Chapter 12

The two exchanged looks, sparks seemingly flying in their eyes.

Tang Ruan suspected that Ji Jing had seen through her little games. He was likely humoring her, either because of her shameless persistence or simply because he was bored.

For a brief moment, countless thoughts ran through her mind. Should she continue like this or lay her cards on the table and ask for a divorce directly?

In the end, Tang Ruan decided to keep going. She couldn’t bring herself to ask for a divorce outright—what if Ji Jing assumed she was doing it for that scumbag? That would make her future life far more difficult.

It was better to keep playing the game, pushing Ji Jing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. Only then could she happily walk away from the marriage.

However—

Tang Ruan might’ve been a bit too naïve.

Ji Jing’s fingers still pinched her chin. As he deliberately leaned in closer, Tang Ruan felt a sudden wave of nervousness. Determined not to seem weak, she lowered her gaze slightly and shifted closer.

“Husband…” Her large, watery eyes blinked as she feigned modesty. “Are you really going to do this? Aren’t you worried the servants might walk in?”

Ji Jing found her tone unbearable. Originally, he had planned to give her a lesson to act more sensibly, but now it was unclear who was teaching whom. Tang Ruan’s chin was tiny, her face delicate. Though her features weren’t particularly soft, the sensation of holding her felt inexplicably pleasant.

He paused, his gaze lingering on her fair, clean face.

Tang Ruan was indeed beautiful. Her delicate features carried an innate softness. Unfortunately, her heart was as proud as a peacock’s—always lofty and coldly observant of others.

Their faces drew closer, breaths mingling, each exhalation brushing against the other’s cheek.

Tang Ruan took a deep breath. She felt like she was suffocating. For some reason, whenever Ji Jing got close, she didn’t dare breathe too deeply. Just as she was about to say something shocking to make Ji Jing let go, a sudden cough came from the doorway.

“What are you two doing?”

Tang Ruan: “…”

Ji Jing: “…”

They immediately sprang apart, Tang Ruan scooting as far from him as possible. Keeping her distance, she turned toward the source of the voice.

Both of them stared in unison, unable to hide their surprise as they asked, “Grandpa, why are you here?”

–

Standing at the door was an elderly man with a kind face. He clasped his hands behind his back, looking like someone out for a leisurely stroll. After speaking, he gasped in mock surprise. “Did Grandpa interrupt you?”

He coughed lightly and asked, “Should I leave now?”

Standing behind the elderly man were Butler Li and another servant, both suppressing laughter as they glanced over.

Tang Ruan: “…”

Her face turned a bright crimson. When she and Ji Jing had their back-and-forth, she could handle it since it was just the two of them. But now, with an audience—more than one person, no less—she genuinely felt embarrassed.

They didn’t know that the two of them were only pretending.

Ji Jing, however, remained composed, not even shifting his position. He stood up from the sofa and walked toward the elderly man. “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming?”

The old man chuckled inwardly. If I had announced my arrival, how could I have seen such an amusing scene? Outwardly, he maintained a smile and gave Ji Jing a stern look. “If I don’t come to check on you two, would you even remember this old man exists?”

As he spoke, he scolded Ji Jing indignantly. “Think about it carefully. How long has it been since you two last came home?”

Tang Ruan stayed silent.

Recalling the plot, she realized that after the original character married Ji Jing, they moved here less than a week later and never returned to the family home. Ji Jing had gone back a few times, but she never did.

The original Tang Ruan’s feelings toward the elder and his family were complicated. She was grateful that they took her in when she was homeless and provided her with a comfortable life. Yet, at the same time, she felt entitled to their care. It was the temperament of a spoiled young lady. She believed that since her father had once helped the elder, it was only natural for them to take her in after her parents’ deaths. After all, they had promised her father they’d care for her.

Later, being arranged to marry Ji Jing only reinforced her belief that she owed the Ji family nothing. In fact, she might even have felt that the Ji family owed her something, which explained her hostile attitude.

Of course—

Tang Ruan didn’t see it that way herself.

As a reader, Tang Ruan could understand the original character’s reasoning but didn’t agree with it.

Marrying Ji Jing had been her own decision to go along with the arrangement. She didn’t resist or object. If she had refused at the time, the Ji family wouldn’t have forced her. Her fault lay in not liking Ji Jing yet still agreeing to the marriage. It was simply to ensure she could remain in a more comfortable environment until she found someone she truly liked.

…

Thinking about all this, Tang Ruan didn’t know how to describe the original character’s behavior.

Some of the things she did were indeed excessive.

She glanced up at the elderly man, who had been helped to sit down by Ji Jing. Watching the warm smile on his face, she found herself distracted. The elder was probably the only person in the Ji family who treated Tang Ruan with consistent patience and kindness. She really should show her gratitude.

“Ruan Ruan?” The elder looked over at her and called softly, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy that I came to visit?”

He pouted like a child, pretending to sulk. “Our dear Ruan Ruan hasn’t come home to see me in half a year. I suppose you’ve already forgotten about this old man.”

“Not at all,” Tang Ruan quickly snapped out of her daze. Sliding seamlessly into character, she pouted and playfully said, “How could Ruan Ruan ever forget about Grandpa?”

Smiling sweetly, Tang Ruan approached the elder and apologized, “I’m sorry, Grandpa. I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot to come home and visit you.”

Ji Jing, who was standing nearby, glanced at her with a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Tang Ruan’s previous attitude toward the elder, while polite, was never this sweet or well-behaved. Her current demeanor was entirely unexpected. Yet, his surprise quickly faded.

The elder also seemed taken aback. He’d heard the day before that Tang Ruan’s personality had softened quite a bit—she was even acting affectionate toward Ji Jing and that their relationship had improved. Today’s visit was half out of curiosity, and now, seeing her behavior firsthand, he was delighted.

The elder was thoroughly pleased with his granddaughter-in-law’s transformation.

He smiled warmly at Tang Ruan. “There’s no need to apologize, dear. I just missed you and wanted to see if our Ruan Ruan has gotten even prettier.”

Tang Ruan chuckled softly, her eyes showing a hint of genuine emotion. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

The elder turned to Ji Jing and gave him a sharp look. “What are you standing there for? Go pour tea for your grandpa! I’m parched.”

Feeling rebuked, Ji Jing sighed, “Right away.”

As Ji Jing left, Butler Li followed him into the kitchen. Meanwhile, another older man standing nearby placed a bag down. He was the elder’s personal assistant, Mr. Wang, responsible for taking care of his daily needs.

The elder reached out and patted Tang Ruan’s hand, his smile unwavering. “How are things at home? Ji Jing hasn’t been giving you a hard time, has he?”

Tang Ruan hesitated briefly before laughing. “No, not at all.”

“Well, if he ever bullies you, just tell Grandpa. I’ll straighten him out for you.”

Ji Jing, returning with tea, overheard this and looked slightly exasperated. “Grandpa, what are you even saying?”

The elder snorted. “I’m saying you lack a sense of romance.”

Ji Jing: “…”

Tang Ruan: “…???”

Why had the conversation suddenly turned to romance?

The elder continued scolding Ji Jing, “There’s no point talking to you. It’s exhausting.”

Tang Ruan stared in disbelief, sifting through her memory. If she remembered correctly, the elder had always been—

Adorable. Like a mischievous old child.

At the thought, she couldn’t suppress a small smile. Did this mean she could recruit the elder to help her ‘deal with’ Ji Jing in the future?

Lost in thought, Tang Ruan barely noticed Ji Jing tapping the table to get her attention. “Your phone’s ringing.”

“Ah? Oh.” She got up to grab her phone. Upon seeing the unfamiliar number, Tang Ruan instinctively wanted to decline the call. But with the old man and Ji Jing both watching her, she let out an awkward laugh, raised the phone in her hand, and softly said, “Grandpa, I’ll step out to take this call.”

“Go ahead,” the old man replied.

–

Outside the house was a large garden filled with vibrant flowers. Each bloom was strikingly beautiful, transplanted to ensure that every season brought new, colorful blossoms.

But Tang Ruan didn’t have the time to admire the view. She furrowed her brows, answered the phone, and coldly said, “Hello?”

“Who’s this?”

“It’s me, Ruan Ruan,” came Dai Jun’s familiar voice, one she hadn’t heard in a long time. “What’s going on with you recently? I’ve already apologized and told you it was just a joke between friends. Why are you still angry? Did you block my number?”

Tang Ruan scoffed. “Do you have a problem with your brain?”

Dai Jun paused. “…What do you mean?”

Tang Ruan had no intention of being polite to someone who had deceived the original owner of her body in her past life. Her words were sharp and merciless.

“I mean, can’t you understand human speech? Wasn’t I clear enough that day? I’m doing just fine with my husband now. The way I treated you before? It was all an act. Don’t think you’re the only one who knows how to put on a show—I can act too.” She paused briefly before continuing in a feisty, slightly menacing tone, “And if you ever dare call or message me again, do you believe I won’t ask my husband to deal with you?”

The last line was a spur-of-the-moment threat. Tang Ruan figured that with Ji Jing’s status, it should be enough to scare someone like Dai Jun.

After saying her piece, she angrily ended the call, her brows still furrowed.

–

When she turned around, she locked eyes with a pair of amused, teasing eyes.

Ji Jing was lazily leaning against the wall, a few steps above her on the staircase. He hadn’t come all the way down, instead standing there with his arms crossed, looking at her with a half-smile.

Tang Ruan froze for a moment, and her face immediately burned with embarrassment. What…what had she just said?

—“I’ll have my husband deal with you.”

How had she managed to say something like that so confidently and with a straight face?

And how was she so sure Ji Jing would actually help her deal with Dai Jun?

As her mind raced, Tang Ruan quickly composed herself. Before Ji Jing could mock her, she looked up at him with a radiant smile, her face full of admiration. “Hubby, you’re amazing, aren’t you?”

…

…???

“You can definitely handle someone like Dai Jun, right?”

Ji Jing stared at her smiling face. Even though he knew she was putting on an act, he still instinctively nodded to play along.

Before his nod was even complete, Tang Ruan exclaimed excitedly, “Wow, I knew it—my husband is the best!” She dashed up the stairs toward him, stopped beside him, and patted his shoulder. Her voice was soft and sweet. “So, I’ll leave Dai Jun to you, okay? Mwah!”

Ji Jing: “…”

Author’s Note:
President Ji: …??????
Tang Ruan: Hubby, you’re the best!
President Ji: Whatever you ask me to do, I’ll do.