Volume 1, Chapter 6: Jiang Jinglan Tastes Quite Good

Qin Yu paused for about half a minute before standing up, helping Chen Chunrong as they walked out. Before leaving, he did not forget to "show concern" for Bai Ruoxi.

"Ruoxi, get some good rest. I am going out with your mother-in-law. She is getting on in years, so as a younger member of the family, you should try to be more broad-minded."

Broad-minded, indeed. It is easy to preach when you are not the one suffering. Does being old mean one can act entitled? Does being old mean one can poison others? Bai Ruoxi’s chest heaved with indignation, her body trembling slightly.

After Chen Chunrong and her group left, the manager approached with a waiter. "Mrs. Jiang, I have already sent people to follow them to the hospital. I will investigate this medicine thoroughly."

Bai Ruoxi was helped to a nearby seat. As she took the glass of water from the waiter, she panted slightly and asked, "Can we not tell Grandfather?"

The manager remained silent for a few seconds, his tone turning even more serious. "I am sorry, but this matter has severely compromised your safety. I must report it to Chairman Qiao."

Lu Ming was an elite professional handpicked by Qiao Jinbo from Dingsheng Investment. On the surface, he was Bai Ruoxi’s assistant, responsible for helping her manage the affairs of Jiade Plaza. In reality, he was Qiao Jinbo’s man.

Seeing Bai Ruoxi sitting there with a pale face, silent, Lu Ming sighed. "Little Miss Qiao, I have been keeping count. In these past three years, just here at Jinzhi, you have been humiliated by Chen Chunrong sixty-nine times."

"The worst incident was when she forced you to kneel in public and wipe her shoes with your sleeves..."

"Not to mention that, apart from Old Master Jiang, no one in the Jiang family thinks highly of you. Even an illegitimate daughter dares to order you around to carry her bags and try on shoes for her."

"I know you love Jiang Jinglan and are unwilling to accept the marriage candidate Chairman Qiao chose for you, and that you are willing to endure this hardship for him."

"But you should think of Chairman Qiao and the Old Madam. You are their only granddaughter. If something happens to you, what will they do?"

"If Chairman Qiao finds out that Chen Chunrong poisoned you, he will certainly make her pay a thousand times over."

At the mention of Qiao Jinbo, Bai Ruoxi’s eyes stung. She had disappointed her grandfather, yet she truly loved Jiang Jinglan so much. Bai Ruoxi sniffled, her voice carrying a hint of a spoiled plea. "Brother Lu Ming, please give me more time. I beg you."

Lu Ming shook his head, adjusted his glasses, and sighed helplessly. "You... sigh... Regardless, your wager with Chairman Qiao ends in one year. If Jiang Jinglan cannot treat you well by then, you must marry the candidate chosen for you, as agreed."

The look of disappointment in Lu Ming’s eyes stung Bai Ruoxi’s heart. She had let everyone down. Seeing her eyes turn red, Lu Ming softened and urged her gently, "Little Miss Qiao, why are you so certain that the partner Chairman Qiao found for you isn't as good as Jiang Jinglan?"

Bai Ruoxi pouted. "There is only one Jiang Jinglan in this world."

A lover is not a piece of merchandise to be compared, picked over, and discarded. At the very least, Bai Ruoxi could not do such a thing.

Lu Ming sighed. "I will cover up today’s incident for you, but this is the last time." He looked up, his gaze passing through the water curtain nearby to land on a slender figure. "Your other guest has been waiting for a long time, so I will not disturb you."

Bai Ruoxi nodded listlessly. "Thank you, Brother Lu Ming."

That’s right, she had an appointment with Bai Ruoyun. Bai Ruoxi slowly braced her exhausted body, pulling herself out of the chaotic, overwhelming emotions. She could not lose face in front of Bai Ruoyun.

*Clack, clack, clack...*

Accompanied by the crisp sound of high heels, a woman wearing a floral shirt, a tight leather skirt, and pink sunglasses sat down opposite Bai Ruoxi without ceremony. The woman had long, shoulder-length black hair and wore hoop earrings with a gold chain. Paired with her spirited features, it did not look tacky; instead, it had a sense of retro fashion.

Bai Ruoxi exhaled a hot breath. "Long time no see, Bai Ruoyun."

"Long time no see, you crazy girl."

*Snap—*

Bai Ruoyun snapped her fingers at Lu Ming and said loudly, without reservation, "Brother Du! Bring me whatever! Just nothing bitter!"

Lu Ming nodded politely, gave a few instructions to the waiter, and left Bai Ruoxi’s sight.

Bai Ruoxi leaned against the back of her chair, half-closing her eyes as she looked at the flamboyant woman opposite her. "When did you return to the country?" she asked weakly.

The woman with red nail polish removed her sunglasses. Bai Ruoyun raised an eyebrow, leaned in toward Bai Ruoxi, and curled her red lips in a mischievous smile. "I was on the same flight as Qin Yu..."

Bai Ruoxi let out a bitter laugh. "That is not a funny joke at all."

The waiter brought over two cups of coffee and several plates of snacks. Only then did Bai Ruoxi sit up and take a sip from her peacock-green gold-rimmed coffee cup. The taste of coffee, mixed with the creaminess and caramel notes, exploded on her tongue. The sweetness neutralized some of the bitterness in her heart. Bai Ruoxi’s brow slowly smoothed out as she muttered, "Three years later, and you’re still as reckless as ever."

Bai Ruoyun toyed with the gold spoon, stirring her coffee aimlessly. She glanced at Bai Ruoxi with a meaningful look and sighed, "It seems Jiang Jinglan is quite a catch, making you, the eldest Miss Qiao, lower your status to play a tragic role in a melodrama of emotional and physical suffering."

Bai Ruoxi originally intended to retort. But after thinking it over, she could not find a single word to say. She could only smile bitterly and reply, "He really is quite something."

It wasn't just "quite something"—she had unexpectedly fallen in love with Jiang Jinglan, which was why she was willing to suffer in the Jiang family. Thinking about it this way, she really was a glutton for punishment... a fool.

Bai Ruoyun raised her eyebrows slightly and said languidly, "I still don’t understand why you chose to stay in the Jiang family back then..."

"Don't tell me it was love at first sight; I don't believe that."

The so-called "fake heiress" acting as a substitute bride was actually a plan for escaping marriage orchestrated by Bai Ruoxi and Bai Ruoyun. Bai Ruoxi had replaced Bai Ruoyun to hold the wedding with Jiang Jinglan. Once the veil was lifted and Jiang Jinglan discovered the bride had been switched—while Bai Ruoyun was already on a plane to Country K—the marriage would be annulled.

The story of Bai Ruoxi and Jiang Jinglan should have ended the moment the veil was lifted. But why had she stayed in the Jiang family?

Bai Ruoxi stared at the brown coffee in her cup, the scene of their first meeting surfacing in her mind. The moment the veil was lifted, she met Jiang Jinglan’s deep, dark eyes. She saw those eyes change from indifference to confusion, and then to brightness. Bai Ruoxi would never forget the look in Jiang Jinglan’s eyes at that moment. For the first time in her life, aside from her grandparents, someone felt genuine joy simply because she had arrived.

Jiang Jinglan had asked her, "Bai Ruoxi? Why are you here?"

Bai Ruoxi’s lips parted, but before she could speak, Jiang Jinglan interrupted her. Under the lights, his custom suit highlighted his superior physique. Jiang Jinglan leaned in slightly, staring into her eyes with a playful smile, his Adam’s apple sliding against his fair throat. His long, calloused fingers lifted Bai Ruoxi’s slender chin, and he said softly, "Since that’s the case, can you be a good wife to me?"

The man’s tone was so certain it made Bai Ruoxi feel as if she were in a different world. That nearly perfect face gradually merged with another youthful face from her memories.

Tears blurred her vision, and Bai Ruoxi, as if possessed, breathed out a "Yes."

"Heh..." The man let out a pleasant, soft laugh and tore away the peony-embroidered veil. His tall frame pressed down upon her. With fingers interlaced, Jiang Jinglan pinned her hands above her head and, taking advantage of her slightly parted lips, claimed her in a lingering, deep kiss. That night, he gripped her waist, trying with all his might to possess her entirely.

—

"Hey! Bai Ruoxi! Say something!"

Bai Ruoyun kicked Bai Ruoxi gently with the tip of her shoe. Bai Ruoxi snapped back to reality, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her lips: "Jiang Jinglan... he looks so much like A-Hai."