The Inconceivable Flame: A Fallen Angel's Disguise

It was just as Xiao Zhiren had suspected, she was going to turn heads. And the heads were turned as everyone wanted to take another look at the beauty beside Xiao Zhiren. However, he was underestimating his own charms. They both were the center of attention, not only because of the beauty beside him but also because they made a picture-perfect couple that could make people envious.

Old Madam Ji was still stunned by the fact that her grandson actually came with a female partner. But when she listened to the whispers around her, that’s when she noticed how stunning her grandson’s partner was. Once again, she was lost for words.

"Madam Ji, you’ve hidden your grandson well for years but now, you’re even hiding his relationship status?" Another madam spoke with a bit of envy in her tone.

Old Madam Ji smiled softly as she replied, "Young generation has become too secretive. How can we question their decision?" She was trying to state that she didn’t hide her grandson’s girlfriend, he was being secretive. Also, she couldn’t possibly tell others that she had no clue about what was going on between her grandson and the girl he brought.

"Gammy!" Ji Syaoran again tugged at her arm as he gestured for her to make a move here.

Old Madam Ji got the hint as she excused herself from her group of friends and trudged towards Xiao Zhiren’s side.

"Your idea to provoke bro actually worked. I’m really thrilled." Ji Syaoran praised his grandmother with a grin. "If you hadn’t brought up the topic of his long-forgotten fiancee, it’d have been difficult to see his girlfriend."

Ji Syaoran was somewhat right with his deduction. If Old Madam Ji hadn’t provoked Xiao Zhiren, then he probably wouldn’t have had the idea to introduce Ru as his girlfriend. So the credit really belonged to the old lady who was still wise and cunning.

Old Madam Ji smiled in satisfaction and victory as she replied, "It’s no wonder your brother was being secretive. That girl is beautiful."

Ji Syaoran gave an affirmative nod as he said, "There is no doubt that she’s gorgeous."

The pair of nosy grandmother and grandson stopped right before Xiao Zhiren and Ru. Xiao Zhiren naturally greeted his grandmother, "Grandmother!" He gave her a tight hug with a big fat smile adorning his face.

"Zhiren, it’s a surprise that you listened to grandmother and actually decided to join us." Old Madam Ji started the conversation in a casual manner. Not letting it slip away that she was eager to know Ru’s identity and most importantly, her status in Xiao Zhiren’s life.

"How can I let you down?" Xiao Zhiren replied confidently.

Old Madam Ji was looking at Ru and back to Xiao Zhiren with an inquisitive gaze. Trying to hint him that it was about time for introductions but he wasn’t getting the hint. "Well..." she drawled her words as she again looked at Ru.

"Well, what?" Xiao Zhiren feigned ignorance. He had already seen the curiosity, impatience, and eagerness in his grandmother’s eyes but how could he just introduce her?

"Bro, who is your partner? Won’t you introduce us?" Ji Syaoran decided to help his grandmother because it wouldn’t look nice if that old lady started questioning like an impatient teenager.

Xiao Zhiren looked at Ru and both of them shared a look. Coming here, they had already had a discussion about her identity which was something like...

"You’ll meet my grandmother at the banquet." Xiao Zhiren had informed her.

"So? It’s not my first time meeting her?" Ru replied nonchalantly. She looked too relaxed and it made him feel restless.

"Love, you have met her as Xie Rong. You’re not going as Xie Rong right now!" He reminded her while gesturing towards the long gown on her body.

"It’s a pity that I’m not going as Xie Rong." She said as she scratched the tip of her nose.

"Be my guest and change back to Xie Rong." Ru’s eyes brightened up but they dimmed almost instantly as he added, "I still don’t mind introducing you as my boyfriend."

With an awkward expression, she said, "No need. I’ve gone through the torture of dressing up already. Let’s get this over with now."

Xiao Zhiren smiled at her excuse as he said, "You don’t have to lie to me. You and I both know that you don’t like people questioning your character and that’s why you’re accompanying me as a girlfriend." Ru coughed but didn’t refute his words at all. "By the way, do you have a female identity that we can tell others?"

"I have never lived like a girl. So, no!" Ru answered plainly.

"So? Should I introduce you as Ru?"

"Never!" Ru snapped at him. "You can introduce me as Quinn Knight."

"Why?" Xiao Zhiren asked perplexedly.

Ru stayed silent as she remembered how her mother used to say that, ’Our Ru is born a queen. No one can change that. And don’t let anyone treat you any differently. You’re born to rule.’ That reminder made her once choose Quinn as a name which meant ’queen’ and ’wise’.

But her answer for Xiao Zhiren was, "Because I like that name."

Xiao Zhiren naturally didn’t question her decision as he said, "I also like that name. Quinn for the queen of my heart." Ru rolled her eyes at him as she punched his arm and he chuckled. "Wait, it should be the violent queen of my heart."

Ru glared at him and didn’t say anything to him again.

Now that they stood before Old Madam Ji and Ji Syaoran, Ru had to play her part. Playing different characters wasn’t difficult, she was a master of disguises. But it was her first time playing a girl’s role. And it was ironic since she was born a girl.

Xiao Zhiren held her hand and pressed it softly as he blinked his eyes softly in reassurance. Then he turned to face Old Madam Ji and said, "Meet my girlfriend, Quinn. And love, that’s my grandmother."

"How are you doing this fine day, Mrs. Ji? It’s a pleasure making your acquaintance." Ru’s sweet voice coupled with her eloquent manner and beautiful polite smile, Old Madam Ji was lost for words as she couldn’t move her eyes away from her.

Ji Syaoran nudged his grandmother to break her daydream. Old Madam Ji cleared her throat awkwardly before saying, "I’m doing very well. Better now that I’ve come to know such a good child. Your name really suits you. A beautiful name for a beautiful lady."

"That’s very nice of you to say but I think I have yet to learn a lot from a graceful lady like yourself." Ru words not only stunned Old Madam Ji, but even Xiao Zhiren also couldn’t help looking at her with admiration. Her eloquence was admirable indeed. She might not be able to walk or act like a girl but she knew how to win people with her tongue.

Old Madam Ji patted her shoulder gently as she said, "Good child, you! You have a sweet tongue."

At first, Old Madam Ji thought Ru to be beautiful but up close, her opinion was altered. Calling her just a beauty wasn’t doing justice. The warmth in her eyes, the charming smile on her lips, a gentle way of speech, that soothing voice, and her strong presence... This all accumulated to her being more than just a beautiful lady. And Old Madam Ji wouldn’t let anyone say otherwise.

On the side, Ji Syaoran was also staring at Ru but for a very different reason. From afar, he felt like Ru was familiar but up close, he couldn’t help this strong itch in his heart that he knew her. Was she really the same girl whom his brother was stuck on for years? Well, she looked slightly like her. However, her smile reminded him of someone else... Someone whom he wasn’t really fond of before.

Xie Rong? Ji Syaoran shook his head. How can she look like him? They could be related but are they?