Chapter Two, he was once Lin Xiangan, belonging solely to her

No one spoke inside, but one could hear Peng Jing's sobs. After a while, she finally asked Xia Hongyuan: "Hongyuan, have you changed your heart?"

Xia Hongyuan sighed with a hint of regret, saying, "Shao Mingze is indeed quite a character; it is somewhat of a pity."

Shao Mingze leaned back in his chair with a relaxed demeanor, his hands casually crossed and resting on the edge of the table, and replied, "You're welcome"

Her mind had long been pierced by alcohol, rendering her fearless of life and death. Hearing him say she was drunk with rage only fueled her anger further, and she stubbornly blocked his car, refusing to move. She slammed her hands against the hood of his sports car, making a loud thudding sound, and shouted, "Isn't it just a piece of junk sports car? Being rich is so impressive, huh? If you have the guts, run me over, go ahead and run me over!"

Shao Mingze did not get up this time, but sat there with his head raised, looking at her in surprise, also displaying a somewhat unexpected expression: "Miss Xia?"

Ranran wiped her nose with a tissue and stared at him, asking: "So, are you still going to force me to meet that Shao Mingze together with Mom?"

The secretary smiled gratefully and quickly got up to make coffee, retreating to the pantry.

Ms. Han, in her anger, cut off her tuition and living expenses in an attempt to force her to compromise. She remained stubborn and relied on student loans and part-time work to get through her three years of university.

Xia Hongyuan indeed spoke in a deep voice: "Xiao Jing ... ... "

Shao Mingze asked: "Are you a celibate?"

She stood there quietly, as the river called Memory flowed gently from her heart, leaving a chill in its wake

Ms. Han was applying exquisite eye makeup, yet there was not a trace of warmth in her eyes. I asked, "So, who do you like? Is it still Lin Xiang'an? Does he like you?"

After hanging up the phone, Ranran continued to forward her documents. Once she had forwarded all the files and saved the drafts, she suddenly realized that she hadn't even inquired about the situation on Xia Hongyuan's side. She thought to herself: this time I made a mistake; even if it is just a performance, it should be done thoroughly. To not even ask about the situation is clearly just going through the motions, and in the future, Xia Hongyuan might catch on.

Ranran felt that there was no need to put on an act regarding this matter, so she simply nodded and said, "It's fine, I'm a bit hungry"

Ranran sat on the ground, crying uncontrollably while holding Mu Qing's waist, fueled by the effects of alcohol. Prior to this, she and Mu Qing were not well acquainted; they were from the same department but different classes, and their dormitories were separated by a considerable distance, merely acquaintances who nodded at each other.

Mu Qing gazed at her quietly for a long time, and finally let out a gentle sigh

It was quite unexpected for Ranran to hear him say such words. Regardless of his arrogance, there was indeed a great deal of reason in what he said. Ranran couldn't help but nod and remarked, "Mr. Shao is an understanding person"

Such an unexpectedly friendly attitude made Ranran feel embarrassed to continue wearing a stern expression, so she had no choice but to swallow her words, her expression softening as she asked, "Mr. Shao, are you not satisfied with the previous few?"

Later, she naturally survived, but her weight never managed to exceed 90 jin again. Due to the excessively rapid weight loss from hunger, her endocrine system had become severely disrupted, and her digestive system was completely ruined.

Years have passed, and she had almost forgotten the appearance of Peng Jing. It was only during this meeting that she realized that her father's young wife still possessed a beautiful countenance. Compared to the aging Mrs. Han, she truly deserves the titles of "young" and "delicate".

Xia Hongyuan, feeling awkward, hurriedly agreed

Xia Hongyuan provided her with an address and reminded her to change into a different outfit before going, suggesting that she should dress up nicely

Many things, although they have long since passed, are still remembered so clearly, as if one could reach out and touch them with a closed eye. Even now, she vividly recalls what Lin Xiangan said when he agreed to be her boyfriend. He said: "Xia Ranran, as long as you don't continue to gain weight, I will be your boyfriend"

At that time, they had not yet divorced, but the couple had already begun to argue. Ms. Han scolded Xia Hongyuan for being vulgar and lacking quality, while Xia Hongyuan retorted that she was being hypocritical. Now, looking back, Ranran finds herself somewhat nostalgic for those days. Although they would bicker and quarrel, at least there was some liveliness in the home, a certain warmth in the atmosphere

The conflict between Ranran and Ms. Han has persisted for nearly twenty years. Ms. Han forces her to learn piano, to dance, to practice calligraphy, and to paint, compelling her to do everything that Ms. Han herself wishes to do but has not had the opportunity to pursue, all of which Ranran has no interest in. Since she turned fifteen and her height ceased to increase, until she entered university at eighteen, she has hardly had a full meal at home for three years. Ms. Han strictly controls her diet, fearing that she might gain weight. Ms. Han believes that at her height, she should not exceed 100 pounds, otherwise she would not even qualify as petite and delicate.

Xia Hongyuan did not speak

Shao Mingze slightly furrowed his brows, contemplated for a moment, and replied: "I can refrain from interfering in your friendships, but likewise, I ask that you allow me some personal space"

She did not dare to engage with his topic, quickly diverting the conversation to the matter of buying a house. Xia Hongyuan had someone select several apartments near her workplace, and she ultimately chose the smallest one, measuring only about one hundred square meters. However, it featured an open layout and was well-decorated, spacious and bright, making it just right for one person to live in

Are you waiting for a love story or are you anticipating a romantic relationship

She has never met Su Mo, only knowing that she is a student from the neighboring Xida University, the goddess that Lin Xiang'an yearns for in his heart, the true heroine of a romantic drama. She is entangled in a love-hate relationship with a wealthy heir, and under the weight of her sorrow, she leaves for a distant land. Thus, Lin Xiang'an, this knight, decides to accompany her without seeking any reward.

Ranran knew that Xia Hongyuan often interacted with some government officials. Not only did he give gifts during holidays, but he also sent a red envelope to express his sentiments when someone fell ill and was hospitalized. Therefore, she was not surprised to hear this, but was somewhat curious: "Is it necessary to prepare a very large red envelope?"

In fact, what Ms. Han said was merely said in anger, yet she took it seriously, or perhaps she was fully aware that Ms. Han's words were said in anger but deliberately chose to take them seriously. At that time, it was summer vacation, and she rented a small room for herself. In less than one summer vacation, she reduced her weight from 122 pounds to 80 pounds, not only earning the 300,000 yuan from Mu Qing but also making over 100,000 yuan for herself. At that time, it was summer vacation, and she rented a small room for herself. In less than one summer vacation, she reduced her weight from 122 pounds to 80 pounds, not only earning the 300,000 yuan from Mu Qing but also making over 100,000 yuan for herself

Shao Mingze sat there, slightly raising his face to look at her, his narrow eyes concealing a hint of mischief, like a pair of exquisite gems, illuminated by the store's lights, shimmering with brilliance. As his eyelids opened and closed, it seemed as if endless radiance poured forth, capable of captivating one's very soul

One should always know when to stop while ahead, and moreover, she had received a guarantee from Xia Hongyuan. Thus, Ranran contentedly left the office

Xia Hongyuan asked Ranran: "How did you get to know Shao Mingze?"

Ranran fell silent for a moment, then shook her head: "No."

Indeed, upon hearing this from Ranran, the anger on Xia Hongyuan's face immediately dissipated, replaced instead by a hint of guilt. He fumbled to take a tissue and handed it to her, saying: "Ranran, don't cry, don't cry. It's all my fault for not explaining things clearly to you."

Peng Jing spoke with a voice full of sorrow, while Ran Ran felt a chill run down her spine, nearly causing her teeth to ache. However, she thought that Xia Hongyuan might not find Peng Jing's words to be overly sentimental. After all, he had been with Peng Jing for more than ten years, and they had once loved each other passionately. Regardless of whether they now felt hatred or resentment, there should still be some lingering feelings between them.

Xia Hongyuan was somewhat puzzled by these words and couldn't help but look towards his daughter

She had drunk too much, and her vision was already blurred. She saw that the man's head was as big as a pig's head. Initially, she intended to apologize to him, but upon hearing his words, she became furious and pointed at his nose, retorting: "Do you think you have a reason after hitting someone with your car? Did you even bring your eyes?"

At that moment, a person suddenly rushed in from the side, grabbed her, and dragged her to the roadside, shouting loudly: "Xia Ranran, are you crazy? Are you crazy?"

She transformed into the real-life heroine of an inspirational romance drama. Whenever someone feels timid in love, they use her as a motivational example, saying if Xia Ranran can win over Lin Xiangan, what are you afraid of?

Ranran secretly observed Xia Hongyuan through her fingers and saw that he indeed looked overwhelmed by her tears. While crying, she accused him, "When did you start listening to Mom so much? Clearly, you have your eyes on the Shao family's wealth and want to disregard your daughter's happiness to sell her for glory!"

Ranran was momentarily taken aback before she understood Xia Hongyuan's words, and then she quickly made the most appropriate response, cheerfully replying: "Sure, Dad, I will give you a favor. So, where shall we meet?"

The same airplane took away Su Mo and Lin Xiang'an, and inadvertently also carried away the love that Ranran had pursued for two and a half years.

Chen Luo also got into the car and took the opportunity during the journey to report on work to Xia Hongyuan. Xia Hongyuan had little reaction, but when it was mentioned that the son of the director of the planning bureau had just returned from abroad, he finally spoke up and instructed Chen Luo: "Later, complete the paperwork for that car and send it over to Director Lin, just say it's for Young Master Lin to use for fun"

The person stood silently for a while, gritting their teeth, and then indeed turned around and sat inside the car

At that time, Ms. Han had just divorced Xia Hongyuan and devoted all her energy to her. Her resistance became increasingly intense: she exhibited rebellious and irritable behavior, frequently skipping classes and getting into fights. Moreover, she retaliated by indulging in a lot of high-calorie junk food, turning herself into a little chubby girl.

Chen Luo was momentarily taken aback, gazing in the direction of the office for a few seconds. It seemed she understood why the other person had acted that way. Suddenly, she turned with a smile and asked, "Where are you going? Do you need me to accompany you?"

Mu Qing turned his head, looking at her in astonishment

Shao Mingze glanced at her and said, "Just call me Mingze. I heard from my mother that she and Aunt Han were good friends in their youth, and our families have been close for generations. In that case, you should also call me 'brother.' Ranran, may I ask you a few questions?"

Mu Qing smiled bitterly, yet shook his head and refused to speak

Her domineering demeanor rendered the other party silent. After standing there for a moment, he coldly replied: "I do not deal with drunks. Since you did not hit me, step aside and do not make a scene here!"

Ranran smiled as she took the paper cup in her hands, watching him sit down across from her, and casually asked, "You look like you just came back from outside, what have you been busy with?"

The weather outside is pleasant, with a gentle breeze and beautiful scenery. Ranran stands on her tiptoes on the curb, taking a deep breath of the exhaust from the cars on the street, planning to first find Xia Hongyuan to strengthen their father-daughter relationship. He had just sent her a bank card and provided her with information on several new properties, asking her to choose a satisfactory house. She thought it would be best to be polite to him, both to demonstrate that she was not a greedy and materialistic person, and also to play the long game, as a card and a house combined could not compare to Xia Hongyuan's company.

Chen Luo smiled and took her to the small garden behind the company building. Then he went out to buy two cups of hot coffee and handed her one with a smile, saying, "Warm your hands. Although it is a bit cold here, the air is still fresher."

Chen Luo got off the car halfway, and Xia Hongyuan took Ranran to a high-end private club, ordering a table full of dishes and continuously urging her to eat more with his chopsticks, displaying his usual generous demeanor. Ranran suddenly began to understand why Mrs. Han always expressed disdain when mentioning him, saying that a nouveau riche is just a nouveau riche, and no amount of money can elevate one to a prestigious family.

She had a crush on Lin Xiangan since high school, and after entering university, she began to pursue him relentlessly, with her "deeds" spreading throughout the entire college. Just when this matter was about to become a joke at Huada, Lin Xiangan finally turned around and accepted her pursuit. She transformed into the real-life heroine of an inspirational romance drama, and whenever someone felt timid in love, they would use her as a motivational example, saying, "If Xia Ranran can win over Lin Xiangan, what are you afraid of?"

Her face flushed with heat, wishing she could splash that cup of coffee onto his face. A rogue is a rogue, no matter how much he pretends to be a gentleman on the outside, his rogue nature cannot be concealed.

Shao Mingze smiled indifferently, with a hint of disdain concealed in his brows and eyes, and asked: "Then may I ask what your criteria for choosing a partner are? Family background, education, career, appearance—what aspect do I fail to meet your requirements?"

Shao Mingze raised his eyebrows and looked at her: "What?"

"Hongyuan, please let me finish my words." Peng Jing interrupted him, continuing to speak in a sobbing voice, "Since you no longer love me, I will not force you. I will let you pursue a new love. However, marriage is not just about the two of us; we also have Chenchen. Our son is innocent, and we should provide him with a complete family, alright?"

Ranran turned her head and saw Shao Mingze with a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, leisurely saying: "Has no one told you that the height difference between men and women should not be too great? Otherwise, not only will it look very uncoordinated when standing together, but even kissing and making love will be quite inconvenient."

Little did they know that upon arriving at the location, they would discover that the other party was actually Shao Mingze!

Ranran cleared her throat discreetly and replied with a serious expression: "Not yet, the intensity of this inspection is quite high"

After dinner, following Xia Hongyuan out, I unexpectedly encountered Shao Mingze again in the corridor. He was clearly engaged in socializing, with a faint scent of alcohol on him. He first greeted Xia Hongyuan with a smile, then turned to look at Ranran, asking with a half-smile, "Miss Xia, has the inspection at your workplace been completed?"

Shao Mingze looked at her calmly for a moment before replying softly: "It is in you"

Rian understood Mu Qing's thoughts all too well; she merely wanted to compel her to become independent, to force her to make a break with her past self. She smiled gently, patted Mu Qing's shoulder lightly, and said: "I want to thank you, thank you for your tolerance towards me all these years, thank you for taking care of me for so long, it is I who should be grateful to you, Mu Qing, truly"

The new residence is particularly close to the workplace, taking only about ten minutes to walk there, so Ranran has pushed back her morning wake-up time by several dozen minutes. Every day, after getting out of bed, she simply washes her face and strolls to the office for breakfast, makes do with lunch at the office, and returns home early in the evening to cook herself some porridge. Although Mu Qing is no longer managing the household, her life has not been significantly affected since she no longer has to spend time commuting. Every day, after getting out of bed, she simply washes her face and strolls to the office for breakfast, makes do with lunch at the office, and returns home early in the evening to cook herself some porridge. Although Mu Qing is no longer managing the household, her life has not been significantly affected since she no longer has to spend time commuting.

In simple terms, at that time, the relationship between her and her mother was one of control and counter-control. Ms. Han wanted to manipulate her life, while she struggled to resist. The conflict intensified after she was admitted to university; she felt that she had gained her independence and decided to break free from Ms. Han's control to live the life she desired

Xia Hongyuan, feeling frustrated, ran his fingers through his hair, wishing he could swear to his daughter: "No, Dad absolutely did not!"

Although Xiping City has long implemented vehicle restrictions, the roads remain as congested as ever. As they continued to move slowly, it was nearly eleven o'clock by the time the car turned onto Wanhua Road. Upon hearing that she had come to invite him to lunch, Xia Hongyuan was very pleased and quickly called his secretary to come downstairs to bring her up, saying he would take her to lunch after he finished his current tasks

Ranran deliberately widened her eyes, blinked, and then answered him with a serious expression: "It is precisely because I am not tall enough that I need to find someone taller to improve the genes of the next generation." She took out a banknote and placed it on the table, smiling as she added, "I also suggest that Mr. Shao find a tall wife, so that our future son can reach a height of 1.8 meters and not be picky about girls." After finishing, she waved at him, saying, "Goodbye."

At that time, Ranran was still young and did not fully understand the emotional entanglements among adults. However, when she heard the phrase "self-respect and self-love" come out of the mouth of a woman who was taking someone else's husband, it felt incredibly strange.

She is grateful to have someone who can accompany her through the darkest days of her life

As she got into the taxi, Ranran was still pondering that she truly was not cut out to be an inspirational female lead. If she really had the demeanor of a protagonist, she should scoff at and ignore a father like Xia Hongyuan, who had abandoned her, regardless of whether he was worth billions or held power and influence.

Ranran reached out and patted Mu Qing's shoulder, then got up to return to her dormitory to sleep. At that time, she already had a thought in her mind. Ms. Han had come to the school to find her during the day and issued an ultimatum: "Either make a complete turnaround and return to the right path, or sever the mother-daughter relationship and never have any contact again."

Ranran thought for a moment and replied to her: "I do not like him"

In any case, she should not be present in such an occasion. Under the astonished gaze of Peng Jing, Ranran stood up from the sofa, smiled and nodded to her, gently and obediently calling out "Aunt Peng," and then said to Xia Hongyuan: "Dad, I will go downstairs for a stroll. Please call me when you are done."

Indeed, Lin Xiangan no longer wanted her, after she had followed him into Huada and persistently pursued him for two years, six months, and thirteen days before finally being rejected by Lin Xiangan

His demeanor is calm, and his words are clearly articulated, much like a professional investor analyzing which investment portfolio would better mitigate risks. If the discussion were about someone else's situation, she might appreciate his objectivity and rationality; however, when she finds herself in the midst of it, she feels a strong aversion to his attitude.

As for the female protagonist, she must be self-reliant and regard money as mere dirt! Unfortunately, she is not the female protagonist, so she still views money as money. Having a wealthy father is certainly better than having a beggar for a father. In this world, there is nothing that money cannot buy; if something cannot be bought, it is merely because the amount of money you have is insufficient.

Xia Hongyuan frowned slightly and said with some displeasure: "How can you be introduced to someone when you already have a girlfriend! Who introduced you?"

Ranran wanted to play the role of a well-behaved and understanding daughter, so she quietly sat in the small休息区 flipping through a newspaper. Unexpectedly, not long after she sat down, Xia Hongyuan's current wife, Peng Jing, actually found her at the company.

Ms. Han forcibly admitted her to the hospital. After receiving the news, Mu Qing came to see her, holding her and crying loudly, with tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, saying: "Xia Ranzhan, you must live on, no matter what the reason is, I beg you to live on. Don't make me carry a life on my back, don't make me bear your life for the rest of my days."

Ranran, however, did not leave; she tiptoed back to the door and pressed her ear against it. In fact, there was no conspiracy at play; she was merely curious and eager to know what Peng Jing, with her red-rimmed eyes, would say to Xia Hongyuan upon arriving at the company.

Later, she truly never managed to gain weight again, while Lin Xiang'an had long since disappeared without a trace

Unfortunately, the female protagonist reverted to her true self after barely one semester. She had only gone on a trip with her classmates for a few days, and by the time she returned, Lin Xiang'an was already on the other side of the ocean. In the long-distance call, he spoke to her in a hoarse, deep yet still captivating voice: "Ranran, let's break up. I can't let go of Su Mo; I still love her, uncontrollably love her."

As both sets of parents are already involved, it is even more imperative not to lie. Ranran answered honestly: "No."

Mu Qing stood up from the sofa, gripping her shoulders tightly with both hands: "Ranran, you should get up now. You are only 26 years old; you cannot continue to drift aimlessly like this. Lin Xiang'an is not worth you wasting so many years on; he is not worth it, and no man is worth you doing this. Let's return the money to Ms. Han, and you can live the life you want, okay?"

Ms. Han said again: "Xia Ranfan, wake up, stop being so childish, you need to be more ambitious, don't act like your life depends on love, it's so pretentious that it makes people dislike you"

Ranran thought for a moment and replied half-truthfully: "I met him during a recent blind date; we chatted a bit. He was quite frank, directly telling me that he was forced into the blind date by his family and that he actually already had a girlfriend."

Ranran took the tissue and pressed it against her face, and simply began to cry out loud

After this incident, they merely nodded at each other when they met, never mentioning what had happened that night. A few days later, she got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and happened to see Mu Qing squatting alone in the corridor, covering her mouth with her hand and sobbing softly.

Such matters have been heard of before, but they are essentially a form of disguised bribery. A good car along with a high-denomination fuel card ensures that if anything goes wrong or if there is an accident, someone will take care of it. Even if something happens, it is unlikely to trace back to that official. It is said to be a loan, but in reality, it is more convenient and cost-effective than a gift.

Chen Luo nodded and took note of everything one by one

Shao Mingze slowly nodded and said, "Very well, since that is the case, could you consider developing a relationship with me? After all, we have met several times, which can be considered a kind of fate. Moreover, both from a family and personal perspective, our conditions are quite suitable. I believe that if we were to live together in the future, we would make good partners."

At that moment, Ranran felt quite despicable, clearly wanting to end her own life, yet deliberately putting on an appearance of self-sacrifice, making Mu Qing bear a great favor.

Shao Mingze curled the corner of his mouth nonchalantly, exchanged a few pleasantries with Xia Hongyuan, and then turned to leave

Ranran, filled with pent-up anger, exited the café. In her haste, she nearly twisted her ankle while descending the steps, infuriated, she ripped off her high heels and threw them forcefully. The people around her stared at her as if she were a monster. She walked forward under the gaze of the crowd for a while, but ultimately, she shamefully retrieved her shoes.

She shook her head: "No need, I just want to find a place nearby to sit for a while. Dad asked me to wait for him for a bit, and we will go to lunch together at noon"

As Ranran turned and exited the office, she conveyed a false message to the secretary outside, saying, "President Xia wants you to brew two cups of coffee and bring them in shortly." After saying this, she winked at the secretary and whispered, "They need to discuss family matters."

Ranran sent 300,000 to Ms. Han, who showed no surprise on her face, nor did she accept the card. She simply asked her: "What is wrong with Shao Mingze?"

She is truly grateful to Mu Qing from the bottom of her heart. Although she had once helped Mu Qing during her most difficult times, in the following years, it was Mu Qing who continuously supported her, showing her care, affection, and patience that surpassed even that of her own family.

Shao Mingze's expression quickly returned to its usual calm and composed demeanor, and in response to the remark, he said: "Not quite yet."

She and Xia Hongyuan have been getting closer and closer. On this day, they had originally planned to have dinner together, but before the end of working hours, Xia Hongyuan called. At that moment, she was busy transcribing an official document, and without waiting for him to speak, she hurriedly replied: "Dad, I'm busy right now, you go ahead and choose a place, and I'll go directly there after work"

She felt a sense of great relief in her heart, playfully shaking Xia Hongyuan's arm and indulging in a display of charming coquetry.

How much does it cost in total?" Ranran asked once again.

Perhaps it is because they are not familiar with each other that there seems to be no need to hide anything, or perhaps it is because Mu Qing has seen her at her most vulnerable that she does not mind showing her weakness in front of her. Mu Qing leaned her head against the wall and poured out the words that had been weighing on her heart: "My mother is ill and needs a large sum of money for surgery, but I have no money. Even if the surgery is successful, it can only extend my mother's life by three to five years at most. Everyone advises me to be rational, even the people from my grandmother's side, who indirectly suggest that I should give up... But how can I be rational? How can I give up? Am I supposed to just watch my mother lie in bed waiting to die?"

Shao Mingze's expression remained calm as he took the initiative to ask the waiter for drinks for her, and then he slowly explained: "Because I am approaching thirty, my family is a bit anxious, so they have been arranging blind dates for me recently. Miss Xia is the fourth person I have met this week, and I truly do not have the mood or energy to do any further preparation."

"Chance encounter?" Ranran looked at him, his serious expression contrasting with his talk of fate, and found his words and actions increasingly ridiculous. She opened her mouth to ask, "Can this really be considered a chance encounter? Don't you inquire about the other person's situation before a blind date?"

Ranran naturally had not asked, and if she had, she would not have come. She was rendered speechless by his words, only able to stare at him with wide eyes, holding her breath in silence.

Chen Luo did not hide anything from her and answered her questions earnestly: "Because it is related to several plots of land in the southern suburbs, it is inevitable that we need to pay more attention to it. However, General Manager Xia also mentioned that this is just the beginning, so we cannot exert too much effort; we should first explore the way forward and then proceed accordingly"

As he spoke, Mu Qing's eyes became moist again, tears surged forth once more, and no matter how he wiped them, they seemed never-ending. In the end, Mu Qing simply gave up on wiping and covered his eyes with both hands.

Ranran was at a loss whether to laugh or cry as she sat down opposite him and asked somewhat sarcastically, "Could it be that Mr. Shao has fallen in love with me at first sight, which is why he is so obsessed and persistent?"

"You forgot to ask me what my criteria for a partner are," Ranran replied

Ranran and Muqing truly became friends just as their third year of university was coming to an end. She had just been dumped by Lin Xiangan and felt as if she were living in hell.

Ranran looked him up and down and replied succinctly, "Height"

Ranran fell silent for a moment and asked Mu Qing, "How much does it cost?"

The day after helping Mu Qing raise money, she called Ms. Han to admit her mistake, repent sincerely, and ask for a loan. Ms. Han, still resentful of their argument the day before, coldly replied, "It's easy to ask for money. If you lose weight, as long as you lose one kilogram, I'll give you ten thousand."

Shao Mingze leaned back and candidly replied: "There are those I do not find appealing, and there are those who do not find me appealing. Although this is a blind date, it is ultimately aimed at marriage, so one must find someone who is mutually agreeable in order to live together."

Xia Hongyuan glanced at his daughter, but then frowned: "Make sure to eat more later! Look at how thin you are; you don't even have two taels of meat on you. Don't listen to your mother; girls look more appealing when they are a bit plump!"

After seeing Ms. Han's ghostly appearance, she was so enraged that she slapped her across the face and asked, "Do you want to die?"

Chen Luo saw her suddenly appear here, looking rather sneaky, yet her face showed no hint of surprise. Instead, she smiled and greeted her: "Ranran, have you come over?"

Peng Jing said softly: "Hong Yuan, when I decided to be with you, I never hoped that this love could last forever. I know that this love was originally taken from someone else, and it will eventually have to be returned. But I have loved deeply and have been loved in return, and I am very content. Even if I were given another chance to choose again, I would still choose to love you, and I do not regret it"

She couldn't help but scoff: "What does this count as? Fate?"

Just as she was dragged away from the front of the car, it let out a muffled roar and shot out like an arrow. Mu Qing, who was holding her from behind, was so frightened that his legs went weak, causing both of them to fall to the ground. At that moment, she felt a twinge of fear, and all her grievances surged to her heart at once. Sitting on the ground, she turned around and hugged Mu Qing, crying out loud: "Lin Xiang'an doesn't want me anymore, he doesn't want me anymore"

As she turned to leave, Shao Mingze suddenly called out to her from behind: "Miss Xia"

After a long silence, Ranran weakly said, "Alright"

She stood upright in front of his car like a martyr generously facing death, calmly spreading her arms wide, slowly closing her eyes, and curling the corners of her mouth upward

On the day of the move, Mu Qing came over to help her. Just before leaving, he suddenly said without any preamble: "Perhaps you will say that I am heartless, that I am ungrateful. But regardless, I do not regret my decision, and I hope that one day you will understand my actions."

At this point, it is quite clear that the couple engages in their own activities separately, as long as they present themselves as a loving couple in public. Then, when the appropriate age arrives, they will have two children, forming a family that is recognized as normal by society

Ranran smiled and said, "Mr. Shao's conditions are indeed very generous, but they overlook one crucial point."

Ranran learned to spend money like others to get drunk, using alcohol to drown her sorrows. One night, while returning to school, she staggered across the road in a drunken state and nearly got hit by a sports car. The sharp, piercing sound of brakes came to an abrupt halt, and the car stopped less than ten centimeters in front of her, already brushing against her clothes. The man in the driver's seat got out of the car, his face pale with anger, and shouted at her: "Are you trying to die? Do you have eyes or not?"

Everything should be done in moderation, and throwing a tantrum is no exception. After showing the necessary firmness, resolving matters still requires good communication. Ranran immediately softened her stance, wiping her tears as she lamented: "Dad, what you are doing makes me feel very embarrassed. Shao Mingze will not believe that I was kept in the dark by you; he will only think that I am being manipulative. Even in the future, he will look down on me."

Hearing Peng Jing mention her son, Ran Ran couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking: It's over, this woman is indeed wise for a lifetime but foolish for a moment. Peng Jing must still be unaware that Xia Hongyuan took their son for a paternity test. If she continued to cling to the notion of their true love from back then, perhaps Xia Hongyuan's heart would still have some softness. But now, she insists on bringing up that son who troubles Xia Hongyuan. In this case, not only would Xia Hongyuan be unlikely to change his heart, but he would probably wish he could exchange all his internal organs as well. If she continued to cling to the notion of their true love from back then, perhaps Xia Hongyuan's heart would still have some softness. But now, she insists on bringing up that son who troubles Xia Hongyuan. In this case, not only would Xia Hongyuan be unlikely to change his heart, but he would probably wish he could exchange all his internal organs as well.

But I like tall men, at least 1.8 meters or taller. " Ranran smiled, then stood up and exaggeratedly stretched her arms, gesturing to indicate the height, " It has to be this tall to meet my standards.

She nodded slightly and kindly reminded him, "Don't go in yet; they are discussing family matters inside." After a pause, she added softly, "Aunt Peng has come."

The last time Ranran met Peng Jing was more than a decade ago. At that time, Peng Jing came to her home alone, requesting Mrs. Han to show mercy and support her love. She hoped that Mrs. Han would have self-respect and self-love, and since love was no longer present, it would be better not to continue entangling with each other, but to let go and give each other a way out.

Shao Mingze narrowed his eyes slightly and said淡淡地说道: "I originally did not believe in fate, but after encountering Miss Xia several times, I have indeed started to believe in it a little."

Shao Mingze asked again: "So, do you currently have a boyfriend you are dating?"

Two people were chatting when Xia Hongyuan's phone call came in. Upon hearing that Ranran and Chen Luo were downstairs, he asked them to wait for him in the parking lot. Before long, Xia Hongyuan came out of the building alone, his face showing no signs of distress, and he cheerfully asked her: "Are you hungry?"

Ranran thought for a moment and decided that it was better to speak the truth, so she replied: "No."

Xia Hongyuan, contrary to his usual straightforward style, hesitated for a moment before saying, "Soran, Dad's friend wants to introduce you to a boyfriend. Would you like to meet him tonight?" After speaking, he quickly added, "Whether it works out or not, just go and meet him once. It's a face-saving gesture for Dad."

Shao Mingze squinted his eyes to scrutinize her, tilting his head to glance at her feet, and retorted: "Miss Xia's height does not seem to be very tall, is it even 1.6 meters?"

Upon hearing Ms. Han's name, Xia Hongyuan's expression darkened even further. She hurriedly grasped his arm with both hands and continued, "It's all because of my mother. She seems to be constantly worried that I won't get married, almost wishing to find someone to marry me off immediately, so that someone can support me. But I really don't want to get married so early; I haven't had enough fun yet, and besides, my mother's friends are somewhat insincere, which I really dislike. Dad, could you support me, please?" But I really don't want to get married so early; I haven't had enough fun yet, and besides, my mother's friends are somewhat insincere, which I really dislike. Dad, could you support me, please?

She had no choice but to switch her phone to her left hand, while operating the mouse with her right hand, and asked him, "Is there anything else, Dad?"

Since the incident involving Shao Mingze, Ms. Han has not been in contact with her for a long time

Xia Hongyuan rubbed his hands and walked around the office a few times, finally stopping in front of her, raising both hands in a gesture of compromise and saying: "Ranran, it was wrong of me, I shouldn't have listened to your mother and told you to meet Shao Mingze again. Your mother said you had some misunderstandings about Shao Mingze, but he actually has a good impression of you and is interested in pursuing a relationship. I have dealt with that kid a couple of times before and found that he has some substance, and his family seems to be respectable, so I was momentarily swayed by your mother."

Xia Hongyuan's voice indeed turned cold and hard in an instant: "Peng Jing, this is the office. You should go home first, and we will discuss matters when we return."

Although the corners of Shao Mingze's mouth were still slightly curled, the smile in his eyebrows had faded. He said in a low voice, "I should not be considered short"

As she secretly regretted, she stood up and took out the gray long coat from the locker to put it on. After thinking for a moment, she turned back to the mirror to touch up her makeup, feeling that it indeed looked both plain and unattractive. Only then did she leave the house with satisfaction

"Almost three hundred thousand," Mu Qing said with a self-deprecating smile, his voice hoarse. "I have inquired at such places, and they have long since popularized higher education. I don't look good, and even with the banner of Huada, I can't come up with that amount of money in a short time."

Ranran stood there speechless, feeling truly pitiful. Everyone in the world knew that she liked Lin Xiang'an, and anyone could peel back the flesh on her chest and poke at the scar on her heart, asking her: "So, hasn't it healed yet?"

Chen Luo smiled and replied, "A leader in the city has a sick mother, and General Manager Xia asked me to visit her in the hospital on his behalf."

Oh? How should this be said?" Ranran inquired again

Ranran was afraid of making things worse, so she hurriedly explained: "She is a friend of my mother and also has good intentions"

However, Mu Qing suddenly encountered his mother's serious illness, feeling extremely painful and desperate, which was the most difficult moment in their lives.

Ranran immediately heightened her vigilance upon hearing him establish a connection with her, instinctively sitting up straight: "What do you want to ask?"

Ranran lowered her head and thought seriously for a moment, then said: "Don't rush to belittle yourself, I will help you raise this money"

As Ranran walked out from Ms. Han's office, these few sentences were still swirling in her mind, feeling that Ms. Han's words were indeed sharp and completely accurate. She currently has a very stable job, her health is generally good, and her basic needs are met, yet she is still lamenting and complaining over a man from a few years ago, which is truly an annoying display of pretentiousness.

As soon as she spoke, she regretted it; sure enough, she saw Shao Mingze raise his eyebrows and retort, "Has Miss Xia ever asked?"

Ranran shifted her gaze away from his slender eyes, took a deep breath, adjusted her facial expression, and managed to force a faint smile at him, saying: "Thank you, Mr. Shao, for your reminder. I will consider this matter in the future."

Indeed, Ms. Han is correct; she truly no longer wishes to live. With Lin Xiang'an gone, she has lost even the will to carry on.

"No way, absolutely not. My daughter is a princess, only choosing from others, seeing whoever she wants to see," Xia Hongyuan assured, adding, "In the future, she can marry whoever she wants!"

Just as she was about to hang up the phone, Xia Hongyuan called out to her from the other end: "Wait a moment, Ranzhan."

Ranran remembered the affection from Mu Qing that night. After hesitating for a moment, she walked over and squatted down beside Mu Qing. When her crying had subsided a little, she asked: "What happened?"

Perhaps she had been pretending to be well-behaved and understanding for too long, causing Xia Hongyuan to be momentarily unable to adapt to her sudden outburst. He stared at her in astonishment, and only after she had finished shouting did he come to his senses, immediately exclaiming in anger: "Is there anything that cannot be said properly? What kind of temperament is this for a girl!"

Xia Hongyuan enjoys it very much when his daughter acts coquettishly towards him. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh and say, "My daughter, Xia Hongyuan, doesn't need anyone else to support her. Since you don't want to get married early, then play for a few more years. Dad will pick a good one for you!"

Ránrǎn rotated the coffee cup in her hand, quietly listening to his analysis. Once he finished speaking, she raised her eyes to look at him and, with a smile in her eyes, asked: "What about after marriage? How do the two of them get along? Is it enough to just have their own space, as long as they can manage on the surface?"

After being so angry, I have to find a place to vent. Ran Ran took a taxi to Xia Hongyuan's company, and shouted at him with both hands on the table: "What's so good about that Shao Mingze? You and Han Yun take turns to send me to him? Is Han Yun trying to flatter his family background, or do you want to borrow money from him? Do you think everyone else is a fool? Do you really believe that these repeated meetings are coincidental? Even if you want to do it, can you do it more naturally? Is Han Yun trying to flatter his family background, or do you want to borrow money from him? Do you think everyone else is a fool? Do you really believe that these repeated meetings are coincidental? Can you consider some dignity?"

Ms. Han's words are not a threat; she has always been one to follow through on her promises

Reluctantly, Ran Ran dared not continue eavesdropping. She quickly tiptoed towards the exit. Just as she arrived at the elevator door, she coincidentally ran into Xia Hongyuan's assistant, Chen Luo, coming out of the elevator. Chen Luo was a young man in his thirties, tall and thin, with a refined and fair appearance. However, after meeting Ran Ran twice with Xia Hongyuan, his address changed from the initial "Miss" to the current "Ran Ran". His words and actions also revealed a sense of familiarity, as if he had known Ran Ran for a long time.