Chapter 89: I Was Not Afraid!

Ruan Mianmian glanced back at him, wrinkling her nose instinctively.

Jiang Ce noticed and a hint of apology flickered in his eyes. He said softly, “It won’t take long.”

With that, he turned and went into the bathroom.

“Tch!” Ruan Mianmian pouted, but a smile tugged at her lips. Wasn’t this what girls always called “the little things that matter”?

Jiang Ce really was a thoughtful and attentive man.

Bored without her phone, Ruan Mianmian simply leaned back and sprawled across the soft, wide bed.

Jiang Ce came out wearing slippers, droplets of water still sliding from his hair. The messy strands across his forehead only highlighted a rebellious sort of beauty.

He had wrapped a large towel around his waist, enveloping himself, while water trickled down his neck, gliding over sharply defined abs before vanishing into the towel.

Ruan Mianmian stole a glance, then quickly averted her eyes, cheeks flushed.

What a figure!

She bit her lip, struggling to control her wandering gaze.

Jiang Ce quietly slipped into the dressing room. When he emerged, he was thoroughly covered by a robe.

He was now clad in a pajama set.

Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but stare, almost regretting she hadn’t looked a little longer.

“What’s wrong? Kuan said you were looking for me?”

Jiang Ce stood at the foot of the bed, watching her with his usual calm expression, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Ruan Mianmian got up and sat at the edge of the bed, then crooked a finger at him.

“Come here.”

He looked puzzled but still approached, stopping in front of her.

Ruan Mianmian tilted her head up, reached out, and wrapped her arms around his slim waist. He was solid, and the feel of him was very pleasant.

Jiang Ce’s breath faltered slightly as he stroked the back of her head, letting her hold him as she wished.

“When you touch my head like that, it feels like you’re petting a dog.”

“Don’t compare yourself to a dog. You’re much cuter.”

“…” Well, thank you for that.

Ruan Mianmian was silent for a moment, then asked, “Were you angry today?”

“Yes, a little.”

He nodded honestly.

She looked up at him, blinking. “Why?”

Her question was clearly feigned ignorance.

Jiang Ce gazed down at her, his expression suddenly earnest. “Does this mean we’re together now?”

“Uh…”

Ruan Mianmian hesitated, then frowned and retorted, “I don’t think so, do you?”

Jiang Ce’s hand froze, his face instantly stiffening.

Catching herself, Ruan Mianmian continued, “Jiang Ce, you haven’t even confessed to me yet. You haven’t asked me, so why don’t you ask me now?”

“I won’t.”

Jiang Ce was unexpectedly firm.

“…?”

Ruan Mianmian looked at him with innocent confusion. Was she just loving in vain?

Hearing this, she let go of Jiang Ce and stood up, looking up at him.

“What do you mean by that?”

He looked at her quietly, while inside he answered with a slow, silent admission.

Because he was afraid.

Afraid that everything before him was not real.

More than anything, he feared that with a single careless gesture, Jian Yanzhi could easily steal away the person he cherished most. So he dared not say anything at all.

“It’s late. You should head back to sleep. Don’t you have work tomorrow?”

He changed the subject gently, his tone soft, but Ruan Mianmian could see the shift in his eyes.

“You didn’t want me to see him, so why are you so eager for me to go to work?”

“Because it’s something you love. I can’t exactly tie you down, can I?”

A smile flickered in Jiang Ce’s eyes, but Ruan Mianmian sensed he didn’t really mean it.

His words sounded a little humble.

Who would have thought that the once-overbearing Young Master Jiang could be so timid before her?

Had she not been obvious enough?

Ruan Mianmian turned and switched on the lamp on the nightstand. Its yellow glow was muted, almost useless under the glare of the main lights.

Then she got up and walked to the door, causing a flash of panic in Jiang Ce’s eyes.

“What are you doing?”

Without answering, Ruan Mianmian went to the door and turned off the main light.

The room plunged into darkness, but the amber glow from the lamp was enough to see by.

Jiang Ce instinctively covered his head, only to realize he hadn’t been swallowed by the darkness.

Then, suddenly, a warm embrace enveloped him. Ruan Mianmian wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, pulling him down with her.

Jiang Ce instinctively held her, tumbling with her onto the soft bed behind them.

Her voice buzzed against his chest. “Jiang Ce, do you want to kiss me?”

There was a beat of silence. As she was about to repeat herself, a gentle warmth descended, swallowing all her words.

The night was thick with longing, but nothing could compare to the tenderness at the corner of his lips.

“Don’t be naughty.”

Jiang Ce gently lifted her mischievous hands from his waist to above her head.

Ruan Mianmian hated when he pinned her hands like that. She struggled, protesting, “What’s wrong with me touching you? Didn’t you say your abs are for me to touch? Let go of my hands!”

Jiang Ce loosened his grip a little, careful not to hurt her, but still didn’t let go entirely.

Then, in a low voice, he asked, “Are you ready to take responsibility for me? Are you prepared to give me all your affection? Are you ready to have eyes for only me? Well? Tell me, are you ready?”

Ruan Mianmian was speechless.

“I can start anytime. What about you?” he pressed.

She was still at a loss.

Why did his lines sound so awkward?

What kind of domineering villain was this? She wanted off this ride!

“See? Every time, you do as you please. But when I ask about serious things, you shy away. When will you give me a clear answer?”

Deep emotions flickered in Jiang Ce’s eyes, threatening to swallow him whole—a feeling he’d replayed in his heart countless times.

“I’m not shying away!” Ruan Mianmian protested. “I just told you earlier, but you’re the one who doesn’t want to ask.”

Irritation flared in Jiang Ce’s voice. “Do you need me to confirm my feelings? Don’t you understand? My heart has never changed.”

“Mine hasn’t, either!”

“You—!”

You’re impossible!

Jiang Ce was at a loss for words.

Laughter bubbled from Ruan Mianmian, and pride sparkled in her eyes.

Jiang Ce felt an overwhelming sense of defeat; he was completely at her mercy.

“Alright!” Ruan Mianmian finally relented. “I didn’t do anything wrong. As a junior, what’s wrong with visiting one of Grandpa’s old friends? Don’t be mad at me, okay? Pretty please?”

Her sweet, coquettish tone made her cringe at herself.

Jiang Ce nodded in silence.

“Next time, let me know in advance. No matter what it is, tell me first, alright?”

“Okay!”

The awkwardness finally subsided. Ruan Mianmian lay on the bed, resting her head on Jiang Ce’s arm, musing aloud, “So, you hold me and kiss me, but when are you actually going to confess?”

Jiang Ce fell silent.

So everything I said just now was for nothing?