AMRWFA -Chapter 318 Testing the Waters

From a certain perspective, it wasn’t that Ruan Yaoyao was smarter or better at weighing risks than Ruan Tingting—it was simply that she was farther away and had more chances to escape. That was why she had so decisively chosen to “run,” to stay as far away from Leng Shuwen as possible.

It wasn’t that she was truly afraid of him, but rather that she knew this man was a lunatic. She didn’t want trouble, and the best solution was to keep her distance.

But Ruan Tingting couldn’t escape.

One was her husband, the other was the father of her child. From the moment she married him, her relationship with him became something tangled and unbreakable, impossible to sort out no matter how hard one tried.

Some people might say: then just divorce him, wouldn’t that solve it?

In reality, many things weren’t as simple as saying “divorce.” And even after a divorce, it didn’t mean all problems would be resolved.

The root of the issue was—whether that man was willing to let go.

If he wasn’t willing, then even without the binding of marriage, as long as some connection existed between you and him, you would never truly be free until he decided to release you.

Relationships weren’t something you could sever unilaterally.

For example, after a divorce, could Leng Shuwen simply stop appearing as Ruan Tingting’s ex-husband?

After a divorce, could Ruan Tingting avoid dealing with Leng Shuwen when it came to the “handling” of their three children?

To him, she was his possession. Within the circle he drew, she could do as she pleased—but the moment she crossed the line, she would be met with a storm.

If she could resolve matters on her own, that would be good. The problem was that in her relationship with Leng Shuwen, she had always been the one being controlled, unable to resist.

Moreover, Ruan Tingting still held onto hope for him—perhaps he had someone outside, perhaps he was sometimes harsh with her, but he was genuinely good to their three children. As long as she didn’t step on a landmine, he was even willing to give her face in public.

Many things in life were like this—not simply black or white.

The relationship between Ruan Tingting and Leng Shuwen couldn’t be summed up in a simple “good” or “bad.”

Under everyone’s arrangement, Ruan Yaoyao was soon “arranged” to run into Leng Shuwen. The method was simple: he would “accidentally” witness Ruan Shizhong handling his son Ruan Tailai’s “maternal fixation incident.”

Of course, this had been discussed in advance with Ruan Shizhong and Ruan Tailai.

Ruan Tailai had originally objected. Such an embarrassing matter, he would have preferred as few people knowing as possible—how could they actively publicize it?

His cousin, Ru Anzhi, looked at him meaningfully and said, “Do you really think fewer people will know about something that’s already been recorded on file?”

“What?” Ruan Tailai’s face turned pale.

Ru Anzhi said nothing.

Ruan Shizhong patted his son’s shoulder and said half-consolingly, “Just think of it as contributing to the country. Besides, you’re not the only one whose matters get recorded.”

Dad, you might as well not comfort me at all! Ruan Tailai glared at him, feeling wronged.

Wasn’t he just dating someone? Was that really such a big deal?

But the truth was, it wasn’t just him—anyone “noticed” by his Third Aunt, as long as it became part of a story, would inevitably be recorded.

Wuwuwu… he was so miserable!

Falling in love with such an “older woman” was one thing, but she didn’t even genuinely like him.

With no choice, Ruan Tailai tearfully went to meet the “auntie” for a breakup talk.

Xia Yue was completely unaware of what was coming. So when she saw Ruan Tailai accompanied by Ruan Shizhong, she froze.

Realizing something, she quickly turned to Ruan Tailai and asked, “Ah Tai, why is your father here?”

Ruan Tailai didn’t dare meet her eyes, his guilty expression revealing everything.

Ruan Shizhong said, “If I weren’t here, how long were you planning to keep toying with my son?”

“You already know about me and Ah Tai?” Xia Yue looked embarrassed and ashamed.

“I know everything I need to know. I’m here today to make things clear—I hope you won’t continue to pester my son.”

Xia Yue said indignantly, “Me pestering your son? Ah Tai, tell me yourself—am I the one pestering you? Didn’t you confess to me first? Didn’t you ask to be with me?”

Ruan Tailai stammered.

It was true that he had confessed first—but…

But his Third Aunt said he had been “controlled by the plot.”

He couldn’t explain it clearly. Looking back now, he only felt that something about him at that time really wasn’t normal.

How did he even end up liking his mother’s friend?

He stole a glance at Xia Yue and immediately caught her gaze. Like a mouse seeing a cat, he panicked and fled quickly.

Ahhh… how did I ever like her?

She’s not my type at all!

He didn’t have any “maternal fixation,” nor did he lack maternal affection. His ideal type had always been a soft, gentle junior schoolgirl.

Thinking of that “schoolgirl,” a figure flashed through his mind.

Sigh…

He wondered if he had already missed his chance.

And it wasn’t without reason that he thought this—after getting together with Xia Yue, he had been the one to actively distance himself from the other girl, hanging up her calls multiple times and telling her he liked someone else, asking her not to contact him again.

Ruan Tailai: “……”

He really wanted to go back in time and slap his past self. That girl was the one he actually wanted to date.

He had gone through so much trouble to get her contact information and finally convince her to go on a “date,” and yet somehow he ended up entangled with another woman instead.

It must be the “plot” controlling him.

He was afraid that if he looked at Xia Yue any longer, he’d get controlled again.

As for Xia Yue, seeing his reaction, she became furious. She never expected Ruan Tailai to be such a coward—someone who dared to do but not admit it.

She brought out all her evidence—recordings, chat logs, everything—to prove to Ruan Shizhong that it was Ruan Tailai who had pursued her first and that she was the “innocent one.”

Ruan Tailai was so ashamed he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself.

Ruan Shizhong, however, remained calm. Looking at the pile of evidence, he said, “You came prepared—it almost looks like you’re presenting cheating evidence.”

“Men are just like that. One should enjoy life while young. He liked you before, but it’s just like liking a celebrity or a dish—once you’ve tasted it, you lose interest.”

“Otherwise, why would he ask me to handle this? I thought you were smart enough to see it clearly since I’m already here. He clearly wants to break things off with you.”

“Dating is just dating. You don’t think dating means you can’t break up, do you? You’ve dated before too.”

【Wow… I really didn’t see this coming from my eldest brother!】

From behind the screen, Ruan Yaoyao couldn’t help but sigh.

【I thought he was so devoted to my sister-in-law because he was loyal. Turns out he just never acted on it.】

【Could it be… my sister-in-law is just too powerful, so he doesn’t dare mess around?】

【I haven’t seen her in a while. I should check her out next time and see what kind of woman can control my eldest brother so well.】

Ruan Shizhong’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Who said he “didn’t act on it”?

He simply knew what consequences would come from acting recklessly and didn’t want trouble, alright?

Why ruin a good life and invite chaos into his own home?

Was he insane?

Meanwhile, Ruan Tailai, who had just been thinking about his father, suddenly had a realization after hearing Ruan Yaoyao’s comment.

So his father was actually that kind of man?!

But he quickly forgot that the situation was about him—because the next second, Xia Yue’s furious voice rang out: “Ruan Tailai, you want to break up with me?! What about all those vows you made back then? You said you loved me, you said age didn’t matter in true love…”