Chapter 47 - Chapter 47 You’ll Surely Find Someone Better

Jiang Heng was at a dinner party when Ruan Xingchen called. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her name on the screen. After all these years, this was the first time she had called him on her own. Did this mean she was at the end of her rope and had finally thought to turn to him? With that thought, he muttered a quick instruction to his assistant, excused himself to the restroom, and left the party straight away. Ruan Xingchen stood on the sidewalk outside Wutong Apartments, kicking at a small stone idly. About ten minutes later, a car pulled up in front of her. The driver's door opened, and Jiang Heng stepped out, walking around to face her. As he drew near, a faint smell of alcohol reached her nose. Ruan Xingchen frowned. "Have you been drinking?" "Just a little." Jiang Heng looked down at her, his eyes soft with affection. "Xingchen, after all these years, this is your first time calling me. I'm really happy." Ruan Xingchen paled slightly and nodded. Looking at the delicate, doll-like girl before him, Jiang Heng felt a tug in his chest. He lifted his hand and gently ruffled her hair. "Did you call for something?" Ruan Xingchen bit her lip, staring at her shadow on the ground, and stayed silent for a long time. Jiang Heng didn't rush. He waited patiently. He had waited for her for more than ten years—what was a little longer? To others, she might have seemed like a girl with odd taste in clothes. But from the first day he saw her, Jiang Heng knew he had fallen for her. He liked her, and he was waiting for her to grow up. All the other women in his life, including Ruan Shuqing, were just for show. In his eyes, none of them were worth a single hair on Ruan Xingchen's head. After what felt like an eternity, Ruan Xingchen seemed to make up her mind. She lifted her head and looked at him, her soft voice clear and steady. "Jiang Heng, Mrs. Jiang came to see me just now." Jiang Heng's heart sank inexplicably. His gentle smile vanished instantly. He frowned at her and asked in a low, tense voice, "What did she say to you?" "She gave me one million." Ruan Xingchen's voice was quiet. "I took it." A light breeze blew at that moment, lifting the hair on his forehead and hiding the emotions he was struggling to contain in his eyes. After a long pause, Jiang Heng opened his mouth and asked hoarsely, "Why?" Tears pricked Ruan Xingchen's eyes, but she forced a careless smile. "Because… I think she's right." She really wasn't good enough for him. She didn't want to be his burden, and she felt nothing romantic toward him. So, to put Mrs. Jiang at ease, she had taken the check. It was as simple as that. "Is that so?" Jiang Heng let out two low laughs, deep from his chest. He slowly raised his hands and gripped her shoulders tightly, his voice cold and shaky. "Ruan Xingchen… did you ever think I would be hurt?" Ruan Xingchen said nothing, frowning at the pain in her shoulders. Seeing her face scrunch up in discomfort, Jiang Heng laughed again—light, but icy. "Does it hurt? Good. I'm hurting too. But…" He let go of one hand and pointed to his chest. "It hurts here." He knew all about wealthy family politics. But he never thought it would happen to him. What was worse, the girl he loved had taken his mother's money without hesitation. Ruan Xingchen still didn't speak. She just hung her head as tears fell from her red eyes, dropping to the ground and fading into small dark spots. When Jiang Heng realized she was crying, his pupils shrank. He still couldn't bear to see her upset, even if she was an ungrateful little thing. Jiang Heng let go completely and stumbled back a step. His hands at his sides clenched into fists. He exhaled heavily. When he looked at her again, his eyes were sharp and determined. "Ruan Xingchen, the engagement is gone, but you're still mine. Let's see who in this entire city dares to take you from me!" With one last glance at her, Jiang Heng turned, got in his car, and drove away without hesitation. Ruan Xingchen slowly crouched down, hugging her knees, letting her tears fall. In such a short time, she had lost everything. No more Lu Xiaobai. No more Jiang Heng. The people who had grown up with her, protected her… they were all gone. Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder. Ruan Xingchen froze. She looked up through blurry eyes, and after a few blinks, recognized the man in front of her. She opened her mouth, her voice rough. "Wei… Wei ge…" Wei Yuanxiao sighed and held out a hand to her. After a small hesitation, Ruan Xingchen placed her small hand in his. He wrapped his large hand around hers, pulled her gently to her feet. Ruan Xingchen pulled her hand away, wiped her eyes with the backs of both hands, sniffled, and looked up at him, her voice thick with tears. "Wei ge, why are you here?" Wei Yuanxiao shrugged. Naturally, he wouldn't tell her that Lu Jingyuan had been worried and asked him to check on her. He never expected to walk in on something like this. Having been in the military, his hearing was almost as sharp as Lu Jingyuan's. He'd stood not far away and heard every word between her and Jiang Heng. They'd been too wrapped up in their own world to notice him. Looking at her red, tear-streaked face, Wei Yuanxiao sighed and comforted her. "Little girl, don't be too sad. When one door closes, another opens. You're still young. You'll definitely find someone better." Ruan Xingchen hung her head and said nothing. Wei Yuanxiao sighed again. "Come on. I'll walk you up." "No." Ruan Xingchen shook her head. "I'm staying at a hotel now." Wei Yuanxiao blinked in surprise. "A hotel?" Ruan Xingchen didn't explain. Seeing this, he didn't press. He could find out easily enough on his own. "Alright, I'll drive you back then." Ruan Xingchen didn't refuse. After dropping her off at the hotel, Wei Yuanxiao was about to leave when a small hand tugged at his sleeve. He turned around and saw her looking up at him with such a pitiful expression that his heart melted. He grinned and teased her. "Little one, you don't want me to leave that bad?" "Wei ge…" Ruan Xingchen called softly, her delicate brows knitted together, her big clear eyes begging him. "Can you… not tell Uncle? Not tell Xiaobai?" She didn't want them to know. She didn't want to trouble them. Wei Yuanxiao froze for a second, then grinned. "Thought it was something big. Don't worry, I won't say a word." Ruan Xingchen's brows relaxed, and she gave a silent smile. "Thank you, Wei ge." "No problem." He patted her shoulder. "Go inside. It's late. If you stay out, a big bad wolf might come and kidnap you." Ruan Xingchen's mouth twitched. She said goodbye and walked toward the hotel entrance. The second she disappeared from sight, Wei Yuanxiao took out his phone and called Lu Jingyuan. Sorry, little one… don't blame me. That perverted uncle of yours is way scarier than you are. I don't want him skinning me alive later. The call was answered quickly. Before Lu Jingyuan could speak, Wei Yuanxiao spilled the whole story in one breath. After a long silence, a low voice came from the other end. "I know." Then the line went dead immediately. Wei Yuanxiao shrugged. He was used to Lu Jingyuan's ungratefulness. He'd delivered the news. What happened next was up to him. Before leaving, he decided to do a full favor. He opened WeChat and sent his location to Lu Jingyuan. Lu Jingyuan hung up and pressed his fingers to his temples. His work here was almost done. Originally, he planned to return to City C in three days. But clearly, he couldn't wait that long. From Wei Yuanxiao's account, Ruan Xingchen had not been doing well while he was gone. A few setbacks were good for her. But if too much time passed and her heart grew cold and tough, there would be no place for him anymore. After a moment's thought, he called his assistant. "Book me a flight back to City C for tomorrow morning." The Jiang residence. Jiang Heng parked the car in the yard, left the key in the ignition, and jumped out. He hurried inside and spotted Mrs. Jiang reading the newspaper on the sofa. He strode over, his anger barely contained, and asked in a low voice, "Mother, why?" "Why what?" Mrs. Jiang looked up from the paper, her expression calm. "It's obvious. Blame it on her surname Ruan—but not being the real young lady of the Ruan family." Something suddenly occurred to her, and she smiled coldly. "This engagement was only made because we thought your mother would marry into the Ruan family. Who knew men's hearts are so fickle?" Back then, Ruan Xingchen's mother had been Ruan Jiancai's lover. But she had no background, and the elders of the Ruan family refused to let her in. Somehow, Ruan Jiancai ended up sleeping with Ruan Shuqing's mother. Both women became pregnant. The outcome was clear. Ruan Jiancai chose profit over love. Seeing that Jiang Heng remained silent, Mrs. Jiang put down the newspaper, stood up, and straightened his crumpled suit. "Aheng, don't forget. You're not the only son of the Jiang family. You have an older brother above you." A cold glint flashed in Jiang Heng's eyes. His older brother—the man born to the same father but a different mother… Mrs. Jiang didn't miss the fleeting coldness in his gaze. She smiled in satisfaction and lowered her voice. "Only when you become head of the Jiang family will you have a real say. As for Ruan Xingchen… even if you can't marry her, you can still keep her." Jiang Heng's eyes flickered. His clenched fists slowly relaxed. His agitation gradually faded.