Bao Ziqi was expressionless.
After everyone left, he said to Ruanruan, "I should congratulate you."
Ruanruan didn’t know his intention.
She slowly washed her hands and whispered a thank you.
"Nothing to say to me, huh?" Bao Ziqi’s lips curled up mockingly, "Figures. I even asked you to plead with Aunt Gu to let Qionglin off. Little did I know you are Aunt Gu’s biological daughter. It’s only right for her to stand up for you."
Ruanruan dried her hands.
She turned to look at him, "Is that what you came here to say?"
She chuckled lightly, "Minglan and you came together, I thought my third sister was already old news."
Bao Ziqi’s face turned awkward.
His lips twitched, but he said nothing.
He reached behind his neck and unfastened a silver necklace he always wore.
"I didn’t prepare in advance, this will have to do." He looked at her, his tone somewhat gentler, "Regardless, happy birthday."
He extended his hand to her.
Ruanruan didn’t want it.
The gift was too heavy.
But Bao Ziqi stuffed the necklace into her hand anyway.
After one deep look at her, he turned and left.
Ruanruan gently bit her lip.
Gu Jiarou slipped in unnoticed and said softly, "I think Bao Ziqi still likes you!"
Ruanruan shook her head.
Gu Jiarou sighed, "Still, Jingyan is a better match for you."
She made a funny face, "Bao Ziqi’s mom is too scary."
Ruanruan started laughing...
Bao Ziqi didn’t return to the banquet hall.
He went straight to the parking lot and texted Xia Minglan while sitting in the car.
"I’m taking you home."
Five minutes later, Xia Minglan got into the car.
She sat next to him, hesitant to speak.
But Bao Ziqi had a cold look on his face and seemed uninterested in talking.
Only when they reached the front of her apartment did she finally speak up, "We..."
"Go to sleep early, don’t you have class tomorrow?" Bao Ziqi turned to look at her.
His gaze was detached.
Xia Minglan’s nose tingled, "Ziqi, I thought... you regretted it."
"What are you thinking about?" Bao Ziqi opened the car door for her, "Go to sleep early."
Xia Minglan’s lips moved slightly.
She felt a bit let down.
He didn’t break up with her, but he didn’t comfort her either.
Actually, he does regret it, doesn’t he?
Only, his pride won’t allow him to stoop to make amends with Ruanruan.
Xia Minglan stood in the night wind, watching the white sports car disappear.
Bao Ziqi’s car sped off.
When he parked at the Bao Mansion parking bay, he sat in the car smoking.
When a dozen cigarette butts had piled up beside the car, he finally got out.
Bao Ziqi has always been a favored son, gifted in arts, and unlike Bao Jingyan and Bao Jingse, he didn’t need to struggle in business.
Yet, he faced setbacks due to Ruanruan.
Mrs. Bao felt sorry for her son.
She waited for him at the entrance of the hall.
Bao Ziqi walked past her without intending to speak.
"Ziqi," Mrs. Bao called out to him.
He said, "Mom, I’m a bit tired today."
Mrs. Bao wasn’t in a good mood either, but she forced herself to perk up: "Did you just drop Minglan home?"
Bao Ziqi slowly walked over to the sofa, lying back and after a long while, he hummed in response.
Mrs. Bao sat opposite him, softening her tone as she probed her son, "What are your intentions towards Minglan?"
"Intentions?" Bao Ziqi’s eyes narrowed as he coldly watched his mother.
Mrs. Bao decided to make herself clear: "You saw today, Ruanruan has soared high! Ultimately, Minglan’s background is far below hers."