CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 28: RETURN TO BEIJING, BAO YE STAYS OUT ALL NIGHT

Jiang Ruan watched Bai Yi in a black suit, looking formal and dignified. In the past four months with the crew, she mostly saw him in sportswear, never in formal attire before.

Jiang Ruan smiled, her eyes shimmering softly: "Yes, what about you, Brother Bai Yi?"

"Dressed so handsomely, are you going to some event?"

Bai Yi, teased, revealed a smile on his handsome face, exuding the charm of a mature man.

But compared to Bao Ye, the aura was different.

He was more like a refined gentleman.

"Well, a good friend is having a birthday tonight in G Country. I’m flying there this afternoon to celebrate."

Jiang Ruan nodded earnestly: "Wish your friend a happy birthday."

"Thank you," Bai Yi replied.

Looking at the girl’s beautiful, makeup-free face, she was unlike any other he’d seen before.

"It might be a while before we meet again," Bai Yi chuckled lightly.

Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows: "Not long at all, in just half a month there’s the new drama’s launch."

"Then we’ll all get to meet again," she said.

Bai Yi touched his head: "Oh, look at my memory, I forgot about that."

"See you then."

At this moment, an assistant with some belongings came over.

"Brother Bai Yi, everything’s ready."

It was time for them to leave.

Otherwise, they would miss the afternoon flight.

Bai Yi didn’t move, looking at Jiang Ruan, with an inexplicable emotion in his eyes, he said, "Then I’ll be going."

Jiang Ruan: "Okay, goodbye Brother Bai Yi, have a safe trip."

Such polite words.

Yet they warmed Bai Yi’s heart. Just about to turn around, Bai Yi came back again.

He spoke seriously to Jiang Ruan.

"Stay true to yourself, the entertainment industry will eventually have a place for you."

Jiang Ruan was surprised, quickly responded.

"I will, thank you, Brother Bai Yi."

This time Bai Yi truly left.

Watching the man’s departing figure, Jiang Ruan withdrew her gaze, feeling a mix of emotions inside.

Every time a production wraps, it is like this.

Both sad and reluctant.

Four months of filming wasn’t short.

Yet it feels like she just joined the team yesterday.

Sister Qin came over, seeing her dazed look, joked with a smile: "What, reluctant to part?"

Jiang Ruan feigned anger: "What are you saying, Sister Qin?"

"Let’s go too."

"Okay."

—

Standing at the end of Phoenix Road, Jiang Ruan dragged her suitcase, looking at the retro-luxurious castle villa before her.

After four months away, she was finally back.

Her mood was both complex and inexplicably excited.

Dragging the suitcase to the door, the security saw her and quickly opened the door: "Miss Jiang, you’re back!"

"Let me help you with your luggage."

The security was particularly attentive.

Jiang Ruan took off her sunglasses, revealing a sweet and gentle face, smiled at the security: "Thank you."

Walking towards the main building, Jiang Ruan asked: "Is Bao Ye at home?"

In the entire castle, she’s the only one who dares to call Mr. Bao by his first name.

"No, Mr. Bao left in the morning and hasn’t returned yet."

Hearing he wasn’t home, Jiang Ruan felt a bit disappointed but also relaxed, speaking in a light tone: "Oh."

Entering the castle, the servants, who had already been informed of her return, lined up neatly.

"Welcome home, Miss Jiang!"

Jiang Ruan: "..."

Home? She was merely a kept woman here.

But seeing the excited faces of the servants, she still smiled politely: "Thank you, I’d like to take a bath first."

"Okay, Miss Jiang, I’ll run the water."

"Miss Jiang, are you hungry? What would you like for dinner?"

Jiang Ruan indeed felt a bit hungry.

After four months with the crew, she craved the chefs’ exquisite dishes.

She named a few dishes.

The servants became busy.

Some prepared the dishes, others got the bathroom ready, and others warmed milk and cut fruit for Jiang Ruan.

Watching them bustling about, Jiang Ruan couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

After spending so long with the crew, she remained quite independent.

Back now, she felt a bit unaccustomed to being served by so many.

At eleven at night, Jiang Ruan awoke from her sleep.

Her eyes opened, the bedroom was excessively quiet, lit only by a bedside lamp, she raised her hand to turn on the light.

Bao Ye still hadn’t returned.

Jiang Ruan paused for a moment, got out of bed, she hadn’t told him she was coming back today.

She intended to surprise him.

Stepping out of the bedroom, she met a servant. Jiang Ruan asked: "Has he returned?"

By "he," she naturally meant Bao Ye.

The servant shook his head: "Mr. Bao hasn’t returned yet."

Jiang Ruan responded lightly: "Got it."

Then turned and returned to her bedroom.

In front of the dressing mirror, Jiang Ruan looked at the girl in the mirror, dressed in a white spaghetti strap nightgown, draped with a thin white veil, her skin naturally delicate and fair, ethereal as snow.

No matter shooting under the scorching sun, she wore full sun protection.

She absolutely would not allow herself to get a tan.

Another half hour passed.

Jiang Ruan frowned at the screen’s time, no horn sounds from outside, still not back at this hour?

Was he planning to stay out all night?

The excitement and anticipation Jiang Ruan had felt all day instantly cooled.

Bao Ye, oh Bao Ye, I hope you don’t give me a fright.

Otherwise...

Jiang Ruan could be the unseen lover, kept in the villa.

But she would never share a man with another woman.

If he really dared to do that.

Then they’d part ways, never to meet again.

Determination filled Jiang Ruan’s eyes.

Holding the phone, she sat quietly, not a bit sleepy.

Ultimately, she couldn’t resist dialing his number.

It rang.

Two minutes passed.

Still, no answer.

Just as Jiang Ruan was about to give up, suddenly the call was connected, a woman’s coquettish voice rang in her ear: "Hello? Who is this?"