Chapter 29

Rong Mo was so provoked by those words that he nearly transformed into a wolf, tempted to devour her whole just to prove exactly how “functional” he was.

However, rational as he was, he hadn’t forgotten that they were only engaged, not yet married. He couldn’t overstep. He tried his best to suppress the restless stirrings in his lower body, causing even more fine beads of sweat to break out on his forehead.

“With a reaction that big, it shouldn’t be too pathetic,” Cheng Ruyi—thick-skinned and lacking any practical experience—commented with a straight face. Then, in a final act of self-destruction, she gave him a playful stroke.

She had absolutely no idea that you truly cannot tease a man like that.

Rong Mo, who was enduring this with extreme difficulty, sucked in a sharp breath of cold air. He lost his composure entirely as the string of reason in his mind snapped with a resounding pop . His fair, slender hand reached out to tilt her chin up, and a storm of kisses fell upon her forehead, her cheeks, and finally… those moist, alluring red lips he had fantasized about for so long.

The kiss was unrefined, yet it carried an uncontrollable heat and urgency, full of nibbles, bites, and the daring intrusion of his tongue.

Cheng Ruyi’s heart hammered like thunder. Her face flushed a deep crimson as she stared wide-eyed at his handsome face so close to hers, feeling utterly at a loss.

Is this what kissing is?

A second later, Cheng Ruyi’s mind went hazy. Dizzily, she closed her eyes, her small hands climbing up to Rong Mo’s waist as she began to offer a clumsy response.

Feeling her reciprocation, Rong Mo slowly regained some of his senses. He held the girl in his arms tightly, and the tempestuous deep kiss gradually turned tender.

The candlelight flickered, casting a shadow of the two figures locked in an inseparable embrace.

When the kiss finally ended, Rong Mo reluctantly pulled away from his little fiancée’s lips. Composing his emotions, he watched her panting with a flushed face, and his gaze darkened with intensity once more. He couldn’t help but feel a small surge of secret pride.

He hadn’t expected that taking the initiative would feel this good!

“So that’s what kissing feels like,” Cheng Ruyi said, touching her lips and offering a serious critique. “It feels pretty good, though it’s hard to breathe if it goes on too long. I’ll need to research how to switch breaths. However, I still need to confirm that other matter.”

Having said that, Cheng Ruyi—who didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘reserve’—tossed her previous shyness aside. Her small hand began to wander restlessly toward Rong Mo’s lower half again.

A child raised in the apocalypse really has no moral bottom line. Especially one with a Da Jiejie who was a master of seduction.

Rong Mo, who had just barely calmed himself, was first shocked by her “after-action review,” and was now being set on fire again. He caught her hand and stopped her with a raspy voice: “…Cousin, don’t move anymore!”

He was going to explode!

The carefree Cheng Ruyi was satisfied this time. This reaction was good. Mm, seems quite big.

“Cousin, don’t be nervous. Being ‘spirited’ is healthy; looks like everything is in working order.”

Rong Mo, ignited once more, felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over him. The heat faded quite a bit as he looked at his audaciously bold little fiancée with a mix of tears and laughter.

“Whether I am ‘functional’ or not, you will find out on our wedding night.”

Cheng Ruyi raised her face, looking perfectly righteous. “I’m just planning ahead. A reaction proves you’re a normal man and don’t need my medical intervention.”

“Cousin, you are truly adorable!”

Rong Mo let out a soft chuckle and affectionately pinched her pert nose. His little fiancée was too cute—so cute that he wanted to dote on her ruthlessly all over again.

Cheng Ruyi rolled her eyes, swatted his hand away, and huffed unhappily. “Don’t call me ‘cute.’ ‘Cute’ isn’t a good word.”

“How is it not a good word?” Rong Mo asked with interest.

“Cute ( ke-ai ) means ‘pitiful and loved by no one’ ( ke-lian-mei-ren-ai ),” Cheng Ruyi explained, staring seriously into his eyes. “So don’t praise me for being cute ever again, got it?”

The explanation was… quite something.

Rong Mo’s lip twitched. “…Fine, I’ll remember that.”

Only then did Cheng Ruyi nod in satisfaction.

Rong Mo: “…” As long as she’s happy. Though in his heart, he still thought she was incredibly cute.

Seeing that it was getting late and thinking of her plans for tomorrow, Cheng Ruyi didn’t intend to stay much longer. Regardless, she had completed her mission of checking his “health” and had even given away her first kiss of two lifetimes.

This efficiency was simply top-notch!

Cheng Ruyi hummed a tune happily as she left.

She left Rong Mo alone in the empty room, suddenly feeling the weight of a lonely pillow. He wondered if he should suggest to his aunt to set the wedding date a bit sooner.

The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, Cheng Ruyi appeared in the dining hall with Moxiang. Rong Mo was already there, chatting with Cheng Yu, while her parents were off to the side flaunting their affection. The servants were methodically setting breakfast on the table.

Cheng Yu was growing increasingly fond of his cousin. Before, Rong Mo had been cold and radiated an aura that warned people to stay away. Now, he wasn’t so icy and would even smile. It was great. Sister is truly amazing.

Cheng Ruyi entered and naturally sat in the empty seat next to Rong Mo. He immediately ignored the young Cheng Yu and affectionately pinched her fair, tender cheek, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Did you miss me?

Rong Mo swallowed the second half of the question; he couldn’t ask that in front of his aunt and uncle. He assumed his little fiancée would understand his meaning.

The thick-skinned Cheng Ruyi didn’t catch the look in his eyes. She gave him a toothy grin, and thinking of last night’s kiss, her smile grew even brighter. “I slept exceptionally well. How about you?”

Rong Mo felt a bit stifled. He had been so lost in thought about her that he’d suffered from insomnia, yet his heartless little fiancée had slept like a log.

“It was alright,” he replied subtly. I missed you.

Cheng Ruyi simply nodded without a second thought, completely failing to notice the hidden grievance in his tone.

The Marquis Changle and Rong Susu, who saw through the subtext: “…” Actually, they both knew about the two youngsters “cultivating” their feelings at night. They didn’t interfere; in fact, they were happy to see it. They trusted Rong Mo to have restraint.

They just hadn’t expected the relationship to progress so quickly. However, it seemed the first one to fall deeply wasn’t their daughter… but rather the Rong Mo they considered most level-headed.

My daughter is truly capable. Rong Susu was delighted, and the Marquis was incredibly smug.

Cheng Yu: “…” Suddenly I feel like a third wheel.

Next, Rong Susu announced the wedding date: the end of this year. Ruyi had mentioned major natural disasters in the coming two years, so they didn’t know what the future would hold. It was better to marry early. It just so happened that the date at the end of the year was an auspicious one.

Rong Mo was overjoyed. He secretly calculated his considerable hidden wealth and decided to give his little fiancée a grand wedding.

At that moment, breakfast was served. Besides pickles, appetizers, congee, and dim sum, there were quite a few meat dishes. Cheng Ruyi had a large appetite, after all.

During breakfast, the two couples were so busy being affectionate that the surrounding servants were nearly blinded. Only poor Cheng Yu was left to bury his head in his food, looking quite pathetic.

I need to find myself a little wife too! Cheng Yu vowed silently in his heart.

After breakfast, Rong Mo and Cheng Ruyi left together. Usually, Rong Mo was busy during the day with his own affairs and tasks assigned by Prince Pingnan. However, today was a rare day off, and he planned to take the initiative to go out and cultivate their relationship.

It was near the end of summer, and since it had rained, it wasn’t hot at all. Instead, there was a slight chill in the air. With no sun today, it was perfect for an outing.

Rong Mo, in black robes, and Cheng Ruyi, in red, strolled intimately down the street, whispering to each other. Whenever she saw food she liked or hadn’t tried before, Ruyi would buy some to taste, sometimes mischievously feeding Rong Mo.

Both were exceptionally attractive, standing out like cranes among chickens. Since Cheng Ruyi was already a “celebrity,” they constantly drew the eyes of passersby.

“I heard the Eldest Miss Cheng is engaged to the cousin living in her manor. Could that man be her fiancé? He’s quite handsome; they suit each other well.”

“Should be him. Come to think of it, I saw him two months ago. Back then, he was in a wheelchair while shopping with her.”

“There are plenty of handsome men. I don’t know why the Countess Changle chose him. He has no family property, just a pretty face. I heard many military families were rejected when they came to propose.”

“You forgot to mention the Princess Consort of Prince Rong.”

“True. It’s a bit of a pity.”

“What’s to be pitied? I think they’re a great match. With the Eldest Miss’s temperament, she really isn’t suited for a Prince’s manor.”

“I have a good eye for people. The man by her side is quite good. You young people only see the surface glory, but you don’t realize how important it is for a woman to have a husband who treats her well.”

These comments immediately sparked a debate among the onlookers.

The whispers reached the couple’s ears. Cheng Ruyi glanced at her unruffled cousin and chuckled secretly. “Cousin, they’re saying we’re a great match.”

Rong Mo felt pleased. He took her hand, interlacing their fingers, and whispered back, “Are we not?”

Cheng Ruyi squeezed his warm, strong hand and nodded as if it were a matter of fact. “Do you even have to ask? My taste is excellent!”

They shared a smile, flaunting their affection right in the middle of the street.

This scene happened to fall into the eyes of Yan Zihao, who was resting in a tea house. It was a complete eyesore.

“Oh? Isn’t this Cousin Ruyi?” A crisp, pleasant voice rang out.

Ruyi and Rong Mo looked up toward the source and saw a group resting by the second-floor railing of the tea house. Most were familiar faces: Yan Zihao, Lin Jinxun, Tang Shuhua, the Heir of Prince Wei—Chu Yuanen, Cheng Qingyao, and even Cheng Wanru.

Strangely, Cheng Wanru was standing next to Tang Shuhua. Furthermore, Lin Xin’er, who was usually inseparable from Cheng Qingyao, was nowhere to be seen.

Cheng Ruyi pursed her lips unhappily at the sight. Like a ghost that won’t leave, I run into them even while shopping. The speaker wasn’t Cheng Qingyao, but the gentle-looking Cheng Wanru.

She grumbled to Rong Mo in a low voice: “How annoying. I run into people I hate even when I’m just out for a walk.”

Rong Mo gave a doting smile and nodded in agreement. “They are indeed annoying. But we should go up and say hello; it’s a good chance to rest.”

“Fine!” Ruyi nodded reluctantly.

The tea house was crowded, but the second floor was quiet and sparse; it looked like Cheng Qingyao’s group had reserved the area. As they approached, Ruyi said with an unfriendly face, “What a coincidence to run into you all while shopping.”

To be fair, this was the first time Ruyi had seen Cheng Wanru in person. Wanru was tall, her beauty refined and peerless. Her temperament was excellent, showing the grace of a noble lady raised to be a legitimate daughter for over a decade.

Cheng Qingyao, being the female lead, had her “protagonist’s glow,” appearing perhaps a notch above Cheng Wanru.

“My apologies for disturbing you, Cousin Ruyi,” Cheng Wanru said, noticing Ruyi’s displeasure. she smiled awkwardly and poured tea for the two.

Cheng Ruyi had a decent impression of Cheng Wanru. Hearing the sincere apology, her expression softened slightly. “Forget it, you didn’t mean it.” She took a sip of tea to quench her thirst.

Wanru’s smile became more genuine. Cousin Ruyi isn’t actually that hard to get along with.

Nearby, Tang Shuhua’s eyes flickered. He found himself less resistant to his engagement with Cheng Wanru now.

“Is Cousin Ruyi out shopping with Master Rong?” Cheng Qingyao’s gaze swept over Rong Mo. She hadn’t expected him to be so striking after his legs healed. But no matter how good his temperament was, he was still a dependent living under someone else’s roof.

She had actually seen their intimacy earlier and felt a twinge of discomfort. This cousin of hers, whether in the past life or this one, always managed to find a husband who doted on her. Her luck was simply too good.

“Stupid question. Anyone with eyes can see that,” Cheng Ruyi said rudely. She hadn’t missed the flash of disdain in Qingyao’s eyes when she said ‘Master Rong.’ Was she implying Ruyi was blind?

Cheng Qingyao, who loved to overthink, choked on her anger but maintained a smile. “Cousin Ruyi is still so… ‘straightforward.'”

The word ‘straightforward’ was heavy with implication, practically calling Ruyi uncouth and ill-mannered.

Chu Yuanen, who was infatuated with Cheng Qingyao, glared at Ruyi. “Miss Cheng, Qingyao is your elder cousin. Where is your upbringing?”

“My upbringing depends on who I’m dealing with,” Ruyi sneered.

Chu Yuanen was fuming. He downed his tea. “You…”

“Yuanen, don’t be angry. That’s just Ruyi’s way,” Qingyao consoled him.

“Pfft, such a hypocrite!” Cheng Ruyi scoffed and looked away.

Lately, it seemed Cheng Qingyao had stopped targeting her in the shadows, which Ruyi found satisfactory. Since Qingyao’s path to glory had already been blocked, as long as she didn’t provoke Ruyi, Ruyi couldn’t be bothered with her. They were better off as strangers.

Yan Zihao, Tang Shuhua, and Lin Jinxun had only nodded to Rong Mo’s group at the start and remained silent since. None were fools; the fact that the Princess Consort of Prince Rong had taken an interest in Ruyi—even wanting to adopt her after the marriage proposal failed—proved she wasn’t as “unbearable” as rumors suggested. Without preconceived notions, Ruyi was actually quite easy to read.

Yan Zihao, seeing that his former fiancée didn’t even spare him a glance, felt a pang of bitterness. His gaze shifted from Ruyi to Rong Mo. The former fiancé and the current fiancé stared at each other, sparks faintly flying.

Rong Mo didn’t miss the way Yan Zihao looked at his little fiancée. He smirked. Missing out is missing out. No matter how much you regret it, it’s useless; she’s mine now.

“Cousin Ruyi, when are you and Master Rong getting married?” Cheng Qingyao, unable to stand Ruyi’s relaxed manner—and noticing the odd look in Yan Zihao’s eyes—couldn’t help but ask.

“At the end of the year. I recall you’re older than me, Cousin Qingyao. If you’re envious, you can ask the Heir of Prince Wei to propose. We can even get married on the same day,” Ruyi snapped. Is she ever going to stop? So annoying.

At least Cheng Wanru knew when to keep her mouth shut.

“Cousin, mind your words. Marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers; how can one speak of ‘private arrangements’?” Cheng Qingyao frowned in displeasure, secretly cursing Ruyi for bringing up a sore subject. To be honest, she looked down on the Heir of Prince Wei; her goal was a Prince.

Hearing this, Chu Yuanen’s eyes dimmed significantly. Lin Jinxun stared expressionlessly at his tea cup, lost in thought.

Cheng Ruyi rolled her eyes. Save those lies for someone else.

Ignoring the eye-roll, Cheng Qingyao continued with a smile: “Cousin Ruyi, isn’t getting married at the end of the year a bit rushed? Shouldn’t you give Master Rong more time to prepare?”

The words were subtle. It seemed like a kind reminder, but it was a jab at Rong Mo’s awkward situation. Everyone’s gaze shifted to him. After the Rong clan was wiped out, their assets were divided up by others. Ruyi was the Eldest Miss of the Marquis Changle’s manor, which had little property to begin with. If the groom was penniless and empty-handed, the wedding would be a laughingstock.

“Miss Qingyao need not worry,” Rong Mo said coldly. “I will give my cousin a grand wedding. On the day we marry, I will gift her mountains of gold and silver, and hills of jewels.”

Chu Yuanen, who was drinking tea, spat it out. He looked at Rong Mo like he was crazy. Mountains of gold and silver? Hills of jewels? How hilarious. Even as the heir to a Prince’s manor, he wouldn’t dare claim he could give a bride “mountains” of wealth.

“Master Rong, you really don’t need to force it,” Chu Yuanen said. “I’m sure Miss Cheng likes you enough not to care that you have nothing. ‘Mountains of gold and silver’ is quite a stretch for your finances.”

“Indeed, Master Rong. You should take those words back, lest you embarrass Cousin Ruyi later,” Cheng Qingyao added with feigned kindness.

So Cheng Qingyao was calling her cousin poor, and this Heir of Prince Wei was even worse. The protective Cheng Ruyi was not happy. She hooked her arm into Rong Mo’s, gave him a comforting look, and then turned her fire on the others.

“Are mountains of gold and silver really that far-fetched? It’s just three mountains, you bunch of hicks!”

“Cousin, when we get back, we’ll just build three rockeries, paint them, and name them Mountain of Gold, Mountain of Silver, and Mountain of Jewels!”

“Let’s see what they have to say then!”

The faces of everyone present cracked. “…” The way they looked at Cheng Ruyi was simply beyond words. They always said everyone in the Marquis Changle’s manor was an eccentric, but the Eldest Miss truly was the cream of the crop.

Only Rong Mo looked at Ruyi with an exceptionally soft gaze. The warm, soft touch of her hand felt like a spring stream flowing into his heart.

The feeling of someone being protective of you… is truly wonderful.

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