Chapter 37: Zhao Qiyan’s Devotion to Ruan Jing
In order to free up time for the coming week, Zhao Qiyan had been unusually busy these past few days. Because of that, Ruan Jing had made a habit of meeting him at his workplace after finishing her own work.
That afternoon, however, she accompanied her mother to the law firm. Ruan Zheng’s case was still unresolved, and the first trial’s identification had been scheduled for nine o’clock the morning after next.
“This lawsuit won’t be easy,” Attorney Shen said frankly, his tone leaving no room for false hope. “Even if we win, there will likely still be losses.”
“We understand,” her mother replied calmly. “Right now, we only hope to avoid imprisonment.”
“I’ve already taken over the case, so I will do my best,” Lawyer Shen continued. “And since I gave my word, I won’t go back on it.”
When Ruan Jing heard that last sentence, she almost asked who had entrusted him with the case. But seeing how casually he had mentioned it, she held back, assuming it must have been one of her uncles.
After parting ways with her mother, she drove straight to Zhao Qiyan’s workplace.
Although she had been there twice before, she had always waited outside. This time, since she had arrived early, she parked the car and sent him a message.
Not long after, Zhao Qiyan came out.
From a distance, she saw him walking toward her in a white coat, his posture straight and composed. The professional attire made him look even more refined—tall, calm, and quietly imposing.
He led her through a long corridor. As they passed several laboratories, Ruan Jing couldn’t help glancing through the glass windows. Inside, people were busy with their work, some even looking up to greet her when they noticed her curiosity. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away.
When they reached his office, a colleague who had been inside looked surprised at first, then smiled warmly. “Qiyan’s girlfriend? I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Go ahead and finish your work. We’ll talk later,” Zhao Qiyan said, smiling lightly.
The man raised his hands in surrender and left without hesitation, even thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
Zhao Qiyan gestured toward his chair. “Sit.”
He himself leaned casually against the edge of the table, half sitting.
“Did you come early on purpose to see me?” he asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Ruan Jing thought about it, then nodded honestly.
“If only you had been this straightforward from the beginning.”
“When have I ever been dishonest?” she countered.
When you rejected me.
The unspoken words seemed to linger in the air.
Ruan Jing almost laughed, wanting to deny it, but when she met his gaze—still smiling, yet carrying a trace of past hurt—she swallowed her response and accepted the accusation in silence.
“You have no idea how much you tormented me back then,” he added quietly.
She suddenly leaned forward, cupping his face in her hands, and pressed a light kiss to his lips. “And now? Are you still miserable?”
His eyes darkened slightly.
Ruan Jing immediately sensed the shift and quickly stepped away, pretending to examine the room.
“This screen is beautiful,” she said casually. “Where did you get it?”
“It was a gift. I don’t know,” he replied.
…Someone was being deliberately indifferent.
A knock interrupted them.
A colleague peeked in. “Qiyan, Professor Zheng asked you to come help.”
Zhao Qiyan checked the time, then turned to Ruan Jing, who stood a short distance away. “Wait for me about twenty minutes. If you’re bored, use the computer.”
“Okay.”
Not long after he left, an assistant came in with a cup of strong coffee—exactly the kind she liked.
Ruan Jing couldn’t help smiling faintly.
There was something comforting about a man who didn’t just feel deeply, but acted on those feelings. The result could either be overwhelming or deeply reassuring.
Fortunately… she had chosen the latter.
Just as she turned on the computer, there was another knock.
A young man poked his head in, smiling brightly. “Hi, sister-in-law.”
Ruan Jing froze for a second at the title, then replied politely, “Do you need something? Zhao Qiyan isn’t here.”
“I know Brother Zhao isn’t here,” he said cheerfully. “I came to see you, sister-in-law, on behalf of everyone in our lab.”
This was the first time she had been addressed so… formally. She hesitated before replying, “Then… please, make yourself comfortable.”
The man blinked, then burst out laughing. “Sorry, sorry! Sister-in-law is really… interesting. My name is Zhou Yonghua. You can call me Huazi—but not the Huazi from Struggle, haha!”
Later, Ruan Jing learned that he was a graduate student at Tsinghua University. She couldn’t help but think that he was quite remarkable.
The next twenty minutes passed in a surprisingly lively way.
Ruan Jing hadn’t expected that simply sitting in Zhao Qiyan’s office would attract so much attention. One after another, people came in under various excuses—each one greeting her as “sister-in-law.” One even went as far as calling her “Sister-in-law Zhao.”
By the end of it, she felt thoroughly overwhelmed.
So this was what it meant to be with someone like Zhao Qiyan.
Being noticed… and constantly observed.
When Zhao Qiyan returned, he saw two colleagues chatting with her while she looked helpless.
“Everyone’s already off work,” he said lightly. “Why are you still here?”
“The master is back, we’re leaving now!” one of them joked.
As they left, one turned back and grinned. “Brother Zhao, your wife is really nice.”
Zhao Qiyan hung up his white coat and replied calmly, “Of course.”
As they reached the door, someone added, “Isn’t it tradition here that when someone gets a girlfriend, they treat everyone?”
Zhao Qiyan didn’t hesitate. “This weekend, Xintiandi. I’ll treat everyone.”
“Sister-in-law heard it too! I didn’t ask for it—Brother Zhao offered!” the man shouted before running off to spread the news.
Once the room quieted down, Zhao Qiyan walked over.
He placed one hand on the table and the other lightly on her shoulder, leaning down slightly. “What are you playing?”
“Just a small game.” She closed the page. “Done with work?”
“Mm.”
Then, as if remembering something, he added in a low voice, “Don’t come next time. And if you do, don’t come so early.”
Ruan Jing blinked. “Why?”
“It affects my work.”
“I didn’t do anything!”
“I get distracted just knowing you’re here.”
Ruan Jing fell silent.
She didn’t quite know how to respond to that.
On the morning of the ninth, Ruan Jing took leave to attend court.
She left with Ruan Xian at eight. The rest of the family had already gone ahead.
When they arrived at the courthouse, two reporters were waiting outside.
Ruan Xian’s expression darkened.
“I’ll park the car,” Ruan Jing said gently. “You go in first. Don’t get upset—it’s always like this. As long as Grandpa is okay, nothing else matters.”
Ruan Xian looked at her, then smiled faintly. “You’re careless about small things, but when it matters, you’re calmer than me.”
The verdict was delivered that day:
One year imprisonment, suspended for two years.
And a fine of 320,000 yuan.
Ruan Jing remembered how cold it had been that morning.
But when she walked out of the courthouse, her back was damp with sweat.
“Ah Jing.”
A voice called after her.
She didn’t turn.
Jiang Yan caught up, placing a hesitant hand on her shoulder. “Going home? I’ll take you.”
“No. I drove.”
“Your sister took your car.”
She paused.
Then shook her head, gently pulling away. “I want to be alone.”
“How far apart are we now?” he asked quietly from behind.
She kept walking.
Step by step, increasing the distance between them.
A moment later, he heard her voice—soft, almost fragile—as she spoke into her phone:
“Qiyan… I want to see you.”
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