The car slowly pulled out of the villa area, and a piece of light music played from the car's sound system.
The journey wasn't awkward; He Yan Ci casually chatted with her about everyday things and also introduced some of the recent changes in Kyoto.
When the traffic was light and the road was clear, he slowed down the car and told her about new and interesting places that had opened in Kyoto.
Kyoto had been changing rapidly in recent years, and although Wen Ruan was born here, she had spent most of her childhood in the south due to health reasons. It was only after her health improved that she got used to the southern way of life.
At the seventh red light, He Yan Ci's phone rang. He apologized and answered the call via Bluetooth—it was from the He family, checking in on how the meeting between the two of them was going.
He Yan Ci took the call without any attempt to hide it, and Wen Ruan, sitting quietly, didn't eavesdrop.
The only thing that was clear was that both their families were actively trying to bring them together.
As for their own feelings, it was no secret; they both understood it was merely a formality.
Wen Ruan turned her gaze to the dazzling city lights of Kyoto, then looked down at her phone. She unlocked it, only to be greeted by a flurry of messages from her friend Tang Sui Yi, all starting with her nickname.
[Soft Soft Soft Soft Soft Soft——]
Wen Ruan sighed in exasperation: [What is it now? Are you already trying to summon my soul when I'm still alive?]
Tang Sui Yi: [Hehe, as your family, of course, I'm concerned about our little Soft Soft's lifelong matters. Have you met him yet? How did it go?]
Wen Ruan, fully understanding her friend's gossip-loving nature, typed back lazily: [Just met.]
Tang Sui Yi: [Whoa, just met and you're already moving so fast, Soft Soft, can you be any bolder?]
Wen Ruan rolled her eyes: [Are you trying to get me killed? Do you think I'm that kind of person?] She was, after all, a lady—elegant and well-mannered.
Tang Sui Yi: [Tsk tsk tsk, who are we kidding? You and I both know your little quirks. What's the deal? Does your fiancé meet the requirements?]
Wen Ruan's mind briefly flashed back to the image of He Yan Ci standing in front of her house, sleeves of his dark shirt rolled up, revealing a strong forearm, his shirt hugging his muscular frame in a way that left little to the imagination.
She smiled slightly and replied: [He's... fine.]
[Whoa, Big Sis, that 'fine' is a pretty high compliment!]
Wen Ruan's peculiar preferences were difficult for most men to satisfy. She was particular about details—like how a shirt had to be just tight enough to show off the body's natural lines but not too tight, and not too loose either, or it would lose its appeal.
Her friends often teased her that only gentlemen or beasts could meet her standards.
For Tang Sui Yi to get this kind of evaluation from her was clearly a huge achievement.
Tang Sui Yi: [Come on! Hurry up and send me a photo!]
[I've got to see if this guy who gets such high praise from our Big Sis is as devastatingly handsome as you say!]
Wen Ruan hesitated for a moment before responding. Tang Sui Yi's messages flooded her screen.
Wen Ruan, glancing over at He Yan Ci, who was driving, typed back: [He's driving, I'm in the passenger seat, it's hard to take a picture.] She didn't want to appear disrespectful by sneaking a photo.
Tang Sui Yi: [Tsk tsk tsk, already starting to care about him driving? Tell me, does this childhood fiancé of yours have the kind of face that's become embedded in your heart?]
Wen Ruan calmly arranged her hair and replied: [Hmm… I guess he's grown on me.]
Tang Sui Yi: [Then why are you still telling me that this whole thing is just a farce? It's clearly a gift from the heavens! Why not just latch onto him and never let go?]
Wen Ruan smiled wryly. Latch onto what? He Yan Ci would never tolerate her following him around like when they were children. Not to mention, she wasn't in favor of such a forced marriage. She envisioned a relationship that would grow naturally, one where both people were in love.
[Has he mentioned it?]
[Not yet, we've just set off.] Of course, he wouldn't bring it up until the meal was halfway through. He was the kind of person who would make sure everything was done properly, even when it came to something as trivial as this.
[I see. By the way, I just heard from Chief Chu that He Yan Ci is basically a god in the Kyoto circle, not just from a wealthy family but also running a company that's at the top globally. He's the type that's revered by countless elite young women. You must have a ton of rivals! Better grab on tight.]
[They all know?] Wen Ruan thought to herself. Great, now she wouldn't be able to face anyone.
[Of course! As your family, who wouldn't care?]
"..." Wen Ruan massaged her temple.
[Soft Soft, still the same advice: if He Yan Ci doesn't bring up the engagement, you should just sleep with him. I had Chief Chu pull some of his private information, although it's not too detailed, it's enough to show that he's low-key with no mess in his private life. It's a good investment!]
Wen Ruan: [Oh… so you mean, even if I can't win his heart, at least I'd win his body?]
[Exactly. Soft Soft, don't sell yourself short. Don't you know how many people are mesmerized by your beauty? I'm sure he won't be able to resist. I'm telling you, with your looks and charm, even just a glance would be enough to make him fall.]
"..." The conversation was getting more ridiculous by the minute. She wasn't even considering anything like that. She decided to end it, cutting off the conversation with a decisive action: [I'm not talking to you anymore. He's driving, and it's impolite to keep looking at my phone like this.]
He Yan Ci had encountered many fair-skinned women before, but he had never seen someone with skin as flawless as Wen Ruan's.
Wen Ruan rested her head on one hand, glancing down at her phone. The sleeve of her coat had slid up slightly, revealing a delicate wrist with a stunning white jade bracelet. The lustrous, translucent jade highlighted the porcelain-like quality of her skin, adding an ethereal glow to her already flawless appearance.
Her beauty was captivating, even in the most mundane of actions.
[Alright, alright, off you go now. Aaaaah, Chief Chu's calling me for work!]
[Can't wait to hear all the juicy details later! Make sure to send pictures, send pictures, send pictures!]
Wen Ruan read through Tang Sui Yi's messages, rolled her eyes, and quietly put her phone back into her bag. She sat in the car quietly.
After a few more minutes, they arrived at their destination.
He Yan Ci parked the car and took off his glasses.
Taking off his glasses?
Wen Ruan glanced at He Yan Ci's glasses, puzzled.
Noticing her confusion, He Yan Ci casually explained, holding the glasses in his hand, "I don't usually wear them, but my vision isn't as sharp at night while driving."
Without the glasses, He Yan Ci appeared less refined and more inscrutable, his usual gentlemanly demeanor softened, replaced by something more elusive, almost fox-like.
Wen Ruan wasn't sure why he felt the need to explain, but it was probably out of politeness.
She gave a soft "Oh" in response.
He Yan Ci handed the keys to a valet, then walked around to open the door for her.
She stepped out of the car, and the restaurant manager immediately greeted them. It was clear they were familiar with each other. The manager's gaze lingered on Wen Ruan, full of curiosity about her relationship with He Yan Ci.
"Miss Wen," He Yan Ci said, smiling gently.
The manager immediately greeted her warmly, and Wen Ruan nodded politely.
He Yan Ci added, "I wasn't sure about your preferences, but this restaurant specializes in both Southern Chinese and Russian cuisine."
The grand restaurant was empty, clearly reserved in advance by He Yan Ci.
Wen Ruan scanned the lobby as she stepped out of the car, as was her habit—part of her job to observe her surroundings.
"Mr. He, thank you for your thoughtfulness. I prefer local food. I'm not very fond of other cuisines." Despite spending some time at her grandfather's estate in Russia, her favorite remained Southern Chinese food, especially spicy hot pots.
Wen Ruan thought this to herself, though she kept a polite and refined demeanor.
"Good, I'll remember that," He Yan Ci smiled.
Wen Ruan inwardly rolled her eyes, but smiled on the outside. What exactly would he remember about her preferences? What could they know about each other at this point?