Chapter 49.1

In a remote corner of the busy Shanghai International Trade Fair, Ruan Mingfu and Xie Yin stood opposite each other. To be precise, it should be Xie Yin who stood in front of Ruan Mingfu, not letting her leave.

“What kind of person is your brother?”

Xie Yin thought of Qi Yangyan in his suit and leather shoes, a hint of shyness crossing her eyes.

Although the blonde man was an aristocrat, he was a foreigner. If she dared to marry him, Commander Xie would definitely break her legs.

Qi Yangyan was different.

With his commanding presence and several bodyguards in tow, he was clearly either very wealthy or of high status.

If she really got together with him, it would be more glorious than being the commander’s daughter.

Xie Yin’s eyes were full of yearning.

“Sorry, I can’t tell you.”

Ruan Mingfu’s cold response shattered Xie Yin’s fantasies.

She was somewhat exasperated but, seeing Ruan Mingfu, she suddenly calmed down.

She said with a hint of pity, “You probably don’t know, but Mom and Dad still don’t acknowledge you. But if you help me make a connection with your brother, I promise to speak well of you in front of them.”

Xie Yin raised her chin, as if she could already see Ruan Mingfu kneeling in gratitude.

A glimmer of satisfaction showed in her eyes.

“You must know how miserable it is to be a daughter-in-law not recognized by her in-laws.”

Ruan Mingfu really wanted to dig into her brain and see what was inside.

“Thank you for your concern, but no need.”

Although the dog man didn’t say it, it’s not hard to tell from his few words that he and Commander Xie don’t have a good relationship. More importantly, the dog man said that his mother has passed away.

A wild mother and a wild younger sister who didn’t even know where they came from… and they wanted to manipulate her, Miss Ruan?

Dream on!

Ruan Mingfu gave her a disdainful look. “Get out of my way!”

“You, you…”

Xie Yin was stunned. This was not how she imagined things.

“That’s the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xie family. Don’t you understand how significant the Xie family is? Besides, don’t you want to become my brother’s legitimate wife?”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She wanted to scold her but couldn’t find the right words.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly had a thought and her eyes shifted.

“Who said I want to become your brother’s legitimate wife? He’s just a man,” Ruan Mingfu said, her red lips curling into a proud smile, “I just have to wave my hand, and there are plenty of men who will shower me with attention.”

“If your brother isn’t a good husband, I’ll kick him out sooner or later.”

“…Xie Yanzhao is getting old and losing his charm. Why wouldn’t I look for a younger, more handsome man?”

“There are plenty of men around.”

Xie Yin was shocked by her callous remarks.

She opened her mouth, staring blankly at her.

Soon after, she looked to the side of Ruan Mingfu and timidly said, “Brother.”

The only person Xie Yin could be referring to was, of course, Xie Yanzhao.

But he was currently in the military, so how could he possibly be here?

Ruan Mingfu gave Xie Yin a disdainful look.

Such petty tricks were something she had seen a thousand times before.

She was about to leave when suddenly, heavy footsteps approached from behind. Ruan Mingfu’s eyes widened slightly as she turned around abruptly.

She saw Xie Yanzhao walking towards her.

Wearing his military uniform, tall and with long legs, he looked so handsome it was almost salivating. He was holding a piece of clothing clearly meant for her, and his gaze on her was dark and stormy, like an impending storm.

Ruan Mingfu’s hairs stood on end.

Oh no!

Had the dog man overheard what she just said?

She wanted to cry without tears, glancing angrily at Xie Yin.

It’s all Xie Yin’s fault, it’s all her fault!

Xie Yanzhao put the clothes in his hand on her shoulders and said, “It’s windy today, I’m afraid you’ll be cold, so I bring you a coat.”

“You… when did you arrive?”

Ruan Mingfu swallowed hard.

At this moment, she prayed to all the gods, hoping the man hadn’t heard what she just said.

Xie Yanzhao said nothing.

He maintained his usual demeanor and even adjusted the clothing on her.

From the way he looked, it seemed like he hadn’t heard anything.

Just as Ruan Mingfu breathed a sigh of relief, she heard him lean in close to her ear, whispering like a lover, “Right after you said you’d kick me out…”

As he spoke, she could almost hear the grinding of his teeth.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She truly wanted to cry now.

Help!

Twice she had spoken ill of him behind his back and had been caught—what kind of luck was this?

Woe is me, she should be more cautious with her words in the future.

Xie Yanzhao straightened up and gave Ruan Mingfu a profound look before turning to Xie Yin.

The latter seemed like a mouse meeting a cat.

“Brother, I shouldn’t have troubled Sister-in-law. It was my mistake. I’ll leave now.”

Xie Yin said this while observing Xie Yanzhao’s expression. Seeing that he showed no objection, she hurriedly left.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

So it turns out she’s easy to bully, huh?

Now there were only Ruan Mingfu and Xie Yanzhao left in the area.

What to do? It seemed even more awkward…

She gave an awkward smile and pointed to the path ahead. “You go back first. I’ll take care of myself. The trade fair is about to start, and I need to prepare.”

Xie Yanzhao looked at her leisurely. “Aren’t you going to explain?”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She felt like she had dug a castle with her toes.

Seeing her remain silent, Xie Yanzhao smiled. He reached out with his rough fingers to lift her chin and then pressed his lips against her rosy ones.

“Mm…”

Ruan Mingfu was stunned.

Does this bastard not realize where they are? If someone catches them, it’s over!

Ruan Mingfu, both embarrassed and angry, used all her strength to push him away.

Unfortunately, their strength was not on the same scale; her feeble attempts felt like tickling to Xie Yanzhao.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and an unnamed anger surged within her. Ruan Mingfu slapped Xie Yanzhao’s muscular chest, her whole body radiating rejection.

Fortunately, Xie Yanzhao maintained his composure.

After a bit of playful resistance, he finally let her go.

Xie Yanzhao’s eyes were dark and brooding, filled with an ominous intensity as if he intended to engulf her completely. He held her tightly, trying to calm the smoldering anger within him.

Recalling her earlier words, he gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll deal with you tonight.”

Ruan Mingfu’s temper, which had flared up, immediately subsided upon hearing this.

“I—I was just trying to get rid of Xie Yin and said some nonsense,” she murmured, pouting her slightly reddened lips. “It’s… it’s not entirely my fault.”

Xie Yanzhao patted her head, his expression softening with a smile. “It’s too late now.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She frowned and said, “I’m sorry.”

“The trade fair is about to start, isn’t it?” Xie Yanzhao wasn’t going to let her off easily. “You should go in. I have to leave too.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She couldn’t decipher what that look meant when he left.

She took a large gulp of tea.

Damn it, I don’t want to think about it!

Can he really do something to me?

Feeling resolved, Ruan Mingfu was in better spirits, as if the sky was clearer and the grass greener. Even Boss Zhang, who was walking towards her, seemed more handsome.

“Miss Ruan, I’m here again.”

The fat man was dressed very formally today, as if he were meeting someone important. His tie was neatly adjusted, and his shoes were polished to a shine.

He looked at Ruan Mingfu with a seemingly amused expression. “Miss Ruan, you don’t find me annoying, do you?”

“Of course not.”

Ruan Mingfu put on a fake smile. “Boss Zhang is an important client. How could I find you annoying?”

She rolled her eyes inwardly.

But it was true. She did find this fat man annoying!

Whether Boss Zhang believed it or not, his smile deepened.

“Miss Ruan, to be honest, I need a favor from the Young Master Qi. I was hoping you could make an introduction,” he said, taking out the pearl necklace from yesterday. “Rest assured, if this is successful, I will definitely not treat you unfairly.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Thinking about the ring Qi Yangyan had given her yesterday, the necklace, though still dazzling, lost its appeal in her eyes.

It wasn’t as large or as smooth as the pearl on the ring, and the luster of the necklace didn’t compare to the ring’s brilliance…

“Boss Zhang, you know my situation. It’s not easy for me to interact closely with my brother.”

Trying to bribe her with such a trinket… bah!

Boss Zhang seemed to sense an opportunity. “Miss Ruan, we’ve known each other for so long. Do you not trust me? I just want to discuss a cooperation with your brother, and I will make sure it’s smooth for you.”

“After the deal is done, I’ll give you this amount…”

Boss Zhang extended his hand, showing off a thick gold ring that dazzled with its brightness.

“Five thousand?”

Ruan Mingfu asked curiously.

Boss Zhang, looking quite pleased with himself, replied, “Fifty thousand!”

Ruan Mingfu gasped.

Oh no!

She was starting to waver.

“Boss Zhang, you think too highly of me,” Ruan Mingfu said, her expression regretful. “My brother is elusive. Unless he contacts me first, I can’t reach him.”

Her eyes were filled with longing.

Fifty thousand… that’s fifty thousand!

She could buy so many pretty little dresses with that.

Ruan Mingfu maintained a calm exterior, but inside, she was in agony.

Who doesn’t like money?

Even when she wasn’t engaged, people came to her for help. If they met the Ruan family’s standards, she’d be happy to assist and even earn a little on the side. As for the rest, her assistant would handle the verification.

Now that she’s married to a soldier, she can’t do this anymore…

Wuwuwuwu~

It hurts so much!

Boss  Zhang, unaware of Ruan Mingfu’s internal struggle, saw her rejecting him again.

His face darkened.

Since Qi Yangyan had turned him down last time, Boss Zhang had been desperately seeking another chance to meet him. Unfortunately, no one dared to bring him to Qi Yangyan.

He was not a man of easy temperament.

Boss Zhang had been anxiously waiting these days, with blisters forming on his lips.

He had no choice but to press Ruan Mingfu harder.

“Miss Ruan, please help me,” Boss Zhang pleaded, his chubby face taking on a sallow hue. “Just make an introduction. Regardless of the outcome, I will remember your kindness.”

He had even elevated it to a matter of gratitude.

But Ruan Mingfu really couldn’t help.

Her brother had already rejected him, and if she were to introduce him again, it would be like setting her brother up.

“Boss Zhang, I truly can’t help.”

A flicker of redness flashed in Mr. Zhang’s eyes, but it quickly faded.

“Ruan…”

“No more pestering her,” Qi Yangyan’s voice came from behind. “Aren’t you here to see me?”

Boss Zhang’s eyes lit up, like seeing a savior.

He immediately forgot about Ruan Mingfu, “Young Master Qi, I…”

Qi Yangyan cut him off. “This isn’t the place for discussions. Let’s move somewhere else.”

In the past couple of days, the tea exhibition, which had been as cold as an ice cellar on the first day, gradually became more lively with increasing crowds. As Boss Zhang spoke with Ruan Mingfu, many people nearby were eavesdropping.

Boss Zhang, upon hearing the news, became so excited that his face turned red.

“I understand, I understand.” he said, nodding and bowing in an extremely obsequious manner. “I know a place. Please follow me, Young Master Qi.”

“There’s no need for that. A private lounge here will suffice,” Qi Yangyan replied.

Being as cautious as he was, Qi Yangyan wasn’t about to go to an unfamiliar place with Boss Zhang. As Qi Yangyan was about to leave with him, Ruan Mingfu felt a twinge of worry.

“Brother…”

Given that the other party was willing to spend so much on her as a middleman, their intentions must be significant. Ruan Mingfu feared that if Qi Yangyan rejected him, Boss Zhang might become desperate.

“Don’t worry.”

Qi Yangyan glanced back at her before leaving with a large entourage.

Observing the bodyguards surrounding him, Ruan Mingfu felt reassured. If the other party intended to cause trouble, they would have to think twice.

With her mind set at ease, time passed slowly. After Qi Yangyan took Boss Zhang away, the area quieted down. Gu Qingsong and his team were very capable and managed everything without her intervention.

Ruan Mingfu was thus left with nothing to do.

By the time the afternoon was nearing its end, Professor Hu arrived with a group of people. The leader among them wore a Zhongshan suit and had sparse hair, clearly a high-ranking official.

“Secretary, this is Comrade Ruan,” Professor Hu introduced in a lowered voice. “This is the leader of the Foreign Publicity Department.”

Oh, a big shot…

Ruan Mingfu greeted with a broad smile, “Hello, Leader.”

“Comrade Ruan is young and capable,” the leader said with a friendly smile, showing no signs of arrogance. “I heard you helped with the sale of several tens of thousands of pounds of tea?”

“That’s right, Comrade Ruan did a great job,” another person added.

“Comrade Ruan really helped us a lot.”

“Yes, next time at the exhibition, it would be great if Comrade Ruan could help us again.”

“Easier said than done. We’ve already booked nearly all the stock for the past two years in these three days.”