Chapter 48 She couldn't bear to stay in this kitchen for even a second longer...

Leading Tang Ran into the living room, Song Zhixu poured her a glass of hot water before going to the bedroom.

The upscale hotel apartment with four bedrooms and two living rooms was nothing special, and Tang Ran had no interest in touring it. She then sat down on the sofa and searched for how to check medical records.

She searched through other people's posts and followed the instructions to look on the official website, and found that according to the hospital's regulations, checking medical records requires the patient's ID card.

She figured it wouldn't work to go look for it herself tomorrow, so she pulled out the phone number of a private investigator in Jiangcheng, thinking they should be able to find out this information.

Song Zhixu walked out while drying her hair and saw Tang Ran frowning as she scrolled through her phone.

The sofa next to her sagged slightly, and Tang Ran realized that Song Zhixu had sat down next to her.

"Is there some problem?" Song Zhixu turned to look at Tang Ran.

Her voice sounded a little weak, as if she were quite drunk.

"It's nothing serious. Do you have any honey at home?" Tang Ran stood up, thinking of making her some honey to help with her hangover.

The medical records won't be available tonight either; I'll contact a private investigator later.

Whether things are good or bad, they have already happened. Only by calming down can we better handle the situation.

Song Zhixu pulled her back, his eyes, tinged with drunkenness, filled with seriousness. "Tell me what happened first, okay?"

Whether it was from drinking or from just taking a shower, Song Zhixu's hands were very warm, and Tang Ran felt a special warmth in the hand she was holding.

It also makes people feel at ease.

"I can't be sure either."

Tang Ran felt she could handle her mother's situation herself, so she didn't think of bothering Song Zhixu.

But when Song Zhixu asked, she had nothing to hide.

Tang Ran sat back on the sofa and told Song Zhixu about her encounter with Lin Jixin at the hospital.

Song Zhixu guessed her worries and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'll have someone check. Maybe she just went to visit someone in the hospital."

"Mm," Tang Ran replied without any politeness.

When she spoke, she guessed that Song Zhixu would definitely help.

She also hoped that Lin Jixin was just visiting her in the hospital, even though that would mean that Lin Jixin had no ulterior motives in 'selling' her to the Song family.

Song Zhixu patted Tang Ran's hand, stood up, went inside to get his phone, and called Assistant Jiang.

The refrigerator only had bottled water, so Tang Ran called for a delivery.

There's an imported goods supermarket right next to the apartment, and the groceries are delivered in about ten minutes.

The open-plan European-style kitchen was spotless, with no kitchen utensils except for built-in appliances.

Tang Ran rummaged through the cabinets on the island and found a brand new cutting board and knives inside.

When Song Zhixu came out after finishing his phone call, Tang Ran was washing the limes that had been delivered.

Her expression was focused, and the orange-yellow light shone down from above, flowing softly along her delicate contours.

Song Zhixu paused for a few seconds before walking over. "Do you need my help?"

Hearing her voice, Tang Ran turned off the tap. She glanced at the counter and asked with a hint of helplessness, "Do you have any larger cups at home?"

There was a small teacup on the table, a bone china cup that she had picked up from the coffee table.

That cup was too small, only the size of a lime, too tiny to hold lime juice.

"It should be in the cabinet on the side."

Song Zhixu walked around behind Tang Ran, reached out and opened the cabinet above, taking out a wine glass. "Is this alright?"

She usually drinks tea more often, and the wine glasses in the cabinet were provided by the apartment manager.

"Can."

The stemmed glass is not large, but it is still much better than a miniature teacup.

Tang Ran nodded, took the cup, and rinsed it.

Slice the lemon, drizzle with honey, pour in warm water and stir until the honey is completely dissolved. Garnish with two mint leaves.

"Here you go." Tang Ran handed her the cup.

Song Zhixu leaned against the island counter, propping himself up with one hand, looking somewhat languid.

She was wearing a thin slip dress, her hair was slightly damp, and glistening water droplets clung to the ends.

Following the ends of her hair downwards, a faint trail of water slid down her fair skin and into her collar.

Tang Ran's gaze briefly fell on Song Zhixu's chest, then she immediately looked away as if she had been burned.

She shoved the cup into Song Zhixu's hand and turned to tidy up the table.

Tang Ran's shy reaction was too obvious.

Song Zhixu couldn't help but chuckle, a soft laugh escaping his throat.

The room was very quiet, so even such a slight sound was exceptionally noticeable.

Tang Ran was immediately both ashamed and angry.

She turned her head and glared at Song Zhixu.

Her puffed-up cheeks added a touch of charm to her already bright features, and the look she gave was not at all menacing, but rather made her even more interesting and adorable.

Song Zhixu bent down and poked her cheek, her voice slightly tipsy and dreamy, "So cute."

The warm breath brushed against my cheeks, the refreshing aroma of white tea mixed with a faint scent of wine, it was a little intoxicating.

Tang Ran's ear tips instantly turned crimson.

"Fine, if you don't want to drink it, then forget it."

She reached out to snatch the cup from Song Zhixu's hand to hide her heart, which had suddenly skipped a beat.

"I want a drink."

He was clearly drunk, yet he moved more nimbly than she did.

When Tang Ran reached out her hand, Song Zhixu had already raised her cup and chuckled as she dodged away.

Tang Ran was very suspicious that she might be faking being drunk.

Song Zhixu took a sip of lime honey water, her fair neck swaying slightly, before looking down at Tang Ran with a contented expression.

Her light brown eyes were slightly hazy with intoxication, as if overflowing with endless emotions.

Tang Ran's face flushed red again.

She couldn't stand being in that kitchen for even a second longer.

As she turned to leave, Song Zhixu's phone rang.

Assistant Jiang called.

The task the boss had just instructed her to complete has yielded results.

The First Affiliated Hospital has no medical records for Lin Jixin.

“She was probably just visiting someone in the hospital,” Song Zhixu told Tang Ran after hanging up the phone.

Assistant Jiang also found out that Lin Jixin went to the VIP ward area upstairs, but the surveillance on that floor required access, so it wasn't easy to check.

"Thanks."

When Tang Ran received the news, she felt both relieved and disappointed.

Noticing her mood, Song Zhixu put down her cup and considerately asked, "Would you like to take a bath to relax?"

"Um."

Tang Ran glanced at the lime honey water she had only taken a sip of, and then remembered that the honey was added according to her own preferred sweetness level, and that Song Zhixu would probably find it too sweet.

She asked, "Isn't it too sweet?"

"It's okay, I'm just a little full."

Song Zhixu pointed to her slightly protruding belly.

She tilted her head, her eyes slightly glazed, and looked strangely cute when she furrowed her brows and pointed to her stomach.

Beyond her cuteness, she exudes a mature sexiness.

Song Zhixu has maintained her figure very well; even the loose silk nightgown cannot hide her curves, which are exquisite and shapely.

Her legs, visible beneath the skirt, were long and shapely, with smooth, dazzlingly white skin.

After only a quick glance, Tang Ran immediately looked away.

She had already seen enough today; if she continued, she was afraid she would actually have some inappropriate dreams at night.

Song Zhixu's gaze swept over her bright red ear tips.

She pressed down on her lips, deciding to stop while she was ahead, "I'll let you off the hook."

She carried the cup past Tang Ran and walked into the room.

Seeing her walk out of the kitchen, Tang Ran let out a soft sigh and followed her out.

As Tang Ran walked with Song Zhixu to the door, she realized that this was not the master bedroom where Song Zhixu had just taken a shower.

Taking a shower in the master bedroom makes it obvious that you'll be sleeping there at night too.

Tang Ran wanted to stop her, but then felt it was a bit too deliberate.

The little flame that had just been extinguished in my heart reignited.

"There aren't any new pajamas at home, can I wear mine for now?" Song Zhixu took out a snow-white nightgown.

"Sure." Tang Ran nodded without any hesitation.

Since we sleep together, what's wrong with wearing a nightgown?

She had originally planned to return to Jiangcheng today, and she hadn't brought any extra pajamas.

Thinking of this, she remembered that besides her pajamas, she hadn't brought many spare clothes.

Where is the laundry room?

Tang Ran asked Song Zhixu.

“That’s the laundry room, but I’ve never used it.” Song Zhixu pointed to the room next to the north balcony.

The hotel apartments offer professional butler service, and there are also dedicated staff to clean your clothes.

She guessed Tang Ran's thoughts and suggested, "We have new pajamas at home, and I'll have someone send over some new clothes tomorrow."

"Alright."

Since there was a more convenient solution, Tang Ran naturally didn't bother to do it herself.

Song Zhixu prepared the water for Tang Ran, gave her a nightgown, and thoughtfully prepared a new bath towel and a change of underwear.

Tang Ran soaked in the water for almost half an hour before coming out.

I was really tired after a long day, so I also took the opportunity to mentally prepare myself.

She agreed that the engagement would continue; some things are bound to happen sooner or later, so there's nothing to be nervous about.

With that thought in mind, Tang Ran put on her panties and nightgown and left the bathroom.

The main bedroom light was off, with only the nightlights on either side of the bed on.

The orange lighting created a dim, ambiguous atmosphere, which was just right.

only.

The other female lead, who was originally scheduled to play the role of the 18+ scene that Tang Ran imagined in the bathroom, fell asleep.

Song Zhixu leaned against the headboard with her eyes closed, her breathing deep and even. On the bedside table next to her was a wine glass with only two slices of lime left.

When Tang Ran walked over, she woke up for a moment and asked sleepily, "Are you done washing up?"

"Hmm." Tang Ran's throat tightened.

Was he waiting for her on purpose?

I'm so sleepy.

Actually, if you really think about it, this is only the third day since the two of them made their agreement, right?

Isn't Song Zhixu being a little too hasty?

Thirty is like a tiger, forty is like a wolf.

The thought suddenly popped into Tang Ran's head, and she immediately thought about Song Zhixu's age.

Song Zhixu is 31 this year, right?

Tang Ran swallowed hard and slowly moved toward the bed.

Song Zhixu removed the pillow behind her and then lifted the blanket on her side.

Tang Ran gently pressed her chest, trying to calm her heart which was about to leap out of her throat, and then got into bed.

Slowly lying down, Tang Ran pulled the blanket over herself with slightly trembling hands and immediately closed her eyes.

A rustling sound filled my ears, and the fragrance of white camellias gradually intensified.

Tang Ran felt a soft pressure on her chest, and the warmth of another person made her breath catch in her throat.

My ears started to feel uncontrollably hot again.

despair!

The faint tapping sound made Tang Ran's heart tremble.

With eyes closed, you can't sense any light source.

It was Song Zhixu who turned off the lights.

Tang Ran nervously swallowed.

My heart was pounding like a drum, and I felt like it was about to jump out of my chest.

His nostrils flared slightly, trying to catch the approaching warm breath.

However, the pressure and heat on his body vanished in an instant the next second.

Song Zhixu lay back down in her original spot.

There was no further action.

A short while later, I heard Song Zhixu's even breathing.

Tang Ran's mind went blank for a moment before she came to her senses.

Song Zhixu turned off the lights, and he really only turned off the lights.

Tang Ran raised her hand to her forehead.

I'm speechless at my own imagination.

The result of Tang Ran's constantly fluctuating emotions throughout the day was that she fell into a nightmare once again.

*

The heavy curtains tightly covered the windows, completely blocking out the sunlight. In the dimly lit room, only the television on the wall emitted a cold, icy light.

The transparent liquid meandered down the thin tube, slowly seeping into the back of his hand, which was covered with bruises and discoloration.

"No," Tang Ran murmured as she woke from her dream.

The icy chill traveled up her arm and spread throughout her body, making her shiver slightly.

The chaotic consciousness slowly returned.

The news on TV automatically skips to the next item.

"In the early hours of January 14th, a passerby accidentally photographed Ms. Lin Jixin, a well-known entrepreneur in our city and former president of Tang's Foods, jumping off the Lingdong Bay Bridge."

The search and rescue operation is still ongoing. It is reported that the Tang Group declared bankruptcy a month ago due to a broken capital chain and its inability to repay its huge debts…

"No."

His hoarse voice could only produce a faint sound.

Memories flashed back, and the news of her mother jumping into the sea once again jolted Tang Ran's already taut nerves.

She struggled to sit up; her body was extremely weak after two days without eating anything.

Pale fingers gripped the cold needle, pulling it out without hesitation.

Tang Ran stood up, trembling, as she supported herself on the edge of the bed.

Bright red blood dripped from his fingertips, spreading all the way to the doorway.

As I opened the door, bright light pierced my eyes without warning, and everything in front of me was instantly white.

She instinctively looked up to block the light, but her body lost its strength, and she staggered back two steps, retreating into the darkness.

He bent over and breathed heavily for a long time before his vision gradually returned.

Tang Ran raised her hand to hold onto the threshold and slowly moved out.

Voices could be heard coming from the living room.

It was Song Wuqi making the phone call.

"How could it be impossible to find?" Song Wuqi asked coldly, gripping his phone. "This is the third day, not the thirtieth."

"Even if she's dead, find her body for me!"

Her expression darkened, and she spat out cold, merciless words through clenched teeth, "It would be too good for her to die like this!"

The color drained from Tang Ran's face quickly.

Does Song Wuqi hate her mother?

Why didn't she notice it before?

I couldn't breathe, and my vision gradually blurred.

*

A video clip taken with a mobile phone.

The sky was still fully bright, and the streetlights on the bridge emitted a faint glow.

As the camera zooms in, the faces of the people on the bridge can be vaguely discerned.

The next moment, a gasp came from the video.

The people on the bridge plummeted straight down.

The camera is shaky.

The next frame shows a person falling into the water.

*

The image of her mother jumping off the bridge kept replaying in Tang Ran's mind.

No, don't.

"No, no."

"Mother."

Tang Ran kept shouting hoarsely, but Lin Jixin kept falling into the water and disappearing without a trace.

*

Half-asleep, Song Zhixu was awakened by a soft sobbing sound.

The faint morning light seeped in through the gap in the curtains that weren't fully drawn, and with this sliver of light, Song Zhixu could make out the person beside her.

Tang Ran's trembling body curled up tightly, her fingers gripping the blanket so hard that her knuckles were white and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

"No, Mommy, no..."

She kept repeating those four words, her low, hoarse sobs sounding as if choked by tears, which streamed down her face and soaked the sheets beneath her.

Song Zhixu carefully reached out and put his arm around her. Tang Ran struggled uncomfortably for a moment, and Song Zhixu's palm covered her back.

The silk pajamas were soaked with moisture, and Song Zhixu gently patted them.

"Tang Ran".

She called softly.

Tang Ran's struggling movements paused for a moment, but she showed no signs of waking up.

Song Zhixu pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her, "It's alright, your mother will be alright."

As she soothed him, the tense body in her arms gradually relaxed.

As dawn broke in the east, Tang Ran gradually stopped sobbing.

Song Zhixu gently withdrew her hand, got up, and walked towards the bathroom.

'When the sun comes out, I climb the hill; when I reach the top, I want to sing…'

Tang Ran closed her eyes and reached for her phone. "Hello."

His voice was incredibly hoarse.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, followed by a distinct gasp.

"Sweetie?" Tang Ran asked groggily.

My throat is dry and sore, it's very uncomfortable.

"Sister, where are you? Do you know what time it is? Are you still asleep?"

Miao Tiantian bombarded her with three questions in quick succession.

"Um?"

As her mind snapped out of sleep, Tang Ran struggled to decipher the questions uttered in her ears.

"Don't tell me you're lying in Song Zhixu's bed right now!"

Miao Tiantian's deliberately lowered voice came through the receiver.

Tang Ran was startled!

How did Miao Tiantian find out that she was in Song Zhixu's bed?

Open your eyes and sit up straight.

Her body felt like she had just run a kilometer; lactic acid exploded, and she gasped for breath from the aches all over.

"I understand, I'll hang up now. You get some rest, sister!"

Before Tang Ran could speak, Miao Tiantian hung up the phone decisively.

Tang Ran was dumbfounded.

What does Miao Tiantian know?

The blanket slipped off my shoulders, and the moment my skin touched the air, a fine layer of goosebumps rose up.

Realizing something was amiss, Tang Ran slowly lowered her gaze.

The blanket fell to his waist, but above that, he was completely naked.

Tang Ran abruptly pulled the blanket over her chest, and the aches returned, making her furrow her brows in pain.

no.

Didn't she sleep in a nightgown last night?

Where's the nightgown?

Tang Ran quickly glanced around and found her nightgown on the stool at the foot of the bed.

The silk nightgown was draped there neatly, clearly arranged by someone.

Tang Ran was shocked.

A dry, hoarse throat, body aches, and a nightgown that has vanished.

Piece by piece, slowly pieced together, a conjecture that makes one blush and their heart race is revealed.

No wonder Miao Tiantian said those things.

...

Does Song Zhixu have any special hobbies?

Do you like to do that kind of thing while people are sleeping?

The absurd thought surfaced, but Tang Ran suppressed it.

Song Zhixu shouldn't be that abnormal.

Cursing herself for her wild imagination, Tang Ran carefully considered the situation.

I don't feel anything strange in my body.

He lifted the blanket again and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his underwear.

He lay back down on the bed and pressed his hand against his forehead.

The back of my hand was damp.

I touched the back of my neck again, and it was still a little damp.

She figured she must have taken off the nightgown unconsciously because she felt too hot in the middle of the night.

Tang Ran only remembered that she had a nightmare last night, but she couldn't remember what she dreamed about.

She did have some recollection of the dream she had just before waking up.

She dreamt that she went to an amusement park with Song Zhixu, and for some reason they went into a haunted house. It was so dark inside that she was scared half to death.

Fortunately, Song Zhixu kept talking to her, which gave her the courage to come out.

They even went out to eat together afterwards.

She was woken up by Miao Tiantian's phone call just as the dishes were being served.

Just then, my stomach rumbled.

She picked up her phone, glanced at it, and saw it was 10:35.

Is it already this late?

There was a message notification at the bottom of the screen from Song Zhixu, telling her that she had gone out and that the clothes on the bench were for her.

I glanced up at the sleeping bench and saw a set of neatly folded new clothes next to my nightgown.

The T-shirt and shorts set was from a brand she usually liked to buy.

Tang Ran put down her phone and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

After quickly applying makeup, Tang Ran opened the ticket booking app.

With Murong Yi by her side, Miao Tiantian decided not to continue being a third wheel.

Having booked her flight back to Jiangcheng for the afternoon, Tang Ran first sent a text message to Miao Tiantian, and then dialed Song Zhixu's number.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

"Dye".

Upon hearing her address, Tang Ran blinked, paused for a second, and then casually hummed in response.

"I booked a flight back to Jiangcheng this afternoon."

What time is your flight?

4:35.

Tang Ran planned to have a meal first before going over, so she booked a flight with ample time.

"Okay, let's go grab a bite to eat together?"

"Um?"

The electronic lock beeped, and the door opened.

Song Zhixu stood at the door, holding a small bouquet of flowers in her hands, with a warm smile.