Ruan Hongling approached, her breath barely touching his face as she traced her deep red fingertips across his young, handsome visage marked with fine scars. Her fingers met his narrowed eyes, which emitted a sharp, cold light that made her pause.
In an instant, he brushed her hand away in disgust and left the room.
The woman stood motionless, her gaze penetrating the frosted door, following his departing figure.
She picked up his leftover drink, tasting it thoughtfully, remembering their intimacy.
Their first meeting involved no verbal communication, yet Ruan Hongling inexplicably lost her heart to him, captivated by his unparalleled gaze and unmistakable kingly aura. She sensed his extraordinary nature and foresaw his future greatness.
Jiang Xiangyang’s brilliance in the gambling den, his ruthlessness in fights, precise dart throws, calm demeanor, agility, ferocity, and solitary pride enchanted her.
She yearned to be the woman by his side, never abandoning each other.
However, Ruan Hongling understood this was wishful thinking. She initially believed he could never love, that no woman could penetrate his heart; she soon realized her mistake.
He loved passionately and intensely. The gaze he cast on another girl was both blazing and cold, revealing a struggle between conflicting emotions.
She knew he controlled his feelings; his love would have already overflowed otherwise, but none of this mattered to her.
Even if he didn’t love her, she would still love him.
“Xiangyang, I want nothing, just let me stay by your side. I hope I can accompany you and help you,” she spoke softly, almost pleading.
Now, she had lost the proud demeanor of a former nightclub headliner. She was just a small woman yearning for his favor, blinking her eyelashes as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Wrapping her hands around his waist from behind, she begged, “Xiangyang, don’t leave me.”
His expression shifted, a hint of displeasure flashing as he coldly refused, “Ruan Hongling, you’d better understand that Jiang Xiangyang’s life doesn’t need any woman.”
“What about Tian Jingxin? Can you say you don’t love her?”
Love had clouded her mind. She asked frantically, hoping for a denial to ease her wounded heart.
“Ruan Hongling, don’t set your sights on her. She’s just a woman my mother arranged for me,” he said.
