Chapter Forty-Four: Familiar Flattery

Qian Lei was equally puzzled; he truly could not grasp what Ruan Mianmian was aiming for.

"Why?" he asked.

Ruan Mianmian was silent for two seconds, then she lifted her head and said, "Mr. Qian, in fact, I’ve known about you for a long time."

"Oh?" Interest flickered in Qian Lei’s eyes.

In the book, Qian Lei was the grandson of the town mayor, and also the owner of that piece of land. His family had lived here for generations, guarding this patch of earth.

Recalling the plot, Ruan Mianmian smiled gently and continued, "Jiangcheng New District has another name—it’s called Crescent Town. At first, it was just a bustling little town on the outskirts of Jiangcheng, but with the city’s rapid development over the past two years, people began to see the future value of this land.

I once lived here with my grandmother for a long time, just as you did. In my childhood memories, everything was tied to Crescent Town—the old Matchmaker Temple at the city’s entrance, the ancient locust tree in the west, and the dried-up old well.

I believe, like me, you remember all these things deeply. Although soon they’ll be gone, I think that even if the land is to be developed, it should be entrusted to someone who understands all of this.

That’s why I say Morning Star is a better choice than Han Hai," she concluded.

The girl’s sweet, lively voice unfolded the story, and everyone listened quietly as she painted a picture of a place like paradise.

The interest in Qian Lei’s eyes had long faded, replaced by deep emotion.

These feelings could only be understood by those who had lived in Crescent Town.

Ruan Mianmian borrowed a pen from the waiter and wrote a string of numbers on a napkin, which she pushed toward Qian Lei.

"The owner of Morning Star is truly an excellent person. I can assure you, his hopes for Crescent Town's future are the same as yours. This is his phone number."

Her eyes brimmed with sincerity and seriousness. "I hope, before you make a decision, you’ll give him a chance."

Qian Lei took the napkin, glanced at the number, then looked at Ruan Mianmian and nodded. "Very well. When I return, I’ll call this number. If things are as you say, I’ll reconsider my business partner."

Ruan Mianmian let out a tense breath. She had been so afraid of ruining everything, but thankfully, all was well.

"Thank you."

Having achieved her goal, Ruan Mianmian stood up. "I’ll take my leave. Please let him know that I’ve gone back."

Qian Lei glanced at the empty seat across from him, then looked up and smiled. "Alright."

Ruan Mianmian’s lips curled into a smile, and it was clear she was in high spirits as she walked out the door with a spring in her step.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ce and the others were still completely baffled.

Shen Qing lowered his voice deliberately, "That person is really Ruan, isn’t she?"

Akwan’s eyes were wide with astonishment, though mixed with delight. "Isn’t she?"

Only Jiang Ce remained expressionless and silent, but if one looked closely, they would have seen a storm brewing in his eyes, just about to break free.

After leaving the western restaurant, Ruan Mianmian noticed there was still some time before sunset. Conveniently, there was a flower shop beside her, so she stepped inside for a look.

She was very fond of sunflowers, so just as last time, she asked the shop assistant to wrap a bouquet for her.

The meaning of sunflowers is: "My eyes are filled only with you, and there is no one else around." Such is true devotion.

When Ruan Mianmian had once given Jiang Ce a bouquet of sunflowers, it hadn’t been out of deep affection—she simply wanted the flowers to hint to him that, in his eyes, she, Ruan Mianmian, was the only one who existed.

Sadly, their relationship had fallen to such a state now.

"Jiang Ce, do you know? I just helped you with something big!"

Hugging the flowers, Ruan Mianmian crouched pitifully in the corner by the door.

She stared at the string of numbers on her phone screen and muttered angrily, "I should just call you—why do a good deed only to be misunderstood?"

But in the end, she didn’t have the courage to dial.

She looked up, only to find her shadow stretched several meters long by the sunlight. Beside her stood another, taller and leaner shadow.

Ruan Mianmian turned to look and saw only a pair of long legs—feet clad in a pair of gleaming leather shoes, pure Italian handmade luxury.

Listlessly, she turned away, inexplicably reminded of that scoundrel Jiang Ce. But Jiang Ce couldn't possibly be here.

She rose to leave, but a cool, almost icy voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Weren’t you going to tell me what good deed you’ve done? Leaving already?"

Ruan Mianmian froze, and as she turned, she instinctively covered her mouth in shock. "You... you..."

What are you doing here?

She wanted to ask, but meeting Jiang Ce’s cold gaze, she instinctively fell silent and even backed away a couple of steps.

Jiang Ce’s eyes narrowed, his expression a little dangerous.

"Come here."

Ruan Mianmian shook her head and replied quietly, "What do you want?"

Her voice was thick with grievance and a hint of stubbornness.

Jiang Ce couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. Was he truly so frightening?

Wasn’t it always you, Ruan Mianmian, who caused the trouble?

Jiang Ce lowered his gaze, licking his lips with a touch of unruliness in his eyes, then strode forward and, without a word, scooped her up in his arms.

The sudden movement made Ruan Mianmian instinctively cling to his neck.

"Ah! What are you doing? Put me down!"

Her startled cries and struggles drew the attention of the flower shop staff, who kept peeking outside. But when they met Jiang Ce’s frosty gaze, they all pretended not to notice and quickly looked away.

And so, in broad daylight, Ruan Mianmian was unceremoniously carried away by Jiang Ce.

Soon, they reached the parking garage. With his long strides, Jiang Ce quickened his pace, opened the car door, and deposited Ruan Mianmian into the familiar Land Rover.

Thud—the car door closed.

Jiang Ce climbed in, and Ruan Mianmian immediately found herself sandwiched between him and the door, her back pressed firmly against the car, with nowhere to retreat, while he leaned closer still.

"Jiang Ce! What are you doing?" Ruan Mianmian braced her hands against his chest, glaring at him.

Her heart was pounding so wildly it seemed about to leap from her chest, but Jiang Ce said nothing, his manner overbearing and impolite.

He stared into her eyes, his gaze unfathomable.

"Crescent Town—how do you know about it?"

Ruan Mianmian looked up at him, eyes full of astonishment, and countered, "You heard? How did you hear?"

Had Jiang Ce been in the restaurant just now?

She recalled that familiar figure she’d spotted—so she hadn’t been mistaken, it really was Jiang Ce?

He ignored her questions, instead gripping her chin and forcing her to meet his eyes, repeating almost stubbornly, "Answer me—how do you know?"

How did she know? Wasn’t it because she’d read the original novel? But that wasn’t something she could just say.

A flicker of unease darted through her eyes. Enduring the pain from his grip, she lowered her gaze and whispered, "Of course it was Grandpa who told me. Otherwise, how would I know?"

"Grandpa?" Jiang Ce’s expression softened. "I suppose that’s true. Who else but Grandpa would remember?"

For some reason, Ruan Mianmian suddenly took hold of the hand gripping her chin and said solemnly, "I remember—Jiang Ce, I remember everything about you."

Jiang Ce was speechless.

So the sweet words were about to begin again, were they?