Chapter 30

Suppressing a laugh, she nodded. “Oh, I thought Ji Ling only needed me for support.”

Ji Ling hadn’t mentioned her brother would be coming along.

During their recent interactions, Tang Ruan had grown much closer to Ji Ling compared to Ji Jing. The previous night, Ji Ling had even asked if Tang Ruan was coming alone or with her brother. When Tang Ruan said she hadn’t invited Ji Jing, Ji Ling expressed her regret but quickly accepted it, saying she’d enjoy keeping things low-key.

Ji Jing frowned slightly at Tang Ruan’s barely concealed smile. Lowering his voice, he asked, “What’s so funny?”

Tang Ruan immediately dropped her smile and said with a straight face, “Nothing. Let’s just go cheer her on together.”

“Fine,” Ji Jing said, glancing at her. “Want me to drive?”

“No need,” Tang Ruan replied softly. “If I get tired, I’ll let you take over.”

She knew that Ji Jing had only returned to his room in the middle of the night. Around 1 a.m., when she got up to use the bathroom, she had noticed the hallway light spilling in through the study door. Normally, the hallway lights were off unless someone was still working.

Ji Jing paused but didn’t insist.

The drive from their home to the school was long—nearly two hours. The morning rush hour traffic didn’t help either. Even Tang Ruan, who was usually patient while driving, began feeling frustrated.

Every few seconds of movement was followed by five or six minutes of standstill. Start. Stop. Start. Stop.

She glanced to her side and noticed Ji Jing leaning back in his seat, sound asleep.

He must have been exhausted from the previous day’s work.

Tang Ruan stole a couple of glances at him before putting her phone on silent. While stuck in traffic, she texted Ji Ling to let her know they were on their way and asked her to call once they arrived.

Fortunately, the traffic began easing after another half hour.

At one point, Ji Jing woke up and offered to take over driving, but Tang Ruan refused again. She was enjoying herself.

Eventually, they reached Ji Ling’s school.

–

Ji Ling’s school was one of the top institutions in the country, known for its sky-high admission standards and rigorous expectations. While Ji Ling loved to have fun, her grades were always excellent.

Being part of the Ji family meant that even a pursuit of a carefree life carried certain responsibilities. Ji Ling didn’t want to be underestimated and worked hard to prove herself. According to what Tang Ruan had learned, Ji Ling had initially planned to study abroad for university and had even received acceptance letters. However, for some specific reasons, she chose not to go. Instead, she planned to apply for a student exchange program during her second or third year.

When they arrived, Tang Ruan called Ji Ling. “We’re at the school gate.”

Ji Ling replied enthusiastically, “Wait there, sis-in-law! I’m on the track field and will come get you.”

“There’s no need,” Tang Ruan said softly. “I know the way. I’ll find you.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you at the gate.”

“Okay.”

Tang Ruan turned to Ji Jing and cleared her throat. “Shall we go in? Have you been to Ji Ling’s school before?”

Ji Jing nodded. “Yes, I have.”

When Ji Ling first started at the school, her family members all wanted to escort her, but she refused. Still, they couldn’t let her handle the enrollment process alone, so Ji Jing ended up accompanying her. He left after everything was sorted. Before that, he had also visited the school to give a lecture, making him a familiar face to many of the staff.

This was news to Tang Ruan.

Actually, she had no recollection of such details; the novel she remembered hadn’t mentioned them either.

As the two walked through the campus, they made a striking pair. Students turned their heads to stare, captivated by the harmonious balance between them. Tang Ruan and Ji Jing looked perfect together: a handsome man and a beautiful woman, with an ideal height difference of 20 centimeters—just enough to look endearing without being awkward.

To attend Ji Ling’s sports meet, Tang Ruan deliberately wore flat shoes, blending in with the students. As for Ji Jing… he didn’t quite blend in.

After being the subject of whispers for the Nth time, Tang Ruan tugged at the sleeve of the man beside her and whispered, “Should we walk faster?”

Ji Jing, clearly enjoying himself, shook his head. “No rush.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

–

The two of them strolled leisurely to Ji Ling’s school sports field. As soon as they reached the entrance, deafening cheers echoed from within.

Tang Ruan chuckled, unable to suppress a sigh, “Ah, youth is wonderful.”

Ji Jing glanced at her and reminded softly, “You’re still young.”

Tang Ruan raised her eyebrows with a grin and turned to him. “That’s true. I’m only twenty-two—it’s not quite the same as you.”

Ji Jing: “…”

He was momentarily speechless and reached out to tap her head, but before he could, Ji Ling came bounding over from the other side, her excitement palpable. “Sis-in-law, you’re finally here!!”

She dashed toward Tang Ruan, throwing herself into her arms.

Tang Ruan laughed, steadying Ji Ling by her arms. “I’m here. Calm down, everyone’s watching.”

Ji Ling mumbled her acknowledgment, only then noticing the person beside her. She looked at Ji Jing in surprise and blurted out, “Brother, why are you here too?”

Ji Jing: “…”

Tang Ruan coughed, her face slightly flushed as she helped the awkward Ji Jing out. “Um, your brother came with me.”

Ji Ling eyed them skeptically but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she grabbed Tang Ruan’s hand excitedly. “Come, come, the senior is about to compete. He’s preparing for the high jump now. Let’s go over.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

She wasn’t sure if Ji Ling was doing this on purpose or not, but she found it amusing nonetheless.

To gush about a handsome senior in front of her own brother… she couldn’t help but laugh and nodded in agreement. “Sure, let’s go.”

Turning to the man beside her, whose face had darkened, she asked with a smile, “Are you coming with us?”

“Of course,” Ji Jing said through gritted teeth. “I’m going with you.”

He was determined to see just how handsome this guy could be, to make both his sister and wife so eager.

Even daring to fawn over someone else right in front of him!

Intolerable!

–

The university’s sports meet was lively and bustling. While spectators weren’t restricted, many students were genuinely interested in the events and crowded around to watch.

Tang Ruan quickly noticed that the high jump area was particularly packed with girls.

Probably because there was a handsome guy competing.

As they approached, Ji Ling’s classmates noticed Tang Ruan and came over to greet her.

“Sis, you’re here!”

“Miss, what brings you here today? Are you here to watch our sports meet?”

Boys and girls alike swarmed around Tang Ruan, completely pushing Ji Jing aside.

Last time Tang Ruan visited, she had simply told them to call her “Sis,” and ever since, everyone obediently referred to her that way.

Tang Ruan smiled warmly and greeted them, “Hello, nice to see you all again.”

A curious boy asked, “When did you get here, Sis? Are you staying at school all day? Want to grab lunch together later?”

Ji Jing, standing outside the group, let out a cold snort. Did these little punks think he was invisible?

Kids these days really had no shame, spouting nonsense with such confidence.

Tang Ruan chuckled. “Lunch might be tricky, but I’ll be here all day.”

“That’s fine. Wherever you eat, we’ll follow,” another chimed in.

Tang Ruan: “…”

Ji Ling rolled her eyes and pushed her classmates aside. “Alright, enough. Stop crowding my Tang Ruan. We’re here to watch the handsome senior do the high jump.”

A male classmate protested, “Aren’t we handsome enough?”

Ji Ling flashed a sly smile. “What do you think?”

The boy: “…”

Tang Ruan stifled a laugh, finding their antics rather amusing. She glanced over at Ji Jing, standing a bit off to the side with his hands in his pockets and a stormy expression on his face. “Ji Jing, aren’t you coming over to watch?”

Ji Jing raised an eyebrow, shooting her a glance. “No.”

“Really?” Tang Ruan’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Didn’t you come to see Ji Ling’s handsome senior?”

Ji Jing: “…”

Ji Ling gasped dramatically, turning to Ji Jing with wide eyes. “Brother, I didn’t know you were interested in our school’s handsome seniors too!”

Ji Jing froze, feeling the urge to strangle her.

In an instant, all the surrounding students turned their attention to Ji Jing. Their gazes were laden with a peculiar curiosity.

–

The “handsome senior” lived up to his title.

Tall and lean, dressed in a white tracksuit, he naturally drew attention just by standing there. Tang Ruan’s gaze was immediately drawn to him—his clean-cut, striking features carried a touch of sternness, though his expression was mostly reserved, even slightly frowning, perhaps uncomfortable with the attention.

As someone spoke to him, he gave a slight nod in response, maintaining an air of cool detachment.

Ji Ling, however, was visibly thrilled. Waving enthusiastically, she shouted his name and cheered him on, instantly attracting everyone’s attention, including that of the senior himself.

Tang Ruan even caught a fleeting smile in his eyes as he glanced their way.

She thought for a moment and turned to Ji Ling. “Do you know him?”

Ji Ling nodded and replied in a hushed voice, “We met when he was playing basketball last time, but he’s so aloof. I only know his name.”

Tang Ruan nodded, indicating she understood.

Ji Jing reached out and lightly tapped Ji Ling on the head, exasperated. “You only know his name, and you dragged your sister-in-law here to watch?”

Ji Ling muttered, “… Is that not okay?”

“What do you think?”

Ji Ling snorted, continuing to cheer for the handsome senior. “I don’t want to talk to you. There’s a generation gap between us.”

Tang Ruan pursed her lips and smiled, finding the situation amusing.

Suddenly, Ji Jing, standing beside her, asked coolly, “Do you think he’s handsome too?”

“Of course.” Without hesitation, she commented, “Didn’t you just see him in the high jump? He’s athletic and a very handsome young man.”

Ji Jing listened, feeling a surge of irritation rise in his chest.

“I don’t think he’s that handsome.”

Tang Ruan glanced at him and responded with a slight sneer, “You’re impossible to talk to.”

In the end, it seemed like everyone else enjoyed the sight, and that was what mattered.

After the high jump event concluded, it was nearly lunchtime. Ji Ling remarked that none of the other good-looking seniors had events coming up, so they decided to leave together.

Out of the blue, Tang Ruan suggested, “Why don’t you invite that handsome senior to join us for lunch?”

Ji Ling hesitated, then shook her head. “Better not. There are so many girls around him. I don’t think he’d agree.” Hugging Tang Ruan’s arm, she pouted and added, “You don’t know how cold he is. He’s as cold as the North Pole.”

Apparently, he had rejected numerous confessions from the girls at school.

Ji Ling didn’t dare risk embarrassing herself.

Tang Ruan chuckled but said nothing.

As they were about to leave, someone called out to Ji Ling. “Ji Ling.”

“What’s up?”

“Want to grab lunch? Bring your friends along too.”

–

At a restaurant near the school entrance, the group became lively.

Tang Ruan barely had time to process what was happening before finding herself there. She looked at Ji Jing curiously. “Why did you agree to this?”

Ji Jing replied indifferently, “They’re Ji Ling’s classmates. She’ll be here for several more years.”

Hearing this, Tang Ruan smiled, a little surprised.

The group entered and reserved a private room. It wasn’t a huge gathering—just Tang Ruan, Ji Jing, Ji Ling, and four of Ji Ling’s classmates (two boys and two girls), plus the high jump senior and two of his friends, making a total of ten people.

Ji Ling leaned close to Tang Ruan, whispering excitedly, “This is my first time having a meal with the handsome senior!”

Tang Ruan laughed and pinched her cheek. “Are you happy?”

“Of course!” Ji Ling’s joy was obvious, but she added in a low voice, “Though I think my brother doesn’t look too happy.”

Tang Ruan glanced over and replied softly, “Ignore him. He’s unpredictable.”

“Exactly, impossible to please!”

Ji Jing turned his head, shooting a cold glare at Ji Ling, who immediately hid behind Tang Ruan in fright.

After ordering, one of Ji Ling’s male classmates turned to Tang Ruan, clearly curious. “Miss, will you still be here in the afternoon?”

Tang Ruan nodded. “I should be. Ji Ling has a running event later.”

Another male classmate, intrigued by her identity, asked, “Are you Ji Ling’s sister or her friend?”

Tang Ruan smiled but before she could answer, Ji Jing cut in with a low, warning tone. “Why are you so curious?”

The boy paused, looking at him in surprise. “You must be Ji Ling’s brother, right?”

Ji Jing: “…”

Hearing him address Ji Jing so formally, Tang Ruan couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

She looked at the group of classmates across the table and, trying to ease Ji Jing’s nerves, coughed lightly and clarified, “He’s Ji Ling’s brother, and I’m her sister-in-law.”

The boys froze, wide-eyed, glancing back and forth between Tang Ruan and Ji Jing before blurting out, “You don’t look like it…”

The atmosphere at the table instantly became more relaxed.

“Hahahahaha…” Ji Ling couldn’t hold back her laughter, trying but failing to stifle it. “What are you talking about? How do they not look like it?”

One of the boys, straightforward as ever, remarked, “Your sister-in-law looks really young.”

Ji Jing, overhearing, felt quite unhappy but couldn’t bring himself to argue with the younger crowd.

Meanwhile, Tang Ruan, unable to keep from laughing, explained with a teasing tone, “You’re right. I am very young. But my husband is young too—he just likes to act serious. Don’t mind him.”

As she spoke, she winked at Ji Jing and playfully asked, “Husband, don’t you think I’m right?”

Ji Jing: “…”

He really didn’t feel like answering.

One of the boys glanced at him, his expression doubtful. “It does seem like that.”

The group erupted in laughter, and even Tang Ruan couldn’t hold back as she joined in.