Chapter Thirty-Six: The Play Need Not Continue

Ruan Mianmian could hardly bear it any longer and pressed the hang-up button without hesitation, but before two seconds had passed, Jian Yanzhi called again. Each time she declined, he dialed once more, as if he never tired of this game. Altogether, he called seven or eight times, and Ruan Mianmian didn’t answer even once.

Just as her phone finally went quiet, a message from Jian Yanzhi appeared.

[Mianmian, where are you?]

[Say something. I know you’re there.]

Ruan Mianmian stared at the words in the message box, a cold smile flickering across her face. She truly couldn't fathom what was going through Jian Yanzhi’s mind. Now that she wanted nothing more than to cut ties, it was he who refused to let go.

The way Jian Yanzhi was behaving now was no different from how the original Ruan Mianmian had once relentlessly pursued him.

She had no intention of replying. If he wanted to keep sending messages, let him. She wouldn’t give it another thought.

[Mianmian, it’s fine if you won’t speak. But I know you still care about me.]

[This time you really helped me out. To thank you, when you return to Jiang City, let me take you to dinner at your favorite restaurant.]

With each new message from Jian Yanzhi, Ruan Mianmian’s beautiful brows knit tighter in frustration.

“What on earth is he talking about? Is he out of his mind?”

There was suspicion in her eyes—she had no idea what Jian Yanzhi was referring to. She hadn’t been in contact with him at all lately, so what did all this mean?

Wanting to get to the bottom of it, Ruan Mianmian, now annoyed, dialed his number.

The moment the call connected, Jian Yanzhi’s laughter spilled from the other end.

“So you’re finally willing to answer?” His tone was laced with certainty and delight.

Ruan Mianmian went straight to the point. “What do you mean by all this? I don’t understand a word you’re saying.”

“Alright, you can drop the act now.” Jian Yanzhi’s laughter faded. “Mianmian, whatever the case, you’ve really gotten smarter this time, and it’s made me pay even more attention to you. The method’s a bit old-fashioned, but I’m happy.”

“What?” Ruan Mianmian felt a surge of irritation. She didn’t understand why he was talking this way, especially when she truly had no idea what he meant.

She pressed, her voice urgent, “If you have something to say, just say it. Can we not play riddles?”

“Tsk.”

A hint of amusement colored Jian Yanzhi’s voice. “Ruan Mianmian, that’s enough. If you keep pretending, it’ll go too far. Tell me, when are you coming back to Jiang City? I’ll meet you at the airport.”

Annoyance flared in Ruan Mianmian’s chest. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, and as for my return to Jiang City, you needn’t trouble yourself, Young Master Jian. Let’s not contact each other again.”

With that, she hung up at once, muttering, “Lunatic.”

Setting her phone aside, Ruan Mianmian touched her empty stomach. She had planned to wait for Jiang Ce to come back so they could have dinner together, but to her surprise, he still hadn’t returned.

She decided to go downstairs and find something to eat. After tidying herself up, she left her room in search of the restaurant. Surely, she thought, at a renowned place like Moonlight Manor, the food would be something special.

She had barely stepped outside when A-Kuan hurried over, having knocked at her door for ages with no response and now looking quite frantic. Luckily, he had her number and called her at once.

But the reception in the elevator was poor. Though she answered, the call kept breaking up, and she couldn’t make out a word he said. She ended the call, planning to try again once she reached the lobby.

But when the elevator doors slid open, Ruan Mianmian was startled by the scene that greeted her.

Dozens of men in black stood in formation. Jiang Ce stood at their center, everyone gathered at the elevator doors as if they’d been waiting for her.

Ruan Mianmian smiled as she stepped out. Spotting Jiang Ce, she greeted him with surprise, “You’re back! I was just on my way to the restaurant. Shall we eat together?”

Silence.

What greeted Ruan Mianmian was a heavy, unbroken silence.

Only then did she realize that for some reason, the lobby had become unnaturally quiet. Every gaze was fixed on her, each expression hard to read.

“Wh-what’s wrong?” Ruan Mianmian turned to Jiang Ce. His eyes were like winter ice, cold and devoid of warmth. His lips were pressed into a thin line, a sure sign of the anger smoldering within.

What had happened?

Ruan Mianmian took a step forward, stopping in front of him. She forced a smile, but faced with Jiang Ce’s icy demeanor, unease crept into her heart.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, reaching out to tug at his sleeve. Yet before she could touch him, he knocked her hand away.

Looking down at the reddening patch on the back of her hand, Ruan Mianmian raised her eyes in shock.

“Ruan Mianmian, what have you done?” Jiang Ce’s tone was almost accusatory as he fixed her with his gaze.

“What have I done?” Ruan Mianmian’s eyes widened in confusion.

Just then, the elevator behind her opened again. She glanced over her shoulder to see A-Kuan stepping out alone, his expression grim. Without a word or a glance at her, he strode straight to Jiang Ce’s side.

“Boss.”

A-Kuan extended his hand, revealing the item inside to everyone present. Jiang Ce’s face darkened instantly.

Ruan Mianmian was stunned. She stared at the small, black USB drive in A-Kuan’s palm, her face draining of color.

That was her USB drive.

How did it end up in A-Kuan’s hand?

“Do you recognize this?” Jiang Ce asked icily.

Ruan Mianmian’s lips parted, but for a moment, no words would come.

Jiang Ce licked his lips, a chill glinting in his eyes. He didn’t need to ask again; her reaction told him she recognized it.

Ruan Mianmian’s mind went blank at the sight of the USB drive. Wasn’t it supposed to be with Shen Ting? How could it be here?

“No, it’s not like that.”

She stepped forward, flustered, “How did this end up with you? I didn’t—”

“Ruan—”

A-Kuan cut her off, fixing her with a grave look. “How could you do this to the boss? Don’t you know how he feels about you?”

“Enough!”

Jiang Ce’s shout startled everyone, but Ruan Mianmian regained some composure.

“I didn’t! I didn’t betray him!”

“Heh—” Jiang Ce let out a cold laugh. “Miss Ruan, your goal has been achieved. There’s no need to keep up the act.”

“Jiang Ce!” Tears stung Ruan Mianmian’s eyes. Disoriented, she asked, “Do you really believe I would betray you?”

Silence again.

He believed it.

Ruan Mianmian took a deep breath, biting back her emotions. She looked at Jiang Ce, her voice earnest, “I can explain. I didn’t betray you. I just want to know why this is in A-Kuan’s hands.”