Chapter 140: Assistant

Shopping time always seemed to fly by.

After An Tong swiped her card for the sixteenth time, Ruan Danling, prompted by Rong Xian’s reminder, looked as though she hadn’t quite had her fill and said, "Alright, let's stop here then."

"An'an, why don't you call Xiao Jiu to come pick us up?"

An Tong glanced at her phone. "He’s already downstairs."

To be precise, Rong Shen had sent her a message an hour ago.

Outside the mall, the minivan was parked in the waiting area with its automatic door open. The man stood not far away, smoking a cigarette. With his handsome features, tailored black overcoat, and crisp suit trousers, he commanded attention and exuded an aura of authority even while doing nothing at all. The way his eyes narrowed slightly as he smoked held a sense of careless leisure.

An Tong started to walk toward him. She was only carrying a single bag containing lingerie; the rest of their purchases would be packed and delivered to the estate by the boutiques.

She had only taken two steps when she heard Ruan Danling’s puzzled voice behind her. "What are you staring at?"

An Tong turned back, distracted, and saw that the usually dignified and elegant eldest sister was glaring coldly at... the direction of Rong Shen.

What was going on?

Confused, An Tong followed her gaze and realized that standing just a few paces from Rong Shen was another man of similar height. He was a handsome man... yet someone who seemed strikingly contradictory. His handsomeness was undeniable—though not quite on par with Rong Shen, he was certainly dashing. The contradiction, however, lay in the discrepancy between his presence and his attire.

His temperament was not as reserved or steady as Rong Shen's; it was more extroverted and rakish. His features were deep, and his smile seemed fixed on his face, lacking the genuine reflection of real emotion—it was merely a calculated expression. Furthermore, the most jarring aspect was his drab cashmere overcoat and khaki casual trousers. It was an outfit that looked shabby at a single glance.

"Why are you here?"

Rong Xian stared unblinkingly at the "shabby" man in the smoking area, firing the cold, displeased question at him.

An Tong and Ruan Danling looked at Rong Xian simultaneously. Before the man could answer, Rong Shen casually crushed his cigarette and held out his palm to An Tong. "Why aren't you coming over?"

An Tong walked over to him, her eyes still lingering on Rong Xian and the man. Rong Shen naturally took the paper bag from her hand and held her hand in his. "Are you tired?"

The two of them talked as if no one else were around, while the man who had been standing there for some time walked up to Ruan Danling. "Hello, Madam. I am Xiao Mingyu, and I am Xian..."

"An assistant!" Rong Xian interjected with a cold, sharp tone. "Mom, he is my assistant."

Although Ruan Danling was a lady of leisure, she had spent years in the entertainment industry as an award-winning actress; she could spot the truth behind a facade at a glance.

"An assistant, is he?" Ruan Danling smiled inscrutably. "Mingyu, did you come here specifically to find Xian?"

Rong Xian looked impatient. "Mom, his name is Xiao Mingyu." Calling him "Mingyu" was giving him too much credit.

Ruan Danling ignored her, observing the man carefully through her sunglasses.

Xiao Mingyu bowed his head apologetically. "Yes, Madam. I did come to find President Xian, but... it is shameful to admit..."

"If it's shameful, then don't say it."

Rong Xian threw another cold retort, earning a stern look from Ruan Danling. "Mind your manners."

"Mingyu, would it be convenient for you to tell me exactly what is going on?"

Xiao Mingyu cast a subtle, meaningful glance at Rong Xian, his eyes filled with profound depth, but she was looking away in annoyance and missed the exchange.

On the other side, An Tong squeezed Rong Shen’s fingers and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Do you know him?" It was a question, but her tone made it sound like a statement.

The man lowered his gaze to meet hers, his thin lips curving in amusement. "Mm, I just met him."

An Tong suddenly realized. No wonder he had said he was going to see someone earlier. It seemed... he had been meeting Xiao Mingyu.

"And he and the eldest sister..."

Rong Shen guided her toward the van, leaning his handsome face close to hers, his voice tinged with a clear smile. "You'll know soon enough."

An Tong looked back as they walked. Watching Xiao Mingyu, who was speaking to Ruan Danling with such a lowly posture, she couldn't help but feel that he wasn't the type of person to be in such a position. Even dressed in such drab, ordinary clothes, there was nothing about his presence that suggested he was an assistant.

Back in the van, An Tong had barely settled into her seat when she saw the others following behind. Ruan Danling and Xiao Mingyu walked in front, while Rong Xian followed at the end, her expressionless face appearing exceptionally cold and unapproachable. She was a career woman through and through, carrying herself with the standard air of a powerful professional. When she chose not to smile, the aura she exuded was almost freezing.

An Tong hadn't expected Xiao Mingyu to follow Ruan Danling into the van so brazenly. However, there were only four seats in the back, and Xiao Mingyu very consciously took the front passenger seat.

During the journey back, the atmosphere in the car was noticeably different from the trip there. It was incredibly heavy and stifling, a mood stemming almost entirely from Rong Xian.

...

Upon arriving at the estate, Rong Xian was the first to push the door open and stride toward the main house.

Ruan Danling huffed, then enthusiastically greeted Xiao Mingyu. "Mingyu, come inside first. I'll have the servants prepare a room for you in a moment. You can stay here with peace of mind for the next few days. Once the government office reopens after the New Year, I'll have someone take you to get your documents replaced."

"Thank you, Madam. I apologize for the trouble."

Ruan Danling waved her hand, taking the opportunity to pull An Tong, who was beside Rong Shen, toward her. She said with a beaming smile, "It's no trouble. Since you're Xiao Xian's assistant, you're practically family. Don't stand on ceremony with us."

An Tong: "?"

Wasn't the aunt's definition of "family" a bit too broad?

An Tong was still lost in her thoughts when her wrist suddenly felt tight. The man’s deep, mellow voice came from behind her. "We have a guest, so please entertain him. I’m going to take An'an back to the courtyard to rest."

Ruan Danling paused, shot Rong Shen a look, and then stroked An Tong’s cheek. "Are you tired from all that walking? Go back and lie down, then. I’ll have someone call you when dinner is ready."

"Alright, Aunt."

Rong Shen ushered An Tong toward the path through the woods on the left. Ruan Danling watched their retreating figures with satisfaction before hurrying up the steps. She had already secured a daughter-in-law, and now all that was left was to find a son-in-law for Xiao Xian.

Don't think she hadn't noticed—the relationship between her and Xiao Mingyu was far from ordinary. If he were just a common assistant, would he be wearing a three-million-dollar watch?

Back at the rear lake villa, An Tong sat on the sofa, accepting a cup of warm tea from a servant. "Is that Mr. Xiao really just the eldest sister’s assistant?"

The man, who was in the middle of taking off his coat, paused and glanced at her, his tone carrying a faint smile. "What did you pick up on?"

An Tong recalled the scene seriously for a few seconds. "His temperament and poise don't look like those of an assistant. Someone like Cheng Feng is more typical of that."

Far away in his hometown, Cheng Feng, who was celebrating the New Year, was caught in the crossfire, an innocent bystander.