticed her being forcibly taken away and even took photos.

"Hmph, if it weren't for me, you'd be crying by now." Zhao Wantong released the male host's hand and sat down beside Yan Xi. "That Song Ci is no good. From now on, I'm your savior, so you better treat me with respect."

The male host, uninterested in women's gossip, gave Yan Xi an awkward smile when Zhao Wantong let go of his hand and quickly joined a group of male colleagues.

Even though Zhao Wantong had helped her, her tone sounded more like a street thug demanding protection money. Yan Xi chuckled and said, "Thank you, savior. How about I treat you to dinner tomorrow?"

"Who cares about your dinner!" Zhao Wantong didn't expect Yan Xi to react so mildly. It was as if her punch had landed on a soft, sticky marshmallow, leaving her no room to escalate the situation.

When she turned back and saw Yan Xi still smiling at her, Zhao Wantong held back for a long time before saying, "I heard the police came looking for you a few days ago? That Song Ci really is a troublemaker. Just because he's rich and powerful, he thinks he can do anything. Recently, I heard that after being rescued, he's out of life-threatening danger, but his legs might not fully recover. He insists that someone tried to harm him, but after multiple investigations, the police concluded the car accident was just a simple mishap."

"How do you know all this?" Yan Xi, as someone questioned by the police about the incident, didn't even know the current status of the case. Yet Zhao Wantong seemed to have all the details.

"These feuds in wealthy families? Plenty of people know about them. Unlike you, who has a good father and a good boyfriend. All you need to worry about is hosting your shows." Zhao Wantong's tone turned sharper. "You go out in all kinds of weather for your programs, yet your fanbase is half the size of mine. And your real fans are just a bunch of old men and women. It's such a waste of your hosting talent."

"I thought, in your eyes, I had no talent as a host." Yan Xi smiled even more warmly. "I never expected you to hold me in such high regard."

"Who... who has high regard for you? Shameless!" Zhao Wantong's expression turned awkward. At first, she did look down on Yan Xi, assuming she was just a spoiled rich girl climbing the ranks through connections. Out of spite, she even hired internet trolls to cause trouble for her. However, after watching some of Yan Xi's programs, she gradually understood why Shen Xingyan had chosen Yan Xi.

It was because Yan Xi's shows were clean and pure—a quality Zhao Wantong couldn't achieve but admired.

Just as Zhao Wantong was about to mock Yan Xi further, she turned her head and saw Yuan Yi walking toward them. Her spirits instantly dampened, and she fell silent.

"Xixi." Yuan Yi walked up to Yan Xi's side, but she turned her head and ignored him.

"Still angry?" Yuan Yi chuckled, extending his hand in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Yan Xi stared wide-eyed at the hand in front of her. What did he want with a clenched fist?

The fist slowly opened, revealing a number ticket. Yan Xi remembered that Yuan Yi's number wasn't this one.

"Quick, take it and claim your prize," Yuan Yi shoved the ticket into Yan Xi's hand. "You're so petty, no one can tolerate you except me." Despite his words of complaint, his eyes were full of tenderness as he looked at her.

"How did you get this?" Yan Xi's eyes narrowed into crescent moons as she held the ticket in her hand. "Did you ask someone else for this?"

"I'm not that free," Yuan Yi replied casually, "I just took it because no one else wanted it."

He then took her hand and said, "Let's go, I'll go with you to claim the prize."

"Just 'took' an A-level prize ticket so easily? That's not easy," Yan Xi stood up and hooked her arm around Yuan Yi's. "Right?"

"Claim your prize, stop talking so much." Yuan Yi noticed how Yan Xi's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled. He gently hummed, then wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her as they walked through the bustling hall.

Sitting off to the side, Zhao Wantong, who had seemed almost invisible the entire time, sneered when she saw them heading toward the prize claim station. Some people are just born with good fortune, and no amount of envy could change that.

She looked down at her well-maintained hands, realizing that despite all the trouble she had caused Yan Xi recently, Yan Xi never once retaliated. Perhaps her own luck wasn't so bad after all.

"There are so many prizes for the first-place winner," Yan Xi said, holding a handful of gifts. The giant stuffed toy was too big for her to hold, so she shoved it into Yuan Yi's hands.

Yuan Yi, a tall man, holding a round stuffed toy, looked unexpectedly adorable, creating a charming contrast. The people at the TV station nearby exchanged knowing smiles upon witnessing this.

"Yuan Xiaoer," Yan Xi gently bumped Yuan Yi's arm with the gifts in her hands, "Some of these things we don't need. Why don't we give some to my colleagues?"

"It's a small thing, no need to tell me specifically," Yuan Yi said, holding the stuffed toy by its tail, looking somewhat confused.

"Of course, I need your permission first. After all, this is the winning number you specially got for me. If I give some of the prizes away without asking you, it might seem like I'm wasting your thoughtful gesture," Yan Xi explained seriously. "What's precious isn't the gift, but your love for me."

"I-I'm not that petty! You think I'm like you?" Yuan Yi blushed, his grip on the toy's tail now tangled up.

"Yes, yes, you're the most generous," Yan Xi teased, glancing around. She quickly kissed Yuan Yi on the cheek, still holding a pile of gifts, and ran off. Halfway through, she dropped two small gift boxes.

Yuan Yi sighed and followed behind, picking up the dropped boxes. He might be a grown man, but at times, he acted like a child.

"Xiao Yang, we just saw that!" Xiao Yang, along with a few colleagues from Channel 8, teased when Yan Xi approached. "Quick, bring us some gifts, or... heh heh."

"I'm scared of you guys," Yan Xi jokingly replied, placing all the boxes on the table. She took two of them and said, "These are for you, my big brothers and sisters, please spare me."

"Yan Teacher, there's a phone inside this one. Don't you want it?" one of her colleagues asked.

Yan Xi shook her head. "I remember that Zhao Ge's child mentioned wanting a new phone a few days ago. This one is perfect for young people. I'll give this phone to the child as a gift."

Surprised that she had remembered her casual remark, Zhao Peng laughed and took the phone. "Looks like from now on, when my kid calls you 'sister,' I won't be able to stop them."

"Your child calls Teacher Yan 'sister'? You're getting the advantage."

"Exactly, it's like a generation above now. Such a deal."

As Yan Xi chatted with her colleagues, she frequently glanced back. When a colleague noticed, they teased, "Teacher Yan is in the Cao camp but her heart is with Han. Even though she's here with us, her mind has already flown to Mr. Yuan's side. You should hurry up, the ball is about to start, and we don't want to be the third wheel."

When Yan Xi quickly returned, Yuan Yi asked, "What were they laughing about?"

"They were laughing about how good our relationship is," Yan Xi said, waving the two small gift boxes in her hand. "I kept these for myself."

"What are they?"

"Couple brooches, one for you, one for me," Yan Xi tugged at his sleeve. "Come on, let's go put the things away first."

"You're really happy?" Yuan Yi noticed that the smile on Yan Xi's face hadn't faded the entire time.

"I've always been the type who rarely wins anything, but now I've won a bunch of prizes. Although you got them for me, it's still winning," Yan Xi said, forcefully stuffing the stuffed toy into the storage locker. After closing the locker, she turned around and hugged Yuan Yi's neck, giving him a heavy kiss on the lips, leaving a lipstick mark.

"Haha," Yan Xi couldn't help but laugh, reaching up to wipe the lipstick off Yuan Yi's lips.

"Ahem," the director, Jin, appeared from around the corner, covering his face with his hand. "You guys continue, I'm old and my eyesight is poor, I didn't see anything."

"Pfft!" Yan Xi buried her head in Yuan Yi's chest, laughing out loud.

Yuan Yi pulled out a handkerchief and silently wiped his lips, letting out a helpless sigh.

This woman, Yan Xi, should probably change her name to Yan Three Years Old now.

When they returned, the ball had already started. Men and women were dancing in the ballroom, moving to the rhythm. Although the dance moves weren't exactly perfect, the lively atmosphere still infected Yan Xi. She grabbed Yuan Yi's hand and pulled him toward the dance floor. "Yuan Xiaoer, let's dance too."

Yuan Yi stiffened as Yan Xi pulled him into the crowd, feeling like a little chick who had fallen into a flock of yellow ducks, clueless and out of place.

"I've never danced with a woman before," Yuan Yi admitted honestly, facing Yan Xi's excited eyes. "I'm not used to it."

"It's okay," Yan Xi whispered in his ear, "I'm happy to be your first woman."

Yuan Yi felt his ears burn. The surrounding laughter and cheers seemed to disappear, and all that was left was this woman in front of him—who was normally so proper, yet could say such cheeky things to him.

"You..." Yuan Yi started.

"What?" Yan Xi smiled mischievously, looking at him with innocent eyes, tilting her head, acting sweet and pure.

"I don't just want you to be my first woman, I want you to be my last," Yuan Yi said, pulling Yan Xi into his arms. As the music played, he slowly moved to the beat. "Even fifty or eighty years from now, whenever someone mentions us, they'll remember the other one."

Sweet words and a romantic dance floor should have been the perfect moment for a couple to silently express their affection. However, it was ruined when her high heel accidentally stepped on his foot.

"That was an accident, really," Yan Xi apologized, knowing that stepping on someone's foot with heels would hurt. She patted Yuan Yi's waist. "I'll be more careful next time and try not to step on your feet again."

She had gotten distracted for a moment.

At that moment, she suddenly thought, if decades from now, she was still with Yuan Yi, and he was still awkward and cute, while she teased him and dragged him to hang out with friends and family—this kind of future seemed pretty wonderful.

"Women's high heels aren't shoes, they're weapons of mass destruction," Yuan Yi sucked in a sharp breath, clearly in pain. "If you step on my foot again, I'll be done for."

"It's fine if you're done for, I'll take care of you," Yan Xi smiled.

Yuan Yi stared at her for a long time, then suddenly rested his head on her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Yan Xi was a little confused by his action.

"I'm injured, I need you to take care of me so I can survive. I'll need you to take care of me for the rest of my life."