Volume 1 Chapter 5: Protecting Her
“Your name is Li—”
The clerk paused, the second character that should have followed naturally now stuck in their throat.
What was it again? They had just remembered it a moment ago.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, the clerk said, “There’s a three-dot water radical in your name. Your wife engraved your name on the fountain pen.”
Li Minglan’s eyes flickered.
So, the gift was meant for him.
A strange emotion spread through his heart. As he looked at the date on the cash register—July 7th—he suddenly remembered something.
Today was Ruan Wan’s birthday.
He lowered his gaze, lost in thought.
When the clerk suggested he could check the surveillance footage, he shook his head. “No need. I remember where I left the ring.”
Then, pointing to a fountain pen in the center of the display case, he said, “Wrap this one up for me.”
Under the light, the rose gold-engraved fountain pen shimmered brilliantly.
It was beautiful and would suit Ruan Wan perfectly.
The clerk hesitated. “Sir, this is a limited-edition fountain pen from the Master Artist series, inspired by the famous Austrian painter Klimt’s The Kiss. There are only 160 pieces worldwide, and the price is 200,000. Are you sure you want this one?”
“Yes.”
Swiping the card, signing the receipt—everything was done in one go.
But when the clerk saw the man’s signature on the receipt, their movements froze for a moment.
This was a big problem!
“Sir, would you like your wife’s name engraved on this fountain pen? The exterior is already quite ornate, and engraving on the barrel might detract from its beauty.”
“You could have the name engraved on the inside of the cap—it’s discreet and sophisticated.”
“However, the cap is relatively fragile, and the engraving process is more complex, so it might take a bit longer. If you leave your contact information, we can deliver it to your home tomorrow.”
Li Minglan replied, “Fine.”
After seeing off the wealthy customer, the clerk breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, the man hadn’t checked the surveillance footage.
Otherwise, he would have discovered that his wife had initially intended to engrave the name Jiang Song.
The name she changed it to was Li Yuan.
In short, it had nothing to do with him, Li Minglan.
Early the next morning.
The editorial department was buzzing with excitement, everyone gathered around Lin Yuying.
“Yu Ying, you’re amazing! You actually managed to invite Jiang Song!”
“He’s my idol!”
“What? He’s coming for a photoshoot later?”
“Cai Cai, lend me your cushion compact so I can touch up my makeup!”
“…”
As Ruan Wan approached, the lively atmosphere instantly fell silent.
Gao Yue crossed her arms, looking smug. “Yu Ying is the daughter of the Ruan family. Inviting Young Master Jiang is a piece of cake for her. What good is it to be pretty? In the fashion world, connections are what matter.”
An invisible tension filled the editorial department.
Everyone’s expressions shifted uncomfortably.
But Ruan Wan walked calmly to her workstation and murmured, “The Ruan family is almost bankrupt and undergoing liquidation. What kind of wealthy family is that?”
The atmosphere grew tense.
For a moment, everyone turned to look at Lin Yuying.
Lin Yuying’s delicate face was on the verge of tears. “Guangguang, how could you say that?”
Ruan Wan, always straightforward, replied, “I’m just stating the facts.”
The Ruan family was being drained dry by Lin Tangsheng—wasn’t that practically bankruptcy?
“You’re going too far!” Lin Yuying’s voice trembled with tears as she covered her face and left the editorial department.
Ruan Wan couldn’t help but laugh.
She knew Lin Yuying was a good actress, but she hadn’t expected her to be this good—tears on demand. It was a shame she wasn’t pursuing acting.
After a moment of reflection, Ruan Wan went back to work as if nothing had happened.
Slap!
A thick stack of documents slammed heavily onto the desk in front of her, the sharp edges of the paper nearly grazing her face.
“Ruan Wan, how dare you claim the Ruan family is going bankrupt? You’re just jealous that she’s a wealthy heiress and managed to secure an interview with Jiang Song! Go apologize to Yu Ying right now!”
Ruan Wan looked up at Gao Yue, her expression one of surprise. “Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be comforting Yu Ying? A loyal dog should stay by its owner’s side when they’re feeling down.”
Gao Yue glared at her, furious. “What do you mean by that?!”
Ruan Wan replied earnestly, “I’m praising you for being humanity’s best friend.”
Gao Yue: “…”
The direct confrontation was too intense. The colleagues around them were like melon-field onlookers, their faces subtly lit with excitement.
Ignoring Gao Yue, Ruan Wan stood up and headed toward the break room.
She had a scheduled interview later in the day and had applied light makeup. Under a pale orange blouse, she wore a beige draped maxi skirt, paired with beige lambskin heels—stylish and professional.
Watching her slender figure walk away, Gao Yue flushed with anger and humiliation.
The next moment.
She raised the steaming cup of coffee in her hand and flung it toward Ruan Wan.
“Team Leader Ruan, watch out!”
Amidst the gasps of their colleagues, a figure stepped in front of Ruan Wan.
The scalhot espresso splashed entirely onto the man’s back, soaking through his black shirt and still steaming faintly.
Gao Yue sneered coldly, “Hah, as expected of Team Leader Ruan. Even as a married woman, there are still men rushing to play the hero. Let me see which intern this is—picking the wrong side won’t get you a permanent position—”
As the man turned around, his sharp, intense features came into view. From Ruan Wan’s perspective, his expression was cold and dangerous.
Gao Yue’s voice faltered, as if her throat had been squeezed, forcing out a few broken words.
“Jiang… Young Master Jiang?”