Chapter 1, Encounter at the Banquet

Today, Xia Hongyuan suddenly brought her over, and it was inevitable that someone would ask, causing Xia Hongyuan to have to explain himself to everyone he met. Fortunately, Ranran has also made a name for herself; she first successfully gained admission to a well-known domestic university, and after graduating with a master's degree, she relied solely on her own efforts to secure a position in a state-owned enterprise. In fact, her achievements are more impressive than those of children who were sent abroad at an early age.

Ranran felt that directly answering "no blame" would seem too hypocritical, so she remained silent, only lowering her head in silence

Ranran's height is exactly 1.6 meters, which is indeed not suitable for wearing such a long dress, but the style of this dress is truly outstanding, making her very tempted. She pouted a bit in reluctance, but ultimately put the dress down and continued to look further.

She nodded in agreement, and Shao Mingze had already hung up the phone. Since then, this matter indeed has not been mentioned again

Ranran could only explain that it was because she was too tired from work during the day, and just now, the warm breeze had made her feel a bit dizzy. In fact, she was fine and did not need to go to the hospital, but she did not want to attend any evening banquet; she just wanted to go home and rest early

"That's enough." Ranran interrupted Mu Qing's words. She had reached her limit in pretending and could no longer maintain the facade. Leaning against the door frame, she looked at Mu Qing and said, "Don't say anything more. I'm quite tired today. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Around ten o'clock in the evening, Mu Qing returned from outside. She took a bank card out of her handbag and handed it to Ran Ran, saying: "I had originally planned to wait until I had saved enough to give this to you. There are two hundred and fifty thousand inside. You should first return it to Ms. Han, and I will think of a way for the rest. I will definitely be able to gather it before the New Year."

In fact, both Xia Hongyuan and Ranran understand this matter well, yet neither can speak the truth openly.

Fortunately, this time no one came over to chat with her, allowing her to remain quietly and peacefully until the end of the cocktail party. However, unexpectedly, she ran into Shao Mingze at the door as she was leaving

Ms. Han was quite dissatisfied with her own self-deprecation and bluntly admonished, "One must be confident in oneself; one cannot belittle oneself first. Regardless of wealth or social status, you are no worse than him."

Shao Mingze retracted his scrutinizing gaze, and with a barely perceptible smile, he asked her, "Oh? Miss Xia, what have you long admired about me?"

Seeing this, Xia Hongyuan wisely chose not to approach further, merely greeting Mayor Gong from a distance before leading Ranran down the steps

Her smile is sweet, and her voice carries genuine emotion from the depths of her heart

Without thinking, Mrs. Han was nearly driven mad upon seeing this magazine that distorted the truth. Just when she was troubled about how to take revenge on her little wife, someone happened to mention that when the little wife first got together with Xia Hongyuan, she had another boyfriend, and it was said that the son was also that man's. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Han, adhering to the principle of making everyone feel disgusted together, deliberately passed the message to Xia Hongyuan through an old friend, regardless of whether the information was true or false.

Unintentionally, Ranran turned her head back, only to meet Shao Mingze's gaze directly. He gave her a slight nod and then turned his gaze away, directing his face towards Mayor Gong beside him to engage in conversation.

Xia Hongyuan was praised to the point of glowing, as if his daughter's remarkable progress was entirely the result of his diligent education, completely forgetting his years of neglect towards her. However, Ranran felt quite embarrassed and, unable to endure it for long, found an excuse to go to a corner under the pretense of wanting to eat something.

In the end, she selected as many as four or five pieces of clothing, and with the addition of shoes and handbags, the packaging bags nearly piled up into a small mountain

Mu Qing stood outside the shower curtain holding her phone, and when the water stopped on her side, she asked, "What did you call for?"

She pondered that since the flowers had arrived, the phone call could not be far behind. Indeed, just as she reached a corner of the staircase, Shao Mingze's call came in

According to exclusive and reliable sources, not long ago, the old man secretly took his precious son to the hospital. After returning, he seemed dispirited for quite a while, and then suddenly remembered that he had a daughter like me. Today he wants to buy me a car, and tomorrow he plans to give me a house. Hey! Those who don't know might think that we, father and daughter, have always been deeply affectionate and harmonious.

Ranran chuckled softly twice and obediently went to the kitchen to serve herself a bowl of millet porridge to drink slowly. She had a stomach ailment, a very serious one that she had developed during her school years. It was manageable in summer, but once winter arrived, she could not tolerate anything cold or hard. Mu Qing could only prepare millet porridge and steamed buns for her, watching her eat as if she were a child.

The cause of the matter was that a magazine suddenly wanted to interview Xia Hongyuan's young wife, praising her as a model of a modern urban sophisticated woman. The young wife happily accepted the interview, and when asked about relationship issues, she couldn't help but take advantage of the situation, implying that the complete responsibility for Xia Hongyuan's first marriage breakdown lay entirely with his ex-wife. Later, when she met Xia Hongyuan, it was her gentle and kind nature that made him believe in love again and muster the courage to enter into marriage once more. The young wife happily accepted the interview, and when asked about relationship issues, she couldn't help but take advantage of the situation, implying that the complete responsibility for Xia Hongyuan's first marriage breakdown lay entirely with his ex-wife. Later, when she met Xia Hongyuan, it was her gentle and kind nature that made him believe in love again and muster the courage to enter into marriage once more

Before Xia Hongyuan met that fated woman, Ranran, as his only daughter, accompanied him to such gatherings twice. Later, after Xia Hongyuan abandoned his wife and daughter to marry someone new, such gatherings no longer involved Xia Ranran.

Xia Hongyuan, however, smiled and said: "In officialdom, it is always better to have someone who can get things done for a bit of money than someone who does nothing for free"

Someone responded: "Those who do not engage in struggles have not seen their money spent on the common people; however, those who can engage in struggles, regardless of the circumstances, can still leave something behind for the people." After saying this, he cast a pointed glance at Mayor Gong, who was busy attending to guests.

Mu Qing could not figure it out and could only shake his head

She replied without thinking: "Tomorrow is not possible either"

This was the first time Ranran noticed Shao Mingze, who was standing in the center of the hall, holding a wine glass and engaging in conversation with others. She hid in the corner, secretly observing him, and couldn't help but sigh that he was slightly lacking in height; if he could be a few centimeters taller, reaching 1.8 meters, his presence would undoubtedly be even more impressive.

She spoke in an exaggerated manner, yet it was vivid and lively. Mu Qing almost rolled off the sofa from laughing, and it took her quite a while to barely stop laughing. Then, she curiously asked, "Hey, how did your father suddenly think of taking you to the hometown gathering?"

Looking at the bouquet of roses that occupied nearly half of the table, Ranran felt neither shy, proud, nor joyful. Instead, she was somewhat irritated and angry as if she had been teased, wishing she could sweep the bouquet to the ground with one hand and then stomp on it a few times to vent her frustration

Mu Qing stretched out his long legs and kicked her, prompting her to reluctantly stand up. She deliberately posed in several ways, asking: "How is it? Am I considered stunningly beautiful?"

Seeing this, Xia Hongyuan simply decided not to attend the dinner and insisted on taking her to the hospital for a check-up first

Ranran sat in the car for quite a while, and only then did her face regain a bit of color, but she appeared even more listless

Feeling helpless, she could only feign interest and approach a few wealthy young ladies, listening to their discussions on how to squander money. Thus, she was forced to eavesdrop on a half-session of a fashion lecture mixed with topics such as fashion, beauty, and travel. Unable to endure it any longer, she reluctantly leaned against the wall and left, seeking a corner to hide away.

The woman stood in front of the mirror for a moment, turned around to look at the man who had been sitting on the sofa waiting, and asked with a smile: "How is it?"

After dinner, Shao Mingze gentlemanly escorted her back to her residence

This statement is reasonable and logical, and even Ms. Han could not refute it, so she could only respond with a single word: "good"

On that day, while she was still at work, Xia Hongyuan called again to say he wanted to take her to a dinner gathering. She had work to do and didn't bother to say much, so she agreed. As a result, when she finished work, Xia Hongyuan's luxury car worth several million was impressively parked at the entrance of her workplace.

Ranran recalled and realized that she did not remember what Ms. Han had said about the other person, so she could only shake her head and say: "I wasn't paying attention, it seems like a tall, rich, and handsome guy, just right for me, the soon-to-be white and rich beauty."

Such a person appears to be very humble and polite in their words and actions, yet deep down, they do not show much respect for others. Ranran felt even more displeased, took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and her words suddenly carried a hint of surprise and shyness: "Thank you for the flowers, it is truly too extravagant."

She came to her senses and politely placed her fingertips on his palm, her face already adorned with a faint smile: "Hello, Mr. Shao"

Mu Qing was both amused and exasperated. He picked up a cushion nearby and threw it over, laughing and scolding, "Stop saying such nonsensical things! I’ve left some millet porridge for you in the pot, hurry up and drink some. You don’t even know how to take care of yourself; if you have a stomach ache again in the future, I won’t take responsibility for you."

Ranran was originally sitting, but upon hearing this, she simply lay down on the sofa: "I'm tired, I can't get up."

Did you receive the flowers? Do you still like them? he asked very naturally, as if they had known each other for a long time, and as if he sent flowers several times a week

Most of the people who can sit in the office are quite bored, living their days by gossiping, and they can even chew on trivial matters when there is nothing else to do. If she were to act out like this again, it would likely provide even more fodder for conversation. She forced herself to suppress the anger within, sat with a stern face for a while, and then took her phone and left the office

Ranran eagerly tried on one outfit after another. A few years ago, she went through a difficult period and fully realized the truth that "money is not everything, but without money, one cannot do anything." As a result, her love for money had reached an almost miserly level. However, being a young woman, she loved beauty, and today someone was paying for her. Adhering to the principle of not passing up a free opportunity, she planned to treat herself to a few new outfits.

This cannot be considered as speaking nonsense; regardless of the past, one must look forward. With this in mind, she felt less resistant to the matchmaking arranged by Ms. Han.

The dinner lasted for over an hour. This time, Shao Mingze restrained his aggressive demeanor from the cocktail party. Although he did not speak much, he ensured that the atmosphere did not become cold. Moreover, it was evident from his conversation that he had a wide range of knowledge; no matter what topic Ranran brought up, he was able to respond appropriately.

Mu Qing watched with amusement and said, "No wonder your feet hurt; do you really have to wear 'sky-high' heels all day long? Aren't you afraid of twisting your ankle?"

She did not speak, only lowering her head to organize the bag of clothes in her hands. It was not until the couple had walked far away that she slowly raised her head.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth towards Xia Hongyuan and replied: "It's frozen"

Shao Mingze's gaze flickered slightly as he introduced himself: "Hello, I am Shao Mingze"

Upon hearing Mu Qing's question, Ran Ran immediately perked up, quickly getting off the sofa and leaning forward to ask her: "What do you think?"

Xia Hongyuan has recently been eager to quickly mend the relationship with his daughter. He is happy to spend a little money to make her happy and enthusiastically stands by to offer suggestions. When he sees her picking out a long dress again, he hurriedly shakes his head and says: "This dress is too long; you should try on the shorter one over there."

From the perspective of matchmaking, this person can indeed be considered a rare gem. However, Ranran is somewhat puzzled as to why someone with his qualifications would enter the matchmaking market

Xia Hongyuan started his career with small commodities, and ever since he became successful, he has never been short of women around him. In his youth, he pursued beauty, but later grew tired of women's appearances and figures, and began to seek deeper qualities in women, always hoping to find a soulmate with whom he could connect on a spiritual level. Eventually, he did find a woman with whom he could achieve both physical and spiritual unity, and the two quickly produced a love child, a son who could carry on the family line. Xia Hongyuan was overjoyed at the time, and in order to give the mother and child a legitimate status, he resolutely divorced his first wife, Ms. Han, and even gave up his daughter, Lian Ranran, focusing solely on pampering his new wife and beloved son. However, after cherishing this son for over ten years, he discovered that this precious child was actually the product of his soulmate's union with another man. This blow was truly devastating; Xia Hongyuan was filled with both anger and heartache, and he fell into a deep depression for quite some time before he finally regained his composure and remembered that he still had a daughter.

Mu Qingwei lowered her head and remained silent

Ruan Ruan's mind felt as if it had been struck by a muffled thunder, instantly emptying. However, her body's reaction lagged half a beat behind her consciousness, and she still lowered her head as per the previous instruction, continuing to reach for the bag of clothes. Perhaps there were too many bags; when she took them, she became somewhat flustered, her hands stiff as if newly adorned, unresponsive to her commands, while her fingertips trembled uncontrollably.

Mu Qing was taken aback and couldn't help but ask again: "Who is the other party?"

She pondered over the name seriously, yet still felt unfamiliar with the person, so she had no choice but to open her eyes and respond with a fabricated compliment: "Oh, Mr. Shao, it is a pleasure to meet you at last"

I understand. "Shao Mingze interrupted her, saying with great tact, 'Since that is the case, I will not disturb Miss Xia's work for now. We can get in touch again when there is time in the future.'

She responded with a "good" and quickly waved her hand to send him away, then turned and went upstairs

She understands what Ms. Han means by family background and social status. Family background naturally refers to the current wealth of Xia Hongyuan, while social status pertains to the Han family's previous standing. Xia Hongyuan's wealth is quite notable in Xiping, and although the Han family's status may not hold much significance now, it was once a prestigious lineage passed down through generations. Had it not been for the unwarranted disaster during that national movement, Ms. Han would not have married a nouveau riche like Xia Hongyuan

She did not speak falsely; this was her true inner thought at that time

The tradition of such gatherings among fellow townspeople has a long history, reportedly beginning in the early 1990s. Participants are prominent individuals from Xuan'an residing in Xiping City, with the purpose of fostering solidarity among Xuan'an people, providing mutual support in times of need, and ensuring that the younger generation maintains their connections.

She did not expect to encounter Lin Xiangan today, nor did she anticipate that she and Lin Xiangan had reached the point of meeting face to face yet not recognizing each other. Is this ultimately tragic or laughable

Ke Ranran did not expect that Shao Mingze would quickly express his attitude. He did nothing else but have someone send a bouquet of flowers to Ranran. The flowers were gaudy and passionate red roses, a large bunch that could cover one's head and face when held in front, delivered ostentatiously to Ranran's office by a courier service.

The television in the living room was on, playing the idol drama "The Sparrow Turns into a Phoenix." Mu Qing, who lived with her, was nestled on the sofa browsing the internet. Occasionally, she would lift her head to glance at the television. Upon seeing her come in, she did not move from her spot and casually asked, "You’re back? There’s porridge in the kitchen; if you want some, just serve it yourself."

Ranran lowered her head to look at the thin plastic card, her fingertips gently rubbing over the raised string of numbers on it. After a while, she finally lifted her head and smiled at Mu Qing, saying, "Alright, I happen to have some money on hand as well. Let's gather it together to return to Ms. Han, so that we can speak to her with more confidence in the future."

Ranran listened and only found it laughable. Personality clash? Then why was there no sense of personality clash before becoming successful? How could they have lived harmoniously for over ten years? Did money change their personalities, or did it change their hearts?

She was dressed in jeans and a pullover, embodying a youthful and vibrant style, but unexpectedly, she was immediately dismissed by Xia Hongyuan. So she looked at the impeccably dressed Xia Hongyuan and asked, "Dad, has the dinner been changed to a Western-style cocktail party?"

"As long as you like it," Shao Mingze said in a casual tone, and then asked, "Do you have time tonight? Let's go out for a meal together"

The two exchanged a few casual pleasantries before sitting down across the dining table. Shao Mingze casually asked, "Miss Xia, are you surprised to see me?"

She stood up, not waiting for Shao Mingze to speak again, and smiled as she said: "Mr. Shao, please have a seat. I will go over there to greet my friends"

She looked for a while and couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed

Ranran did not respond, tossed her high heels aside, carelessly threw her handbag onto the sofa, and sat down to rub her feet. After a day of wearing high heels, her soles had become so stiff that they felt wooden; placing her hand on them was like touching someone else's feet.

Xia Hongyuan thought it was just that there were too many pockets, and his daughter couldn't carry them all. He cheerfully took two of them and said, "Girls should dress beautifully. Tomorrow, I'll have someone help you get a card, and you can come by anytime."

Since this blind date was arranged by Ms. Han, it goes without saying that the photo must have been provided by her. Ranran felt there was no need to continue this topic and simply responded with a nonchalant "Oh".

Mu Qing widened his eyes and asked, "What happened to your cheap brother? Is he terminally ill?"

In fact, upon closer inspection, this man's features are not particularly handsome. His eyebrows, though well-shaped, are overly bold and pronounced; his eyes are not large enough, but they are deep and slender, with pitch-black pupils that are profound and tranquil, seemingly possessing a captivating magic that draws all attention towards them, causing one to involuntarily overlook the hawk-like nose and somewhat indifferent thin lips beneath.

Ranran has long passed the age of rebellion and aloofness. Upon careful consideration, she found Ms. Han's words to be quite reasonable. Xia Hongyuan intends to present her as the daughter of the Xia family, which is a matter of both fame and fortune, and there is truly no need to be stubborn and straightforward about it. Thus, she decided to attend the evening's banquet.

To his surprise, Shao Mingze listened and nodded in agreement, then asked, "I heard that Miss Xia is an outstanding student from Huada, having just graduated and started working last year. Is that correct? Why didn't she go to your father's company?"

"No, let me finish speaking," Mu Qing insisted, a hint of stubbornness evident in his eyes. "I am grateful to you, Ranran, but do you know? This favor of yours is suffocating me. Because of this 300,000, you compromised with Ms. Han, you gave up on yourself, and you willingly became a puppet manipulated by others."

Unlike those prestigious families that have been passed down through generations, most contemporary Chinese people have only recently become wealthy, as the reform and opening-up policy has only been in place for a few decades. Genetic improvement cannot be achieved in just one or two generations, which is why today's wealthy individuals do not resemble the handsome men and beautiful women portrayed in television dramas. The various men and women, merely due to their wealth, dress a bit more elegantly, stand a bit straighter than ordinary people, and possess a certain so-called charm.

"It would be better to have a terminal illness." Ranran winked at Muqing, her face filled with glee, "The old man has cherished this precious son in the palm of his hand for over ten years, only to find out that he has been raising someone else's son all along"

In such matters, most men tend to be suspicious, so Xia Hongyuan instructed his assistant to secretly arrange a paternity test. When the assistant brought back the test results, Xia Hongyuan's heart immediately sank. It turned out that he had indeed become a 'happy father' and was raising someone else's son

Xia Hongyuan uttered a sound of acknowledgment and then instructed the driver to head to the shopping street first

She held back a mischievous smile in her heart, yet the words that came out were both innocent and helpless: "The unit is preparing for an inspection from the higher authorities, and we will be very busy during this period, I fear that..."

Xia Hongyuan looked at his daughter with a gaze that was both satisfied and proud, swiping the card with great ease

Sometimes, when Mu Qing's incessant chatter becomes overwhelming, Ran Ran will seriously ask her: "Mu Qing, you are actually my biological mother, aren't you? We are a mother and daughter who have been separated for many years and have now reunited, right?"

Ranran could no longer contain her anger and shouted, "Enough! Mu Qing, you know that things are not at all as you think!"

As she walked and paused, she turned halfway around and inadvertently caught sight of a tall young woman emerging from the fitting room across from her, wearing the long dress that she had just admired. Her eyes lit up, and she found her gaze irresistibly drawn to the woman.

With her eyes cast down, she tightly pressed her lips together, and after a long while, she slowly relaxed them and said in a hoarse voice: "At that time, I simply did not want to live anymore; I was just returning a favor. It was like someone about to jump into the sea to commit suicide, who sees a beggar nearby with a face turned purple from the cold and casually takes off their coat to give it to him, since they were going to jump anyway, wearing the coat would be of no use."

He got up and went back to his room to dig out his paycheck. Counting the numbers on the paycheck, he came out with a smile and said to Mu Qing: "Hey, it's quite a lot, and if I add it up, it's really not far off!"

During Mayor Gong's tenure, several "resounding" slogans were proposed, which significantly contributed to the urban development of Xiping City. As for the state of economic development, the common people are unaware; however, the city's appearance has indeed undergone substantial changes.

In summary, she is both kind and innocent, and her love for Xia Hongyuan is true love

She simply could not understand why he paid such attention to her, so she decided not to think about it anymore and closed her eyes, leaning back against the chair in a feigned slumber

Ranran shot her a glare, saying, "Do you think I want to wear these? I'm just using shoes to make up for my height! If I were as tall as you, I'd wear flat shoes all day too! I'm not stupid; who doesn't know that flat shoes are comfortable? Honestly!"

At this moment, Shao Mingze was also about to leave, and Mayor Gong unexpectedly came to personally see him off at the door. The two stood under the porch, speaking softly to each other, though it was unclear what they were discussing

Xia Hongyuan was determined to show his appreciation for his daughter, and upon hearing this, he immediately took it upon himself to personally escort Ranran back home

Several luxury boutiques in Xiping City are located there, making it a well-known place for extravagant spending. In a short time, Xia Hongyuan completely changed Ranfan's outfit from head to toe. Although his ability to choose women may not be impressive, he certainly has a knack for selecting clothes for them. With this change of attire, Ranfan instantly transformed from a modest beauty into a refined lady of high status

The dishes at the banquet were quite lavish, but unfortunately, Ranran had a poor stomach and dared not eat many things. She only placed two small pastries on her plate for show and merely sat there, absentmindedly observing the various characters at the cocktail party.

This statement is not an exaggeration on her part, as the matter has indeed been full of twists and turns, comparable to a television drama

The cheerful saleswoman, with a smile on her face, carried the clothing bags and accompanied the father and daughter all the way to the store entrance

Ranran turned around to take the clothing bag from the saleswoman's hand, just as the couple was also walking out of the store. She raised her face and happened to make eye contact with the man.

Mu Qing fell silent for a moment outside, then suddenly said without any context: "I will put in more effort to try to repay her as soon as possible"

Ms. Han simply inquired about the situation at the cocktail party and then issued new instructions: "I have arranged a blind date for you; you must make time on Saturday. Your attire should be dignified and elegant, and your demeanor should be gentle and composed..." As is her usual style, there was no inquiry, no discussion, just a direct command

As soon as Ms. Han entered the house, her phone rang. Ranran truly suspected that Ms. Han had installed a tracking system on her, as she was able to pinpoint the timing so accurately

Mu Qing looked up and down, back and forth, and commented: "The dress looks quite stunning, but you look very 'frozen'!"

Mu Qing suddenly raised his head to look at her and said earnestly, "I am very grateful to you, I have always been very grateful to you. Back then, I was willing to sell my own heart, whether it was selling myself or selling parts of myself, as long as it could give me money, I was willing to do it"

Isn't it just cold? It's only March, and the spring chill is still biting. Wearing such revealing clothes, even with a coat on, one cannot withstand it. Thinking this, she nodded vigorously, as if persuading herself, and repeated in a very affirmative tone: "Cold!"

Mu Qing smiled good-naturedly and then looked at the clothes she was wearing: "Hey, girl, your outfit today is nice, stand up and let me have a look."

Ranran raised her eyes to look at the vast estate, secretly clicking her tongue, and couldn't help but turn her head to quietly ask Xia Hongyuan, "Is this still considered a good official?"

After a moment of silence, Shao Mingze then asked, "When will Miss Xia have time?"

She had long been prepared, and upon hearing his question, she replied with a sense of apology: "I am truly sorry, I still have some work that is not yet completed, and I will have to work overtime this evening"

On Saturday, Ranran deliberately put on makeup and changed into a new dress, excitedly heading to the blind date location. However, upon arriving, she was somewhat taken aback.

After hanging up the phone, she called out loudly for Mu Qing to come and take the phone, while she hurriedly turned on the shower to rinse the foam off her face

She was rubbing her head and hands covered in foam, hurriedly rinsed her hands, turned off the shower, and took the phone.

She nodded slightly, a look of confusion in her eyes, yet in her heart, she was wondering how it was that merely looking at him a couple of times had summoned him. Could it be that the polite smile she had just given him was misunderstood as an invitation

Ranran could not help but slightly furrow her brows; the person's question was quite uncomfortable. She silently recited the sixteen-character guideline taught by Ms. Han: "gracious and composed, gentle and elegant, neither servile nor overbearing, neither arrogant nor impatient". Only then did she manage to force a smile and replied: "I do not deserve the title of 'talented individual'; I am merely being pushed by my family to read a bit, and due to my inherently lazy nature, I have found a more relaxed place to pass the days"

Standing naked under the shower, Ranran listened to the phone call as the foam from the shampoo slowly flowed down her forehead, crossing over her brows and eyelashes, finally invading the corner of her eye. At first, it was itchy, and then it turned into a stinging pain. She hurriedly squeezed that eye shut, raising her hand to wipe it with the relatively clean back of her hand, but to her surprise, the more she wiped, the more it got in, and tears began to stream down.

Ranran did not understand why he would react in such a manner, but out of politeness, she returned a faint smile and then pretended to eat, lowering her head. To her surprise, after a while, Shao Mingze actually sat down in the chair opposite her. She looked up in slight astonishment and heard Shao Mingze ask, "Are you Miss Xia?"

She acted coyly and playfully, which made Xia Hongyuan quite happy. He immediately promised, "Dad will have someone take a look around your workplace to see if we can find a suitable house to buy for you."

Xia Hongyuan still takes her out for social engagements every few days. On one hand, he wants to strengthen the bond between father and daughter; on the other hand, he hopes she will quickly integrate into the social circle of Xiping City. Ranran considers that she will inevitably upset Mrs. Han regarding the matter with Shao Mingze, so she decides to first appease Xia Hongyuan, and only then can she atone for her mistakes in front of Mrs. Han. Therefore, she cooperates each time and goes along with him.

From this angle, Ranran could only see the broad and upright back of the man, and his voice was remarkably clear and pleasant, almost familiar. However, in this day and age, with so many handsome men and beautiful women seen on television, she did not pay much attention to it. Reluctantly, she withdrew her gaze from the woman and continued to select clothes.

With a playful demeanor, she urged her to go outside: "Alright, hurry up and go out. That's my biological mother; she just wants me to go on a blind date, not to sell me off. Besides, I really do want to find a boyfriend. I'm already in my twenties, and it's better to get married sooner than to end up as an old maid."

Ranran merely smiled with pursed lips, extending her hands to push Xia Hongyuan down the steps, cheerfully saying: "Dad, hurry back, you have to work tomorrow. Besides, I have a friend living with me, and coming back too late will disturb her rest."

"Then how do you expect me to think?" Mu Qing calmly retorted to her

Ranran poked her head out from behind the curtain, her head and face covered in droplets of water, and asked her nonchalantly: "Are you planning to rob a bank? Which one have you set your sights on? Have you checked your footing? Do you need a getaway?"

The few of them exchanged knowing smiles and naturally shifted the topic to discuss the current economic situation. It was only then that Xia Hongyuan noticed his daughter had been quietly standing beside him all along, thinking she had come to keep him company. Feeling pleased, he smiled and urged her, "You don't need to stay with Dad, go meet some young friends."

Xia Hongyuan was taken aback when he saw her complexion and asked, "What happened? Why does your face look so pale?"

Ranran rushed over and laughed and played with her for a while, then they began to talk about some wealthy young ladies at the banquet, and she couldn't help but exclaim: "The clothes and accessories they wear are truly dazzling, not a single piece is not a luxury brand! From what they say, even buying a pair of underwear requires a trip to Paris, at the very least to Hong Kong. If you dare to say you shop in Xiping City, well, don't blame them for looking down on you!"

Whether as a wife or a mother, Ms. Han has always been the dominant one. Ranran is well aware of this characteristic of Ms. Han, so she chose not to argue and quietly listened until the end, before saying: "No matter what, I cannot appear too enthusiastic, as if I am overly eager. It is better to first observe the other party's attitude before proceeding."

Ms. Han inquired about the situation of her evening meeting, and Ranran candidly expressed her impression of Shao Mingze: "He has looks, education, family background, and refinement. However, the likelihood of such a well-rounded young man falling in love with her at first sight is indeed very low"

At the very beginning, Ranran did not want to pay any attention to him at all. However, Ms. Han found out and was unwilling to let it go, specifically coming over to reprimand her: "The grievances between Xia Hongyuan and me have nothing to do with you. He is ultimately your father, and you must never throw a tantrum or show a long face. Even for the sake of money, you must acknowledge Xia Hongyuan. Having this father and not having this father makes a world of difference in your worth, Xia Ranran."

She nodded slightly, yet felt that Shao Mingze's attitude towards her was somewhat off, though she could not pinpoint exactly what was amiss. Once in the car, she turned her head to look at her reflection in the window, carefully examining herself in the glass. Under the disguise of the lighting, she could be considered charmingly beautiful, but she was far from being the kind of person who would leave one stunned at first sight and infatuated upon a second glance.

Seeing her like this, Xia Hongyuan felt even more guilty. After hesitating for a moment, he explained: "Back then... I did not get along with your mother due to our differing personalities, which led to our divorce. However, no matter what, your father has never..."

"Indeed!" Ranran nodded seriously, but after a while, she couldn't help but grin, her eyebrows dancing with excitement as she said, "Not only is there, but it's also particularly convoluted!"

Xia Hongyuan is discussing the municipal planning after the new mayor's appointment with two old friends. He is clearly intent on acquiring several plots of land in the southern suburbs, yet he refrains from revealing his intentions, instead jokingly commenting: "In China, officials change too quickly, every three to five years. This leads to a lack of long-term planning for development, as they only focus on their own tenure. As a result, it has become a situation where Secretary Zhang digs the trenches while Secretary Wang fills them, Secretary Wang plants trees while Secretary Li digs them up, wasting the hard-earned money of the common people."

Mu Qing has not yet returned, and the house is shrouded in darkness, feeling quite desolate. Ranran turned on the lights in several rooms, even switched on the television in the living room, and then sat alone on the sofa. The television was broadcasting a cacophony of entertainment programs, which was quite noisy. She stared at the screen, yet could not absorb a single word.

Xia Hongyuan saw his daughter turn around and also took a glance. He then turned back and quietly introduced her: "That person is called Shao Mingze. A few years ago, he made a name for himself by establishing Huaxing Technology, and he is quite capable. Although the Shao family has its roots in our Xuan'an, they are an established family and came out early. It is only in the past two years that they have started participating in gatherings of fellow townsmen like this."

Xia Hongyuan quickly instructed the driver to bring the car over and also reminded him to turn on the heating in the car to the maximum.

The car stopped at the entrance of the building where she rented a place. Xia Hongyuan personally got out of the car to escort her to the unit's door, yet he was reluctant to leave. He carefully chose his words and tentatively asked: "Ranran, in the past few years, Dad has been busy with business and hasn't been able to take care of you. Do you resent Dad for that?"

Ranran turned around and walked away, having circled halfway without finding a single person to talk to

Having already witnessed this person's straightforwardness, it was not surprising to hear him ask in such a manner again. Ranran replied calmly, "It is somewhat unexpected. In retrospect, did Mr. Shao already know that we would have this meeting today at the cocktail party that day?"

Ranran sighed with a sense of old-fashioned wisdom: "When it comes to genetic inheritance, women have the advantage. At the very least, we can be certain that the child came from our own womb, and there is no room for error."

Opposite the table, Shao Mingze stood up with a serious expression, slightly bowing as he extended his hand towards her: "Miss Xia, hello"

Ranran truly has nothing to say

In fact, upon closer inspection, the man's features are not particularly handsome. His eyebrows, though well-shaped, are overly pronounced and intense; his eyes are not large enough, but they are notable for their deep and slender appearance, with pitch-black pupils that are profound and tranquil, seemingly possessing a captivating magic that draws one in.

The wine gathering will be held in a high-end villa area surrounded by clear water and lush green trees, located on the outskirts of the southern suburbs. The host of the courtyard is surnamed Gong, who was the second-in-command responsible for economic development in the former Xiping City. He has maintained a good reputation and just retired from his position last year, moving here to enjoy his retirement.

What about tomorrow

"Dad," Ranran suddenly interrupted Xia Hongyuan's words, looked up at him and smiled, "There is no need to explain this to me; it is a conflict in your adult emotions, which has nothing to do with me. Regardless of whether you are divorced or not, you are both my parents, and that is a fact that cannot be changed by anyone. When I was young, I did not understand, but as I grew older, I realized that matters of the heart cannot be clearly defined as right or wrong. Therefore, Dad, what is in the past is in the past; as long as you are both happy now, that is all that matters."

A few colleagues in the office had not yet left, all gathered by the window, pointing and speculating about who the car was there to pick up. Ranran felt a sense of unease in her heart, so she could only sneakily call Xia Hongyuan, asking him to drive the car to the street corner. Only then did she hurriedly slip out of the office, getting into Xia Hongyuan's luxury car like a thief.

Shao Mingze nodded slightly: "I have seen your photos before"

Ranran met Shao Mingze at a local gathering that was neither entirely traditional nor completely modern.

Shao Mingze's gaze flickered slightly as he said, "Miss Xia, please feel free."

Ranran pondered the meaning of these words, nodding in a seemingly understanding manner, as she linked her arm with Xia Hongyuan and entered the hall

In her heart, Ranran scolded this person for being so oblivious, yet her expression remained unchanged as she solemnly offered a compliment, replying: "Naturally, Mr. Shao is young and talented, with a boundless future ahead."

Having finished her porridge, Ranran entered the bedroom to fetch a change of clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Just as she was halfway through, the shower curtain was suddenly pulled aside from the outside, and Mu Qing handed her the phone, silently indicating with his lips: "It's a call, from Ms. Han."

In recent years, Xia Hongyuan has indeed been busy, but it is not that his busyness has caused him to neglect his daughter; rather, he has a new beloved wife and a son by his side, leaving him no time to think about his ex-wife and daughter

Mu Qing was stunned for a long time before sighing, "Is it really possible that such a thing exists?"

Xia Hongyuan looked her up and down and said: "Ranran, your outfit is not acceptable."

The man lifted his head from the magazine upon hearing the sound, looked around up and down, nodded in appreciation, and replied: "Not bad, it suits you very well"

Ranran's eyes have improved somewhat, though they are still a bit teary, and her nose feels a bit sore. She simply replied: "Blind date."

Mu Qing couldn't help but roll her eyes at her: "First of all, I could never give birth to a daughter as big as you, and secondly, I don't have the same demeanor as your Mrs. Han. With a father like yours, if he were in my hands, I would have chopped him up seven or eight times by now." After saying this, she even made a gesture of a swift knife strike, demonstrating her point clearly and decisively

Perhaps her gaze was too focused, as Shao Mingze over there seemed to sense something and glanced this way. When his sharp and alert eyes landed on her, they paused slightly, and then he gave her a slight nod.

Because of these wild thoughts, when the handsome and resolute Shao Mingze appeared in her line of sight, it indeed caught her attention.

Xia Hongyuan slightly parted his lips, somewhat stunned. He did not expect that his stubborn and rebellious daughter could say such sensible and understanding words. After feeling a sense of comfort, he found that his eyes were actually a bit red. He touched Ranran's head gently and said softly: "Ranran, you have grown up and become more understanding. Dad is sorry for you"