The Overnight Chosen Wife: Darling, Kiss Me Deeper

Lanni's apartment. 

After leaving the hospital, Lanni was still restless. Even so, the biggest crisis had been averted; Ruby could no longer use the trick of pretending to be pitiful to get close to Xiehan. 

Xiehan, who was staying for dinner, was curious when he had her let out sigh after sigh. "Are you still thinking about Ruby?" 

She nodded, not denying it. "Failing is one thing, but what if she gets back up and comes up with some other trick? It's not easy to constantly keep and eye on someone, right?" 

In response, he looked deep in thought before he glanced at her and set aside the magazine he was reading. "I've been meaning to say this, we seem to have misunderstood Ruby." 

"What are you saying?" She was surprised that he could even come up with such a statement after all that had happened. Wasn't her confession clear enough? 

He knew what she was thinking so he explained, "I mean, her actions and words are questionable. However, there's something off about the way she looks at me. We all think she has that kind of feelings for me but from my observation, her gaze is nothing like a girl in love. Instead, it's as though she is looking at a close relative that she doesn't know how to converse with." 

"Have you been charmed by her?" Lanni was speechless by the nonsense he was spouting. What exactly made him come to such a conclusion? Did he think that just because he didn't have feelings for Ruby, it was the same for her? 

The man shrugged, ignoring what she had just said. "Besides, from a man's perspective, I think she likes Lin Jian. There is no way a woman will be in love with two men, is there?" 

"That's a facade." Lanni dismissed. This wasn't the first time she had heard that. In fact, Ruby had said it herself, that she was in love with Lin Jian and was merely afraid that he was too much of a playboy. However, "It could be just an act to cover up her true intentions. Also, who said a woman cannot be in love with two men? Not many people accept it but it's quite common." 

Luckily, a call from Xingyu interrupted them before their conversation could turn stale.

___

Lanni was not the only person who thought that Ruby's feelings for Lin Jian were an act meant to cover up for her true intentions. 

When Ruby called Lin Jian out for a meal the next day, he was reluctant to go. When he learnt that Ruby's illness was fake, he was so disappointed that he wanted nothing to do with her. 

However, the girl kept insisting so he had no choice but to go. 

"What do you want?" He asked as soon as he got to the restaurant they were meeting at. 

Ruby frowned and bit her tongue. His attitude was identical to how he usually treated his women when he was tired of playing around and wanted to dump them. Something in her eyes dimmed. 

"I merely wanted to have a chat. You asked me to go to the movies with you before, but I was busy so I promised to go when I'm less busy. How about we go this weekend? I don't have much going on." She spoke like she didn't mind his dismissive attitude. 

When Lin Jian heard her, he scoffed. "Ruby, do you think I'm a fool? 

Because Lanni and Xiehan have found out your plot, you want to cling onto me and use it as proof of you not having any ulterior motives?" 

"What? What are you saying?" She was stunned. Although her father had advised her to stay away from the Jis for a while, this was not her reason for meeting up with Lin Jian! It was only because she felt empty and needed a distraction. 

Fine, her aim was still selfish. 

Lin Jian looked her up and down, almost in disgust. "I have nothing against a woman pursuing the man she likes, but pretending to be innocent while trying to ruin other people's relationship is too much! You…" 

Ruby couldn't stand it anymore. "Enough! Why do you all think the same way? Why do you all claim that I'm trying to ruin Xiehan's relationship by seducing him? Are you insane?! Why would I seduce my own b…" 

She calmed herself down before the word "brother" got out of her mouth. 

She cursed herself. How could she lose control that way? This was a public restaurant. What would happen if someone heard her? If anyone knew that she had found out the truth about her identity, not just her, but the whole Ji family might be in danger. Hence, she took a deep breath and stopped talking. 

However, Lin Jian was still stunned from her suddenly explosive attitude. He sat down and looked at her curiously. "Your own what?" 

Meanwhile, the only possibility he thought of was 'boyfriend'. Could it be that she was about to say that Xiehan was her boyfriend? Was that why she was trying so hard to get close to him? 

Wait. Was Xiehan two-timing and secretly keeping Ruby as his girlfriend behind Lanni's back? 

His first reaction was not to be heartbroken that the girl he liked was taken, but to be angry with his friend. He wouldn't be such a jerk, would he? After all, even he, the renown playboy, was not a two-timer. The main point was, it would be shocking if Xiehan turned out to be that kind of man. In the next instant, he shook his head. Xiehan was definitely not that type of man. 

While his brain ran wild with more possibilities, Ruby softly spoke up. "My best friend's man. You see, Lanni used to be my friend before she lost her memory but because I was close to Ji Feifei, she doesn't trust me anymore. Even so, I still think of her as my friend." 

Lin Jian found nothing wrong with her response, but he was curious. "Why then, were you close with Ji Feifei? You knew what kind of person she was, didn't you?" 

Ruby's eyes dimmed slightly. How could she say that all she had wanted was to slowly get close to her real family through the impostor, Ji Feifei? More importantly, she had always wanted to revenge against Ji Feifei for shamelessly taking her identity. After all, since it was a conspiracy, then Ji Feifei must have already been told that she was not the Jis' biological daughter. Besides, she even once seduced Xiehan; it must be because she was aware that he was not her biological brother—but that didn't make it any less disgusting. 

In front of Lin Jian, Ruby could only cook up another reason. "She was Lanni's friend first. I just wanted to make friends, not knowing what kind of person she truly was."

For some reason, Lin Jian still wanted to be close to Ruby—even after knowing that she had been lying all along, and even while knowing that she was still lying for the most part right now. At least one thing seemed true coming from her; her lack of feelings for Xiehan. It was a relief, if he was to be honest. 

When he saw how anxious she looked after answering his question, how her beautiful eyes drooped like she was waiting for a verdict that decided her life or death, his heart melted. 

In the end, he couldn't bring himself to cut off all ties with her like he had planned. What was wrong with him?! Since when was it difficult to cut off ties with a girl?! 

He coughed to stabilise his emotions. "Xingyu and his fiancée are planning to go to the beach, and they invited me to go along. Do you want to come with us?" 

Before she could answer him, he knew that she might be awkward around Lanni and Xiehan after what had happened so he added, "It won't be just the four of us. I'm guessing Luna will definitely call her sister and Cheng Yu over." 

Ruby looked a little troubled when she recalled how hostile Luna was to her. She timidly asked, "Will Xiaoshi go too?" Xiaoshi was more welcoming of her, besides, it would be a great opportunity to catch up with her cousin.

Lin Jian thought about it. "I'll ask her later. What about you, are you going?"

"Yes." Although she wasn't sure, she couldn't say no under his charming gaze. Never mind. If the others were still hostile towards her, she would simply stick to Lin Jian's side. 

… 

When they got their invites, Lanni and Xiehan decided to take this as a break from work, and Cheng Yu took it as a chance to get away from a certain troublesome person for a while. 

When Lanni asked Xiaoshi if she was joining them, the first thing the girl asked was, "Is Xingyu going?" 

Lanni nodded honestly. She thought Xiaoshi would choose to go but instead, she shook her head. 

"I'm sorry, I'll have to call a raincheck this time. I'm developing a new softwa re and can only take a break when I'm done."