Chapter 13 Your Heart Is So Cruel

Sinking into the house.

Jiang Qingyue took a sip of the rose tea in her cup and sighed helplessly.

She looked at her son, who was yelling and pacing around in circles just like Big, and felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

It seems like this main account is ruined. Maybe he and his dad can create a new alt account.

"Shut up, you're so noisy, you evil beagle." Jiang Qingyue slammed her hand on the coffee table in annoyance, making the teaware rattle slightly.

"What beagle? Mom, what are you talking about!" Her once neat brown hair was now tangled and messy from his rubbing.

"Chen Xun, what's the use of making a scene in front of your mother? Why don't you go and invite Xiao Yi first, and we can talk about the rest later." Jiang Qingyue felt utterly helpless.

"But... what if she does what she did last year? She didn't even stay for three minutes!"

Shen Xun seemed to be in great pain, his voice trembling noticeably.

"At least Xiaoyi gave you a gift last year, be content, you brat."

Jiang Qingyue admired her newly done luxurious manicure and was somewhat unwilling to pay attention to her adopted son.

"That was a gift? It was leftover red velvet cake, or something she took from the dessert table!"

"Uh... then why were you eating so happily after she left? You even licked the spoon clean." Jiang Qingyue began to suspect that her son was a pervert.

"Mom! That... isn't the point." Chen Xun's Adam's apple bobbed, his pacing froze, and he looked somewhat embarrassed.

"You brat, who told you to argue with Xiaoyi back then? You wouldn't tell me why when I asked you, so I just gave up on you."

Jiang Qingyue made up her mind that she would work hard with Shen Xun's father tonight to create a new account, and she couldn't let Shen Xun turn out like this again.

In fact, Ruan Yi did prepare a gift for Shen Xun last year. No matter how much the two did not get along, their families still maintained a friendly relationship, and Shen Xun's parents took good care of her. Ruan Yi would still do the most basic formalities.

However, she was too proud to give the gift to Chen Xun herself, so she gave the gift to Gu Zhi and had her younger brother pass it on to him.

Giving away leftover red velvet cake from a birthday party as a gift was nothing more than a silly joke.

The man, carrying something in his hand, pretended to pass by the Ruan family's gate several times before finally stepping inside on his third visit.

"Young Miss, Young Master Shen has arrived."

Ruan Yi sat on the sofa with a sour face, still feeling down because she couldn't get in touch with the maid. Her brows furrowed even more when she heard the maid's message.

The moment Shen Xun stepped into the living room, he noticed Ruan Yi's unhappy expression.

So every step I took after that was incredibly stiff, like going to my execution.

Shen Xun didn't dare to speak and placed the box he was carrying on the table.

Ruan Yi lifted her eyelids listlessly.

It was a beautifully packaged box of strawberries, with the variety name written on the box: Bijin-hime strawberries from R country. Her eyes lit up instantly.

It's said to be a very delicious variety, and such a big box is quite expensive. However, she has never had a habit of pursuing expensive food, so she didn't specifically ask the servants to order it.

Ruan Yi swallowed hard. "Then I'll reluctantly accept it."

Following Ruan Yi's instructions, the maid went forward, took the strawberries, and washed them.

Shen Xun seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his posture less stiff, and he said, "Ruan Yi, you have to come to my birthday party this time."

Ruan Yi raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with sarcasm. "Why should I listen to you?"

"You've already accepted my things, so I don't care. That means you've agreed." Chen Xun's thin lips were pursed, and his tone carried a hint of stubborn grievance.

Ruan Yi was speechless. It's true what they say, "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding." She should have known better than to be tempted by this.

"Tch... Okay, okay, I got it."

A maid brought forward a plate of washed strawberries and placed the beautifully arranged fruit in front of Ruan Yi.

Chen Xun's gaze swept across the room casually, then suddenly stopped.

His gaze focused on the wrist of the older servant, on whose rough skin hung a bracelet that seemed completely out of place with its owner. The bracelet was studded with small diamonds that reflected a dazzling light under the lamp.

It is quite obvious that this is a very valuable luxury bracelet, a high-end custom piece from C brand, a limited edition from two years ago.

How could Shen Xun not recognize that the apology gift he had carefully chosen was now on the servant?

He grabbed Ruan Yi's wrist, his voice trembling as if a thorn was stuck in his throat.

"Ruan Yi, you are so cruel."

Ruan Yi was somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong with you now?"

What's going on? Why is Shen Xun suddenly acting in a melodrama?

"I...I'll never send you anything again!"

The man held her wrist tightly, his amber pupils already glistening with tears, the corners of his eyes reddening, his expression fragile, his eyes brimming with tears.

"How could she give her own gifts to a servant! What about the others... those that are truly meaningful?"

"Are you crazy???" Ruan Yi was completely confused.

He can't even bring himself to give you a piece of fruit? What kind of male lead is this? He's incredibly stingy.

So stingy! It seems that if my younger brother had "married" this man surnamed Chen in his past life, he definitely wouldn't have had a good life.

"You still have this attitude? I'm really angry!" Shen Xun released her wrist, turned around, and looked like he was about to leave.

After a long while, his long legs remained frozen in place. He heard no response from the girl and couldn't take a step.

Ruan Yi was speechless. What was this silly boy doing? Was he playing "Red Light, Green Light"?

"Let's go quickly, and on the way back we'll see if you have any lychees at your house. I want to eat some Guagreen lychees."

Ruan Yi: Chew, chew, chew.

Chen Xun turned around, his handsome face tense, his eyes still faintly misty, his expression stiff.

"Yes, I'll bring it to you later."

Ruan Yi said "Oh" and continued chewing.

"I'm not a simp."

"She even took the initiative to talk to me... isn't that just admitting defeat?"

The bracelet... it must be his poor taste; that bracelet was too ugly. That must be it. Next time, I'll pick a better one for him.

Even after leaving the Ruan family's house, the man was still reflecting on his own taste. "Hmm... I'll have Gu Zhi help me choose next time."

After all, he's the brother-in-law, so he should know his future wife's preferences quite well.

On the day of the Shen family's birthday banquet.

When Ruan Yi arrived, the hall was already full of guests. Shen Xun was surrounded by people, and the young masters and ladies were all flattering and praising each other.

Ruan Yi disliked joining in on such meaningless excitement and had no intention of aligning herself with that group.

Gu Zhi followed Ruan Yi closely, his gaze never leaving her. Before she could even open her mouth, a glass of champagne was handed to her by him, as she was thirsty.

Under the crystal chandelier in the banquet hall, he was impeccably dressed in a suit, and the girl was wearing a flowing white dress. The two stood very close to each other, side by side. Anyone who didn't know the situation would surely say that they were a perfect match.

The main character of the banquet, surrounded by people, had already fallen for the girl.

Shen Xun stared intently in the direction where Ruan Yi was.

The girl's back was so white it was dazzling, and the semi-transparent lace with rhinestones on her chest clung to her soft curves, making her particularly eye-catching.

The man's eyes were only on the girl's every smile and frown; he was completely oblivious to the noise around him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the man beside the girl. His gaze was fixed on her face, his eyes as intense as mine.

Shen Xun frowned.

"I'm so lovesick for my wife that I'm even jealous of my brother-in-law."

He chuckled and shook his head.