Chapter 4

Chapter 4: I Will Never Marry You "Tangtang, the engagement ring I custom-ordered for you at Chaumet Paris has arrived at the Haicheng store. Drop by whenever you have time." Chaumet Paris was a world-renowned diamond ring brand. She had only agreed to the marriage alliance a few days ago, and the custom-made ring had already arrived today? Did that mean the ring had been ordered in advance? Ruan Chutang didn't ask further. She simply replied with a single word: "Okay." Inside the Chaumet Paris store. The sales associate enthusiastically presented the ring. "Miss Ruan, this is the ring Mr. Jiang custom-ordered for you." Ruan Chutang picked up the ring and admired it closely. A five-carat rare blue diamond was set within an outer band of small pink diamonds and colorless diamonds, radiating brilliant splendor under the light—dazzlingly beautiful. "The inside of this ring is also engraved with the initials of you and Mr. Jiang." Ruan Chutang held the ring up for a closer look. Indeed, "JSX RCT" was engraved inside. This ring had clearly been made with great care and thought. Ruan Chutang slipped it on. The size was perfect. "It's truly beautiful," the sales associate remarked sincerely. The moment the ring was on her finger, Gu Zechuan's voice rang out abruptly from behind her. "Ruan Chutang, what are you doing here?" Ruan Chutang frowned and turned around. The instant she turned, Gu Zechuan let go of Chen Wan's hand. A cold glint flashed through Chen Wan's eyes, but it quickly returned to normal. Ruan Chutang wasn't the least bit surprised that Gu Zechuan had shown up in front of her with Chen Wan in tow. She smiled sweetly and replied, "I'm here to try on a ring." Hearing this, Gu Zechuan strode forward a few steps. When he saw the ring on Ruan Chutang's hand, his expression darkened instantly. Ruan Chutang wiggled the dazzling diamond ring on her finger, her smile blooming like a flower. "Well? Is it pretty?" A flicker of anger rose in Gu Zechuan's eyes. "Not pretty." They both knew very well what a ring symbolized. Gu Zechuan had always thought Ruan Chutang was obedient and sensible. He never expected her to covet things that didn't belong to her. Marriage—he couldn't give her that. And Ruan Chutang didn't deserve it either. Gu Zechuan's face turned cold, and he said nothing. Beside him, Chen Wan smiled warmly at Ruan Chutang. "What a coincidence, Miss Ruan. Zechuan and I are also here today to look at rings." Ruan Chutang sneered inwardly. So the phone call Gu Zechuan had just taken was from Chen Wan. The "something important" he'd mentioned was accompanying Chen Wan shopping and looking at rings? Gu Zechuan offered no explanation. He silently confirmed Chen Wan's words. Chen Wan's gaze drifted to the ring on Ruan Chutang's hand. Tsk. That blue diamond in the center looked like it had to be at least five carats. And there was a circle of rare pink diamonds around it too. That ring had to cost at least seven or eight million. She really dared to try it on—wasn't she embarrassed to try something she couldn't afford? In response to Chen Wan's provocatively tinged remark, Ruan Chutang merely gave a perfunctory "Oh" and continued admiring the ring on her hand as if nothing were wrong. She had to admit, Jiang Shixu had excellent taste. She was quite pleased with this ring. "Miss Ruan, your ring is really beautiful," Chen Wan said with a smile. "Yes, I think so too." Gu Zechuan's expression turned extremely grim. "Ruan Chutang, take that ring off." "Why?" Ruan Chutang tilted her head at him with feigned confusion. "What are you trying on a ring for? To pressure me into marriage?" Gu Zechuan could no longer hold back, his voice rising in anger. "I will never marry you!" A barely perceptible smile curved at the corner of Chen Wan's lips, smug satisfaction hidden within. "Miss Ruan, Zechuan and I are here today on Auntie Meng's instructions to try on rings." The "Auntie Meng" she referred to was Gu Zechuan's mother, Meng Yaqin. Chen Wan's meaning was clear: I'm the daughter-in-law Gu Zechuan's mother has her eye on. She's already set on me. You, Ruan Chutang, can forget about marrying into the Gu family. Ruan Chutang found the pair before her utterly amusing. She was just trying on the engagement ring her fiancé had custom-ordered for her—why were the two of them getting so worked up? One was narcissistically convinced she was pressuring him into marriage. The other was flaunting and gloating that she'd won Meng Yaqin's approval. Honestly, the Gu family of Haicheng was such a small, modest household—her father wouldn't even consider them. "Oh, I see." Ruan Chutang's tone betrayed not a trace of emotion. Both Chen Wan and Gu Zechuan were momentarily taken aback. Why didn't she care at all? Chen Wan studied Ruan Chutang's face, observing her expression, trying to find even a hint of jealousy or resentment. But Ruan Chutang's expression was flawless. Chen Wan suddenly couldn't tell anymore. Was Ruan Chutang pretending not to care, or did she genuinely not care? Gu Zechuan's face had turned black as thunder. "Ruan Chutang, is this fun for you? Did you know Chen Wan and I were coming here to look at rings today, so you deliberately waited here for me?" "Let me be honest with you—there's no future between us. Even if you try to force this today, it won't work!" "Marriage is about matching families. With your background, how could you possibly marry me?" Gu Zechuan pressed on relentlessly. "Look at yourself right now. What do you even look like? I'm embarrassed just being seen with you!" He was genuinely furious, rattling off one accusation after another in a single breath. But Ruan Chutang wasn't angry in the slightest. She smiled good-naturedly. "I'm embarrassing again?" "I don't recall us breaking up, so that would make this Miss Chen a mistress, wouldn't it? And you'd be the cheating scumbag. Who's the one who should be embarrassed?" Gu Zechuan was thoroughly enraged by her words, his chest heaving violently as he barked, "Are you taking it off or not!" Ruan Chutang's tone was light and indifferent as she drawled, "Not taking it off." "Fine! If you like it, then wear it. It's not like I'd ever buy you a ring or marry you anyway!" Ruan Chutang: "Mm-hm." Seeing that Ruan Chutang was completely impervious to his words, Gu Zechuan had no way to deal with her. He shot her a furious glare, then turned and stormed off in a rage. Chen Wan chased after him, "Zechuan, wait for me." After the two had left, the shop assistant looked utterly bewildered. "Miss Ruan, who were those two?" "Nobody important. No need to mind them." Three years of dating, and Gu Zechuan had never thought of marrying her. Little did he know, he wasn't even qualified to marry her, and she had never intended to marry him either. Ruan Chutang took a few photos of herself wearing the ring and sent them to Jiang Shixu. [Does it look good?] At that very moment, in Jiang City, inside the Jiang Group CEO's office. Jiang Shixu looked at the message from the girl saved as "Tangtang" in his phone, and a smile curled at the corners of his lips. He set down the documents in his hand and typed a reply. [It looks good. Do you like it?] [I like it.] The smile on Jiang Shixu's face deepened. [Good, as long as you like it.] [Shixu-gege, this ring must be quite expensive, right?] [Not expensive. You deserve the best.] His assistant, Lin Hai, stood nearby waiting for Jiang Shixu to sign the documents. He had already secretly glanced up at his boss several times. Was he seeing things? His cold-faced CEO could actually smile? And smiling so... how should he put it... sweetly? It felt like pink bubbles were floating all around the boss. "Done signing. What are you looking at?" When Jiang Shixu looked at his assistant Lin Hai, he had reverted to his usual icy demeanor. Lin Hai snapped back to reality and quickly took the documents from the CEO's hand. "Nothing, CEO. I'll head down now." Meanwhile, Ruan Chutang picked up the ring and walked into a men's watch boutique in the adjacent mall, intending to buy a watch for Jiang Shixu as a gift to give him when she returned to Jiang City. Her father had shown her a recent photo of Jiang Shixu. His temperament was cool and aloof, with sharp brows and bright eyes, and handsome, well-defined features—not much different from how she remembered him. Ruan Chutang carefully selected a black wristwatch that suited Jiang Shixu perfectly. Just as she swiped her card, an acquaintance came over to greet her. "Chutang, are you..."