Chapter Twenty-Nine: Known in the Martial World as Young Lord Jiang

"Hmm?" Jiang Ce's gaze shifted, his eyes calm and distant, yet a trace of something ancient and unfathomable lingered in their depths. As he looked at Ruan Mianmian, the corner of his lips curved ever so slightly, a smile barely there.

When he didn't reply, Ruan Mianmian pouted. "You obviously heard me!"

Her tone was full of wounded complaint, but Jiang Ce merely looked at her deeply, saying nothing more.

By now, the funeral home was almost empty. Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce had seen off the last of the guests before Ruan Chenhan arrived, drifting in just as everything was ending.

"Apologies, I’m late."

He stood at the door, his face as composed as if he were commenting on the weather. Ruan Mianmian turned at the sound of his voice and saw him in a dark suit, tall and poised, with eyes so deep she could not read them. He stood there in silence.

Though they were half-siblings, Ruan Mianmian had never truly known this "brother" of hers. The book offered little description of Ruan Chenhan, and she had no idea what kind of man he really was. But thinking of his mother, a woman greedy for gain and status, Ruan Mianmian could only imagine that Ruan Chenhan was unlikely to be any better.

"You really know how to pick your moment, don’t you, Young Master Ruan," she said with a cold smile, brushing past him without a second glance.

Ruan Chenhan’s eyes lingered on her figure, a flicker of confusion in his gaze. When had Ruan Mianmian become so formidable?

Just then, his assistant appeared, stepping in front of Ruan Mianmian with a smile. "Miss Ruan, there’s been a misunderstanding. We actually arrived at the airport early, but our flight was delayed. That’s why we’re late. We hope you can forgive us."

"Flight delay? You’re really going to use that excuse?" Ruan Mianmian’s face was openly mocking. "It’s not that I care whether you show up or not, but overacting just makes it worse."

With that, she pushed past the assistant, who had not expected the move and nearly lost his balance.

"Tch!"

Ruan Mianmian rolled her eyes at Song Tian, making no effort to hide her disdain. The sarcasm was obvious.

Song Tian was left flustered and, though indignant, dared not protest in front of Ruan Chenhan.

"Let’s go together," Jiang Ce said, turning to Ruan Mianmian. There was a faint smile in his eyes as he watched her brazen departure, a trace of delight playing across his face.

Hearing the commotion, Ruan Chenhan looked inside and was surprised to see, apart from Ruan Mianmian, an unfamiliar man.

But at that moment, Ruan Chenhan’s heart skipped a beat. He stared at Jiang Ce’s face, unable to hide his shock.

Wasn’t this the illustrious young master Jiang, the titan of business?

What was he doing here?

Then it dawned on him—the old man had been a self-made legend in Lan City, admired by many. But he hadn’t imagined even someone of Jiang Ce’s stature would attend.

"Master Jiang? What an honor! I’m Ruan Chenhan. I never thought I’d meet you here!" Ruan Chenhan stepped forward eagerly, hand outstretched, bowing low with an air of reverence and sincerity.

Yet Jiang Ce didn’t spare him a glance and walked straight past without the slightest courtesy.

Ruan Chenhan’s hand lingered awkwardly in the air, but he did not take offense. Even as the Ruan family’s eldest son, he was nothing in Jiang Ce’s eyes.

He knew the gulf between them.

What surprised Ruan Mianmian most was the abrupt change in Ruan Chenhan’s demeanor. She looked at Jiang Ce and asked quietly, "You know each other?"

A hint of disdain glimmered in Jiang Ce’s eyes. "What do you think?"

So, they didn’t know each other? Or perhaps Ruan Chenhan knew Jiang Ce, but Jiang Ce couldn’t be bothered with him.

Jiang Ce’s arrogance bordered on rudeness, making it clear that even the Ruan family’s young master was insignificant before him.

But Ruan Chenhan hurried after them, smiling, "Of course, Master Jiang wouldn’t know me. I’m the old man’s grandson, Ruan Chenhan. I’ve heard so much about you, Master Jiang. What an honor to meet you in person today."

"Bootlicker," Ruan Mianmian muttered under her breath, unable to stand his obsequiousness. Jiang Ce’s eyes glimmered with silent amusement, but when he turned to Ruan Chenhan, his face was as cold as ever.

"Likewise," Jiang Ce said, his words clipped and his expression glacial.

The look on Ruan Chenhan’s face was almost comical.

Ruan Mianmian, watching on, couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Ruan Chenhan felt humiliated, but considering Jiang Ce’s status, he dared not protest.

"Since you’re busy, Master Jiang, I won’t keep you. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d be honored to be of service!"

He offered a few more polite platitudes, but Jiang Ce merely nodded and left with Ruan Mianmian.

Watching the two figures depart side by side, Ruan Chenhan could not hide his confusion.

"How does Ruan Mianmian know Jiang Ce? Isn’t that odd?"

Song Tian stepped up beside him, frowning. "Young Master Han, who was that man? Why were you so respectful?"

"What do you know?" Ruan Chenhan snapped, gritting his teeth. "You think I enjoy bowing and scraping? Do you even know who Jiang Ce is? He’s not someone we can afford to offend."

"Jiang Ce?" Song Tian’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean the legendary new leader of the business world, Young Master Jiang?"

Ruan Chenhan shot him a look. "You’ve only just realized?"

Song Tian swallowed hard, thinking to himself, Thank goodness I didn’t say anything foolish earlier, or else…

Just the thought of Jiang Ce’s reputation gave him chills.

Afterwards, Ruan Mianmian and Jiang Ce left for another lounge. A cleaner mentioned seeing a plump, well-dressed middle-aged man leaving earlier—Chen Sheng must have slipped away quietly.

But what truly amused Ruan Mianmian was how deferential and fearful Ruan Chenhan had been toward Jiang Ce.

"Still not done laughing?" Jiang Ce teased.

"How could I be?" Ruan Mianmian replied, shaking her head. "If I could, I’d parade you around the Ruan house every day, just to see the looks on their faces. The thought alone is delightful."

Jiang Ce arched an eyebrow, "Parade?"

Did she take him for some pet?

Ruan Mianmian didn’t bother to explain. She simply slipped her arm through his and grinned. "Boyfriend! You’re my boyfriend!"

Jiang Ce neither denied nor confirmed it, but allowed her to call him that as she pleased.

Before long, Ruan Mianmian’s phone rang. She answered with a smile, but her face quickly fell.

The name "Shen Ting" flashed across the screen, stinging her eyes.

Oh no, she’d forgotten something important!