Min Qing descended the stairs and immediately spotted the exhausted Wen Ruan, followed by the jewelry boxes that occupied a significant portion of the space.
"What have you been doing? Have you moved house? You look completely worn out."
Min Qing walked over and glanced at the high-end jewelry brands.
"Did Yan Ci buy these for you?" she inquired.
"Mm-hmm," Wen Ruan replied. After spending hours at the jewelry store and having a meal afterward, she was so tired that she could hardly lift her eyelids.
"You're so clueless. He buys all these things, and you don't stop him, bringing them all home," Min Qing said with a quick scan, though it was difficult to estimate their value accurately. Even so, it was certainly worth a seven-figure sum.
Wen Ruan's father emerged from the study, his stern voice laced with affection. "So what if he bought them? They haven't officially dated, but it's natural for Yan Ci to buy a few gifts for Ruan Ruan."
Min Qing still felt uneasy. "Just because the younger generation doesn't care doesn't mean we should disregard proper etiquette. I'll give Song Yanhua a call later, just so they don't think we lack manners." The need for these gifts was one thing, but it was essential not to give anyone the chance to gossip, especially since Song Yanhua was a person who placed great emphasis on etiquette.
"Yan Ci is financially independent. No need for any phone calls!" Wen Ruan's father replied, unaware of any issue. "Whatever she gets now, it won't be less when she marries. It'll only increase."
Wen Ruan didn't interject. She actually wanted to say that this was just the tip of the iceberg; there was much more, and the rest of the items would be delivered in a few days as the store couldn't arrange for everything in time.
Her parents had significant differences on matters of etiquette, particularly concerning pre-marriage gifts, dowries, and ceremonial traditions. Wen Ruan wasn't interested, as she was genuinely exhausted.
She yawned and asked the maid to move the items to her small vault.
Wen Ruan then went upstairs to sleep peacefully for the afternoon.
She woke up just in time for dinner, feeling refreshed.
After dinner, she went upstairs to continue her writing, but after several hours, not much progress was made—her mind was blocked, and frustration built up.
She felt like throwing her computer out of the window.
At her lowest moment, a call from He Yan Ci came through.
Taking a moment to calm herself, she answered the phone.
"I thought you were asleep," He Yan Ci said, his tone calm but with a hint of curiosity. It wasn't late, but he'd called with the hope of catching her.
"...Actually, I was asleep, but then woke up—" Wen Ruan laughed awkwardly as she heard the rustling sound of papers on his end. "Aren't you done with work?"
"I just got home and am reviewing some documents," He Yan Ci replied, putting the papers aside.
"Ah, I see. I was wondering if the things you bought for me were too extravagant. Should I have accepted them?" Wen Ruan had gone to her small vault to check, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy. What he'd bought was undoubtedly expensive, and with the additional items still to be delivered, it was an overwhelming gift.
Their relationship, not yet defined by romantic commitment, made her feel a little out of place receiving such lavish presents.
He Yan Ci walked over to the wine rack and picked up a bottle of red wine. "Did Min Yi talk to you about it? The older generation tends to think of these things in detail, especially when it comes to etiquette. But don't take it too much to heart. We can respect their wishes while doing things our own way."
In that moment, Wen Ruan realized how perceptive He Yan Ci was. His calm demeanor and thoughtful words were remarkably soothing, and it seemed like his temper had also improved.
Yet, He Yan Ci was still an enigma—one minute, he could be gentle and warm, and the next, a storm could break.
He Yan Ci poured the wine into a decanter, watching the red liquid shimmer in the light. "It's actually quite nice, this process of both families discussing marriage details. It has a sense of ceremony." Recently, whenever he returned home, he would hear his father and the rest of the family discussing their wedding plans, which had a celebratory, joyful atmosphere.
He seemed genuinely pleased by it? Wen Ruan wasn't sure she believed that.
He Yan Ci took a wine glass and held it between his long fingers. "Next time we meet, I'll give you a card. We can go shopping together, and you can use the card to pay. That way, things won't be so complicated."
"That doesn't seem quite right, does it?" Wen Ruan responded gently. It wasn't less complicated—it was more complicated. She preferred a more independent approach to finances in relationships, even if they were married. Financial disputes were the last thing she wanted to deal with.
He Yan Ci simply nodded, "True, maybe we should just buy more things instead."
"..."
Buy more things?
Wen Ruan couldn't help but laugh out loud. What kind of logic was that?
Had he become so used to his wealth that it seemed natural?
She seriously suspected that He Yan Ci might be losing money in his business ventures.
She laughed again, unable to hold it in.
He Yan Ci leaned back against the bar, his mood evidently lifted as he smirked, his deep voice softening. "Once we're married and living together, things will be much simpler."
Wen Ruan agreed with his sentiment—at least they wouldn't have to deal with the burdens of pre-marriage formalities anymore.
Living peacefully together, each with their own space, seemed ideal.
He Yan Ci continued, "This morning, Min Yi mentioned that my father and your grandfather had been going over the old calendar. Apparently, it's not a good time to move things around just before the wedding. On the day of the engagement, many things will be delivered to our new home."
He paused before continuing, "Ruan Ruan, what do you think about moving your personal things into our new home in advance?"
"Ruan Ruan…"
He Yan Ci actually used her nickname?
It felt strange, since he'd never called her that when they were younger—he'd always referred to her as a little crybaby.
As for moving her things, Wen Ruan didn't feel the urgency. She didn't want to rush moving everything to a new, unfamiliar place where she wouldn't feel comfortable using her things. "I don't have that much stuff. I can move it later."
He Yan Ci didn't seem surprised by her answer. He gently ran his fingers along the edge of his glass. His gaze was distant. "I haven't spent much time in our new home, so the layout isn't very clear to me. You can take a look at it and let me know if you have any suggestions. If there's anything you don't like, we can change it now, while there's still time."
He Yan Ci had spent most of the past years at the He family's house, and though he owned several villas, he rarely stayed in them. In the end, he decided to make the villa closest to Wen Ruan's family the wedding home.
The villa was in a good location, and he usually stayed there during his free time. It had a pleasant atmosphere, ideal for Wen Ruan.
As for the layout, he was well aware of it since he had personally chosen the materials and overseen the renovations.
Wen Ruan felt she couldn't continue to decline, or it would seem like she wasn't sincere in this marriage.
She thought for a moment. "I'll sort my things out in the next few days. I'll let you know if I'm moving them."
"Alright, just let me know in advance. I'll help you move." He Yan Ci smiled, tilting his head slightly, and the movement of his throat was visible as he downed half a glass of wine.
4o