"Young mistress!"

Shen Yang hurriedly chased after Jiang Ruiling as silence spread after the Old Madam's announcement. When news got to his ears that her engagement will go as planned, he felt as if thunder struck him. As soon as he got to know about it, he rushed to meet her.

Jiang Ruiling stopped. A sly smile lifted the corner of her lips. She turned and folded her arms. "Shen Yang. Why do you look in such a hurry?"

Shen Yang stood before her, tension and agitation clearly reflected in his worried gaze. "Young mistress. May I... please ask you something?"

"Sure."

He clenched his fist. "Please forgive my insolence for asking this question. But...why did you agree to this engagement?"

Jiang Ruiling raised her brow.

"Young mistress, you saw how Wen Yaoting behaved today."

"What did he do?" She innocently asked.

Shen Yang widened his eyes. "What did he do? Ever since he entered, he has only disrespected you. First, he came late and made you wait. Then with that horrendous sense of fashion, he almost made you blind. While ordering food, he didn't bother to ask for your opinion. He only talked and bragged about himself and once again, he didn't bother to know anything about you. And then…"

His jaw ground in anger as he recalled it. "Then his audacity to try and hold your hand when he had been nothing but a nuisance. You...you must have seen how he was staring at you so disrespectfully. How can you be happy with such a man? Madam Lixue said that he has had too many flings in the past. Will he really be faithful to you after marriage? Young mistress, why didn't you speak against him in front of Old Madam?"

Jiang Ruiling smiled. "Didn't you say that it's better for everyone that I marry Wen Yaoting?"

He was stumped. "Young mistress, that was before I realized how Wen Yaoting truly is. But now after meeting him today, it is evident that he isn't the right man for you. How can you say that you will still marry him? Young mistress, a man like him will destroy your life!"

"So let me be clear here," she touched her chin, "In what position are you asking me this question? As my bodyguard or as a man who loves me?"

Shen Yang froze.

His lips parted and closed multiple times. The question caught him off-guard.

Jiang Ruiling patiently waited.

"Y-young mistress, I have already said before that I... don't see you that way," his heart drummed as he said it.

"Hmm. So, that means you are talking to me as my bodyguard. So, Mr. Bodyguard…"

She took a step ahead and narrowed her eyes. "My answer to your question is that I have no answer to give you."

He blinked his eyes.

"As my bodyguard, you have no right to question my decision," her voice turned sharp and cold, "Your job is to only protect my life from threats and enemies. As such, you cannot cross your boundary and ask me such questions."

Shen Yang stared at her. Her indifferent gaze and icy voice shook his heart. He lowered his gaze, feeling an inexplicable pain surge in his heart.

"But…"

The frostiness in her eyes vanished and had wrapped her arms around his neck as she tiptoed. Shen Yang was stunned.

"If you are asking me as a man who loves me, then I will answer everything you have to ask," she winked.

The incredible proximity between them made him take a sharp breath. Her softness that hugged him right now made him tremble and almost lose his mind.

He quickly shook off her arms and took a step back.

Jiang Ruiling clicked her tongue. "So, your answer is clear. I hope you don't interfere in my life again as a 'bodyguard.'"

She turned and walked away, leaving Shen Yang in a stupor.

Young mistress…

Will he really have to see her marry Wen Yaoting?

---

In their bedroom, Lihua was sleeping a restless night. Jiang Ruiling's behavior made her anxious for some reason. She loved Shen Yang so much and now she lost such a golden chance to dissolve this engagement.

She had an inkling that she was thinking something. As Wei said, there might be hidden intentions behind her words.

But why did it bring a bad feeling to her?

Lihua glanced at Wei and his Godly handsome sleeping face brought some relief to her.

But in the end, she couldn't get any sleep.

*Meow*

Lihua, the cat purred and her green eyes were looking back at Lihua, the human.

She got up and walked up to the special bed that she recently bought for her furry pet. She tickled her under her chin and smiled. "Lihua, I am worried," she whispered.

The adorable cat glanced at her and then ignored her.

Humans and their endless troubles…

"Why didn't Jiang Ruiling refuse this engagement? She must be planning something, right? But even if she is...I am getting restless."

She sighed.

Lihua pursed her lips and thought for a moment. She patted Lihua's head and grinned. "Well, you have your beauty sleep. I will be back."

There was no use in moping around like this. So, Lihua quietly tiptoed and stepped out of the room.

She reached Jiang Ruiling's room and knocked on it. A few moments later, the door opened and Jiang Ruiling came out, dressed in her night pajamas.

She raised her brow. "Why are you here so late at night?"

Lihua quickly said, "I am sorry for disturbing you. But I need to ask you something."

She quietly stared at her and then slowly said, "I know you want to ask about my decision today. It must be shocking to you."

Lihua nodded hard.

"And it must be extra shocking because you saw my date with your own eyes."

Her mouth twitched. She coughed and awkwardly smiled. "What?"

"I already recognized you and my cousin from afar and I am sure that Shen Yang did too. You did dress casually, but cousin's kingly aura is just too hard to hide."

"..."

Ah, Wei…Indeed, his charisma is not easy to miss.

Jiang Ruiling narrowed her eyes. "So, I know why you are doubtful, but now that you are here, I will say this. It is better that you stay away from my matter. Don't bother with my life."

Lihua froze.