Chapter 322: When Did It Become a Thing to Refuse Associating with Someone Just Because They Came from a Good Background?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Ruan Danchen’s beauty made Qi Chenglin incredibly aroused. His hand unwittingly tightened its grip on her waist as he pulled her closer to himself.
He looked down and saw her face gradually turning red under his luminous gaze. His emotions stirred more and more the longer he looked at her, and he was dying to lower his head and kiss her.
Just as he was about to plant his lips on her, Ruan Danchen looked up abruptly, causing their gazes to meet each other.
Ruan Danchen trembles were obvious, and her face was totally flushed. She was annoyed to see his smug smile and stared at him irritably. Her voice was soft as she berated, “Qi Chenglin, stop looking at me like that!”
“You were born with a face, yet you don’t want others to look at it?” Qi Chenglin raised a brow and remarked, “If you really want it, I’ll just let you look at me. You can look at me as much as you want.”
Ruan Danchen was taken aback. She felt that it was impossible to talk to him normally, so she decided not to say anything and tried her best not to meet his gaze.
“Do you think I’m handsome?” Qi Chenglin’s sonorous voice resonated in her ear. His voice sounded so close, as if it penetrated her ear, sliding into it.
Ruan Danchen’s ears burned hot and she tried wiggling free, protesting, “Stop it, there’s no end to this, is there?”
“No end at all.” Qi Chenglin’s firm warm hands did not let go of her. “First tell me. Do I look handsome?”
“Qi Chenglin, did you have too much to drink?!” Ruan Danchen stared at him angrily. She could hardly fathom how brazen he was to say all that when Youxuan and Xiao Yang were walking just ahead of them.
She believed that Xiao Yang and Youxuan had certainly heard all the things he said to her.
She tensed up considerably just looking at Xiao Yang’s rear figure.
However, when she looked up, Qi Chenglin swiftly leaned over and pecked her on the lips.
An explosion set off in Ruan Danchen’s brain. Her face was so hot she felt as if it would combust. Completely disregarding her earlier concern whether Youxuan and Xiao Yang would hear her, she raised her voice and yelled, “Qi Chenglin!”
When did this man start to act so indecently toward her!
Qi Youxuan also heard Ruan Danchen’s shy voice. He was afraid to turn around, so held his milk tea and said softly, “Uncle Xiao Yang, can you turn around and check if my dad is being naughty?”
Xiao Yang looked at the boy and replied, “Little Master, I, too, am afraid to turn around.”
The entrance to the parking lot was just around a curve up ahead, and it just so happened that it was close to the Japanese restaurant they ate at earlier.
Liu Ronghua had just finished her meal with her friend and left the premises after footing the bill. She saw Qi Chenglin’s rear figure with one arm wrapped around Ruan Danchen’s waist as they were heading toward the carpark.
Her mind went blank. Although she could not discern the man’s identity, it still took her by surprise that Ruan Danchen seemed to be in a relationship.
It may well turn out that the little boy was not simply ‘a friend’s son’.
“What is it?” Liu Ronghua’s friend turned around and asked after noticing Liu Ronghua glued to the spot.
“Nothing.” She shook her head and left the scene with her friend.
…
…
As the Ruan Danchen and the other three walked toward the car, Qi Youxuan rushed in and wiggled his way to the back seat. Ruan Danchen went in next, but Qi Chenglin hauled her out and said, “You’ll take the window seat, so it’ll be easier for you to get out of the car later.”
Ruan Danchen looked at the empty front passenger seat. She was just about to make a request to sit there when she heard Qi Chenglin snicker sarcastically, “Hehe.” She felt as though sitting at the front passenger seat would be a mistake.
Ruan Danchen hesitated for a while but chose to sit at the backseat in the end. The three of them were cramped together. Qi Chenglin sat in the middle, but more toward Qi Youxuan’s side since the boy did not take up much space.
Nevertheless, she could still sense his sullen mood.
Xiao Yang had just started driving when Qi Chenglin stretched his hand over and wrapped it around her waist.
Ruan Danchen turned her head slightly and threw him an irritated look, but because Xiao Yang and Qi Youxuan were both there, she did not dare make a fuss. As a result, his hand remained there for the entirety of the journey, with Ruan Danchen so anxious that she did not even dare to move.
He was being very indecent as his warm palm would massage her waist from time to time.
Ruan Danchen shot him angry glares constantly, but he still acted oblivious, going as far as to look at her innocently.
‘Is this man always so indecent toward women? Is that why he’s so accustomed to doing this?’
It was a long journey, but the car finally stopped at her apartment building. Ruan Danchen could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m going down now,” she said. Qi Chenglin’s hand was still on her waist.
He finally retracted his hand after she said that. She opened the door hurriedly so she could get down from the car, but little did she expect Qi Chenglin would stretch his long legs and get down with her.
“I’ll send you up,” Qi Chenglin said in a deep voice.
“It’s okay.” Ruan Danchen did not dare to let him accompany her up. “It’s not good to leave Youxuan here alone.”
“Don’t worry. Uncle Xiao Yang is here with me,” Qi Youxuan’s chirpy voice could be heard from inside the car.
Ruan Danchen had no response.
“Are you still afraid that I’d something to you?” Qi Chenglin taunted.
Ruan Danchen was about to say ‘yes’, but she ended up not speaking up. She went to the other side of the car to say goodbye to Qi Youxuan and headed up.
Qi Chenglin caught up in a few steps and held her hand. Ruan Danchen kept quiet but tried, unsuccessfully, to wrestle her hands out of his grasp. She looked down and saw his hands holding hers. He had a beautiful hand, with finger joints that were well-defined and a palm that was significantly broader than average. He was practically wrapping her entire hand in his, warming it.
He held her hand the entire time, even as they walked to her doorstep after exiting the elevator.
“Go ahead and open the door,” Qi Chenglin said in a low voice. “I’ll leave after you go in.”
Ruan Danchen was at loss for words. She had an indescribable feeling of warmth in her heart and was touched that she had someone to rely on.
She took out her keys in and opened her door quietly, “You can go now.”
QI Chenglin’s lips curled up. “Go on in.”
Before she turned to go in, Ruan Danchen mustered the courage to look at him even though her face was red.
As she was about to close the door, he placed his hand on the door, essentially stopping it. With one foot in the door and the other foot outside, he placed his free hand at the back of her head as he leaned in for a kiss.
Almost instinctively, Ruan Danchen released her grip on the door. She had seemingly become accustomed to his actions, her hands seemed to have a mind of their own and wrapped themselves around his neck immediately.
Qi Chenglin’s hand shifted from the door frame to her waist. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, ensuring that there was not even the slightest gap separating them.
Ruan Danchen was short of breath after being kissed like that. His lips and tongue were so heated, and they attacked her inner mouth repeatedly. His tongue intertwined with hers in an indescribable state of inseparableness.
Out of the blue, he lifted her up and nestled her in him. His lips parted from hers only when her feet landed on the ground.
“Good night. Sleep well,” he said, with his lips caressing hers. His voice was low and incredibly sexy, with a magnetism that drew in her heart and caused her to lean into him.
After he said those words, he let go of her very reluctantly and stepped out, even closing the door for her.
Ruan Danchen finally came to her senses sometime later, but by then Qi Chenglin was long gone. Before her was the large door of her apartment unit, and everything that happened moments earlier seemed like a dream.
Still feeling a little dizzy, she changed her shoes and went to her room to change her clothes. She was about to place her clothes into the washer, but accidentally caught a whiff of Qi Chenglin’s scent on her clothes. His masculine cologne coupled with the faint scent of tobacco made her feel like she was back in his embrace.
Ruan Danchen’s heart was pounding wildly as she stared at her clothes. There was some hesitance before she put them into the washer.
“Ruan Danchen, what are you thinking!” She shook her head all of a sudden and threw the clothes into the washing machine immediately.
…
…
Qi Chenglin left the building and took a deep breath. He tried his best to calm himself down before getting back into the car.
Qi Youxuan was busy sucking up the tapioca pearls in his milk tea, and one by one they traveled through the straw and into his mouth. The texture was like bubble gum, and with each chew, there was a burst of flavor.
Seeing Qi Chenglin approach, Qi Youxuan chewed a couple of times and said, “Dad, when we had Japanese food at the mall today, we met a lady. Aunt Ruan seemed to know her, but Aunt Ruan didn’t like her that much.”
“Hm?” Qi Chenglin heard what he said but did not think much of it. He merely asked, “What did the lady look like?”
Qi Youxuan explained it to him and suddenly remembered something, “They mentioned the Shen family. And someone named Shen Jialiang or something like that.”
Qi Chenglin’s expression was calm as he said, “Okay.”
He looked at his son, knowing how smart the boy was. He was strict with the boy because he did not want him to turn arrogant from all the pampering. After all, he was born into the Qi family as the eldest great-grandson. If good values are not instilled in him from an early age, it will be easy for him to deviate and pick up immoral traits.
Fortunately, the old lady and Guan Liya taught the boy appropriately since he was still young. They taught him well, and the little one did not regard himself as an entitled and self-important kid.
Qi Chenglin’s face softened and he gently stroked Qi Youxuan’s head. “You’re a good boy.”
…
…
During lunch the next day, Ruan Danchen was in the midst of tidying up her desk before going out for lunch.
“Miss Ruan,” came a familiar voice, startling Ruan Danchen. She immediately stopped in her tracks.
She then saw Mu Huaisheng close his car door before walking toward her.
“Mr. Mu,” Ruan Danchen greeted politely, albeit somewhat distantly.
“Are you going to lunch? Mind if I join?” Mu Huaisheng asked and smiled.
Ruan Danchen hesitated. “Its… inconvenient.”
“What’s inconvenient about it?” Mu Huaisheng cocked a brow and asked.
“Mr. Mu, you’re not my client now. If I go for lunch with you, people might gossip,” was all Ruan Danchen could say.
“What could they possibly gossip about? We’re doing anything wrong. Do you really need the approval of others to have a meal with me even when we’re both unmarried?” Mu Huaisheng’s voice remained tranquil, and he did not seem to be expressing any anger. “Have your colleagues begun gossiping yet?”
…
…
Qi Chenglin was sitting in the car, watching as Mu Huaisheng and Ruan Danchen were conversing with each other. He dug up Director Zhao’s card and dialed the number on it.
“Director Zhao, it’s me, Qi Chenglin.”
“…”
“Nothing much. I just need your help with something.”
“…”
“Mm, it’s like this…”
…
…
Ruan Danchen sighed and said, “Mr. Mu, even if you say it’s alright, I’m still the one working there and it’s essential for me to maintain a good relationship with my colleagues. If they gossip about me, it’ll affect my work, and my professionalism might be called into question. They will either think that I use improper methods to get business, or that I’m attempting to make my way into the upper class. As it stands, my work environment is currently really awkward, and I want to avoid more groundless accusations.”
Mu Huaisheng knew exactly what Ruan Danchen was talking about. The fall in her workload was all because of Mu Sisi. As a result, if anyone came close to her, it would incite others to begin gossiping, especially if that person was of high status.
“Even if I’m serious about pursuing a relationship with you? Is that not okay? When did it become a thing to refuse to associate with someone just because they come from a good background?” Mu Huaisheng stood just outside the entrance to the building. People were coming and going, and his presence was very noticeable.
His voice was not too loud. It was mellow and easy on the ears.
“It’s not like you’re taking advantage of me, and I’m not interested in only having a fling. I think you’re a really good person, and I’m serious about my intention of pursuing you to let our relationship develop. We have a clear conscience. Why would we worry about the things others say?” Mu Huaisheng asked calmly.
Ruan Danchen felt uncomfortable. She glanced at her surroundings and kept her voice low. “Mr. Mu, I’m grateful that you admire me, but I have no clue what you find appealing about me that made you like me. At this point, this isn’t something I want to think about. To me, you are my client, Mr. Mu. I have no other thoughts, I…”
Her ringtone began sounding from inside her bag, interrupting her.
Ruan Danchen said, “Excuse me,” then took out her phone from her bag. Director Zhao was calling, so she picked up and greeted, “Director Zhao.”
“Xiao Ruan, have you walked far yet?” Director Zhao asked.
“No, I’m just in front of the company building,” she replied. Finding it awkward to look at Mu Huaisheng, she gave him an apologetic look before letting her eyes drift off.
All of a sudden, she noticed a large Benz parked just up ahead. Ruan Danchen’s heart began thumping hard, and it was because of Qi Chenglin that her heartbeat quickened whenever she saw that logo on a car.
Almost immediately, however, she calmed herself down. She realized that Qi Chenglin was probably still at the company and there was almost no chance that Qi Chenglin was all the way here. It was all a coincidence, she thought. That car simply had the same logo as his.
Since the Benz’s plate number was blocked from her view by the car in front, she decided to just try to ignore it.
Director Zhao continued, “Perfect then. Can you come back for a bit? A client suddenly wants to meet. Could you attend to him? The rest of your colleagues from the design department are out and I can’t find anyone else.”
“No problem,” Ruan Danchen answered at once. She was somewhat relieved to receive Director Zhao’s timely call.
She was willing to forego her hunger if that meant not needing to deal with Mu Huaisheng anymore.
After she hung up, Ruan Danchen smiled and explained, “Mr. Mu, I’m sorry. That was Director Zhao. He wants me to go back to deal with something.”
Mu Huaisheng nodded. “Work is important and I’m in no position to insist on lunch.”
Ruan Danchen felt awkward too, as she did not plan on being so blunt with him. Nonetheless, it was best to make everything clear from the start to prevent him from constantly coming over to bother her.
She nodded at him and headed back to the office building.
“Miss Ruan,” Mu Huaisheng called out from behind.
Ruan Danchen’s halted and she turned back. Mu Huaisheng came up to her and stood before her, saying softly, “I’m serious when it comes to you. If you don’t want to be in a relationship now, we can start off as friends. I hope you give me a chance instead of placing a wall between us. You’re already pushing me away before I even get a chance. We can try being friends first and get to know each other better. If you really don’t fancy me, then I won’t insist.”
She had no idea what to say to him after he said all that. All she could muster was, “I’ll head up now.”
Ruan Danchen ran in quickly, and fortunately for her, the elevator came just in time for her to scamper in. Her response was genuine—she was truly eager to get away from him.
Mu Huaisheng felt a trace of bitterness in her heart and wondered when he became so unwelcomed.
He looked down, sighed, and shook his head before turning around. Then came a moment of shock.
He watched as Qi Chenglin came out from a black Benz and closed the car door casually. The Benz was parked not that far off from Mu Huaisheng’s car.
Qi Chenglin also sported a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator-series sunglasses. His suaveness was very apparent as he walked under the scorching hot afternoon sun.
He walked up the steps and looked at Mu Huaisheng. Without taking off his sunglasses, he nodded before greeting, “Mr. Mu.”
Mu Huaisheng suppressed the misgivings in his mind and asked, “Going to Chengshi?”
In Mu Huaisheng’s mind, the only possible reason for Qi Chenglin’s presence was to go to Chengshi.
Qi Chenglin did not conceal his intention and nodded proudly.
“Business matters?” Mu Huaisheng asked. He felt something was not quite right, but he could not put his finger on it.
To Mu Huaisheng’s surprise, Qi Chenglin merely repeated, “Business matters.”
Mu Huaisheng was speechless.
“I’ll be off,” Qi Chenglin said. He nodded at Mu Huaisheng before going in and waiting at the elevator.
Mu Huaisheng could not help but turn around to look at him. He only turned away after Qi Chenglin entered the elevator. The nagging feeling of suspicion was still ever-present in his heart.
When Mu Huaisheng was discussing work matters with Ruan Danchen at Shengyue, Qi Chenglin was there too. Such a coincidence that the same thing happened again.
…
…
Ruan Danchen went back to the office and Director Zhao was there waiting.
“Hehe, Xiao Ruan, so sorry to call you back from your lunch break,” Director Zhao said while smiling.
“It’s nothing, Director Zhao. Where’s the client?” Ruan Danchen asked. She felt that Director Zhao was being much more courteous to her, probably as a result of her friendship with Song Yu.
“He should be here in a minute,” Director Zhao said. He waited for the client with Ruan Danchen.
After a few minutes, Ruan Danchen saw Qi Chenglin walking into the office. By then he had removed his sunglasses.
“Young Master Lin,” Director Zhao welcomed him graciously.
Qi Chenglin’s lips curled up and his aura was very decorous. “My apologies. In terms of time, I only had a small window to meet now. So sorry to bother you during your break.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Director Zhao smiled. “Xiao Ruan, Young Master Lin came here because there’re a few things he wants to talk about. Perhaps you can bring him out for lunch and discuss the details over a meal?”
“It’s fine. We can discuss in the meeting room. It’s easier to focus. Young Master Lin won’t have any objections to that, right?” Ruan Danchen put on a professional smile.
Seeing Qi Chenglin there made her realize that the Benz she saw was undoubtedly his. She wondered if he was pulling some kind of trick on her because he saw Mu Huaisheng.
On the other hand, Ruan Danchen was puzzled as to whether she really did have that much charm over men. Did she really need Qi Chenglin to devise an elaborate plan or could she just garner help from others?
Bonus scene:
Jiang Yuan: “Young Master Lin, people are saying that you’ll tear down your house just so you can stay at Miss Ruan’s place.”
Qi Chenglin: “Do I look that shameless to you?”
Qi Youxuan: “Dad, when are we tearing down the house?”
“…” Qi Chenglin: “Keep it down. Don’t tell the world.”
