Chapter 77

Zhou Yinhe's photo posted on his Moments was forwarded by many people; Ruan MiaoMiao naturally saw it too.

She had just taken on a new script, rushed over from the press conference, learned that Zhou Yinhe had actually come as well, and even gave Wen Ling a gift; jealousy spread across her whole face.

Assistant Xiao Xin was startled by her sinister expression, hesitating and speaking softly: "Teacher Ruan, Sister Lin says you should go to the company as soon as possible after the banquet."

Ruan MiaoMiao stared at her palm pierced by her own fingernail, grunted.

Xiao Xin glanced out of the corner of her eye, quickly averted her gaze, and told the driver: "Hurry up."

When Ruan MiaoMiao arrived, Zhou Yinhe had just shaken off his older brother's clutches, preparing to make a swift exit.

Just as he was about to get in the car, he heard a gentle voice from behind.

"Yinghe xueshang."

Zhou Yinhe frowned, turned his head coldly, his gaze icy as frost; upon seeing Ruan MiaoMiao, his eyes revealed undisguised annoyance.

Ruan MiaoMiao didn't notice, walked up to Zhou Yinhe, pursed her lips and gave a coy smile, softly saying: "Senior, are you leaving? The banquet hasn't even started yet."

"I don't count as your senior." Zhou Yinhe tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Don't try to curry favor by pulling strings."

This kind of pampered young master always speaks bluntly, let alone any gentlemanly manners.

Zhou Yinhe said coldly: "If there's nothing, don't crowd in front of me and be an eyesore."

Ruan MiaoMiao had heard of his temper; he's the type who gives no one face, yet she didn't expect him to say something so blunt.

Seeing Zhou Yinhe about to get in the car, Ruan MiaoMiao unwillingly chased after him, voice trembling with grievance: "Senior, no—no, Fifth Young Master, did the elder sister tell you something about me?"

Zhou Yinhe lowered his eyelids, his deep eyes taking on a half‑smile; seeing he didn't speak, Ruan MiaoMiao continued: "Fifth Young Master, when your older sister was with you, she relied on the Wen family to bully classmates behind the scenes; after returning, she jumped into the lake herself and then framed me for pushing her; at the Flowing Light banquet, the recording was also forged and released by her, all to ruin my reputation."

"Fifth Young Master, if I did it I admit it; if I didn't, I must clear my name."

Zhou Yinhe snorted, the corner of his mouth curling with contempt; he leaned in slightly, staring at Ruan MiaoMiao's face feigning a smile, and said slowly: "Ruan MiaoMiao, don't say it wasn't her doing; even if it was, what then?"

"I love her as a person, unrelated to her character and conduct; even if she really bullied you, you should still accept it with a smile."

"One last warning: don't come before me to gossip about her, or I won't mind cutting out your tongue to feed my wolf."

With each sentence, Ruan MiaoMiao's complexion worsened; hearing Zhou Yinhe's vicious warning, her face turned deathly pale, she stumbled back a step in terror, watching him get into the car as it sped past her, barely missing her.

Ruan MiaoMiao went limp, collapsed in fear, trembling as she watched Zhou Yinhe's exclusive black supercar drive away.

Xiao Xin and the driver had been waiting in the car for her; seeing Ruan MiaoMiao and Zhou Yinhe talking, they were too far to hear, until they saw the car brush past her by a millimeter, then they reacted.

"Teacher Ruan! Teacher Ruan, how are you?"

Xiao Xin helped her up, glanced at Ruan MiaoMiao's dust‑stained skirt, and said carefully: "Teacher Ruan, are you hurt? Should we go to the hospital first?"

A sharp pain shot through her wrist; Ruan MiaoMiao's hand resting on Xiao Xin's wrist had her nails sunk into Xiao Xin's flesh, yet Xiao Xin could only grit her teeth and endure.

She dared not resist; aside from the yin‑yang contract signed with Ruan MiaoMiao's studio, the huge salary Ruan MiaoMiao paid her also forced her to swallow her anger.

"No need, first change clothes; I want to see my maternal grandfather."

She clenched her teeth, glaring fiercely in the direction the car had gone.

From morning on, Qin Yuyang had been detained by Qin Lao beside him; after finally sneaking away, he bumped into Ruan MiaoMiao just as she entered.

"Yuyang, where are you going?" Ruan MiaoMiao stepped forward, bent down, wanting to take Qin Yuyang's hand.

Qin Yuyang stepped back, his gaze evasive, unable to meet Ruan MiaoMiao's eyes.

Ruan MiaoMiao didn't expect him to dodge; she froze a moment, then asked softly: "Yuyang, what's wrong?"

Qin Yuyang shook his head and turned to run.

Ruan MiaoMiao stood frozen in that pose for a while before slowly rising; her mind was in turmoil, giving her a bad premonition.

"Could it be that grandfather and cousin found out she and Qin Yuyang went to look for Wen Ling?"

She pursed her lips, gathered courage, and walked to Qin Lao's main seat.

"Grandfather, happy birthday." She bent over, coquettishly saying: "I'm late, grandfather can't hold it against MiaoMiao."

Qin Lao smiled at her, kindly saying: "How could I? Come, sit beside me."

As Ruan MiaoMiao sat down, she also relaxed, thinking Qin Yuyang was just throwing a tantrum and thus avoiding her.

She probed: "Grandfather, when I just came in I heard them say the elder sister also gave you a gift, and a very valuable one; could you let me admire it too?"

Qin Lao gave a half‑smile: "I had it put away; for now the guests aren't in a rush to see it, we can look when we have time."

Ruan MiaoMiao obediently nodded, then glanced around at the guests dressed in finery.

Qin Yuchen sat on Qin Lao's other side; hearing Ruan MiaoMiao's words, he gave a silent, mocking smile.

Ruan MiaoMiao suddenly turned to him, speaking softly: "Cousin, why didn't cousin‑in‑law come? I've taken a drama, we have opposing roles, I also wanted to discuss the script with cousin‑in‑law."

Qin Yuchen replied lightly: "Busy, can't come."

Ruan MiaoMiao understood his temperament; knowing he was just like that, she didn't think much, smiled, and continued chatting with Qin Lao.

After Wen Ling woke up, her soreness had lessened; she put on a robe, took the elevator to the underground pool, and Zhou Aunt thoughtfully brought her a fruit platter, sitting beside her to chat.

"Recently Young Master Zhou has been coming quite frequently."

Wen Ling lay by the pool, lazily saying: "Yeah, he's thick‑skinned; you can't chase him away."

Zhou Aunt chuckled: "I think you're reluctant to drive him off."

"Nothing of the sort." Wen Ling gave a light snort, speared a piece of fruit and popped it into her mouth.

"You must be careful." Zhou Aunt looked at the marks on Wen Ling's body that couldn't be covered, speaking earnestly: "You two haven't settled things yet."

Wen Ling blushed, annoyed: "Zhou Aunt, I'm not a child anymore."

Zhou Aunt laughed for a while, rose to go upstairs, then suddenly remembered something, turned back and asked: "Ah Ling, have you been in contact with Mr. and Mrs. lately? Do they still not know you're in Hua Guo?"

Wen Ling pursed her lips, dissatisfied: "They never contact me; why would I bother contacting them?"

Zhou Aunt sighed, took the elevator back to the first floor; as the doors opened, she bumped straight into Zhou Yinhe.

"Young Master Zhou? Weren't you at the banquet?"

Zhou Yinhe furrowed his brows, puzzled: "What's the underground floor used for?"