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Chi Suisui’s response was lightning-fast, and Song Miaoli sensed something was off.
After knowing her for so long, Song Miaoli felt as if she’d figured something out. With a sly grin, she raised her voice: “Just a few hundred years? Without a few thousand or ten thousand years, can you even call it immortal love?”
Chi Suisui was momentarily startled by this declaration.
Dr. Song had set quite an ambitious goal for her.
She and He Xingwang locked eyes from a distance. His expression remained calm, his emotions unreadable—it was unclear whether he’d overheard the earlier conversation.
But that didn’t stop Chi Suisui from lowering her gaze slightly and responding with ease: “You’re right—just a few hundred years is indeed too short.”
Flattery never failed.
After hanging up, Chi Suisui curled her lips into a smile: “Isn’t your training camp tomorrow? Why are you back today?”
“How could I hear your praise if I didn’t come back?” He Xingwang replied.
“…No need to thank me. Praising you is only natural.”
“I didn’t thank you.”
Though his response was perfectly normal, Chi Suisui couldn’t shake the feeling that he was subtly mocking her—and likely had evidence to back it up.
He Xingwang slowly spoke: “Tonight, my parents invited us to dinner. They asked me to let you know.”
The two families were close enough to skip formalities.
Chi Suisui nodded: “Then I’ll go change.”
By the time she finished changing and came downstairs, it was already past six. Outside, the sky was pitch black, and the cold wind howled.
This winter in Nancheng had arrived early and was unusually cold.
Chi Suisui hated the cold. In previous winters, she would often stay cooped up in Bai’an Mansion unless absolutely necessary. Now, as a journalist, she had no choice but to venture out for work.
As she got into the car, she saw a message from Song Miaoli: [So, was Lord He beside you just now?]
Chi Suisui replied with a simple “yes.”
Song Miaoli, who rarely had free time, joked: [Thankfully, I guessed correctly. My intelligence deserves this year’s Best Award.]
Chi Suisui replied: [Yes, yes, yes.]
Dr. Song couldn’t resist flattery; a few compliments sent her spinning, and she went off to continue her romance with Xiao Gu.
Chi Suisui put away her phone and suddenly remembered the day’s rumors. Casually, she asked: “Do shooting athletes also take performance-enhancing drugs?”
Her knowledge of shooting sports wasn’t deep. Typically, doping scandals involved track and field, weightlifting, or swimming.
Shooting received less attention, so issues often went unnoticed.
“Yes,” He Xingwang nodded slightly, frowning as he explained: “At the last Olympics, a North Korean shooter tested positive, and the Chinese athlete was promoted to second place as a result.”
Chi Suisui was puzzled: “Does taking stimulants make you more accurate?”
He Xingwang glanced at her: “Do you think I know?”
Chi Suisui thought about it and realized he was right: “I can understand runners or swimmers using stimulants, but shooters? That’s surprising.”
“Every sport has its possibilities. The difference lies in the athlete themselves.” He Xingwang spoke calmly: “Shooting is just another sport.”
Nothing special about it.
Chi Suisui nodded, pondering whether to mention the doping rumors. She decided against it to avoid affecting his upcoming training camp.
Besides, a rumor wasn’t worth mentioning.
“Why did you suddenly ask about this?” He Xingwang turned to look at her, his gaze penetrating. She didn’t seem like the type to ask such questions.
“I saw it while browsing old news the other day.”
Chi Suisui casually made up an excuse.
She wouldn’t divulge what she didn’t want to say unless she chose to.
He Xingwang didn’t press further.
Chi Suisui wasn’t sure if he believed her.
________________________________________
The He family mansion was brightly lit.
Today’s sudden invitation for Chi Suisui to dine was triggered by He Xingwang’s interview at the World Cup finals.
The family had discussed it for hours, wondering if the two should get married early.
The New Year was just over a month away.
All qualifying spots for the Tokyo Olympics had been secured, and the rest of their preparation was for next year.
Training camp would be lengthy. Afterward, they could obtain their marriage certificate and then focus on the Olympics. Once the games ended, they’d have time to plan the wedding.
Upon entering, warm air greeted her.
Chi Suisui removed her coat and hung it aside, then changed her shoes.
She had expected Aunt He to be present, but tonight it was just He Xingwang’s parents and the elderly matriarch.
With winter approaching, the matriarch moved less, grew lazier, and rarely spoke unless necessary.
Seeing Chi Suisui, she waved cheerfully: “Suisui, come here.”
When Chi Suisui was young, the matriarch adored her vibrant personality. Now, even in her old age, she still cherished her liveliness.
“Grandma.”
Chi Suisui approached with a bright smile.
During dinner, Jiang Huiyue brought up the topic: “I never expected Xingwang to publicly say such a thing.”
The family had been watching the live broadcast—it was their son’s competition, after all.
They were stunned when they heard He Xingwang’s words. It took the matriarch and Jiang Huiyue a while to confirm what they’d heard.
They had assumed the arranged marriage might appear harmonious on the surface but weren’t sure about the feelings between He Xingwang and Chi Suisui.
The couple never confided in their parents.
But based on He Xingwang’s demeanor, things seemed to be going smoothly—
When the trending topics emerged the next day, even Jiang Huiyue blushed. Young people these days were bold.
Chi Suisui glanced at He Xingwang: “Honestly, I didn’t expect it either.”
She feigned slight embarrassment.
In front of elders, Chi Suisui always appeared polite, withholding many things from them. But online matters were beyond her control.
The parents must’ve seen the teeth-mark incident.
Even Qi Churui, who buried himself in studies and ignored worldly affairs, was prepared to question He Xingwang—let alone others.
Jiang Huiyue hummed softly and smiled: “So, I discussed with your parents. How about registering your marriage after the New Year?”
“After the New Year?” Chi Suisui instinctively asked.
“Suisui, do you think it’s too soon?” Jiang Huiyue asked gently, then turned to He Xingwang: “Xingwang, what are your thoughts?”
After all, the most important opinions were those of the couple.
Chi Suisui’s mind raced. This was He Xingwang’s doing, so she lightly kicked him under the table.
He Xingwang remained unfazed: “I’m fine with whatever.”
Thus, the ball was passed back to her.
The usually taciturn He Minghua finally spoke: “Xingwang, you’ve always been decisive. A vague answer like ‘whatever’ doesn’t help us confirm anything. You’re the one who said you wanted to marry. Shouldn’t we assume you’re enthusiastic about this?”
Faced with his father’s lecture, He Xingwang remained silent.
Chi Suisui struggled not to laugh. When he glanced at her, she raised an eyebrow, her bright eyes captivating.
She added cheekily: “Uncle He is right.”
Jiang Huiyue hummed again: “Yes. Today, give us a definite answer.”
The future mother-in-law duo harmonized perfectly, with the matriarch humming affirmatively in the background. He Xingwang had no choice but to speak.
He set down his spoon: “We’ll register as soon as the civil affairs office reopens after the New Year.”
The date had been pushed forward again.
“That’s more like it,” Jiang Huiyue said contentedly. “I’ll check daily to confirm when they open.”
He Xingwang glanced faintly at Chi Suisui.
Chi Suisui accepted his gaze with perfect composure, even straightening her posture as if the discussion hadn’t concerned her at all.
The meal concluded in harmony, with everyone satisfied.
The wedding date was thus confirmed.
They would register as soon as the civil affairs office reopened after the New Year, while the wedding itself would wait a few months.
The union of the He and Qi families would naturally require a grand celebration.
“The collaboration between the two families hasn’t been made public yet, but there are already joint projects underway. This will be a major shake-up in Nancheng’s business world.”
“Many people have guessed that you two would get married.”
Song Miaoli nibbled on a roasted sweet potato bought from outside the hospital and casually remarked: “Is there another woman by He Xingwang’s side?”
Given her close relationship with Chi Suisui, she’d barely exchanged a few words with He Xingwang.
“Am I going to be the first one in Nancheng to get married?” Chi Suisui asked.
“Yes, you’ll soon be a married woman,” Song Miaoli teased.
Chi Suisui raised her hand slightly, exuding pride and confidence: “Even after I’m married, no one in Nancheng will surpass me.”
“Right, that’s the Suisui we know.”
Song Miaoli clapped enthusiastically.
Song Chengrui, who had just walked in, said: “You should worry about yourself first.”
Song Miaoli took another bite, her words muffled: “You should hurry up and start dating. I think Little Cotton is pretty good—I’ll introduce her to you someday.”
“Who’s Little Cotton?”
“She’s one of Suisui’s colleagues.”
“Although I deeply respect Suisui’s profession,” Song Chengrui began cautiously, “I’m really not interested in journalists.”
He preferred colder, more aloof girls.
Just hearing the nickname “Little Cotton” gave him the impression of someone cute and bubbly.
Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow and spoke slowly: “The ideal type people talk about often ends up being very different from who they actually end up with.”
When she was younger, she used to be arrogant, thinking no one could match her.
Now, however, she was much clearer about what she truly wanted.
Song Chengrui didn’t argue further, and the topic ended there.
Today, Song Miaoli had sought out Chi Suisui to discuss a gift for their two-month dating anniversary. She wasn’t sure how to choose an affordable yet meaningful present.
“He’ll like whatever you give him,” Chi Suisui said. “But why are you giving a gift for your two-month anniversary?”
“His birthday isn’t here yet, and neither is Christmas,” Song Miaoli blinked. “So I had to come up with this excuse.”
“If he doesn’t like it, just break up,” Song Chengrui interjected bluntly.
“I’m worried that if I give him something expensive, even if he pretends to be happy, he’ll feel uncomfortable knowing it costs more than his monthly salary.”
Song Miaoli ignored her brother’s comment.
Chi Suisui reassured her: “That won’t happen.”
After some discussion, they still hadn’t settled on a gift. However, this reminded Chi Suisui that He Xingwang’s birthday was approaching as well.
This year, though, his birthday would fall during training camp.
It would be his last birthday before marriage—it had to be special.
________________________________________
By Monday at work, the doping rumors online had been largely suppressed.
Both the He and Qi families had dedicated PR departments, and since recent news involving Miss Chi and Lord He were intertwined, they handled it together.
The trending topics that had quietly risen overnight on Weibo were now gone.
Not only that, but posts on forums had also disappeared.
Chi Suisui initially thought it might be the act of a single individual, but seeing the scale of it, she realized there were definitely multiple people involved.
They were trying to drag He Xingwang off his pedestal.
After the PR team finished handling it, there was virtually no trace left. Anyone who noticed would simply criticize the accusers—the tests had shown no issues.
These past two days, Chi Suisui had been busier than ever, investigating the source of the rumors while completing tasks assigned by her director.
Thankfully, as the year-end approached, even big news stories were becoming scarce.
When Su Mian returned from the pantry, she looked suspicious and immediately messaged on WeChat: [I just overheard interns talking while getting water—they said Zhang Yueyan seems to have landed a big scoop.]
Chi Suisui replied when she had a moment: [If she got it, she got it.]
Su Mian: [Director Chi, aren’t you curious what this big scoop is?]
Out of the corner of her eye, Chi Suisui glanced at Zhang Yueyan’s desk—she wasn’t there—and then turned back: [How do you know whether what they’re saying is true or false?]
With this counter-question, Su Mian snapped back to reality.
Still, she had heard them speak so confidently in the pantry, as if they’d personally heard Zhang Yueyan say it.
Chi Suisui truly wasn’t concerned.
It was just one of her colleagues. Their news stories likely wouldn’t overlap much with hers anyway—if she got a big scoop, good for her.
Her phone screen lit up.
She opened it immediately. It was a new email containing a list of names related to the doping rumors, compiled through the joint efforts of the two companies.
Chi Suisui pursed her lips, her expression suddenly freezing. Her features turned cold and striking, even revealing a hint of sharpness.
She was very familiar with this name.
But it had been years since she’d seen it.
Chi Suisui closed her eyes and pondered for a while. Then she opened WeChat and messaged He Xingwang: [There’s something I want to tell you.]
After a while, he replied.
He Xingwang: [Video call or meet in person?]
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