Chapter 51: A Promising Youngster

A group photo?

At the mention of these words, Jiang Ce's body stiffened, and his expression grew noticeably awkward. Yet Ruan Mianmian had already moved in closer to his side. Unfortunately, Jiang Ce was so tall that, no matter how she held up her phone, she couldn’t quite fit him entirely in the frame—unless she settled for an odd angle.

“You hold it and take the shot—I can’t get both of us,” Ruan Mianmian said, trying to hand him her phone. But Jiang Ce, flustered, hesitated and didn’t take it.

At this moment, the stall owner in front of them chuckled, “How about I take the photo for you?”

Ruan Mianmian brightened instantly, quickly handing over her phone and thanking him profusely.

The stall owner waved her off with a smile. “It’s nothing at all! Now, look here.”

Ruan Mianmian hurriedly smoothed a stray lock of hair by her temple, then pressed herself up against Jiang Ce’s arm. The two of them stood side by side, rigid and straight.

The stall owner couldn’t help but laugh at their posture. “Is that how young people take photos these days? You should link arms, get a little closer!”

Ruan Mianmian had meant to do just that, but seeing Jiang Ce so slow to act, she’d assumed he was unwilling and hadn’t wanted to push it. Now, prompted by the stall owner, she immediately slipped her arm through Jiang Ce’s and beamed, “Quick, take it!”

Jiang Ce was startled by her action and turned to glance at her, flustered. Seeing her bright eyes and radiant smile, he couldn’t help but smile himself.

A flash, and the moment was forever captured in Ruan Mianmian’s camera.

As soon as Jiang Ce’s hand relaxed, Ruan Mianmian darted forward. “Let me see, how is it? Does it look good?”

The stall owner handed the phone back with a smile. “You’re both so attractive—how could it not look good?”

“Hehe!” Ruan Mianmian grinned foolishly, carefully opening up the photo album. Under the warm glow of the streetlights, with passersby drifting in the background, they stood quietly together at the front of the crowd.

Ruan Mianmian looked straight into the camera, her eyes brimming with joy, while Jiang Ce gazed at her, a gentle smile in his eyes.

“You were looking at me!” she exclaimed, delight sparkling in her eyes. She murmured, “I love this one!”

“Thank you, sir!” she chimed sweetly to the stall owner.

...

Meanwhile, in the parking lot.

Akang, bored out of his mind, fiddled with the car window—up, down, up, down—clearly restless. He’d picked up this little habit from Ruan Mianmian and had mastered it well.

“Brother Qing, the boss said they’d be right back, but it’s been over half an hour and there’s still no sign of them!” Akang grumbled, speaking to Shen Qing on the monitor.

A second later, Shen Qing’s teasing voice sounded. “Are you stupid? The boss obviously just wanted you out of the way so you wouldn’t tag along!”

“Huh? Why’s that?”

Shen Qing snorted in amusement. “Why else? You’d just be a third wheel, getting in the way of their alone time.”

“Oh!” Akang suddenly understood, exclaiming, “Damn! The boss is finally getting a clue!”

“Please, the boss has always been sharp. He just never had an outlet before. Now that Brother Ruan’s switched sides, he’s got his chance,” Shen Qing analyzed expertly.

“True, true,” Akang agreed, then muttered, “How could I not have picked up on this? I’m so clueless.”

“Pfft!” Shen Qing scoffed. “Save your brainpower for something else.”

Akang rolled his eyes, then suddenly remembered something. “Oh right, Sister Ting’s birthday is next month, isn’t it? Are you taking leave to go back to Lan City again?”

Shen Qing’s voice caught, and he mumbled, “We’ll see. Maybe, maybe not.”

Maybe not? Not even going back for his own sister’s birthday? That was unheard of. Shen Qing always used to return days in advance. What was going on this time?

Before Akang could press further, Shen Qing cut him off. “Alright, you wait for the boss. I’ve got something to take care of. Signing off.”

Akang opened his mouth, but the screen had already gone silent.

“What’s up with him?” Akang wondered, suspicion rising.

But before long, Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce returned, and Akang forgot all about it.

“Akang, this is for you!” Ruan Mianmian leaned forward from the back seat, placing a neatly packed bundle on the front passenger seat.

Akang’s face lit up in surprise—he hadn’t expected to get a share!

“Thank you, Brother Ruan!”

“No need for thanks,” Ruan Mianmian replied, settling back in her seat.

Jiang Ce reminded them from up front, “Let’s head home.”

Hearing this, Akang purposely glanced back. The boss’s expression was as calm as ever, but he could see the happiness lingering on his face. Clearly, the trip had been worth it.

Akang quietly looked away and started the car.

Once they left the parking lot, he put on a gentle, lingering love song, letting the melody drift softly through every corner of the car.

Beautiful.

Akang sighed from the heart.

Ruan Mianmian, however, didn’t notice. Her entire focus was on the photos on her phone. She was already thinking about printing the picture out tomorrow and hanging it by her bed—and putting a copy in Jiang Ce’s room too!

Soon, Haixing Bay was in sight. Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce got out first and headed inside.

Old Zhang came to report that there was news from Moonlight Villa, and Jiang Ce went straight to the study to join a video conference with the folks in Lan City.

Ruan Mianmian, carrying her bags, settled in the living room downstairs to feast.

“Old Zhang, there’s so much food—come join me!” she called out. Though Old Zhang was getting on in years, his temperament was far less steady than his appearance; he could be as playful as a child at times.

Ruan Mianmian wasn’t the least bit reserved, following everyone else’s lead and calling him Old Zhang.

Old Zhang always grinned and wagged a finger at her. “No, no, Miss Ruan, you go ahead. I don’t care for this stuff.”

He laughed as he refused her, and Ruan Mianmian didn’t insist. Instead, she called Akang and some of the other guys she was familiar with, and the group crowded into the main hall, lively and noisy.

Ruan Mianmian took the middle of the long sofa. Though everyone was fun and rowdy, not a single person dared squeeze onto her couch.

“You lot! Seriously!” she chided, then stood and switched to a single armchair, freeing up the long sofa for the others, who then jostled and nudged until they were all seated.

“Dig in! Tonight’s my treat, don’t hold back!” Ruan Mianmian said generously. She knew well how these things worked: win Jiang Ce’s people over, make them her own, and bringing Jiang Ce around would be effortless.

This was the philosophy she’d always practiced at Haixing Bay.

When the meal was over, Ruan Mianmian clapped her hands, lowered her head, and reminded them in a conspiratorial whisper, “You’ve eaten my food, you know what that means, right?”

Everyone instantly caught her drift.

“Don’t worry, Brother Ruan, we know the drill!”

“Yeah, of course—we’re all on the same page!”

Ruan Mianmian pressed her lips together, a smile spreading across her face.

They’re promising, truly—worth teaching.