Chapter Seven: The Only One in My Heart

Ruan Mianmian ran her fingers through her hair, momentarily at a loss. She hadn't yet thought of a better solution to this particular issue.

“Mmm—”

The room’s light suddenly flickered on. The abrupt brightness made Ruan Mianmian instinctively shield her eyes, momentarily unaccustomed to the glare.

“The power’s back.”

She lowered her arm, glanced toward the bedside, then hugged her knees again, sitting in silence on the bed.

A gentle knocking sounded at the door, followed by a courteous greeting from outside: “Miss Ruan, are you all right? The young master asks that you come over.”

It was Old Zhang’s voice!

Ruan Mianmian looked toward the door in surprise. “Jiang Ce wants me to go over? This...”

Remembering the awkward scene earlier, she felt reluctant to move, but for the sake of her grand plan, she decided to go anyway. At worst, she’d simply pretend nothing had happened.

After all, she was thick-skinned.

With this thought, Ruan Mianmian got out of bed and opened her door. Old Zhang was waiting outside with a kindly smile, holding a steaming bowl of soup.

Her eyes instantly widened. She hadn’t eaten all day; the nutrient injection in the afternoon had dulled her hunger, but now her mouth watered at the sight.

Old Zhang smiled. “You go ahead, Miss Ruan. The soup will still be hot when you return.”

Ruan Mianmian blinked, arched her brows at Old Zhang, and nodded. “Thank you!”

With that, she set off with a light step toward the room at the end of the corridor. After knocking, a response soon came from within.

“Come in.”

The voice was flat, betraying no emotion—as if addressing a stray cat or dog on the street.

At this, Ruan Mianmian rolled her eyes and muttered, “Why am I comparing myself to a stray cat or dog?”

No time to ponder, she pushed open the door and entered. The chaos that had filled the room earlier was gone, replaced by order and cleanliness.

The sheets and bedding had been changed, the carpet was fresh, and even the bandages on a certain someone had been replaced anew.

Her gaze lingered for two seconds on the muscles veiled beneath those bandages—her brows lifting almost imperceptibly in silent appreciation.

But before she could look any longer, Jiang Ce nonchalantly tugged the quilt higher, hiding everything from view.

Ruan Mianmian: ...Was that really necessary? She’d already seen it anyway.

“Miss Ruan, you haven’t been in Jiang City long. Your salary hasn’t increased, but your wit certainly has,” Jiang Ce remarked, his eyes resting briefly on her tightly pressed lips.

She raised her eyes and smiled. “Don’t think I can’t tell you’re mocking me.”

He glanced at her, his look meaningful, but before she could decipher it, he looked away again.

“So, Miss Ruan, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?” His gaze was cold and distant.

Ruan Mianmian knew he still harbored resentment—perhaps even despair—over her past actions. His eyes held a chill that seemed to keep everyone at arm’s length.

Yet, the more he pushed her away, the more she was determined to push forward.

“I came to check on you,” she answered simply.

“To check on me?”

Jiang Ce looked up at her, his face full of sarcasm, clearly not believing her.

Her cheeks flushed, but she pressed on, throwing caution to the wind. “You did save me, after all. I owe you thanks, and thought I’d see how you’re doing.”

A hint of suspicion flickered in Jiang Ce’s eyes, as if weighing the truth of her words.

Seeing this, Ruan Mianmian sighed inwardly: Oh, original self, just how much did you hurt Jiang Ce that even a simple sentence arouses such doubt?

She sighed aloud. “Don’t overthink it. I said I came to see you, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Jiang Ce suddenly gave a cold laugh. “You might as well be direct about your purpose. Perhaps I’ll be direct with my answer.”

A surge of anger rose in Ruan Mianmian’s chest. If not for the fact that he was injured from saving her, she’d have liked to land two punches right now.

Though, she’d probably lose...

Jiang Ce’s skills were top-tier. In the city’s underworld, who didn’t call him Brother Jiang? Even injured, she would stand no chance.

“Silent? Did I hit the mark?” he sneered when she didn’t reply.

Ruan Mianmian bit her lip. She saw it clearly now—he was purposefully provoking conflict. Fine, two could play that game.

Without a word, she turned and walked toward the door. Jiang Ce’s gaze followed her, the sneer on his lips deepening.

See? Jiang Ce, why bother hoping for anything from Ruan Mianmian? He resolved silently: yesterday’s matters are settled. From now on, he wanted nothing more to do with her.

But just as she reached the door, Ruan Mianmian stopped abruptly and looked back at him, a sly glint in her eyes.

“Are you sure you want to keep talking to me with that attitude?”

She placed her hand on the chandelier switch. Clearly, if Jiang Ce gave the slightest nod, she’d plunge the room into darkness again.

Having just witnessed his panic during his episode of nyctophobia, this move was clearly a threat.

Jiang Ce’s expression darkened instantly, his eyes sharp as knives. “What exactly are you after?”

Faced with this version of Ruan Mianmian, he was helpless. He knew she meant trouble, yet he still fell right into her hands, unable to resist.

The feeling disgusted him—and hurt him as well.

How long, he wondered bitterly, would this foolish woman let Jian Yanzhi use her before she finally woke up?

And yet, how long would he himself be used by Ruan Mianmian before he learned to harden his heart?

But in the next moment, Ruan Mianmian’s hand left the switch. She stood quietly by the door, her tone gentle:

“I just suddenly realized some things. I have nowhere else to go now. You’re the only one I can turn to.”

She pinched her thigh, tears welling in her eyes. Looking at Jiang Ce in panic, her voice shook. “Please, don’t make me leave!”

Jiang Ce: ...What kind of act is this now?

Seeing his silence, she threw herself even more into the performance. “Really, I’ve seen the light. From now on, you’re my only one. The only one in my heart. I love you!”

To make her words more convincing, she formed a heart with her hands as she finished.

A flicker of struggle flashed through Jiang Ce’s eyes, but it vanished at once, replaced by an even colder gaze. He said nothing, his face frosty as he stared at her.

Under his gaze, Ruan Mianmian felt a chill run through her. She realized, belatedly, that this tactic wasn’t working on Jiang Ce at all.

A total miscalculation...

His eyes fell on her hands, which were slowly dropping to her sides. He let out a cold laugh. “And what about Jian Yanzhi? The Jian Yanzhi you’re always thinking about—has he abandoned you?”