It was precisely this thought, along with the assumption that Meng Yao wouldn’t give her a candle, that led him to investigate. To his surprise, he discovered his stepsister, who once cried at the slightest sound, attempting to escape.
Ruan Ning steeled herself and continued the lie: “I am very afraid, but the room is even darker, which I’m more afraid of.”
Though her lie was convincing, Meng Chi did not believe it. His experience in assassination and intelligence work gave him a keen eye; he could tell she wanted to escape but hesitated.
Meng Chi chose not to expose her. Instead, he took out a fire folder and a candle, handing them to her casually, “If you’re afraid, light the candle and sleep.”
Ruan Ning accepted it, thinking Meng Chi had believed her story. She fawned, “Brother, you’re so good to me.”
Her soft voice trembled, which Meng Chi found both touching and irritating, like being tickled by a feather.
The candle illuminated the cramped, dilapidated room. Ruan Ning casually said, “Brother, please sit.”
Immediately regretting her words, she realized the tiny room only had one broken bed. Yet, Meng Chi did sit on the bed, looking around and asking, “Sister, don’t you remember this room?”
“Ruan Ning shook her head. How could she remember anything?
Meng Chi’s deep eyes looked at her bleakly. “Your mother often locked me and Yao in here for days without food. Turns out sister has already forgotten.”
Despite the Meng family’s renovations, this room remained, as Meng Yao insisted on keeping it to remind them of their past humiliations.
Ruan Ning: …
He was truly holding a grudge. She needed to work harder to curry favor.
Ruan Ning tried to smile, her words sweet: “I was young then and don’t remember much. But I’ll never forget brother’s kindness. If not for you, I would have been ruined. I’ll remember your goodness forever.”
Meng Chi’s mouth twitched, seemingly smiling: “We’re family, it’s nothing.”
He said this to probe her intentions, and Ruan Ning took the bait. She leaned in, joyfully asking, “Brother, Yao sister gets angry as soon as she sees me. What should I do?”
Meng Chi caught a faint fragrance and wondered if nuns wear perfume. He moved a bit closer, asking, “What does sister want to do?”
