The little girl's outfit was too recognizable. Following the direction Wei Yuanxiao pointed, Lu Jingyuan spotted Ruan Xingchen at a glance.
And the man sitting across from her—Jiang Heng.
Unconsciously recalling what Wei Yuanxiao had said a few days ago, Lu Jingyuan's gaze darkened slightly.
Wei Yuanxiao glanced at Lu Jingyuan's expression, then, with a shift in thought, deliberately sighed.
"That little loli is really lucky. The Jiang family is a prestigious clan in C City, and Jiang Heng is a well-known young master in high society. Marrying him and becoming a rich young madam isn't bad at all."
Lu Jingyuan withdrew his gaze and walked straight out of the restaurant.
Wei Yuanxiao's car had been sent to the 4S shop for maintenance that morning, so he had no choice but to have Lu Jingyuan give him a ride.
Along the way, Lu Jingyuan focused on driving, while Wei Yuanxiao didn't disturb him, chatting with his goddess on his phone instead.
Before long, the car stopped at the entrance of a luxury residential complex.
Wei Yuanxiao unbuckled his seatbelt and got out. Just as he closed the car door, Lu Jingyuan's low, steady voice drifted over:
"The Lu family is also a prestigious clan."
Without waiting another second, he drove off.
Wei Yuanxiao stood frozen on the spot, the words echoing in his mind.
After a long while, he finally reacted and couldn't help but curse, "Damn!"
…
Hearing the words "fiancé," especially coming from Jiang Heng, made Ruan Xingchen feel irritated.
He was already involved with her half-sister, yet still shamelessly calling himself her fiancé—how utterly disgusting.
Just then, the waiter brought their food. Ruan Xingchen didn't respond and simply lowered her head to eat.
Jiang Heng watched her quietly for a long time before finally picking up his knife and fork.
After the meal, Jiang Heng pushed a bank card toward her.
Under Ruan Xingchen's puzzled gaze, he explained gently, "You may resent me, but you shouldn't make things hard for yourself."
Ruan Xingchen didn't move. Jiang Heng wasn't in a hurry and continued:
"The Ruan family has stopped giving you living expenses, but you still have me. We'll get married sooner or later. It's my responsibility to support you."
Hearing this, Ruan Xingchen couldn't deny that she was tempted.
She wasn't someone with particularly strong pride. When her mother died, she had only been in third grade. At an age when she understood nothing, she had lived alone in a shabby house, counting the money her mother left behind just to survive—paying rent, utilities, and daily expenses.
She had been truly afraid of those days.
Fortunately, later on, with the help of Lu Xiaobai, her father, and Jiang Heng, she hadn't been completely overwhelmed by life.
Now, even though her grades were poor, she still planned to attend college. For the next four years—and even beyond—she would need money.
But Jiang Heng's money… she couldn't accept it.
In the past, whenever it was time to change seasonal clothes, Jiang Heng would always find excuses to send her new clothes, shoes, and bags—everything in styles she liked.
As his rightful fiancée, she could accept those gifts—but she couldn't accept direct money from him.
"I understand what you're saying," Ruan Xingchen said, pushing the card back. "But I can't take this."
Jiang Heng frowned. "Why?"
Ruan Xingchen took a sip of juice, turned her head to look out the window, and spoke softly:
"Because maybe one day, you won't be my fiancé anymore."
…
Jiang Heng drove Ruan Xingchen back to Wutong Apartments.
As she got out of the car, he followed.
Carried by the breeze, his voice was gentle yet firm:
"Xingchen, the engagement won't be canceled. We'll get married. We'll be together forever."
Ruan Xingchen acted as if she hadn't heard him and quickly walked toward the apartment entrance.
At the same time, inside the building, a pair of dark eyes glanced at Jiang Heng, then turned away without hesitation, heading toward the elevator.
Jiang Heng withdrew his gaze and drove off.
Hearing the car leave, Ruan Xingchen, already inside the building, gradually slowed her steps.
Jiang Heng might not be a qualified fiancé—but he had truly treated her well.
Unfortunately, he was with the person she hated most—Ruan Shuqing.
And now, she didn't want him anymore.
Lost in thought, Ruan Xingchen walked with her head down, not watching where she was going.
Suddenly—
She walked straight into a slightly cool embrace.