In the taxi back to school, the scene from the night market vividly replayed in Lu Yao’s mind. Unable to contain her excitement, she chattered nonstop, linking arms with Ruan Chaoxi.
Ruan Chaoxi gazed out the window at the dazzling nightscape of the capital, occasionally offering a brief response, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
When she video-called Miya later, should she tell him about the little incident at the night market?
If he found out she had “taken action” on her second day in China—even if it was just dealing with a drunkard—he’d probably frown again. Then he’d meticulously ask about every detail.
Knowing him as she did, even a “potential conflict” of this level would be endlessly magnified by him, sparking unnecessary worry. He might even think that the “ordinary” life here was still full of danger and consider shortening her three-month stay!
After much hesitation, Ruan Chaoxi let out a soft sigh.
Forget it.
It wasn’t a big deal. She had handled it well, hadn’t gotten hurt, and hadn’t caused any bigger trouble. There was no need to worry him for no reason.
She came to China to experience life, not to add to his troubles from thousands of miles away.
Let it be… a little secret she didn’t need to share!
At exactly nine o’clock, Samia’s video call popped up right on time.
Ruan Chaoxi had already taken a shower, changed into comfortable pajamas, and was sitting at her desk with her hair still slightly damp.
Samia’s face appeared on the screen, the background still his cold, austere office.
“Miya,” she said, a smile spreading across her face.
Samia’s brow carried a lingering sternness, but the moment he saw her smiling face, that icy expression visibly softened a little.
“Hmm.” His sharp gaze swept over her, confirming she was unharmed. “You’re back?”
“Yes!” Ruan Chaoxi began sharing excitedly, “Lu Yao and I took the subway to the night market! The subway was so crowded, but it was fast!”
She chattered on, her face filled with excitement and satisfaction.
“The night market was so lively. We ate so many things—there was something called ‘grilled cold noodles,’ it was really unique…”
Samia listened quietly, his eyes never leaving her face.
Watching her animated expressions and listening to her cheerful voice, he could sense a genuine, immersive joy.
That joy came from the simplest of new experiences—and had nothing to do with him.
He listened as she continued describing the flavors of various snacks at the night market, Lu Yao’s enthusiasm, and the vibrant, everyday sights she’d encountered, occasionally offering a brief response.
She was radiant, clearly very satisfied with her day.
She was adapting so quickly, and so… well.
Samia stared at the lively, spirited face on the screen, immersed in a sunlight he couldn’t reach at all.
There were friends there, new experiences, the simple joys of campus life—no smoke, no schemes, and… no him.
The fear born from losing control rapidly fermented and swelled.
He was afraid.
Afraid of losing her emotional dependence, afraid she’d gradually grow accustomed to life without his constant protection and supervision.
Afraid that one day, his video calls, his voice, his guardianship would shift from an indispensable bond to a mere routine habit.
Afraid that she… would truly no longer need him.
“…Miya? Are you listening?” Ruan Chaoxi noticed his distraction, stopped talking, and blinked in confusion.Samia snapped back to attention, suppressing the turbulent darkness in his eyes. “I’m listening. Sounds good.” His gaze searched her face carefully. “Did you encounter anything… uncomfortable? Or anyone?”
His question seemed casual, but Ruan Chaoxi’s heart gave a slight jump.
She immediately shook her head, her smile unchanged. “No, everything was fine. It was just a bit crowded and noisy, but lively.”
“Oh, right,” she added as if remembering something, speaking casually, “I ran into that ‘peacock’ again. This morning he insisted on giving me dessert, but I refused.”
She frowned slightly, with a hint of disdain. “He reminds me of the one we saw at the Chiang Mai Zoo—always fanning his tail at tourists, a bit noisy, but… that’s about it.”
She spoke lightly, even with a touch of teasing. Clearly, Jiang Yaoci didn’t even register as a proper “trouble” in her mind—at most, he was just a noisy background prop.
Hearing that the “peacock” had appeared again, Samia’s eyes darkened for a moment. But upon hearing her indifferent tone, his displeasure subsided slightly.
He gave a noncommittal “Hmm” and didn’t press further. As long as she didn’t take it to heart, it was irrelevant.
With the topic diverted, Ruan Chaoxi breathed a sigh of relief and chatted a bit more about tomorrow’s class schedule.
Samia mostly just watched her quietly, occasionally responding with a “Hmm,” his gaze deep and inscrutable.
Time passed in this way—her one-sided sharing and his brief responses.
“Alright, it’s getting late. You have classes tomorrow, so get some rest,” Samia finally said, glancing at the time.
“Okay, Miya, you should rest early too. Don’t overwork yourself,” Ruan Chaoxi nodded obediently. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Xixi.”
The video call ended, and the screen went dark, reflecting Samia’s expressionless face.
He leaned back slowly in his chair, his eyes falling on the encrypted tablet in front of him. The green dot representing her had already settled at the location of “Jing University.”
Everything seemed fine, peaceful.
Yet the anxiety in his heart not only failed to ease but burned even fiercer, mingled with fear, threatening to burn through his proud self-control.
The kite he had released had only flown a little way and was already beginning to enjoy the vast sky.
No! He would never allow it!
The spool of his kite could only be in his hands.
No matter how high it flew, how far it went, or how beautiful the scenery…
In the end, it must return to his palm!
He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with unfathomable darkness and obsessive possessiveness.
Three months.
Xixi, enjoy your novelty while it lasts.
Once you’ve seen enough and grown tired of playing,
I will personally reel you back in.