Chapter 38: Love, Jealousy, and Quiet Possession

Ruan Jing had recently developed a new habit—whenever she found spare time, she would head to the gym and run for an hour or two. Later, she discovered a smaller gym tucked away on the second floor of the school’s indoor basketball court. It was closer, more affordable, and far more convenient. Naturally, she switched without hesitation.

The only downside was the crowd after five in the evening. The place filled quickly, especially with international students. Foreigners seemed particularly fond of gyms. Normally, that wouldn’t bother her—everyone minding their own business was ideal—but some people had a tendency to strike up conversations.

Ruan Jing wasn’t trying to appear aloof; she simply disliked chatting with strangers or forcing polite interactions. So whenever someone approached her in English, she would calmly reply in Chinese, “I don’t understand.” It worked every time.

Except today.

Today, she ran into a British man who spoke fluent Chinese.

After a brief moment of awkward silence, Ruan Jing could only respond in slightly clumsy Japanese, “Yes, I’m Chinese!”

That, at least, ended the conversation.

As she stepped out, sipping water, she noticed an inter-school basketball game taking place on the court below. Curious, she paused to watch. Unfortunately, barely three minutes later, the ball came flying straight toward her.

Fortunately, her reflexes were quick. She sidestepped just in time, avoiding embarrassment.

A player jogged over to retrieve the ball. As he passed, he glanced back at her and grinned. “Hey, junior, what department and class are you in?”

A few days ago, she had been called “sister-in-law.” Now she was being called “junior sister.” Adjusting to these titles was becoming increasingly difficult.

“Sociology Department, 4201,” she replied sincerely—giving her office address instead.

As she walked away, she heard someone behind her comment, “She’s pretty, but a bit arrogant.”

Ruan Jing didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh.

After returning to her mother’s dormitory on campus, she took a shower. Just as she stepped out, her phone rang.

“Where are you?” Zhao Qiyan’s voice came through. “Still at school?”

“Mm. I was just about to go out and get something to eat. Want to join me?”

“Wait for me. Ten minutes.”

There was a slight pause before he added, almost hesitantly, “Are you staying at school tonight? I… could stay with you.”

A warmth spread quietly through her chest.

He knew she hadn’t been in the best mood lately. He always knew. Yet he never pressed, never forced comfort on her—only offered it gently, in ways that felt natural.

That quiet understanding touched her more than any words could.

As she stepped out of the dormitory, she ran into a neighboring teacher. Recognizing her as Ruan Huayu’s daughter, the woman greeted her warmly, even offering late-night snacks.

“Going out? Still staying here tonight?”

“Yes, I’ll be back,” Ruan Jing replied with a smile, exchanging a few polite words before her phone rang again.

“I’m downstairs,” Zhao Qiyan said. “Are you coming down, or should I come up?”

“I’m coming down. Wait for me.”

“Boyfriend?” the teacher teased.

Ruan Jing smiled and nodded.

When she reached the building entrance, Zhao Qiyan was leaning casually against his car, an ice cream cone in hand. As she approached, he handed it to her.

She took it, amused. “People usually give flowers.”

“Flowers are in the car.”

There it was again—his way of doing things perfectly, leaving no room for complaint.

That evening, they randomly chose a restaurant for dinner. Afterwards, Ruan Jing suggested going back to the dorm to watch a movie. Zhao Qiyan, as always, agreed without hesitation. As long as he was with her, everything else seemed secondary.

On the way back, they ran into Qi Qin.

“Long time no see, Ah Jing.”

Ruan Jing smiled gently, her fingers tightening around Zhao Qiyan’s hand. “Long time no see.”

Qi Qin immediately recognized the man beside her. Someone like Zhao Qiyan was impossible to overlook. What she hadn’t expected… was that he and Ruan Jing were together.

“You—”

“This is Zhao Qiyan, my boyfriend,” Ruan Jing introduced calmly. “Qiyan, this is Teacher Qi Qin. She teaches piano.”

Zhao Qiyan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Qi Qin hesitated. “Ah Jing… there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, but…”

“Teacher Qi, if there’s anything, just say it,” Ruan Jing replied gently. “If I can help, I will.”

In the past, she might have gone somewhere quiet to listen. Now, she had no intention of letting go of Zhao Qiyan even for a moment.

Qi Qin shook her head quickly. “No… it’s nothing. I’ve already troubled you enough.”

After several attempts, she still didn’t speak.

Some things, once missed, should remain that way.

Watching the two of them walk away together, Qi Qin couldn’t help but think—they were perfectly matched. Beautiful, harmonious… almost untouchable.

A few days later, Ruan Jing attended a dinner gathering with Zhao Qiyan’s colleagues. Before leaving, she finally voiced something she had been wanting to say.

“Can you all stop calling me ‘sister-in-law’?”

Hua Zi blinked. “Are you Brother Zhao’s girlfriend?”

“…Yes.”

“Do you love Brother Zhao?”

That question caught her off guard.

“…Love.”

The room erupted in laughter.

“Sister Zhao, don’t scare us like that! Everyone eat—she’s definitely Brother Zhao’s girlfriend, and he’s paying!”

Ruan Jing gave up resisting entirely.

On the way home, she glanced at Zhao Qiyan. “Why does everyone call you Brother Zhao? Are you the oldest?”

He considered briefly. “It’s about ability.”

Too arrogant.

She looked up at the blurred stars above, unsure whether to laugh or sigh.

One evening, Zhao Qiyan had just finished discussing business at a café when he received her voice message asking him to pick her up downtown. He arrived five minutes late—unusual for him.

Before he could explain, Ruan Jing grabbed his arm and pulled him into the World Trade Center behind her.

“I saw two outfits that would suit you.”

“You’re buying me clothes?”

“Is that not allowed?”

He smiled faintly. “I’m just… honored.”

On the fifth floor, she led him straight to a counter, handing him two outfits to try. When he stepped out wearing the first one, she couldn’t help but click her tongue.

With his figure and presence, trying them on felt unnecessary.

“Well?” he asked, letting her examine him.

“Perfect.”

The second outfit was purchased without even trying it.

Even the salesperson seemed impressed, offering them a small discount.

When they stepped outside, rain was pouring heavily. Pedestrians hurried through the streets, seeking shelter.

“Where’s your car?”

“At the intersection.”

“Let’s run.”

He laughed softly, taking her hand. “In such a hurry? You bought me clothes today—at least let me treat you to dinner.”

His way of teasing was always gentle, never forceful, yet impossible to resist.

They ended up in an Italian restaurant nearby. By the time dinner ended, the rain had stopped. He took her to Yinshan afterward, and somewhere along the way, she completely forgot about the report she was supposed to finish.

By the end of December, Ruan Jing was transferred to the school’s finance department, while Jiang Yan took over her previous role. Ruan Xian, unable to tolerate the situation, began traveling frequently for work.

Ruan Jing became busier than ever. Her time with Zhao Qiyan grew limited.

But he never complained.

He simply adjusted.

If she was too busy to meet, he would bring dinner to her dorm, sit beside her while she worked, and stay the night.

For him, this was enough.

Even when a trace of possessiveness surfaced, he kept it carefully restrained—never letting it turn into pressure.

One evening, when Ruan Jing returned to her dorm, she found him leaning casually against the door, long legs crossed, eyes lowered to his phone.

She tiptoed closer.

Without looking up, he smiled faintly. “You’re back.”

She paused, pulling her hand back. “What kind of awareness is that?”

“You smell nice.”

“…What?”

“The scent is unique. I know it’s you.”

He followed her inside, closing the door behind them.

“Orange or strawberry?” she joked, lifting her shirt slightly to smell herself.

The small gesture made his eyes narrow.

He placed the food on the table. She, already tired and hungry, rushed over immediately.

He pulled her down beside him, opening the containers one by one. Then, after a brief pause, he leaned closer and whispered something into her ear.

Her face flushed instantly.

Even taking advantage of someone shouldn’t be done like this.

The next day, Ruan Jing reflected seriously—she had practically “sold herself” twice just for a meal.

A terrible deal.

Which only proved one thing.

Zhao Qiyan was far too good at this.