Chapter Forty-Seven: Burn It All

The car moved smoothly along the road, the interior cloaked in silence. Akun focused intently on driving, Shen Qing hunched over her phone, occasionally breaking into a sly grin—clearly up to no good. Jiang Ce sat with an air of triumph, legs elegantly crossed, quiet and composed. Only Ruan Mianmian curled herself into a corner, inexplicably feeling a touch of guilt.

This was all wrong! She was the one who’d been forcibly kissed—why was she the one feeling guilty?

A notification chimed. Ruan Mianmian glanced at her phone: Jian Yanzhi had messaged, asking why she’d left so suddenly. She gripped her phone, choosing not to reply. Moments later, her phone rang. Embarrassed, she hastily tapped the screen, declining the call.

Jiang Ce cast a sideways glance at her phone, but Ruan Mianmian held it tightly, shielding the screen.

She flashed a smile, “Just a telemarketer.”

Jiang Ce’s gaze deepened, seeing through the lie but choosing not to comment, turning away.

The phone rang again, insistent. Ruan Mianmian rejected the call once more; this time, she couldn’t pretend not to notice and sent a quick message.

[I’m busy. I’ll contact you later.]

Jian Yanzhi replied: [What’s so urgent? You promised to let me treat you to dinner.]

Ruan Mianmian stared at the screen, the conversation radiating a calm atmosphere. Unable to resist, she asked:

[How’s the cooperation going?]

[Almost done. Qian Lei said he’d think it over, but I believe there shouldn’t be any problems.]

Just from this, Ruan Mianmian could sense Jian Yanzhi’s confidence. It seemed Qian Lei was a man who hid his true intentions well; he’d revealed nothing about Morning Star. Judging by the current situation, Jian Yanzhi had no idea Qian Lei had privately arranged a meeting with Morning Star.

A while later, Jian Yanzhi, seeing she hadn’t replied, asked again:

[Where did you go? I’ll pick you up.]

He knew Ruan Mianmian hadn’t driven herself, so even if she had things to do, she’d eventually return to the company.

[Don’t worry about me. I’m taking a day off. See you tomorrow.]

She replied casually, then powered off her phone and tucked it into her bag, leaning back with an air of nonchalance.

Time ticked by. Jiang Ce never questioned her, and only then did Ruan Mianmian truly relax.

When they arrived at Starfish Bay, Akun parked and, together with Shen Qing, quickly exited the car. Ruan Mianmian tried to follow, but just as her hand reached the door lock, Jiang Ce seized her arm.

She turned, wary. “What is it?”

Jiang Ce gave a helpless laugh, then leaned closer.

Ruan Mianmian’s eyes widened as he approached, her heart skipping a beat. Remembering the passionate kiss earlier, her face flushed red-hot.

“What are you doing?” She pressed against his chest, but whatever she was thinking made her hand drop abruptly, leaving her flustered.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ce merely raised a hand to wipe the corner of her lips.

She froze, barely able to react before he stepped away, leading the way out of the car.

“What was that?” Ruan Mianmian pulled out a compact, glancing at herself in the tiny mirror. She saw the faint smudge of lipstick around her lips—the mark left by Jiang Ce’s kiss.

Damn!

She cursed inwardly, touching her lips and recalling the earlier fire, overwhelmed by shame. No wonder Shen Qing had asked that question!

Outside, Jiang Ce didn’t rush her, waiting patiently for Ruan Mianmian to compose herself. Only after she exited the car did he look over.

“Come on, let’s have lunch.”

“Oh…”

Back inside Starfish Bay, lunch tasted like ash to Ruan Mianmian. Old Zhang grinned broadly nearby, saying nothing, but his mirth was palpable. Shen Qing must have already spread the news while they were in the car!

Ruan Mianmian picked at her food, chewing mechanically, while Jiang Ce remained perfectly at ease, as if nothing had happened. Such was the difference between the one who takes advantage and the one taken advantage of: thick-skinned people are always more composed.

And that thick-skinned person was, of course, Jiang Ce.

Ruan Mianmian withdrew her gaze, put down her chopsticks, and muttered, “I’m going for a nap.”

She stood to leave, but Old Zhang hurried over to stop her.

“Wait, wait!”

He glanced at Jiang Ce with a hesitant look, then smiled at Ruan Mianmian.

“Miss Ruan, you should eat a bit more. You look thinner again. If the dishes aren’t to your liking, I’ll have the kitchen prepare something else.”

Ruan Mianmian eyed him suspiciously; she’d seen him exchange a look with Jiang Ce just moments ago.

What was Old Zhang up to?

She crossed her arms. “What’s wrong? Is there something in my room I shouldn’t see?”

“Well…” Old Zhang’s smile faded, his gaze shifting to Jiang Ce in a gesture of ‘not my business.’

Ruan Mianmian followed his glance. Jiang Ce set down his chopsticks, replying coolly, “Nothing.”

Seeing Old Zhang’s expression change, Ruan Mianmian was certain something was amiss. She’d find out for herself.

She dashed upstairs, and as she reached the corridor, saw her room’s door wide open, servants scurrying in and out.

“What’s going on?” she asked, peering inside to find the room’s furnishings completely rearranged, replaced by a jumble of scattered furniture and ornaments—like a house just moved into, yet to be settled.

“Forgive us, Miss Ruan,” Old Zhang apologized, catching up.

Ruan Mianmian turned, baffled. “Care to explain?”

Old Zhang hesitated, then forced a smile. “Honestly, I’m not quite sure. The night the young master returned, he ordered all the items you’d used in your room to be… burned.”

Burned?

Ruan Mianmian clicked her tongue, recalling Jiang Ce’s furious state that night. Apparently, he’d been so enraged he resorted to this.

Was it worth venting his anger on those things? Such wastefulness.

Still, Ruan Mianmian felt secretly triumphant. The angrier Jiang Ce was, the more he must care about her.

She curled her lips. “Never mind, out with the old, in with the new. Arrange it however you like.”

“Of course.” Old Zhang smiled, “Why don’t you relax downstairs for a bit? I’ll let you know when your room is ready.”

Ruan Mianmian patted Old Zhang’s shoulder with a sly grin. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Back in the downstairs hall, Jiang Ce sat quietly on the sofa, aloof and unapproachable. Ruan Mianmian sidled up, teasing in a low voice, “Next time you’re angry, don’t take it out on things.”

Tsk! That smug face.