Chapter 129: Look Over There!

The next morning, Jiang Ce woke up early feeling refreshed and went downstairs.

Ruan Mianmian lay sprawled in bed, her whole body aching and sore once again.

Especially when she glanced at the unmistakable marks of intimacy on her neck, she wanted nothing more than to bury herself under the covers and refuse to come out at all costs.

But Jiang Ce clearly had no intention of indulging her. After breakfast was ready, he eagerly came upstairs to call Ruan Mianmian to get up.

“Come down to eat?”

There was only prolonged silence in response.

Ruan Mianmian curled up under the blanket, even covering her head, playing dead like a stiff corpse.

Then suddenly, she felt a weight on her body as Jiang Ce’s voice penetrated the thin quilt.

“How long are you going to keep being shy?”

His tone was filled with a certain triumphant and joyful teasing, making Ruan Mianmian even more embarrassed.

“Shut up…”

Ruan Mianmian opened her eyes beneath the covers, her pupils darting around anxiously. Her delicate hands clenched the quilt tightly, silently resisting.

Jiang Ce’s brows lifted with a hint of amusement. He tugged at the blanket, but the corner was gripped even tighter by Ruan Mianmian.

“Don’t pull, I’m not wearing any clothes.”

“Want me to help you get dressed?”

“No!”

Ruan Mianmian protested vehemently.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ce suddenly stood up. Ruan Mianmian felt the weight on her disappear abruptly, followed by the abrupt sound of the wardrobe door opening.

“Wear this white dress?”

Jiang Ce’s voice was half a question, half a mumble, prompting Ruan Mianmian to peek out from under the blanket.

Just then, Jiang Ce stood at the entrance of the walk-in closet, his dark eyes silently meeting hers.

Their gazes met in the air; Ruan Mianmian’s heart tightened as she suddenly recalled the desire-soaked, lingering look in Jiang Ce’s eyes from last night. Flushed with shame, she immediately withdrew beneath the covers.

Muttering, “Wear the red one!”

Jiang Ce slowly turned back, his gaze scanning the wardrobe briefly before settling on a red, form-fitting slip dress.

His brows furrowed ever so slightly before glancing again at the white dress, then without hesitation, he took it out.

“I’ve placed the dress at the foot of the bed. Get up quickly and eat. We have to go out later.”

Hearing they were going out, Ruan Mianmian poked her head out, stunned. “Where to?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

***

Jiang Ce couldn’t help but prompt once more.

Only then did Ruan Mianmian sluggishly climb out of bed. Jiang Ce knew she was still shy, so once she started moving, he quietly left the room.

The door shut firmly behind him. Jiang Ce touched his nose and suddenly smiled with a meaningful expression.

“So shy now, yet I don’t remember who used to talk about love and romance all day long.”

His eyes softened like water as he smiled and headed downstairs.

Ruan Mianmian dawdled to the foot of the bed, still a little dazed as she looked at the white dress.

It was as if their previous conversation had been a mirage.

But to save time and effort, she obediently put on the dress Jiang Ce had chosen.

The dress fit well, the fabric comfortable. The lower half was a slightly flared pleated skirt—simple yet elegant.

Scattered across the fabric were small, irregular daisies, lending a fresh charm.

Ruan Mianmian quickly went downstairs. Jiang Ce was already seated quietly at the dining table, leisurely sipping the milk beside him.

“Where are we going later?”

She sat opposite Jiang Ce, unable to contain her curiosity.

Jiang Ce pushed the milk cup toward her with a smile. “Why so eager? Eat first.”

“No choice, unemployed people tend to be anxious.”

Jiang Ce glanced at her and said with a smile, “If you want to work that much, I can arrange something for you right away. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

Ruan Mianmian began to act spoiled. “It’s not that urgent.”

The two bantered back and forth, and breakfast was soon over.

Jiang Ce had probably informed A Kuan in advance, as the car was already waiting in the yard.

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Ce instructed A Kuan, who then headed to the driver’s seat.

Jiang Ce helped Ruan Mianmian into the back seat, pulling open the door and carefully shielding her head as she sat down.

A Kuan in the front couldn’t resist teasing, “Boss, our Ruan isn’t some fragile doll. A little bump won’t break her.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but join in the teasing.

Jiang Ce got in, assertively wrapping an arm around Ruan Mianmian’s waist, pulling her close.

He asked softly, “So, what are you?”

“Uh… nothing, nothing!”

Ruan Mianmian immediately surrendered.

***

A Kuan laughed heartily as he steered the car.

The vehicle rolled along the wide asphalt road. Watching the trees and scenery slip past the window, Ruan Mianmian felt an unexpected sense of comfort.

“The weather is really nice today.”

She stretched lazily inside the car and looked at Jiang Ce’s eyes, which held a smile.

“Going out for a walk is a good idea.”

Jiang Ce’s gaze lowered. “You might not feel that way later.”

At first, Ruan Mianmian didn’t grasp the true meaning behind his words, until they stood before a row of dilapidated brick houses that looked particularly bleak.

“This place is…?”

She stared at the dusty scene, stunned.

Jiang Ce smiled faintly. “Yes, this is Crescent Town.”

“No way.”

With such a beautiful name, to find behind it a scene of ruin and desolation filled Ruan Mianmian with disappointment.

“Come, I’ll show you around.”

Jiang Ce seemed quite enthusiastic as he took Ruan Mianmian’s hand and led her inside.

Ahead was a crooked, rickety fence. Though it looked somewhat unreliable, Ruan Mianmian vaguely sensed it was meant to be some kind of gate.

Jiang Ce led her around the fence into a narrow street.

Although the nearest brick houses appeared quite run-down, the deeper they walked in, the more Ruan Mianmian began to see elements reminiscent of an ancient town.

“The outer walls of those houses have peeled off, so they look ugly.”

Jiang Ce explained slowly, then raised his hand and pointed, smiling.

“Look over there!”

Ruan Mianmian followed his finger to see an ancient city wall bathed in bright sunlight, steeped in historical weight.

The wall was broken into several sections, but like an indomitable giant, it still stood tall.

Overgrown with lush green grass, it seemed to exude a vast, pure spirit.

“When I was a child, I often climbed that wall to play. I never imagined it would one day be so broken.”

Jiang Ce gazed at the distant wall, lost in memories, a rare innocence softening his expression.