Chapter 8: I’ve Found You
At 2:00 PM, Han He’an appeared punctually at the entrance of the Ruan residence, neither a minute early nor a minute late.
In the eyes of the public, the outstanding heir of the Han family held an exquisite gift box. Dressed in a white suit, he walked into the hall with a charming smile, asking in front of the newly arrived guests, “Has Mianmian come down yet?”
Look at that—how intimate.
The marriage alliance between the Han and Ruan families was likely a done deal.
What a pity that the little young master of the Ruan family was only a Beta.
An Omega standing in the crowd gazed at Han He’an from afar, his eyes filled with infatuation. “If only the person engaged to Young Master Han were me.”
A friend beside him turned back in surprise. “What are you saying? Don’t let Ruan Zhimian hear you.”
The Omega bit his lip and said defiantly, “Young Master Han is the one who likes me.”
The butler replied indifferently, “The young master is resting in the dressing room on the second floor. You may go find him.”
Han He’an walked up the spiral staircase leading to the second floor. Once out of the public eye, his expression gradually turned to one of disgust. He opened the box and looked at the gift his parents had made him bring.
It was a gemstone necklace.
The gemstone was neither too big nor too small; it was quite delicate.
Han He’an donned the skin of a gentle gentleman once more and walked to the dressing room door. He reached out and knocked. “Mianmian, it’s He’an.”
Ruan Zhimian was inside reading. As the pages turned, the anxiety in his heart gradually calmed. He lifted his eyes. “Enter.”
The white wooden door opened. The gaze Han He’an landed on Ruan Zhimian carried a hint of amazement. Ruan Zhimian followed his gaze—Han He’an was looking at the necklace around his neck.
Han He’an walked in and closed the door.
“Mianmian, I had to go to the company this morning, which is why I didn’t come to accompany you.”
Ruan Zhimian had always liked these flashy, impractical things: expensive dresses, various rare jewelry, and gemstones. However, no matter how much he dressed up, he couldn’t change the mediocrity in his blood and bones.
Ruan Zhimian indeed had a good appearance and a good background.
But so what? He couldn’t accompany him through his Easy Period, nor could he possess a high-level mental manifestation. In the eyes of an outstanding person like himself, Ruan Zhimian was completely “disabled.”
“It’s okay. I know you’re busy.”
“I’m already very happy that you could come to spend my birthday with me.”
Ruan Zhimian closed the book, looking at Han He’an with an obedient expression.
In reality, he was thinking of a reason to kick Han He’an out. Once this plot point passed, he had to break off the engagement.
Han He’an took out the box in his hand. “Mianmian, this is a gift I specifically chose for you.”
He knelt down and opened it for Ruan Zhimian with deep affection. Upon seeing Ruan Zhimian’s current necklace, he deliberately put on a dejected air. “I don’t have much money of my own yet, so I can’t buy you gifts like your parents can.”
“My father said that after we get married, he will hand the company over to me. I will definitely buy you many beautiful pieces of jewelry then…”
Hearing this long string of confession, the old Ruan Zhimian would have certainly been very understanding.
And very moved.
So, Ruan Zhimian extended his snowy-white fingertips, picked up the necklace, and put on a look of great fondness. He smiled obediently. “I like it very much.”
Qiuqiu floated in and told Ruan Zhimian that one of Han He’an’s lovers was also present and had just made a call. Ruan Zhimian counted the time; Han He’an had stayed with him for less than ten minutes, five of which were spent telling him about the Han family’s new project. Ruan Zhimian nodded randomly a few times, and Han He’an made an excuse to hurry downstairs.
His “business” was quite busy.
Once the dressing room door closed, Ruan Zhimian threw the necklace back into the box and even took out a disinfectant wipe to clean his fingers.
“Qiuqiu, go check if the surveillance is set up.”
The round little ball floated up from the sofa and followed him all the way to a guest room, dutifully monitoring the camera hidden in the bookshelf.
Han He’an and an Omega walked up the stairs one after the other and entered the guest room.
Mianmian had said to collect evidence now; it would be useful later.
Qiuqiu twisted its body. It felt like this was an occupational hazard.
Back in the lounge, Ruan Zhimian picked up his book again. He didn’t get up until Teng Yu came to find him, clutching a gift box.
Dressed in a light blue suit paired with dazzling red curly hair, Teng Yu spoke to him mysteriously. “Mianmian, unwrap it in a bit. I guarantee my gift is better than your cousin’s.”
For today’s birthday banquet, his cousin Ruan Xubai would also be coming.
Teng Yu put down the box and walked in a circle around Ruan Zhimian. “Mianmian, I forgot to say—you look especially, especially beautiful today.”
Ruan Zhimian’s fingers tugged at his hem. The corset design in the middle of the black dress made his waist look even more slender. The complex hem swayed gently, revealing a jade-like skin texture from his calves to his ankles.
The tips of the little beauty’s ears, hidden under his dark hair, turned red. He slightly lowered his snowy neck and carefully checked the formal dress again. He praised him very, very obediently, “A-Yu, you look especially, especially good too.”
It seemed… it wasn’t so awkward anymore…
He was thinking that maybe he could save a few photos to send to Shi He to coax him.
This was his first time being a “scammer” and his first time being in a relationship. He thought people in love needed to be coaxed every day, and very frequently at that.
Ruan Zhimian took a few photos and saved them to his phone’s album.
Teng Yu looked around. “Where did Han He’an go? Didn’t he just post on his Moments saying he was accompanying you?”
Ruan Zhimian leaned in to look. Han He’an had indeed just posted—three concise words accompanied by a photo of the gift.
— Accompanying Mianmian.
Ruan Zhimian curled his fingers. He didn’t show a look of disgust, only answering Teng Yu blankly, “He said he had things to do.”
The butler knocked on the door, calling for Ruan Zhimian to go downstairs and host the guests.
Today was Ruan Zhimian’s birthday banquet; he had to show his face regardless.
Many guests came to wish Ruan Zhimian well. After a round of exchanges, he had been standing and chatting for nearly an hour since he appeared. He sat down on a sofa in a corner of the hall, rubbing his aching calves through his skirt, leaving the task of pleasantries to the butler.
There were many delicious things at the banquet. Ruan Zhimian took a piece of matcha cake to replenish his energy. The birthday cake wasn’t supposed to be cut until 6:00 PM.
Ruan Mianmian lowered his head, his eyes curving as he ate with a small fork.
Who doesn’t love small desserts?
A refined and elegant Alpha appeared before him. Wearing a white suit, his gaze landed on the corner of Ruan Zhimian’s mouth. He considerately picked up a tissue and handed it over. “Mianmian, happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
This was Ruan Zhimian’s senior and a student of his father Chen Ji—Jian Wenshu.
He was also Shi He’s love rival ten years later.
Ruan Zhimian took the tissue and quietly tidied himself up. He first wiped the cream from the corner of his lips, then used his fingers to comb back his drooping hair. Like a beautiful snowy-white kitten, he was “grooming” himself methodically.
Today’s Ruan Zhimian was a bit different from usual.
By the time Ruan Zhimian had finished and stood up, ready to find an excuse to leave early, he ran straight into Han He’an coming down from the other staircase. A step behind, the Omega following closely had slightly flushed cheeks, looking as if he were overflowing with happiness.
But the moment Ruan Zhimian appeared, his happy time came to an abrupt halt.
Perhaps due to a guilty conscience, Han He’an strode forward, leaving the Omega behind, acting as if he wanted to put his arm around Ruan Zhimian.
Anyone could see something was wrong.
It was a bit dirty. Ruan Zhimian took a step back. His pure, clear eyes lifted to hide his disgust. Raising his fair fingertips, he gripped a nearby wine glass and, without any hesitation, poured it over Han He’an’s face.
The beauty’s tone was still soft and warm, yet it sounded airy, making one’s heart race.
“Han He’an, who is he?”
Han He’an changed faces faster than one could flip a page—it was breathtaking. “Mianmian, how could you misunderstand me? I don’t know him.”
The Omega looked at Han He’an with a heartbroken expression. “Young Master Han…”
Ruan Zhimian’s finger brushed the corner of his eye, wiping away non-existent tears. He lowered his porcelain-white face, looking extremely sad as he continued his lines, “But, I heard him say just now… that you like him?”
He carefully used his peripheral vision to scan the crowd. He always felt like someone was staring at him.
“Today is my birthday. You just said you hoped I’d be happy forever and that you’d love me forever. Are you lying to me?”
…
Ten minutes ago, in front of the Ruan residence.
The heir to the Shi family, who rarely appeared in public, handed over his invitation and walked into the hall.
Dressed in a gray suit, his noble and handsome phoenix eyes gazed into the center of the crowd. The corners of his eyes tilted up ever so slightly, making his emotions impossible to discern.
The Alpha’s well-defined knuckles slowly tightened around the red gift box in his palm. He adjusted his hearing aid and whispered with a half-smile, “You look very beautiful today.”
“Mianmian, what kind of reaction will you have when you see me in a bit?”
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