Font Size:
He spoke casually, but a storm surged in Ruan Liuzheng’s heart.
“A friend owns it. The cooking is barely passable…”
If anyone else had heard that, they’d probably think Xie Qingcen was the king of humblebrags and wouldn’t believe a single word.
But Ruan Liuzheng did believe him.
Even though she’d only known Xie Qingcen for less than a day, during just a few short hours of interaction, everything about his demeanor and mannerisms—his poise and presence—couldn’t possibly have come from an ordinary background.
And then… there was that business card.
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
She spoke, her voice distant,
“There’s no need. Zhao’s Kitchen’s congee is among the best in Yuncheng. Of course it suits my taste.”
“Thank you, Mr. Xie.”
Xie Qingcen frowned. His thin lips pressed into a firm line.
Just a moment ago, she was interacting normally. Why had she suddenly gone cold again?
It was like when they first met—guarded and indifferent.
Xie Qingcen couldn’t figure it out.
But clearly, Ruan Liuzheng had no intention of explaining.
She slowly opened the lid and began to eat the congee with graceful movements.
It really was delicious.
About ten minutes later, the last IV drip was done, and she had finished the porridge Xie Qingcen brought. Ruan Liuzheng removed the needle, then glanced toward the man seated elegantly on the sofa and frowned.
“It’s very late now. Aren’t you going home?”
Xie Qingcen, who was checking his phone, paused. He looked up at her.
This was the second time she had tried to get rid of him.
He admitted that he probably should’ve left after bringing her to the hospital. Do a good deed and move on—that was the usual approach.
But he didn’t want to.
Xie Qingcen never claimed to be a good person. Helping Ruan Liuzheng? He definitely had motives.
His eyes dimmed slightly, and he didn’t answer her question. Instead, he asked,
“Not planning to be admitted? The doctor said it’d be better if you stayed for observation.”
Ruan Liuzheng pursed her lips and shook her head firmly.
“No. I know my body.”
It was an old problem—staying in the hospital wouldn’t cure it anyway.
Better to go home.
Besides, she had a deep-rooted aversion to hospitals.
The first time she entered one as a child, she lost her grandfather.
Later, as an adult, she returned—and lost her mother.
Every major upheaval in her life had been tied to hospitals.
Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to step into one ever again.
Her gaze dimmed, then she got out of bed, put on her coat, and turned to pick up her sleeping son—
Only to find that someone beat her to it.
She looked at the man who had somehow appeared in front of her and frowned, her tone slightly displeased.
“Mr. Xie?”
Xie Qingcen smiled gently while holding Fu Jingcheng in his arms, looking completely natural about it.
He said,
“I’ll drive you home. I’ve stayed this long anyway—what’s a little longer? Don’t you think?”
She did not think so.
Ruan Liuzheng stared hard at him, her cold eyes full of disapproval.
She stood silently, clearly unhappy.
But her attitude was obvious enough.
Xie Qingcen didn’t mind.
He raised his brows slightly, a smile playing at his lips.
“You already owe me a favor—what’s one more? Besides, it’s late. Are you sure you’ll even find a ride out there?”
“You could wait, sure—but what about the child?”
His words hit a soft spot in her heart.
Ruan Liuzheng took a deep breath, shoulders sagging in resignation, then nodded.
“Alright. Thank you.”
In the car, when Ruan Liuzheng reported her address, a subtle change flickered across Xie Qingcen’s expression.
He asked,
“Yuelan Huafu?”
Yuelan Huafu was a recently developed luxury community catering to the city’s upper elite. Its environment and management were top-tier, especially the security system—highly advanced and tight.
That’s exactly why Ruan Liuzheng had decisively bought the place in full when she saw it.
She nodded.
“Mm.”
Upon hearing her confirmation, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at Xie Qingcen’s lips as he started the car and drove toward the city center.
“Private cars aren’t allowed inside. Just drop us off in front,” Ruan Liuzheng said when they were near Yuelan Huafu, calculating the distance.
Xie Qingcen glanced sideways at her. His slender, fair fingers rested lightly on the steering wheel, knuckles defined, fingertips gently tapping the leather.
He smiled, said nothing…
And when they reached the gate, the dark Bentley didn’t slow down at all. Under Ruan Liuzheng’s surprised gaze, the car passed smoothly into Yuelan Huafu.
She blinked, startled.
“You live here too?”
Xie Qingcen pulled over and looked toward her in the backseat with a calm nod.
“Mm. Which building?”
“No need,” she said quickly. “You should head back. I’ll walk the rest of the way with Chengcheng—it’s not far.”
As she spoke, she freed one hand to open the car door.
Deep down, she had no intention of telling Xie Qingcen her exact address.
After all, they’d known each other for less than 24 hours. Giving a stranger her home address—no matter how much he’d helped her—just didn’t feel like a smart move.
She simply couldn’t let her guard down that easily.
But… Xie Qingcen didn’t seem ready to let her go just yet.
“Click—”
The sound of the car doors locking came from the front.
Her heart sank.
She looked up coldly at him, still maintaining a polite expression.
“Mr. Xie, what’s the meaning of this?”
He smiled, his deep voice carrying an unmistakable firmness.
“I’m not the type to leave things half-finished. Besides, Miss Ruan, by not telling me, are you saying you don’t trust me?”
Ruan Liuzheng was almost amused by how shameless this man was.
She didn’t even bother maintaining polite pretense anymore.
Her voice turned icy.
“Mr. Xie, we’ve known each other for less than a day. Should I trust you?”
Xie Qingcen raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying her irritation.
When she was angry, her face finally lost its cold, lifeless calm and showed some spark.
He said smoothly,
“Trust can be built. Miss Ruan, do you really want to waste more time arguing?”
She looked at the dark sky outside. After a moment of silence, she sighed, clearly annoyed.
“Building 9!”
Xie Qingcen’s eyes flickered.
A subtle light gleamed in the depths of his ink-dark pupils.
Building 9…
Well now… wasn’t that just a bit too coincidental.