Chapter 16

When Ji Jing heard “treasure,” he was momentarily stunned.

He thought, Tang Ruan couldn’t possibly be so desperate for attention, could she? For a moment, anger flared up within him.

But in an instant, Tang Ruan changed her tune. “Uh… wait a second.”

She opened the door and let Ji Jing stand there without bothering him. She hurried inside, grabbed something from the desk, and rushed back to present it to him, holding it with both hands: “The eyeshadow you made me drop just now broke when I got scared by your knock.”

The eyeshadow was from TF, a four-pan palette she had always loved. Even though it was too cheap for someone like Tang Ruan, she really liked it. She had found it while sorting through the coat rack, brought it back to her room, and planned to try it out later that evening.

But she hadn’t even opened it when Ji Jing’s knock caused it to fall and break.

Seeing the shattered corner of the palette, her heart hurt beyond measure.

It had cost over 500 yuan! And just like that, in one second…

Ji Jing stood there, dazed, staring at the broken item. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand women’s things—on the contrary, he knew a fair bit, given that many such items were in his own home, and his mother used them as well. So, he recognized this as an eyeshadow.

After a brief pause, he hadn’t expected this to be the issue she was referring to. Hearing the slight grievance in her tone, Ji Jing cleared his throat and said, “Sorry.”

“And then?” Tang Ruan looked at him.

Ji Jing pressed his lips together, staring at her with a soft look. Somehow, this version of Tang Ruan, the one appearing in the middle of the night, felt more real to him.

“I’ll compensate for it.”

“Okay.” Tang Ruan closed the eyeshadow case and reminded him, “It needs to be exactly the same.”

“Got it.”

Ji Jing glanced at her again. “So, why are you doing makeup in the middle of the night?”

Tang Ruan: “…”

She didn’t expect him to remember this detail. After thinking for a moment, she replied softly, “I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d test my makeup skills.”

Although it was a lie, Ji Jing didn’t press further. Their relationship wasn’t at the point where he could dig deeper yet. He nodded, indicating he understood, and reminded her, “Get some sleep.”

“Okay, husband. Goodnight.”

Ji Jing paused, nodded, and then turned to head back to his room.

Tang Ruan patted her chest in relief and went back to finish the makeup she had started earlier.

–

The next morning, when Tang Ruan came downstairs, she could already hear Li Guan chatting with Ji Jing warmly.

“Did Young Master rest well? What time did you come back last night? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ji Jing responded coldly, “I came back in the middle of the night. It was too late.”

Butler Li exclaimed, “Oh, that’s nothing to worry about. You’ve never been fond of airplane food since you were little. Did you eat anything after you got back last night?”

Ji Jing nodded briefly. “I ate on the way.”

“You’re not lying to me, are you?”

Ji Jing chuckled softly at the elder who had watched him grow up and replied, “No, I’m not.”

Even though he hadn’t eaten, he was willing to reassure those who cared about him. After all, relationships were built on mutual kindness.

Hearing this, Butler Li finally felt at ease.

Tang Ruan coughed gently, interrupting their conversation from above.

“The young madam is here. What would you like for breakfast today?”

With a warm smile, Tang Ruan looked at Butler Li and said softly, “Anything is fine.”

“Got it.”

She took a seat and briefly met Ji Jing’s gaze before both subtly shifted their eyes away in silent understanding.

Breakfast passed in quiet tranquility. Afterward, Tang Ruan returned to her room. It was the weekend, a perfect day for an outing. With her recent inspiration, she wanted to act on it. Since she wasn’t keen on showing her face publicly, perhaps she could find a model willing to let her do their makeup.

It was challenging but not impossible.

—

When she came downstairs dressed and ready, she was surprised to see Ji Jing still there.

“Heading out, young madam?”

Tang Ruan nodded. “Just going for a walk.”

He glanced at her and said quietly, “Let the driver take you.”

“There’s no need,” she quickly declined. “I’m just strolling around the city center. Nothing important.”

Ji Jing gave a soft “Mm” and raised his eyes. “Let the driver take you to the city center. You won’t find a cab here.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

In the end, she conceded. Ji Jing was right—there really weren’t any cabs around.

—

The city center was bustling. The weather was beautiful, with autumn leaves lining both sides of the road. A breeze sent dry leaves drifting to the ground, creating a picturesque scene.

Tang Ruan asked the driver to stop and return. She wanted to wander on her own, to clear her mind and enjoy the breeze. After living as Tang Ruan for so long, she longed to reclaim a freer, more unrestrained version of herself.

She strolled aimlessly, listening to the chatter of passersby. Even though she didn’t quite fit into their world or follow their conversations, it made her happy. She wandered until she grew tired, then stopped to rest, sipping milk tea or snacking—small luxuries she’d never experienced before.

Being free from financial worries made it all the sweeter.

—

Her steps eventually brought her to a plaza where a crowd had gathered. Curious, she stood on tiptoe to look. To her surprise, it was a film shoot. The scene was all too familiar to her—she had once worked as a set hand and makeup artist for extras. The pay was meager, but it had been something she enjoyed, even if jobs were sporadic.

She lingered as they finished a scene and prepared for the next with touch-ups and repositioning. The actors weren’t big stars, so the crowd wasn’t overwhelming.

Just as she considered leaving, someone called her name.

“Tang Ruan?”

She paused, turning toward the voice, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

“And you are…?”

The woman smiled, her lips curving gracefully. “Come on, it’s only been one university apart, and you’ve already forgotten me?”

Tang Ruan: “…”

She stared blankly at the elegantly featured woman before her. There was no trace of recognition.

The woman, unbothered by her reaction, introduced herself with a playful smile. “I’m Cheng Mushi, your high school classmate. We were in the same class. Remember now?”

Tang Ruan thought hard, then shook her head. “Nope, no impression.”

The air grew a little awkward. Cheng Mushi, with a good-natured laugh, eyed her curiously. “Why are you out here alone? No servants with you?”

Tang Ruan chuckled in exasperation. Finally, a small memory fragment surfaced—Cheng Mushi, the girl with stellar grades whose parents were both teachers at their elite school. She had been a quiet, modest student, gaining entry through connections. Their only interaction had been a group activity once.

She hesitated, then smiled lightly. “Sorry, my memory’s been a bit poor lately. Now I remember.”

Cheng Mushi waved it off with a laugh. “No worries. I’m used to it.”

Tang Ruan eyed her curiously. “Are you an actress now?”

“Yeah.” Cheng Mushi shrugged. “Just a bit part.”

Tang Ruan chuckled. “Still, doing what you love is what matters.”

“And you? I heard you got married. How’s life as a rich wife?”

Tang Ruan: “…It’s fine, just a bit dull.”

For reasons she couldn’t explain, she found herself talking more freely to this familiar stranger. Maybe she had been too cooped up at home.

Cheng Mushi raised her brows. “Want to exchange numbers? We can hang out sometime.”

“Sure.”

—

When Tang Ruan returned home, Ji Jing and Butler Li were tending to flowers in the garden.

She watched them for a moment, then turned back inside. After dinner, she sat down with her computer, diving deeper into her research.

Her current focus? Finding the best live-streaming platform where she could post her videos and, hopefully, sign a contract to make it official.

Tang Ruan was quite confident in her own skills.

She was engrossed in her phone when Ji Jing came over and knocked on the door.

“What’s the matter?”

Ji Jing glanced at the small bump on her forehead and handed her a bag. “Here, for you.”

Tang Ruan looked inside, her eyes lighting up with delight. It was the eyeshadow palette she had broken last night. Along with the replacement, Ji Jing had also bought her some of the newest products on the market.

She licked her lips and glanced up at him. “These… are for me?”

Ji Jing let out a soft chuckle. “Yes, consider it a peace offering.”

“Thank you!” Hugging the items to her chest, Tang Ruan looked like a happy fool, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Makeup—

She really, truly loved it.

Ji Jing watched the smile on her face, then said in a low voice, “Why haven’t you been applying the medicine on time?”

“Huh?”

“Your forehead.”

Tang Ruan blinked, reached up to touch the swollen spot, and admitted sheepishly, “I forgot.”

Ji Jing sighed deeply, his voice sinking. “Wait here.”

“Mm?”

…

A moment later, Ji Jing returned with the ointment from the previous day.

“Come to the study.”

“Oh.”

Tang Ruan set her things down and followed him. The moment she stepped into the study, memories of what had happened there a few days ago surged back, and her cheeks began to flush. She tried to remain composed as she approached him.

Nervous, she failed to notice a small object on the floor. She tripped and stumbled forward—

Ji Jing reacted instinctively, reaching out to catch her—

But both of them crashed into the bookshelf in the middle of the room.

The loud “thud” reverberated through the house, even with the study’s soundproofing.

Downstairs, Butler Li exchanged a glance with the others. His old face reddened, and he muttered with a shake of his head, “Young people these days, full of energy and no sense of moderation. It’s barely nine o’clock.”

“…”

—

Author’s note:
Tang Ruan: That’s not what happened! Butler Li, don’t misunderstand!
Ji Jing: It’s exactly what you think.