Chapter 104: The Art of Governing One’s Wife

“What?”

Xiang Kui’s fiery temper ignited instantly. She stood up and shouted, “Daring to cause trouble on my turf—he must not want to live! Come with me to find him. I won’t rest today until I teach him a lesson!”

Ruan Mianmian was startled by her outburst and blinked silently.

She hadn’t expected such boundless energy from such a petite girl.

At that moment, Xiang Kui’s gaze swept over, landing on Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce. She looked decidedly unhappy.

Was Xiang Nuan’s sister misunderstanding something?

Thinking this, Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but take a step back from Xiang Kui’s fierce eyes, bumping directly into Jiang Ce’s chest.

Jiang Ce naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulder, his laughter spilling out, and led Ruan Mianmian further inside.

“All right, don’t frighten us so much,” he said.

Ruan Mianmian was pushed along, bewildered and unable to make sense of what was happening.

That familiar tone made it sound like they were acquaintances.

“How did you two end up here?”

Chen Ci broke the silence first, turning to Jiang Ce with a question.

Jiang Ce quirked his lips, “Just a coincidence.”

At that moment, Xiang Nuan turned her head and explained, “It was the director who saved me. If she hadn’t found me, I’d probably be in serious trouble now…”

“Director? Who’s the director?” Xiang Kui repeated, her eyes darting between Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce.

Xiang Nuan pointed at Ruan Mianmian and said, “She’s our director—the one I’ve told you about.”

Ruan Mianmian frowned; that phrase, “told you about,” sounded oddly delicate.

Suddenly, Xiang Kui nodded in understanding, a smile appearing on her face. “Oh? The one you said was your goddess?”

Ruan Mianmian’s lips curled in relief, joy blossoming within her.

Once the situation was clarified, Xiang Kui raised her glass to Ruan Mianmian, gratitude in her expression.

“Thank you for saving my sister, and for helping her at work. As her older sister, I owe you my thanks.”

With that, Xiang Kui drained her glass in one bold gulp, exuding a certain camaraderie.

Ruan Mianmian paused, feeling that Xiang Kui was somewhat rough around the edges yet oddly endearing.

It was a straightforward, unpretentious charm that put people at ease.

Without a glass of her own, Ruan Mianmian simply picked up Jiang Ce’s and prepared to mimic Xiang Kui’s toast.

But halfway through, Jiang Ce intercepted the glass, smiling at Xiang Kui. “Let me be the one to toast you.”

“Oh?”

A chorus of teasing voices rose, and suddenly everyone’s eyes danced with a hint of ambiguity.

Jiang Ce set his glass down, his dark gaze quietly glancing at Ruan Mianmian.

As if to say: You want to drink? Did you ask me first?

She quickly looked away, acting as if nothing had happened.

Chen Ci glanced at Ruan Mianmian, then at Xiang Kui, feeling a surge of admiration.

Look at Jiang Ce—he truly knows how to handle his wife!

How shameful!

“And who is this?”

A stranger nearby suddenly gestured amiably at Jiang Ce.

Chen Ci realized he hadn’t introduced Jiang Ce to the others yet.

“Let me introduce you!”

He straightened up and addressed the unfamiliar man, “This is Jiang Ce, and next to him is his… girlfriend.”

He glanced at Jiang Ce, then pointed to the man who’d spoken, “This is Zhong Yu. We gathered here today to welcome him, but didn’t expect to run into you.”

Jiang Ce lowered his brows, nodding slightly to Zhong Yu in greeting.

Chen Ci, well-connected in the city, had ties with nearly every elite family or promising young talent in Jiangcheng.

Jiang Ce cared little for such things, so his demeanor was neither arrogant nor servile—entirely in keeping with his character.

“Hello, I’m Ruan Mianmian.”

Ruan Mianmian smiled as she introduced herself.

Zhong Yu replied with a smile, “That’s an interesting name.”

“Ahem—”

Chen Ci suddenly feigned a cough, then leaned toward Zhong Yu, acting secretive but speaking loud enough for everyone to hear:

“Jealousy! Jealousy!”

Zhong Yu looked in the direction Chen Ci pointed and burst out laughing.

“Understood, understood. I take back what I said about it being interesting.”

Ruan Mianmian pursed her lips, her face flushed with embarrassment, while Jiang Ce remained his usual calm and collected self.

If you overlooked the slight upward curve of his lips.

Through the conversation that followed, Ruan Mianmian learned that Zhong Yu and Chen Ci were not only friends but childhood companions; their families had long-standing business relations.

Zhong Yu had been studying abroad until recently, returning to Jiangcheng to take over the family business.

It was clear that Chen Ci and Zhong Yu had a genuine bond—the kind forged by growing up together, brothers through and through.

Ruan Mianmian glanced at Jiang Ce, who leaned in and whispered in her ear, “What’s wrong?”

“Jiang Ce, do you envy them?”

“Hmm?”

“The brotherhood between childhood friends?”

Ruan Mianmian remembered that Jiang Ce’s parents had passed away early, victims of murder, leaving him utterly alone from a young age.

His heart, shrouded in darkness, never received a shred of redemption.

Whenever she recalled Jiang Ce’s fate in the novel, she couldn’t help but ache for him.

His background was tragic; the author had piled on the drama to make him the ultimate antagonist.

Yet the Jiang Ce before her was always gentle, never even raising his voice with her—a considerate, tender man.

But Ruan Mianmian knew that was only the side he allowed her to see.

As for the other side…

She drifted into deep thought.

Jiang Ce suddenly squeezed her fingertips, bringing her back, and replied softly:

“None of that matters. Having you is enough.”

Is it? Is it really enough?

Ruan Mianmian said nothing, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Time was running short, and with nothing else on her mind, she and Jiang Ce said their goodbyes and headed home.

After they left, Xiang Kui sidled up mysteriously and asked, “Is that handsome guy the ‘Little Lord Jiang’ you mentioned before?”

Chen Ci rolled his eyes and retorted, “Your husband is right here, and you’re calling another man handsome? Are you sure you want to keep your marriage?”

Xiang Kui replied, “But he really is more handsome than you!”

Zhong Yu chimed in, “Each has his own charm.”

Chen Ci, exasperated, clamped his mouth shut in a fit of pride.

Xiang Kui pounced, pinching Chen Ci’s arm in a mock threat, “Say it!”

“All right, all right! Yes, it’s him!”

Chen Ci had no choice but to answer.

Xiang Kui immediately straightened up, her gaze full of longing. “My goodness! Why didn’t I meet him before? Otherwise, what chance would you have? Look at you—pink-faced and pale, you don’t look like you could take a punch!”