Chapter 140 I'm Giving You a Chance to Give Up

She took a deep breath, as if a huge burden had been lifted: "Life is too short. I haven't had time to do what I want to do or see the scenery I want to see. I will never... be held back by an unhealthy marriage and an unhappy relationship."

After speaking, she turned her head and looked directly at Qin Haochu, who was squatting beside her with a similarly complicated expression.

Her face was still streaked with tears, but her eyes were clear and sharp, carrying a resolute seriousness:

"Qin Haochu, now we merge."

Her tone left no room for argument, but then she abruptly changed the subject, revealing an almost cruel honesty:

"But I can't guarantee I can give you marriage. I'm not sure if I'm ready, or even if I want that future. If I have to make you wait forever for an outcome that may never come to fruition, are you willing to accept that?"

She stared intently into his eyes, as if trying to see into the deepest recesses of his soul: "I'm giving you a chance to give up. Now, say it."

Qin Haochu seemed to have anticipated An Ran's question, or rather, he had been waiting for this moment.

There was not a trace of surprise or hesitation on his face. His eyes, which always seemed aloof and distant, now reflected An Ran's image, and there was an unprecedented, rock-solid brilliance in them.

Without any hesitation, he answered decisively, his voice deep and powerful: "Willingly."

He paused, then added, his voice slightly hoarse and solemn: "This is what I owe you."

An Ran slowly shook her head, her eyes clear: "You don't owe me anything."

Her gaze passed over Qin Haochu and landed on Su Xiaonuan, who was standing a little behind, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible and quietly watching the drama unfold.

"This is what you owe Xiaonuan." Her voice was soft, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. "Starting from the moment we reunite, we'll repay it together."

In an instant, everyone's gaze in the ward, including Grandpa An's relieved yet worried eyes on the hospital bed, Mother An's somewhat bewildered yet understanding look, and Qin Haochu's complex yet focused stare, all turned to Su Xiaonuan in the corner!

Su Xiaonuan: "...?"

She was immersed in Grandpa An's deeply moving and thought-provoking story, secretly relieved that An Ran had finally made a decision, and even felt a sense of relief that the atmosphere in the ward had finally shown a glimmer of positivity amidst the pure sorrow...

How did the war suddenly spread to her?!

She stared at the several pairs of eyes fixed on her, especially the eyes of An Ran and Qin Haochu that carried a sense of "heavy entrustment," and she was completely stunned, as if a series of invisible question marks appeared in her mind.

No... you two should just state your conditions and express your determination, but why are you dragging me into this?!

I was just a passerby, offering comfort and casually watching the drama unfold!

Su Xiaonuan was inwardly cursing, but on her face she could only try to maintain a well-behaved yet awkward smile. For a moment she didn't know how to react, so she could only blink her big eyes innocently, trying to convey the strong signal that "I don't know anything, don't look at me".

Anran's thoughts were clear and calm, even carrying a touch of the almost cruel rationality unique to lawyers.

She looked at Qin Haochu beside her, whose gaze was firm and whose posture was extremely humble, her mind already filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Rather than letting this deep-thinking, obsessive, and ruthless man turn on other innocent women after being completely rejected by her, or do something even more extreme out of love turned to hate... it's better for her to take on this "hot potato."

She knows Qin Haochu too well.

His detailed and outrageous "pursuit record" document reveals just how astonishing his persistence and methods are once he sets his sights on a target.

If he loses control due to his complete rejection, no one can predict what he might do.

She absolutely could not allow the people around her, especially Su Xiaonuan, who had already been hurt because of her, to face any potential risks again because of her entanglement with Qin Haochu.

This realization weighed heavily on An Ran's heart like a cold stone.

She sighed silently in her heart, a sigh of regret for the pure emotions of the past, and a helpless acceptance of the fate that might be tied to this complicated man in the future.

But this acceptance is not weakness; rather, it is a sober and weighty decision she made after weighing all the pros and cons, a decision imbued with a sense of protection.

Su Xiaonuan kept a close eye on An Ran's changing expressions.

She knew her best friend, whom she had grown up with, all too well.

From An Ran's slightly pursed lips to the fleeting determination in her eyes, and finally to a calm that was almost resigned to fate, Su Xiaonuan knew that An Ran had made a major decision that would determine the trajectory of her future life.

Since this is An Ran's own choice, as a friend, all Su Xiaonuan can do is respect and support her.

She understood An Ran's stubbornness, just like when An Ran insisted on going abroad, even at the cost of misunderstandings with her. Once An Ran made up her mind, it was difficult for anyone to change it.

Su Xiaonuan sighed softly in her heart, quietly hiding her worry for her friend's future.

The group stayed with Grandpa An in the ward for a while longer, until the old man became exhausted and fell into a deep sleep again. Only then did they quietly leave the ward.

Outside the ward, the corridor lights were cold and quiet.

An Ran and Qin Haochu seemed to have some things to take care of and prepared to leave first.

Before leaving, An Ran walked up to Su Xiaonuan, her face showing clear guilt and mixed emotions.

“Xiao Nuan,” An Ran’s voice was a little hoarse as she held Su Xiao Nuan’s hand, her fingertips slightly cool, “I’m sorry… I’ve dragged you into this again. I…”

Su Xiaonuan grabbed her cold hand and squeezed it tightly, interrupting her unfinished words. A gentle and tolerant smile appeared on her face. She raised her other hand and gently rubbed An Ran's hair, the gesture conveying a sense of comfort.

"Silly boy, why are you apologizing?" Su Xiaonuan's voice was soft, yet it carried a reassuring strength. "As long as you know what you're doing and won't regret it in the future, then any decision you make is meaningful. Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Looking into Su Xiaonuan's clear, unreserved eyes, An Ran felt a lump in her throat and nodded heavily. All the words she wanted to say were conveyed through the warmth of their tightly clasped hands.

She didn't say anything more, but just gave Su Xiaonuan a deep look before turning around and leaving with Qin Haochu, who was waiting nearby.