Chapter 9: He Yanci： Wen Ruan, what do you think of me

He Yanci took Wen Ruan to the top floor of the hospital.

Wen Ruan's skin was fair, tender and delicate, and it had been like this since she was a child. Even a gentle touch would leave a deep mark. He Yanci had held her wrist with quite some force just now, and the skin where his hand had grasped was now red.

He Yanci noticed it as soon as he released her wrist.

He took a step forward, keeping a distance from Wen Ruan.

Wen Ruan spoke first, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

It was time to talk. Hadn't they made everything clear in Jicheng?

He Yanci didn't answer her.

Wen Ruan exhaled softly and took the initiative to start a topic. "I don't know why you haven't made it clear to Grandpa He. This is a good opportunity. Let's clarify it together. It's all rather absurd. What era is it now?" There was no need to continue with this absurdity.

Wen Ruan pulled the corner of her lips and waited for He Yanci's reply.

The sky in the capital city was hazy, with a trace of coolness. The sun always rose later than in the south. At the time when it should have been shining brightly, it was just rising.

He Yanci's tall and slender figure stood against the light. The warm light slanting down just right fell on his shoulders. The lines of the sewn shirt on his shoulders met the warm light, refracting a faint light and shadow.

It felt hazy and even more out of reach, just like the noble flower on the highest part of the cliff described in comics, unattainable, dangerous yet making people yearn for it one after another.

He Yanci was really a fascinating man. He had a standard figure, long legs and a narrow waist.

His charm was real and hard to resist.

After a long while, He Yanci spoke, his voice very calm. "Wen Ruan, what do you think of me?"

"???" Wen Ruan was confused.

Before Wen Ruan could answer, He Yanci turned around, his deep eyes locking onto Wen Ruan. "How do I compare with Fu Jingbai?"

After saying this, He Yanci sneered in his heart. He really didn't know why he was comparing himself with Fu Jingbai.

In terms of personal assets, he far exceeded Fu Jingbai; in terms of appearance, he didn't think he was inferior to Fu Jingbai; in terms of height, Fu Jingbai's official height was 185 cm, and he was exactly four centimeters taller than Fu Jingbai; in terms of figure, he was even better!

?

Wen Ruan was puzzled. Why was He Yanci comparing himself with Mr. Fu?

They were completely different types of people, and their personalities were also different.

Mr. Fu was truly gentle.

He Yanci's humility and refinement were just a pretense, and he had already revealed his true nature in front of her.

"I think Grandpa's proposal is feasible, of course, all based on the fact that your feelings for Fu Jingbai are not so deep that you can't be separated from him."

"What do you think?" He looked at her.

He didn't believe it. Comparing all the data, he had a complete victory over Fu Jingbai.

In such a situation, he still couldn't outshine Fu Jingbai.

What was she supposed to say? She was really speechless.

"When have my feelings for Mr. Fu reached the point of being inseparable?" This was simply slandering her! Mr. Fu was indeed a special existence to her, but it was a specialness based on their friendship.

Wen Ruan's fair little face was very serious, her eyes wide open, a bit angry, and her cheeks puffed out. She didn't seem to be lying, and there was also a hint of disbelief.

He Yanci's cold expression softened a lot, and his hands in his pockets gradually relaxed. "That's good then. You won't have too much trouble getting over it. Wen Ruan, you should know that Grandpa Wen and even your parents have always favored me as your husband when it comes to choosing a partner for you. In their eyes, in terms of status, family background and all aspects, we are the most suitable match."

He Yanci was right. There were quite a few marriages of convenience in their circle, and both sides would consider various aspects, which were complex and intertwined.

However, Wen Ruan really didn't expect that He Yanci had brought her here to say these things.

She had thought that He Yanci was worried that she would agree to Grandpa He's proposal, so he hurriedly pulled her out.

Wen Ruan remained silent. Didn't He Yanci dislike her very much?

Why did he think Grandpa He's proposal was a good one? Shouldn't he be resistant and reject it?

Stepping on Wen Ruan's doubts, He Yanci's cold voice continued, "It just so happens that I'm also at the age to get married, and during this period, I haven't met a more suitable person. The future development of my company tends to focus on the research and development of all-round advanced medical technologies. At this time, presenting myself as a married man to the world gives me more than enough leverage to gain the right in this field. Moreover, you know my grandfather's temper. Once he decides something, how can others influence it?"

Wen Ruan understood what He Yanci meant. Considering all aspects, he needed a marriage, and he hadn't met a suitable person in all these years. She was currently the most suitable one because Grandpa He favored her.

Wen Ruan was a bit confused. She had always known that He Yanci was annoyed by her.

But in her heart, she thought that He Yanci wouldn't be the kind of person who would use marriage as a sacrifice for benefits. With his current personal ability and social status, she never expected that after not seeing each other for many years, He Yanci had also become the kind of person who used marriage as a bargaining chip.

He Yanci's deep eyes lingered on Wen Ruan for a while, and his cold tone softened a bit. "Wen Ruan, with Grandpa Wen's current situation, putting our matter on the agenda will only be beneficial to him, not harmful. Don't you think so?"

Every word He Yanci said made sense, and each sentence carried a strong sense of coercion. Wen Ruan was a bit confused in her heart.

There was no doubt that Grandpa would be happy if he knew that she and He Yanci were getting married as arranged.

In this way, their marriage would become a transaction where each side had their own needs, and it had already lost its original meaning, deviating from the marriage and life she wanted.

Before Wen Ruan could make a decision, the door on the top floor was pushed open from the inside.

Seeing that there was no conflict between the two, Min Qing's worried heart gradually relaxed, and she said to Wen Ruan, "Ruanruan, Grandpa has woken up and has been 念叨着 you all the time."

Upon hearing this, a trace of relief appeared on Wen Ruan's worried little face, and her red eyes sparkled.

He Yanci withdrew his gaze from Wen Ruan, his tense body relaxed a bit, and he said indifferently, "Go and see Grandpa Wen first. Think about my proposal. We can talk about it later."

Wen Ruan nodded and quickly went downstairs.

Min Qing told Wen Ruan to slow down.

Only Min Qing and He Yanci were left on the rooftop.

He Yanci walked over, greeting Min Qing with humility and courtesy.

Min Qing stopped him. "Yanci, Aunt Min hopes that you can wait until this period is over to talk about anything. Wen Ruan's health is not the same as that of ordinary people. With Grandpa's current state, she is very distressed. Your uncle and aunt are not unreasonable people. We understand that feelings can't be forced, and we won't force them either."

He Yanci had grown up under their watch, and they trusted his character. They weren't worried that he would say something particularly embarrassing.

But Wen Ruan's health was different from that of ordinary people, and she couldn't take risks.

Min Qing also understood that today's young people were different from their generation. In the past, it was all about the words of matchmakers and the orders of parents, while now it was about free love.

Forcing them together.

Neither side would be happy.

As parents, they hoped that their daughter would marry an excellent and reliable man, and they also hoped that their children would be happy.

"Don't worry, Aunt Min." He Yanci's handsome face was gentle. "Ruanruan and I were just discussing when it would be appropriate to hold the wedding."

"What?"

Min Qing was extremely surprised.

*

When Wen Ruan came downstairs, Grandpa Wen in the intensive care unit hadn't really woken up. It was just a reaction in his consciousness.

Grandpa He said with a smile, "Ruanruan, that old fellow inside is really worrying. He's been mumbling about you in a daze. We thought that maybe if you went in and talked to him, he would wake up faster." To be honest, this was just one of the reasons. They were afraid that these two young ones would have some unpleasantness upstairs, so they used this excuse to go upstairs and call them down.

Wen Ruan looked at Professor Yang. "Uncle Yang, can I go in and see Grandpa?"

Professor Yang: "Yes, it's okay to talk to Grandpa appropriately. Don't stay too long, as it will affect Grandpa's sleep."

"Ruanruan, if you're not feeling well, don't go in. You can talk to your grandpa when he wakes up." Min Qing came downstairs, worried that Wen Ruan's body wasn't suitable for the depressing environment of the intensive care unit.

"Mom, I'm fine. I want to go in and see Grandpa." Wen Ruan insisted, and her gaze inadvertently swept to He Yanci not far behind her parents.

He Yanci was also looking at her, with no special expression, just indifferent.

She was still wearing He Yanci's trench coat, and she needed to take it off before putting on the isolation gown.

He Yanci consciously stepped forward to take the trench coat she took off, and said indifferently, "Remember to press the bell if you don't feel well."

"Okay." Wen Ruan nodded in reply.

Wen Ruan hadn't cried all this time, but when she saw Grandpa lying on the hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask and with tubes all over his body, she completely broke down.

Those moments spent with Grandpa flashed through her mind like a movie.

After she turned ten, apart from studying and living in the south, she would stay with Grandpa on the farm during the holidays.

Wen Ruan squatted down in front of the hospital bed, held Grandpa Wen's skinny hand and pressed it against her face. "Grandpa, you're a complete liar. You said last year that you would take me to see the first heavy snow in Switzerland this year. How could you break your promise? You taught me since I was a child that breaking a promise is a sign of disrespect. So how can you be lying here now?"

"Didn't you say that after looking around at the young masters from prestigious families and talented young men, only He Yanci could take care of me? And you also said that your judgment wouldn't be wrong?" Wen Ruan's voice choked up. "Then wake up quickly. He Yanci and I are going to get married soon. If you don't wake up quickly, my dad will take over the job of walking me down the aisle that should be yours. See if you'll be angry about that."

Grandpa Wen's lips moved. Wen Ruan leaned in and listened carefully. Grandpa called her by her childhood nickname and another name, which was unclear, but it seemed to be "Yanci".

Thinking of He Yanci's words on the rooftop, Wen Ruan secretly made some decisions in her heart.

He Yanci stood by the window of the intensive care unit. The trench coat hanging on his left arm was the one Wen Ruan had worn, and it still carried the delicate fragrance of her body.

He Yanci peeked into the ward through the gap in the curtains. The little girl was lying beside the hospital bed, holding Grandpa Wen's emaciated hand and crying like a tearful mess. Her nose and small face were extremely red, making it unbearable to look at.

He Yanci's eyebrows tightened for no apparent reason.

"Hmph. She still has a bit of a conscience. I thought some people had no heart." Grandpa He glanced at the scene inside and gave He Yanci a disdainful look.

He Yanci retracted his gaze and smiled faintly. "Grandpa, one can't live without a heart. You were a combat commander when you were young, yet you have no common sense at all."

"......"

Grandpa He felt uncomfortable being teased by He Yanci. He had no doubt that if he were to end up lying here one day, it would definitely be because of He Yanci's provoking.

Grandpa He snorted. "The matter between you two is settled. Once that old fellow inside gets better, you two should hold the wedding."

He Yanci didn't respond, nor did he deny it.

Grandpa He knew his grandson well enough to understand that this was equivalent to an agreement.

Grandpa He was in a good mood and didn't dwell on this topic any further.

*

When Wen Ruan came out of the intensive care unit, the corridor was very quiet, and the others were not there.

Only He Yanci was sitting alone on the row of waiting chairs. He was playing with a string of sandalwood beads in his hand, the very string he had been wearing for a long time.

The moment the door of the intensive care unit opened, He Yanci's wandering gaze focused. He put away the beads, stood up and walked up to Wen Ruan. He draped his coat over Wen Ruan again and said softly, "Uncle Wen and Aunt Min are all resting in the ward."

Wen Ruan nodded slightly, not in a very good state.

He Yanci looked at the delicate little girl in front of him. Her eyes were as red as a rabbit's, and so was her little nose. It was not hard to imagine how much she had cried inside.

She had never outgrown the habit of crying easily since she was a child.

He Yanci frowned and said in a deep voice, "I'll take you out for some fresh air."

Wen Ruan nodded. Coincidentally, she had something to talk to him about.

Looking at the obedient little girl in front of him, He Yanci couldn't help but overlap her with the little crybaby who used to squeeze out tears in front of him when they were children.

Then he noticed that she was only wearing a thin dress and hadn't added an extra coat. If he hadn't had a coat for her, would she have been frozen?

"You're afraid of the cold but still dress like this. If you get frozen, you'll suffer."

The way He Yanci spoke was just like that of a parent trying to discipline her.

She wasn't a delicate flower. How could she be so easily frozen?

Wen Ruan retorted, "Who knew the weather here would suddenly turn so bad? It's still sunny in the south, but it's almost snowing in the capital city." She tugged at He Yanci's trench coat and wrapped it tightly around herself. His arms were much longer than hers, and it took two rolls to expose her hands.

"Why did you suddenly go to the south?" He Yanci thought of what happened in Jicheng. The day after that night, when he came out of his room, he saw the hotel staff cleaning Wen Ruan's room and guessed that she had checked out.

Later, his mother privately asked him why Wen Ruan didn't come back with him and had gone to the south from Jicheng instead.

The south.

He Yanci thought of Fu Jingbai and felt an inexplicable sense of dissatisfaction.

Wen Ruan didn't expect He Yanci to ask her about this. She casually made up an excuse. "I needed to revise my school thesis, so I went back." She just suddenly wanted to go back to the south. She didn't know the real reason herself, she just felt the urge to return.

He Yanci didn't ask any more questions and turned to walk towards the elevator.

He was tall, with long legs and big steps.

Wen Ruan had small steps and was wearing high heels.

It was obvious that he wasn't waiting for her.

Wen Ruan really couldn't understand what was wrong with He Yanci. His attitude changed more than the weather in the capital city.

Fortunately, this man wasn't so mean as to not wait for her when it came to the elevator.

The two of them walked out of the hospital one after the other.

"Let's go eat something first." He Yanci suggested in a calm voice.

"I can't eat." She didn't want to eat either. She had no appetite at all.

"You've been stuck in the hospital for most of the day. How can you not eat? Even if you can't eat, you have to." He Yanci's tone was firm and brooked no argument.

Wen Ruan didn't say anything more. After all, she had something to discuss with him later.

He Yanci didn't walk fast this time, and Wen Ruan could keep up.

There were a lot of people in the hospital. Someone accidentally bumped into Wen Ruan, and she was so deep in thought that she didn't pay attention to the path under her feet.

Wen Ruan was jolted and swayed on the spot twice. Fortunately, a strong arm wrapped around her.

It was a close call. She didn't fall. Wen Ruan let out a sigh of relief, turned her head to look at He Yanci, the owner of the arm, and thanked him. "Thank you."

He Yanci didn't respond to Wen Ruan. The hand that had been around her shoulder changed to hold her hand.

This was the first time Wen Ruan had held hands with a man, and they were even interlocking their fingers.

And the person was He Yanci, who used to be annoyed by her.

Wen Ruan felt a bit uncomfortable, but she didn't act coy. She just followed He Yanci in a daze.