"How long has Qin Gengxin known about this?" Jiang Ruolan asked.
Xian Zihao smiled and only gently ruffled her loose hair, but he didn't reply.
Jiang Ruolan knew that the Xian Family lived in such a remote area, but the ancestral hall at the back of the mountain was a different scene. She had always wanted to take a walk outside, and finally, she found an opportunity to have Xian Zihao accompany her to walk there.
When they arrived at the back of the mountain, Jiang Ruolan only looked at the ancestral hall from afar. Since it was already so late, she didn't want to disturb the ancestors.
Jiang Ruolan mainly couldn't sleep. While worrying about Xian Guiying and Qin Gengxin, she thought back about what the Old Man had said to her. How can she make Jiang Yijun go to Xian Residence willingly? It was really difficult.
Xian Zihao embraced her as they sat down comfortably in the grass on the hill. He didn't forget to pull the coat tightly over her body to prevent her from catching a cold.
"Why are you so worried about Qin Gengxin?"
"Who the hell would be worried about him!" Jiang Ruolan sneered. "I'm just afraid that he will hurt Guiying. I can feel that although Guiying is very powerful and seemingly doesn't care about anything, she has been in love with Qin Gengxin for so many years. If he became too heartless because of this child, I don't know if she can handle it."
"That girl has always been a stubborn girl since she was young. She has always kept her word when she decided on things, so it's good for her to suffer some setbacks." Xian Zihao was deep in thought. "Now it all depends on what Qin Gengxin wants to do."
Jiang Ruolan smiled. "Right, Cui Liuxian just carried a flower pot. That flower is about to wither. Grandfather said you gave it to her?"
Xian Zihao glanced at her and smiled faintly. "You've already made her become more careful in front of the Old Man. Every step she's going to make will become difficult and that's enough."
Jiang Ruolan lay down and thought for a while. "Actually, I know that Cui Liuxian has wanted to be a true member of the Xian Family since she was a child, but she has used the wrong method. Why does she have to spend so much effort to fight like this?"
"If anyone can easily let go of their obsession, then this world will truly be at peace." Xian Zihao suddenly looked at her with a gentle gaze. Then, he made a gesture.
Jiang Ruolan looked at him and slowly sat up. She casually patted the grass on her back, then looked at Xian Zihao with a face full of curiosity.
"What is it?" She opened her palm and palms up, thinking Xian Zihao would give her something.
Xian Zihao raised his eyebrows and smiled, saying lazily, "You still owe me something."
"What do I owe you?" Jiang Ruolan was bewildered.
When did she ever owe him anything?
Xian Zihao opened his palm, and in his clean palm were two platinum rings. The larger ring was directly wrapped around the smaller ones. Previously, Jiang Ruolan did not have the opportunity to see these two rings clearly, but now that she had looked at it, she didn't know what to say.
The simple platinum ring gave off a faint glow under the moonlight. Her face instantly turned red. "This …"
Xian Zihao just looked at her with a slight and elegant smile. He loved to see Jiang Ruolan's embarrassed, flushed face. He grabbed her hand and gently put the ring on her finger.
Jiang Ruolan stared at the platinum ring on her ring finger. Somehow, she felt like she just got it back. She couldn't help but hold it in place as she reminisced about the day she placed the ring on the divorce agreement.
What was Xian Zihao's expression at that time when he saw the two divorce agreements and the ring she had taken off?
Jiang Ruolan lifted her eyes and looked at his gentle gaze. Was he still as calm and composed as before?
Jiang Ruolan looked at the other ring in his hand and remained silent. Who would have thought after she left him for a month, Xian Zihao's romantic ability had increased?
While they were in F City, Jiang Ruolan had witnessed Xian Zihao transform into a shameless person. She looked at him with a serious expression. "Seeing your sincerity, I will sacrifice myself to help you put on your wedding ring."
After saying that, she sighed and said, "What a pity. No one even wants to put the ring on you. I am the only one."
Xian Zihao chuckled lowly. After Jiang Ruolan casually put the ring on his ring finger, he suddenly flipped over and pressed her down on the grass. "Then should we sacrifice ourselves in a more thorough manner?"
Jiang Ruolan hurriedly crawled out from under him and rolled to the side. She held onto her collar tightly and said tenderly, "Lord Xian is forcefully trying to take my innocence. This humble commoner will not comply no matter what!"
Xian Zihao's handsome brows twitched slightly. "If you don't behave yourself, don't blame me for using force!"
Jiang Ruolan laughed as she pushed him away. Xian Zihao had been busy the whole day, and it was rare for him to act like a hooligan.
It was already late at night by the time they returned to Xian Residence. Although the Spring Festival was around the corner and Xian Group's employees were on vacation, Xian Zihao was still busy handling the company's matters.
When Jiang Ruolan woke up from her sleep to go to the toilet, she saw the study room's light was still on. She pushed the door and went inside.
Xian Zihao immediately took her in his arms and made her sit on his lap. After looking at the information again, he stroked her hair and said softly, "Ruolan, did your mother do anything abnormal before she committed suicide?"
Jiang Ruolan froze and quickly looked at him. She tried hard to recall her memories. "I was only four at the time. There were many small fragments of memories, but they were all vague. I only remembered that time, she held Yijun and me on the rooftop, but she didn't let us get close to her. After that, she jumped off the building."
Jiang Ruolan didn't want to talk about the past. She didn't want anyone's pity, but seeing the genuine pain in Xian Zihao's eyes, she couldn't help but lightly press her lower lip. "Zihao, I know you're investigating a case. Can you tell me whether the case had anything to do with my mother?"
Xian Zihao did not answer her question. Instead, a faint smile appeared in his eyes, as if he was laughing at her whimsical imagination.
Jiang Ruolan immediately felt that she was overly worried. No matter what her mother's identity was, or what had happened back then, how could that corruption be related to her mother? That necklace was only Jiang Guanyu's token of love to her mother.
Jiang Ruolan looked at Xian Zihao again. He had closed the file and the documents on the table. With a calm expression, she put away her doubts about the case.
Xian Zihao suddenly carried her horizontally in his arms. He lowered his head and comforted her by kissing her forehead, "In order to prevent you from thinking too much, I will accompany you to sleep first."
Jiang Ruolan was embarrassed. When she wanted to struggle, Xian Zihao had already laid her down on the bed. He then laid down beside her and hugged her tightly.
Jiang Ruolan has been addicted to sleeping recently, so she could not help but curl up in his arms. Not long later, she went to sleep soundly.
Xian Zihao's hand was still gently covering her lower abdomen, as if he was protecting the mother and the child.
***.
The next morning, when Jiang Ruolan woke up, Xian Zihao was already gone. She got up and changed her clothes, and when she went out again, she found that only Nanny Cheng and a few other servants were busy downstairs.
"Nanny Cheng, where are grandfather and the rest?" Jiang Ruolan asked as she looked around.
Nanny Cheng paused for a moment before smiling, "Old Master is in the small pavilion at the back."
There was nothing wrong with the Old Man going to the loft at the back, but the atmosphere inside the house was too quiet.
The silence was strange.
Jiang Ruolan looked at the couch and immediately saw a familiar handbag on it. This seemed to be a brand Xian Guiying had always liked. Jiang Ruolan quickly walked out and went to the small pavilion.
It was too quiet outside. Jiang Ruolan felt that the first step she took was extremely heavy.
When she rushed inside, she saw the Old Man standing there with a livid expression. It was unknown when Xian Jian returned, but he was sitting on the side with a cold and ugly expression. Zhan An was standing at the side watching Xian Guiying, who was kneeling on the carpet. She was wearing loose clothes, but her bulging stomach was completely exposed.
Jiang Ruolan looked at the atmosphere. She was not sure whether she should speak or not. In the end, she hurriedly walked to Xian Zihao's side and used her eyes to ask him what had happened. Xian Zihao just held her hand.
"Who is the child's father?" With an ashen face, the Old Man lifted his cane and pointed it at Xian Guiying's stomach, "If you don't say it now, don't blame me for being harsh!"
