How long do you think you need to date before getting married? ...
Meng Shang felt that Jiang Ruoqi must really be related to foxes. Otherwise, why would he be like the naive scholar in those strange tales, completely defenseless against her?
He wasn't exactly a blank slate in relationships, and he had been the one to make the first move with ulterior motives.
Yet Jiang Ruoqi only needed a few simple words to have him wrapped around her finger.
He felt a bit at a loss, but he certainly didn't dislike it.
Luckily, Jiang Ruoqi still cared about the life of her driver, Master Meng, and didn't press the previous question further. She even kindly didn't bring it up again.
The two of them maintained this strange silence until the car stopped at the entrance of the hotel where Jiang Ruoqi was temporarily staying.
When Jiang Ruoqi came to Xinhai, she had hardly any belongings—just one large 30-inch suitcase. Over the past half month, she had been busy with work and hadn't had time to buy anything, so when she checked out, she still only had that one suitcase.
To save time, she had even packed all the clothes from the bed the night before. Despite the heavy load, she didn't let Meng Shang see any messiness.
Having lived alone for many years, Jiang Ruoqi insisted on being well-groomed in public, and naturally, she couldn't be sloppy in her daily life. But tidying up every day was too much effort, so she preferred to do a thorough cleaning once a week.
It happened to be Sunday today, so she had ended the week's chaos early. The previous night's workload had indeed been quite draining.
"Let me take that," Meng Shang said, having apparently adjusted his mindset. He naturally took the suitcase from Jiang Ruoqi's hands.
The 30-inch suitcase was almost half as tall as Jiang Ruoqi. Seeing her struggling to push it out without any intention of asking for help, Meng Shang certainly couldn't just stand there and watch.
"Dr. Meng isn't mad, is he?" Jiang Ruoqi asked, following behind Meng Shang. She had taken a moment to pull out the keycard and close the door, so she had to hurry to catch up.
The hotel corridor was carpeted, making her high heels feel almost like flats. But Meng Shang heard the soft rustling of her steps and her breathing drawing near.
He hesitated briefly, slowing his pace by half a beat, and Jiang Ruoqi, unable to stop in time, bumped into him.
"Why did you suddenly brake?" Jiang Ruoqi rubbed her sore nose, grateful that she hadn't foolishly gotten a nose job in all those years in Gangcheng.
Meng Shang let go of the suitcase, flustered, and didn't dare to touch her face rashly. "Sorry, I was distracted. Did it hurt when you bumped into me?"
"Yes, it hurt so much that tears came to my eyes. Fortunately, it's a real nose." Jiang Ruoqi cast a reproachful glance at Meng Shang. "Now even if you're really mad, you can't be. Physical harm counts as one mental attack. We're even."
Meng Shang found her self-questioning and self-answering amusing. "What would I be mad about?"
"Who knows? You just stopped talking." Jiang Ruoqi argued softly. "What if you left me here and didn't take me back?"
Meng Shang could tell from her tone that she was being deliberate, so he simply gave her the answer she wanted. "Since there's not much luggage, you could take a taxi."
"Is that the answer I want?" Jiang Ruoqi squinted, holding her coat, standing imposingly as if she wanted to put her hands on her hips. "Stingy. Even if I were to devour and take everything, I haven't succeeded yet."
Meng Shang was at a loss for words. He choked, staring at Jiang Ruoqi's eager gaze, unable to find an excuse. He had never met anyone like her—someone who played their hidden cards openly, so righteous that others could only resign themselves to follow her rhythm.
"I won't leave you behind." Meng Shang let out another breath. "Driver Meng doesn't know what to say, but today he's at Miss Jiang's service. Is that okay?"
"Got it. You're thin-skinned." Jiang Ruoqi concluded.
Now Meng Shang's ears truly burned. He turned away, picked up the suitcase, and pressed the elevator button. "Let's hurry. If we delay any longer, we won't have time to go back and tidy up."
It was more accurate to say Jiang Ruoqi was moving out, or rather checking out.
From one place where she could just bring her luggage and move in, to another.
The road out of the city wasn't too congested, but winter nights were long, and it got dark early. By the time they dragged Jiang Ruoqi's large suitcase into the apartment, the lights outside were already visible.
Fortunately, Meng Shang's colleague had kept the place in good condition, covering dusty areas with dust cloths. So all they needed to do was open the windows for ventilation and wipe things down with a damp cloth.
The two of them worked together, and the basic cleaning went quickly. The apartment was livable; as for daily necessities, Jiang Ruoqi could slowly buy whatever she needed.
Jiang Ruoqi was cleaning the bathroom while Meng Shang helped push the suitcase into the master bedroom. The spacious bedroom had a bed in the center, and a row of floor-to-ceiling closets on the side. The curtains near the window fluttered in the wind, casting mottled shadows that reflected off the mirror on the dressing table by the window.
The owner had been married, so the master bedroom was fully furnished, even with a dressing table. But... Meng Shang looked at the bed with only a mattress, then back at the suitcase beside him, and fell into thought.
He felt that the first issue Jiang Ruoqi needed to solve tonight was something else.
"What's wrong?" Meng Shang was tall, completely blocking Jiang Ruoqi's view. She had to step half a step to the side and poke her head around him.
Meng Shang looked down. "Did you bring a pillow and blanket?"
Good question.
"...No."
Jiang Ruoqi was rarely at a loss. She looked at Meng Shang, who was also frowning, and explained, "I came in a hurry. I haven't even given up my apartment in Gangcheng. I didn't have time to pack. Here, I was staying at a hotel, so all the daily necessities were provided. Besides, why would I bring those things? Shipping is expensive, and I can buy them here."
Meng Shang nodded in understanding.
It was indeed unnecessary to bring those from Gangcheng. If it weren't for the time crunch today, they could have gone to the mall and bought them.
"So you don't have any sheets either?"
Jiang Ruoqi blinked and nodded earnestly. Since she didn't have a blanket, why would she bring a duvet cover?
Meng Shang suddenly became curious about what exactly was in Jiang Ruoqi's heavy suitcase that she had brought from Gangcheng.
Jiang Ruoqi caught his look and immediately understood. She kicked the large suitcase, which barely budged. "These are my treasures. Autumn and winter clothes take up a lot of space."
"The whole suitcase?"
"Of course. Which workplace elite wears the same clothes to work every day? President Jiang came back from Victoria Harbour; she has an image to maintain."
Meng Shang nodded solemnly, thinking of his own racks of black, white, and gray shirts and another rack of black, white, and gray coats. He felt he had underestimated President Jiang's large suitcase.
"But even with the air conditioner on, President Jiang can't go without a blanket in this weather." Meng Shang checked the time. "The nearby mall isn't closed yet. Should we drive to buy some now?"