Chapter 143: I Am Done with You

"Right, my friend didn't mention if anyone else would be coming, but I think three tickets should be enough."

"Alright then."

Le Chen nodded and continued, "Once you arrive that day, just reach out to me on WeChat, and I'll have the tickets brought to you."

"Thank you!"

"Don't mention it. We're friends now, aren't we?" Le Chen gave Mianmian a playful wink.

Ruan Mianmian covered her face and laughed, "Of course!" Being friends with a big celebrity was definitely a win-win.

Jiang Ce stood not far outside the door, watching Ruan Mianmian and Le Chen chatting so animatedly. His eyes were instantly filled with helplessness and anxiety.

"I'll head back inside then." Le Chen waved at Ruan Mianmian and headed toward the banquet hall.

Seeing him leave, Jiang Ce finally walked toward Ruan Mianmian. The moonlight was sparse, casting tangled, dancing tree shadows on the ground. Jiang Ce stood before her and asked softly, "Still angry?"

Ruan Mianmian kept her gaze calm, looking at him without a word. Jiang Ce reached out to take her hand, but she dodged him again.

"Being angry is one thing, but you won't even let me hold your hand?" Jiang Ce’s eyes held a smile as he stepped closer, firmly taking her small hand into his warm palm. "Even if you're angry, don't keep it bottled up, and don't ignore me. You have to give me a chance to coax you, right?"

He gazed at her quietly, his eyes filled with tenderness, his voice gentle and coaxing.

"Hmph!" Ruan Mianmian snorted. "You don't even have me in your eyes."

"That’s a real injustice. My eyes are clearly full of you. If you don't believe me, look." Jiang Ce intentionally leaned down to meet her gaze. Across the short distance, Mianmian could clearly see her own reflection in his eyes.

"Oh..." A hint of a smile finally graced her face.

Jiang Ce seized the opportunity to pull her into his arms, whispering, "I know I’ve neglected you these past two days. It won’t happen again. Don't be angry anymore, okay?"

Mianmian pouted. "I don't care. In your heart, I have to be number one, or I’m not playing with you anymore."

"Not playing with me?" Jiang Ce tightened his arms and lowered his head. "Hmm? Say that again?"

Mianmian looked up at him, her expression haughty. "You think I don't dare to—mm..."

Jiang Ce’s kiss fell instantly. All of Mianmian’s words vanished between their clinging lips.

The moon hung high, the courtyard was quiet, and the distant music had long since faded into a background melody, blooming like fireworks in their hearts. It was breathtaking.

Jian Yanzhi stood in a dim corner, silently watching the couple who appeared so inseparable. His heart had never ached like this before. It was at this moment that he realized the beautiful girl from his childhood, who once belonged to him like a sweetheart, had long since vanished into the past where he had failed to respond.

He wanted to walk away, but his feet felt like they were filled with lead, too heavy to move.

Mianmian panted slightly in Jiang Ce’s embrace, and he patted her back gently as if soothing her.

"Your kissing technique is as poor as ever. You still don't know how to breathe?" The teasing voice sounded above her.

Without mercy, Mianmian pinched his waist and said with a flushed face, "Then go find someone else."

Jiang Ce couldn't help but laugh softly. "How could I ever?"

"Hmph!" Mianmian grinned and hugged his lean waist.

Time ticked by. After ten o'clock, the guests in the banquet hall began to thin out.

"When should we leave?" Jiang Ce asked, looking down at her. Since returning from the courtyard, he hadn't let go of her hand once.

Mianmian thought she should at least say goodbye to the old man. "I'll go say goodbye to Grandpa. It's getting late, we should head back early too."

"Okay." Jiang Ce nodded, then asked, "Do you want me to accompany you?"

"Sure."

"Hmm?" Jiang Ce’s eyes flickered with suspicion; he had expected her to refuse.

Mianmian took the initiative to pull him toward the crowd. "Grandpa Jian."

The old man beamed the moment he saw Mianmian. "Ruan girl, did you have fun today? I didn't get to entertain you much, but you’re practically family, so I’m not worried."

As he spoke, the gazes of everyone present turned subtle. Those who knew the situation were aware that the old man favored Mianmian and seemed intent on playing matchmaker between her and Jian Yanzhi. But today, Mianmian was holding someone else's hand. What was going on?

Clearly, Grandpa Jian noticed this too. He lingered on their clasped hands, as if checking if his eyes were deceiving him.

Mianmian pulled Jiang Ce forward and smiled. "Grandpa Jian, I haven't had a chance to introduce you yet. This is my boyfriend, Jiang Ce."

Out of politeness, Jiang Ce nodded slightly. "Happy Birthday, sir."

"Oh... oh, you’re Ruan girl’s boyfriend?" The sudden news caught the old man off guard. The disappointment on his face was so obvious that everyone present noticed it.

"Yes. Since he happened to be here, I wanted to bring him to meet you." Mianmian felt a bit awkward, but some things needed to be said clearly. She knew the old man's intentions, so she needed to prevent any misunderstandings.

Her palms were sweaty as she held Jiang Ce’s hand, but he pulled her closer and stepped toward the old man.

"I heard from Mianmian that you were a comrade-in-arms with her grandfather and treated her like your own granddaughter. We didn't have a chance to pay a formal visit before, and this arrival was a bit rushed, so I hope you’ll forgive us."

Grandpa Jian’s eyes brightened. This young man spoke with extraordinary poise; he clearly wasn't an ordinary person. Just looking at his bearing, he was destined for success.

Oh well. As he said, he had always viewed Mianmian as his own granddaughter. Even if she and Yanzhi had no future, he still wanted her to find a good home.

"I see. You’re a fine young man. You must treat our Mianmian well."

Jiang Ce looked at Mianmian with a soft smile and nodded. "That goes without saying."

...

On the way home, Mianmian leaned against the window, lost in thought. While waiting at a red light, Jiang Ce glanced at her.

He smiled. "What’s with that expression?"

Mianmian felt a bit wilted. She whispered, "It’s nothing. I just suddenly realized how happy it makes me to receive the blessing of a loved one."