Chapter Twenty-Five: The Fox Spirit

"Ruan Mianmian!"

Chen Rong shouted furiously, her voice sharp with anger. "I am your legitimate stepmother! How dare you speak to me with such disrespect?"

Ruan Mianmian did not spare Chen Rong a second glance. In her eyes, this woman who had destroyed another family was nothing but a ridiculous clown.

"Your words have no place here," Ruan Mianmian snapped, her gaze icy as she glared at Chen Rong.

Realizing she could not win against Ruan Mianmian with words, Chen Rong abruptly shifted tactics, feigning frailty. She collapsed onto the sofa and began to wail.

"I've worked myself to the bone for the Ruan family all these years, and now even a little brat like you dares to treat me this way? I might as well be dead!"

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Jiayan turned to Ruan Jianwen and urged him gently, "Uncle, you should go and comfort Aunt. How did things end up in such a mess? Really!"

Her implication was clear: all these troubles had erupted because of the arrival of Ruan Mianmian and her companions, making the situation so unpleasant.

Yet, to her surprise, Ruan Jianwen did not take the bait this time. Instead, he looked at Chen Rong with obvious impatience.

"If you want to throw a tantrum, go cry in your room. Do you not know what day it is? How dare you act so recklessly?"

Chen Rong was stunned into silence. In all these years, she had never seen Ruan Jianwen treat her this way. For a moment, she could not accept it.

"Fine! So you two—father and daughter—plan to gang up on me, is that it? I’m calling Chen Han right now, let him see how you’re treating me!"

She whipped out her phone, ready to call her precious son, but Ruan Jianwen suddenly strode over, snatched her phone, and slammed it to the floor with a resounding crash. The screen shattered instantly.

Startled, Chen Rong’s sobs died abruptly. She stared at Ruan Jianwen in shock, while Chen Jiayan at her side also looked helpless—after all, she was only a guest in this house and had little say. Now, she dared not stir up more trouble.

Ruan Jianwen’s expression was icy as he barked, "Chen Rong, I’m warning you—behave yourself, or don’t blame me for showing no mercy!"

Anyone could see how truly enraged Ruan Jianwen was; even Chen Rong dared not continue her outburst.

She had been with him for years and knew his temper well. Though he seemed indecisive and weak on the surface, when he was truly angry, he was terrifying.

Watching Chen Rong’s face, seething with anger yet not daring to speak, Ruan Mianmian felt her heart grow colder. If, back then, Ruan Jianwen had had the resolve to put Chen Rong in her place, perhaps the Ruan family would be in a very different state today.

With a cold snort, Ruan Mianmian led Jiang Ce over to the sofa opposite Chen Rong and sat down, her manner relaxed and unhurried.

Chen Rong bit her lip, fuming at Ruan Mianmian’s air of triumph. She vowed to herself that one day she would teach this girl a harsh lesson.

Night deepened. Fortunately, Ruan Mianmian’s old room remained vacant, always kept clean by the house staff. Even with her sudden return, everything was in order.

Jiang Ce, however, found himself in a slightly awkward situation.

Though he had not said a word, his presence was impossible to ignore. Ruan Jianwen had noticed him early on, but, out of consideration, had not asked questions. Still, he could tell that Jiang Ce was an extraordinary man, both in bearing and appearance—a person not to be underestimated.

"By the way, Mianmian, you haven’t introduced this gentleman…" Ruan Jianwen prompted at just the right moment, glancing at Jiang Ce.

Jiang Ce’s gaze was cool, with no intention of introducing himself. The atmosphere grew tense, but his powerful presence kept everyone from showing any discomfort.

Ruan Mianmian, however, answered calmly and unhurriedly, "Oh, he’s my boyfriend."

Jiang Ce shot her a mild look but did not deny it.

A faint smile touched Ruan Mianmian’s lips. She knew Jiang Ce would not object—after all, if he wished to pay respects to her grandfather, he would need an identity, and ‘boyfriend’ suited perfectly.

Ruan Jianwen looked shocked, skepticism clouding his eyes, but in the end, he only frowned.

Meanwhile, Chen Rong clenched her fists, her face full of indignation.

"It’s late. Whatever needs to be said can wait until tomorrow," Ruan Jianwen declared, then turned to the staff. "Prepare a guest room for our visitor…"

Even now, Ruan Jianwen did not know Jiang Ce’s name.

This time, Ruan Mianmian didn’t step in for him. She simply watched with the others, a sly glint in her eye.

Jiang Ce replied coolly, "Jiang Ce."

He was sparing as ever, not a word more than necessary.

"Very well, very well," Ruan Jianwen said, forcing a smile. "Prepare a guest room for Mr. Jiang."

"No need," Ruan Mianmian interjected before he could finish, turning directly to Jiang Ce.

Jiang Ce felt a sudden, ominous throbbing at his temples.

Then Ruan Mianmian chirped, "He’ll stay in my room."

Ruan Jianwen was speechless.

Jiang Ce fell silent as well.

Faced with everyone’s stares, Ruan Mianmian nodded confidently and asked, "What? Is that a problem?"

A smile flickered in Jiang Ce’s eyes. "No problem," he replied softly.

Now it was Ruan Jianwen and the others who were left at a loss for words.

Though Ruan Jianwen did not approve, he could see that Mianmian had changed since her return. There was a new clarity and coldness in her eyes, and something sharp and unpredictable that he couldn’t quite grasp.

He knew he had rarely shown her much fatherly care, and their relationship had always been strained—especially after she had cut ties with the family for Jian Yanzhi. The rift lingered between them.

So, even if Ruan Jianwen wanted to say something, he did not know how to begin.

Before long, Ruan Mianmian stood up and beckoned to Jiang Ce. "Let’s go, boyfriend."

Without hesitation, Jiang Ce walked beside her, and together they headed upstairs.

Behind them, Chen Jiayan muttered under her breath, "Vixen!"

Ruan Jianwen shot her a cold glare, and she immediately lowered her head. But Chen Rong, somehow emboldened, continued, "What else could she be? She put on such a heartfelt act in the mourning hall, and now she can’t wait to run off with her wild man. Shameless!"

Ruan Jianwen glanced upstairs to make sure Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce were out of earshot before snapping, "Shut your mouth!"

Ruan Mianmian had, in fact, heard them, but she could not be bothered to respond. Chen Rong would never change unless she suffered a real lesson; there was no point sparring with her in words.

But Jiang Ce was not so forgiving. Once inside the room, he took out his phone and