Chapter 10

Jiang Yihao's features were striking, and the moment his face darkened, the innate arrogance and sharpness radiating from him came crashing down like a storm cloud.

Ruan Ning instinctively recoiled, her back knocking hard against the wall. Taking advantage of her retreat, Jiang Yihao trapped her in his arms, leaving no room to escape. "Tell me why."

Ruan Ning's fair face flushed crimson as she raised her hands to cover it. "Why do you insist on giving me money? What do you take me for?"

Afraid he might misunderstand, she added a tactful clarification: "...Girls who take money after something like that—what kind of people do you think they are..."

Jiang Yihao was visibly taken aback. He released her immediately, his own face turning red.

He rubbed his head awkwardly. "Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't mean it like that! I just heard that to apologize sincerely to a girl, you need to show you're serious—and the more money you spend, the more sincere it is."

Jiang Yihao couldn't even remember where he'd heard that. Aside from his few brothers, he had no female friends and knew little about girls. That day had been his first kiss, and he had no idea what to do, so on a whim, he'd pulled out his checkbook.

His blush hadn't even faded when he frantically pulled out his phone again, ready to transfer money. "Anyway, I genuinely want to apologize to you."

Ruan Ning quickly pressed down on his trembling hand. "No, no, I know you didn't mean it. That's why I came to return it."

A flicker of doubt crossed Jiang Yihao's eyes.

"How did you know I play for RQ?"

Ruan Ning's body stiffened like a rock weathered for a thousand years, her smile frozen on her face. "That... uh..."

Jiang Yihao's brows furrowed as he waited for her to finish.

Ruan Ning could have bitten off her own tongue. Her mind scrambled through a chaotic mess of information—from the dawn of creation to her latest quiz—filtering frantically until her brain nearly overheated.

Jiang Yihao's suspicion deepened, his dark pupils radiating an oppressive intensity.

"No one around me knows. How do you?"

Ruan Ning picked at the skin of her palm, her gaze darting away. She tried to inch to the left, but Jiang Yihao's arm was like an iron wall, blocking any movement.

"Well, actually... my dad is a die-hard RQ fan. He watched the youth training matches and recognized you. I wasn't even sure it was you, so I came to try my luck."

She silently thanked herself for overhearing Jiang Yihao's alias during the earlier argument, quickly searching it online. She'd actually found something.

Scattered articles showed that Jiang Yihao had been promoted to the club's U16 team at fourteen and the U19 team at fifteen. Last season, he'd scored 35 goals in 28 matches—a rising star in the industry. But with the massive attention on active professional players, few people followed youth training, and there was only one grainy side-profile photo of him online.

Jiang Yihao's eyes lit up, the oppressive aura instantly dissipating. He looked like he was basking in warm sunlight, enveloped in happiness.

"Your dad knows me?"

"Of course he does!" Ruan Ning nodded vigorously, letting every sweet word spill out. "He's your fan. He says you have great style on the field and your own ideas—a team can't do without someone like you..."

Jiang Yihao deliberately cleared his throat, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips. "Hey, I haven't even played professionally yet. Your uncle is too kind."

"No way! My dad really believes in you." Ruan Ning hastily denied, then turned to pull a notebook and pen from her backpack, handing them to him. "Oh, right—could you give him an autograph?"

"An autograph? I'm not a star. Why would he want mine?" Jiang Yihao laughed heartily, snatching the pen and paper almost instantly, signing with a flourish before handing it back.

Most players were obscure before making it big, and a newcomer like Jiang Yihao was virtually unknown. To have a living, breathing fan was almost enough to make him want to put them on a pedestal.

Ruan Ning had bet that someone like Jiang Yihao, at this stage, couldn't resist the lure of being adored. If she played the devoted fan and showered him with praise, she could have him wrapped around her finger.

"Thanks." Ruan Ning casually tucked the notebook into her backpack, but Jiang Yihao suddenly asked, "Want a photo together?"

"No, that's okay. Let's save it for next time, when my dad can meet his little idol in person." Ruan Ning smiled and shook her head, forcing her expression to stay calm.

As they say, desperation fuels creativity. After a few rounds of heart-pounding exchanges, Ruan Ning could now face Jiang Yihao and lie without a single flicker of expression.

Jiang Yihao was still fixated on the two million, insisting she keep it, but Ruan Ning declined tactfully. "How about this—if you consider me a friend, don't give me money. Instead, if I ever need a favor, you can help me out. Deal?"

Jiang Yihao's eyes reflected a hint of shock, as if seeing the girl before him for the first time.

Ruan Ning lowered her eyelids, her plump ears slightly reddened, faint veins visible through the translucent skin. They looked like cool, bouncy jelly, with an inexplicable allure...

"Take a good look. That's two million. Even if you picked up a hundred bucks a day, it'd take you over fifty years."

Ruan Ning laughed at the joke. "I know, I know."

"Whatever... It's just that I've never met anyone who doesn't love money."

"Aren't you the same?" Ruan Ning raised an eyebrow, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

Jiang Yihao felt a natural rapport with Ruan Ning and wanted to chat longer, but a staff member came over to inform them that the cleaning company Manager Mei had called had arrived. The front hall was now sealed off, and they'd need to enter through the back door.

Ruan Ning's mind reeled. The cleaning company arriving meant the real female lead, Zeng Shuya, had arrived too.

She straightened up and tightened her backpack. "It's getting late. I should head back. I won't keep you."

Jiang Yihao checked the time and saw it was almost training. He didn't press her, walking her to the base's entrance and quietly calling for a luxury business van to take her home.

It wasn't just any car—it was the same high-end model used to shuttle VIPs to and from Talun's casinos.

When the van pulled up, Ruan Ning's eyes went wide, wondering how much that had cost.

She'd once taken a cab to the base—comfortable, sure, but it had set her back over three hundred bucks, and she hadn't even managed to catch Jiang Yihao. The memory stung, and she'd sworn off anything but public transport ever since.

She quickly waved the driver away and said, "Thanks, but you don't need to go to all this trouble. I can just take a taxi home."

But Jiang Yihao went full CEO mode, opening the door and practically stuffing her inside. "This is more comfortable. No other car comes close. Just take a nap and you'll be there. And make sure to thank your dad for me—this season, I'll play my heart out for him."

"Uh, okay..." Ruan Ning felt an inexplicable pang in her chest, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

Before coming, her mind had been consumed by fear of Jiang Yihao—resentment that he'd made her lose her grandmother's brooch and regret over the ticking time bomb of two million bucks. But now, it seemed that while Jiang Yihao was short-tempered, he was also a straightforward, honest person.

With the check crisis resolved and the brooch chalked up to bad luck, Ruan Ning no longer felt so resistant to him.

Jiang Yihao gave the driver instructions, then came back to personally check Ruan Ning's seatbelt, pouring a glass of juice and placing it by her hand before wishing her a safe trip.

Just before closing the door, a significant thought struck him. "Oh, right—what's your name?"

Ruan Ning had been closing her eyes to rest, but her body went rigid. "My name?... Why are you asking again..."

Jiang Yihao leaned into the van, his tall frame casting a shadow over her, his gaze burning with intense possessiveness.

"You know who I am, but I don't know who you are. That's not fair."

Ruan Ning twisted the hem of her clothes, her heart racing. "I'm just an ordinary classmate. Do you ask every classmate their name?"

"Who said that," Jiang Yihao blurted, then paused. "I'm just curious. It's not fair that you know mine but I don't know yours."

"What are you planning?" Ruan Ning suddenly grew wary. "We've settled the money thing. We're square now."

The word "square" made Jiang Yihao's eyes sparkle. "If you insist on not telling me, I wouldn't mind owing you again..."

"What do you want?"

The luxury van came with a built-in divider, sealing off just the two of them in the cabin.

Jiang Yihao curled his lips, leaning in with a mischievous grin. His handsome, sculpted features loomed closer in Ruan Ning's vision, her fingers gripping white.

"Wait, don't come any closer." Ruan Ning pressed a hand against his chest, caving immediately. "Fine, I'll tell you."

She thought to herself that she'd been too quick to think well of him; he'd shown his true colors the moment her impression improved.

Jiang Yihao couldn't hear her thoughts, but he was thoroughly pleased. He straightened up, waiting expectantly for her answer.

"Listen carefully." Ruan Ning took a deep breath, her gaze steady and calm. "My name is Jiang Erhao."

"You little brat—you never learn, do you? You're messing with me."

Jiang Yihao grabbed her palm, pretending to punish her, and Ruan Ning quickly begged for mercy. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. This time I mean it."

Jiang Yihao tightened his grip on her hand.

Ruan Ning looked into his eyes with sincerity. "Actually, my name is Liu Zihan."

"Liu Zihan?" Jiang Yihao repeated it, and like a puppy getting its bone, he softened instantly, murmuring to himself, "That's nice."

"Happy now? Can I go?" Ruan Ning rested her hand on the door button, hinting he should leave.

Jiang Yihao obediently stepped out of the van, but his eyes lingered on her face with reluctance. The door began to close slowly, and Jiang Yihao gradually disappeared from view.

"Wait—" Jiang Yihao suddenly shoved his hand back into the door gap, staring at her again. "Are you really Liu Zihan? You're not lying to me, are you?"

His eyes were dark and clear, fierce and eager like an excited puppy, tinged with restless anxiety.

Ruan Ning took a slow breath, her tone calm and resolute. "Yes, I am."

Satisfied, Jiang Yihao broke into a carefree grin, slammed the door shut, and waved goodbye cheerfully. "Bye! Next time, come watch me play with your dad!"

Ruan Ning sat in the van, staring blankly out the window.

She was certain she'd made the right decision.

Not long after she left, the real female lead would meet Jiang Yihao, and they'd kick off a whirlwind romance. As the supporting character, there was no need to leave behind her name or contact info.

Riding in the luxury van, Ruan Ning soon returned to her dorm. She thanked the driver, walked in, and flung herself onto the bed, her body aching with exhaustion.

Suddenly, a system notification chimed. Ruan Ning shot upright, waiting anxiously for the results of her task.