CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289: CHU CHEN, WHAT KIND OF JOKE IS THIS?

"..."

It does seem like Ruanruan isn’t in the mood to care about romantic matters, and it seems she doesn’t quite like Chu Chen either.

Seeing Mi Jing fall silent, Shen Lingxing breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and sat up, gently stroking Mi Jing’s hair. "Matters of the heart are like drinking water, only you know if it’s hot or cold. Stop worrying. Go to sleep. Come with me to meet a business partner tomorrow at noon."

Indeed, matters of the heart are most clear to those involved. If she gets too enthusiastic, it might cause trouble for Ruanruan.

Thinking this, Mi Jing obediently nodded, then lay down, nestled into Shen Lingxing’s warm embrace, and soon fell asleep.

Ruan Pianran was very familiar with Mi Jing’s home, it felt just like her own. Every corner and arrangement was etched deeply in her mind, and she felt completely at ease.

Ruan Pianran had lost count of how many times she’d been to Mi Jing’s house. During college, she would come over two or three times a week, eating and sleeping over, always chatting with Mi Jing until late at night before going to bed.

Staying in a place that felt like home was naturally more comfortable than staying in a hotel. After taking a shower, lying in Mi Jing’s bed, Ruan Pianran quickly fell asleep.

The next day, Ruan Pianran was woken by the sound of the alarm clock. After changing clothes and leaving the room, her sleepy eyes met those of Fang Qingru, who was watering the plants in the living room.

"Ruanruan, you’re taking the 7:10 train, right?" Hearing the door open, Fang Qingru put down the watering can, looked up, and asked with a kind and gentle smile.

In Ruan Pianran’s eyes, Fang Qingru’s smile at that moment was like the warm sunlight, soft and gentle, shining into her heart, filling her with a surge of emotion.

Actually, she hadn’t told Fang Qingru or Mi Zhihong what time train she was taking. When they asked last night, she only said she wanted to take the earliest train.

Evidently, they had either asked Mi Jing or looked up the train schedule themselves to find out the exact time.

At this moment, a touch of emotion flashed in Ruan Pianran’s eyes. She softly responded and nodded.

"Then hurry up and wash your face and brush your teeth. Mr. Mi is making breakfast. Eat and then he’ll take you to the station." Since Ruan Pianran and Mi Jing were so close, Fang Qingru and Mi Zhihong treated her like their own daughter. They knew she was heartbroken and felt for her, but so she wouldn’t feel awkward, they pretended not to know and treated her as usual.

"Auntie, no need to trouble Uncle. I can take the bus to the station myself," Ruan Pianran said with a smile.

"No need to be polite with us. Go on! Go brush your teeth!" Fang Qingru pretended to be angry, glared at Ruan Pianran briefly, and then waved her hand, ordering strongly.

Upon hearing this, Ruan Pianran smiled and obediently walked toward the bathroom, not wanting to say anything courteous further.

For breakfast, Mi Zhihong made her favorite egg and beef noodles. As a professional chef, his skill was excellent. Not only was the texture great, but the flavor was also first-rate. Ruan Pianran ate a big bowl, and even though she was stuffed, she still savored it.

"Ruanruan, have you packed all your things? Need any help?" After breakfast, Ruan Pianran volunteered to wash the dishes, but Mi Zhihong took over, gladly doing the work, leaving her to follow Fang Qingru to the living room.

Hearing this, Ruan Pianran nodded, "I’m all packed. Just one suitcase, not much stuff."

"We still have some time. Sit down, and I’ll peel an apple for you," Fang Qingru said, glancing at the wall clock.

"No need, Auntie, I’m too full from breakfast to eat anything else," Ruan Pianran said with a smile, placing her hands on her slightly protruding belly.

"Then I’ll pack some fruits in a bag for you to eat on the train."

Saying this, Fang Qingru began bustling about. Watching her bent figure, Ruan Pianran felt overwhelmed with emotion.

They weren’t her biological parents but cared for her more than her own parents ever did. Before she met them, fatherly and motherly love were foreign concepts to her. From childhood, she never experienced it and always envied classmates who had loving parents. Naturally, Mi Jing was no exception.

Every time she came here, she couldn’t help but envy Mi Jing but was also happy and grateful to gain not only a precious friendship but also the love of two elders.

"Uncle, I can manage myself." At 6:40, Ruan Pianran and Mi Zhihong were ready to head out. Since her suitcase was filled with food and quite heavy, Ruan Pianran wanted to carry it down herself.

"I’m stronger than you, so don’t argue with me." Mi Zhihong smiled kindly, and without another word, he took the suitcase from her hand and led the way to the door.

Every time she came to Jin City, most of her suitcase space was used for food. So when she left, the suitcase was always light, making it easy to carry. But this time was different. Her suitcase was filled with food both when she arrived and when she left. All these years, An Mingyuan had never packed food for her like this. Not once.

Every time he sent her away, he would say if she wanted something to eat, she could buy it at the station. Don’t save money.

At such times, a wave of disappointment would wash over Ruan Pianran. She would think, if he really worried about her being hungry, why not prepare something delicious for her like he used to when she was in school?

But despite the disappointment, Ruan Pianran would always comfort herself, thinking it was just a small matter. Maybe he was tired from work, too busy, or simply lazy. Even though he was not as considerate as he used to be, he still liked her, still loved her. Once, he loved her more, and now she loved him more instead. It was fine that way.

Used to giving way in trivial matters, Ruan Pianran extended this tolerance even to the matter of marriage, firmly believing that An Mingyuan would fulfill his original promise and marry her, making her the most beautiful bride.

However, this was nothing but self-deception.

In this relationship, she often felt uneasy. Whenever such feelings arose, she would repeatedly remember An Mingyuan’s past kindness, self-brainwashing herself into believing in him, convincing herself time and again. He wouldn’t betray her! Yet, when the deception could no longer hold, she would still try to tell herself to ignore the events.

But this time, she couldn’t deceive herself. Whenever the images of An Mingyuan and Mo Tingting together flooded her mind, she wished she could slap herself awake. The disgust she felt overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t help but mock herself—this was the man you always trusted, and he’s just like that.