Chapter Fifty: Come Here, Let's Take a Photo Together!

Inside the dimly lit garage, the fierce headlights of the Land Rover blazed, illuminating the entire passage. Following the light, Ruan Mianmian walked toward the place fixed in her memory. Sure enough, before she even reached the vehicle, she spotted someone leaning elegantly against the side of the car, tall and upright.

Jiang Ce stood with his head slightly lowered, lost in thought. From Ruan Mianmian’s angle, she could see the chiseled lines of his profile. The glow from the headlights cast a halo over his features, adding a touch of worldly warmth to his unruly, devilishly handsome face.

Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. For all the melodramatic plots the author concocted, at least their taste in men was impeccable. Fortunately, Jiang Ce was a villain; otherwise, such a dangerously attractive appearance was truly a rarity.

“What a coincidence,” Ruan Mianmian said with a sly sparkle in her eyes, stepping toward him. From the shifting shadows on Jiang Ce’s face, she couldn’t quite read his expression, but he remained silent.

She stopped two steps away, keeping a careful distance. Their gazes met and lingered in wordless silence.

Jiang Ce licked his lips helplessly, suddenly feeling as if Ruan Mianmian had him completely figured out.

“Get in,” he said at last, turning to head for the back seat.

Ruan Mianmian pressed her lips together, following with an unmistakable joy in her eyes.

The car rolled forward slowly. A’Kuan, their driver, sat at the wheel, eyes focused on the road. Just as he was about to make a turn, a calm voice sounded from the back.

“To the food street.”

A’Kuan glanced at Jiang Ce in the rearview mirror, a teasing glint in his eyes. Boss, you’re being so obvious—doesn’t this give you away?

Ruan Mianmian was equally surprised. How did Jiang Ce know she wanted to go to the food street? Did she have some kind of bug on her?

Her gaze swept over herself, then she suddenly recalled A’Kuan in the front seat, and realization dawned. He must have told him.

She looked over at Jiang Ce, who appeared completely composed, as if nothing had happened.

A’Kuan changed direction, steering toward the other end of the food street. The road here was narrow, crowded with pedestrians, and lined with an increasing number of food stalls on either side. The imposing Land Rover was ill-suited to such cramped streets.

Spotting a nearby parking lot, Ruan Mianmian suggested, “Why don’t we park here? We can buy what we want and take it back after.”

A’Kuan thought it was a good idea and looked to Jiang Ce for approval.

“Yes,” Jiang Ce replied succinctly.

A’Kuan happily parked the car. Just as he was about to unbuckle and get out, Jiang Ce interjected, “Wait here. We’ll be back soon.”

A’Kuan paused, glanced back in confusion, and replied, “Alright.”

Ruan Mianmian didn’t think much of it and followed Jiang Ce out. The entire street ahead was alive with tiny stalls and bustling crowds. The air brimmed with the mingled scents of every imaginable delicacy.

Ruan Mianmian’s spirits lifted instantly. She tugged Jiang Ce along, heading deeper into the throng. “One order of takoyaki, please!” she called to a vendor.

“Coming right up!” replied the stall owner—a couple in their early thirties, busy and cheerful, their business clearly thriving.

Jiang Ce trailed behind as Ruan Mianmian placed her order. He reached into his wallet, pulled out a card, and offered it forward. “Card, please.”

The couple blinked in surprise, then broke into wide grins. “Sorry, sir, we’re just a small business—no cards. But cash or mobile pay is fine.”

Ruan Mianmian covered her forehead, gently pulling down Jiang Ce’s outstretched arm. She took out her phone and grinned, “I’ll scan the code!”

Jiang Ce raised an eyebrow without comment and glanced at his own phone, intent on something unseen.

After she paid, Ruan Mianmian glanced back at Jiang Ce. Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a new message. She looked down and her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Oh my god! How many zeroes is that?”

She stared at the string of digits onscreen—a full million.

“Did you send this?” she asked in astonishment.

Jiang Ce glanced at her phone and replied coolly, “Your pocket money.”

Ruan Mianmian bit her lip, feeling as though she’d just been blessed by an enormous windfall. If only there could be more “pocket money” like this!

She gazed at Jiang Ce, her eyes shining as if she wanted to devour him whole.

“Ahem—” Jiang Ce, clearly uncomfortable under her intense stare, turned away, lips pressed tightly together.

He was embarrassed.

“Miss, your order’s ready!”

“Thank you!”

Ruan Mianmian accepted the steaming takoyaki with a bright smile, and with her other hand, naturally took Jiang Ce by the wrist, leading him further in.

“Want a bite?” She held up a sauce-laden morsel to him.

Jiang Ce looked as if he might refuse, but faced with her dazzling smile, he relented. He eyed the dark, sticky ball with slight distaste, yet obediently leaned in.

But just then, Ruan Mianmian snatched her hand back and popped the takoyaki into her own mouth, mumbling with smug satisfaction, “Nope! Hahaha…”

Jiang Ce’s face broke into an unguarded smile.

Arm in arm, Ruan Mianmian teased, “That’s more like it! You should smile more. With that perpetually cold dead-fish expression, no one would like you.”

Jiang Ce’s gaze paused. “Dead-fish expression?”

“Uh…” She pursed her lips, feigning innocence. “Forget I said that, hehe…”

With that, she darted away.

Jiang Ce, both annoyed and amused, called after her, “Get back here!”

“Catch me if you can!” she taunted, sticking out her tongue.

The crowd surged around them, the air vibrant with noise and color. But Jiang Ce’s eyes never left her. Beneath the myriad lights, she was the only one who existed in his world.

He touched his left chest, feeling the strong, powerful beat of his heart as if it had just awakened.

For a fleeting moment, he realized:

It was born for her and beat for her alone.

Grinning radiantly, Ruan Mianmian called over her shoulder, “Jiang Ce, what are you doing? Keep up!”

“Yes,” Jiang Ce replied quietly, striding forward without hesitation, his gaze unwavering.

At last, Ruan Mianmian found the grilled pork trotter stall and checked in as planned. As she was editing her social media post, Jiang Ce’s tall, refined shadow mingled with hers.

An idea flashed in her eyes. She opened her camera and beamed at him.

“Come here—let’s take a photo together!”