Chapter 235: 172 Scumbag (3 updates)_2
"Iām a Ruan."
"This surname is quite rare. Iām really sorry about the media report today; it was completely fictitious. When we met yesterday, my brother was there too. It wasnāt just the two of us, and our relationship isnāt what you might think. I apologize for any trouble it must have caused you."
Ruan Mengxi hadnāt expected this "rival in love" to actually be this way, and hurriedly shook her head, "Itās no problem."
"The issue was ultimately resolved by Mr. Qi. It bothered him, and he even helped handle it. Iām truly sorry, which is why I thought of inviting him for a meal."
After Xie Tongtong explained, she handed the tablet for ordering to her, "Miss Ruan, take a look first, what would you like to eat?"
"Thank you."
...
Since they were pretending to be a couple, even if it was just for show, they would behave affectionately towards each other. Although there wasnāt any feeding each other, Qi Zeyan did take very good care of Ruan Mengxi.
Xie Tongtong did have a fondness for Qi Zeyan, so she seized the opportunity to get closer to him, thinking she had a chance because he wasnāt seeing anyone.
But she wasnāt foolish. Their relationship seemed intimate but didnāt look like a real couple. Most likely, it was fake.
However, through this incident, she could tell that Qi Zeyan really didnāt like her, so he used it to convey that to her, to prevent her from overthinking.
She wasnāt the kind to pester and cling to someone relentlessly. If the other person wasnāt interested, insisting on it wouldnāt help. Just because someone is polite to your face doesnāt mean they arenāt annoyed.
Since she liked Qi Zeyan, even if they couldnāt be a couple, she didnāt want to leave a bad impression on him. So, even though she knew it was fake, she still clarified their misunderstanding.
The upbringing and grace of a young lady were fully exemplified in her.
Ruan Mengxi had reviewed Xie Tongtongās profile once she became a potential "rival in love," and even went back to look over her information, which said she had excellent manners and upbringing.
But it was only upon meeting her in person that she could see how truly refined she was.
**
After the meal, the three of them went their separate ways. Qi Zeyan was relieved to have resolved the situation with Xie Tongtong.
Considering she was from the Xie Family, and she hadnāt spoken openly about confessing to him or anything like that, Qi Zeyan couldnāt outright reject her and had to use a subtle approach. Fortunately, she wasnāt one to cling and be annoying; otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome.
But after parting ways, Qi Zeyan suddenly realized something.
Xie Tongtong had left, so why was this assistant Ruan still holding his hand?
Gripping it tightly, what was she trying to do?
Take advantage of him on purpose?
"Xiaoruan," Qi Zeyan called out as a reminder.
"President Qi," Ruan Mengxi then let go of his hand.
Her hand was warm, and when she let go, a chill swept over him. Qi Zeyan felt somewhat uncomfortable. He handed her bag to her, stuffing it into her arms, and then tossed her the car keys, "Drive, take me home!"
Ruan Mengxi clenched her teeth but obediently took her place in the driverās seat, driving him home. Today marked progress as they had held hands; sheād take it slow.
"When will you be going back home?" Qi Zeyan asked, nonchalantly playing with his phone.
"Next Friday." She subconsciously thought he was showing concern for her, feeling pleased with herself inside, not knowing that soon a cold bucket of water would be poured over her.
"Then you probably donāt have much to do recently. Arrange the work for the first quarter and give it to me before the New Year."
Ruan Mengxi blinked, wondering if she was hearing things, "Isnāt that... a post-New Year task?"
"Is it bad to do it in advance? Donāt you have the initiative to handle this as an assistant?"
"I got it."
"I still want to thank you for cooperating with me tonight."
"Itās no problem, assisting you and helping ease your worries is part of the job." Holding hands had lifted his spirits.
"Iāll pay you later."
Ruan Mengxi gripped the steering wheel tight, biting her cheek; why did that remark sound so strange?
After she had dropped off Qi Zeyan and returned home, she received a bank transfer from Qi Zeyan on WeChat:
[I canāt run this money through the company accounts, so Iām transferring it to you privately.]
Transaction settled!
Qi Zeyan was a businessman, and if he did owe her, he would definitely feel uncomfortable. After giving her the money and crossing it off the list, nobody owed anybody anything, and he felt more at ease.
**
Ruan Mengxi was quite upset and called Tang Wan to vent.
"Tang Xiaowan, do you think heās just a stinky man?"
"Completely lacking in romance. Do I want his money? What I want is him as a person..."
"It really seems like he is..." Ruan Mengxi paused for a moment, as if carefully choosing her words.
"A jerk."
Tang Wan really couldnāt help it and burst into laughter, "Pfftā You two are so funny!"
"Donāt laugh, donāt you think this behavior is jerky?"
"At the end of the day, you also took advantage of him, and did you take the money or not?"
"Of course I took it. Why wouldnāt I? I got to touch him and even make money from it. When I think about it, Iām not at a loss." Having thought it over, Ruan Mengxi didnāt feel all that angry anymore.
"Ha ha..." Tang Wan laughed uncontrollably.
Who knows what they would be like if the two really ended up together.
Jiang Jinsang was listening next door, slightly raising an eyebrow. Who was she talking to on the phone, laughing like that?
Just as Tang Wan was in high spirits, someone knocked on the door, "Someone is looking for me, Iāll hang up now."
"Okay, I have to rush to work too."
When Tang Wan opened the door, she found Jiangjiang holding a pillow, standing at her doorstep, "Jiangjiang, why did you come up?"
"Auntie, can I sleep with you tonight?"
"Your dad isnāt back yet?" It was already past ten at night.
Jiangjiang nodded, "Iāve already taken a shower and brushed my teeth, Iām very clean, want to smell?"
"I know you smell nice, come on in." After Tang Wan let him in and made him comfortable, she sent a message to Jiang Yanting.
[Second Master, Jiangjiang is sleeping over at my place tonight.]
She definitely had to notify Jiang Yanting, and the reply came quickly: [Thanks for your trouble.]
...
Tang Wan had thought that Jiang Yanting might come back at any time during the night to take the little guy back to the second floor, so she didnāt sleep very soundly and woke up before dawn.
Hearing some noises next door, she asked what Jiang Jinsang was doing and then moved aside the cabinet that separated their two rooms.
"Youāre up so early? Did Jiangjiang disturb you last night?" Jiang Jinsang glanced at the little guy still sound asleep on her bed.
"No, I thought the Second Master would come to pick him up at any moment and didnāt sleep well."
"My brother didnāt come back last night."
"What?" Tang Wan was stunned for a couple of seconds. She had stayed at the Jiang Familyās home for so long, and it was the first time Jiang Yanting hadnāt come home at night. No matter how late he worked, he would always return.
"He couldnāt have gone to see her, could he..." Tang Wan whispered.
"Not sure, maybe." Jiang Jinsang said with a smile.
"Have you not told Jiangjiang?"
"My brother must have his own plans. Iām going for a run, want to join?"
It was too cold outside, and Jiang Jinsang exercised at home. Tang Wan nodded, "You go ahead, I still need to change."
"Alright."
Tang Wan tried to be as quiet as possible. She changed into a lighter set of sportswear and tiptoed out of the room with the door behind her.
Meanwhile, Jiangjiang lying on the bed slowly opened his eyes. He had been sleeping with his pillow under him, shifting his body slightly and smacking his lips. He seemed to have heard something shocking.