RMM -Chapter 255 A Beauty Appears

Su Ruo quickly began getting herself ready, even making a special effort to dress up—carefully fixing her hair, putting on a light touch of makeup, and rummaging through her wardrobe for clothes she’d bought before getting pregnant.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to wear something newer—it was just that this really was her newest outfit. Please forgive the laziness of a woman who had just given birth…

Still, she hadn’t worn this piece very often before. Now that she put it on, it didn’t look bad at all—brand new, as if it had just been bought. Su Ruo looked at herself in the mirror, examining herself from top to bottom, and only then did she smile in satisfaction.

Her figure showed no signs of having gone out of shape—still tall and slender as ever. And she’d been well cared for these days, her complexion rosy and healthy. With a bit of light makeup added, her face looked even brighter and more beautiful. She appeared spirited and radiant, as lovely as a blooming flower.

Hmph, Zhou Yunzhen, don’t you think that once I’ve had a child I should turn into a worn-out housewife?
I’ll show you—maybe I’m not as youthful as before, but beating you? That’s more than easy.

I don’t believe that, in terms of looks, you have anything that compares to me. And as for everything else, I’m not necessarily inferior either.

Yes, yes—this confident, elegant aura. Add a smile… Tsk tsk, truly graceful and pleasing to the eye.

Satisfied, Su Ruo stepped away from the mirror, picked up her bag, opened the bedroom door, and went downstairs.

“Well, well—dressed up so beautifully? Who are you going to see that you’re putting in this much effort? Aren’t you afraid of becoming the public enemy of all the women present?”

Shen Liang was reading a magazine in the living room downstairs. Hearing the noise, she looked up toward the stairs—and her eyes immediately lit up.

She’d gotten used to Su Ruo’s casual, simple appearance these past few days. Seeing her suddenly so carefully made up now was genuinely dazzling.

With a face like that, wouldn’t she make other women jealous the moment she stepped outside? Shen Liang felt quite proud—her Ruoruo really was outstanding.

Su Ruo pursed her lips in a smile and said to Shen Liang, “Mom, don’t tease me. I know I’ve been a bit sloppy these days, but you don’t have to make it sound so obvious, right?”

She knew very well that she looked good when she dressed up, but being praised so exaggeratedly still made her a little embarrassed. It wasn’t that dramatic, was it?

“I’m just telling the truth,” Shen Liang said, looking at Su Ruo with pride. “My Ruoruo is naturally beautiful to begin with. Once she dresses up like this—she’s simply radiant. And even when you don’t tidy yourself up, you’re still beautiful. Where’s the sloppiness?”

In Shen Liang’s eyes, Su Ruo was perfect in every way—excellent no matter what. How could she possibly be associated with the word “sloppy”?

Su Ruo pouted slightly and laughed it off. “You’re biased toward me anyway. No matter how I look, you think it’s good. But you’re praising me a bit too much, okay?”

Shen Liang reached out and held Su Ruo’s hand, shaking her head with a laugh. “Even if I am biased, my Ruoruo’s excellence is obvious to everyone. Mom just thinks you’re the best.”

Su Ruo raised her brows and pretended to be smug. “Mom, if you keep talking like this, I’ll get proud. I’ll float right up into the sky.”

“Then be proud—what’s wrong with that?” Shen Liang lightly patted her hand. “Alright, hurry up and go. I won’t hold you up. Remember to head out early and come back early. Don’t have too much fun, and keep your phone on.”

Su Ruo had already told Shen Liang beforehand that she was going out. It would only be an hour or two, so Xi Zi wouldn’t go hungry. If necessary, he could have a bottle of formula. With her son’s food issue settled, Su Ruo felt even more at ease. Xi Zi was never fussy, and with her mother-in-law watching him at home, there was nothing to worry about.

She needed to properly meet Zhou Yunzhen.

Shen Liang urged Su Ruo to head out quickly while Xi Zi was still asleep. If she could make it back before he woke up, that would be even better.

“Alright, I’m heading out then, Mom. If anything comes up, call me.”

After stepping outside, Su Ruo took a deep breath, then curved her lips into a pleasant smile. Sure enough, getting out was the right decision. Staying at home all the time, she hadn’t noticed it—but once outside, breathing fresh air and basking in the warm sunlight, she realized how cooped up she’d been, as if her body had been growing mold.

Before this, she’d been so adamant, coming up with all sorts of excuses not to go out, all righteous and confident about it. How embarrassing…

She drove the same BMW she’d always driven before and sped off.

The place she’d agreed to meet Zhou Yunzhen was the same café she used to frequent with He Wen and the others—Wang Xuan’s café. She hadn’t been here in a long time, and she felt rather nostalgic.

Su Ruo tilted her head back at a forty-five-degree angle, gazing up at the sky in a very “artsy youth” manner, then sighed leisurely. Time really does push people along.

“Hey, Ruoruo—you finally showed up?”

When Su Ruo entered, Wang Xuan happened to be sitting near the entrance enjoying the sun. Hearing the door open, she looked up—and immediately exclaimed in delight.

She really hadn’t seen Su Ruo in a long time, and seeing her all of a sudden made her genuinely happy. She quickly stood up to greet her.

“Looks like you’ve recovered really well—you’re even prettier. Where’s your son? He’s doing well, right? Why didn’t you bring him for me to see? I’ve been so curious!”

Wang Xuan walked over with a smile, her eyes full of admiration. She couldn’t help sighing inwardly—people really did have different fates. Su Ruo truly made it impossible not to be jealous. Every good thing in this world seemed to have gone to her. Just looking at her now, where was there any sign she’d just given birth? She looked even more polished and radiant.

Wang Xuan had only learned about Su Ruo’s pregnancy through a phone call. Su Ruo used to drop by regularly—it had become a routine. But later, she suddenly stopped coming, which worried Wang Xuan. She’d called to ask, only then finding out Su Ruo was pregnant.

As for Xi Zi’s birth, Wang Xuan had heard about it from He Wen. One time when He Wen and Duan Wei came by and chatted casually, they asked about how Su Ruo was doing. He Wen happily said she’d given birth to a son—adorable beyond words.

After hearing that, Wang Xuan had called Su Ruo to congratulate her but hadn’t gone to visit in person. Seeing her now, she was naturally delighted.

“I was raised on good food and laziness—I’ve put on quite a bit of weight,” Su Ruo said with a smiling modesty. Truthfully, she didn’t feel she’d gained much, though certain areas had indeed become fuller. Ahem—benefits reserved for a certain senior colonel; better not mention it.

“My son’s doing unbelievably well—growing strong, happy, and healthy. But I can’t bring him out yet; he’s still too little, and my mother-in-law wouldn’t agree anyway. How about you come home with me later to see him?”

Su Ruo smiled as she spoke and led Wang Xuan toward their usual spot, warmly inviting her. But there was no way Wang Xuan would accept.

“Nope, I won’t go. When your son’s a bit older, if you bring him out, just let me take a look then. Your family’s threshold is too high—I don’t dare step inside.”

She meant it sincerely. She really didn’t want to step into the Xi family residence—it was far too distant and untouchable, not a place for ordinary folks like her.

Su Ruo heard the implication and didn’t push the matter. She smiled and said, “Alright then. In a little while, I’ll bring my son out for you to see. Honestly speaking, my baby’s looks are top-tier.”

She didn’t mind Wang Xuan’s refusal at all and didn’t feel offended. She knew there was no malice in it. That kind of mindset was actually quite normal—if she were still Su Ruo back then, she’d probably feel the same way.

“Looking at you, how could your child possibly turn out bad?” Wang Xuan teased with a laugh as she sat beside Su Ruo. “By the way, what would you like to drink?”

Su Ruo gently shook her head. “Nothing fancy. Just give me a cup of plain water.”

She hadn’t come here for coffee or cake. There was something important coming up later. Besides, juices and coffee were better avoided—she still had to breastfeed Xi Zi.

“That works,” Wang Xuan nodded, understanding her caution, though she felt a little curious. “Just you alone?”

She didn’t see anyone else coming. Usually, He Wen and the others would be around. Who came alone just to drink plain water?

“No, someone else will be coming later. A friend—I’ll sit with her for a bit.”

After saying that, Su Ruo checked the time. Zhou Yunzhen should be arriving soon.

“A friend? Sounds like someone I don’t know,” Wang Xuan said with a smile as she stood up. “Alright then, I’ll go make some preparations. Can’t let people think we’re too shabby here.”

With that, she walked away gracefully.

After Wang Xuan left, Su Ruo glanced out the window at the bustling street. A faint smile curved her lips, while the warmth in her eyes slowly cooled.

At the counter, Wang Xuan rested her chin in her hand and watched Su Ruo for a while. Sitting there, Su Ruo really looked like a scenic painting—an old-fashioned café, a refined and elegant beauty, plus the warm afternoon sunlight. Tsk tsk—if she were photographed and used on a poster to promote the shop, business would probably boom.

But that was just a pleasant fantasy. Even with ten times the courage, she wouldn’t dare. A man as stern and aloof as Regiment Commander Xi probably wouldn’t like his wife being so publicly visible.

She sighed softly and withdrew her gaze. On second thought, there really wasn’t much to envy anyway. Even if her own life wasn’t as glamorous or wealthy as Su Ruo’s, she still lived comfortably, with food and clothing provided. Better off than many, if not the best. Besides, someone like Regiment Commander Xi—if he were a husband, he probably wouldn’t be as gentle and considerate as her own. So really, there was nothing to envy. Her little life was quite pleasant as it was.

With her thoughts settled, Wang Xuan cheerfully returned to her work.

Su Ruo, unaware of Wang Xuan’s musings, wasn’t curious about them either. Her attention was now fully focused on the street across from the café.

The café’s location was excellent—a prime area. Whether day or night, the street was always busy with pedestrians, lively and bustling.

Watching the steady stream of people passing by, the curve of Su Ruo’s lips grew colder and colder.