Chapter 82: Hmm, You’re Adorable

At these words, Jian Xiu cast a glance at Jian Yanzhi, his expression tightening as well.

“Him? How could he ever compare to little Ruan? All he’s got is his height, not the slightest bit endearing!” the old master grumbled, his tone overflowing with mock disdain, though the amused twinkle in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Ruan Mianmian snorted in agreement, “Of course! Even when we were kids, I was always the cuter one. He could never match up to me!”

“Haha, exactly, exactly,” Old Master Jian was delighted by Ruan Mianmian’s playful banter, bursting into hearty laughter. Even Jian Yanzhi, usually so reserved, couldn’t help but have a smile touch his eyes.

“Mm, you are cute,” Jian Yanzhi, in an uncharacteristic move, praised Ruan Mianmian. His voice was soft, but everyone in the room heard it.

Ruan Mianmian shot him a suspicious look, thinking, Jian Yanzhi is really acting strange lately—did he just compliment her?

Truly, you live long enough to see everything.

No one was more pleased than Old Master Jian. Jian Xiu’s gaze flickered between Ruan Mianmian and Jian Yanzhi, a look of gratification slowly appearing on his face.

He remembered how, back in the day, he and his old comrade had been set on arranging a childhood engagement for the two kids. Unfortunately, his own grandson had never been particularly perceptive—he not only refused to play with little Ruan, but would often go out of his way to avoid her.

Later, even Ruan’s father caught on, and stopped bringing the matter up. So, as an elder, he had little choice but to let it go.

But looking at them now, it seemed his grandson had finally come to his senses. The two of them even looked well-matched today.

A glint appeared in the old master’s eyes as he recalled overhearing something at home before: that Yanzhi had someone he liked and planned to introduce her to the family. Could it be… little Ruan?

At this thought, Jian Xiu’s smile grew so wide it nearly split his face.

“You rascal, aren’t you going to let little Ruan have a proper seat? Let’s all sit down and talk,” Jian Xiu motioned meaningfully at Jian Yanzhi, who, though oblivious, obediently led Ruan Mianmian to a seat.

Aunt Wang had already prepared tea and snacks, setting them out on the coffee table.

“Little Ruan, these were all freshly made today. See if you like them,” the old master encouraged her to help herself.

Ruan Mianmian, who had skipped lunch, felt her stomach rumbling. The table of delicious treats whetted her appetite at once. She picked up a small cake, took a bite, and cheeks bulging, nodded, “Delicious!”

She finished the entire piece in one go, took a sip of water, and laughed, “I haven’t eaten all day. I’m starving! This cake is amazing.”

The old master asked, “Why didn’t you eat?”

Jian Yanzhi echoed, “Why didn’t you eat?”

Their questions overlapped, making Ruan Mianmian’s hand, halfway to her mouth, freeze for a moment.

“I… I just forgot, haha.” She made up an excuse, hoping to brush it off.

“What kind of brain forgets to eat?” Jian Yanzhi shot her a sidelong glance, his tone full of exasperation.

Ruan Mianmian rolled her eyes at him. “If you can’t speak nicely, then don’t speak at all!”

The old master burst into laughter and explained for Jian Yanzhi, “He’s just worried about you, but he’s always so blunt. This rascal never was good with words—if he were, I wouldn’t be exasperated with him all the time.”

Ruan Mianmian grinned, “I’m not going to bother with him.”

“Exactly, don’t mind him. Little Ruan, if this boy ever gives you trouble, just come to me. I’ll set things right for you,” the old master promised.

Ruan Mianmian beamed, “Alright!”

While they chatted, Jian Yanzhi quietly got up and went to the kitchen, where he found Aunt Wang.

“Could you make something simple? There’s still a while before dinner. If she has to wait, she’ll be hungry for ages.”

Aunt Wang chuckled, “Young master, you really do care about Miss Ruan!”

How had she never noticed before?

Jian Yanzhi’s lips curved slightly, but he said nothing, leaving the kitchen on his own.

When he returned to the living room, Ruan Mianmian was discussing health tips with the old master, the conversation lively and warm.

“Soak your feet every night and you’ll be all the healthier!”

She even rhymed her advice, sending the old master into fits of laughter.

Jian Yanzhi listened quietly for a while, memories suddenly flooding his mind: the little crybaby who used to trail after him, the lively girl who hovered near him as they grew older, now transformed into a bright, charming young woman.

Every memory featured Ruan Mianmian.

He remembered what Aunt Wang had said in the kitchen. He was never the attentive sort, but if anyone had always been attentive to Jian Yanzhi, it was no one but Ruan Mianmian.

“Master, time for your medicine, and then you should nap,” Aunt Wang said, bringing over a glass of water and a box of pills.

The room fell silent. Ruan Mianmian asked, “Is Grandpa Jian unwell?”

The old master laughed, “Oh, just getting old—who doesn’t have a few ailments?”

He took the pills from Aunt Wang, popped them into his mouth, and swallowed them down with water in a practiced motion.

Watching this familiar scene, Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but laugh.

Jian Yanzhi gazed at her radiant smile, momentarily lost in thought.

As a child, Ruan Mianmian had hated taking medicine. Her father could do nothing with her—no matter how he cajoled, she would cry and make a scene, refusing to take her pills.

In the end, her father would tell her, “If you don’t take your medicine, Big Brother Yanzhi won’t play with you anymore.”

Upon hearing that, she’d sob as she took her medicine, mumbling, “I don’t want to, I don’t want to,” but in the end, she’d obediently finish it.

Recalling all this, Jian Yanzhi couldn’t help but smile.

Ruan Mianmian caught his look, suspicious. “What are you smiling at?”

Jian Yanzhi didn’t reply, just looked at her intently—a gaze full of emotion that made Ruan Mianmian quickly avert her eyes.

Something’s wrong, terribly wrong! she thought. She’d better keep her distance from him in the future.

…

After taking his medication, the old master returned to his room to rest.

Ruan Mianmian sat on the sofa, bored, replying to messages on her phone.

A-Kuan was asking where she was. Old Zhang couldn’t find her and had nearly panicked, but didn’t dare tell the boss, afraid Jiang Ce would worry.

Apparently, Jiang Ce and the others hadn’t returned yet.

[I went to work.]

[What?!]

A-Kuan replied in shock, and even through the screen, Ruan Mianmian could sense his disbelief.

[Ruan, your nerves are something else. You even went to work? I thought you’d skip—this is such a rare opportunity, after all.]

A-Kuan teased her.

Ruan Mianmian replied: [I went home with Jian Yanzhi to visit his grandfather.]

[................]

A-Kuan responded with a very long line of ellipses.