14 Opportunity

After a night of indulging in food and drink, the consequence was no chance to sleep in. Jiang Ranyun got up early and headed to the hotel gym.

Yi Feicheng was there too.

They bumped into each other face to face, and Jiang Ranyun smiled, “You ate so much yesterday without blinking an eye—I thought you weren’t afraid of gaining weight.”

“I did overeat last night,” Yi Feicheng admitted with a smile, “My stomach felt uncomfortable back at the hotel, but I didn’t mention it. So today, I have to do a couple more sets.”

Jiang Ranyun’s gaze dropped to his waist. He had an excellent figure—broad shoulders, slim waist, and a physique full of fluid strength.

“With such a great body, you really should keep it up,” she said sincerely, patting his shoulder. “Keep it up!”

“Alright,” Yi Feicheng replied with a gentle smile.

* * *

After working out, Jiang Ranyun took a shower.

Exercise lifted her spirits. She had been a little drowsy upon waking, but now she was fully alert.

With plenty of time to spare, she planned to see if she could go out for a meal.

Just then, Shen Hui called.

Shen Hui and Jiang Ranyun had met back in university.

In her freshman year, Jiang Ranyun joined the university drama club and got to know many seniors passionate about theatrical performance.

At that time, some seniors in their final year had started their own small theater, staging original plays. The venue was modest and tickets affordable, but the atmosphere was exceptional.

After watching several performances, Jiang Ranyun grew fond of this style and energy of acting. Eager to try, she reached out to a senior and secured an opportunity to perform on stage.

She landed several roles and would go to the theater every weekend.

Rehearsing and doing homework in class was one thing; performing for paying audiences was quite another—it brought a profound sense of validation.

Every time she thought, “The audience... they’re paying to see me!” she felt energized and passionate.

Back then, to her seniors, she was just a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl, who seemed happy as a little bird—light, beautiful, carefree, and on stage she was full of spirit, never nervous, delivering lines clearly, moving with practiced ease, acting naturally without exaggeration.

She had both talent and love for her craft.

Shen Hui was also in college then. One of her boyfriends had brought her to this obscure little theater. She soon became a regular visitor, though her boyfriend changed multiple times.

She liked Jiang Ranyun the most. After watching several plays, she was determined to befriend her. After some networking, she got Jiang Ranyun’s contact and immediately said, “I saw your play at the little theater. You were amazing! I think you’ll be famous someday!”

Later, Shen Hui dated a film academy student and often came to hang out with Jiang Ranyun.

Compared to others in their circle, Shen Hui was enthusiastic about romance. Over the years, she’d had countless boyfriends. Last year, she got engaged to someone from a family of similar status, and this year they were already preparing the wedding.

“Ranyun,” Shen Hui complained as soon as the call connected, “Why aren’t you replying to my messages?”

Jiang Ranyun replied, “I did answer in the group chat. No, I’m not seeing anyone.”

So she hadn’t responded to Shen Hui’s persistent private messages.

* * *

“This is something you really believe?” Shen Hui said doubtfully.

Jiang Ranyun insisted, “Really, Feicheng and I aren’t close.”

At least, they hadn’t been before. As for now… thinking carefully, she hadn’t learned much more about him, so calling them not close was still the truth.

“Really?” Shen Hui sounded disappointed and sighed deeply. “If I didn’t truly know you, I think I’d just be a happy shipper.”

“I’ve told you not to ship me and Feicheng,” Jiang Ranyun said.

“It’s hard to resist, honestly. You have no idea how perfect you two are.”

“...Then let’s talk about the other ship you’re into—Jin Binghe and Wan Xuan.”

“No, no, no! I’m not listening! Don’t ruin my beautiful illusions about my ship!”

Shen Hui hung up instantly.

Jiang Ranyun was left speechless.

Her rational mind knew they couldn’t be together. So why did she keep feeling that maybe she and Yi Feicheng could be?

She was puzzled.

* * *

There was a knock at the door.

Through the peephole, Jiang Ranyun saw Yi Feicheng.

He had obviously just showered too; his hair was still damp.

Jiang Ranyun opened the door. “What’s up?”

Yi Feicheng handed her his phone. “I looked up a few local specialty restaurants. Pick one you like, and we’ll go eat.”

Jiang Ranyun hesitated for a moment, then chose a place with homestyle dishes, a bit lighter.

“We leave at eleven thirty?” Yi Feicheng asked.

She glanced at the clock. It was not yet ten o’clock. She nodded. “Sounds good.”

Yi Feicheng smiled. “Then get ready. I’ll contact the driver.”

“Okay.” Jiang Ranyun began thinking about what to wear.

As Yi Feicheng turned to leave, she was about to close the door when suddenly he stopped. His head bowed slightly, one hand pressed against it. For a few seconds, he seemed about to curl up, as if in great pain.

Jiang Ranyun rushed out.

“Yi Feicheng, are you alright?”

She supported him, noticing his face was pale and a cold sweat covered his forehead.

“I’ll call Brother Liao to take you to the hospital.” She reached for her phone, but Yi Feicheng gripped her wrist.

“I’m fine.”

“Do you look fine?” Jiang Ranyun was a little angry.

* * *

“Really,” Yi Feicheng lowered his hand from his head and smiled, “The pain after the car accident was much worse than this. I’ve been taking medication, which has kept it under control. Maybe the morning workout was too intense and triggered a relapse. But it’s not hurting now.”

Jiang Ranyun studied his expression carefully. His brows had relaxed naturally—not forced. She said, “Don’t joke with your health. If something’s wrong, you have to say so and go to the hospital.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Still uneasy, she said, “Let me walk you back to your room.”

Yi Feicheng smiled warmly, “Thank you, my wife.”

He took her hand.

Jiang Ranyun instinctively clasped it back but then hesitated, thinking about the hallway cameras. “Ah, forget it!”

Yi Feicheng lived one floor above her.

When they reached his door, Jiang Ranyun let go of his hand. “I’ll go back now.”

He nodded.

After watching her leave, Yi Feicheng closed the door.

He poured himself a glass of cold water, then took out his phone. Though he was supposed to call the driver, he hesitated a moment before dialing Liao Sheng.

Liao Sheng answered quickly.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes lowered, Yi Feicheng asked softly, “Brother Liao, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Ranyun and I… are we not married?”

For a moment, Liao Sheng’s breath caught.

He quickly steadied himself. Yi Feicheng’s state was uncertain; he couldn’t say too much. “What do you mean?”

Yi Feicheng spoke quietly, “My headache came on suddenly this morning, and I just realized—we don’t seem to be married.”

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. In his memory, there was no wedding, no ring, and she didn’t live with him.

Liao Sheng remained calm. “So, what do you plan to do?”

At the moment of realizing they weren’t married, Yi Feicheng felt a pang of loss.

He and Jiang Ranyun were just in a relationship—just boyfriend and girlfriend...

Then came a strong, unsettling feeling, like stepping into thin air.

But he soon realized this was an opportunity.

Because he had thought it was his fault for not proposing, which was unfair and hurtful to Jiang Ranyun. He’d been trying to make it up to her, but how could making up afterward compare to giving at the right time?

Yi Feicheng said, “I think… I want to propose.”