Young Master Is Being Jealous Again!
Chapter 1096: After all, it’s not the same as before, they have all changed.

Chapter 1096: Chapter 1096: After all, it’s not the same as before, they have all changed.

Lying on Qin Ruan’s back, Li Zilan’s face was a picture of doom as she frowned and complained, "No way! You’re way too heartless!"

The smiles faded from Shen Ran’s and Su Wang’s faces as they stared into the depths of Jiang Lao Ye’s eyes, solemn and resolute; neither of them had expected the audit process to be necessary.

Jiang Lao Ye sneered condescendingly at the three of them, "What? Did you think this was child’s play? Without the capability, even if I gave you my seat, you wouldn’t have the skill to manage it. At the very least, losing your lives would be the lighter consequence."

Qin Ruan stood up, clutching the file bag, and glanced at Li Zilan, Su Wang, and Shen Ran.

A clearly visible smile flickered in her eyes, "Give it your all, I’m looking forward to the day when I can also call you ’Sirs’."

The three grinned foolishly, their faces full of longing.

They seemed to already envision the day when they would be revered and bask in endless glory.

Jiang Lao Ye bowed slightly to Qin Ruan, "Whatever Madam Huo commands, I, Jiang Liu, will fully cooperate. Today is my dear mother’s ninetieth birthday, so I need to go back and be with her."

Surprise showed on Qin Ruan’s face, then she smiled and offered her blessings, "I wish your mother longevity surpassing South Mountain, wealth, and good health."

Jiang Lao Ye’s eyes crinkled with his smile, "Thank you."

Qin Ruan nodded at him, "I won’t keep you then, Lao Ye. Go ahead with your business, I have nothing else here."

Jiang Lao Ye bowed his head, his attitude respectful, "Contact me anytime if there’s anything."

"Okay—"

After Jiang Lao Ye left, Qin Ruan bid farewell to Chou Le and left the underground boxing ring with Li Zilan and the other two.

They had lunch at a barbecue restaurant in West City, where Qin Ruan inquired about their recent lives and learned about the latest happenings in West City apart from the superpower users. Finally, the four reminisced about old times.

Unintentionally, the meal lasted over two hours.

Qin Ruan propped up her chin, watching Li Zilan gesticulate and talk non-stop, her mouth chattering away.

Su Wang and Shen Ran had already stopped eating, clinking their glasses occasionally and adding a few words here and there. The atmosphere was harmonious, as if Qin Ruan had never left West City.

Yet, while Su Wang, Shen Ran, and Li Zilan all had wine glasses in front of them, the only thing before Qin Ruan was a medicinal soup brought by Huo Zhi.

After all, things were not the same as they used to be.

Whether it was Qin Ruan or the trio of Li Zilan, each walked on their intersecting paths toward goals that were their own pursuits.

Li Zilan suddenly grew quiet. Abandoning her wine glass, she hugged the bottle, propping up half of her face with it, her gaze distant as she stared at Qin Ruan, her lips tightly pursed.

Seeing her become so subdued, Qin Ruan, Su Wang, and Shen Ran were somewhat unaccustomed.

Su Wang nudged Li Zilan with his elbow, teasing, "What’s with you? Pining for romance, thinking of men?"

"Fuck off!" Li Zilan shot back a glare, her eyes fierce, her heavily made-up face filled with anger.

Su Wang raised his hands in surrender, "You’re not pining, and you’re not thinking of men, but the way you’ve been eyeing Xiaowu, it’s like you want to devour her. What? You changing preferences? Xiaowu is now a married woman, so even if you have any ideas, you’d better restrain yourself."

Li Zilan was listening with increasing unease, until at last, she grabbed a bottle of liquor and gesticulated at Su Wang, "Fuck! Su Wang, are you fucking asking for a beating?!"

Shen Ran stood up, very considerately said, "I’ll make some space for you, so you’re not cramped."

Qin Ruan laughed softly, her eyes curving into crescent moons, beautiful as ever, and the joy twinkling in her eyes was even more stunning.

Li Zilan, confronting Su Wang, slowly turned her head, her somewhat drunken eyes fixing on Qin Ruan, she said in a daze, "Xiaowu, why did you have to go and get married? Wouldn’t it be great if things were still like before, when we could eat meat and drink heavily together, barbecuing until dawn!"

Qin Ruan looked at her with a smile, "What, do you despise me for getting married?"

Li Zilan put down the bottle and shook her head at her, "It just feels surreal."

She plopped down on her seat, frowning and spoke slowly, "The days we spent carefree, it feels like it was just yesterday.

Now all of us sitting here today, you suddenly seem so high up. How does the saying go? Right, ’A sparrow turns into a phoenix overnight!’ Your position is now out of our reach.

I know, what Mr. Jiang of West City said was right, he picked us to manage West City because of you, we’ve shared hardships and laughter together over the years, stood side by side through fights, bloodshed, injuries, and even smashed up others’ turf..."

Li Zilan’s tone grew more downcast as she continued; Su Wang and Shen Ran exchanged a look, their expressions changing.

Su Wang walked behind Li Zilan, shook her shoulder, and warned softly, "Zilan, you’ve had too much to drink, better cut it out with the talking."

Li Zilan shrugged off his arm, turned her head to glare at him with evident displeasure, clearly annoyed at being interrupted, her eyes full of disdain, "When a woman speaks, men should shut up. It’s none of your damn business!"

Qin Ruan pursed her lips and smiled, unfazed, she glanced at Su Wang signaling him not to speak.

He shrugged and went back to sit beside Shen Ran; the two brothers folded their arms and watched Li Zilan and Qin Ruan, curious to see what they were up to.

Qin Ruan tilted her head to look at Li Zilan, smiling, she prompted, "Go on."

She was curious as well, wondering what the clearly drunk Li Zilan wanted to say.

Li Zilan reached out and grasped Qin Ruan’s hand tightly, her voice filled with urgency, "I know now you’re married into an aristocratic family, life must be tough. Those born into big families are hardly ever clean.

Especially the men, they all keep mistresses on the side, hordes of women flock to them. These men, with their status and wealth, have never really cared about morality—it’s always been about their interests.

Xiaowu, don’t worry! Su Wang, Ranzi, and I will definitely work our way up. If you ever suffer there, we can leave those upper-class scumbags behind. We can live without men too.

If you ever find out your husband is cheating, don’t fight or argue with him, we must keep the kids with us. We absolutely can’t let those stepmothers harm them, you have no idea how cruel they can be!"

Qin Ruan was stunned, her face showing utter confusion.

She couldn’t understand where Li Zilan had heard such topsy-turvy ideas about family ethics.

Su Wang and Shen Ran were shaking with laughter, struggling to contain their amusement.

Qin Ruan kicked them under the table and squinted a questioning look, "What’s with Zilan?"

Shen Ran’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he calmly met Qin Ruan’s gaze and said gently, "She’s watched too much TV. There’s been a popular drama about a rich family’s daughter-in-law, and the male lead is a rich scumbag who looks good."

Su Wang interjected, "Zilan is really worried about you. She’s seen the show where the female lead is a commoner who endures many hardships after marrying into a wealthy family, and she keeps talking about it, wondering if you would be treated the same."

Qin Ruan held her forehead with one hand, never expecting this to be the truth of the matter, a warm current running through her heart.