Quick Transmigration: The Sweetheart Everyone Loves Is Stuck in Romantic Chaos Every Day - Chapter 40

The next day, a lavish birthday banquet was held at a luxury hotel in the heart of the city.

Outside, the drive was packed with luxury cars. Dressed to the nines, socialites and elites from every circle arrived in droves.

One particularly eye-catching sports car rolled up to the entrance. From it stepped a tall, strikingly handsome man whose smiling eyes could drive any woman to infatuation.

He looked to be in an unusually good mood. The corners of his lips curved up naturally, his smile radiant and charming.

A flurry of young socialites blushed furiously at the sight of him, sneaking glances his way. A few even gathered the courage to approach.

But he ignored them all and walked straight to the other side of the car. There, he opened the door like a perfect gentleman and offered a hand to the girl inside, his body subtly leaned in.

His gaze locked on hers—deep, focused, and filled with affection.

A wave of envy swept through the onlookers. Several debutantes flushed with jealousy, wishing with all their hearts that they were the one in the car.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the girl stepped down.

She was petite and adorable, wearing an exquisitely tailored strapless dress that perfectly traced her soft, curvy figure. Sweet and cute—but with just a hint of allure.

But what truly stunned everyone was her face.

Delicately carved, porcelain-like features. Beautiful peach blossom eyes that seemed to enchant without effort. An air of innocence and wide-eyed purity clung to her, making onlookers’ hearts tighten unconsciously.

It was a non-threatening beauty—gentle, unpretentious. Even the most jealous women couldn’t help but feel a reluctant fondness for her.

Lu Chengzhou scanned the people around them. Men and women alike couldn’t tear their eyes off Ruan Tang. Some stared outright.

His brows drew together in a frown.

He slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over Ruan Tang’s shoulders.

“Eh? I’m not cold,” Ruan Tang looked up at him, puzzled.

Lu Chengzhou lowered his gaze.
“It’s windy. Don’t catch a chill.”

“But… I don’t feel any wind?”

From his angle, he could clearly see her bare, porcelain shoulders, the fine lines of her collarbones, and just below—

His ears turned bright red. He immediately looked away.

He added with a flustered cough:
“Zip up. It’s drafty.”

Internally, he was kicking himself.

He never should have let Tangtang wear this dress.

He’d had it custom made overseas. On the model, it hadn’t looked particularly revealing.

But on Ruan Tang, the tight bodice hugged her chest so snugly it seemed ready to burst. The curve of her hips pulled the hem upward, exposing a pair of flawless, snowy thighs that caught every eye around them.

Sure enough, he caught several young rich boys sneaking glances, faces flushed.

His jealousy surged.

Just as he reached out to put his arm around Ruan Tang’s waist, someone beat him to it.

A long, fair hand took hers and gently pulled her away from Lu Chengzhou.

A deep, cool voice spoke:
“Tangtang.”

Ruan Tang’s eyes lit up, delighted.
“Leng Hao-gege!”

She peeked behind him.
“Is Ah Li here too?”

“Hmph, surprised you even remembered me. Over here.”

Leng Li emerged from the other side and gave Ruan Tang’s shoulder a light pat.

Both brothers wore white suits today, perfectly matched with their silvery hair. The sharp lines of their silhouettes and elegant presence made them impossible to ignore.

Flanking Ruan Tang on either side, the three formed a stunning tableau—one that drew stares of envy from countless girls in the crowd.

Lu Chengzhou’s frown deepened. He grabbed Ruan Tang’s hand, but his cold, narrowed eyes were fixed on Leng Li.

“Leng Li?”

He’d heard before that merfolk could choose their gender freely. But that change could only happen once in their long lives.

Which meant… Leng Li had abandoned his former identity as a woman—forever—and chosen to become male, all for Ruan Tang?

The thought sat like lead in Lu Chengzhou’s chest.

“Tch, you two really are like ghosts—always hovering,” he snapped.

Leng Li shot him a withering look.
“Says the guy who kidnapped her.”

“Kidnapped? Don’t make me laugh.”

Lu Chengzhou let out a cold chuckle.
“Are you really so unwilling to admit it? Tangtang came with me willingly.”

Leng Li faltered for a second before growling:
“That’s only because you tricked her with sweet talk!”

Lu Chengzhou’s eyes narrowed dangerously, voice sharpening with jealousy.

“Let’s not pretend. You two are just pets. What gives you the right to meddle in her personal life?”

The words struck deep.

Leng Li’s eyes filled with fury.

Leng Hao remained silent—but his grip on Ruan Tang’s wrist unconsciously tightened.

Because Lu Chengzhou was right.

They weren’t the same. In this world, merfolk had always been second-class citizens, considered little more than elegant companions.

Ruan Tang had taken them in out of kindness.

But instead of being satisfied with that… they’d dared to want more. To own her, completely.

They’d even dreamed of running away with her.

What a joke.

Why should Ruan Tang—noble, beloved, with status and wealth—give all that up for a penniless merfolk?

The surrounding guests had caught on to the tension and begun to whisper.

“It’s them, isn’t it? The legendary Leng Clan.”

“They really are beautiful. I hear they’re strong too—but so what? They’re still merfolk. At the end of the day, just toys for the rich.”

“I wouldn’t mind playing with one myself. Wonder how much it costs to buy one?”

Leng Hao let out a bitter laugh.

Yeah. Just a toy.

And in the midst of his rising despair, a soft voice suddenly rang out:

“Don’t you dare talk about them like that.”

Ruan Tang’s voice was sweet and gentle—but her tone left no room for argument. Firm. Powerful.

“They’re not pets. They’re my family.”

She looked directly at Lu Chengzhou.

“Apologize to my family.”

The two men she called “family” froze.

Together, they turned to look at the girl standing protectively in front of them.

She was so small—yet radiated warmth and strength.

Lu Chengzhou stared at her too, momentarily speechless.

Ruan Tang swept her gaze across the guests nearby.

“And you lot—calling them ‘pets’ like it’s nothing. Don’t you feel even a little ashamed?”

“You think you’re better than merfolk? Acting so smug. Hmph!”

She puffed her cheeks in frustration.
“If merfolk ever become stronger than humans, we ought to make you all into our pets instead!”

Her childish tone was clearly meant to sound fierce—but somehow, it just made her more adorable.

Many merfolk in the crowd—those quietly standing behind their human “owners”—found their eyes drawn to her.

For the first time, someone was standing up for them.

And not just anyone.

But a delicate, doll-like girl who looked like she belonged in a glass display case.