Yara Lu quickly regained her composure. So what if Celia had won the championship? At the end of the day, Celia still had to design her wedding gown. Yara was the bride—the most beautiful bride-to-be.
And if Celia caused her any displeasure during the design process, Yara would have the final say.
Celia met her gaze calmly. "I'll do my best to meet your expectations, Miss Lu."
"That's good." Yara turned to Nathaniel Fu with a sweet smile. "Nancheng, then let Miss Su design my wedding dress."
Nathaniel's eyes flickered toward Celia, but he said nothing.
Just then, a faint chiming sound rang out—ding-ling, ding-ling.
Celia's heart skipped a beat. That sound… she knew it better than anyone. It was identical to the bells she carried, yet this time the sound wasn't coming from her.
It was coming from Nathaniel.
The little bells he had kept hidden had finally revealed themselves.
"Nancheng, where's that sound coming from? Is it yours?" Yara asked curiously.
Nathaniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a string of crimson bells.
Celia's pupils contracted, and she unconsciously stepped forward. Finally, she had seen them—the bells on Nathaniel's body. For this moment alone, all the effort she had put into preparing for Yara's presence at the competition felt worthwhile.
The red string bells were nearly identical to her own, as if they had been made as a perfect pair.
She wanted to get closer, to look carefully, but Yara's hand darted out and snatched the bells from Nathaniel's palm.
"Nancheng, these were the ones my mother left for you, right?" Yara's entire expression lit up at the mention of her late mother, an air of superiority radiating from her tone.
As expected, the people nearby immediately crowded around, praising her.
"Yaoyao, your mother also left a string of bells for President Fu?"
Yara lifted her chin proudly, like a peacock displaying its feathers. "Yes. Even before I was born, when I was still in her belly, my mother had already betrothed me to Nancheng."
"Wow, President Fu and Yaoyao are truly a match made in heaven."
Yara basked in the admiration. She had grown up beneath the dazzling halo of being Xia Si's daughter, and now, with theatrical grace, she returned the bells to Nathaniel.
"Nancheng, my mother entrusted her beloved little princess to you. You must never let her down. If you do, you'll face punishment."
"Punishment?" The onlookers grew curious. "Yaoyao, what punishment?"
Yara blinked playfully, lowering her voice with a mysterious smile. "If Nancheng ever betrays me, then he will…"
She trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid. After all, she never believed Nathaniel would abandon her.
Celia, however, listened intently. The revelation shook her. Nathaniel's bells had come from Xia Si—Yara's mother.
But then… whose hands had given her bells to her?
Could it also be connected to Xia Si?
Her thoughts spiraled. That night abroad, Nathaniel had once held her close and spoken of Xia Si's past. To her, the legendary Xia Si had always felt like a distant figure. And now, suddenly, her own life was tangled in that legend.
Celia's mind was in turmoil.
Nathaniel withdrew the bells, his sharp eyes catching Celia's gaze fixed on them—eyes filled with unmistakable curiosity.
Why was she so drawn to his bells?
"Yaoyao."
A voice called out, and a tall man stepped forward through the crowd.
It was Ji Yunfan—the favored heir of the Ji family, nephew to Madam Lu, and Yara's cousin. He had come to watch the fashion competition, but his attention was no longer on the runway. His eyes were locked firmly on Celia.
Like a hunter spotting rare prey, Ji Yunfan's gaze glowed with excitement. "Cousin Yaoyao, is this Miss Celia? Please, introduce me."
The words fell, and a subtle tension instantly rippled through the air.
Nathaniel's expression darkened, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. Though he said nothing, the chill in his eyes was unmistakable. A dangerous warning flickered there, sharp enough to cut.