Chapter 60

"Let's wait for the next one."

Hearing Wen Xihan’s words, Ruan Xinyi, despite the joy bubbling in her heart, kept her delicate face perfectly composed. She maintained a neutral expression, revealing not the slightest trace of her true emotions.

Wen Xihan’s thumb curled slightly as she glanced at Ruan Xinyi’s somewhat tense profile and the stiffness in her back. Without making a fuss, she withdrew her hand.

Sensing Wen Xihan’s movement, Ruan Xinyi turned her head to look at her, her eyes clear yet tinged with confusion. "Sister, what’s wrong?"

Wen Xihan looked at her for a moment before pursing her lips. "Nothing."

Ruan Xinyi absentmindedly responded with an "Oh" and then stared at the elevator display, as if lost in thought.

Wen Xihan moved her wrist slightly, resisting the urge to flick Ruan Xinyi’s forehead.

This little brat was becoming harder and harder to deal with…

Letting out a slow breath, Wen Xihan feigned ignorance and asked, "Ruan Xinyi, are you unhappy?"

Ruan Xinyi puffed out one cheek, her fair skin revealing faint pink capillaries beneath. She mumbled softly, "A little."

As she spoke, she lightly touched the area over her heart, her voice even quieter. "It feels… sore and tight here."

It was jealousy—plain and simple. But Ruan Xinyi couldn’t admit that, not when she had no right to feel jealous yet.

"He and I…" Wen Xihan carefully chose her words. "I never actually liked him."

"I know." Ruan Xinyi smiled slightly, her tone gentle yet tinged with longing. "I just envy him—for being able to be yours and for meeting you so early."

Wen Xihan: "…"

That sour remark, wrapped in passive-aggressive sweetness, sent chills down Wen Xihan’s spine.

And what did she mean by ‘meeting her so early’?

If she really wanted to count, she had once changed this little brat’s diapers…

Raising a finger to press her temples twice, Wen Xihan let out a meaningful chuckle but said nothing more, simply gazing at the elevator as it neared the first floor.

The two stood close to each other, so Ruan Xinyi heard the chuckle loud and clear. It carried a husky undertone with a hint of disdain, yet there was an inexplicable sensuality to it that made her ears burn.

Swallowing, Ruan Xinyi held her breath and hesitantly reached toward Wen Xihan.

Wen Xihan lowered her peach blossom eyes and watched Ruan Xinyi’s movements in silence.

Her hand hovered in midair for a moment before she carefully pinched a strand of black hair from Wen Xihan’s collar.

Ruan Xinyi grinned foolishly and blurted out a little lie, fooling both herself and Wen Xihan. “There was a hair.” As she spoke, she clenched the strand tightly in her palm.

“Mm.” Wen Xihan lifted her chin slightly. “Let’s go. The elevator’s here.”

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Ruan Xinyi instinctively grabbed onto Wen Xihan’s sleeve.

Wen Xihan stopped in sync with her movement, furrowing her brows slightly. Pressing her lips together, she asked, “What now?”

Ruan Xinyi had wanted to force a casual smile, but it turned out so strained that it looked worse than crying. She gave up altogether and mumbled, “I… I think I have something to say to you.”

“…Should I step away for a moment?”

Ruan Xinyi’s face remained blank, but internally, she was cursing up a storm—especially at Fu Fangbai. She had already mentally insulted him multiple times. Although she had said she should step away, she made no actual move to do so.

Wen Xihan pretended not to notice her contradicting words. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Fu Fangbai approaching. The warmth in her expression vanished instantly, replaced by an unmistakable chill.

“Xihan.” Fu Fangbai’s voice carried the familiarity of long-lost acquaintances. To an outsider, it might have seemed as though they shared a special relationship.

Hearing this, Wen Xihan frowned deeply. Before she could respond, Ruan Xinyi took the initiative to reply in an official tone, “Director Fu, hello.”

The pronunciation of “Fu” sounded almost identical to “Vice” in Mandarin. So when Ruan Xinyi addressed him as “Director Fu,” it might as well have been “Deputy Director.” 

Since he was already accustomed to hearing this title at work, her words felt like a subtle jab at his status.

However, for the sake of maintaining his usual refined and gentlemanly image in front of Wen Xihan, Fu Fangbai bit back his irritation. Forcing what he thought was his most appropriate smile, he greeted them in a warm voice. “Xihan, is this your little assistant? It’s been a while.”

His seemingly casual words placed an invisible spotlight on Ruan Xinyi, drawing the attention of several onlookers.

“Director Fu.” Wen Xihan’s voice was crisp and distant.

Fu Fangbai’s smile froze for a split second before he quickly recovered, though his eyes flashed with frustration as he shot Ruan Xinyi a quick glare when no one was looking.

Wen Xihan frowned and continued, “Do you need something? We’re heading inside.”

Fu Fangbai hesitated before forcing a bitter smile. “Xihan, do you really have to be so distant with me?”

Wen Xihan shook her head, her tone as flat as ever. “There’s no need.”

“Let’s go, Ruan Xinyi.”

With that, Wen Xihan was ready to brush past Fu Fangbai and enter the venue.

A glimmer of unwillingness flashed through Fu Fangbai’s eyes. Just as he was about to say something, a cool female voice called out from behind, “Ruan Ruan, come here.”

Ruan Xinyi stiffened. She cautiously turned around and saw Ruan Su approaching with a team of assistants and secretaries, making no attempt to keep a low profile. She greeted her awkwardly but politely, “President Ruan, hello.”

“Come here.” Ruan Su repeated patiently, subtly nodding in acknowledgment at Wen Xihan.

“…Coming.” Ruan Xinyi tugged discreetly at Wen Xihan’s sleeve and whispered, “Sister, I’ll head over for a bit.”

Wen Xihan nodded. “Mm.”

Noticing Ruan Xinyi’s reluctance, Ruan Su averted her gaze indifferently.

A nearby secretary caught on and smiled warmly. “Miss, it’s been a while.”

Ruan Xinyi responded half-heartedly. “Sister Chen, you too?”

Her words were casual, but they carried weight. Not only did the nearby spectators perk up their ears, but even Fu Fangbai’s gaze sharpened with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Ruan Su, the current Chairwoman and CEO of Ruan Corporation—he was certainly familiar with her.

And just now, that formidable woman had addressed Wen Xihan’s “little assistant” as “Ruan Ruan”?

So… Ruan Xinyi was actually Ruan Su’s only daughter?

Was this some kind of joke? The heiress of the Ruan family working as a mere assistant for Wen Xihan?

Fu Fangbai silently rejoiced that he hadn’t offended her earlier. Otherwise, he might have met a rather unfortunate fate at the hands of her mother.

Seizing the moment while everyone’s focus was on Ruan Xinyi, Wen Xihan quickly slipped into the venue.

Glancing at the still-stunned Fu Fangbai, Ruan Su said indifferently, “Let’s go inside.”

Ruan Xinyi, whose mind was already fixated on Wen Xihan, wasted no time hurrying forward eagerly.

The summit seating had been arranged in advance.

By sheer coincidence, Ruan Corporation’s seats were placed right next to Li Hai Group’s.

So when Ruan Su spotted Wen Xihan, she immediately took a long stride and sat directly beside her, making no attempt to conceal her intentions.

Pulling out her chair, Ruan Su glanced at the two of them thoughtfully before finally sitting down.

Seated three seats away, Ruan Su idly twirled a sleek black pen between her fingers. After a few seconds, she put it down and picked up her phone to send a message to Wen Xihan:

[Don’t tell me it’s that man. If so, you seriously need to get your eyes checked.]

She was referring to a conversation she had with Wen Xihan not long ago when Wen Xihan had confessed that she had feelings for someone she shouldn’t.

If Wen Xihan had actually fallen for that man, Ruan Su wouldn’t hesitate to play the role of the villain and break them apart.

Wen Xihan: […]

Seeing this speechless ellipsis, Ruan Su finally let out a small sigh of relief. But she couldn’t resist sending another reminder:

[That guy is trouble. Be careful around him.]

Wen Xihan tilted her phone slightly and quickly typed a reply:

[I’m fine, but I feel like he’s targeting Ruan Ruan a little.]

Ruan Su let out a dismissive laugh.

[That girl is sharp; no need to worry unnecessarily.]

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Wen Xihan placed her phone face down, took out her rimless silver-framed glasses from her bag, wiped the lenses, and put them on.

Before long, the morning had passed.

Thanks to Ruan Su, many people had now learned about Ruan Xinyi’s identity.

Not fond of unnecessary trouble, Ruan Xinyi secretly sent Wen Xihan a message near the end of the event:

[Sister, can we leave quickly later? I’m a little hungry.]

Wen Xihan replied: [Why don’t you leave first?]

Since she was representing Li Hai Group, social engagements were inevitable.

Ruan Xinyi responded with a [pouting] emoji.

[Forget it, I’ll just leave with you…]

Ruan Su rested her chin on her hand, idly twirling a pen between her pale fingertips. She didn’t notice the little exchange between the two. Once she finished her last sentence, she capped the pen and, in a tone that left no room for refusal, said, “Ruan Ruan, let’s have lunch together.”

“And—General Manager Wen, you should join us too.”

Wen Xihan gave a slight nod and responded politely, “President Ruan, you’re too kind.”

Ruan Su signaled to her secretary with a glance and smiled. “General Manager Wen, don’t mention it. In fact, I should thank you for taking care of my little Ruan Ruan these past few days.”

Ruan Xinyi, who had been trying to keep a low profile: “…”

Suppressing a faint smile, Wen Xihan replied, “It’s nothing. Actually, Assistant Ruan is very capable at her job.”

Ruan Su chuckled and gave Ruan Xinyi a side-eye filled with mock disappointment before playfully scolding, “I know exactly what that little rascal is capable of.”

“But General Manager Wen, you…”

Ruan Xinyi, unaware of the subtle undertones in their conversation, worried that Wen Xihan might suffer a loss in front of her mom the ‘old fox’ Ruan Su. She quickly acted spoiled, calling out, “Mom~”

“Didn’t you say we were going to eat?”

Their gazes met, and, as if reaching a silent agreement, Ruan Su and Wen Xihan tactfully dropped the subject. With the secretary leading the way, they headed downstairs to the dining hall, one after the other.

Before long, many people came to chat with Ruan Su. As a result, she formally introduced Ruan Xinyi to them.

After mechanically dealing with the last guest, Ruan Xinyi massaged her face, which was stiff from forced smiles, and gulped down a large glass of lemon water. Trying to make conversation, she casually asked, “Mom, what time did you arrive today?”

Ruan Su elegantly took a sip of red wine and answered nonchalantly, “Around 8:40.”

“Cutting it close.” Ruan Xinyi nodded, making a token show of concern before asking, “Did you book a hotel yet?”

Ruan Su didn’t bother being polite. “Not yet. Where are you staying? Any rooms left? Ruan Ruan, book one for me.”

Ruan Xinyi’s smile nearly froze: “???”

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