He Yanxi led Wen Ruan to the hospital rooftop.
Wen Ruan's fair and delicate skin, which had always been so since childhood, marked easily even with the slightest touch. The grip on her wrist earlier had left a noticeable red imprint, something He Yanxi observed the moment he let go.
He took a step forward, putting a slight distance between them.
"What do you want to talk about?" Wen Ruan was the first to break the silence.
Hadn't everything already been made clear in Jicheng?
He Yanxi didn't respond.
Wen Ruan exhaled softly and shifted the topic herself. "I'm not sure why you didn't clarify things with Grandpa He earlier, but now seems like a good opportunity. Let's clear the air together. It was absurd from the start—this isn't the old days anymore."
She smiled faintly, waiting for his reply.
The sky over Jingdu was hazy and carried a hint of chill. The sun, as always, rose later than in the south. Though it should have been high in the sky, it was still climbing, casting soft light across the horizon.
He Yanxi stood tall, his figure silhouetted against the light. The warm glow slanted perfectly onto his shoulders, tracing the tailored lines of his shirt and refracting into faint shadows.
The scene felt ethereal, distant, like the untouchable cliff-edge flower often depicted in stories—noble, unyielding, and perilous, yet irresistibly alluring.
He Yanxi was undoubtedly captivating—a textbook image of broad shoulders, long legs, and a narrow waist.
His charm was undeniable, difficult to resist.
After a long moment, He Yanxi finally spoke, his voice as light as the breeze. "Wen Ruan, what do you think of me?"
"...?" Wen Ruan blinked, bewildered.
Before she could answer, he turned around, his deep eyes locking onto hers. "How do I compare to Fu Jingbai?"
As the words left his mouth, he couldn't help but scoff inwardly. What was he even comparing himself to Fu Jingbai for?
In terms of personal wealth, he far exceeded Fu Jingbai.
In appearance, he didn't think he was inferior.
In height? Fu Jingbai's official profile claimed 185 cm, yet he stood four centimeters taller without compromise.
As for physique—he was undoubtedly superior.
Why bother with this comparison?
Wen Ruan was perplexed. Why was He Yanxi comparing himself to Teacher Fu?
They weren't even the same type of person—their personalities were worlds apart.
Teacher Fu was truly gentle and refined.
As for He Yanxi, his polished manners were all a facade, one she'd seen through long ago.
"I think Grandpa's suggestion is reasonable, but of course, it hinges on whether your feelings for Fu Jingbai are truly unbreakable."
"What do you think?" He gazed at her, his tone neutral.
He refused to believe that, by every measurable standard, he could lose to Fu Jingbai.
Her thoughts spiraled. "When did my feelings for Teacher Fu become so deep they couldn't be severed?" she retorted, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Fu Jingbai held a special place in her life, yes—but only as a close friend.
Wen Ruan's pale face grew serious, her wide eyes filled with an innocent indignation that puffed her cheeks slightly. Her expression was too earnest to be feigned, with a hint of incredulity.
The tension in He Yanxi's expression eased slightly, his hands in his pockets relaxing. "Good, then it won't be too hard for you to move on. Wen Ruan, you should know that your parents and Grandpa Wen have always preferred me as your husband. In their eyes, we're the ideal match in terms of status, family, and every other aspect."
He wasn't wrong. In their social circle, alliances through marriage weren't uncommon; everything was weighed and measured carefully.
But Wen Ruan hadn't expected this to be the reason He Yanxi brought her here.
She had assumed he was worried she might agree to Grandpa He's proposal and had rushed to prevent it.
Remaining silent, Wen Ruan mulled over her confusion. Didn't He Yanxi dislike her?
Why did he find Grandpa He's suggestion agreeable? Shouldn't he be rejecting it outright?
As if sensing her doubts, He Yanxi's calm voice broke through her thoughts. "I'm at the age where marriage is expected. During this time, I haven't met anyone more suitable. My company's future lies in advanced medical technology, and presenting myself as a married man would strengthen my position in the field. Besides, you're well aware of my grandfather's temper—once he's set on something, no one can change his mind."
Wen Ruan understood. From his perspective, marriage served as a strategic move, and she, being favored by Grandpa He, was the most convenient option.
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She had always believed He Yanxi despised her.
Yet now, he seemed to treat marriage as a mere tool—a sacrifice for benefit. Was this the same He Yanxi she once knew, the man who now used marriage as a bargaining chip?
He Yanxi's gaze lingered on her before softening slightly. "Given Grandpa Wen's condition, formalizing our relationship now would only benefit him. Don't you agree?"
Every word he spoke was logical, carrying an unyielding pressure that left Wen Ruan disoriented.
Grandpa would undoubtedly be overjoyed to see her marry He Yanxi.
But such a marriage would be reduced to a transaction, far removed from the life she had envisioned for herself.
Before she could reach a decision, the rooftop door creaked open from within.
Min Qing stepped out, her worried gaze easing when she saw there was no conflict between the two. "Ruan Ruan, your grandfather is awake. He's been asking for you."
Hearing this, Wen Ruan's troubled expression lifted, a faint smile breaking through the redness of her tear-stained eyes.
He Yanxi withdrew his gaze, the tension in his posture loosening. "Go see Grandpa Wen first. Think about my proposal, and we'll discuss it later."
Wen Ruan nodded and hurried downstairs.
Min Qing called after her, reminding her to slow down.
The rooftop was left with just Min Qing and He Yanxi.
He approached with his usual poise and greeted her respectfully.
"Yanxi," Min Qing began, her tone cautious. "Whatever you have to say, I hope you'll wait until we get through this. Ruan Ruan's health is delicate, and her grandfather's current state is weighing heavily on her. We're reasonable people—we won't force things if it's not meant to be."
He Yanxi's reputation as a reliable, upright man gave her some reassurance, but her daughter's well-being remained her priority.
"You have my word, Aunt Min," He Yanxi replied, his refined features warm. "Ruan Ruan and I were just discussing the timing of the wedding."
"What?" Min Qing's surprise was evident.
Downstairs, Wen Ruan entered the ICU. Grandpa Wen wasn't fully conscious, but there was a flicker of awareness.
Grandpa He smiled, his tone gentle. "Ruan Ruan, that old man inside has been mumbling your name. Maybe if you talk to him, he'll wake up faster."
It was clear this was partly an excuse to check on her and He Yanxi.
Wen Ruan turned to Professor Yang. "Uncle Yang, may I go in to see Grandpa?"
Professor Yang nodded. "It's fine. A little conversation might help, but don't stay too long—it could affect his rest."
"Ruan Ruan, if you're not feeling well, you can wait until he's more awake," Min Qing advised from behind her, concern etched on her face.
"I'm fine, Mom. I want to see Grandpa," Wen Ruan insisted, catching a glimpse of He Yanxi standing quietly behind her parents.
Their gazes met briefly before he stepped forward to take her coat as she prepared to put on the isolation gown.
"If you feel unwell, press the call button," he said softly.
"Got it," Wen Ruan replied, nodding.
The moment she stepped inside and saw her frail grandfather hooked up to tubes and oxygen, her composure crumbled entirely.
Memories of their time together flashed before her eyes like a movie.
She knelt by his bedside, clasping his bony hand to her cheek. "Grandpa, you're such a liar. Last year, you promised to take me to see Switzerland's first snowfall this year. How could you break your promise? You always taught me that breaking a promise was disrespectful, yet here you are, lying here."
"You said you'd looked around at all the young men from prominent families and concluded that only He Yanxi could take care of me. You even said your judgment couldn't be wrong." Her voice broke with emotion. "So hurry and wake up! If you don't, Dad will take over your job of walking me down the aisle—imagine how mad you'll be."
Her grandfather's lips moved faintly, whispering her nickname and another name—Yanxi.
Wen Ruan's thoughts drifted to He Yanxi's earlier words, and she made a quiet resolution in her heart.
Through the window, He Yanxi watched the scene. Wen