Chapter 140

The engagement came so suddenly that Tao Ruan was a little caught off guard.

“Was it because I cried that day?” Tao Ruan asked Gu Zhizhou.

Gu Zhizhou smiled, took the dazzling diamond necklace from the stylist that complemented Tao Ruan’s complexion, then bent down to brush aside the long hair at the back of her neck, gently put it on, and said softly, “It’s not because of that.”

Tao Ruan blinked, her thick, long eyelashes brushing against Gu Zhizhou’s fingers as he reached out to stroke her cheek, and continued to ask, “Then why?”

Gu Zhizhou grasped her delicate chin, bent down, and lowered his lips to cover Tao Ruan’s beautiful lips.

“Because I love you and want to marry you, that’s all.”

Tao Ruan’s heart pounded again. Even though Gu Zhizhou had said countless sweet words to her before, she was still moved by the sincerity in his words.

“I love you too, Ah-Zhou.”

Gu Zhizhou refused the stylist who came closer to adjust Tao Ruan’s skirt, and instead squatted down to fix it for her. He then stood up and took her hand.

“I’m a little nervous.” Tao Ruan’s palms were slightly sweaty.

Gu Zhizhou gently coaxed her, “Don’t be afraid. There are relatives and friends from both families outside. No one will make things difficult for you. Besides, I’m here for you.”

Tao Ruan grasped Gu Zhizhou’s hands, which were holding hers. Her anxiety eased somewhat, but she was still nervous: “What if I say something wrong? Will I embarrass you?”

Gu Zhizhou gently pinched the bridge of her nose and continued to coax her, “Don’t be afraid of being embarrassed, I’ll love Ruan Ruan no matter what.”

“It’s not a matter of whether you like it or not…”

“Then let me put it another way. Ruan Ruan is so lovable, no one can dislike you, so don’t be afraid.”

Tao Ruan was still amused by him: “Only you would think that way.”

After saying that, Tao Ruan took a deep breath, exhaled, inhaled again, exhaled again, and finally looked up at Gu Zhizhou and smiled: “But it’s enough that you think that way.”

Tao Ruan still walked out with Gu Zhizhou. Even though she was a little nervous just now, after being held by Gu Zhizhou’s warm and strong hand and drawing strength from him, her nervousness instantly disappeared.

She appeared before everyone in a generous, dignified and proper manner, followed the prescribed procedures, received everyone’s congratulations, and made no mistakes.

Tao Ruan’s father, stepmother, and younger brother all came over. Apart from her younger brother Tao Wenzhuo being close and enthusiastic towards her, the other two were somewhat polite and distant towards her while offering their congratulations.

However, Tao Ruan no longer cares.

She earnestly thanked her father and stepmother for their care over the years, hugged them, and then took her younger brother Tao Wenzhuo’s hand to get dessert and drinks.

“Sister,” Tao Wenzhuo, still a child, looked up and asked Tao Ruan, “Are you really going to get married?”

Tao Ruan rubbed his head and said with a smile, “Because I haven’t reached the legal marriage age yet, we’re only engaged now, not married yet.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiao came over and hooked her arm around her neck, threatening, “Why doesn’t it count? You’re already engaged, you’ll be part of our family sooner or later, just accept your fate, Ruan Ruan, you’re destined to be my sister-in-law for life.”

Gu Xiao meant no harm; it was just friendly teasing. But Tao Wenzhuo couldn’t stand Gu Xiao’s tone and almost burst into tears: “Who are you? Why are you so mean to my sister?”

Gu Xiao was amused and bent down to tap Tao Wenzhuo’s nose: “Am I being mean? Little boy, you’re a boy, how come you cry so easily?”

Gu Xiao’s words only made Tao Wenzhuo choke up more, and he said between sobs, “Don’t bully my sister, she’s a very nice person.”

Tao Ruan was both amused and exasperated. She could only scold Gu Xiao in front of Tao Wenzhuo, and then she and Gu Xiao coaxed Tao Wenzhuo back to peace.

Seeing what was happening, Ji Wanqiu brought Ji Xia over to join in the fun. The group chatted and laughed for a while before Tao Ruan’s stepmother came and took Tao Wenzhuo away. Ji Wanqiu then took Tao Ruan to chat with her friends, her words filled with affection and fondness for her future daughter-in-law.

With Ji Wanqiu’s care and protection, Tao Ruan felt no discomfort even when facing social engagements. However, when she occasionally looked away, she could see Ji Xia drinking alone beside her, as if she was struggling with something in her heart.

Tao Ruan suddenly thought of something, and her gaze also lowered.

“Are you tired?” Ji Wanqiu tidied her sideburns. “If you’re tired, go back to your room and rest. You don’t have to stay with me all the time.”

Tao Ruan smiled and shook her head at her, saying “no.” But Ji Wanqiu was indulgent and considerate towards her. Seeing that she looked tired, she immediately called Ji Xia over and asked Ji Xia to accompany her to her room to rest.

Tao Ruan happened to have something to say to Ji Xia, so she went along with it and did not refuse.

The two went upstairs together and returned to their hotel room. Tao Ruan did not rest, but instead pulled Ji Xia to the window to look at the riverside scenery below.

“Xiaxia,” Tao Ruan called to her.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Xia’s smile was somewhat forced.

“I should be the one asking you what’s wrong. You seem a little distracted,” Tao Ruan turned around, looked at her, and asked, “Did you have a fight with your mixed-race boyfriend?”

Ji Xia denied it.

“That’s because of me.” Tao Ruan used a statement that Ji Xia couldn’t refute at all.

“Ruanruan, I…”

Tao Ruan could see Ji Xia’s struggle, so she pulled her aside to sit down and said gently, “It’s okay.”

Ji Xia was a little taken aback: “What?”

“Now that I think about it, given your personality, it’s a bit unbelievable that you would take the initiative to befriend me, a freshman in school, and act so enthusiastically. Was it because someone asked you to do that?”

“You…you knew?”

“I just realized it myself. Ah Zhou probably can’t order you around, so the person who made you do this is probably your aunt?”

It could only be Ji Wanqiu.

“I’m sorry…” Ji Xia came over and hugged her, her fingers trembling and her voice choked with emotion, “Ruan Ruan, I’m so sorry.”

Tao Ruan patted her back and said gently, “It’s okay.”

But her saying it was okay only made Ji Xia feel more guilty and remorseful: “I’m sorry, Ruan Ruan, I’m so sorry. You have no idea how terrible I was to you. Even though you and Gu Zhizhou are now happily married, but… but I…”

“I know, I can probably guess,” Tao Ruan looked at her, her eyes still gentle and calm, “but thankfully it’s Gu Zhizhou, so no matter what happens, I can accept it.”

“I’m sorry…” Ji Xia, who was always strong-willed, was now sobbing uncontrollably.

…

It turns out that sometimes it’s not that hard to talk things out. Ji Xia finally let out her long-held pent-up feelings and apologized to Tao Ruan, finally letting go of the tension that had been building up for so long.

As they were leaving, Ji Xia asked Tao Ruan, “Can we still be friends?”

Tao Ruan went over and gave her a hug, saying, “Azhou is your younger brother, and I am your sister-in-law. That will never change.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Gu Zhizhou arrived. Tao Ruan and Gu Zhizhou saw Ji Xia off together, and then closed the hotel door.

“Did Ji Xia cry just now?” Gu Zhizhou asked Tao Ruan.

Tao Ruan pouted: “Isn’t this all your doing?”

Gu Zhizhou raised his eyebrows, puzzled, and said, “Me? I haven’t provoked her recently.”

Tao Ruan looked at him, her eyebrows curving into a smile, and tiptoed forward to give Gu Zhizhou a hug.

“None of that matters,” Tao Ruan said.

She was able to speak frankly with Ji Xia because there was struggle in Ji Xia’s eyes. If she hadn’t spoken up, this barrier would have remained between the two of them.

But Gu Zhizhou is different.

For her and Gu Zhizhou, some things don’t need to be explicitly stated; their current state is the best way for them to get along.

“Ruan Ruan?” Gu Zhizhou called her.

Upon hearing this, Tao Ruan grasped Gu Zhizhou’s hand, guiding him to her skirt, and then blushed as she said, “I want it, husband.”