Xu Lai didn't understand why Ruan Tang's sudden, tender smile made his heart flutter. Even as a mother, her charm was in no way inferior to the fairies renowned throughout the Four Immortal Domains.

Well, Ruan Tang wasn't a fairy. In Xu Lai's heart, however, she weighed countless times more than all the fairies combined. Ruan Tang couldn't escape his grasp, but how could he ever hope to escape hers? She was like a rainbow, something you only knew existed once you saw it.

Xu Lai sighed with emotion. "When we get married, I wonder how many young girls in the Immortal Domain will cry their eyes out, lamenting the end of their youth."

PFFT.

Ruan Tang laughed. "So many young girls? Is their youth that cheap? Besides, whose youth are you?"

"Yours," Xu Lai said, wrapping his arm around her slender waist. He spoke each word deliberately, "And the rest of your life."

…

Although he wanted nothing more than to hold his wife like this until dusk, Xu Lai let go after a few moments. He could shamelessly skip work, but Ruan Tang couldn't. After all, the company was quite busy.

Ever since forming a strategic partnership with Europe's Dreamland Company, Above the White Clouds had begun making a name for itself. It was well on its way to becoming synonymous with luxury lingerie in Hua Country. Today alone, she had a staggering seven interviews, three of which were with major international media outlets. Ruan Tang had taken the previous day off to rest and conserve her energy for today.

Xu Lai didn't drive. Instead, he held Ruan Tang's hand as they walked down Mount Haitang, their deep and shallow footprints marking the snow. Heavy, goose-feather snow continued to fall on the mountain, but in East Sea City, not even a single snowflake drifted down anymore.

At the subway station, Xu Lai and Ruan Tang waved goodbye. In high spirits, he hummed a little tune, not arriving at the university until ten in the morning.

Four whole hours had now passed since Wan Yuanshan and his group arrived at the university infirmary. Yes, they had been waiting since six o'clock in the morning. To show their sincerity, or perhaps their remorse, they hadn't dared to accept Liu Nanwei's offer to wait inside. Instead, they chose to stand at the building's entrance, hoping to greet Mr. Xu personally and demonstrate their earnestness.

Thus, after searching for over an hour, Ruan Jin and his parents happened to stumble upon Wan Yan.

"Brother Wan!" Ruan Jin called out delightedly, walking briskly over. "You really are here."

But as soon as he finished speaking, his pupils suddenly contracted. He saw the old man beside Wan Yan—it was none other than Wan Yuanshan, the Family Head of the Wan Family from East Sea.

The shocks came one after another. Not far away, even though the snow had stopped, a stunningly beautiful woman was holding an umbrella for a white-haired old lady. He happened to recognize her too. That was Niu Guihua, the Family Head of the Niu Family from Hua City. Looking at the other old men standing as straight as pine trees, he realized they were all the Family Heads of the Leading Families from the thirteen cities of Jiangnan.

Even though each elder only had one person standing beside them, their presence made Ruan Jin's breath catch in his throat. He didn't dare to breathe too loudly, let alone mention the original purpose of his visit.

"What's wrong? Who are these old people?" Ruan Qingshan asked hastily, noticing the change in his son's expression. He didn't recognize these Family Heads. Or rather, he didn't recognize them dressed so plainly. Without their entourage of servants, bodyguards, and other socialites, the heads of the Leading Families had lost their usual brilliance. In the eyes of Ruan Qingshan and Song Ru, there was nothing remarkable about them.

"Quiet," Ruan Jin hissed. "These are people we can't afford to provoke. If we offend them, the consequences will be unthinkable."

"Can't afford to provoke?" Song Ru pouted. "No matter how impressive their background is, can they be more important than Young Master Wan Yan?"

Ruan Jin gave a bitter smile. More important? Compared to these people, Wan Yan is just a grandson. Besides the few third-generation juniors, which of these five elders doesn't have a formidable reputation? The mere mention of their names is enough to make all of Jiangnan tremble.

"They are Wan Yuanshan, Niu Guihua…"

Upon learning their identities, Ruan Qingshan and his wife swallowed hard, their faces gradually turning pale. It was the first time they had ever been so close to such legendary figures. They felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, but mostly, they were terrified.

"But the money…" Despite her fear, Song Ru hadn't forgotten the reason they were here.

Ruan Jin's expression flickered. With so many powerful people around, asking for the money would be difficult, but he had to try. After all, it was the difference between sleeping under a bridge and staying in a five-star hotel when they inevitably had to flee.

"Brother Wan, could we have a word in private…?" Already sycophantic, Ruan Jin was now utterly servile, bowing nearly ninety degrees at the waist.

Wan Yuanshan frowned imperceptibly, shooting his grandson a look of displeasure.

Wan Yan was secretly fuming. His grandfather had only been willing to bring him to see Mr. Xu today, which meant the Wan Family might one day be his. What would happen if this Ruan Jin messed things up for him?

"Get lost!" Wan Yan snarled in disgust.

"..."

Ruan Jin's face flushed with color. I have my pride, too. If I keep groveling after he said that, wouldn't I be worse than a dog?

Ruan Qingshan, however, didn't care about such things. He said fawningly, "Young Master Wan, you know the trouble our Ruan Family is in. How about this? Just loan us a few million. We'll pay you back double in the future."

"Yan'er, deal with this quickly," Wan Yuanshan said coolly. "Do not displease Mr. Xu. If you cause trouble for the Wan Family..."

The old man didn't finish his sentence, but Wan Yan heard the bone-chilling killing intent in the unspoken words. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back. He whirled around and bellowed, "You clingy mutts, get lost! Do I have to call security to throw you out?!"

"Young Master Wan, please calm down," Song Ru cried, frantically bowing and apologizing alongside her husband. They were hoping the young master would show them a little mercy. Couldn't he at least give them some money for their escape?

But Wan Yan showed no signs of relenting. He kept looking around, as if waiting for someone.

An idea flashed in Ruan Jin's mind. Today, here at the humble Dongli University, Wan Yuanshan, Niu Guihua, and the other three Family Heads are all waiting for some incredibly distinguished person! Who could it be?

He looked at the pristine snow at their feet, unmarked by a single footprint. They must have been standing here for hours, and without moving a single step! A chill ran down Ruan Jin's spine as he noted this detail. What kind of big shot could make the heads of the five great families adopt such a servile posture? He could vaguely see the anxiety and deeply hidden fear in the eyes of Wan Yan and his grandfather.

Ruan Jin's mind suddenly blazed with excitement. If I could get on that person's good side, wouldn't Wan Yan have to pay me back immediately? Even better, maybe we wouldn't have to run away at all! The Ruan Family could rise from the ashes, completely reborn, and even surpass the Wan Family!

The more he thought about it, the more thrilled he became. He was already speculating about the person's identity. Are they a young master or miss from the Capital City? Or maybe some high-ranking, influential elder?

He waited and watched with bated breath.

Finally, through a sudden gust of cold wind, a figure both familiar and strangely distant appeared in the distance.

Through the wind and snow, an old acquaintance had come.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.