Chapter 115 Give Me Something Sweet

Soon, there was a knock at the door.

Ruan Mianmian glanced toward the entrance, a faint smile playing on her lips as some crumbs from the tea snacks clung to the corner of her mouth.

Jiang Ce shot her a glance filled with amusement, then stretched his long legs and walked over to open the door.

“Jiang Jiang—”

A tray laden with an assortment of cakes and sweets appeared in the doorway.

“Please enjoy, both of you.”

A Kuan raised an eyebrow, casting a suggestive glance into the room.

Jiang Ce took the tray into his hands and, without hesitation, closed the door firmly.

Seeing the treats in Jiang Ce’s hands, Ruan Mianmian bit her spoon in delight and asked, “Did A Kuan send these?”

“I asked him to,” Jiang Ce said, his tone emphasizing the hierarchy unmistakably.

Ruan Mianmian smiled brightly, feigning gratitude, “Thank you.”

“Oh.”

She nibbled on her spoon and leaned back, laughing softly.

“When can we go back?” she asked again.

Jiang Ce raised an eyebrow. “Bored already?”

“Not really. By the way, why did you come?”

Curiosity suddenly sparked in Ruan Mianmian’s eyes. “It seems Chenxing hasn’t collaborated much with Kaiyue Group, right?”

Jiang Ce replied, “Kaiyue is eager to cooperate with Chenxing, but we have to consider their strength. Honestly, Kaiyue Group isn’t that impressive.”

He snorted coldly, disdain clearly lacing his voice.

Ruan Mianmian asked, “If you look down on them, then why stoop to come here?”

“What do you think?” Jiang Ce’s gaze burned intensely, as if testing her self-awareness.

“Oh?”

She tapped her nose playfully. “Do I have that much influence?”

“Don’t doubt it. You do.”

Jiang Ce leaned in, his arm suddenly resting possessively around her waist, pulling her close.

A warmth bloomed across Ruan Mianmian’s cheeks, and she heard his muffled voice murmur above her head.

“You’ve been out enjoying yourself for so long. When do you plan to return to my side?”

“Hm? Haven’t I always been by your side?”

Jiang Ce’s eyes darkened further. “Why do you think I let you stay in Hanhai?”

“Ah?”

She was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.

Jiang Ce continued, “I gave you a chance to change your mind. After this, there’s no running away.”

“What do you mean?”

He shot her a sharp look and explained, “If you want to work, Chenxing has better positions than Hanhai. I want you by my side—I just want to watch you grow under my protection.”

Ruan Mianmian blinked in surprise.

After all this time with Jiang Ce, this was the first time she saw such a fierce possessiveness in his eyes.

Before, his attitude was clear but he still allowed her some freedom.

But tonight, she sensed something different in him.

He said he had already given her a chance to reconsider.

Could it be that before, he was ready to let her go anytime?

And now, he had finally made up his mind?

Ruan Mianmian bit her lip and smiled foolishly.

Jiang Ce pinched the soft flesh at her waist gently and said warmly, “Don’t just smile—what’s that supposed to mean?”

She leaned close to his ear, asking, “Is this a confession?”

“...”

Jiang Ce was speechless.

Is this what girls call a sense of ceremony?

He smiled helplessly and asked, “If I say yes, would you agree?”

“Of course!”

Jiang Ce’s cold face deepened. “Right, it’s a confession. I kiss you, hold you, sleep next to you, and even have embarrassing photos of you on my phone. So, will you be with me?”

Ruan Mianmian covered her flushed cheeks, shyly protesting, “What! That’s clearly a threat!”

“Doesn’t matter. That’s not the point.”

Jiang Ce lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“So, what’s your answer?”

Ruan Mianmian parted her red lips, but before she could speak, his fingertips pressed a little harder, reminding her, “Think carefully before you answer.”

“Tch!”

She shot him a forced glare, then smiled, “Alright... mmm...”

Before her words fell, warm breath and softness pressed against her cherry lips.

...

Around ten o’clock at night.

Jian Yanzhi finally broke free from the crowd of people chatting with him, but after searching the entire hall, he couldn’t find any sign of Ruan Mianmian.

However, he noticed Zhong Yu, who was also engaged in conversation nearby.

Taking advantage of a lull, Jian Yanzhi approached Zhong Yu.

Zhong Yu’s narrow eyes paused on Jian Yanzhi, his gaze questioning. “Is something wrong?”

“Jian Yanzhi.”

“Zhong Yu.”

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Jian Yanzhi asked, “The girl who was talking to you earlier—do you know where she went?”

Suspicion flickered in Zhong Yu’s eyes, then a smile curved his lips. “You mean Miss Ruan?”

“Yes.”

Zhong Yu appraised Jian Yanzhi up and down before laughing suddenly. “You’re interested in Miss Ruan too? Seems she really is a charming and likable girl.”

Jian Yanzhi pursed his lips, his jaw tightening, a hint of displeasure crossing his face.

“Mr. Zhong, what do you mean by that?”

He looked to Zhong Yu, his expression now devoid of any amusement.

Zhong Yu raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “We’re all adults here, is an explanation really necessary?”

“...”

Jian Yanzhi’s voice turned chilly. “She’s my date.”

“So what?”

A sneer crept into Zhong Yu’s eyes as he said softly, “But right now, you still can’t find her.”

Jian Yanzhi clenched his fists, falling silent.

Zhong Yu glanced toward a corner on the second floor and murmured, “Looks like Miss Ruan isn’t very interested in you.”

With that, Zhong Yu didn’t linger and lifted his glass, leaving the area.

Jian Yanzhi’s expression darkened; if not for those around, he might have already lost his temper.

Meanwhile, Zhou Kai, who should have been mingling with guests on the main floor, was skulking near a secluded corner on the second floor.

The spot backed onto a fire escape and was tucked around a bend—rarely a place where anyone would loiter.

“Are you sure she’s the girl who beat me up at the bar that night?”

Zhou Kai recalled the brutal scene that night and the sweet, enchanting beauty who had been by Jian Yanzhi’s side before entering the venue. His face twisted with anger and lecherous delight.

The sharply dressed man beside him said respectfully, “No mistake. I’ve checked the surveillance—it’s definitely her.”

“Well! What a little firecracker! But soon, I’ll make her pay!”

Zhou Kai rubbed his palms eagerly, barely able to contain himself. “The usual plan—find a way to get her into my room.”

Cao Hua looked troubled and cautioned, “Mr. Zhou, don’t you think that’s risky? She’s Mr. Jian’s companion. This might not be a good idea.”

Zhou Kai grew impatient. “Damn it! I’m giving him a big cut of the profits, and now he’s quibbling over one woman?”

“That’s not how it works. She was brought by Mr. Jian. If we quietly get rid of her and end up offending Hanhai, the whole deal could fall apart.”

At this, Zhou Kai’s face suddenly lit up with a sly smile.

“That Jian kid plans to keep squeezing the next phase of Kaiyue’s profits down, right? If I agree to this, won’t he have to sweeten the deal for me?”

He grew more confident. “If she’s mine, and I give him a little cut back, isn’t that a win-win?”

...