Chapter 54

Tang Ruan hadn’t even decided whether to inform Ji Jing about their outing—or hide it altogether. After all, bringing her sister-in-law to a bar wasn’t exactly praiseworthy.

And yet… before they could even get started, they were already spotted.

Worse, the person who spotted them had the audacity to loudly announce her husband’s name.

Tang Ruan instinctively reached to rub her neck and turned to see Gu Tian. She feigned nonchalance and forced a smile. “Oh, you’re here too?”

Gu Tian raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously. “Yeah, Ah Jing is upstairs.”

Tang Ruan blinked in surprise. “Then why did you call his name just now?”

The difference between upstairs and downstairs was significant. How could Ji Jing hear his name being called in such a noisy bar? She quickly realized Gu Tian must be deliberately trying to scare her.

Gu Tian gave an exaggerated “oh” and admitted without shame, “I was just messing with you two for fun.”

Ji Ling glared at Gu Tian and pleaded, “Brother Gu Tian, please don’t tell my brother we’re here! We’re just here to relax a little.”

Ji Ling could tell that her sister-in-law didn’t want Ji Jing to know about their outing. Being an expert at reading people, she could easily see this. Besides, she also knew that if Ji Jing found out, the one who would be in trouble wouldn’t be her sister-in-law—it would be her.

Her brother had always prioritized his wife over her, and she knew it all too well. The thought of losing her allowance made Ji Ling shudder.

Gu Tian raised an eyebrow and looked at the two of them. “You sneaked in, didn’t you?”

Tang Ruan: “…”

Ji Ling: “…”

The two women exchanged a glance before glaring at Gu Tian in unison, their eyes warning him that he’d better keep quiet—or else.

Gu Tian, feeling slightly intimidated by their combined stares, took a cautious step back. Muttering to himself, he said, “What was I here for again? Oh, right, I was looking for someone.” With that, he turned and walked off, mumbling as he went.

Tang Ruan and Ji Ling both let out a sigh of relief.

–

The bar remained lively as ever. Tang Ruan and Ji Ling discreetly changed seats, deciding to avoid Ji Jing entirely. Any thoughts of joining him were now firmly dismissed. If Ji Jing found out, they knew they’d be in for a lecture.

“Let’s just get something to drink,” Tang Ruan suggested.

“Okay!” Ji Ling leaned against Tang Ruan’s arm, pouting. “Sis-in-law, I’m so frustrated!”

“What’s wrong?” Tang Ruan chuckled, poking Ji Ling’s soft, smooth cheek. Her tone softened as she teased, “Come on, tell me what’s bothering you today.”

Ji Ling hesitated, then asked, “Sis-in-law, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” Tang Ruan replied with a smile.

Ji Ling thought for a few moments before asking, “Do you like my brother now?”

She wasn’t naive. She understood the nature of her brother and Tang Ruan’s relationship. Recently, though, something had changed. Ji Ling wanted to know what it felt like to truly like someone. She wasn’t sure if what she was feeling herself could be considered love—or if she was simply unhappy.

And, truthfully, she was curious.

Hearing the question, Tang Ruan froze.

She looked at Ji Ling with a hint of suspicion before smiling knowingly. “Spring has arrived, hasn’t it?”

Ji Ling shook her head in silence. “I don’t know.”

She had never been in love, so she didn’t know what it felt like.

Tang Ruan thought for a moment and then smiled warmly, taking on the role of a thoughtful older sister. Reflecting on Ji Ling’s question, she nodded. “Yes, I do.”

She did like Ji Jing now. How could she not? He was such an outstanding man, and he treated her so well. It was impossible not to feel moved.

When she first came to this household, Tang Ruan had constantly been plotting ways to end their marriage. Sure, being Ji Jing’s wife came with wealth, but at the time, the man didn’t love her, and his family was cold and indifferent toward her. Back then, she believed that if anything happened to her, they wouldn’t even care.

Except for Ji Jing’s grandfather, perhaps.

Initially, she had been set on leaving. But as time went on, she realized Ji Jing was a man who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He treated her with so much care and patience. Whether it was indulging her whims or tolerating her stubbornness, he always made her feel valued.

Gradually, their feelings for each other deepened. Tang Ruan grew to admire Ji Jing, and Ji Jing, in turn, began to show his affection for her. She believed that love was mutual—it required both people to change and grow together. If Ji Jing had remained the man he was at the beginning, she probably wouldn’t have fallen for him.

But the current Ji Jing—she truly liked him, deeply liked him.

–

Ji Ling looked at her sister-in-law’s radiant smile, unable to hide the envy in her eyes.

She couldn’t help but sigh. “If my brother knew how much you like him, he’d be over the moon.”

Her smile grew wider, her brows arching playfully. “Actually, I think he already knows.”

After all, her sister-in-law’s feelings were quite evident, and Ji Jing was no fool. Even though they didn’t often express such emotions directly, it was clear they both understood each other’s feelings.

Tang Ruan reached out and gently patted Ji Ling’s head, smiling as she shifted the conversation. “Alright, now it’s your turn to talk.”

Ji Ling hesitated. “I don’t really know how to explain it.”

She fidgeted before asking timidly, “Do you get upset when you see other women talking to my brother?”

Tang Ruan paused, then laughed. “It depends on who it is. If it’s just for work, of course I wouldn’t be upset. But if someone has ulterior motives or clearly likes him, then yes, I’d definitely be unhappy.”

This was perfectly normal—most women were a little possessive when it came to matters like this.

Ji Ling let out a soft “oh,” thinking about her own situation. After organizing her thoughts, she asked, “So if I feel upset like that, does it mean I like someone?”

“It could also be an issue of possessiveness,” Tang Ruan explained patiently. “But for possessiveness to exist, there has to be some level of fondness or affection. At the very least, you’re paying attention to that person. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t feel the need to be possessive or upset.”

Her analysis was thorough and on point.

Ji Ling nodded, as if enlightened. “Got it.”

Tang Ruan studied her for a moment but didn’t press further.

When it came to matters of the heart, only the person involved could truly understand their feelings and decide what to do. While she could offer guidance, she couldn’t dictate Ji Ling’s path.

–

After their conversation, Ji Ling was noticeably in better spirits.

Tang Ruan smiled as the two of them sipped fruit wine and enjoyed the performances around them.

In addition to the singing and dancing, the bar had some sort of event that night, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Shortly after 8 PM, the event officially began with a burst of excitement.

Ji Ling went off to gather some intel and returned to whisper into Tang Ruan’s ear, “There’s a performance by some famous group. It’s like a mini-concert, and apparently, a rich person hired them for this.”

Tang Ruan couldn’t help but click her tongue in surprise.

Living with the Ji family for a while had given her a glimpse into the extravagant lives of the wealthy. When you had money, there was very little you couldn’t achieve—she’d seen this proven time and again.

Sometimes, she couldn’t help but sigh. Having money really did make life easier. No wonder she’d been so determined to work hard and make money when she was struggling before.

“How many acts are there?” she asked.

“A few, I think. There’s supposed to be a dance performance later. Want to watch it together?”

“Sure.”

Their seats were perfect for viewing the stage. After the first act, there was a ten-minute break. Tang Ruan patted Ji Ling’s shoulder and whispered, “I’m going to the restroom.”

“Okay, don’t get lost.”

“I won’t.”

Tang Ruan got up and made her way to the restroom, but what she didn’t expect was that no matter how much she planned, she couldn’t have prepared for running into Ji Jing there.

When they bumped into each other at the door, she froze in place.

Ji Jing had just come out of the restroom. Upon spotting her from a distance, his eyes narrowed slightly, his expression turning cold. “Go use the restroom first. I’ll wait for you at the door.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

She had a feeling her life was in danger.

–

Ji Jing didn’t particularly like the noisy atmosphere of bars, but Gu Tian and Ding Zerui enjoyed it. Since they were hosting a welcome party for Xi Zijin, they had chosen this venue, mentioning there would be performances tonight.

He wasn’t interested in these kinds of activities and had only tagged along out of courtesy.

Ji Jing and Xi Zijin were both relatively reserved. After having a drink and chatting for a while upstairs, Gu Tian insisted on heading downstairs to catch the performance. Ji Jing declined with his usual indifference, intending to head home instead.

But on his way downstairs, someone accidentally bumped into him, spilling something on his clothes. That’s why he’d ended up in the restroom—where he just so happened to run into his wife.

…

When Tang Ruan emerged from the restroom, Ji Jing was standing by a window, smoking a cigarette. He smoked occasionally but didn’t seem to have much of a habit. Tang Ruan felt her knees go weak but obediently walked over to him.

“Husband,” she called softly.

Ji Jing turned his head and stubbed out the cigarette, tossing the butt into a nearby trash can.

With his hands in his pockets, he looked down at her with a trace of irritation. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to a bar? Were you with friends?”

“No, no,” Tang Ruan quickly replied. After thinking for a moment, she said in a small voice, “I suddenly wanted to check out a bar and dragged Ji Ling along.”

Ji Jing: “…”

He stared at her evasive gaze, his irritation growing.

“Tang Ruan.”

“Yes?” Tang Ruan raised her hand, looking pitiful. “Do you know why I came to the bar?”

“Hmm?”

She had prepared an excuse in the restroom, and now, without hesitation, she blurted out, “Because I love you so deeply.”

…?

…??

Ji Jing looked at her, utterly dumbfounded.

Tang Ruan pouted, tilting her head to look up at him. “Just look at yourself. You’re so attractive, your physique is adored by so many girls, and then there’s your wealth…” She began listing all of Ji Jing’s advantages, counting them off on her fingers. When she realized she’d gone a bit overboard with the flattery, she stopped and looked at him seriously. “A man like you in a bar? Of course I’d want to keep an eye on you!”

Ji Jing: “…”

She walked over to Ji Jing, wrapped her arms around his waist, and playfully acted coquettishly, “What if… what if some girl falls for you and you end up liking her? Where would I go to cry? So, I have to follow you and keep an eye on you.”

Ji Jing couldn’t help but laugh.

Even though he knew Tang Ruan was making this up on the spot, the anger in his heart inexplicably dissipated as he listened. She always had this ability—she could ignite his fury in an instant but just as easily extinguish it.

Sometimes Ji Jing wondered, just what kind of person was Tang Ruan? How did she manage to have such an irresistible charm that left him utterly powerless against her?

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, feigning a stern look, “Nonsense.”

Tang Ruan pouted, “I’m not making it up.”

She leaned closer to him and sniffed lightly, then asked in a soft voice, “Did you drink?”

“Mm, a little.” Ji Jing’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he lowered his gaze to look at her. “You really have a knack for talking nonsense.”

“I’m not!” Tang Ruan refused to admit it, blinking up at him as she wrapped her arms around him and continued, “Husband, you’re not mad, right? I only came here to check on you, and I promise not to interrupt your business.”

Ji Jing reached out, ruffled her hair, and sighed. “I really can’t do anything about you.”

Tang Ruan giggled, her eyes curving into crescents as she looked at him, “So, are you still mad?”

Ji Jing squinted at her but said nothing.

Tang Ruan smiled and clung to his neck, cooing, “Can we go home now?”

Her gentle nudging ignited a spark in Ji Jing. He pulled her into a tighter embrace, his voice husky, “Okay.”