Chapter 10, Unnecessary Rejection
"No need!" she blurted out, as if the desire to seize the opportunity had been swallowed along with the food. Making a decision is instantaneous, but exercising restraint is a long-term endeavor. "Aren't you busy this afternoon? I'll go back by myself," Mei Shi said, fearing that her refusal might seem too decisive, and she spoke slowly in a low voice. If Mei Guohua saw this, he would surely praise her demeanor as sufficiently that of a 'refined young lady'.
The door was gently knocked twice, and Aunt Bi cautiously opened a crack, saying carefully: "The gentleman is calling for you to come down."
Very good. She suppressed the rising nausea and nodded.
Mei Shi tightly gripped the handrail, realizing how futile her rejection of Ruan Tingjian was. It was only then that she truly understood. He did not need to force her; there would naturally be someone to step in for him.
Mei Shi felt a bit nervous and forced a smile, "Are you thirsty? I will pour you a glass of water." The water dispenser was in the kitchen, and after hesitating for a while, Mei Shi finally brought out a cup of water. It was truly pitiful; it seemed that the service standards of Ruan Tingjian's former nanny were quite high. On the shelf were stacks of trays of various sizes, and Mei Shi chose the smallest one. Holding the tray, she handed the water to Ruan Tingjian, which was more in line with the image of a maid.
Returning to her room, she collapsed directly onto the bed. The fine fabric against her body felt very comfortable, yet her head was unusually heavy, as if it were bearing double the force of gravity, causing her pain. She truly wished to fall asleep just like that; perhaps by tomorrow, she would be completely recovered and no longer feel the oppressive weight on her breathing.
"You all talk first." Mei Shi felt as if she was about to collapse and found an excuse to go upstairs. At that moment, she could not stand the way her father was fawning over Ruan Tingjian, shaking his head and tail. In fact, she was doing the same thing as her father, aiming for the same goal, and his disgraceful behavior pricked her particularly painfully.
Ruan Tingjian's kiss was filled with deep emotion, the desire lingering on her delicate nape. Mei Shi shivered all over, her limbs acting faster than her mind, instinctively pushing him away with force. She practically fled in panic, and fortunately, she did not slap him in the process. As she burst out of the elevator, the sweltering summer air enveloped her, nearly suffocating her. This momentary pause allowed her to regain her composure, and she just ran out like that... What should she do from now on? As she burst out of the elevator, the sweltering summer air enveloped her, nearly suffocating her. This momentary pause allowed her to regain her composure, and she just ran out like that... What should she do from now on?
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow I will have the secretary, no, I will personally take the contract..." Mei Guohua noticed Ruan Tingjian's gaze shift behind him and turned to look as well. "Ah, Shishi is here." Mei Guohua felt a sense of satisfaction; today had gone exceptionally well. Ruan Tingjian had responded positively to his proposal for cooperation and was very agreeable, easily accommodating several of his requests. "Go call your mother and ask her to come home for dinner tonight. Mr. Ruan, since it's already this late, why not have dinner here today as well?"
The road was characteristically silent, and Ruan Tingjian seemed to speak even less than usual; she was indifferent to his mood. Discovering Xue Qin's secret, the level of sadness was not comparable to the coldness that gradually seeped into her bones. It turned out that behind such a bright and gentle smile, there was also a hidden worldliness and reality. Xue Qin and her father were two entirely different types of men; she had once placed high hopes on his literary aloofness, believing he would not possess the various flaws of her father, but in the end... Deep down, he was equally cold. This feeling of a similar subversion was utterly despairing. Xue Qin and her father were two entirely different types of men; she had once placed high hopes on his literary aloofness, believing he would not possess the various flaws of her father, but in the end... Deep down, he was equally cold. This feeling of a similar subversion was utterly despairing
Downstairs came the sound of clattering, and Mei Shi heard her father speaking loudly about something. She felt quite guilty; could it be that Ruan Tingjian had reported her? She couldn't believe that Ruan Tingjian would have the audacity to tell her father: Your daughter does not obey me!
Mei Guohua did not lose his temper; he was calmer than his daughter. "Sure, then your parents will become destitute, and Xiaoyi won't have to go to Australia anymore. You can go back to your room and pack your things. I have already mortgaged this house to the bank. We will go sleep on the streets together."
"Go!" Mei spoke harshly, imitating his tone.
Zhao Shuyuan let out a long sigh, "I always feel that the problem may still lie in..."
Mei Shi stood for a while, the light of the setting sun dyed the plants in the backyard a golden hue. Looking out from the floor-to-ceiling glass in the dining room, it was tranquil and beautiful. Could she really make her parents and Xiao Yi completely lose this kind of life? ... Did she ...? ... truly have the courage to face a life of having nothing? She did not hate Xue Qin, for she understood his sorrow.
At nine o'clock the next morning, Ruan Tingjian's handsome secretary came to the Mei family to take her to Ruan Tingjian's house in the city center. Ruan Tingjian had multiple residences, but he most frequently stayed in this three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment by the river. Standing by the window on the twentieth floor was a thrilling experience. Mei Shi held the key given to her by the handsome secretary and silently surveyed the apartment. Although Ruan Tingjian frequented this place daily, it still lacked a sense of liveliness. The handsome secretary opened each room one by one to introduce them to her. She noticed that Ruan Tingjian's bed was as neat as a model room, having been slept in for a night without a single wrinkle in the morning.
Mei Shi bent down pretending to tidy up the empty cup he had casually placed on the coffee table, but she was caught off guard when he suddenly hugged her from behind. His hand trembled, causing the tray to fall onto the glass surface with a loud noise, yet it did not affect the tightness of Ruan Tingjian's arms at all
After delaying for a while, she estimated that Ruan Tingjian was already preparing to say goodbye, and only then did she slowly descend the stairs. To explain her prolonged absence, she changed into a casual shirt, washed her face, and her unmade-up skin made her feel somewhat better than before.
Mei Shi suddenly had a very bad premonition after listening. Sure enough, she saw her father's eyes rolling around, shining so brightly that they were almost dazzling. The classic tone of her plump mother came again: "Oh, why are you still looking for a temporary nanny? Our Shi Shi is idle at home every day, so let her help you for a while."
You hurry up and ask me clearly! What does Mei Shi want to do? Does she really want the whole family to suffer together?" Mei Guohua was furious
Mei Shi agreed with her mouth, but did not move. It was only a little past four o'clock, what meal could she offer? She simply did not believe that Ruan Tingjian's bottom was so heavy.
Ruan Tingjian took off his suit jacket and casually draped it over the sofa, while he stood leisurely by the window, seemingly gazing at the winding river. When he picked up the water handed to him by Mei Shi, he exuded an elegance that seemed to emanate from his very bones. Mei Shi suddenly found herself lacking the courage to look at him; he was indeed a very handsome man, dressed in a shirt with his tie loosened. The tranquil space was filled with a rich atmosphere of ambiguity.
I saw President Mei's car and wanted to go in for a cup of tea. Ruan Tingjian continued to speak politely with a blank expression, while Mei Shi felt a chill run down her spine. He paused beside her, his intentions clear, but she lacked the courage to link her arm with his, even if it meant death. She lowered her head, standing there as if she wanted to take root in the ground. Ruan Tingjian glanced at her, fortunately not insisting, and walked into the house first. Mei Shi felt heavy-hearted, her mind a chaotic mess, and she followed behind him, looking quite demure. She lowered her head, standing there as if she wanted to take root in the ground. Ruan Tingjian glanced at her, fortunately not insisting, and walked into the house first. Mei Shi felt heavy-hearted, her mind a chaotic mess, and she followed behind him, looking quite demure.
Then I shall take my leave. Ruan Tingjian said calmly, taking a leisurely sip of tea, and casually mentioned in a conversational manner: "The main issue is that the housekeeper at home has left for half a month due to personal matters, and it is not suitable to find a temporary replacement. There is also no one at home to take care of daily needs."
"I will take you back." During dinner, Ruan Tingjian said nothing, but now he is very proactive.
"There is still time to send you off." Ruan Tingjian opened the driver's seat door and stood by the car, looking at her with a blank expression. Under his gaze, Mei Shi resignedly got into the car. Whether it was due to his intimidation or her inability to argue with him, she only wanted to hurry home, lock herself in her room, and not see anyone or say a word.
Ruan Tingjian exhibited no process, no intimacy of language, and was filled with disdain; he did not care about her feelings! From beginning to end, he, her parents, and she herself all knew what he wanted: a type of relationship, a form of assurance. Ruan Tingjian perhaps never considered marrying her, and her parents used a very uncertain tone to suggest that she "try dating" him. This condescension instinctively made her unable to tolerate it.
Mei Shi felt that the muscles in her face were very tense. She really wanted to loudly refuse to be Ruan Tingjian's temporary nanny, and even less did she want to engage in the "business expansion" that everyone was well aware of. She had been standing by the sofa without sitting down, her hands clenched into fists. Mei Guohua wore a beaming smile, rarely showing a flattering expression towards his daughter, "Quick, go call your mother." He also stood up and gently pushed his daughter towards the dining room, easily diffusing her sudden combat-ready posture as the veins on her forehead bulged.
What disappointed her was that her father and Ruan Tingjian appeared to be in high spirits in the hall, clearly it was her father's enthusiasm. Ruan Tingjian listened attentively, and a happy smile appeared on her father's face, indicating that Ruan Tingjian's remarks brought him great joy
Hmm! Mei Shi let out an irritated hum, her brows furrowed, which caused her temples to ache even more
Sneaking quietly to the corner of the stairs, she listened intently to what her father was cursing about
Mei Shi was not clear about what exactly she had eaten. As she once again linked arms with Ruan Tingjian while exiting the restaurant, he asked, "Did you enjoy the meal?" It was only then that Mei Shi realized she felt a bit stuffed, having been absent-mindedly shoving food into her mouth earlier.
Old Mei! Zhao Shuyuan truly cannot bear to listen, and loudly interrupted her husband's complaints
Mei Shi shuddered, knowing that her mother was referring to her
Taking a taxi home, the driver had the air conditioning set very low, causing Mei to sweat profusely. The first thing she did upon arriving home was to take a shower. After refreshing herself, her mood did not necessarily lighten. What would Ruan Tingjian think? ... The best-case scenario is that he believes she is just shy ...
The handsome secretary greeted her, his demeanor neither hurried nor flustered, yet both polite and swift. Mei Shi did not catch clearly what excuse he had mentioned, and soon the room was left with only her and Ruan Tingjian.
Mei Shi's heart raced wildly, and his actions had actually been anticipated. However, when it truly happened, she was taken aback, and her resistance, coming so suddenly, overwhelmed her reason.
This matter... Zhao Shuyuan's voice was very low, sounding utterly exhausted, "There is no need to rush."
"What do you mean by that, Ruan Tingjian?" Mei Guohua slammed the coffee table, making a loud noise. "You agreed so well yesterday, why are you pushing it off today? What do you mean by 'still need to think it over'? What else does he want from us? I have already sent my daughter to him!"
Mei Guohua walked into the hall without even turning his head. Mei Shi heard that his enthusiasm was in no way diminished, and he inquired warmly of Ruan Tingjian: "How is the dragon beard noodles made in our hometown today?"
Mei Shi noticed that both her father and Ruan Tingjian's gazes swept over her. Ruan Tingjian's gaze was still filled with an oppressive intensity; although he was sitting on the sofa looking up at her, it made her feel as if she were being looked down upon. Mei Guohua's gaze was more straightforward and easy to understand, a blatant threat. He seemed worried that his daughter might not grasp the meaning, and with a smile that concealed a knife, he said, "Hurry up and come down to talk to President Ruan." Mei Shi turned indifferently and went upstairs. The tone in which her father said this was all too familiar; it was something that the plump mothers in the TV dramas set in the X Red Mansion would often say.
She took out her phone, dialed the number, and after Zhao Shuyuan answered, she heard herself say calmly: "Mom, Ruan Tingjian is having dinner at our house, please come back."
"No rush?" Mei Guohua shouted loudly, "What date is it today? Do we not need to go for a run in advance? Do we not need to prepare?"
Ruan Tingjian smiled faintly; although he did not explicitly agree or disagree, it was evident that he was satisfied with Mei Guohua's opinion
Mr. Ruan usually has breakfast at 8:00 AM, preferring plain congee and disliking steamed buns made with fermented dough. He rarely dines at home due to numerous social engagements, but preparations are still necessary on weekends. The handsome secretary introduces Ruan Tingjian's daily life in a manner as formal and smooth as a weather report, which is quite ridiculous, yet Mei Shi cannot find any humor in it. The sense of despair as a servant increasingly discourages her; Ruan Tingjian's shameful behavior exceeds her imagination, and the value he seeks to extract from her is truly excessive, to the point of being thorough. The introduction of Ruan Tingjian's daily life in such a manner is indeed laughable, yet Mei Shi cannot find any amusement in it. The sense of despair as a servant increasingly discourages her; Ruan Tingjian's shameful behavior exceeds her imagination, and the value he seeks to extract from her is truly excessive, to the point of being thorough.
Just as he was speaking, Ruan Tingjian entered the room. Mei Shi trembled slightly; hadn't he gone to work? From his appearance, it didn't seem like he had come back personally to retrieve a document he had left at home.
What does he actually want? Can he just give a straightforward answer?" Mei Guohua said angrily.
I won't go! As soon as she turned the corner, Mei Shi announced with a cold expression, not knowing why she kept her voice very low, ultimately lacking the courage to let Ruan Tingjian hear.
Dining with Ruan Tingjian is not without its pleasures; when one wishes to remain silent, it is entirely natural to do so without uttering a word.
Mei Guohua was evidently exceptionally delighted to see Ruan Tingjian return with his daughter, greeting them repeatedly with even more enthusiasm than yesterday
The car stopped at the doorstep, and Mei Shi casually said goodbye without even looking at Ruan Tingjian, who got out of the car. She had used all her strength today just to smile at him. After walking a few steps, she heard the sound of the car door closing. When she turned around, she was startled and froze; Ruan Tingjian had also gotten out of the car. Mei Shi stared at him in a daze, forgetting what to say.