Chapter Ten: The Guest

Speaking of this, Li Ran remembered that her younger brother, Qiao Shiluo, was indeed about to graduate and return from studying abroad, though there were still a few days left.

“Yes, it’s soon,” Li Ran replied, feeling a bit better and teasing slightly, “Why? Do you miss him?”

Chu Jing’s cheeks grew even redder. She shyly gave Li Ran a gentle punch. “What are you saying! Absolutely not! I was just thinking the last time I saw him was during the holidays, and he’s probably grown a lot taller this time.”

“He’s at the age for a growth spurt, of course he has,” Li Ran said, glancing at the time. It was getting late; she needed to head home. “Alright, I won’t keep you any longer. It’s late, I have to go.”

“Mm, be careful when you get back. Don’t let anything happen to you again. If anything comes up, call me, okay?” Chu Jing had seen the faces of that family and was genuinely worried about Li Ran’s situation.

Li Ran nodded in agreement. She had grown used to the attitudes of Zhang Fanfan and his mother, but she was not someone to be trifled with. If anything did happen, she would never sit idly by!

Li Ran walked home alone. Her good mood from thinking about her brother’s return quickly soured as she recalled she would soon have to face Zhang Fanfan and his mother. Her heart grew heavy.

She touched her belly, recalling what Zhang Fanfan had said that day.

He kept insisting the child wasn’t his—whose could it be then? Perhaps that was just his excuse for wanting a divorce.

But previously, he hadn’t wanted a divorce at all. Why had he changed his mind so suddenly?

All these questions swirled around her. She could only go home and ask him directly.

Thinking this, her steps quickened.

In a passing car, Ye Huai was seated inside. As they drove past Li Ran, he saw her but had no intention of stopping.

Ding Lei saw her too, slowing the car and glancing at Ye Huai’s expression in the rearview mirror.

“Boss, should we stop and give her a ride?”

“When did you get so meddlesome?” Ye Huai still remembered what Li Ran had said to him in the conference room—strangers? Unyielding? He wanted to see just how long she could keep it up.

Li Ran had barely opened the door to her home when she heard Zhang Nan’s laughter in the living room, along with voices—guests had come.

After changing her shoes and stepping inside, she paused in surprise at the sight of the people in the living room.

There were several gift boxes on the table. An Qi sat on the sofa, holding Zhang Nan’s hand, chatting happily. Something amusing must have come up, as both were laughing delightedly.

From the kitchen came the sounds of stir-frying. Through a gap, she saw Zhang Fanfan wearing an apron, busy and cheerful.

Li Ran remembered that Zhang Fanfan was an excellent cook. In college, he would prepare lunch for her every day, always trying something new, and promised after they married she’d never have to deal with kitchen smoke.

But since their wedding, he had rarely cooked. She could barely recall the taste.

That he was cooking today was likely because of An Qi’s visit.

Li Ran stood at the door, watching the three of them, feeling like an outsider.

“I’m home,” she announced.

Her voice interrupted Zhang Nan and An Qi. Zhang Nan looked up, her smile vanished, and she merely grunted before continuing her conversation with An Qi.

Li Ran had already guessed on her way home that Zhang Nan would react like this. She said nothing and went straight to the kitchen.

“Why did you bring An Qi home?” she demanded, closing the kitchen door behind her.

Zhang Fanfan turned off the gas, turned to face Li Ran, who was barely containing her anger. “Do I need your permission to bring someone to my home?”

“Zhang Fanfan, don’t forget—we’re not divorced yet!”

“That’s true. But didn’t you say you don’t want a divorce? If you don’t, then you have to accept whoever I bring home! You asked for this!”