Chapter 126: We Are Good Brothers

“What's wrong? Is something not quite right?”

“Nothing, it just feels a bit abrupt.”

Chen Ci smiled and said, “You’re overthinking it. We’re all friends here.”

Xiang Kui rolled her eyes at him lazily and said, “Forget it, I’m too tired to argue with you.”

...

Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce had just pulled out of the parking lot when Ruan Mianmian noticed Jiang Ce’s phone light up beside him.

“Jiang Ce, someone sent you a message.”

Ruan Mianmian reminded him.

“Yeah, you open it and check.”

Without turning his head, Jiang Ce focused on driving, eyes on the road ahead.

Ruan Mianmian swiped the screen and saw a notification for a new friend request. She tapped it open and glanced at it.

Though the nickname seemed unfamiliar, the profile picture made Ruan Mianmian freeze in recognition.

Seeing Ruan Mianmian hesitate, Jiang Ce asked, “Who’s the message from?”

Ruan Mianmian flipped the screen toward Jiang Ce and replied, “It’s Jiang Yao who added you.”

“Jiang Yao?”

Jiang Ce’s brow furrowed slightly in surprise. “Why would she add me as a friend?”

Ruan Mianmian recalled that during the gathering, Jiang Ce and Jiang Yao hadn’t really interacted. Why would Jiang Yao send a friend request now?

“Maybe she needs something? Should I accept and ask?”

Ruan Mianmian looked at Jiang Ce.

Jiang Ce’s expression remained indifferent. He turned his head back to the road and said slowly, “Do as you see fit.”

He seemed completely unconcerned.

Ruan Mianmian smirked and then clicked accept.

Almost instantly, after Jiang Yao’s name appeared, it showed that she was typing. She seemed eager.

For some reason, a bad feeling crept into Ruan Mianmian’s heart.

“Hello, Little Master Jiang, I’m Jiang Yao. I look forward to your kindness in the future.”

The tone was playful and cute.

Reading the message, Ruan Mianmian fell silent again.

She typed and erased several times, finally replying with just one sentence.

“Hello, I’m Ruan Mianmian.”

After sending it, she stared at the screen, waiting for a response. Jiang Yao’s typing indicator lingered for a long time but nothing came through.

After a while, Ruan Mianmian put down her phone.

Jiang Ce glanced at her and asked, “What’s wrong? Does she need something from me?”

“Seems like she just casually said hello.”

Ruan Mianmian tried to keep her description objective.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ce raised a handsome brow, seeming puzzled by her answer, but he didn’t press further.

“If you’re sleepy, lean back and rest for a bit. We’ll be home soon.”

Jiang Ce looked at her with concern. Besides his patience toward her, he looked rather disinterested.

Ruan Mianmian crossed her arms, quietly leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed.

But inside, her mind was racing.

She couldn’t recall what role Jiang Yao played in the original story.

Chen Ci and Xiang Kui had few appearances in the book, let alone Jiang Yao.

For some reason, because of this matter, all the good feelings she initially had for Jiang Yao instantly turned to ashes.

Only suspicion and defensiveness remained.

She was afraid someone was eyeing Jiang Ce.

Throughout the journey, Ruan Mianmian remained silent and withdrawn. Jiang Ce never linked her mood to Jiang Yao; he just thought she was genuinely tired.

Back at Starfish Bay, Jiang Ce went to the passenger seat, ready to carry Ruan Mianmian inside.

But she suddenly pushed him away, jumped out on her own, and silently walked toward the garage.

Jiang Ce followed and asked, “What’s wrong? You were just acting spoiled, wanting me to carry you up, and now you’re pushing me away? Women really don’t appreciate things once they have them!”

He wore an expression of mock accusation.

Ruan Mianmian pouted, looking a little neurotic, and asked, “Jiang Ce, will we break up?”

“Just because I joked, you want to break up?”

“Uh... that’s not what I meant.”

Jiang Ce suddenly closed in, scooped Ruan Mianmian up sideways, and held her close, murmuring, “What do you mean? We can talk about it in bed.”

“...No.”

Upstairs, Jiang Ce carried her straight to his room. The others were already used to this behavior.

After all, Ruan Mianmian hadn’t entered her old room these past few days.

“Put me down.”

Ruan Mianmian struggled in Jiang Ce’s arms.

He lowered his eyes and snorted coldly, “Keep struggling and I’ll just drop you.”

“How can you be so domineering!”

“Because I’m a domineering CEO. You spend all day reading those tasteless Mary Sue novels. Isn’t this exactly the kind of character you like?”

“...”

Ruan Mianmian chose silence.

When it came to being serious, she was no match for Jiang Ce.

Near the door, Jiang Ce had to set her down but still held her wrists tightly, as if afraid she’d run off.

Suddenly, a voice came from downstairs.

“Young master, you’re back! There’s a delivery for the young lady.”

A delivery?

At those words, Ruan Mianmian’s eyes lit up. She turned and ran toward the voice, but Jiang Ce firmly pulled her back.

“My delivery’s here!”

“I heard you.”

Jiang Ce gave her an impatient glance, then softened his tone, “Watch your step. Don’t run around recklessly.”

With that, he let go of her wrist.

Ruan Mianmian made a face at him and quickly ran downstairs.

“Slow down!”

Jiang Ce looked exasperated, while Ruan Mianmian had already dashed downstairs.

“Ruan, what did you buy? Such a big box!”

Ah Kuan came over and added, “By the way, Ruan, I put the things you brought back in your room.”

“My room or Jiang Ce’s room?”

Ah Kuan opened his mouth, then emphasized, “Your room.”

“Alrighty.”

Ruan Mianmian’s attention shifted to the large delivery box in front of her. She smiled brightly and said, “I got you guys gifts!”

“Gifts?”

Ah Kuan’s eyes brightened. “For us? Even I get some?”

“Of course! We’re good brothers!”

Ruan Mianmian grinned mischievously and patted Ah Kuan on the shoulder.

Seeing her expression, Ah Kuan backed up a little, laughing, “Why do I smell a conspiracy here?”

“What kind of nose do you have? You can sniff out conspiracies? You’ve read too many novels, haven’t you?”

Ah Kuan touched his nose and chuckled foolishly, “Those were the ones you made me read.”

“Brainwashed, right?”

“Brainwashed!”

Ruan Mianmian smiled and thought there were even more brainwashing moments ahead.

She squatted down to open the delivery.

“Go get the scissors!”

“Here, here.”

Old Zhang took the scissors and passed them to Ah Kuan.

“You kid, can’t you be a little more considerate? Such a big box—do you expect Ruan to open it all alone?”