The Second Female Supporting Character, Liu Yaran

Liu Yaran remained silent, a slight smile on her lips.

Shang Xiaolan, still fuming, leaned back against the sofa. Butler Li wanted to step forward and explain to Shang Xiaolan, but Ruan Yuexi stopped him.

Ruan Yuexi wasn’t worried at all. Even though she couldn’t earn any abuse points, she wasn’t going to endure this nonsense either.

“Uncle Li, why do I hear a chicken crowing so early in the morning? When did we start raising chickens?” Ruan Yuexi deliberately called out towards the living room. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for Liu Yaran and Shang Xiaolan to hear.

Shang Xiaolan’s face turned dark, and Liu Yaran’s expression instantly soured. Even a fool could tell she was mocking them.

“Madam, the guests have arrived,” Butler Li’s voice followed.

Ruan Yuexi then stepped into the living room. “Auntie, you’re here?” she said cheerfully, quickly moving to sit between Shang Xiaolan and Liu Yaran.

Liu Yaran was caught off guard and nearly fell, while Shang Xiaolan stared at Ruan Yuexi in disbelief.

“You… you… what do you think you’re doing?” Shang Xiaolan quickly leaned back, only to be pulled forward by Ruan Yuexi.

“Auntie, I’ve missed you so much. My ears have been too quiet lately. It’s been too long since anyone’s been clucking around me like a hen,” Ruan Yuexi said with a bright smile.

Shang Xiaolan: “…” She instinctively tried to pull away, but Ruan Yuexi held her arm tightly.

“Auntie, I haven’t seen you in a while. Why do you have wrinkles now? Your forehead is dark, and your eyes are shadowed. You should be careful these days,” Ruan Yuexi cut off Shang Xiaolan before she could respond.

“Stop talking nonsense. I’m perfectly fine,” Shang Xiaolan said, trying to shake off Ruan Yuexi, but failing. She was brimming with anger, with nowhere to release it.

“If Auntie doesn’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. You don’t have mirrors at home? You can always use some water,” Ruan Yuexi said, her smile sickly sweet.

“You… you’re outrageous!” Shang Xiaolan felt like she might faint from anger.

Liu Yaran, sitting nearby, glared at Ruan Yuexi with hatred. It took her several minutes to suppress her anger.

“Yuexi, how can you speak to Auntie like that? She came to visit you early in the morning,” Liu Yaran said, moving to sit on the sofa opposite Ruan Yuexi.

Ruan Yuexi didn’t release Shang Xiaolan’s arm, turning her gaze to Liu Yaran. “And you are?”

Liu Yaran’s elegant smile instantly cracked. “You don’t remember me?”

Ruan Yuexi looked her up and down. “I never take women who are average looking and like to act pretentiously seriously. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to stink myself up. I hope you don’t mind?”

Liu Yaran’s composed expression shattered. “Please watch your language, Miss Ruan.”

“What? Watch what?”

Liu Yaran took a deep breath. “Watch your language!”

“What language?”

Liu Yaran: “…” She really wanted to hit her.

Ruan Yuexi’s smile was infuriating, “Sorry, I don’t understand non-human language.”

Liu Yaran’s face turned green with anger, but she had to endure it because of Shang Xiaolan and the soon-to-arrive Shang Yao. She planned to complain to Shang Yao once he returned. Just you wait, Ruan Yuexi.

Shang Xiaolan struggled to free her arm. “Let go!” she ordered coldly.

Unfortunately for her, Ruan Yuexi held on tighter. “Auntie, you look just like Brother Yao when you’re angry. I like you even more now and don’t want to let go for even a second.”

Shang Xiaolan’s arm hurt from Ruan Yuexi’s tight grip. “What will it take for you to let go?” she gritted her teeth.

Ruan Yuexi continued to smile happily. “Auntie, how can I bear to let go when I like you so much? Isn’t that right, Uncle Li?”

Butler Li was astonished, “Yes, Madam.”

Shang Xiaolan: “… Just wait, I’ll tell Yao’er that you’re bullying his aunt and Yaran.”

Ruan Yuexi didn’t care, “Brother Yao said I can treat you however I like. He told me to ‘love’ you in this way.”

Shang Xiaolan was furious, “I don’t believe you! Let me talk to Shang Yao.”

“You have hands, don’t you? Dial his number yourself. I can’t do everything for you, can I? You’re not disabled,” Ruan Yuexi blinked innocently.

Shang Xiaolan: “…”

“Alright, Ruan Yuexi! I’ll have Shang Yao divorce you and marry Yaran!” Shang Xiaolan thought this would upset Ruan Yuexi.

Ruan Yuexi covered her face and pretended to cry. Liu Yaran, thinking she had found Ruan Yuexi’s weak spot, regained her composure.

Shang Xiaolan felt a little better seeing Ruan Yuexi cry, but before she could enjoy her victory, Ruan Yuexi suddenly uncovered her face and made a silly face, smiling sweetly.

“I was pretending to cry.”

Liu Yaran and Shang Xiaolan’s smiles froze. Ruan Yuexi released Shang Xiaolan’s arm.

“Boring. Can you come up with something new besides Brother Yao?” Ruan Yuexi played with her hair, lounging on the sofa.

Shang Xiaolan, feeling reborn after being freed, quickly moved to sit beside Liu Yaran.

“Don’t get too cocky,” Shang Xiaolan finally managed to say, still dazed from Ruan Yuexi’s tirade.

Liu Yaran comforted Shang Xiaolan, helping her regain some composure.

Ruan Yuexi just shrugged at Shang Xiaolan’s warning. So what if she was cocky?

Shang Xiaolan found Ruan Yuexi’s beautiful but carefree demeanor increasingly annoying.

“Not even wearing makeup, no sense of image,” Shang Xiaolan muttered, though not too loudly.

Liu Yaran sat elegantly, waiting to see Ruan Yuexi scolded.

Ruan Yuexi smiled again, “I don’t wear makeup out of consideration for you. My bare face already outshines you by miles. If I put on makeup, you’d feel so ashamed you might end it all. Can’t have that, right?”

Butler Li couldn’t help but laugh. The madam was too funny.

“You’re too much!” Shang Xiaolan trembled with anger.

Liu Yaran’s face was grim. Though she was indeed a rare beauty, having it pointed out so bluntly felt like a wound being ripped open.

Ruan Yuexi waved innocently, “It’s not my fault you asked. I can only speak the truth.”

Shang Xiaolan was about to explode again, but Ruan Yuexi spoke first, “Auntie wants me to divorce Brother Yao and have him marry you? Even if Brother Yao agreed, think about how ugly the children would be. Don’t you think Grandpa is really wise and foresighted?”

Liu Yaran: “… Miss Ruan, you’re being mean.” She was so mad that she wanted to cry.

Ruan Yuexi was unfazed, “It’s mean but true. I can’t lie and say you’re stunning, right? I’m honest like that.”

Liu Yaran: “…” She was caught between crying and not crying, clenching her fists tightly.

Ruan Yuexi just said Shang Xiaolan was blinded, and Shang Xiaolan went completely berserk, “I can’t stay here for a moment, you wait for me.”

Shang Xiaolan stormed out, fuming. Liu Yaran, unwilling but unable to stay alone, followed reluctantly.

Liu Yaran clenched her fists and glared at Ruan Yuexi, who didn’t even notice, making her glare in vain.

Ruan Yuexi stayed seated, “Have a safe trip.” She laughed cheerfully.

Butler Li was thrilled, “Madam,” he gave her a thumbs up, “you were brilliant!”

Ruan Yuexi laughed, “Just a little fun.”

Ruan Yuexi felt great, though she didn’t earn any abuse points, it was satisfying to infuriate Shang Xiaolan and Liu Yaran.

Soon, Shang Yao returned. Ruan Yuexi joyfully ran to him.

“Brother Yao, you’re back?” She tried to hold his arm, but he subtly avoided her.

Butler Li felt a pang of sadness, thinking it was unlikely Master would change his view of her.

Ruan Yuexi forced a smile, awkwardly following Shang Yao, ignoring his cold demeanor.

“Brother Yao, it’s almost lunch. Do you want to eat steak?” she asked with a smile.

Shang Yao replied coldly, “Uncle Li, make lunch as you see fit.”

“Yes, master.”

Ruan Yuexi was surprised, “Brother Yao, why not eat steak? Even though it’s very bloody and I find it scary, you like it, right?”

Shang Yao paused while untying his tie, his icy gaze boring into her. “Uncle Li, remove steak from the menu from now on.”

Butler Li: “… Yes, master.” Madam, it might be best if you speak less, he thought, noting Shang Yao’s darkening expression.

Ruan Yuexi was even more puzzled. “As expected, Brother Yao dotes on me the most. He knows I don’t like bloody steaks and is considerate of my feelings. Thank you, Brother Yao.”

She tugged at Shang Yao’s sleeve, grinning broadly.

Shang Yao: “…” He was probably speechless at her shamelessness. He shook off her hand, not even bothering to look at her.

He loosened his tie and sat on the sofa, opting to read the newspaper instead of watching TV.

Ruan Yuexi inched closer, observing him. Tsk, tsk, the male lead indeed lived up to his status. Just sitting there, he could charm many. Unfortunately, he was too much of a psychopath with ruthless methods.

As Shang Yao read the newspaper, she suddenly blocked his light. He frowned slightly and looked up…

A face, grinning widely, was very close to his. “Brother Yao, would you like a shoulder massage? I’m quite good at it,” she offered, her hands moving in the air as if ready to start.

Shang Yao’s eyes twitched. “No need.” Then he added, “Stay away from me.”

“Huh? You said you want one? Okay, I’ll give you a massage.” Ruan Yuexi grabbed the back of his neck and squeezed hard with all her strength.

Shang Yao: “!!”

“How is it? Comfortable? My massage is priceless and can cure rich people’s fatigue and spine issues.”

“Ruan Yuexi!!”
His roar echoed in the living room, even reaching Butler Li in the kitchen. He shook his head and sighed. He had hoped that the Master would start to see Madam in a new light, but it seemed the current situation was more like making him see red. Alas…