Chapter 17

The crash echoed loudly—despite the study’s insulation, it was crystal clear one floor down.

Tang Ruan had fallen right into Ji Jing’s arms, her weight pressing him against the shelf.

Although she was in a daze, she could still hear the fading reverberations of the crash. Her face and forehead were nestled against Ji Jing’s neck, her soft breaths falling directly on his exposed skin.

Ji Jing’s back pressed against the uneven spines of the books, a faint pain spreading from the impact.

The whole sequence had been instinctive, unplanned. He hadn’t accounted for the combined weight of both of them against the small bookshelf.

For a brief moment, he froze. His body ached slightly—but more distracting was the warmth pressing against him. Tang Ruan’s light, sweet fragrance lingered, her breath grazing the sensitive skin at his neck.

A gentle rise and fall of her chest followed the rhythm of her breathing.

Was her scent always like this? It reminded him of fruit candy—an oddly distant memory. Yet, in that moment, it seemed like the only fitting comparison.

He realized—

He knew so little about Tang Ruan.

The woman he had always thought distant, proud, and untouchable now seemed so soft, so different from his past impressions. Whether she was pretending or showing genuine emotion, something about her had shifted.

Even someone like him, who barely spent time with her, could sense it.

They remained in that position for a while, neither speaking.

Ji Jing couldn’t take it anymore and gave a soft cough, snapping Tang Ruan out of her daze.

Flustered, she scrambled to get up from his arms, but in her panic, she pressed her hands against his shoulders for support.

Ji Jing: …

His wife was seriously going to kill him—by using this kind of slow, torturous method.

When she finally managed to get up, a conspicuous flush spread across her cheeks. She looked down at Ji Jing, still sprawled on the floor, and apologized frantically, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Are you okay?”

Ji Jing let out a muffled groan but remained silent.

He had been fine—until she used him as leverage to push herself up. Ji Jing couldn’t tell if Tang Ruan had done it deliberately to get back at him or not. Either way—

He had no words.

Tang Ruan, noticing his expression, knelt beside him anxiously, her eyes fixated on his face. “Ji Jing, say something!”

Startled, he blinked before slowly opening his eyes to meet hers.

Their gazes locked. After a brief moment, he coughed lightly and replied, “I’m fine.”

Hearing that, Tang Ruan finally relaxed. “I’m really sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“Mm.”

She hesitated for a moment. She couldn’t just walk away now. Tentatively, she reached out her hand to him. “You should get up so we can check your back. Did you hurt it when you fell?”

Ji Jing paused, then replied in a low voice, “Yes.”

—

The two of them rose from the floor, and as it turned out, Ji Jing wasn’t lying—his back really was injured.

Though the study had a carpet that softened the fall, he had landed at just the wrong angle, with the sharp edges of the book spines digging into his back, causing some abrasions.

Tang Ruan watched him sit in the chair, resting, her expression filled with worry. “Should we go downstairs to have it checked? Is it serious?”

Ji Jing glanced at her, his eyes dark and contemplative. “You’re worried about me?”

Caught off guard, Tang Ruan blinked before suddenly laughing. “Of course, I’m worried. You’re my husband. How could I not be?”

There it was again.

Ji Jing rubbed his aching temple but didn’t bother arguing over how swiftly her demeanor could shift. After a long pause, he suddenly smiled and said, “If you’re that concerned, you could apply the medicine for me.”

“Huh?”

Tang Ruan’s eyes widened. “What did you just say?”

Looking her straight in the eye, Ji Jing repeated, enunciating each word clearly, “I said, go get the first aid kit and apply the medicine for me.” He smiled faintly, adding, “Isn’t that what a wife should do?”

Tang Ruan: …

She instinctively glanced at Ji Jing’s casual housewear. At home, his clothes were relaxed and loose-fitting. He reclined lazily in the chair, his posture languid, his gaze… filled with something that looked suspiciously like anticipation.

If she wasn’t mistaken… applying the medicine would require lifting or removing his shirt. That would mean seeing his bare back.

And she had no intention of seeing a man’s bare back.

“No… I’ll call Butler Li,” she said without hesitation. Feigning dizziness, she rubbed her forehead with a guilty expression, her cheeks reddening. “I hit my head earlier, and I feel a bit woozy. I’ll go find a servant to help.”

Ji Jing: …

As she hurried out, he watched the study door swing half-closed behind her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

So much for her boldness. She was all talk.

—

It was late at night, and Butler Li was feeling a bit melancholic.

He had truly thought that the young master and young madam had reconciled, but now—

Calling him just to apply some ointment?

A maid passing by saw him sighing as he watched TV and asked curiously, “Why are you sighing so late, Butler Li?”

With a wistful glance at her, he muttered, “Ah, Xiaolan…”

“Yes? What is it?” Xiaolan sat primly on the sofa beside him.

Butler Li thought for a moment before shaking his head. “You’re too young to understand.”

“I’m not that young!” Xiaolan protested, eyes wide. “I’m already eighteen. Tell me, is it about the young master and young madam?”

With a heavy sigh, Butler Li nodded mournfully. “I was wrong… I really thought… Ah.”

Xiaolan blinked, thoroughly confused.

After a moment of silence, Butler Li’s eyes lit up with sudden resolve. “I get it now! It’s because the young master isn’t trying hard enough. That’s why the young madam won’t apply the medicine for him. Don’t you think so?”

Xiaolan, confronted by his eager gaze, nodded obediently. “Yes! Exactly!”

…

Tang Ruan, who had been about to go downstairs, overheard the entire conversation.

She felt utterly exasperated by Butler Li’s wild theories—but there was no way she could explain the truth. How could she possibly admit that her reluctance was due to her fear of seeing a man’s bare skin?

Even though, logically, applying the medicine was her responsibility.

Feeling guilty, she pinched her earlobe nervously before retreating quietly back to her room.

The bedroom was a much safer place.

—

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly into the room.

Tang Ruan lingered in bed for a while before finally getting up.

In truth, she found the life of the wealthy rather exhausting. With servants attending to everything, she couldn’t sleep in as late as she wanted. She had to get up for breakfast at a set time, and when she was home, she was expected to eat three meals a day—on schedule.

Whenever she came downstairs, Ji Jing was always already there.

After overhearing the conversation between Butler Li and Xiaolan last night, Tang Ruan felt too embarrassed to face him this morning. She only wanted to finish breakfast quickly and head out—she had made plans to meet Cheng Mushi, whom she had just met the day before.

Though they weren’t close, they had exchanged contact information and chatted briefly the night before. Cheng Mushi mentioned having a day off from filming, making it a perfect time to meet up. Tang Ruan agreed, thinking it would be a good opportunity to learn more about her.

“Husband, how’s your back? Does it still hurt?” she asked, carefully playing the role of a dutiful wife and remembering her current task.

Ji Jing lifted his eyelids, glanced at her renewed energy, and responded blandly, “It’s fine now.”

Tang Ruan nodded, lowering her voice as she added, “Be more careful from now on, okay?”

Ji Jing: …

Did she forget he had fallen trying to catch her?

Ignoring the look in his eyes, Tang Ruan focused on her breakfast, nibbling daintily at the elegant meal in front of her. It had been three consecutive days of Western-style breakfasts, and though delicious, she sighed inwardly… Gourmet meals were fine, but what she really craved was street food—savory pancakes, skewers, and the bustling night markets where she could feast from one end of the street to the other.

Ji Jing’s hand paused mid-air with his fork as he glanced at her. He remained silent, but Butler Li, ever observant, anxiously asked, “Is breakfast not to your liking, Young Madam?”

Tang Ruan shook her head. “It’s delicious!”

“Butler Li’s cooking is the best in the world.”

Butler Li beamed at her praise. “You have excellent taste, Young Madam.”

“It’s truly wonderful.”

“Well then, I’ll make more for you tomorrow!”

Tang Ruan: …

Ji Jing chuckled softly, amused. “Yes, make even more for your Young Madam.”

Butler Li: “Of course, Young Master. And you should eat more, too.”

“Mm.”

After breakfast, Tang Ruan was about to return to her room when Ji Jing called out to her.

“Are you busy today?”

She stopped in her tracks, turning to look at him. “Why?”

He spoke in a calm, matter-of-fact tone. “Come home for dinner tonight.”

Her legs nearly gave out.

“Home” clearly didn’t mean their current residence—when Ji Jing said “home,” he meant the Ji family estate, where his grandfather, parents, and younger sister lived.

“I’m going out for a bit later. What time?”

“Five o’clock.”

“Okay.” She paused, then asked, “Should we bring a gift?”

It would be their first visit together since moving out. Bringing a gift seemed appropriate, a small token of respect. Tang Ruan might not have much experience with social etiquette, but she understood the basics. As Ji Jing’s wife, she believed politeness and respect toward elders were essential.

Ji Jing met her gaze. “I’ve already prepared something.”

—

An hour later, Tang Ruan and Cheng Mushi sat across from each other in a café, quietly watching the people pass by outside.

…

Since they weren’t close, conversation didn’t come easily.

Tang Ruan pondered how to ask her questions, while Cheng Mushi also searched for topics to fill the silence.

Cheng Mushi studied Tang Ruan briefly before averting her eyes.

To be honest, Cheng Mushi wasn’t entirely sure why she had invited Tang Ruan in the first place. Thinking back, it was probably the look of vulnerability and softness in Tang Ruan’s eyes yesterday that gave her the courage to reach out to someone she never would have dared to approach before. As for Tang Ruan, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a familiar acquaintance. Besides, with Cheng Mushi working in the entertainment industry, she might have useful connections to introduce.

In her memories, Cheng Mushi had always been a kind and well-rounded student, someone who had even helped her before.

Their eyes met, and suddenly, both of them chuckled.

Tang Ruan broke the ice with a smile. “There’s no need to be so stiff. How long have you been in the entertainment industry?”

Cheng Mushi gave her a wary look. “A little over a year, but I’m still just playing bit parts.”

“I see.” Tang Ruan had reflected on Cheng Mushi’s character last night and confirmed that she had indeed been an exemplary student. It puzzled her how someone like that had ended up acting.

“What made you want to pursue acting?”

Cheng Mushi thought for a moment, her tone light. “It’s a dream.”

Tang Ruan didn’t pry further—she knew they weren’t close enough for that level of conversation.

“What about you?” Cheng Mushi asked. “How’s married life? Your husband must be quite accomplished if he’s from the Ji family.”

Tang Ruan nodded, her smile calm. “My husband’s not bad. But I’ve been feeling a bit bored lately. Mind if I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“You watch live streams, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Which streaming platform do you think is the best?”

While she could have looked it up online, opinions were too varied. Tang Ruan wanted a more direct recommendation from someone with experience. As an actress, Cheng Mushi would likely know about live streaming, even if only as a side hustle.

Cheng Mushi blinked in surprise, staring at her. “Are you thinking of buying a streaming platform? Or starting a new one?”

Tang Ruan nearly choked. The original Tang Ruan must have left quite the impression—as someone born into wealth, of course people would assume that. Why couldn’t they guess she just wanted to make money herself?

“I want to try live streaming.”

Cheng Mushi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you kidding me?”

Tang Ruan replied calmly, “I’m not joking. I’m serious.” After a brief pause, she decided there was no need to hide her intentions. Cheng Mushi was a classmate she hoped to reconnect with. Tang Ruan had very few friends, and running into someone from her high school days was rare. Even if they weren’t close now, she believed that with time, they could meet up occasionally, and that would be enough.

She didn’t enjoy living in solitude. Even here, she still wanted a few friends.

Looking directly at Cheng Mushi, she explained her idea. “I want to do a makeup live stream, but I’m not suited to be on camera myself. I’ll need someone to introduce me to others. Can you help me with that?” Her gaze was sincere. “Do you know anyone you could recommend?”

“You’re serious?”

Tang Ruan nodded firmly. “Yes, I am.”

Cheng Mushi hesitated before asking, “Will your husband be okay with it?”

Tang Ruan chuckled. Thinking of Ji Jing’s reserved nature and his lack of outward emotion, she teased, “He probably won’t mind, as long as I don’t put a green hat on him. Other than that, he’s likely to indulge my whims.”

…?
……??
………???