Chapter 3: He Hates Yun Ci

"Yun Ci!" Ye Meipan chased her out of the room, grabbing Yun Ci, still wanting to argue.

At this moment, Ruan Feiyue suddenly appeared.

She bumped into Yun Ci, seemingly unintentionally, and wrapped her arms around Ye Meipan’s waist. With a sweet smile on her face, she deliberately used a dainty, coquettish voice: "Mom... for dinner, I want to eat spicy chicken, twice-cooked pork with green peppers, and mapo tofu!"

The moment she saw Ruan Feiyue, Ye Meipan’s heart softened. She tapped the girl on the nose and laughed, "Why is everything spicy?"

"Because I like spicy food! You have to put lots and lots of spice in it!"

"Alright, alright..."

Ruan Feiyue smiled and cast a provocative glance at Yun Ci.

Yun Ci turned away indifferently and walked downstairs.

In the first-floor lobby, Ruan Xichen was leaning against the sofa, holding a book and reading slowly. His long, slender legs were crossed, and his eyes were cast downward, revealing a gentle, jade-like quality; his every movement was the epitome of elegance.

Hearing footsteps, he lifted his gaze slightly. Seeing it was Yun Ci, he immediately looked away.

He seemed to disdain even letting his gaze linger on her.

Yun Ci sat down opposite him and began fiddling with her phone.

A moment later, she suddenly stood up, walked over to Ruan Xichen, and held out her phone toward him.

Ruan Xichen didn't even look up, his voice laced with contempt: "Sorry, I never exchange numbers with strangers."

Yun Ci blinked her bright eyes and spoke calmly: "The Wi-Fi password."

"?"

As soon as Ruan Xichen looked up, he saw that Yun Ci’s phone was on the Wi-Fi connection screen. He frowned, snatched the phone away in a fit of embarrassed rage, quickly typed in the password, and tossed the phone back.

"Thank you."

Yun Ci took the phone and returned to her seat opposite him.

Ruan Xichen watched the girl’s figure. Even though she was wearing the most ordinary clothes, her face was so beautiful that it was impossible to ignore.

Her skin was fair and translucent, and beneath her long lashes, her lively eyes rippled like spring water.

Her pink lips were pursed, yet slightly upturned, revealing a look of nonchalance that hovered between a smile and indifference.

It made him feel a surge of irritation.

He hated Yun Ci—he hated her for no reason at all!

The phone chimed; someone had sent a text message.

—When are you coming over?

Yun Ci’s slender fingers typed rapidly.

—Tomorrow.

The person replied again.

—OK, waiting for you at the usual spot.

At dinner, the table was filled with fiery red dishes.

Ruan Feiyue ate with great delight. Ye Meipan helped her pour water, her eyes full of doting affection. Seeing that Yun Ci had barely touched her chopsticks, she asked, "A-Ci, why aren't you eating? Is it not to your taste?"

Yun Ci bit her chopsticks and replied nonchalantly, "My stomach isn't good; I can't eat spicy food."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Ruan Feiyue deliberately put on a look of guilt and said to Yun Ci, "I'm sorry. I've loved spicy food since I was little, and the family has always cooked according to my tastes."

It looked like an apology, but her tone was filled with smugness.

Yun Ci raised an eyebrow and ignored her.

Ruan Xichen’s expression darkened instantly, and he sneered, "Feiyue, what did you do wrong that you need to apologize to her? If your stomach isn't good, can't you say so in advance? Do you have to wait for others to ask?"

Yun Ci’s eyes narrowed, instantly reflecting a cold glint.

The atmosphere at the dining table turned rigid.

Ye Meipan hurriedly spoke up: "It was my oversight. A-Ci, I'll have the kitchen prepare a few milder dishes."

"No need," Yun Ci refused coldly.

Ruan Feiyue lowered her head to eat, hiding a triumphant smile.

What did it matter if she was biological or not? The facts proved that she would always be the most favored one in the family!

After dinner, Ruan Feiyue pulled a certificate out of her bag and said with a grin, "I got first place in the city again for this art competition."

Ye Meipan held the certificate, smiling from ear to ear: "Our Feiyue is truly amazing. She’s first in everything; there’s almost no room left for all the certificates in this house!"

Her Feiyue was truly excellent in every way!

Ye Meipan even felt a bit fortunate—fortunate that the children had been swapped at birth.

Ruan Bingde also laughed: "Feiyue will surely take first place in this month's exams again, right?"

Ruan Feiyue pouted: "Not necessarily. This month's exam used the national paper, and it was quite difficult. The third multiple-choice question in math has been controversial..."

She suddenly looked at the silent Yun Ci and asked, seemingly innocently: "A-Ci, did you choose B or C?"