Chapter 88: The Two of Us Are a Perfect Match!

Jian Yan was infuriated by that remark, and retorted with disdain, “Fiancée? Are you even worthy?”

He had already had this man investigated—just an insignificant nobody, trash who thought a bit of good looks entitled him to play some gallant protector here?

Seeing the confrontation escalate, Ruan Mianmian sensed trouble. She didn’t want to be caught between the two sides. She had no qualms about offending Jian Yan, but she didn’t want Jiang Ce to be humiliated.

She nestled into Jiang Ce’s arms and declared loudly, “He is worthy! We’re a perfect match! The best match!”

Jian Yan fell silent. Was he doomed to be angered to death today?

He knew his emotions were in turmoil, and didn’t want to lash out at Ruan Mianmian. He then turned to Jiang Ce.

“I’ve seen men like you before. Ruan Mianmian is indeed innocent, but that doesn’t mean she’s a fool. You’d best stay away from her, or I won’t let you off.”

Inside, Ruan Mianmian was full of questions. This man had deep misunderstandings about both herself and Jiang Ce.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ce curled his lips into a lazy, rakish smile and said, “I know I’m not worthy of Mianmian.”

Jian Yan raised an eyebrow, thinking that at least this man knew his place.

But the next moment, Jiang Ce added, “But she likes me. What do you expect me to do?”

“You—!”

Jian Yan’s face darkened instantly, as if he were a volcano about to erupt.

Ruan Mianmian pressed her lips together, gazing at the proud Jiang Ce, her heart quietly delighted.

It was the feeling of relief when your loyal dog finally learns to guard its food!

“Jiang Ce, let’s go home,” she said, her eyes sparkling with joy. As she looked at Jiang Ce, no one else existed for her anymore.

Jiang Ce lowered his head and softly agreed, then shot Jian Yan a sharp, icy look—full of provocation and threat.

Suddenly, Jian Yan felt a jolt in his heart.

He wondered if there had been mistakes in his investigation. Was someone so arrogant and commanding truly just an unknown nobody?

Jiang Ce strode away with Ruan Mianmian, leaving Jian Yan standing alone, unmoving.

The evening breeze, stirred further by the sports car, became even more unruly.

Ruan Mianmian pressed the window up and down, and apart from the sound of its movement, there was no other noise.

Jiang Ce was unusually silent, his expression extremely subdued.

Ruan Mianmian sensed he was in a bad mood.

[How is Shen Ting doing?]

Ruan Mianmian lowered her head and sent a message to A-Kuan, wanting to check on the situation.

[Still at the hospital. Ruan, when are you coming back? Boss has been gone a long time—why aren’t you back yet?] A-Kuan asked.

Ruan Mianmian glanced at Jiang Ce; judging from A-Kuan’s tone, Jiang Ce had left early.

But he hadn’t disturbed her, probably just waited outside the door.

[On the way, heading back now.]

Ruan Mianmian replied, put her phone in her bag, and sat quietly in the passenger seat.

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Jiang Ce suddenly broke the silence.

“What?” she asked.

Jiang Ce didn’t reply.

Ruan Mianmian couldn’t decipher his intent—was he angry that she hadn’t waited for him, and had gone out on her own?

She continued, “I heard from A-Kuan that you’ve already saved Shen Ting. Since I couldn’t help, I went to the office.”

“Could you not see him anymore?” Jiang Ce’s words were abrupt and earnest, with a trace of vulnerability even he didn’t notice.

“Who don’t you want me to see?” Ruan Mianmian asked.

Jiang Ce suddenly braked, pulling the car over to the side of the road.

Ruan Mianmian lurched forward from inertia, then was pulled back by her seatbelt.

“I don’t want you to see him,” Jiang Ce said, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles whitened. It was clear he was struggling to control his emotions.

Ruan Mianmian understood—he didn’t want her to see Jian Yan.

Truthfully, she herself felt it was time to leave Han Hai; staying longer had no purpose.

She had returned seeking revenge and to deal with Shen Ting.

But so much had changed in these days, her mood no longer what it once was.

“Let’s go home first,” she said calmly. She felt this wasn’t something to discuss by the roadside; it would be better at home.

Jiang Ce gave her a heavy look, then restarted the car and drove slowly toward Starfish Bay.

By the time they returned, Starfish Bay was shrouded in silence; it was already midnight.

Shen Ting’s matter would have to wait until tomorrow.

Ruan Mianmian went to her room, took a quick shower, changed into her pajamas, and prepared to find Jiang Ce for a talk.

Unexpectedly, as she stepped out, she found A-Kuan lurking by her door.

“What are you doing here?” she asked suspiciously.

A-Kuan nibbled his fingertips, his expression shocked. He asked, “Ruan, what’s up with Boss?”

“What’s wrong with Jiang Ce?” Ruan Mianmian had no idea what he meant.

A-Kuan pointed downstairs, still uneasy. “I just saw Boss smoking downstairs! Do you know how long he’s been quitting? It must be a really tough problem for Boss to smoke again!”

Ruan Mianmian frowned, equally puzzled.

Since her return, she’d never seen Jiang Ce smoke. Even his subordinates wouldn’t smoke in Starfish Bay, because she couldn’t stand the smell—it made her nauseous and cough.

Jiang Ce’s mood must be quite bad now.

A-Kuan probed, “Ruan, aren’t you going to comfort Boss? He looks troubled.”

After all, today’s events with Shen Ting, and hearing those kidnappers talk nonsense, had already made Boss lose his temper once.

But since Ruan wasn’t around, Boss hadn’t had a chance to discuss it.

Ruan Mianmian’s gaze was gentle as she glanced downstairs; the surroundings were quiet, no one else in sight.

She said softly, “Go ask him to come up, tell him I want to see him.”

“Okay!” A-Kuan immediately grinned and ran downstairs.

Ruan Mianmian withdrew her gaze and walked into Jiang Ce’s room.

His room was simple and tidy, almost devoid of unnecessary furnishings: a bed, a business sofa and desk set, and a walk-in closet.

One glance could take it all in.

Ruan Mianmian quietly sat at the edge of the bed, drew open the curtains, and faced the floor-to-ceiling window, the twinkling lights outside falling into her eyes.

Behind her, the door opened, and a tall, elegant figure slowly appeared, reflected in the window.

Without turning, Ruan Mianmian already smelled the faint scent of tobacco drifting in the air.

Jiang Ce stopped a few steps away and said in a low voice, “Wait for me, I’ll take a shower.”