Chapter 128: I Have Truly Lightened

“This pineapple-patterned set is really quite nice.”

Ruan Mianmian had replaced all the bedding in Jiang Ce’s room with brand-new ones. Standing at the foot of the bed, she quietly admired her handiwork.

Jiang Ce sat upright, his gaze fixed intently on the computer screen, carefully studying the detailed proposals others had sent him.

Hearing the sound of keyboard clicks, Ruan Mianmian glanced over.

Jiang Ce’s brows were slightly lowered, his eyes shining with concentration. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, the top two buttons of his shirt casually undone, revealing a delicate collarbone and adam’s apple.

Even sitting still like this, the aura of nobility mingled with a hint of mischief emanated from him instantly.

He seemed exactly like the type often described in novels as a refined yet morally ambiguous figure.

Seductive without femininity, his presence carried an air of dominance and authority.

“Don’t look at me like I’m your dad. If you’re going to call me something, call me husband.”

Suddenly, Jiang Ce noticed Ruan Mianmian’s gaze and teasingly remarked.

She couldn’t help but glare at him.

The longer she spent with him, the more she discovered the hidden, childish side beneath his polished exterior.

Ruan Mianmian approached Jiang Ce and cautiously peeked at the computer screen.

Jiang Ce spoke just in time, “Don’t worry, there’s no video.”

Relieved, Ruan Mianmian sat beside him, casually slipping her arm through his and nestling boldly into his embrace.

“What’s this?” she asked, pointing at the screen.

“The detailed proposal for Crescent Town,” he replied.

Ruan Mianmian was puzzled. “Didn’t you say it was already finalized? Why are you still writing it?”

Jiang Ce explained, “There were a few minor details to adjust. We already confirmed it with Qian Lei, but I’m just being cautious. I want to make sure nothing’s missed.”

“And the video conference today?”

“That’s about this too. The contract’s about to be signed, so I have to be meticulous. I can’t let you fight for this opportunity for nothing.”

Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but smile.

Jiang Ce was indeed responsible and attentive.

Still, when it came to this matter, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

“Jiang Ce, what would have happened if I hadn’t helped you secure this?”

He answered quietly, “Nothing would have happened.”

A lie.

Ruan Mianmian recalled that in the book, Jiang Ce lost this chance because of her betrayal. To sabotage the partnership between Qian Lei and Hanhai, he resorted to a sinister trick behind the scenes.

Though no one ever found out it was him, the collaboration between Qian Lei and Hanhai continued regardless.

But all these events accumulated, eventually leading to Jiang Ce’s tragic end.

So Ruan Mianmian thought, if she hadn’t intervened, Jiang Ce wouldn’t have let it go so easily.

“What are you thinking? Why are you suddenly looking at me with such a heavy expression?”

Jiang Ce gently touched her cheek, his calloused fingertips brushing softly, causing her to tremble slightly.

“Nothing.”

Ruan Mianmian suddenly straightened up, her gaze solemn as she looked at him.

“Jiang Ce, promise me that no matter what happens in the future, you’ll always be a law-abiding person.”

“Huh? That sounds familiar. Do you see me as some dangerous person?”

“Yes!”

Ruan Mianmian nodded firmly. Jiang Ce sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Then if I’m such a bad and dangerous guy, why do you still want to be with me?”

He asked with a teasing smile, though his eyes darkened.

Ruan Mianmian actually lowered her head to think for a long moment.

At first, she wanted to turn to Jiang Ce simply because, in her character’s story, he was the only one who loved her.

She needed that love to support and rely on in this place.

So she gave up Jian Yanzhi and chose Jiang Ce.

Later, caught between feelings and reality, she gradually lost herself in the story.

With such heavy affection and gentle obsession from Jiang Ce, how could she resist?

Though at first, she was bothered by the fact that in Jiang Ce’s worldview, he loved the original person.

Now, she was Ruan Mianmian—she had inherited everything: body, memories, emotions.

She was the real Ruan Mianmian.

So why cling to that little detail?

Of course, she chose to love Jiang Ce with all her heart.

Ruan Mianmian suddenly wrapped her arms around Jiang Ce’s neck, nuzzling his cheek with a coquettish air.

“I don’t care if you’re good or bad; I just want you to stay with me forever.”

“I will.”

Jiang Ce gently pressed a kiss to her earlobe.

A brief moment passed.

After Jiang Ce finished his work, Ruan Mianmian was still on the sofa, relentlessly refreshing the logistics updates.

“Looks like you bought a lot of things.”

Without looking up, she answered, “I feel like this house has a cold, lifeless atmosphere, no trace of everyday warmth. So I want to redecorate.”

Jiang Ce couldn’t help but chuckle. Only now did Ruan Mianmian truly see herself as part of Starfish Bay.

“Do you want to put up some wallpaper?”

Before he could respond, Ruan Mianmian muttered to herself, “No, too troublesome, might get damp, and if I don’t like it later, I’d have to replace it. Forget it, forget it!”

“...”

Jiang Ce looked at her quietly, then suddenly reached for the phone in Ruan Mianmian’s hand.

Startled, she looked up. “What are you doing?”

“Going to sleep?”

“Too early, it’s only nine!”

Jiang Ce casually placed the phone on the table, then bent down to lift Ruan Mianmian in his arms and headed to the large bed behind them.

His voice low and suggestive, “It’s late.”

“Eep~”

Ruan Mianmian nervously bit her lip as he gently laid her on the soft bed.

The pineapple-patterned bedding she washed and immediately dried before putting on still carried the lingering fragrance of scented beads.

A faint, sweet scent lightly teased the senses.

“Don’t always look so worried and scared, alright? Am I going to eat you or what?”

Jiang Ce smiled at her nervousness.

Ruan Mianmian bit her lip with mock grievance. “You would!”

“Would what?”

“Eat me!”

“As you wish. Close your eyes.”

“Mm…”

The night stretched long. Outside, the moonlight had mysteriously vanished, and a gentle rain pattered softly, bringing a touch of coolness to the summer.

But inside, only warmth remained.

After an indeterminate time, Ruan Mianmian finally felt light, as Jiang Ce carried her slowly toward the bathroom.

Exhausted, her voice was a faint whimper, “You promised to be gentle!”

His satisfied laughter echoed softly above her.

“I swear, I really was gentle.”