He certainly knew that Shen Mianmian was just uttering pleasantries, but if he didn’t go in, he wouldn’t have the opportunity to get her hair for a DNA test.
Being as astute as Ruan Yiqian was, it was impossible that he hadn’t caught on to the fact that her words were just a formality. Yet he still chose to come inside, which left Shen Mianmian somewhat unable to fathom his intentions.
She opened the door, and Ruan Yiqian followed her inside. Feeling helpless, Shen Mianmian had no choice but to make him a cup of tea. Ruan Yiqian watched her moving back and forth in front of him, with her long hair tied up behind her head, yet he found no opportunity to get a strand of her hair.
There were a few hairs on the ground, but both Yang Xiaoxi and Shen Mianmian had long hair, so he couldn’t be certain whose they were.
Yang Xiaoxi watched him closely, and just when she was about to ask him to leave, having finished his cup of tea, she heard him say, "I haven’t had any water on the way here and I’m a bit thirsty..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mianmian immediately poured him another cup of water.
Ruan Yiqian leisurely drank another cup under the gaze of four pairs of eyes belonging to Shen Mianmian and Yang Xiaoxi. After quickly drinking four cups of water, his stomach was painfully bloated, yet he didn’t want to leave.
When he was about to drink a fifth cup of water, Shen Mianmian didn’t pour for him again. "Brother Ruan, if you keep drinking , your stomach might burst. Did you come over for a reason? Just say it directly."
In reality, she had long realized that Ruan Yiqian had something to say and had been waiting for him to speak up. Unexpectedly, after three or four cups of tea, he still showed no sign of speaking.
So she simply took the initiative and asked him directly.
Feeling exposed, he was momentarily embarrassed, but he couldn’t just tell the truth. After giving it some thought, he said, "I still feel very sorry about what happened the other day. I didn’t expect my mother to come looking for you as well. Mianmian, tell us what we can do to make you feel better, and we will do it. As long as you don’t blame us anymore."
Ruan Yiqian was very aware that Shen Mianmian’s magnanimity was entirely because she was unaware of her own identity.
If it were proven that she was indeed Ruan Mianmian, anyone in her place would find it difficult to accept. Being disparaged by one’s own brother and mother for the sake of someone else would be immensely hurtful to her.
The reason he had stayed in Licheng for so long this time was to investigate Shen Mianmian’s affairs. He had always thought she was too shrewd, but after the investigation, he realized that if she had not been smart enough, she wouldn’t have had the chance to study in Beijing, and perhaps would have been married off by her adoptive parents to some disreputable person.
Over the years, her life had not been easy; she had suffered too much.
Shen Mianmian smiled faintly, "Brother Ruan, you don’t need to feel sorry. What you all said was the truth; you did nothing wrong. We just stand on different grounds, that’s all."
What she didn’t say was that even if he apologized, she had no intention of accepting it.
Although Shen Mianmian’s face bore a smile, her eyes were cool. Ruan Yiqian knew that no matter how much he said now, she wouldn’t take it to heart, so he stood up.
"I’ll be going now, and when I have time, I’ll take you out for a meal."
Shen Mianmian remained standing without moving, showing no intent to see him off. Read full story at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
As Ruan Yiqian walked past her, he thought of grabbing a strand of hair without her noticing, but to his surprise, Shen Mianmian reacted incredibly quickly. Before he could even touch her hair, she had already dodged away.
"Brother Ruan, what are you doing?"
Shen Mianmian looked at him warily.
Yang Xiaoxi also quickly stepped in front of Shen Mianmian, "Even if Mianmian doesn’t accept the apology, you shouldn’t resort to hitting people, right?"