The Cold White Moonlight Desires Me Every Day - Chapter 23

Ni Yunshi was stopped, leaving Ruan Tang to enter alone.

The visiting room was small, separated by an iron window with a chair on each side.

Behind the window, Aunt Yuan had already been brought in, waiting quietly.

Her white shirt and blue vest clung to her body, crumpled and wrinkled.

Her usually meticulously styled hair, though still tied in a low bun, was now disheveled, stray strands sticking out wildly.

She seemed to have aged overnight, looking utterly disheveled.

Ruan Tang’s heart ached at the sight, and she lowered her head.

Behind the iron window, Aunt Yuan gave a bitter smile. “I’m sorry, Miss. I was the one who took action regarding your father.”

“There’s no need to apologize. The outcome was inevitable,” Ruan Tang reassured her. “So, what exactly happened?”

Even if Sun Hongwei and Ni Yunshi hadn’t acted, Ruan Tang would have. How could it have come down to the butler, who was simply paid to do her job?

“It’s nothing much. I saw Sun Hongwei pressuring Miss Ni, and I acted before she could,” Aunt Yuan said with a relieved smile.

Ruan Tang was even more confused. “You did it for Ni Yunshi?”

“I did it for you,” Aunt Yuan replied, raising her hand and waving it lightly in the air.

The gesture puzzled Ruan Tang, and Aunt Yuan offered no explanation, simply continuing:

“During your three years abroad, you couldn’t see what was happening back home. Miss Ni secretly sent you living expenses every month, and she’s been constantly intervening on your behalf, shielding you from Sun Hongwei and Ruan Yunting’s persecution.”

“Since she’s already done so much, why are you meddling?” Ruan Tang’s mind was in turmoil, but her tone was harsh.

Aunt Yuan chuckled softly. “Because I’ve watched you grow up. I never married or had children of my own. I’ve spent my entire life as a housekeeper, so I’ve always cared for you as if you were my own daughter.”

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Ruan Tang finally snapped, lifting her head to glare at Aunt Yuan with bloodshot eyes. “Then you should have continued caring for me, instead of throwing yourself into this mess!”

Her words were almost a growl, showing no gratitude for Aunt Yuan’s protection, only demanding commands.

“So you’re at peace knowing Miss Ni is the one in jail right now?” Aunt Yuan countered calmly, without anger.

The simple, stark question silenced Ruan Tang. Her anger, which had flared up moments before, fizzled out again.

She lowered her head once more, but this time it wasn’t out of restraint, but rather a listless guilt, as if she knew she had done something wrong.

The answer to Aunt Yuan’s question was painfully obvious.

Aunt Yuan remained calm, her smile deepening. “Miss, you can’t keep being so stubborn. Miss Ni has been so good to you. Don’t push her away.”

“I know…” Ruan Tang murmured, then added, “I’ll hire the best lawyers for you. Whatever you need later, I’ll do my best to arrange it. After all…”

After all, I’ve never even met my own biological mother.

But the most important words remained stuck in Ruan Tang’s throat, too awkward to voice.

“I can see how my future will turn out. But you… you must always remember me as I am today.”

Aunt Yuan’s smile vanished, her tone becoming solemn and earnest.

“I chose this path so you could live well. You must live well—for yourself, not for anyone else.”

“I’ve always been living for myself. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have worked so hard to succeed abroad,” Ruan Tang replied firmly, then looked up, giving Aunt Yuan a resolute gaze.

“Actually, none of that was the most important thing. There’s something even more crucial I need to tell you,” Aunt Yuan said, her expression growing more complex.

“What is it?” Ruan Tang leaned in, listening intently.

“Don’t you find it strange that you’re even allowed to visit me?” Aunt Yuan asked.

Ruan Tang only grew more confused. They cherished each other like mother and daughter.

“My mother is imprisoned. Isn’t it natural for her daughter to visit?” Ruan Tang asked, confused.

“Family visits are only for convicted prisoners,” Aunt Yuan explained. “My case hasn’t even gone to trial yet. The only people allowed to visit me should be my lawyers.”

Could this visit be a trap?

Ruan Tang immediately grew wary, scanning her surroundings.

Everything seemed normal, perfectly ordinary.

Noticing her confusion, Aunt Yuan continued, “When you were born, I had only been serving the Madam for six months. I was still young back then.”

This statement seemed completely unrelated to the previous one.

Ruan Tang paused, puzzled, but Aunt Yuan pressed on, “I don’t know when it happened, but I suddenly realized I had nothing in my life except being the housekeeper for the Ruan Family. No family of my own, no romantic relationships, and no children.”

“You’re an orphan? I’ll do everything I can to find information about your family. I’ll get you the news as soon as possible,” Ruan Tang said, trying to understand and respond appropriately.

But as soon as the words left her lips, Aunt Yuan became agitated, her eyes reddening.

“Ruan Tang, don’t you understand? Being the housekeeper for the Ruan Family is my life! It’s all I have!”

Ruan Tang truly didn’t understand. “What do you mean? What exactly…”

Before she could finish her question, and before Aunt Yuan could respond, the door to the visitation room swung open. Two guards stepped forward, flanking Aunt Yuan and escorting her away.

At the same moment, the door behind Ruan Tang swung open.

“Miss Ruan, your time is up.”

Without giving Ruan Tang a chance to argue, she was escorted out of the room.

Ni Yunshi paced anxiously outside. When she saw Ruan Tang emerge, she rushed forward.

“How did it go? What did Aunt… Aunt Yuan say?”

Ruan Tang, lost in thought, simply walked blankly toward the exit.

“Ruan Tang! Ruan Tang! Watch out!” A sudden tug and a startled cry jolted her back to reality.

She stumbled as a car, horn blaring, sped past, snapping her out of her daze.

Unconsciously, she had wandered to the edge of the road and nearly met her end.

Before she could recover, Ni Yunshi grabbed her arm and shoved her into the passenger seat, buckling her in.

“What exactly did Aunt Yuan say to you in the visitation room?” Ni Yunshi demanded, climbing into the driver’s seat.

She’s been babbling nonsense to my precious Tangtang! Could she have been bribed to sow discord?

Damn it! I’ve been diligently battling demons for three years!

Finally, the three-year term is up! Welcome Tangtang back to her rightful place!

Ni Yunshi’s worry was plain on her face.

Ruan Tang wanted to describe what had just happened truthfully, but as she opened her mouth, the words seemed to catch in her throat, making it difficult to speak.

Oh no, oh no, oh no! She’s really gone dumb!

I’m a pervert, and Tangtang’s a dummy.

A pervert and a dummy living together… actually sounds kind of nice, huh?

Ni Yunshi desperately tried to reassure herself, but her anxiety remained.

She reached out to gently touch the gauze on Ruan Tang’s forehead, wanting to at least confirm that nothing had gone wrong and that her wound was still healing properly.

But as she moved, Ruan Tang froze again.

Just moments ago in the visiting room, Aunt Yuan had made a similar gesture.

Fifteen minutes earlier, she had been confused and bewildered, but now it was like waking from a dream.

“I finally understand what Aunt Yuan’s strange gesture meant…”