Chapter 119: What Are You Hiding From?

Ruan Mianmian helplessly broke free from Jiang Ce’s embrace and stood facing him, her small face looking earnest and serious.

"Jiang Ce! Stop acting unreasonable. You know that the more you act like this, the more I want to know the truth."

Jiang Ce stepped forward and pulled her back into his arms, saying gently, "I’ll tell you, but why push me away? I can talk while holding you."

Ruan Mianmian’s struggle paused. She looked up and asked, "If I let you hold me, will you tell me?"

"Hmm."

Jiang Ce looked down at her, a faint smile overflowing in his eyes.

Ruan Mianmian was finally appeased. She even obediently reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Alright, tell me."

Watching her eyes filled with anticipation, Jiang Ce’s gaze deepened, and a hidden, intense desire surged forth in an instant. Suddenly, he leaned down and kissed her lips, giving her no chance to react before pressing her down beneath him.

"You... liar!" Ruan Mianmian realized in an instant that Jiang Ce had never intended to tell her anything.

"Hmm." Jiang Ce did not deny it. His breathing instantly turned chaotic, and his hands began to ignite fires everywhere.

Feeling his touch, Ruan Mianmian stiffened. "What are you doing?!"

"You aren't getting away tonight."

This tone, so certain and filled with such clear intent, made Ruan Mianmian’s heart tremble. She bit her tongue, suddenly realizing that this was not like their usual kisses.

"You, let me go first."

"No." And then, he continued his mischief.

Ruan Mianmian felt a chill on her shoulder as her strap was pulled aside.

"Jiang Ce... don't, I... I have something to say."

"Say it." He was brief and concise, his attitude as overbearing as ever.

"Ah!" A sharp, stinging pain flared on her shoulder as a red mark blossomed there. She gasped, and her ears turned bright red.

"You can't do this!" Ruan Mianmian felt a wave of panic; a mix of anticipation and bewilderment left her heart in a tangled mess.

"Don't be afraid." Jiang Ce’s breath suddenly hit her ear, and as it brushed against her skin, it sent shivers through her. Ruan Mianmian went rigid, her focus entirely consumed by the sensation at her ear.

"Don't..."

"I love you."

All of Ruan Mianmian’s resistance instantly crumbled.

Jiang Ce went on to say many things, including his thoughts from the first time he saw her as a child, and how he had longed for her all these years. It turned out that from their very first meeting, Jiang Ce had already etched her into his memory. He said her smile was the haunting, lingering vision he would never forget in this lifetime. He reminisced about every little detail, saying how lucky he was to have his grandfather’s help and to have met her. He said she was the girl he held in the palm of his heart, and no one else was allowed to covet her. He said he wanted to be a good man and stay with her for the rest of his life.

Ruan Mianmian’s mind was intoxicated by these sweet, nostalgic words, until a sharp pain struck her, bringing a flicker of clarity back to her eyes.

"It hurts..."

"I know. Bear with it."

"Jiang Ce..."

"I'm here." The unbridled smile on Jiang Ce’s lips bloomed brilliantly in the dark of the night.

The night stretched on. Ruan Mianmian’s consciousness drifted between clarity and oblivion, as if she were on a swaying little boat, drifting uncontrollably. Her body and soul were completely claimed that night.

...

Sunlight filtered lazily through the window into the room, now filled with a lingering tenderness. Ruan Mianmian was held tightly in Jiang Ce’s arms, her body aching as if she had been crushed by a truck. She frowned, her consciousness not yet fully returned, but she was lifted by the person holding her from behind.

"Drink some water."

Ruan Mianmian obediently opened her mouth. The warm liquid poured down her throat, finally soothing her dry, burning voice. After Jiang Ce fed her half a glass of water, her parched lips regained a hint of moisture.

A moment later, Ruan Mianmian’s eyes darted around frantically, but she refused to open them. Jiang Ce chuckled, not calling her out. He kissed the corner of her lips and said softly, "I’m going to take a shower first. You sleep a little longer."

After his footsteps faded away, Ruan Mianmian slowly opened her eyes with a tragic expression. Her eyes felt sore from the lack of sleep, but that was nothing compared to the soreness in her body, especially below. She gripped the edge of the quilt and covered her face completely. Recalling the fiery scenes from last night, a blush crept up her cheeks, burning hot.

"Nggh~" Ruan Mianmian bit her lip under the covers, still finding it hard to believe. Just like that! It happened... just like that! How could she have failed to hold her ground?

But remembering his gentle whispers in her ear last night, a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

"I'm done for! I'm truly finished!" She rolled around in the quilt, only to be taught a harsh lesson by the soreness in her body. "Ugh! Damn it!" After a muffled groan, she shrank back into the quilt, staying perfectly still.

The sound of water splashing in the bathroom continued. Enduring the discomfort, she sat up and looked at the clothes scattered across the floor. She stared speechlessly at the ceiling. The scene had been quite intense.

She reached out, grabbed yesterday’s long dress, wrapped it around herself, and without even putting on shoes, she scurried back to her own room. It was strange—the entire hall was dead silent, as if no one were there at all. Even Ah Kuan, who was usually lurking around like a ghost, was nowhere to be seen.

Ruan Mianmian quickly hid in her room, locked the door, jumped into bed, and pulled the quilt over her face—all in one fluid motion. She didn't even know what she was hiding from; she was just overwhelmed by a bizarre sense of shyness and confusion. It was better to just hide.

She lay flat on the bed, feeling as if she were being watched from every direction, and buried herself deep under the covers.

*Knock, knock.*

A knock came at the door. Ruan Mianmian’s eyes went sharp with vigilance, staring at the door in silence.

"What are you hiding from?"

The voice, filled with intense amusement and boundless triumph, traveled through the cold wooden door and into the room.

Ruan Mianmian stiffened her neck and said, "I want to sleep. Don't bother me."

Jiang Ce let out a laugh, covering his forehead, momentarily at a loss for words. "Come out."

"No!"

Jiang Ce licked his lips, his eyes full of mirth. After a long silence, he suddenly turned and walked away. Ruan Mianmian heard the silence outside and finally let out a breath of relief.

But then, the sound of a key turning in the lock echoed clearly.

*Ahhhhh!*

Ruan Mianmian’s eyes widened, her gaze fixed on the doorknob. The next second, Jiang Ce pushed the door open with authority.

He said softly, "What are you hiding from?"