Chapter 118: Well, tricking the adorable ghost.

"Move! Move aside!"

Ruan Mianmian’s chest ached with frustration, and she simply couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind. She walked ahead, with A-Kuan following closely behind, step by step, as if terrified she might vanish into thin air if he looked away for a second.

Upon reaching the main gate, Ruan Mianmian sat down sulkily on the curb, looking as though she wouldn't budge until she saw the person she was waiting for.

A-Kuan caught up and asked, looking awkward, "So, you came to the gate to welcome the Boss?"

Ruan Mianmian shot him a glare and remained silent.

A-Kuan crouched down in front of her and said gently, "The Boss will be back soon. Go back to your room and rest. I promise I’ll come notify you the very second he returns."

"I’m waiting for him here."

"Brother Ruan..."

A-Kuan felt helpless, so he simply sat down on the curb as well, maintaining an arm’s length of distance from Ruan Mianmian, waiting for Jiang Ce to return.

The evening breeze was gentle, and occasionally, one could hear the faint chirping of insects from the bushes. A-Kuan reached out and began fanning the air around Ruan Mianmian.

"I’m not hot," Ruan Mianmian said.

"There are mosquitoes," A-Kuan explained, his hand continuing to move.

Just then, Ruan Mianmian’s palm landed with a sharp 'slap' on A-Kuan’s cheek.

"Huh?" A-Kuan blinked, bewildered. Surely not?

Ruan Mianmian said expressionlessly, "There was a mosquito." Sensing he might not believe her, she held up her palm and emphasized, "Really."

"..." A-Kuan went silent.

"Beep-beep!"

A car horn sounded in the distance. A-Kuan scrambled up from the ground, more anxious than Ruan Mianmian herself. "Brother Ruan, stay here; I’ll go check."

Ruan Mianmian sat back down securely, feeling both angry and anxious.

A-Kuan sprinted to the long street four or five meters away and peered into the distance. Sure enough, bright headlights were slowly approaching. He grinned like a fool and waved his arms at the vehicle.

Jin Jiu, sitting in the driver's seat, couldn't help but roll his eyes. Is this idiot sick?

The car was forced to stop. Jiang Ce looked up and glanced ahead in silence.

"Xiao Jiu! Let the window down, let it down!" A-Kuan scurried over to the window, signaling for the person inside to roll it down.

The bodyguard in black, addressed as 'Xiao Jiu,' shot him another look of disdain. "Is there anything that couldn't wait until we got inside?"

"This is urgent!"

With that, A-Kuan leaned through the window and said to Jiang Ce in the backseat, "Boss, Brother Ruan is waiting for you at the gate." His tone was as sullen as could be.

Jin Jiu, having been completely ignored, thought to himself, "..."

Jiang Ce’s eyes were dark and heavy. As soon as the words left A-Kuan’s lips, he opened the car door, his long legs stepping out with practiced ease, and headed toward the gate.

A-Kuan winked at Xiao Jiu in the driver's seat. "Thanks for the hard work, Brother Jiu."

"Get lost." Xiao Jiu shoved A-Kuan’s head away from the window and drove off, expressionless.

Jiang Ce’s mind was a tangle of complex thoughts, making his pace even more restless than usual. Ruan Mianmian was crouched in the corner, battling mosquitoes, her little face etched with worry.

Jiang Ce stood at the corner, the light from the streetlamp splitting his handsome face into light and shadow, his expression inscrutable.

"Jiang Ce." Ruan Mianmian looked up and called his name softly.

Jiang Ce lowered his gaze, looking at her, and suddenly let out a sigh. "Why didn't you wait in your room? Do you enjoy feeding the mosquitoes?"

"I was afraid." Afraid that something had happened to you.

"What is there to be afraid of?" Jiang Ce’s tone was gentle. He couldn't stand seeing such anxiety on her face, so he stepped toward her again.

Unexpectedly, Ruan Mianmian stood up and rushed toward him like a stray kitten, burying herself in his chest.

Jiang Ce opened his arms and caught her firmly. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, rubbing against him and letting out a sigh of satisfaction.

"You know there's a price to pay for acting cute with me now, don't you?"

"Hmm?" Ruan Mianmian tilted her head and looked at him with watery eyes, looking bewildered.

"Tsk!" Jiang Ce’s Adam's apple bobbed. His large hands held the back of her thighs firmly and hoisted her up. Carrying her like a child, their bodies pressed together so closely that it stirred something restless within him.

Jiang Ce went silent for a moment before walking toward the villa with long, steady strides, holding her in his arms. A-Kuan watched the two figures drift further away—or rather, the two figures stuck together—and couldn't help but let out a knowing, maternal smile.

"Thud."

The door closed behind them, and the room plunged into dimness.

Ruan Mianmian instinctively gasped, then said softly, "Aren't you afraid of the dark? Turn the lights on."

"With you here, I'm not."

As he spoke, Jiang Ce’s warm lips brushed against the tip of her nose.

"Hmm..." Ruan Mianmian was about to point out that he had kissed the wrong spot, but the next second, her lips were gently captured.

Wanton, teasing breaths spilled between their lips and teeth, making it impossible to tell whose was hotter.

By the light of the moon outside, Jiang Ce carried her to the bed. In the brief pause, he panted and pressed a hand to his temple.

Ruan Mianmian, agile as a cat, reached over to the bedside lamp and clicked it on. The room was instantly flooded with light.

"Let's keep the light on. I think you're not feeling well."

Jiang Ce’s lips were slightly pale. He took several deep breaths while rubbing his temples with a look of irritation. Ruan Mianmian took his wrist and guided him to lie down on the bed.

She sat beside him, her hands gently brushing over his head, using soft, rhythmic motions to soothe his discomfort.

"Do you feel better?"

"Hmm." Jiang Ce replied with his eyes closed. In truth, if he hadn't lingered at that corner for so long, he wouldn't have felt this unwell.

Only when his complexion eased did Ruan Mianmian ask, "What were you doing just now?"

Jiang Ce’s dark eyes snapped open. He looked at her and said slowly, "You've been holding it in for a long time, haven't you?" He saw the urgency in her eyes.

"I was worried about you." Ruan Mianmian didn't hide it; she told him her most sincere feelings simply and directly.

Jiang Ce sat up, half-embracing her, pulling her into his arms. He leaned down, wanting to steal a kiss, but Ruan Mianmian pushed his handsome face away, widening the gap between them.

"Tell me clearly first."

Jiang Ce’s eyes held a smile. "So, if I don't make it clear, I don't get a kiss?"

Ruan Mianmian blushed and pushed him away. "Don't try to brush me off! Tell me! What were you doing? Or just tell me what Zhong Yu said to you."

"Nothing much."

Ruan Mianmian clearly didn't believe him. Mimicking his usual manner, she pinched his chin and asked imperiously, "Are you planning to hide it from me?"

Jiang Ce wrapped his large hand around her slender one, unable to resist teasing her. "I just went to the corner to smoke a cigarette. I was afraid you wouldn't let me, so I went in secret."

"You're lying to a ghost!"

"Yes, lying to a cute little ghost."

"..."