The Cold White Moonlight Desires Me Every Day - Chapter 11

Ni Yunshi’s cautious yet greedy movements drew the person feigning sleep even closer into her embrace.

She had the heart of a thief, the courage of a thief, but not the strength of a thief.

After less than five minutes of clinging and hugging, she drifted off to sleep, her mind filled with lewd fantasies.

Ruan Tang deliberately shifted, but sensed no response from Ni Yunshi—even her inner voice remained silent.

She quietly opened her eyes and tilted her head slightly, only to find Ni Yunshi staring blankly at the ceiling.

Great, Ruan Tang thought. The rest of the night will be spent partying in my dreams while I lie awake, completely unable to sleep!

How could she hear Ni Yunshi’s thoughts yet still be unable to decipher her true intentions? Why had she fled only to return? Who was she planning to use as a scapegoat? What had she been doing during her absence?

The tormenting thoughts kept Ruan Tang tossing and turning, but no matter how she shifted, Ni Yunshi remained sound asleep.

Finally, as dawn began to break, Ruan Tang climbed out of bed. She considered waking the person beside her to demand answers about her actions the previous night.

But halfway through reaching out, the memory of their earlier conflict resurfaced, freezing her hand in mid-air.

Regardless of what had happened, she couldn’t bear to lose what she had regained so quickly.

Moreover, she had had a major falling out with Aunt Yuan last night. She might even need to set aside time today to recruit a new housekeeper.

At this thought, Ruan Tang’s mood plummeted once more.

But as she turned to head downstairs, the fragrant aroma of milk drifted into her nostrils.

Ruan Tang paused in surprise, only to see Aunt Yuan herself in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Miss. Breakfast is ready. I’ll deliver Miss Ni’s portion shortly.”

Aunt Yuan’s tone was as neutral as ever, neither overly familiar nor distant, as she placed two trays on the table. One was prepared according to Ni Yunshi’s preferences, while the other was for Ruan Tang.

The latter’s portion was noticeably half again as large.

“What’s this? You’ve changed your tune?” Ruan Tang raised an eyebrow.

“Last night’s incident was due to my being half-asleep. I accept full responsibility for my professional lapse and will accept any punishment.”

Aunt Yuan’s proactive apology only made Ruan Tang’s grip tighten further on the glass she held.

The blame for last night’s conflict lay squarely with Ni Yunshi and herself—not with Aunt Yuan.

This was Aunt Yuan indulging her.

Having delivered a reprimand, she was now proactively seeking reconciliation, like the perfect elder in a melodramatic soap opera.

When her apology received no response, Aunt Yuan’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. “If you need assistance, I can help screen new housekeeper candidates or recommend colleagues…”

“No need. You’ve been the housekeeper here longer than I’ve been alive. My focus is entirely on the company now, and I don’t want any changes here for the time being.”

Ruan Tang followed Aunt Yuan down the stairs.

Just as she thought the matter was settled, Aunt Yuan spoke again.

“Miss, you’ve been living under the same roof as Miss Ni for so long. Haven’t you had any genuine conversations?”

The words struck Ruan Tang like a rebuke for her actions over the past six months. Yet Aunt Yuan’s slightly furrowed brow softened her anger.

Logically, the Ruan Family had provided for Aunt Yuan’s living expenses, essentially supporting her for life. In Ruan Tang’s memories from her previous life, Aunt Yuan had cared for her since she was a child. She had never shown Miss Ni any kindness and shouldn’t be siding with her.

Yet now, whenever conflict arose, Aunt Yuan always urged Ruan Tang to communicate with her.

Could it be…?

“Aunt Yuan, during the years I was away from home, what exactly…”

“Lingling—”

Before Ruan Tang could finish her question, her phone suddenly buzzed. She swiped to answer and heard a frantic voice on the other end.

“President Ruan! There’s a disturbance at the company—they’ve blocked the main entrance!”

“I understand. I’ll be there immediately,” Ruan Tang replied, rising to her feet.

Her attention diverted, she set aside her earlier thoughts.

Ruan Tang didn’t notice Aunt Yuan’s hesitant expression as she hurried to leave. Just as she reached the door, she paused.

“Have breakfast sent to my room later. She slept late last night.”

Aunt Yuan looked puzzled for a moment, then her eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly.

Fifteen minutes later, Ruan Tang drove to the company entrance. From a distance, she spotted four or five men in suits blocking the automatic glass doors, preventing them from opening.

Anxiety churned within her. Ruan Tang blinked slowly, trying to calm herself.

She had braced herself for a major confrontation at the entrance, but as she approached, the tall, imposing men bowed deeply, showing no hint of aggression.

Ruan Tang’s expression remained neutral, though her heart pounded with suspicion.

Just then, her assistant rushed over, flustered. “President Ruan, I’ve arranged for them to wait in the reception room! I’ll take you there now!”

They arrived at the reception room, and Ruan Tang pushed the door open.

Ruan Tang’s brow furrowed instantly.

The person waiting in the reception room was none other than Sun Hongwei!

Just yesterday, she had eliminated Sun Hongwei’s spies. Standard practice would be to lay low for a few days until the heat died down. Why was Sun Hongwei acting so contrarily?

Ruan Tang sat down across from him and cut straight to the chase: “President Sun, you’ve come all this way, and so early too. Shouldn’t you be busy with your company’s public relations?”

Her words were far from friendly, bordering on a taunt, flaunting her victory in their recent business battle.

Unexpectedly, Sun Hongwei showed no irritation whatsoever. Instead, he wore a fawning smile as he handed over a file.

“The PR department is handling the public relations, of course. As the company’s steering wheel, I naturally need to focus on strategic development and decision-making.”

Ruan Tang glanced at the file but didn’t take it.

Sun Hongwei passed it directly to his assistant, who opened it, startled, and quickly handed it to Ruan Tang.

Ruan Tang lowered her gaze to examine the documents closely, her brow tightening.

The file contained details of two major Hongxin Company projects, both fully prepared for construction. Yet, they proposed a partnership with Tangzhao Group, requiring no equity investment whatsoever.

It was akin to preparing a lavish feast and giving half of it to your business rival.

Why would Sun Hongwei be so generous?

“Kill a thousand enemies, lose eight hundred of your own. Isn’t this a bit excessive?” Ruan Tang sensed a hidden motive.

“This isn’t a case of ‘one falls, all fall,’ but rather ‘one prospers, all prosper,'” Sun Hongwei said, his smile unwavering.

Ruan Tang didn’t respond, her eyes flickering with suspicion.

Sun Hongwei continued, “Ruan girl, you and your father share bl00d ties, and I was his friend. Instead of fighting each other and letting others profit, why not join forces?”

At that moment, Ruan Tang understood.

While both companies and conglomerates were profit-driven businesses, the latter was ultimately formed by combining the former.

Sun Hongwei’s obsequious attitude clearly indicated his desire to merge with Tangzhao Group.

But with his business thriving, why would he seek the group’s protection?

“We have different paths; our goals don’t align,” Ruan Tang said, tossing the documents back.

“You little b1tch! I’ve already gone this far! What the hell do you want?!” Sun Hongwei slammed his fist on the table, making the coffee table tremble violently.

“Don’t think you can get away with this just because your father’s dead and no one can control you anymore! If I’m going down, you’re coming with me!”

Ruan Tang’s expression remained impassive, though her heart raced with shock.

As business rivals, her rejection was natural. Sun Hongwei, a veteran of countless battles, shouldn’t have lost his composure so easily.

“Listen here, Ruan! I’m asking you one last time: are you signing this contract or not?!”

“No,” Ruan Tang replied without hesitation.

“Fine! Don’t come crawling back to me in tears later!”