Chapter 45: I'm Well Acquainted with the Civil Affairs Bureau!

Jiang Ce was almost getting used to Ruan Mianmian’s habit of making casual confessions. Her eyes seemed to shimmer with flowing light, so captivating that once you glanced at them, you couldn’t bear to look away.

“Really, I promise. Just trust me this once, won’t you?” she said, deliberately drawing out the last syllable. Her lashes fluttered softly, her coquettish intent all too obvious.

Jiang Ce looked at her in silence, yet in that instant, his heart melted into a pool of gentle water. Only a moment ago, she had been pouting in grievance, and now she wore this sly expression—one he found himself helplessly fond of.

He had no self-control at all when it came to Ruan Mianmian. Whenever she put on this act, no matter what she had done before, he could only surrender, utterly defenseless.

He pressed his lips together, recalling something Shen Qing had once said. Shen Qing had teased him, saying that he’d already fallen into Ruan Mianmian’s hands for life.

Jiang Ce suddenly realized that, perhaps for a long time now, he had been completely ensnared by Ruan Mianmian—like a man possessed, unable to explain why.

“Jiang Ce?” Ruan Mianmian blinked, looking at the dazed Jiang Ce before her and continued, “With that look, do you trust me or not?”

Expectation brimmed in her gaze. Jiang Ce raised his eyes to meet hers.

“Why?” he asked.

Why did you suddenly choose me?

Why did you give up on Jian Yanzhi so easily?

Why do you say you love me?

Why all of this?

A flood of questions surged in Jiang Ce’s heart. He couldn’t understand how a person could change so much. She had once regarded him with nothing but disdain, impatience, and aversion… so why now did she keep repeating these sweet declarations to him, tireless in her efforts?

Didn’t she know that he would believe her, that he would take her at her word?

Some deep longing within Jiang Ce spilled out all at once.

“Jiang Ce.” Ruan Mianmian called his name. She suddenly realized she should probably offer some explanation, but didn’t know where to begin.

Her eyes sparkled with delight as she spoke solemnly, “You must find it strange, how much I’ve changed lately. I don’t really know how to explain it myself. But I can tell you this: no matter what happened before, from now on I will always be by your side. I just hope you can give me a little time. You must understand—what I’m saying now is all true.”

Ruan Mianmian had felt anxious, too. She hadn’t known if running to Jiang Ce was the better choice. But after these days together, she was certain: if she couldn’t trust Jiang Ce, then really, who could she trust here?

After all, Jiang Ce had once risked everything to save her.

And to Jian Yanzhi, she was nothing more than an expendable supporting character, someone who could easily be cast aside. That role had once left her feeling hopeless, but because of Jiang Ce, she suddenly found new hope.

In the book, Ruan Mianmian was the last glimmer of light in Jiang Ce’s heart. Now, she wanted to let that light shine to the fullest—she wanted to be their salvation.

Determination shone in her eyes, but Jiang Ce still gazed at her in silence.

“Just think of it as me finally seeing the light, all right?” Ruan Mianmian pressed, unwilling to let go. “I know you can’t fully believe me right now, but I just want a chance to start over with you—even if we begin as friends, that’s fine by me!”

Friends?

Jiang Ce hadn’t expected to hear such a humble plea from Ruan Mianmian’s lips. After all, between the two of them, he had always been the one doing the chasing.

“But I don’t need any more friends,” Jiang Ce replied, his eyes clear and cold, though a faint smile played at his lips, as if hinting at something more.

“No more friends?” Ruan Mianmian grinned mischievously. “That’s fine, you can always think of me as your fiancée!”

She had made up her mind the first time she went to Starfish Bay—no matter what, even if her reputation was at stake, she would stay by Jiang Ce’s side.

Old Zhang was the first one she’d tried to fool, though she’d failed…

But to Ruan Mianmian, whether as a friend or a fiancée, these were just pretexts. Her dream was—marriage, as soon as possible!

“Jiang Ce, why don’t we just go get our marriage certificate? I know my way around the civil affairs bureau!” she said with a sly glint in her eyes.

Jiang Ce’s eyes narrowed slightly as he suddenly leaned in. “Are you sure?”

Ruan Mianmian, bewitched by his gaze and not quite sure where her courage came from, threw herself into Jiang Ce’s arms, wrapping her arms around his lean waist.

Her voice softened. “About the USB drive… even though I was involved, I really am innocent. As long as you believe me, I’ll do anything.”

Her lashes quivered as she looked at Jiang Ce, full of hope.

How could he not fall for this?

“Mm.” Jiang Ce’s reply was low and deep, his slight nod giving her an answer.

Was it really this easy?

He just nodded like that?

A flash of surprise crossed Ruan Mianmian’s eyes—she thought she’d have to work harder, but just a few coquettish words and it was all settled?

“That’s wonderful! As long as you believe me.” Ruan Mianmian let out a sigh of relief, sat up straight, and released her hold on Jiang Ce, leaning back into her chair in high spirits.

But Jiang Ce’s smile froze on his lips.

“You…” he started, his eyes betraying a hint of exasperation, as if he’d just realized he’d been played.

Ruan Mianmian cast him a sidelong glance, feigning confusion. “What’s wrong? Why are you unhappy again? Do you have any other requests?”

Look at her, asking questions she already knew the answer to.

Jiang Ce’s face darkened, a fire smoldering in his eyes. “Is that all?”

All that flirtation, and this was the result?

Hadn’t she just gone on and on about being his fiancée?

And now—this?

Jiang Ce had a strong suspicion that everything she’d just said and done was simply to make him drop the matter of the USB drive.

Wasn’t this losing both the woman and the cause?

He felt he was owed some interest.

“Isn’t that enough?” Ruan Mianmian exaggerated her surprise, then continued, “Even if my heart and eyes are full of you, our relationship should still develop steadily. Becoming your fiancée isn’t something you can just declare into existence!”

For the first time, Jiang Ce realized just how glib she could be.

She could turn black into white!

“Whether it is or isn’t isn’t for you to decide,” he said, his voice low, his gaze dangerous.

Ruan Mianmian quickly leaned back, a playful glint in her eyes. “What? You’re not thinking of—mmm, mmm…”

She didn’t have time to finish.

In an instant, her words were swallowed by lips and teeth.

Jiang Ce had lost all patience. He reached out, cupped her chin, and the next moment was upon her.

He leaned in.

Bit down.

The warm, soft sensation instantly melted Jiang Ce’s heart, sending a tremor through him.

Truth be told, he’d wanted to do this for a long time.