Madam Gu’s surprise was understandable, given that Bao Ziqi lacked neither family background, looks, nor talent.
Without hesitation, Su Ruanruan spoke softly, "I really didn’t mean it that way."
Madam Gu then smiled, looked up to a confidante beside her, and said: "That must mean Ruanruan already has someone in her heart, otherwise she wouldn’t dismiss Ziqi."
Her attendant laughed along.
Su Ruanruan’s face reddened, and she took a sip of coffee to hide it.
Madam Gu’s face was full of loving affection as she personally handed over a small pastry: "Have something sweet."
Su Ruanruan ummed in response and took a small bite obediently.
"You’re such a good girl," Madam Gu said with a smile brimming across her face.
Looking at the young lady in front of her, eating delicately, she felt an immense fondness.
"Ruanruan, can I come to visit you at school later?"
Thinking it over, Madam Gu corrected herself: "I will wait for you in the car outside the school gate, and we can have afternoon tea together."
Su Ruanruan also liked her and agreed cheerfully, "Of course you can."
Madam Gu felt a surge of affection and couldn’t help but stroke her small head: "You really are a good girl."
Treated so gently by her, Su Ruanruan felt somewhat embarrassed.
Madam Gu wore a knowing smile.
Originally, Madam Gu had wanted to invite Su Ruanruan to have dinner together, but Su Ruanruan, fearing she might run into Bao Jingyan again if it got late, politely declined.
Madam Gu did not insist.
After parting, Su Ruanruan took the bus back to the Bao Family.
Along the way, Bao Jingyan called several times.
Still angry with him, she refused to answer.
Later, he sent a WeChat message.
[Didn’t I ask Jingse to accompany you last night, hmm?]
[Or are you mad that I haven’t made our relationship public? I’ll come back tonight?]
Indeed, Su Ruanruan was both angry and embarrassed; he obviously knew that.
She didn’t want to deal with him, yet she was afraid he might really come back.
So, she still made a call to him.
Once connected, Bao Jingyan’s domineering voice came through: "Why didn’t you wait for Old Zhao’s car?"
Su Ruanruan stubbornly remained silent.
Bao Jingyan originally wanted to say something more, but hearing the faint, shallow breathing on the other side, his heart softened and his voice became much gentler: "Didn’t I send Jingse to accompany you last night? Are you still scared?"
Her voice was stubborn.
Bao Jingyan chuckled lowly: "If you’re not scared, why don’t you just admit it?"
Originally, Su Ruanruan was just angry, but now she truly felt aggrieved.
Even, a bit whimsical.
She bit her lip: "Bao Jingyan, if I admit it, can you marry me?"
On the other end, Bao Jingyan was silent for a long while.
On both ends of the phone, there was each other’s light breathing.
He was silent, and Su Ruanruan felt even more aggrieved.
He wasn’t there when she was questioned last night; even if he was, he probably couldn’t protect her directly.
She felt sadness in her heart, her little neck drooped and the corners of her eyes became moist.
Bao Jingyan, sensing her mood, his voice raspy: "Will you come here, please?"
"No," she said with a nasal voice.
Bao Jingyan felt a pang of heartache, speaking even more gently: "Then, should I come over?"
"Then what would be good?" his voice gently cooed.
Su Ruanruan was somewhat petulant: "I don’t want to see you."
Bao Jingyan let out a soft laugh, the sound vibrating right by her eardrum.
She was both angry and a bit blushed, abruptly hanging up the phone.
After hanging up, she walked into the Bao Family Mansion.
At this time, the sky was already shrouded in dusk, the sunset setting the horizon ablaze with red.
From the Bao Family’s living room, the sound of a piano drifted through.