Chapter 145: A Life Meant for Being Kept

"Looks like you're in the same boat as me," Xiang Kui teased Ruan Mianmian, then laughed, "Destined to rely on others for a living!"

Ruan Mianmian covered her mouth and chuckled, replying, "No, no, I think I can still save myself."

"Hahaha!"

Once the dishes were mostly served, Ruan Mianmian and Xiang Kui turned their focus to the meal. After about an hour, the two walked out of the hot pot restaurant, feeling satisfied and full.

"It's getting late. Shall I drive you home?"

The night had deepened, and twilight had already descended. Xiang Kui looked at Ruan Mianmian as she spoke.

"Sure."

Xiang Kui's car was parked in a lot near the restaurant, and they had to walk a short distance to reach it. Halfway there, Xiang Kui suddenly remembered she had left her handbag at the restaurant and hurried back to retrieve it. Ruan Mianmian wanted to go with her, but Xiang Kui insisted she wait, promising to return quickly.

Ruan Mianmian waited quietly by the side of the road. Soon, Xiang Kui returned. She walked up to Ruan Mianmian and smiled, "Look at my memory. Luckily, a staff member found it and put it away, otherwise..."

Noticing that Ruan Mianmian’s attention was completely elsewhere, Xiang Kui followed her gaze and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Ruan Mianmian had suddenly spotted a suspicious figure, and the person looked incredibly familiar.

"I see someone I know," she said.

"Who is it?" Seeing Ruan Mianmian’s expression turn grim, Xiang Kui asked, "What’s going on? Who did you see?"

Ruan Mianmian pursed her lips and replied, "Someone who shouldn't be here."

Without another word, Ruan Mianmian walked forward, as if to get a closer look. Seeing how serious she was, Xiang Kui didn't press further and followed along.

Ruan Mianmian stopped at a street corner, silently watching the familiar figure ahead. She never expected to run into the "missing" Fang Xiaoyan here. Moreover, this version of Fang Xiaoyan looked quite different from the one in her memory. Gone was her usual eccentric behavior; Fang Xiaoyan appeared very quiet, her brows knit with anxiety as she stood there scanning her surroundings, as if waiting for someone.

Xiang Kui noticed the figure as well and asked, "Do you know this person?"

Ruan Mianmian didn't offer a lengthy explanation, only saying, "You asked me earlier who went missing? It's her."

"Huh?" Xiang Kui was taken aback. "She went missing? Then why is she here? And what is your relationship with her?"

"It’s a long story. I'll explain it to you later."

Ruan Mianmian took out her phone without hesitation, opened the camera, and switched to video mode. Across the street, Fang Xiaoyan remained oblivious. Soon, a young man in a suit walked up to her. The man had his back to Ruan Mianmian, so she couldn't see his face, but judging by Fang Xiaoyan’s excited expression, she knew this was the person she had been waiting for.

They talked for a while; Fang Xiaoyan seemed somewhat dejected, lowering her head as if sobbing. The man in the suit reached out to touch her cheek and pulled her into a hug to comfort her. Fang Xiaoyan’s mood improved quickly. The man then took a thick envelope from his briefcase and handed it to her.

After a moment of hesitation, Fang Xiaoyan took the envelope. She gave the man a warm, tender smile, looking up at him with a rare, girlish shyness. Unexpectedly, the man turned and left without a moment’s hesitation. Fang Xiaoyan watched his retreating figure with a lingering, reluctant gaze, but she quickly pulled herself together. She glanced around, tucked the envelope into her bag, pulled her hood up, and walked away in a hurry.

Ruan Mianmian stopped the recording. Everything that had just happened was captured on her phone. Although she didn't know exactly what Fang Xiaoyan was up to, she was certain that her appearance was no coincidence. She was willing to feign madness just to stay by Jiang Ce’s side. Ruan Mianmian was determined to find out what exactly Fang Xiaoyan was plotting.

"Let's go," Ruan Mianmian said, turning back to Xiang Kui.

Xiang Kui was still processing what she had seen. "We're just leaving? Aren't we going to follow her?"

"No need." Ruan Mianmian shook her head and continued, "I suspect Jiang Ce will have news about Fang Xiaoyan very soon."

"Oh..." Xiang Kui didn't know the truth and remained confused, but seeing how confident Ruan Mianmian was, she didn't ask further.

Xiang Kui drove Ruan Mianmian back to Starfish Bay. Since it was late, she didn't stay and left immediately. As soon as Ruan Mianmian entered the living room, she heard A’Kuan’s excited voice.

"Found her! I told you it would be fine. People these days—going missing for no reason just to scare us?"

Ruan Mianmian walked in to see A’Kuan sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, acting like a bossy master.

"Oh! You look quite comfortable," Ruan Mianmian remarked, crossing her arms and teasing him.

A’Kuan scrambled to stand up, but perhaps forgetting his crossed legs, he nearly tripped and fell. "Ruan... Brother Ruan, you're back?"

"Don't get excited. Sit down," Ruan Mianmian said, tossing her bag onto the table. "Fang Xiaoyan has been found?"

"Yes," A’Kuan replied. "Word is she was found at a nearby convenience store. She tried to steal something and was caught on the spot by the staff. Luckily, some of our people were nearby and went to check when they heard the commotion. It was her, alright."

A meaningful smile played on Ruan Mianmian’s lips. "Why would she try to steal from a convenience store?"

"Who knows? Maybe she was hungry?" A’Kuan guessed, rubbing his chin, only to notice the mocking glint in Ruan Mianmian’s eyes.

"Brother Ruan, what’s with that look? Why are you looking down on me?"

"Is this looking down on you?" Ruan Mianmian curled her lips and said calmly, "Acting—everyone knows how to do it."

This inexplicable remark left A’Kuan completely baffled. "Brother Ruan, what are you talking about? Who’s acting? I was being completely sincere!"

Ruan Mianmian said mysteriously, "I’m not talking about you. I’m talking about someone else."