Sure enough, the doorbell stopped ringing.
Jiang Ruan, feeling weak in the legs, quickly checked herself in the mirror to make sure everything was fine, then went to open the door.
When she opened the door, she saw Bai Yi's back.
It wasn't Sister Qin.
Jiang Ruan exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Bai Yi."
A voice called out from behind, making Bai Yi stop in his tracks and return to the doorway.
Looking at Jiang Ruan, his expression softened, and his voice was magnetic, "I thought you weren't home since you took so long to open the door."
Jiang Ruan found an excuse, raising her hand to scratch her head, "I fell asleep as soon as I got back. Brother Bai Yi, is there something you need from me?"
Jiang Ruan had a good impression of Bai Yi.
As the youngest veteran actor in showbiz, Bai Yi had won numerous prestigious awards over the years. He was humble and gentle, with excellent acting skills.
He was a recognized powerhouse actor.
Jiang Ruan had learned a lot from him. Although this was their first collaboration, they worked very well together.
He was also Jiang Ruan's idol.
"Here, for you." Bai Yi handed her the medicated patches in his hand. "I bought these a while ago, they're great for bruises. Kneeling on a cobblestone road for so long is hard, even for a man, let alone you, a girl."
"Using these will help you heal faster."
Jiang Ruan was flattered, a bit surprised as she looked at the proffered patches.
Given his kindness, there was no way she could refuse.
Her face broke into a smile as she said, "Alright, thank you, Brother Bai Yi."
Her voice was naturally soft.
She spoke sweetly, which was very endearing.
"No need to thank me."
Bai Yi looked at her.
He spoke seriously.
"Having a sense of responsibility is a good thing, understanding the big picture is too, but don't be overly understanding."
"If Li Xin causes you trouble again next time, don't tolerate her. An actor who can't even act, repeatedly making mistakes, should consider a career change."
He spoke with a fair tone.
In this industry, Bai Yi had risen from a nobody to where he was today.
Along the way, he'd seen all sorts of people.
Those like Jiang Ruan, who earnestly dedicated herself to acting, earned Bai Yi's respect.
On the other hand, those like Li Xin, who were always scheming and causing trouble, Bai Yi held in disdain.
Such parasites, the fewer there are in a crew, the better.
These words lifted Jiang Ruan's spirits tremendously.
She felt much better instantly.
"I understand, Brother Bai Yi."
"Thank you, and for the patches too."
Bai Yi responded with a simple "Hmm."
His gaze fell on her cheek, making him raise an eyebrow with a casual smile, "Why is your face so red?"
Jiang Ruan felt a flutter, raised her hand to touch her face, "Is it?"
"Maybe I just woke up, feeling hot."
Jiang Ruan chuckled as she explained.
Bai Yi nodded, "Maybe so."
"You must be worn out. I won't disturb you any longer. Apply the patches and rest well."
"See you tomorrow."
Jiang Ruan nodded, "Alright, goodbye Brother Bai Yi."
"See you tomorrow."
As she watched Bai Yi's retreating back, Jiang Ruan finally breathed a sigh of relief, touching her face. Was it really that red?
It was all because of that damn man inside!
Jiang Ruan cursed in her heart.
But looking at the patches in her hand, she blinked, surprise filling her eyes.
Did Brother Bai Yi really bring her patches?
It was indeed a pleasant surprise.
After all, he was her idol, and Jiang Ruan held Bai Yi in great respect and admiration.
Thus, even as she closed the door, the smile on her lips remained.
Not far away, a man in a purple shirt and black trousers stood with one hand in his pocket, exuding elegance.
Watching her, the man's tightly pressed thin lips revealed a faint smile, seemingly cold, "You seem quite happy?"
At those words, Jiang Ruan's heart trembled.
Why did he come out so quickly?
The hand clutching the patches instinctively hid behind her. She was nervous, "No... not really."
"Why are you hiding?" Bao Ye walked over, his steps seemingly normal.
But to Jiang Ruan, it felt like he was closing in on her.
He scoffed coldly, "Are you afraid I'll see another man giving you patches?"
Jiang Ruan said, "He's just a colleague."
Bao Ye was noncommittal, standing before her, looking down at her.
"A colleague? Then why are you nervous?"
Jiang Ruan said, "I'm not."
"You're overthinking this!"
Why would she be nervous?
She hadn't cheated nor made him a cuckold.
"Brother Bai Yi?"
Bao Ye sneered, bending close to her ear, blowing hot air, and then, as if punishing her, bit her earlobe.
"You call him quite affectionately, don't you?"
His tone was ambiguous, carrying a strange hint of jealousy.
The bite made Jiang Ruan wince, instinctively stepping back, rubbing her ear, "Are you crazy, why are you biting me! It hurts."
"I told you, I'm just colleagues with him, and he's a senior, isn't it normal to call him Brother Bai Yi? It's a term of respect, don't you know?"
Jiang Ruan's temper flared.
She spoke unceremoniously.
He seemed utterly unreasonable to her.
But Bao Ye wouldn't take it, "Educating me?"
He fixed his deep eyes on her.
Jiang Ruan quickly backed down, "I wasn't, I was just talking reason with you."
Who was he, after all? He was Bao Ye.
How could she dare to educate him?
In the whole of Beijing, no one dared educate him.
"Heh."
Bao Ye let out a cold laugh, "In this world, not many dare to reason with me."
"And you even dare to scold me."
"Jiang Ruan, you're the first."
Jiang Ruan, unconvinced, bit her lip, "Who told you to bite me first."
It's not like she cursed him on purpose.
She held her head high.
"And you bit so painfully, even rabbits bite when pressed."
Bao Ye didn't argue with her.
His dark eyes bore into her, his tone cold and commanding, "Anyway, stay away from other men."
Jiang Ruan: "..."
Seeing her obstinate like a donkey.
Bao Ye's temple throbbed.
He reined in his expression, saying.
"Come here, let me apply the patches for you."
Jiang Ruan finally reacted a bit, "Oh."
Bao Ye: "..."
In front of the sofa, Jiang Ruan sat, her skirt pulled up to her thigh, with Bao Ye kneeling in front of her.
As she watched him carefully apply the patches, Jiang Ruan's mind wasn't focused on this.
He told her to stay away from other men.
What about him?
Would he stay away from other women?
Jiang Ruan pouted.
What a double-standard jerk.
Gossip news kept reporting about some actress he had abroad, a childhood sweetheart, from a well-matched family, deeply in love once upon a time.
Though she'd been gone three years.
She was neither married nor pregnant.
Who knows, she might come back any day.
When that happens, he probably wouldn't hesitate to break up with her on his own.
Jiang Ruan sneered coldly in her heart.
After all, she was his 'white moonlight.'
That family background, having everything.
How could she compete?
The living room was excessively quiet.
Only their breaths could be heard.
Suddenly, a clear cold voice came from him, "What are you thinking?"
—
Here comes the long chapter!
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