Chapter 2: Growing in Aesthetic Perception

The car slowly drove out of the villa area as He Yanci played a soft tune through the car’s speakers.

The ride wasn’t entirely silent—he casually chatted with her about daily life and even introduced some of the recent changes in Kyoto over the years.

Whenever the road conditions were good with fewer cars, He Yanci would deliberately slow down and point out the new and exciting attractions that had popped up in the city.

Kyoto had changed quite a lot. Wen Ruan was born here, but due to her frail health as a child, she spent most of her time in the south for recuperation. When her health improved, she had already grown accustomed to southern life.

At the seventh red light, He Yanci’s phone rang. He apologized before answering the call via Bluetooth—it was from the He family, inquiring about their meeting.

He Yanci didn’t try to avoid the conversation, but Wen Ruan wasn’t about to eavesdrop either.

The only thing that was crystal clear—both families were doing everything they could to push them together.

As for the thoughts of the two people involved? They both knew it well—it was just a formality.

Wen Ruan turned her gaze to the dazzling night view of Kyoto outside the window for a moment before lowering her head to check her phone.

Unlocking it, the screen was flooded with messages from her best friend, Tang Suiyi, all calling her by her nickname.

[Ruan Ruan Ruan Ruan Ruan—]

Wen Ruan sighed, feeling a headache coming on. [What now? I’m still alive, no need to call my soul back.]

Tang Suiyi: [Hehe, as your bestie, of course, I have to show some concern about your lifelong happiness! So, have you met him yet? How is he?]

Wen Ruan knew all too well about Tang Suiyi’s gossip-loving nature. She slowly typed a reply: [Just met.]

Tang Suiyi: [Damn—just met, and you’re already on top? Ruan Ruan, could you be any more aggressive?]

Wen Ruan was speechless. [Are you looking to die? Do I seem like that kind of person?] She was a refined lady, a proper young miss, okay?!

Tang Suiyi:

[Tsk tsk tsk, come on, we know each other too well. I know all your little preferences. So, tell me, does your fiancé meet your… standards?]

At that moment, an image of He Yanci standing at her doorstep surfaced in Wen Ruan’s mind.

His dark-colored shirt had its sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing firm, well-defined muscles. The fabric hugged his body just right, faintly outlining his lean physique.

She curled her lips and replied: [Not bad.]

Tang Suiyi: [Holy sh*t! Miss Ruan, for you to say ‘not bad’—that’s basically a five-star review!]

Everyone in their circle knew about Wen Ruan’s "little quirks." Most men couldn’t meet her aesthetic standards—her preferences were practically tailored for a human model. A well-fitted dress shirt was a must; too tight, and it lacked clarity in muscle definition; too loose, and it lost its masculine allure.

They often teased her, saying that only a refined gentleman or a complete beast of a man could meet her standards.

For He Yanci to receive a "not bad" from her…

Tang Suiyi got excited.

[Hurry! Hurry and send a picture!]

[I need to see for myself if this man who won our Miss Ruan’s approval is truly out of this world!]

[Come on, come on, I’m dying of curiosity! Hurry up!]

Wen Ruan didn’t check her phone for half a minute, and Tang Suiyi’s messages immediately flooded the screen.

Wen Ruan glanced at He Yanci out of the corner of her eye and replied: [He’s driving. I’m in the passenger seat, so I can’t take a photo.] If she got caught taking a sneaky picture, where would her dignity go?

Tang Suiyi: [Tsk tsk tsk, already concerned about him driving? Be honest, has your childhood fiancé completely won your heart?]

Wen Ruan calmly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and responded: [Hmm… I suppose he fits my aesthetic preferences.]

Tang Suiyi: [And yet, you told me this trip was just to break off the engagement? How is this a farce? This is divine matchmaking! Hurry up and hold onto his thigh, don’t let go!]

Wen Ruan twitched the corners of her lips. Hold onto his thigh?

He Yanci had always found her annoying—it wasn’t anything new. Did she still have the shamelessness to follow behind him like when they were kids? She had her pride too, alright?

Besides, she wasn’t a fan of arranged marriages.

She longed for a marriage that, while not necessarily passionate and dramatic, at least developed naturally and was built on mutual affection.

Tang Suiyi: [Has he brought it up yet?]

Wen Ruan: [Not yet, we just left.]

He Yanci was the type who’d play it smart. If he was going to bring up the engagement, he’d definitely make sure to keep up appearances.

Tang Suiyi: [Oh, I see. Ruan Ruan, I just heard from Chu that He Yanci is basically the top-tier bachelor in your Kyoto circle. Not only does he come from an elite family, but his own company is ranked among the best globally. Countless heiresses are after him. You’ve got competition, girl. Hold onto him tight.]

Wen Ruan: [Even Chu and the others know?]

Tang Suiyi: [Of course! As your besties, how could we not be concerned?]

"……"

Wen Ruan rubbed her temple, feeling a dull headache.

Tang Suiyi: [Still, Ruan Ruan, I’ll say this—if He Yanci doesn’t bring up breaking off the engagement, just sleep with him first.]

[I just got Chu to pull up some records on He Yanci. There’s barely any info, but that only proves one thing—he’s super low-key and has a completely clean personal life. Definitely worth investing in! No loss guaranteed!]

Wen Ruan: [Oh… so what you’re saying is, even if I can’t win his heart, winning his body isn’t a bad deal?]

Tang Suiyi: [What do you mean?! Ruan Ruan, don’t underestimate yourself, alright? Do you even realize how drop-dead gorgeous you are? I refuse to believe He Yanci could resist someone like you. Listen, with your looks and charm, you don’t even need to try. Just one glance from you, and he’d be a goner!]

"……"

This was getting ridiculous.

When did she ever say she wanted to sleep with He Yanci?!

The conversation was getting increasingly out of hand.

Wen Ruan decisively ended the chat: [Not talking to you anymore. He’s driving, and it’s impolite to keep looking at my phone.]

He Yanci had seen fair-skinned girls before, but Wen Ruan’s skin was exceptionally porcelain-like.

She leaned against the seat, resting her head on one hand while glancing at her phone. Her coat sleeve had slid slightly, revealing a delicate wrist adorned with an expensive white jade bangle.

The translucent jade didn’t overshadow her flawless skin. Instead, it highlighted her softness and radiance—her entire being exuding an elegant and delicate charm.

Every gesture, every little movement, was effortlessly beautiful.

Tang Suiyi: [Fine, fine, go enjoy your date! Ahhh, dammit, Chu just called me back to work!]

[But you better spill everything when you get back! And get a picture, got it? A picture!]

Wen Ruan sighed, put her phone away, and quietly sat in the car.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the destination.

He Yanci parked the car and removed his glasses.

No glasses?

Wen Ruan glanced at them.

He Yanci noticed her confusion and casually explained, "I don’t usually wear them, just need them for night driving."

Without the glasses, he seemed less like a refined gentleman and more like a sharp, unreadable figure.

It reminded Wen Ruan of a fox—a cunning, sly fox.