Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Plans For The Book Gathering
When Huo Yan returned, she found Yue Ning seated while papers were scattered on the table. Her lips twitched faintly before she approached her.
She called out tentatively. "Sister-in-law..." Moving closer, she asked, "what are you doing?"
Yue Ning snapped her head up instantly, and a cheeky smile appeared on her lips.
"Good that you are here, I need your help." Yue Ning said, immediately pulling her to have her seat.
Caught off guard, Huo Yan was forced to sit. Her eyes darted between the scattered papers and Yue Ning, and confusion swirled in her eyes.
"What are all these papers for?" She probed, and picked one. Her brows knitted seeing familiar and unfamiliar names. "What are you planning to do with this?"
"Actually..." Yue Ning started with a bashful smile. "I am planning to start a book review club which will include all ladies from prestigious families. I’m sure they also love novels."
Huo Yan’s expression became serious instantly. She seemed to have an understanding of Yue Ning’s plans, and she was honestly satisfied with it.
"What do you need me to do?" She asked her, interest laced in her tone.
Yue Ning’s lips were coated with a smile.
"After going through all the families in the city, these are the ladies I noted aren’t problematic." Yue Ning pointed to the pieces of papers scattered. "And also they have shown signs that they are fans of novels."
Huo Yan picked up a few sheets and read carefully. She nodded in agreement, impressed. The names Yue Ning had selected were indeed perfect fits.
"You’ve really thought this through," Huo Yan said, placing the papers back down. A playful smile tugged at her lips. "If this works, you’ll be the center of attention among the ladies in no time."
Yue Ning arched a brow, feigning nonchalance. "Center of attention? That’s not my goal. I just want to gather like-minded people who share the same love for novels as I do."
Huo Yan gave her a knowing look. "Sister-in-law, you might not want it, but once they see your leadership, your influence will only grow. The daughters of prestigious families are always looking for someone to follow. And you..." She gestured vaguely at Yue Ning. "You’ll become that person."
Yue Ning tapped her chin thoughtfully, pretending to mull over her words, though inwardly, her heart leapt at the thought.
Building connections was exactly what she wanted. The connection was necessary for her growing brand.
"Then let’s test the waters," she said at last. "We’ll invite a small circle of them home. Something intimate — not too formal, just tea, light snacks, and books."
Huo Yan’s eyes lit up. "Like a trial gathering?" She squealed.
"Exactly." Yue Ning smirked. "If it succeeds, word will spread naturally. If it doesn’t, well... at least I’ll know who not to waste my time on."
Her tone carried such calm confidence that Huo Yan felt reassured. She leaned closer, lowering her voice like a co-conspirator. "Leave the invitations to me. I’ll find a way to deliver them discreetly so that the right people feel intrigued rather than pressured."
Yue Ning’s lips curved. "Good. Then we:ll prepare for our first gathering soon. Who knows? This may just be the beginning of something much bigger."
She shuffled the papers into a neat pile, her eyes gleaming with determination.
At that moment, she wasn’t just a woman completing missions for her system. She was laying the foundation for her own identity — one that could rival anyone in this city.
They were in the midst of preparation when Huo Feng walked in. He stopped in his tracks when he saw his wife and sister seriously writing on a few sheets of papers.
He cleared his throat, but all he got was silence in response. He coughed awkwardly before lowering himself on the sofa just across them.
Yue Ning felt someone’s presence just opposite her, and she snapped her head up. She was surprised to see him return. Huo Yan also looked at him.
"When did you return?" Yue Ning asked, unable to mask the surprise in her voice.
He placed one leg above the other, and answered. "I’ve been back for quite a while, you both didn’t notice. Anyways, what are you both doing?"
Yue Ning was excited as she mapped out her plans instantly. There was a rare hint of excitement in her tone which caused Huo Feng to listen to her carefully.
Later that night, Yue Ning was settling into the bed when Huo Feng walked out of the shower with a bathrobe. His chest was slightly opened and water dripped from his hair down to his chest.
She gulped, and hastily shook her head in a bid to get dirty thoughts out of her head. She wanted to have a conversation with him, and that was what she would do.
"What’s with you?" Huo Feng’s question snapped her out of her crazy thoughts. "Why do you keep shaking your head?"
Yue Ning forced a nonchalant smile and replied cheekily. "I was trying to get some residual water out of my ear."
Huo Feng arched a brow. "Or were you checking me out? I don’t find it bad. I am your husband." There was a hint of teasing in Huo Feng’s voice as he stared at Yue Ning.
Yue Ning’s cheeks instantly became warm, and she instinctively shook her head. "I wasn’t checking you out. Why would I?" She coughed awkwardly in a bid to cover up her embarrassment.
Huo Feng said nothing, and immediately took a seat beside her on the bed. He looked at her, and there was a dangerous grin on his lips.
Moving closer to her, he asked her again. "Are you sure you weren’t checking me out?"
Yue Ning swallowed, her cheeks becoming warmer due to the proximity between them. She parted her lips to say something, but she was unable to.
Huo Feng smirked seeing the effect he had on her. He leaned in, and whispered into her ears. "Why look when you can touch it?"
Without Yue Ning realising, Huo Feng had grasped her free hand, and placed it on his naked chest.
Yue Ning’s face grew hot, her breathing shallow, but her palms burned intensely.
"You have complete control over my body, so you can touch it whenever you wish to." Huo Feng whispered sensually moving her hands all over his chest.
Yue Ning instantly pulled out of his grasp, immediately turning her back against him. Her chest rose and fell.
Huo Feng wasn’t annoyed, in fact, there was an amused smile on his lips. He loved that he could affect his wife.
"I have something to tell you," after she steadied her breathing, Yue Ning said seriously.
Huo Feng put away his playful expression as he seriously asked, "what is it?"