Chapter Thirty-Three: Befriending a Wealthy Patron

Ruan Mianmian’s gaze seemed steeped in ice, so cold that it was impossible to meet her eyes. Ruan Jianwen had never seen her like this before; she appeared utterly unfamiliar, her eyes devoid of the warmth they once held for him.

Even Ruan Chenhan was shocked by this new Ruan Mianmian. He hadn’t expected that just a few months away from home could transform her so completely. If it weren’t for her face, he might have mistaken her for someone else entirely.

Jiang Ce rose silently, walked slowly to her side, and gently drew her out. As they reached the doorway, Jiang Ce suddenly spoke, “Don’t bother packing. If you need anything, I’ll buy it for you. Come with me now.”

The seriousness and tenderness that overflowed in Jiang Ce’s eyes filled Ruan Mianmian’s heart with a rush of rosy bubbles, as though saying: Ruan Mianmian, welcome to my life. My heart is open to you from this moment on.

She thought, thankfully, everything is still in time. Thankfully, Jiang Ce is still here.

Ruan Mianmian slipped his hand from her arm and intertwined her fingers with his, smiling lightly. “Let’s go.”

...

Jiang Ce’s people had long since arranged for a helicopter, waiting only for him to leave. They hadn’t expected, though, that the departure would be brought forward from nightfall to the afternoon.

A flurry of activity ensued, cars hurrying to the Ruan residence to collect them. One Rolls-Royce after another lined up outside the gates, the spectacle so grand Ruan Mianmian could hardly believe her eyes.

“We’re only two people. Do we need so many cars?” she whispered to Jiang Ce, laughing.

Jiang Ce’s lips curled slightly. “Shen Qing and the others said it’s to make a show of support for you.”

To make a show for her?

Were they afraid she’d be bullied by the Ruans?

Ruan Mianmian covered her mouth and laughed. Now she realized—not only was Jiang Ce adorable, but his brothers were equally endearing!

Ruan Jianwen heard the commotion and hurried over, followed by Ruan Chenhan and the others. Yet when they saw the scene outside, their eyes widened in disbelief.

Dozens of Rolls-Royces lined up neatly outside the house, drawing the attention of countless onlookers in the neighborhood.

Ruan Chenhan considered the Ruan family a minor force in Lan City, but before Jiang Ce, their status was not even worthy of carrying his shoes!

He felt a pang of regret—if only he’d returned earlier, he could have spent more time cultivating a relationship with Jiang Ce.

Still, it wasn’t too late. Although his relationship with Ruan Mianmian wasn’t close, she was still family. She shouldn’t think that clinging to Jiang Ce meant she could sever ties with the Ruans. Perhaps before, it was possible, but from now on—never!

A sharp glint flashed in Ruan Chenhan’s eyes. Clearly, their parents would need to maintain ties with Ruan Mianmian, at least while she was with Jiang Ce.

“Hmph! What’s so great about it? Just landed herself a rich man. I want to see how long Ruan Mianmian can stay smug!” Chen Rong’s face was full of resentment as she muttered under her breath.

She didn’t know the extent of Jiang Ce’s power, but she knew Ruan Mianmian well enough. The girl was nothing more than an arrogant, willful, ignorant heiress. Back then, her childhood friendship with that boy from the Jian family came to nothing in the end.

This Jiang Ce must be just a whim, she thought.

Chen Rong stared coldly at Ruan Mianmian’s retreating figure. “When you’re abandoned, don’t think about coming back to the Ruans!”

Ruan Mianmian heard the commotion behind her and knew they had all come out, but with Jiang Ce present, they dared not act rashly. She, likewise, didn’t look back.

To her former self, this home held nothing worth lingering for; even more so, to her now.

All Ruan Mianmian wanted was to stay by Jiang Ce’s side, far away from Jian Yanzhi and Song Chenxi—the protagonists of the novel—and away from the tragic, convoluted plot within those pages. She just wanted to live well!

Yet, she couldn’t help but worry, knowing that Jiang Ce might still follow the storyline and embark on his path of revenge.

Still, there was time.

Ruan Mianmian thought, if she could dissolve the hatred in Jiang Ce’s heart and free that man from his darkness and bitterness, perhaps it would be a worthy endeavor.

With this, hope blossomed anew within her.

Ultimately, under the scrutiny of the Ruan family, she climbed into the car without a trace of nostalgia.

Jiang Ce joined her in the back seat. The spacious interior suddenly felt a little cramped because of his presence.

Ruan Mianmian looked at Jiang Ce’s long legs, then covertly glanced at her own. Though they were slender and graceful, beside his, they seemed much shorter...

She sat up straighter, quietly tugging her dress down to cover her legs.

After all this, she finally let out a silent breath of relief. Though she was one meter sixty-five, not exactly short, Jiang Ce was so tall—one meter eighty-eight. What if he minded?

Jiang Ce was always quiet, especially around Ruan Mianmian, but his attention never wandered from her. Her little insecurities were plain for him to see.

“Are you uncomfortable like that?” Jiang Ce gestured to her tightly curled legs, noting how one was pressed so hard it had turned pale.

Ruan Mianmian forced a smile. “Not at all. How could I be uncomfortable?”

As long as you don’t notice my ‘short legs.’

Jiang Ce laughed. “You’d better put them down.”

Ruan Mianmian arched her brows, suspicious. “Why?”

Wasn’t it obvious? You’re clearly uncomfortable.

Jiang Ce rolled his eyes, too lazy to explain. He simply leaned over, took hold of her legs, and with a gentle pull exposed them completely.

He massaged her ankles, worried she was uncomfortable, then settled back into his seat.

From the moment his hand touched her leg, Ruan Mianmian’s breath caught—she was frozen, as if enchanted.

How could he just touch someone’s leg so casually!

Jiang Ce acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to look at his phone, while Ruan Mianmian’s cheeks burned bright red. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out, “Now that you’ve touched me, you have to take responsibility.”

Whether Jiang Ce was too absorbed in his phone or her voice too soft, he didn’t respond.

The brother driving in front was sweating with anxiety.

A Kuan held back as long as he could, finally unable to resist—such a golden opportunity, why didn’t the boss seize it?

Ruan Mianmian felt awkward too, having received no response. But seeing Jiang Ce’s demeanor, as if he hadn’t heard, she was relieved.

Forget it. She couldn’t bring herself to say it again.