Ruan Shu was already half-full just from munching on various snacks, eating with a delicate and focused manner.
She looked easy to care for, making others instinctively want to feed her.
When she was about halfway through her snacks, her grandfather came to pick her up.
“Shushu, look at what Grandpa brought for you.”
Ruan He approached with a cheerful grin, accompanied by an older man who appeared to be about the same age. Unlike Ruan He’s smiling face, this man had a serious expression, looking very much like a strict dean.
Ruan Ling’an and the others all stood up respectfully and greeted him as Vice Principal.
Ruan Shu glanced at her brother and, following suit, greeted the vice principal in her soft, childlike voice.
The older man looked at the young girl for a moment before shaking his head. “Indeed, she doesn’t seem suited for it.”
She looked so easy to bully, while in their school, even the kindergarteners were often rowdy and mischievous.
It was truly surprising that the Ruan family, known for their fierce personalities, could have a child with such a gentle disposition.
Ruan He puffed out his chest proudly. “Of course! Sending my granddaughter to your school, I’m actually worried she might get bullied. But honestly, I’m very satisfied with the school that Ruan Xiao chose for her.”
As the two older men chatted, Ruan Shu trotted over to stand beside her grandfather.
“Grandpa.”
“Thirsty? Here you go.”
He handed her a bottle of milk-fruit juice, her favorite drink.
This natural, milk-flavored drink with a hint of fresh wood aroma was something Ruan Shu particularly loved at home.
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
She thanked him in her soft voice, her fluffy little head soon getting a gentle pat.
With a little smile on her face, Ruan Shu held her milk-fruit juice, tilting her head to nuzzle into her grandpa’s hand, looking absolutely adorable.
“This is Grandpa’s friend. He found this milk-fruit juice just for you. Call him Grandpa An.”
Ruan Shu looked up at the older man with her bright blue eyes and then called out in her sweet voice, “Grandpa An.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing this soft and sweet child, even the stern old man’s gaze softened a little.
“All right, we’re leaving now. We won’t keep you from your studies or work.”
Ruan He, looking sprightly, waved goodbye. These days, with no work and all his time spent doting on his granddaughter, he was enjoying life more than ever.
“Goodbye, Brother~”
After bidding her brother goodbye, Ruan Shu left with her grandfather to head home.
But as soon as they walked through the door, they saw a young man lounging leisurely in the courtyard, enjoying afternoon tea.
His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail, his facial features sharp and defined, and his golden eyes deep and mesmerizing. The ruby earring he used to wear had been replaced with a sapphire one, which swayed slightly in the breeze, still looking as stunning as ever.
The young man sat up straight on the chair, exuding a noble elegance. Even the way he drank tea was refined, perfectly embodying the demeanor of aristocracy in every move.
“You’re back.”
From his tone, one might mistakenly think this was his home.
Behind him stood a butler, his face politely smiling yet barely concealing an urge to roll his eyes. Ever since this esteemed majesty had, right in front of him, whisked Miss Ruan away and sprinted off, the butler’s respect for him had diminished just a bit.
What kind of respectable monarch goes around snatching people?!
“Your Majesty?”
Ruan He was genuinely surprised to see him here.
“Mr. Ruan, it’s been a while. How’s your health?”
“Haha, thank you, Your Majesty, for thinking of this old man. I’m doing quite well at the moment.”
As they exchanged greetings, Ruan Shu had already taken her small steps over to Almer’s side.
“Why are you here?” the delicate little girl asked softly.
“Well, since you didn’t come to find me, I decided to come find you.”
Almer shrugged slightly and casually picked up a delicate pastry, feeding it to her.
“You little heartless thing, you haven’t come to see me for ages.”
Ruan Shu’s cheeks flushed slightly, and with her mouth full, she quickly shook her head in an attempt to explain.
“No, it’s because Grandpa came back, and… and I was a bit too shy to go over.”
She’d never gone visiting alone before, and what if she got lost in his huge estate?
“Fine, I’ll forgive you this time. Come here.”
Ruan Shu moved a bit closer, and he patted her head, pinching her chubby cheeks. She didn’t get angry despite his teasing; instead, she stared at the pastries in front of him, her clean, pretty eyes clearly filled with a longing to eat more.
Having noticed this, Almer naturally indulged the little glutton.
Watching their interaction, Ruan He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked in a casual tone, “Your Majesty seems to be getting along very well with my Shushu.”
He emphasized the phrase, “my Shushu.”
Almer’s lips curled into a slight smile. “I just took this little one out for a short outing.”
Suddenly, with a swift motion, he reached out and caught a small black and purple vine in his fingers, wriggling like a snake.
Ruan Shu let out a small gasp, “Hey! Why are you wandering off?”
She gently tugged the vine back, then explained to Almer, “It probably holds a bit of a grudge.”
Standing behind was Knight Commander Oss: “It’s not holding a grudge; this behavior is perfectly normal. After all, His Majesty does have a knack for irritating mutated plants.”
Ruan Shu sat down beside him, fastening the mutated vine around her wrist and giving it a gentle pat with her finger.
“No mischief.”
The vine instantly settled down, obedient.
Ruan Shu didn’t notice, but everyone else in the room cast glances at her and the vine on her wrist, though no one said anything aloud.
Ruan He’s brow furrowed slightly. Although his granddaughter’s Jingshen was only rated F, it seemed she had an unusual knack for attracting mutated plants. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
After spending a little while with the Ruan family, Almer invited Ruan Shu over to his estate as a guest.
What could Ruan He do? Naturally, he respected his granddaughter’s wishes.
After thinking for a moment, Ruan Shu nodded. She went back into the house and returned with two beautifully adorned knots she’d made for Almer, each set with a stunning gemstone.
“I finished these; see if you like them. If you don’t, I can change them.”
Almer casually picked her up and set her on his lap, letting her lean back against him. His long fingers gently toyed with the two knotted ornaments she held. The black and white tassels swayed, and the gemstones shimmered under the sunlight, harmonizing perfectly with the threadwork, lending a touch of timeless elegance.
To match these gemstones, Ruan Shu had chosen threads made from the tail hair of a rare mythical beast called Tianma—tough, yet soft and smooth.
After bidding Ruan He farewell, Almer carried her over to the neighboring estate.
Once they’d left, the more Ruan He thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt, finally voicing his frustrations to the butler.
“Shushu is my family, right? Why does it feel like she’s being raised by His Majesty instead?”
The butler: “….”
You’re just realizing that now? His Majesty’s way of ‘borrowing’ her is too natural and smooth, plus he went and bought the estate next door.
Indeed, His Majesty had recently purchased it. Previously, the estate had belonged to a duke’s family and was almost always vacant!