Seeing Liu Ruyan accept the necklace, a look of joy surfaced on the man's face.
Then, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled out another small box from behind his back.
He opened it, then dropped to one knee.
"Ruyan, today is your birthday. I wanted double happiness."
Inside the box lay a ring.
"Marry me, Ruyan."
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan lowered her gaze, her expression hidden from view.
But standing beside her, Diluc seemed to hear a very faint tsk.
"Huh? She seems like a decent girl—why would she make that sound?"
Diluc wondered if he'd misheard. Even if she didn't agree, surely she wouldn't react like that?
"Brother Yelin Xiao… y-you should stand up first. I… I'm not thinking about that right now. We can start as ordinary friends."
"Ordinary friends?!"
Now it was Yelin Xiao's turn to freeze.
Weren't they dating?
How did it suddenly drop straight to ordinary friends?
He hurriedly stood up and grabbed Liu Ruyan's hand.
"Ruyan, aren't we together?"
"Huh? Together… no, I don't think so."
Liu Ruyan leaned back slightly, moving closer to Diluc.
"No… you're saying no?"
"Then why did you ask me to bring you breakfast every day?"
"And your college tuition—wasn't I the one paying that?"
"Even your living expenses now—I saved bit by bit for that!"
"You're saying we're not a couple?!"
Yelin Xiao was visibly agitated, gripping Liu Ruyan's hand tightly.
"Uh…"
Diluc was stunned.
This wasn't what he'd been told.
Wasn't this supposed to be some clingy, low-quality stalker?
This… didn't feel like that at all.
If anything, Liu Ruyan was starting to look pretty scummy.
Sensing something was off—but remembering this was still his employer—Diluc stepped forward and pulled Yelin Xiao away.
"Sir, please calm down."
Unfortunately, that only made things worse.
Yelin Xiao's gaze immediately locked onto Diluc.
"It's him, isn't it?"
"You're doing this because of him, right?"
"Yes."
At this moment, Liu Ruyan stepped forward without hesitation and hooked her arm around Diluc's.
That's right. Him. What about it?
"Good. Very good."
Yelin Xiao gave a bleak laugh and released Liu Ruyan's hand.
"So you just think I'm poor. You'll regret this."
"Brother Ye, what are you saying? I'd never dislike you for that. It's just…"
As she spoke, she cast another glance at Diluc.
"Fine."
A trace of disdain appeared at the corner of Yelin Xiao's mouth. He shoved Diluc aside, yanked open the private room door, and left.
"I'll remember you."
Before leaving, he shot Diluc a deep look.
"What does this have to do with me?"
Diluc was speechless.
You two talk things out—why drag me into it?
"I'm sorry… I really had no choice… earlier I just—"
"It's fine."
Diluc's mouth twitched.
Fine my ass.
You used me as a shield, plain and simple.
He walked to a corner and sat down, no longer wanting to get involved.
Thankfully this was a game.
Otherwise, he'd really want to slap someone.
After all that support—breakfast, tuition, living expenses—and not even a hint of reciprocation?
That was cold.
[Yae Miko]: Pfft—so this is Empress Ruyan? She's got skills.
[Stelle]: I know this one—this is called "raising fish."
[Serval]: Bronya, watch carefully. Learn well.
[Bronya]: Learn this… for what?
[Natasha]: It'll be useful someday.
[Serval]: Very useful.
[Valerius]: Why would you even learn this? Don't tell me you're trying to turn Bronya into a scumbag too?
[Serval]: Of course not. Just giving her more experience dealing with men.
[Valerius]: Yeah right. Watch closely—Liu Ruyan is definitely failing this tribulation.
[Jing Yuan]: Isn't that conclusion a bit early?
[Valerius]: Not at all. Look at that guy's name—Ye. Lin. Xiao.
Every single one is a protagonist surname. He's absolutely going to stir up something big.
[Kaeya]: Looking forward to Diluc getting slapped by fate.
[Sparkle]: Heh.
Time passed.
Aside from Blade, everyone survived the first day.
The next morning.
Ningguang accompanied her employer into an office.
"I'll be working. If you're bored, you can rest here."
The woman said casually as she turned on her computer.
"Alright."
Ningguang sat calmly to the side, surveying the surroundings.
When her gaze swept past a bookshelf, a glint caught her eye.
"This is… a camera?"
She stood up and moved closer.
Hidden in the corner between the books was a pinhole camera.
"Employer, you're being monitored."
"Monitored?"
The woman's hands froze on the keyboard. Seeing the device in Ningguang's hand, her face darkened.
She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Hello?!"
A lazy voice came from the other end.
"Are you sick, Tang? If you dare install this kind of garbage in my office again, I swear I won't let it go."
After a long scolding, she hung up.
"Help me look again. See how many more there are."
Ningguang was surprised.
No police?
This was a serious invasion of privacy—industrial espionage even.
But since the employer didn't want to call the police, Ningguang naturally wouldn't overstep.
Just then—
Ding~
The phone rang again.
The woman glanced at the caller ID and sighed before answering.
"Hello, Grandpa."
"What… I already have a bodyguard."
"How capable?"
"Alright, I'll be back now."
She hung up helplessly and looked at Ningguang.
"My grandfather is arranging another bodyguard for me. Can you teach him a lesson? Can you do that?"
"Yes."
Ningguang narrowed her eyes.
Someone trying to steal business?
Not a chance.
Her final score depended entirely on the employer's evaluation. Losing her position now would be disastrous.
"Good. Let's go."
They headed to the parking lot.
As they approached a luxury car, Ningguang suddenly grabbed the woman and stepped in front.
"Someone's there."
The woman saw it too.
A figure was leaning behind her car.
"Don't move. I'll check."
Ningguang advanced carefully.
Turning the corner, she froze.
"Blade?"
"You're here too?"
Blade was stunned.
After being hunted all night, he'd finally snuck into the parking lot to rest—
—and now he'd run into an acquaintance.
"I was just… taking a walk."
He stood up, ready to leave.
This was too embarrassing.
"Where's your employer?"
Ningguang immediately sensed something and grabbed him.
"Dead."
"Dead?!"
Ningguang was shocked.
It had only been one day.
Wasn't that a bit fast?
"How did she die?"
Even Blade couldn't protect her—how strong was the enemy?
"Don't ask."
Blade shook her off and walked away.
How did she die?
I killed her, alright?
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