Chapter 93: Oh? Care to Explain?

"That's right."
"Are you two really that close? You're even happy for her?"
"Uh..."
Ruan Mianmian fell silent for a moment, then replied, "Maybe I have a heart of a saint. When I see someone turn over a new leaf, it fills me with joy! Yes, that's it."
"Oh, please."
Jiang Ce raised his eyebrow and asked, "Is that all?"
There was something more behind his words.
Ruan Mianmian immediately grew alert. "You mean you already know about my transfer to the design department?"
"...What design department?"
Seeing his reaction, did she guess wrong? Jiang Ce didn't seem to know—was he not referring to this matter?
Oh no, wasn't this just exposing herself?
Ruan Mianmian instantly pressed her lips into a thin line, pretending she hadn't said anything at all.
Jiang Ce squeezed the soft flesh at her waist, leaning in. "Hmm? Care to explain?"
"Actually, it's just..."
Ruan Mianmian's black eyes darted cleverly; it was clear she was searching for a way to brush Jiang Ce off.
Her gaze brightened suddenly. "Shen Ting left, and you still need a capable assistant at Hanhai. Now I'm taking on that role—I'll be your strongest support here from now on."
Jiang Ce's eyes deepened. "Speak plainly."
Ruan Mianmian said, "I failed to resign, so I was transferred to the design department."
Jiang Ce's expression grew serious. He studied Ruan Mianmian carefully from a short distance, then hesitated. "What design skills do you even have?"
"I—I have plenty!"
Ruan Mianmian was full of confidence. "You'll be amazed when the time comes!"
Jiang Ce responded indifferently. "I'm looking forward to it."
Tch!
Ruan Mianmian shot him a glare, then shuffled over to sit beside him.
She asked, "What were you doing just now? Holding a video conference so late—was it something important?"
"Not really. Just some discussion about the development plan for the new district in Jiangcheng. We had mostly finalized it before, but recently a minor issue cropped up. Nothing too serious."

Jiang Ce gave a brief explanation, without going into detail.
Ruan Mianmian didn't understand the specifics, so she didn't press further.
But she knew that land—it was the one she had helped Jiang Ce regain from Hanhai Group, giving her some authority to speak on the matter.
Ruan Mianmian asked, "So what's your plan for that land?"
Jiang Ce was silent for a while, seeming lost in some memory.
His voice was soft, tinged with gentleness. "Build a resort, develop tourism."
"A resort?"
Ruan Mianmian wrinkled her nose, recalling that Hanhai Group had previously intended to create a luxury villa community. She wondered what the difference was.
"Is a resort more profitable?"
Hearing her question, Jiang Ce couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head.
"Not necessarily, but sentiment can't be measured by money."
His gaze grew distant as he continued, "Crescent Town is a paradise in many people's memories. If I turn it into cold, lifeless villas, devoid of warmth, wouldn't that betray the opportunity you gave me for this collaboration?"
Ruan Mianmian felt sweetness bloom in her heart at his words.
She remembered what she'd said to Qian Lei back then—Jiang Ce truly understood Hanhai Group better than anyone.
That must have been why Qian Lei later agreed so resolutely to partner with Chenxing.
"Jiang Ce, I believe you'll do a wonderful job!"
Ruan Mianmian's lips curled upward uncontrollably, and her gaze sparkled like starlight as she looked at Jiang Ce.
Jiang Ce was captivated by such a look, gazing at her quietly, his face full of warmth.
"When the time comes, I'll take you to see it."
He remembered that Ruan Mianmian had once said Crescent Town was a tale told to her by her grandfather.
But she had never seen the real Crescent Town herself—it was indeed a beautiful place.
This was also why, despite having built an unrivaled commercial empire in Lan City, he still wanted to return to Jiangcheng.
From the start, he was determined to win that land. Even if Hanhai Group got there first, he had ways to sabotage Qian Lei's partnership with Hanhai.
But with Ruan Mianmian's help, his darker methods were unnecessary.
He was never a good man; but in front of Ruan Mianmian, he willingly became a devout believer, simply to protect his girl.
Ruan Mianmian yawned and nodded, her trembling lashes sparkling with tiny tears.
Jiang Ce chuckled softly. "It's late—go to bed."
Ruan Mianmian propped her chin in her palm, tilting her head with a mischievous grin. "Why not sleep here tonight?"

Her tone was full of alluring suggestion.
Jiang Ce had experienced the little fox's tricks before, and was already adept at handling them.
He leaned in close, deliberately lowering his voice to a sensual timbre. "I wouldn't say no."
"Eek~"
Ruan Mianmian covered her face, retreating behind him, then quickly sprang up and fled out the door.
Jiang Ce looked at the empty doorway, shaking his head and laughing quietly to himself.
...
The next day was Friday, coincidentally also Ruan Mianmian's first day reporting to the design department.
Though she had been at Hanhai for some time, her original self had never come to work seriously, so she knew nothing of the company's internal affairs.
If not for Ruan Mianmian's decent adaptability, her first day would have been truly grueling.
Especially since the design department's team leader was a grassroots expert who had fought her way up from the bottom, and always looked down on employees who got their jobs through connections.
Whenever such cases arose, Wang Yue, as team leader, would invoke her perfectionist persona, picking faults and confronting newcomers until they gave up.
Thus, Ms. Wang Yue, with her tough and ruthless style, became the notorious "Flower Sister" of Hanhai Group's design team.
Through office gossip, Ruan Mianmian had built up a grand image of this Flower Sister in her mind, and couldn't help but sigh:
"I can't believe this company has someone like her. I never knew before—clearly, I'm not the type for serious work."
As soon as she finished complaining, the faces around her changed.
She realized something was off, and turned to see a cold, stern face.
Jian Yanzhi wore a mocking smile, looking at Ruan Mianmian. "At least you have some self-awareness."
"We're really birds of a feather, aren't we?"
Ruan Mianmian rolled her eyes, plainly uninterested in arguing with him.
A thick sense of rivalry was brewing.
Yet in others' ears, their exchange carried a hint of inexplicable intimacy—like playful banter between a couple, especially since Jian Yanzhi's gaze softened with indulgence, and he beamed brightly at Ruan Mianmian's sarcasm.
The crowd exchanged glances, their eyes tinged with subtle ambiguity.