Ruan Li had always had a terrible relationship with the Lin family…they didn’t even bother keeping up a polite facade.
Lin Jing knew all too well that her staying in the Ruan family villa was completely unearned, a privilege riding entirely on her father’s coattails. Ever since she was a child, her father had drilled it into her head: one day, she was expected to take control of Ruan Corp and claim its vast fortune for herself.
Ruan Li was only loosening her grip on the meat now because she was facing a crisis, leaving them to lick up the leftover scraps.
But scrap or not, it was an opportunity!
“I’ll do it!” Lin Jing said, her breath catching as she instinctively stood up. Ambition blazed in her eyes like a sudden spark catching wind. “Of course I’m willing, Sister. We’re family, after all. How could I just stand by while you’re struggling?”
“Wonderful.” Ruan Li smiled gently, then turned her deliberate gaze toward Lin Nian, whose eyes flickered with a mix of jealousy and unwillingness. “As for you, Nian’nian, I have a task I need your help with as well.
“Have you heard of He Saiying? She’s Ruan Corp’s biggest competitor and has been relentlessly targeting us. I want you to get close to her and extract information. It’s an extremely difficult mission…”
Ruan Li paused, looking hesitant, her lips parting as if second-guessing herself.
“He Saiying is cold, ruthless, and completely unapproachable. She’s harsh even to her own mother, publicly humiliating her on multiple occasions. Even though our quarterly sales are dropping, I shouldn’t push you into a pit of fire… Forget it. Let’s not.”
“I can do it!” Lin Nian cut her off loudly and anxiously, a fierce drive to conquer flashing in her captivating eyes. “You can trust me with this, Sister. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
“That’s wonderful,” Ruan Li said softness in her voice. “You two really are my strongest support.”
Lin Wanchao wiped away a tear, appearing moved beyond words. He hurriedly called the servants to prepare an exceptionally lavish dinner to celebrate the family clearing up their misunderstandings and reuniting as one.
Throughout the meal, Ruan Li played her part to perfection. She asked warmly about Lin Wanchao’s health and inquired after the twins’ studies. The atmosphere was harmonious, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
The villa was filled with a warmth it had never known before.
To accommodate Ruan Li’s delicate taste, the dishes on the table were light and mild. Even though the Lin family preferred heavy, bold flavors, they ate with apparent relish, pretending to love every bite.
A barely perceptible smirk touched the corner of Ruan Li’s lips as she slowly swallowed her food, her appetite clearly unaffected.
She picked up a piece of stir-fried bamboo shoots with her chopsticks. For some reason, her thoughts drifted: If Xu Mengzhou were sitting at this table right now, how would she react? Would she even be able to stomach a single bite?
It was all too hypocritical. Someone like Xu Mengzhou would probably just flip the table.
Those eyes of hers… pale and bright, like gold, like amber, like a blazing fire.
Or, more accurately, like a sweet, sun-ripened mandarin.
In the past, Xu Mengzhou’s gaze had burned her like a flame; now, it welcomed her with pure sweetness. Moving from a scorching fire to sugar-coated devotion…how could Ruan Li not take advantage of this temporary amnesia to thoroughly devour her, body and soul?
The doctor had said short-term amnesia could resolve at any moment. Facing a challenge with an invisible countdown, she had to act fast.
The thought of having to waste time playing nice with the insufferable Lin family made a wave of nausea rise in her chest.
Ruan Li opened her phone and typed: [I’m craving orange gummy candies.]
A moment later, her phone buzzed with Xu Mengzhou’s reply: [I’ll go buy some for you right now.]
Xu Mengzhou’s initial instinct had been to reply, “I’ll ask the housekeeper to buy some tomorrow,” but as the thought turned over in her mind, something felt off.
Given their current relationship, that response felt far too distant.
It was just a few candies. If Ruan Li really wanted them, was there no one at the villa to get them for her? Even if she didn’t have an appetite now, she could just mention it to the housekeeper when she got home. Why text her specifically?
Xu Mengzhou channeled the same intensity she used back in school when analyzing reading comprehension passages on exams. After a moment of careful thought, she reached a conclusion: She’s testing my attitude.
Thanks to the algorithm, she had been reading a lot of posts about couple arguments lately and felt quite confident in her understanding of the “Attitude Formula.”
Most of the time, the other person didn’t actually care about the physical item; they just wanted to see proof that their partner cared enough to make an effort.
Xu Mengzhou bit her lip, grinning, thoroughly satisfied with the answer she had submitted.
Sure enough, the Red Fox replied: [Just let the housekeeper buy them. You don’t need to make a special trip, it’s already dark out.]
[I’m coming home tomorrow.]
Five simple words. Nothing extraordinary.
Yet, as if by reflex, Xu Mengzhou rubbed her nose.
It was as though she could smell that strange, captivating fragrance all over again.