Chapter 382: Chapter 382: Marry If You Love
Lan Yan fell silent after hearing his words.
Then, without blinking, she stared at him and asked, “Are you sure this is the only solution?”
Why did she find it so hard to believe?
Xiao Si t her gaze for a few seconds, then sat upright with a relaxed deanor.
He said nonchalantly, “If you don’t believe , there’s nothing I can do about it. The choice is in your hands, and it’s up to you how you decide.”
Then he added, “Let tell you, I’ve known Ms. Liang for thirty years. I know her far better than you do.”
Lan Yan: “…”
Lan Yan didn’t agree with him and said, “I don’t want to agree to your proposal.”
Because she felt that Mrs. Xiao wasn’t an unreasonable person.
And this was exactly within Xiao Si’s expectations.
If she had agreed to his proposal so easily, she wouldn’t be Lan Yan anymore.
“No problem, you still have ti to think about it. Co find whenever you’ve made up your mind,” he said in a carefree and leisurely tone.
“…”
Lan Yan didn’t respond to his words but instead said, “Doctor Xiao, kindly send back to Moon Gift Villa. Thank you.”
She hadn’t driven herself here today, so naturally, she couldn’t drive herself back.
Besides, the others had probably already left the Xiao Family estate.
Xiao Si smirked and said, “I thought you didn’t need to drive you.”
Lan Yan had no intention of humoring him.
She wasn’t stupid. If he didn’t drive her, was she supposed to walk back?
Had there been taxis here, she certainly wouldn’t have asked for his help.
Unfortunately, in this area, there were no taxis at all.
Sotis in life, it’s necessary to bend to circumstances.
Xiao Si stopped teasing her, started the car, and the sports car sped off like an arrow leaving the bowstring.
Lan Yan, unprepared, was startled.
Luckily, she’d buckled her seatbelt; otherwise, she would have just experienced so serious G-force.
“…”
An hour later, they arrived at Moon Gift Villa.
In fact, the distance from the Xiao Family estate to Moon Gift Villa wasn’t that far; it was just that he drove slowly.
“Doctor Xiao, it seems your sports car doesn’t have the best performance. Were you swindled and counting the money for the con artist?”
Lan Yan unbuckled her seatbelt, turned toward the man in the driver’s seat, and said lightly.
Xiao Si: “…”
The words were delivered casually but hinted that sothing was wrong with his brain.
Most people wouldn’t catch on!
He didn’t get angry, though, and replied, “Go back and think carefully: Do you want to be my ‘Lan Lan’ or my ‘Mrs. Xiao’? You’ll have to pick one.”
After hearing his words, Lan Yan imdiately opened the car door and got out.
With a loud “bang,” she slamd the car door shut.
Xiao Si watched her slender figure stride into the villa’s entrance and disappear before he turned the car around and left.
anwhile, on the second-floor balcony of the villa’s main building stood Su He and Jiang Yan.
“I thought you weren’t worried? Why are you standing here watching?”
Jiang Yan wrapped his arms around her from behind and asked softly in her ear.
Su He asked, “Xiao Si is your good brother. You should know him well, right?”
Jiang Yan: “Ask anything you’d like to know, and I’ll tell you everything I can.”
Su He stared at the distant taillights and said, “I have no particular questions about who he is, but I’m purely curious about the motives behind his behavior.”
Jiang Yan chuckled lightly, “That guy has always acted on his whims, but occasionally, he does think things through. For tonight’s little spectacle, it’s either spur-of-the-mont inspiration or a long-laid plan. His intentions are clear: he doesn’t want Mrs. Xiao to make Lan Yan her goddaughter. If she does, he’ll lose his chance. So, he struck first to mark his territory before Mrs. Xiao could formally announce Lan Yan as her goddaughter.”
Listening to his lengthy analysis, Su He summarized in one sentence: “You might as well just say Xiao Si has fallen for Lan Yan.”
Jiang Yan hugged her and turned her to face him.
“I can’t guarantee that, as I’m not him.”
Su He: “…”
“Uncle Zhong has ward up the dicine; go take it first.”
By now, Su He was sowhat used to the taste of Chinese dicine.
But she couldn’t help sighing. When will this cure end?
“How much longer do I need to take it?” she asked.
He answered, “Grandpa says roughly half a year.”
“…”
The next day.
After breakfast, Su He and Lan Yan left together for the research institute.
Initially, Lan Yan thought Su He would ask her about last night.
But Su He didn’t ask.
Seeing Lan Yan’s hesitant expression, Su He finally spoke up. “What’s wrong?”
Lan Yan bit her lower lip and said, “Boss, about the Xiao Family situation, I…”
She stopped halfway, unsure what to say.
Su He said, “However you want to help, just say it. I’ll respect your decision.”
Lan Yan: “I want to return to F Country.”
This was the most straightforward solution she could think of, having pondered long and hard last night.
If she left Yue City, Mrs. Xiao probably wouldn’t pursue her.
Su He hadn’t expected her to say this.
“Sure.”
It wasn’t a difficult arrangent.
She’d only brought her back because she’d grown used to having her around. Many tis, without a word, Lan Yan would know what to do.
“Boss, does this count as running away?” Lan Yan asked.
After all, last night Mrs. Xiao had announced her engagent to Doctor Xiao in front of so many people.
If she fled to F Country, it would be tantamount to dumping the ss on the Xiao Family.
Su He’s deep gaze t hers as she said, “No, after all, you didn’t cause this situation—Xiao Si did. Let him clean up his own ss. You shouldn’t feel pressured.”
Then she added, “If you feel you can’t live with yourself for leaving, then you’ll have to stay.”
Lan Yan asking this question ant she was still conflicted.
“No rush. Take your ti and think it through. Let know once you’ve decided. You can return anyti,” Su He said.
Lan Yan nodded softly.
At six o’clock that evening.
Lan Yan received a call from Mrs. Xiao.
“Yanyan, are you done with work?”
On the other end of the line ca Mrs. Xiao’s gentle voice.
When Lan Yan didn’t imdiately respond, she continued, “Am I interrupting your work? If you’re still busy, I’ll call back later.”
She had intentionally chosen this ti to call, worried about disrupting Lan Yan’s day.
Lan Yan replied, “Aunt Yun, I’m done. Is there sothing you need from ?”
She had anticipated Mrs. Xiao reaching out to her—but not this quickly.
Mrs. Xiao laughed warmly, “It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to tell you not to feel pressured. If you don’t want to be with that stinky boy Xiao Si, then don’t agree. And if you don’t want to be my goddaughter, that’s okay too. No matter what, I’ll still cherish you. None of that will change our relationship. I really like you, and it’s rare to et a girl as kind and fitting as you.”
Mrs. Xiao continued kindly, “I’m also worried this situation might weigh on your mind, which is the last thing I want. If you feel unhappy, I’d bla myself. As for that stinky boy’s behavior, I truly apologize. Rest assured, I’ll give him a good lecture to make up for it. And don’t concern yourself over any engagent party; I’ll explain the timing isn’t right, and no one will question it.”
Lan Yan suddenly felt a sting in her nose, her eyes moist.
She wasn’t sure what she had done to deserve Mrs. Xiao’s love.
But whether it was genuine or false affection, she could feel the sincerity.
“Aunt Yun, I’m sorry, I…”
Mrs. Xiao interrupted her, “Silly child, why are you apologizing? You haven’t wronged us; if anything, we’ve wronged you by burdening you with so much pressure.”
Lan Yan said, “Aunt Yun, no, you’re not in the wrong. On the contrary, I should thank you for your love. During this ti, you’ve shown a motherly affection I’ve never experienced. I’m truly grateful.”
Mrs. Xiao chuckled warmly, “Good child, just continue being yourself. Don’t change your path because of us. No matter what, always do what feels right for you. And rember, I’ll always cherish and spoil you.”
Mrs. Xiao’s words were tantamount to giving her a carte blanche to live as she pleased around her.
Every word ca from the heart because Mrs. Xiao genuinely liked Lan Yan and felt a special bond with her.
Before this phone call, Lan Yan had been in a heavy mood, the pressure mounting.
But after talking to Mrs. Xiao, the oppressive feeling gradually dissipated.
After hanging up, Lan Yan heaved a long sigh of relief.
anwhile, at the Xiao household…
“Ms. Liang, was this what I told you to say last night?”
Xiao Si had just returned ho and overheard his mother’s phone call with Lan Yan.
The content was entirely the opposite of what he’d instructed her to say.
His intention was for his mother to press Lan Yan, hoping she’d agree to his proposal from last night.
Yet now it was clear that Ms. Liang was blatantly undermining him.
Mrs. Xiao put down her phone, glanced at him with a relaxed, smug expression, and chuckled, “Get this straight: I’m your mother, not your subordinate. You don’t have the authority to boss around. I’ll do whatever I please. Got it?”
Xiao Si’s forehead twitched: “…”
Seeing her son’s darkening face left Mrs. Xiao feeling oddly satisfied.
She continued, “Besides, this doesn’t affect my relationship with Yanyan. If you want to marry her, figure out how to do it yourself because I certainly can’t help you.”
“…”
Having said her piece, she cleared her throat and announced, “I have a declaration to make.”
The father and son silently looked at her, waiting for her to speak.
Mrs. Xiao turned to Xiao Si, smiled, and said, “From this mont forward, I will no longer pressure you to get married. If you want to marry, do so; if not, that’s fine too. You’re an adult and beyond my control. I’m also worried you’ll resent soday for pushing you into marrying soone you don’t love, and that would truly wrong .”
“Life is short. Happiness is the priority. Relax and live freely. So, I’m done worrying about your nonsense. Your life, your problem.”
Xiao Si: “…”
The father and son exchanged glances.
Mr. Xiao quietly asked Mrs. Xiao, “Honey… are you serious about not ddling in this anymore?”
Mrs. Xiao tilted her chin up proudly and asked, “Do I look like I’m joking to you?”
Mr. Xiao quickly shook his head. “No, not at all.”
Mrs. Xiao, true to her word, didn’t ddle further. When she said she’d stop, she ant it.
So, in the days that followed, she occasionally t up with Lan Yan for als or hung out with her girlfriends to play cards and have afternoon tea.
On this particular day, Mrs. Xiao had only invited Mrs. Wan out.
She’d also invited Mrs. Yu, but the latter said she was busy, so Mrs. Xiao didn’t push.
Mu Ling and Liang Yun had known each other for over thirty years, since their university days.
They still frequently t whenever they had free ti.
The two had scheduled a day of spa treatnts and skincare before heading out for so shopping.
“By the way, Ah Yun, I’ve been hearing so unkind rumors about you recently,” Mrs. Wan said.
She didn’t an to gossip but felt compelled to bring it up since she’d known Liang Yun for so long.
Mrs. Xiao chuckled, “You’re talking about Gao Yunlan’s gossip about , right?”
Mrs. Wan blinked, “Oh, so you already know?”
“Soone else told about it before you,” Mrs. Xiao said indifferently.
She didn’t take such matters to heart, so she hadn’t paid much attention.
Mu Ling didn’t know the specifics but, based on recent conversations, could put two and two together.
Liang Yun continued, “It’s partly our Xiao family’s fault. I did initially introduce Yanyan to the second son of the Yu Family, and Yunlan assud Yanyan was her future daughter-in-law. But who’d have guessed that my stinky boy would kiss Yanyan in front of everyone? Now no amount of explaining will clear things up.”
“But it doesn’t really matter anymore. I’m done involving myself in it.”
Mu Ling didn’t quite understand her aning. “Ah Yun, what do you an? Are you calling off the engagent party?”
She recalled Mrs. Xiao saying it was scheduled for two weeks out, yet a week had passed with no preparations in sight.
“I doubt it’ll happen.”
“Why not?”
“That brat Xiao Si is hopeless. Every ti I look at him, I get annoyed. After all, it’s not my marriage, so why should I care? I raised him all these years, yet still have to deal with this nonsense. I’m done.”
When scolding her son, Mrs. Xiao held nothing back.
Mrs. Wan: “…”
But then again, this was precisely her style—never tolerating grievances.
“Your son Mu Qi turned out better. So when are the kids getting married?” Mrs. Xiao asked.
Mrs. Wan laughed, “My kid was a handful in the beginning too—like talking to a brick wall. Thankfully, he didn’t lose his fiancée. As for marriage, it won’t be anyti soon; our Mimi is still in school, so there’s no rush.”
“Stop worrying about it. Xiao Xiao’s not an immature kid; he probably has his own plans,” Mrs. Wan said to console her.
Mrs. Xiao responded, “I’m definitely not worrying anymore. I’m done ddling. Oh, speaking of which, I heard LV recently released a few new handbags and so jewelry collections. Let’s go check them out.”
Mrs. Xiao grabbed her and headed straight for the boutique.
The two indulged in a shopping spree.
Aside from spoiling themselves, both bought several bracelets, necklaces, and purses for An Mi and Lan Yan.
Once they’d made their selections, they instructed the staff to pack and deliver everything directly to their hos.
Afterward, the duo explored other shops. The day’s the was simple—shop till they dropped.
When they felt tired, they rested at an elegant café.
Once seated, Mrs. Xiao stretched and rubbed her calves, lanting, “I suppose I truly am getting old. A re few hours of walking, and I’m already feeling it.”
Mrs. Wan chuckled, “Your kids are in their thirties; of course, we’re getting old.”
In reality, both won were exceptionally well-preserved and didn’t look like they were over fifty at all.
Suddenly, Mrs. Wan rembered sothing and looked at Mrs. Xiao. “Oh, Ah Yun, do you still rember Hu Yunqin?”
Mrs. Xiao paused and nodded, “Of course I rember her! How could I not? She’s an award-winning actress, always on TV.”
It would’ve been hard to forget her.
Hu Yunqin had been their college dormmate and classmate, but after graduation, they’d lost contact.
Two years later, they were surprised to see her on TV, realizing she had gone into acting.
However, they’d still never reconnected. Over the years, Hu had climbed her way to stardom, becoming a distinguished actress with nationwide recognition.
“I heard she’s been looking for a long-lost daughter recently,” Mrs. Wan said.
“Doesn’t she already have a daughter? How could there suddenly be another one?”
“Apparently, the one she’s raising isn’t biologically hers—she’s her second husband’s child from a previous marriage.”
Mrs. Xiao responded with mild curiosity, “Oh, so where’d you hear this gossip?”
Mrs. Wan smiled sheepishly, “Oh, you’ve forgotten about our old classmates’ group chat. I was bored the other day and checked in; that’s where I stumbled upon this tidbit.”
Mrs. Xiao hadn’t even rembered that the group chat existed.
Mrs. Wan continued, “By the way, there’s a class reunion next Wednesday, and I heard Hu Yunqin is attending. Are you going?”
Mrs. Xiao hesitated; she wasn’t particularly inclined to go.
Mrs. Wan encouraged her, “C’mon, it’ll be fun to see the forr movie star. After all, we haven’t seen her in decades.”
“…”
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