Huo Junyu hurriedly took out his phone, wanting to call Jiang Mianmian, but he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to explain things clearly in a few words and would only make her worry.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly realized that someone even more suitable was in mind!

“Jingnan,” he dialed Huo Jingnan’s number, “go to the Lu family right now. Yangyang is a bit emotionally unstable. You’d better take Pei Nian somewhere else for a while…”

"Huh?" The person on the other end was completely confused.

Huo Junyu didn't have time to explain too much to him, "Just do as I say!"

"oh oh!"

Huo Jingnan responded and then quickly rushed to the Lu family's residence.

However, when they got there, they realized they were too late.

A series of arguments could be heard coming from the courtyard:

"What exactly do you mean?!"

"You're really meddling! From now on, please stay away from me, Ranran, and Aunt Cheng! We don't need you to treat us like thieves!"

"Pei Nian, talk to me! What exactly do you want?"

Huo Jingnan was taken aback; it was Huo Junyang's loud voice.

At this moment, Huo Junyang yelled at Pei Nian like a madman, while Pei Nian stood aside without saying a word, her expression still indifferent.

Huo Jingnan's heart tightened.

Sometimes he also disliked Pei Nian's personality. No matter how excited or furious others were, she remained expressionless and silent, as if she did not belong to this world.

She was like a wooden doll, devoid of any feeling. The only things that could evoke any emotion in her were seeing Jiang Mianmian, Lu Lishan, and Lin Yuqing.

However……

Seeing her silent in front of Huo Junyang, Huo Jingnan felt bad and stepped forward to block her way!

Pei Nian was caught off guard and pulled behind him, suddenly stunned.

She was short, only reaching Huo Jingnan's shoulder, and thin and frail. With Huo Jingnan blocking her way, she hid completely behind him.

She felt a sharp jolt in her heart.

It was as if... no one had ever stood in front of her like this before.

She secretly glanced at him. He had a broad back, outstretched arms, and a long arm span. The exposed part of his arm was a healthy wheat color, with taut muscles.

He looked like an eagle soaring into the sky, and she was a little bird hiding under his wings.

Pei Nian's heart pounded several times, and her cheeks involuntarily flushed.

"Brother Nan?" Huo Junyang was taken aback. "What are you doing? Get out of my way!"

“Yangyang,” Huo Jingnan said calmly, “I think there might be some misunderstanding between you and Pei Nian, she…”

"What misunderstanding? I think she's up to no good!"

Huo Junyang was so excited that he couldn't hear anything and his blood was boiling over.

“Pei Nian, what have I ever done to offend you? I apologize and I'll change, okay? Why... why are you so fixated on Aunt Cheng? She's Ranran's mother, and she'll be my mother-in-law in the future!”

"Is that so?" Pei Nian finally spoke, a cold smile on her face. "Then please tell your mother-in-law to stay away from the Lu family!"

"you……"

"I'm not targeting anyone in particular, and I also hope that Miss Lu Ran will find happiness." Pei Nian enunciated each word clearly, her clear, cold eyes seemingly able to see through everything.

"But if anyone tries to harm the Lu family, I will fight them to the bitter end, even if it costs me my life!"

Huo Junyang stared wide-eyed, panting heavily.

He roared, "You're insane! You're completely unreasonable!"

"Huo Junyang!"

Before Pei Nian could speak, a stern voice rang out.

Huo Jingnan frowned slightly, his eyes filled with anger as he stared straight at him.

"Huo Junyang, watch your tone and your choice of words!"

"you……"

Huo Junyang looked left and right, a feeling of pent-up anger rising in his chest, unable to rise or fall.

Huo Jingnan was older than him, and his military background gave him a commanding presence and a powerful aura that made Huo Junyang dare not act recklessly in front of him.

The world seemed to fall silent all at once.

Time passed second by second, and each second seemed incredibly long in the silence.

Pei Nian's heart pounded; she didn't want to drag Huo Jingnan into this.

She simply didn't argue with whatever the second young master said to her; once he had his fill of scolding, he would naturally let her go.

But Huo Jingnan was caught in the middle, putting her in a difficult position.

Pei Nian reached out, about to tug at his sleeve, when she suddenly heard Huo Junyang's exasperated shout:

"You actually sided with her?!"

"Yangyang..."

"Huo Jingnan! You're helping her to deal with me, what are you thinking?"

"Because I believe Nian Nian isn't that kind of person!" Huo Jingnan practically shouted these words.

Huo Junyang and Pei Nian were both stunned.

Huo Jingnan was also startled.

However, once the words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.

He decided to go all in, grabbing Pei Nian's hand and looking at Huo Junyang clearly, saying, "She does have a bit of a strange temper, but she's definitely not as ill-intentioned as you say! She's reluctant to explain many things, but that doesn't mean she's weak! Yangyang, I hope you can change this impulsive habit in the future. When you've thought things through, come and apologize to Nian Nian!"

Pei Nian stared at him blankly, her mind completely empty.

Her hand was held in his palm, and she could feel its heat.

Huo Jingnan pulled her away, and Pei Nian, like a puppet on a string, let him lead her, following behind him.

However, at that moment, a figure suddenly flashed by not far away!

Pei Nian snapped out of her daze and looked in that direction again, but the figure had already disappeared.

"What's wrong?" Huo Jingnan asked her, looking down at her.

She stopped, shook off his hand, gave him a complicated look, lowered her head, and ran forward.

"Why……"

Huo Jingnan tried to call out to her, but the girl ran away as fast as a rabbit and disappeared from his sight in no time.

He stood there, a smile playing on his lips that even he himself didn't realize.

*

On Monday, Jiang Mianmian finally met Lu Ran at the company.

"Ranran, you've finally arrived!"

Jiang Mianmian quickly pulled her into the tea room and made her a cup of coffee, saying, "You haven't shown up for several days!"

Lu Ran felt a little embarrassed, took the coffee and took a small sip, not daring to look her in the eye.

"You can focus on your work now, right?" Jiang Mianmian said softly. "Although we're family, your frequent absences from the company aren't good... I know you're having difficulties. Aunt Cheng needed your help when she was hospitalized and discharged recently, so I'm giving you time off during this period!"

"sister……"

"By the way, Ranran, you need to go to the HR department to cancel your leave in a bit, so that they can calculate your salary normally."

"Sister, listen to me!"

Lu Ran put down her cup and stepped forward to gently hold her hand.

"Sister, actually... I didn't come to work today."

"Um?"

"I'm here to resign."

These words were heavy, and Lu Ran had to use a lot of strength to say them.

Jiang Mianmian was stunned for a moment, and it took her a while to react before she asked her in confusion, "Why?"