Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Ran Ran surely doesn’t want you to know about this. She already destroyed the relevant evidence, so don’t bring it up to her.” Feng Loucheng’s expression recovered. “The Ninghai Town explosion isn’t so simple. There’s a huge force behind it, but I haven’t found it yet.”

With that, he stuck the cigarette in his mouth and walked off.

He told Cheng Juan so much because he was hoping that he could be more understanding of Qin Ran. But… it seemed like there was no need for it, anyway. Feng Loucheng sighed.

“What are you doing here?” Qin Ran had been thinking about Principal Xu’s question on her way here. She raised a brow when she saw Cheng Juan standing right there.

Cheng Juan still had his head hung low, so Qin Ran couldn’t see his expression.

His cell phone was ringing, but he didn’t think to look at it.

When Qin Ran got close enough, he put his arm around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head. Instead of answering her, he asked, “You’re out so soon?”

“Something’s wrong with you, Master Cheng.” Qin Ran leaned against his chest and slightly furrowed her brows.

She’d always been sensitive and could sense that something was a little off with Cheng Juan.

Qin Ran reached into his pocket and took his cell phone out. “It’s your dad.”

“I won’t pick it up,” Cheng Juan said quietly, his voice a little hoarse.

His reaction was odd. Qin Ran looked at his cell phone and did not pick it up, either. “Are you and your dad… alright?”

“I learned he wasn’t my biological father when I was 12,” Cheng Juan said after some hesitation.

“Mm?” Qin Ran was a little stunned as she looked up at him.

Old Master Cheng was so nice to him… but he wasn’t his biological son? Did the rest of the Cheng family know that?

Cheng Juan’s eyes seemed slightly bloodshot.

Qin Ran recalled what Cheng Wenru said. He’d gone to learn about the restoration of relics for the sake of one of Old Master Cheng’s antiques.

No wonder he’d been unwilling to take over the Cheng family business.

Qin Ran had never really looked into the Cheng family. Back then, she only knew that Cheng Juan was involved in the transportation department in Asia.

“It’s alright.” Qin Ran reached out and hugged him, then looked up and smiled. “Don’t be upset, Sister Ran will take care of you.”

Cheng Juan was taken aback.

He looked down at her and couldn’t help but notice her lashes. She was completely wrapped in his arms, but her proud voice was filled with gentleness.

Her eyes were so beautiful, his heart shuddered for a moment.

Cheng Juan’s heart ached so much now.

He mentioned Old Master Cheng only because he didn’t want her to notice his unusual expression.

Who would’ve known that instead of being the one to console her, he was being comforted by her instead?

He looked down at her quietly for a while before cupping her face in his hands. After giving her a peck on the lips, he looked directly into her eyes and smiled. “Sure, I’ll have you take care of me.”

…

They left the Xu household and returned to Ting Lan.

Back at Ting Lan, Qin Ran changed into a pair of slippers and scrolled through WeChat. She said to Cheng Mu, “Have a look at my suitcase first.”

In the suitcase was the little box that her grandma had left her.

She looked at the message Song Luting sent—

Did Mingyue contact you?

Qin Ran was stunned for a moment and then replied—

No.

Song Luting didn’t reply anymore.

Cheng Mu put his gaming device down and got the key. “Miss Qin, what do you want to get this time?”

He hadn’t gotten over the crystal given by Gu Xichi.

“Look for my grandma’s stuff.” Qin Ran glanced at her cell phone and then reached out to hook fingers with Cheng Juan as she waited for Song Luting’s reply.

The three of them walked downstairs. Cheng Mu opened a door to his playroom, and then the safe, before carefully taking out Qin Ran’s suitcase. He patted some non-existent dust away. “Miss Qin, it’s all here.”

Qin Ran nodded and then squatted by her suitcase as she unzipped it.

There was a pile of things inside.

Qin Ran scanned the items inside and saw Chen Shulan’s box under a Grammy trophy. She casually placed the stack of wrapped books on the ground and put the trophy aside before finally picking up the blue box.

Cheng Mu was squatting opposite her.

He had gone through Qin Ran’s belongings multiple times already. This was just one more time.

He felt that all these items must be rather valuable. He even went online to search what the Grammy trophy was about.

Meanwhile, he wasn’t so interested in the little old box in Qin Ran’s hands. It wasn’t as if he could find out anything about it, anyway.

His gaze was directed to one of the books Qin Ran had put aside.

“Miss Qin, what’s that beside you?” Cheng Mu had seen this book before.

Qin Ran turned to look at it. “Some comic, you want to read it?”

Cheng Mu nodded.

Qin Ran handed it to him.

He hurriedly took it. “It’s still wrapped up…”

“Just rip it off,” Qin Ran said simply.

She then looked closely at the box. Chen Shulan hadn’t given her the key to it, and the lock was a little rusty too.

Cheng Juan had been standing at the door just a few steps away. His arms were crossed before his chest as he watched Qin Ran, thinking of going forward to help her with the box.

That was when Cheng Jin returned and called out to him. “Master Juan.”

He looked serious.

Cheng Juan looked at him and then at Qin Ran, who was still studying the box. He sent Cheng Jin a silent message with his eyes.

A minute later, they were in Cheng Jin’s study.

With the door ajar, Cheng Juan still had his eyes in Qin Ran’s direction. “Speak.”

“Master Juan,” Cheng Jin paused for a moment. “Your father… wants to see you.”