21. He loved sweets.

With a flick of Ruan Jiao’s gaze, the two male beastmen standing nearby closed in on Ruan Li.

"It seems my dear sister really won't give me the slightest bit of face. I suppose I have to 'invite' you over, don't I?"

Ruan Li, noticing that the two beastmen were clearly afraid she might escape, offered a sweet smile. "How could you say that, sister? Look at my smile—isn't it sweet enough?"

She walked up to Ruan Jiao. Ruan Jiao tilted her chin to look down at her, then suddenly tipped a glass of strong liquor from the table onto the floor. "Don't you want to know about your mother? Get on your knees and lick it clean."

The corners of Ruan Li’s mouth twitched as she maintained her smile.

Give her an inch, and she really thinks she’s running the whole show.

Ruan Li usually preferred not to compete, but that did not mean she lacked the capability. The moment she had completely severed ties with the Ruan family, any connection between "Ruan Li" and Ruan Jiao had vanished.

Ruan Jiao had summoned her today for no other reason than the loss of face she suffered yesterday. Since she couldn't settle the score with Prince Weize, she was taking it out on Ruan Li.

Ruan Li had already deduced the motive. Her smile deepened, and she slowly crouched down.

Ruan Jiao, wearing the expression of a victor, looked down at her with disdain. "It’s been a few years, Ruan Li, and your spine has become so soft. Don't you dare call yourself a member of the Ruan family when you’re out there."

Yet, seeing the smile on Ruan Li’s face, Ruan Jiao felt a growing sense of unease. It wasn't the look of someone suffering humiliation or grievance; it looked more like... someone holding back laughter!

"DON'T MOVE!!!"

"Nobody move! Anyone who resists will be executed on the spot!"

With a loud bang, the doors were kicked open. A group of beastmen in military uniforms, wielding laser guns and particle cannons, stormed in.

Ruan Li crouched in the corner, enjoying her invisibility.

"Everyone, get down and put your hands on your heads!" the lead officer shouted.

Ruan Jiao remained motionless, even flicking the ash off her cigarette with a look of contempt. "Do you know who I am? How dare you investigate me?"

*Biu!* A laser shot streaked past, singeing the hair by her ear.

Ruan Jiao froze in place, her eyes widening as she smelled the charred scent of her own hair. She roared, "You’re insane! Do you know how many lives you’d forfeit for offending the Ruan family? And you dare to shoot at a female? I’ll have you sent to the military court!"

Ruan Jiao focused on the officer who had fired the shot and realized it was the same beastman who had been with Ruan Li yesterday!

"Zheye!" Ruan Li poked her head out from behind the table. Her porcelain-white, clean face looked starkly out of place in the hazy, alcohol-filled environment. She stood up and ran toward Zheye, who reached out to steady her, fearing she might trip in her haste.

Ruan Li noticed he seemed somewhat aloof, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears, looking as if she had been bullied.

Zheye pulled her aside and lowered his voice to explain, "They are all here; I have to maintain my professional image."

Seeing the little female looking up at him, her brown eyes clearly reflecting only his image, he finally couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair firmly. "Go outside. Shi Jue is waiting for you there."

As Ruan Li left, she turned to look at Ruan Jiao, her smile radiant, which made Ruan Jiao grit her teeth in frustration.

"Why is she allowed to leave! She was in this booth too, she should be here for the interrogation!" Ruan Jiao shouted, unwilling to let her go.

"Ms. Ruan Li is the informant; naturally, we must protect her personal safety," Zheye said, his eyes sharp, half his face hidden behind a military-green mask.

Ruan Li had already left the scene. Ruan Jiao’s eyes were filled with fury, her teeth grinding in rage.

"You dare treat me this way? I won't let you get away with this!" She looked at Zheye with disdain, crossing her arms and peering down her nose at him.

"Ma'am, please cooperate with the inspection process."

...

"Ruanruan! Are you alright? You weren't hurt, were you?" Seeing Ruan Li emerge, Shi Jue stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

Ruan Li buried her face in his chest and shook her head. "I'm fine, I wasn't hurt."

Shi Jue asked with concern, "Will Ruan Jiao try to retaliate against you later?"

Ruan Li thought for a moment. "She'll probably keep coming after me. Having Zheye help this time is just a temporary fix... but with this, she won't dare to do anything to me."

She shook the recording in her hand with a cunning smile. "I'll upload this to the cloud drive when we get back. With her leverage in my hands, she certainly won't dare to act rashly."

Her face was flushed, her eyes curved into crescents—she looked like a little cat that had stolen some cream, proud and adorable.

Shi Jue couldn't resist lightly pinching her cheek. "Our Ruanruan is so smart."

Ruan Li opened her mouth, ready to "bite" him. "Don't pinch my cheeks! You're making them look fat!"

Shi Jue pulled his hand back, his fingertips rubbing together, the lingering warmth and softness still there.

Ruan Li’s neural link pinged with a message from Zheye, telling them to head home. It was already one in the morning when they arrived. Ruan Li had fallen asleep leaning against the sofa.

Shi Jue slowly brought the aircraft to a halt and dimmed the lights. Soothing, gentle music flowed like a clear spring, and the dim light blurred her features, casting a layer of tranquil tenderness over her.

Shi Jue held his breath, terrified of waking the little female.

Her thick lashes cast faint shadows, and her pink lips parted slightly. Her breathing was soft and steady; she seemed to be in a deep, peaceful sleep. He crouched before her, watching her silently for who knows how long. Like a loyal knight, he stood eternal guard.

Her lashes fluttered as she opened her wet, dazed eyes. "Hmm... are we home?"

Her voice, just waking from sleep, was thick with a soft, saccharine sweetness.

Shi Jue thought it was perfect. He loved sweets.

"Yes, just arrived... we're home, Ruanruan." The male beastman's voice was low, hoarse, and tender, as alluring and quiet as the moonlight.

Ruan Li stretched, yawned, and stepped off the aircraft with Shi Jue. A single lamp was left on in the living room; there was no one else around.

Shi Jue walked her to her bedroom door. "Get some sleep early. Goodnight."

Ruan Li nodded. "Goodnight."

After closing the door, Ruan Li sent a message to Zheye: [When will you be home?]

Before long, he replied: [Soon, about an hour away.] [You go to sleep first, don't wait for me.]

Ruan Li replied with an okay, took a shower, and hurried into bed.

Unable to sleep, she tossed and turned, then opened her neural link to upload the recording to the cloud drive.

There were some unexpected discoveries within the audio:

["Didn't you say it was foolproof? Why is she perfectly fine?!"]

["Eleven told me at the time that he watched her eat it with his own eyes. It’s impossible for nothing to have happened... Boss, this was my mistake. I will get to the bottom of it."]

The sound of something smashing echoed through the recording.

["I'll give you five days. If you haven't solved it by then, don't bother showing your face to me again."]

[...]

["Is this medicine effective?"]

["Just one sip, and I guarantee she'll lose all consciousness. It’s essential for seducing females."]

["Fine, give me two bottles."]