“Then Aunt Fang, we’ll start preparing to head back now!”
After a sumptuous dinner and lounging on the living room sofa for a while to digest, Ruan Zhixian stood up and addressed Aunt Fang, who had just finished tidying up the tableware.
“Hm? Young Miss, what do you mean by ‘heading back’? Are you still planning to stay at Miss Su’s place?”
Aunt Fang looked both surprised and a little puzzled.
“Of course!”
“Yes, this time I’m coming home just to see you and to look for clues about Mom. But of course, I’ll be going back to live with Lingling.”
Ruan Zhixian smiled and waved her hand dismissively, wearing an expression as if this were only natural.
“Wait a minute, Young Miss, forgive me for being blunt, but even if you’re close friends with Miss Su, constantly bothering her like this might be a bit…”
The Butler frowned, intending to persuade her somewhat immature Young Miss.
“Oh, it’s fine! Aunt Fang, didn’t I tell you? Lingling is my girlfriend now~ And she can’t live without me at all. Of course, I have to go back and be with her~”
Ruan Zhixian’s smile grew even brighter, her tone filled with affection.
“Cough cough cough! What did you say?!!!”
The Butler immediately started coughing uncontrollably from Ruan Zhixian’s words.
What do you mean Miss Su is the Young Miss’s girlfriend and can’t live without her???
Now that you mention it, I did find it strange before—after all, even the Young Miss wouldn’t do something like stay over at a friend’s house for days on end without contacting home at all…
Thinking about the Young Miss’s recent “disappearance,” Aunt Fang’s mind began racing.
Could it be that the Young Miss had been secretly dating Miss Su all along but was too afraid to tell Madam because she might disapprove…
No, wait! Maybe Madam knows about the Young Miss and Miss Su already, and because she disapproves, the Young Miss has been rebellious and stayed at her girlfriend’s place all these days!
As for Miss Su being unable to live without the Young Miss, it must be because Madam warned her in secret, so she’s afraid of losing her!
Aunt Fang felt she was gradually uncovering the truth.
And now that Madam is away on a trip, this is the perfect opportunity for the two young ladies to strengthen their relationship!
No, maybe it’s even the last chance! When Madam returns, she’ll definitely try to tear them apart!
“Don’t worry, Young Miss! No matter what happens, Aunt Fang will always support you and Miss Su!”
The Butler grabbed Ruan Zhixian’s hands tightly, her eyes slowly filling with tears.
“This is the first time the Young Miss has ever fallen in love! I never expected you’d choose a love so unconventional, one even Madam wouldn’t allow!
Sob sob sob But don’t worry, Young Miss. When Madam comes back, Aunt Fang will say many good things about you and Miss Su! Aunt Fang is on your side!”
“Oh, oh… thank you, Aunt Fang…”
Ruan Zhixian looked at the suddenly unusually kind Butler, feeling a little at a loss.
“No! No need to thank me! As long as you and Miss Su live well and happily during this time, Aunt Fang is more than satisfied!”
“You don’t need to worry about the company or family matters. I’ll follow Madam’s instructions and help manage the company well.”
“Wait here, I’ll go help you pack your things right now!”
With that, the Butler let go of Ruan Zhixian’s hands, wiped her slightly moist eyes, and ran upstairs like a gust of wind, leaving Ruan Zhixian standing there, still dazed.
“Zhixian, Aunt Fang suddenly ran upstairs just now, and she seriously told me to take good care of you. Do you know what’s going on?”
After a while, Su Ling returned from the bathroom and asked Ruan Zhixian.
“I don’t know either. Aunt Fang suddenly got really emotional just now…”
“Hmm, Lingling, do you think Aunt Fang might be going through menopause?”
Ruan Zhixian stroked her smooth chin, pondering.
“Alright, Young Miss, here are some of your clothes and essentials, this is your cloth doll, and these are your art supplies.”
***
At the Ruan residence’s entrance, the Butler stuffed one bag after another into the Maybach’s trunk.
“This cloth doll, I don’t need to bring it! I’m not a child anymore!”
The blonde girl’s cheeks flushed as she pulled out a large Teddy Bear and handed it back to Aunt Fang.
“But you can’t sleep without this Teddy Bear…”
The Butler, still holding the big teddy bear, spoke halfway, then seemed to remember something and turned to look at Su Ling, who was standing nearby.
“I see now. I understand. Sorry, Young Miss, I wasn’t thinking carefully.”
“Mm-hmm, that’s right. Aunt Fang, I’m glad you understand.”
Ruan Zhixian nodded, completely clueless about what exactly Aunt Fang had understood.
“Well then, Aunt Fang, these art supplies…”
“No, Young Miss, these art supplies must come along. Have you forgotten? Madam left instructions in her letter that even during her absence, you must keep practicing painting.”
“But I…”
“You’ve been at Miss Su’s house playing games for quite a while, right? Surely you don’t want me to tell Madam everything when she returns?”
“Eek!”
Upon hearing this, Ruan Zhixian, who had been thinking of making excuses, suddenly shrank back like a cat caught by the scruff of the neck, her golden hair trembling in fear.
“In any case, I hope you’ll study well in the coming days and stop indulging in games and wasting time.”
The Butler said this earnestly, then turned to Su Ling:
“Miss Su, I hope you’ll also keep a close eye on the Young Miss’s painting practice from now on and not let her play games every time she throws a tantrum…”
***
Su Ling hesitated, unsure whether to agree with the Butler’s request—after all, if Zhixian started to throw a tantrum at her, she really didn’t know if she could resist it!
“Miss Su, don’t worry. I actually know everything about your and the Young Miss’s true situation.”
The Butler seemed to notice the hesitation in the black-haired girl’s eyes and whispered into her ear:
“But rest assured, as long as you successfully supervise the Young Miss’s studies during this time, Madam will see that your relationship with her is healthy.”
“This will definitely improve her impression of you. When the time comes, I’ll also say good things about you in front of Madam!”
What?! The Butler already knows about Su Ling imprisoning Zhixian!?
Su Ling was shocked at first. Before returning to the Ruan residence, Zhixian had already said she would hide the truth of these days from Aunt Fang.
Logically, Aunt Fang shouldn’t know that Su Ling was the one keeping Zhixian captive!
But hearing the second sentence, the cautious black-haired girl gradually let down her guard.
Although she didn’t know how Aunt Fang had learned the truth, it seemed she wanted to help improve her reputation in Madam’s eyes?
Hmm, indeed… If she wanted to marry Zhixian, there was no way to hide what really happened from Madam, and marriage would definitely require passing Madam’s approval…
“All right! I will definitely supervise Zhixian’s painting practice well!”
The ambitious girl agreed to the Butler’s request immediately.
Sorry, Zhixian! For our lifelong happiness, you’ll have to buckle down and study well!
“Ah??? Nooo!!!”
The blonde girl wailed, clutching the soft, giant Teddy Bear as if mourning the loss of her carefree days of laziness.
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