Ruan Sixian had a row of small spotlights at her bedhead, usually displaying small ornaments and incense burners.

This wasn’t her arrangement—when she first moved in, Si Xiaozhen thought her room was too plain and set it up for her.

Today, after getting the de Havilland Comet, Ruan Sixian couldn’t find a suitable place for it, so she cleared this space to display it.

Coincidentally, when the spotlights shone down, they perfectly projected an enlarged shadow of the model aircraft onto the opposite wall.

Lying in bed, Ruan Sixian could see that flamboyant airplane shadow as soon as she opened her eyes.

The shadow was like Fu Mingyu—lingering like a ghost. Even when she turned off the spotlights, the street lamps outside would still illuminate a faint outline through the gaps.

Ruan Sixian rolled over, unable to sleep, so she got up and pulled the curtains tightly shut.

After all these actions, Ruan Sixian felt she could finally sleep peacefully tonight. But once she lay down, although she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face, her senses became more acute and sensitive.

In this quiet room, that low voice saying “You’re really beautiful today” echoed repeatedly in her ears.

When a man repeatedly compliments a woman’s beauty, could it just be a pure appreciation of aesthetics?

Originally, Ruan Sixian had only been guessing his intentions, but tonight she was certain—Fu Mingyu was interested in her.

The sky had fallen, the earth had cracked, and someone had gone crazy from being hit.

Ruan Sixian pulled the blanket over her head, but the man’s WeChat messages haunted her like a ghost.

[Fu Mingyu]: You forgot to take your cake. [Fu Mingyu]: Want me to bring it down to you?

Ruan Sixian finally understood.

This dog of a man wasn’t just interested in her—he’d been aroused by the sight of her today and was now itching for more.

He already dared to pin her against the wall; if she let him into her home, wouldn’t he pin her to the bed?

It seemed that after that slap, this man had straightened his back and gained confidence.

Wanting to enter her home late at night—hmph, what a beautiful fantasy.

[Ruan Sixian]: I don’t want it anymore. [Fu Mingyu]: Then shall I dispose of it? [Ruan Sixian]: Whatever, I’m going to sleep. [Fu Mingyu]: Wait, what time is your flight tomorrow morning? [Ruan Sixian]: What do you want? [Fu Mingyu]: To drive you.

At six o’clock the next morning, Ruan Sixian opened her eyes and reached for the light switch. The moment the light came on, the shadow of the de Havilland Comet appeared on the wall.

Ruan Sixian stared at the shadow for a while, looking as if she wasn’t fully awake yet.

After a while, her phone alarm went off. Ruan Sixian came to her senses and cursed silently, “Dog of a man.”

—Harassing me even in my dreams.

She sat up and pulled back the curtains, but everything outside was blurry.

The rain that had been falling all night hadn’t stopped. Today’s flights would likely be delayed again.

Nevertheless, Ruan Sixian still had to arrive at the airport on time.

After getting up, washing briefly, and having breakfast, Ruan Sixian prepared everything and was ready to leave with her flight case.

Fu Mingyu was punctual. When Ruan Sixian opened the door, he was about to ring the doorbell.

“Have you had breakfast?”

The moment she saw Fu Mingyu, Ruan Sixian felt like he had become a different person.

Standing before her impeccably dressed, he looked nothing like the man who had leaned close to her ear and spoken in that low voice last night.

Instead, it was Ruan Sixian who felt uncomfortable, responding with just a sound of acknowledgment.

“Let’s go. It’s raining today, there will be traffic.”

“Oh.”

When they reached the first-floor lobby, Fu Mingyu’s driver had already parked outside.

Bai Yang came over with an umbrella and handed it to Fu Mingyu.

He took the umbrella, opened it, and loosely embraced Ruan Sixian’s shoulders.

“Let’s go.”

At the same time, Bai Yang took Ruan Sixian’s flight case and placed it directly in the trunk.

Ruan Sixian felt something was off.

Isn’t this gesture a bit too natural?

How did everything flow so smoothly?

And Bai Yang, isn’t your level of awareness a bit too high? Couldn’t you at least show a bit of shock? How can you have no reaction when your boss is openly flirting with a woman right in front of you?

Bai Yang didn’t want to show any expression.

Yesterday, he had painstakingly arranged for people to move those precious model aircraft from Huguang Mansion to Mingchen Apartments, while also dealing with He Lanxiang’s questioning. He was exhausted.

As expected, there was traffic on the road. Fearing she would be late, Ruan Sixian checked the time several times.

Bai Yang also had things on his mind. After observing the traffic conditions, he instructed the driver to take a detour, while turning back to say, “Mr. Fu, today’s flights may not be able to take off smoothly. Shall I notify them first?”

Fu Mingyu nodded, and then, as if remembering something, turned to Ruan Sixian and said, “I’m going to the United States today.”

Ruan Sixian blinked.

“I’ll be back in ten days.”

Ruan Sixian remained motionless.

So what?

Seeing that she had nothing to say, Fu Mingyu smiled. “Just letting you know.”

Why did this sound like he was reporting his schedule?

Do friends need to report their schedules to each other?

But Fu Mingyu had such a natural expression as if he didn’t feel anything was wrong.

Fine, if you think this is how friends behave, then let it be that way—although from beginning to end, what you’ve been doing isn’t what friends do.

When they arrived at the World Airlines entrance, they were indeed ten minutes later than Ruan Sixian had anticipated.

The driver was about to head to the parking lot. Ruan Sixian calculated that going up the elevator from there to the meeting room would require a longer route, so she quickly stopped him.

Bai Yang got out to help her with her flight case. After taking it, Ruan Sixian almost ran into the building.

A flight attendant on the second-floor glass corridor saw Ruan Sixian running in and turned back to say, “Hey, did you see that?”

“What?”

“Ruan Sixian—early this morning, she got out of Mr. Fu’s car.”

“…?”

“Let me see, let me see.”

“She’s already inside. Look over there, that’s Mr. Fu’s car, right? I’m not mistaken?”

“What’s going on here?”

“Didn’t they say that when she was still a flight attendant before…”

In just one morning, this small gossip spread throughout the cabin crew department. By noon, when the cafeteria opened, along with the aroma of food, the rumors from a few years ago were dug up again.

This time it wasn’t vague speculation—someone had seen it.

Some even said this wasn’t the first time they’d seen Ruan Sixian getting into Mr. Fu’s car. They had seen it at the World Airlines entrance not long ago.

Over the next ten days, these rumors took on a different flavor.

But these rumors hadn’t reached the person concerned in the short term.

—That is if Ruan Sixian hadn’t attended a captain’s birthday party tonight.

On her way there, she received a call from Fu Mingyu.

“Where are you?”

Ruan Sixian had already reached the restaurant entrance. “You’re back?”

“Yes. Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Then wait for me?”

“No, I have plans.”

Fu Mingyu laughed. “You’re busy.”

Ruan Sixian followed the waiter to the private room, walking with light steps. “Yes, I have as many dinner parties as you do.”

“I’ll pick you up when you’re done?”

Ruan Sixian’s footsteps paused.

“I’m having dinner with colleagues today.”

“So what?”

“Are you sure you want to pick me up?”

“Am I not presentable?”

Ruan Sixian was stumped.

You’re completely presentable, more than anyone.

“Whatever you want.”

“Send me the address.”

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the private room was lively.

Today’s birthday celebrant was named Lin Hongji, who had worked at World Airlines for several years. He was a young captain, particularly warm and hospitable. Anyone who had contact with him quickly became friends, so he was familiar with people from every department. For his birthday, he had directly created a large group chat and invited people from the flight department, cabin crew, maintenance, and dispatch.

Due to the large number of people, he had booked a large private room with three tables that barely accommodated everyone.

The agreed time was seven o’clock, and it was already six-fifty, but Ruan Sixian hadn’t arrived yet.

“What time is it? Is Ruan Sixian not coming?”

“Who knows, maybe she’s on a date with Mr. Fu.”

“Listen to how sour you sound. What’s wrong with them dating?”

“Who’s sour? I’m just expressing admiration. It’s been several years now—talk about persistence. I wouldn’t have that kind of determination.”

“You’re all talking as if it’s true. Is it true?”

“How could it be false? It’s not the first time people have seen her coming out of Mingchen Apartments.”

Ni Tong had been just listening to the gossip, but hearing this, she couldn’t help saying, “To be fair, Ruan Sixian lives in Mingchen herself. I’ve been to her home.”

“She lives in Mingchen? Then she must be quite wealthy.”

Another flight attendant interjected: “Even if Ruan Sixian is pursuing him, so what? Are women not allowed to pursue men these days?”

“Exactly, they’re both single, so who cares who’s pursuing whom?”

“Is this about pursuing? It’s more like clinging.”

Just then, the private room door was pushed open, and Ruan Sixian walked in.

The table closest to the door suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked up.

About half the people at this table felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

Regardless of how Ruan Sixian had secured Fu Mingyu, their relationship was unusual. If they offended her and she whispered a few words to him in bed, they would suffer the consequences.

The atmosphere on this side became strange, and the other two tables, though not gossiping just now, had probably heard some of the content.

Lin Hongji, as today’s host, felt awkward but had to smooth things over.

“Xiao Ruan is here? Want to sit at our table for a drink?”

Ruan Sixian hadn’t heard the earlier gossip. Seeing that this table indeed had no space, she asked, “Is there room for me?”

“Yes, we’ll just squeeze a bit.”

Lin Hongji led her over, and a few copilots moved chairs to make space for her.

But the feng shui at this table wasn’t very good either—Yue Chen and Jiang Ziyue were sitting opposite.

Although Jiang Ziyue hadn’t participated in the earlier conversation, she had heard quite a bit these days.

It seemed she had underestimated Ruan Sixian—she did get the copilot’s seat.

But these rumors were good. At least Yue Chen wouldn’t be staring at Ruan Sixian anymore.

With Lin Hongji livening up the atmosphere, everyone pretended nothing had happened. They ate, drank, and played finger-guessing games, and more than two hours passed in a flash.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, someone came over with a glass of wine for Ruan Sixian. First, they lavished praise on how beautiful she looked today, then insisted on toasting her, with compliments coming one after another.

The flattery was so excessive that several people present could tell it was insincere.

Originally, no one was going to expose this, but Jiang Ziyue noticed that Yue Chen had glanced at Ruan Sixian several times because of these comments. She seized the opportunity and, imitating the previous person’s tone, said, “Deputy Ruan is now successful in both love and career. With such good fortune, how could she not look beautiful?”

The atmosphere that Lin Hongji had worked so hard to restore was sent back to square one by Jiang Ziyue’s single sentence.

Everyone understood her meaning.

Yue Chen frowned. “Hasn’t what you’ve eaten blocked your mouth? If you don’t know how to speak, then shut up.”

It didn’t matter what others said, but Yue Chen protecting Ruan Sixian like this immediately ignited Jiang Ziyue’s anger. Originally, she hadn’t planned to talk about Ruan Sixian—she only wanted to remind Yue Chen not to covet a woman he shouldn’t. But this man insisted on opposing her.

However, in such a public setting, she couldn’t lose face with her own man, so she directed her anger at Ruan Sixian again.

“I may not be good with words, but honest advice is hard to hear. Xiao Ruan, we’ve been colleagues for so many years, so I should warn you—the higher a man’s status, the harder he is to hold onto. Don’t be careless and end up with nothing. Have you heard about that girl we knew before? She was pregnant and about to marry the son of a steel industry tycoon. But in the end, they didn’t get married. Now, with a child, who dares to take her on?”

The atmosphere dropped to freezing point. Even Lin Hongji didn’t know how to smooth things over.

Ruan Sixian had been wondering what they were all chattering about, but now with Jiang Ziyue being so explicit, she would be stupid not to understand.

Just at that moment, her phone vibrated with another message from Fu Mingyu.

[Fu Mingyu]: I’ve arrived. How much longer will you be?

She quickly typed back: Please don’t come in. People will think I’m seducing you 🙂

After sending this message, she tossed her phone aside and looked up at Jiang Ziyue.

“Sister Jiang, if you have something to say, just say it directly.”

Jiang Ziyue turned her face away, muttering sarcastically, “Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“What should I understand? That I’m seducing Mr. Fu?”

Just as Jiang Ziyue was about to speak, Yue Chen slammed the table forcefully.

“Enough! If you have nothing better to do, go home. It’s someone’s birthday, and you’re saying these things?”

“Why are you shouting at me? Yue Chen, what do you mean?” Jiang Ziyue no longer cared about saving face. Defending once was enough, but twice? “Don’t forget you’re getting married. Who are you protecting here?”

Wait, why are you two arguing?

I haven’t even clarified this topic yet!

“If you want to argue, argue at home. Let’s be clear about this first.” Ruan Sixian said, “Sister Jiang, a few years ago you were already babbling about me seducing Mr. Fu. Now that you’re getting married, why can’t you let it go? I’m curious, why are you so interested in my private life?”

Hearing this, Yue Chen looked at Jiang Ziyue in surprise. “You said that?”

“What’s with that look?” No matter what Ruan Sixian said, what angered Jiang Ziyue was always Yue Chen’s reactions. “Yes, I said it. So what? Isn’t everyone seeing the truth now?”

“What truth?”

The private room door was suddenly pushed open. First, the table near the door instantly fell silent, then the entire room became deadly quiet.

Everyone looked over.

No one knew why Fu Mingyu would suddenly appear here.

He stood at the door, his expression calm, his gaze sweeping lightly over everyone, showing no emotion.

Often, showing no emotion was the most terrifying.

Everyone’s hearts raced. Ni Tong even dropped the melon she was holding, which splattered all over the floor.

Fu Mingyu’s gaze finally fell on Ruan Sixian. Rather than anger, he seemed more annoyed.

The situation that had stabilized after that slap might be disrupted again by these people.

Ruan Sixian knew Fu Mingyu had arrived, so she wasn’t that shocked, but she was in a bad mood and didn’t even look at him.

The atmosphere in the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Fu Mingyu’s footsteps were magnified infinitely, each step making people’s hearts race, afraid he might walk right up to them.

However, Fu Mingyu only walked to Ruan Sixian’s side and reached out his hand to her.

“Have you finished eating? I’ll take you home.”

Ruan Sixian, suppressing her anger, slapped his hand away.

Fu Mingyu withdrew his hand and bent slightly, asking, “They’re saying you seduced me?”

Ruan Sixian let out a cold laugh without answering him.

“Didn’t you tell them that I’m the one pursuing you?”