Chapter 4: The young lady is beautiful and kind-hearted.
Just as Tang Ran was about to turn around, someone grabbed her waist and pulled her back a large step.
The broken branch grazed Tang Ran's body and hit the ground.
A long branch forked from the top of the tree; if she hadn't been pulled back a couple more steps, the branch would have scratched Tang Ran's face.
"Thank you, thank you."
Tang Ran gasped in shock and immediately turned around to thank her savior.
If it weren't for this person's help, she would be disfigured now.
Song Zhixu released her hand and stepped back, saying, "It's okay."
His voice was a little muffled and hoarse.
She was wearing a light camel-colored casual suit, with her long black hair draped over her shoulders and the hair on the right side tucked behind her ear.
She wore black pearl earrings with tassels on her earlobes, a dark red silk scarf around her neck, and a black face mask that covered most of her face because she had a cold.
The lights in the courtyard were not very bright to begin with, and Tang Ran didn't recognize her at all.
It's not that Tang Ran has bad eyesight; it's simply that she hasn't had much contact with Song Zhixu.
The two families have a good relationship, but they are nine years apart in age and are not in the same age group at all.
When Tang Ran first tied on her red scarf, Song Zhixu had already gone abroad to attend high school.
Even including her memories from her previous life, Tang Ran only met her a handful of times.
In summary, I'm not very familiar with it.
You can't recognize someone just by looking at them.
"Tang Ran".
Sun Xiao then stepped over the tree branch and walked towards her, his face showing a conflicted expression of wanting to apologize but being unable to bring himself to do so.
Seeing her walk over, Tang Ran angrily threw her phone at Sun Xiao: "Sun Xiao, if you're sick, go get treatment! What are you doing here acting crazy!"
Sun Xiao would bother her before, but he was never this irritable, and he never hit her.
In her previous life, she always went out with Song Wuqi and never met Sun Xiao in private. Later, she only heard that her family had sent her abroad.
The memory is too distant; if she hadn't met him today, Tang Ran would have already forgotten him.
Sun Xiao tried to dodge but failed and was hit on the shoulder.
She grinned, still sporting a thug-like look, raising the ends of her eyebrows that had been cut off in two.
"I didn't do it on purpose, and you weren't even scratched, were you? If you're really disfigured, I'll take responsibility for you."
Sun Xiao was startled when the branch was about to hit Tang Ran, but after being hit by her, he felt that he was the one who had suffered a loss.
"I thank your whole family, but who cares if you take responsibility? You keep calling me 'I' and 'I,' if you want to be a man so badly, why don't you get a sex change?"
Tang Ran couldn't stand her self-righteous attitude.
She doesn't discriminate against anyone's clothing, and sometimes she even likes to browse the social media feeds of stylishly dressed young women.
Sun Xiao's behavior was even more greasy and disgusting than that of a sleazy man.
Tang Ran is gay by nature. She doesn't even like handsome men, let alone someone like Sun Xiao who is a poor imitation.
Sun Xiao was enraged by her words and pointed his finger at her nose, threatening, "Tang Ran, don't push your luck. If I say one word, your Tang family can forget about getting a loan."
Tang Ran was stunned for a moment.
One of the main reasons for Tang's bankruptcy was that the bank loan was not approved on time, leading to a break in the capital chain.
"Now you're scared?"
Seeing her stunned, Sun Xiao thought he had Tang Ran's weakness and revealed a smug expression.
"Tang Ran, let me tell you, if you want Tang's loan to be approved smoothly, you'd better behave yourself."
Tang Ran came to her senses and was utterly speechless.
Sun Xiao's father is the president of the Jiangcheng branch of China Construction Bank, but China Construction Bank is a state-owned enterprise and not the private property of the Sun family.
The fact that Tang's loan was not approved was somewhat related to Director Sun, but the main reason was not him.
Sun Xiao's attempt to intimidate Tang Ran by using her influence was futile.
Just as Tang Ran was about to slap her hand away and speak, she heard a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft behind her.
"Sun Zhongji's daughter?"
Song Zhixu lifted his eyelids and glanced at Sun Xiao with a faint look in his eyes.
Sun Xiao's arrogant smile froze on his face.
The president of the Jiangcheng branch of China Construction Bank is considered a minor official in Jiangcheng, and most people respectfully address him as President Sun.
The fact that the person in front of her could address her by her full name only showed that this person didn't respect her father.
Sun Xiao was unsure of Song Zhixu's identity. Those who could attend the banquet at the Xia family were not ordinary people, and there must be someone among them whom she could not afford to offend.
She didn't dare respond to Song Zhixu's words, nor did she dare ask who she was. She gave Tang Ran a sinister glance and kicked away the tree branch before leaving.
After the disgusting person left, Tang Ran's breast ducts became clear.
She turned her head, subconsciously sticking out her tongue at Song Zhixu with a relaxed expression, and thanked her again: "Thanks to you so much for your help today, Miss. You are beautiful and kind-hearted, thank you so much."
Tang Ran also guessed that her identity was unusual.
At this moment, Song Zhixu was not only her savior, but also a shining beacon in her eyes.
Despite her desire, Tang Ran retained a degree of rationality and composure due to her years of upbringing.
She didn't dare to be too obvious, so she could only start praising.
Song Zhixu secretly sized up Tang Ran. She wore a milky white floral oversized cardigan, a light green lace long skirt, and light makeup that did not diminish her natural good looks.
Her playful little expressions were lively and charming, a stark contrast to the sorrowful crying she had that night.
Recalling what she and Sun Xiao had just said, Song Zhixu guessed that she must have made up with Song Wuqi.
The injury on her collarbone was truly unjust.
"It's nothing," Song Zhixu said calmly.
Seeing her distant attitude, Tang Ran felt embarrassed to say anything more, thanked her again, and left.
After walking for a while, Tang Ran vaguely heard a voice following her from a distance.
She was now very close to where the Xia family lived, and ordinary guests wouldn't come this way. Looking around, she couldn't see anyone else.
Tang Ran subconsciously thought it was Sun Xiao's persistent ghost again.
Thinking of the sinister look in her eyes before she left, I couldn't help but get goosebumps.
Who knows what that lunatic might do?
She reached into her handbag and grabbed her eyebrow razor.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Ran stopped in her tracks.
If Sun Xiao dares to do anything reckless, she'll fight him to the death.
She wasn't particularly brave to begin with, but having been given a second chance at life, she felt she had factored in the extra years she had lived.
In her eyes, no matter how fierce Sun Xiao was, he was still several years younger than her.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Tang Ran breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the person behind her.
The person following her wasn't Sun Xiao, but the pretty young lady who had just saved her.
However, Tang Ran did not let her guard down, as the person in front of her was also a stranger to her.
And it was obvious that this person had been following her all along.
She tried to strike up a conversation with him, but he was lukewarm at first. Now he's secretly following her, and she doesn't know what he means by it.
Tang Ran couldn't help but feel a chill when she thought of the perverted big shots that Miao Tiantian had gossiped about to her.
Does this guy have some kind of weird fetish?
Her guardedness was so obvious that Song Zhixu also stopped in his tracks.
He handed her his phone, saying, "You forgot your phone."
Tang Ran felt a little embarrassed and repented for her strange imagination.
Throwing the phone was an impulsive act; Tang Ran had truly forgotten about it.
She took the phone shyly and thanked him quietly.
"I'll go over there."
Song Zhixu smiled and glanced at Xia Mo's villa, her voice softening considerably.
These words were clearly meant for Tang Ran's ears.
"good."
Tang Ran felt embarrassed, as if she had been seen through, and replied with a dry, single word.
Song Zhixu nodded in farewell and took the first step forward.
Tang Ran was utterly embarrassed.
He kept a few steps behind Song Zhixu and followed slowly.
Song Zhixu was a little taller than her, about 1.75 meters, and her walking posture was elegant yet had a subtle sharpness.
The two parted ways at the intersection, and Tang Ran watched her enter Xia Mo's courtyard.
The youngest generation of the Xia family consists of only two sisters, Xia Mo and Xia Xin'er.
Xia Mo is exceptionally capable and took over the family business early on, making him the new leader of the Xia family.
The fact that this person could go to Xia Mo's residence to find her clearly means they are her friend.
By that logic, this pretty young lady must also be a big shot.
Upon entering Xia Xin'er's courtyard, Tang Ran glanced down at her phone under the lamplight.
The phone is of good quality; even after being hit, only one corner was chipped, and the screen remained intact.
The phone automatically lit up the screen after detecting a face, and a newly received image message appeared on the screen.
Tang Ran gave a cold smile and stepped into the house.
When she was led inside by the maid, the stylist was adjusting Xia Xin'er's dress.
The cherry blossom-colored princess dress features hand-embroidered petals on the body, sequins and pink lace embellishing the hem, and a bow at the back waist shaped like a real butterfly.
Xia Xin'er was sickly from a young age and was always pampered like a princess. She has a gentle and sweet personality and a sweet appearance.
Wearing this outfit, she looks like a princess straight out of a Disney fairy tale.
Upon seeing Tang Ran approach, she sweetly greeted, "Sister Ranran."
Xia Xin'er was only a few months younger than Tang Ran, but she looked really young, like a junior high school student.
Tang Ran didn't feel awkward at all when she was called "sister".
Hearing her address like that, Tang Ran felt a pang of sadness.
Xia Xin'er is as kind as she looks.
Because of his own poor health, he has a particularly strong sense of empathy and has established a charity fund to help children who cannot afford medical treatment.
Unlike those wealthy women who casually donate a few dollars to gain a good reputation, she genuinely helps others through her actions.
In her previous life, Xia Xin'er was seriously injured during a charity event in a rural area, which eventually led to complications and her accidental death.
Xia Xin'er was shy, and Tang Ran didn't interact with her much, but she couldn't bear to see such a kind and wonderful person leave so early.
"Does your foundation have any activities recently? Is there anything I can do for you?" Tang Ran asked her.
"Hey? Ranran-jie, do you also want to participate in offline events?"
Xia Xin'er's eyes lit up when she heard her words.
She knows many people who can donate money, but very few are willing to participate offline.
Previously, only Lu Shuyang would occasionally accompany her, and Tang Ran was extremely happy to participate.
"I'm available on weekends."
She didn't remember the exact date of Xia Xin'er's accident, but she had a general idea of the time and place.
If there are any relevant activities, Tang Ran feels she can remind people to be careful to prevent a tragedy from happening again.
"Great idea! We have an event at the welfare home in the south of the city at the beginning of next month. Ranran, would you like to come along?"
Xia Xin'er happily wanted to hug her, but the stylist pulled her back and straightened the torn skirt.
"What are you chatting about that makes you so happy?"
Lu Shuyang walked in with a smile, holding a butterfly brooch studded with pink diamonds in his hand, and nodded to Tang Ran as a greeting.
"Sister Ranran is going to participate in the welfare home's activities with me."
Xia Xin'er happily shared the good news with her.
Lu Shuyang had to go on a business trip to Beijing on the second day of the event. If he accompanied Xia Xin'er to the welfare home, he would have to take a night flight in the early morning after the event.
If Tang Ran were to accompany her, Lu Shuyang could go on her business trip with peace of mind, taking a daytime flight instead of being so tired.
"Really?" Lu Shuyang asked in surprise.
She and Tang Ran had known each other since childhood, and she knew that Tang Ran had always disliked trouble, so she didn't know why she was interested in participating in charity activities.
"Really, why would I lie to you? Sister Ranran is still here. If you don't believe me, ask her yourself." Xia Xin'er pouted.
Lu Shuyang carefully pinned the brooch on for her, then turned to look at Tang Ran.
Tang Ran nodded, then joked in a serious tone, "Last night, while observing the celestial phenomena, I suddenly had an epiphany. I realized that I had wasted the past twenty years. Life should be like Xin'er's, doing something meaningful."
She hadn't had a lighthearted joke with familiar friends in a long time.
Lu Shuyang couldn't discern anything from her face, thinking that she probably really wanted to do something herself.
Thinking of this, Lu Shuyang wanted to ask her why Song Wuqi hadn't come, but she moved her lips and didn't say anything.
She couldn't say too much about her friend's private matters.
Tang Ran noticed her hesitation and knew that Lu Shuyang's decision not to ask was a sign of respect and dignity for her and Song Wuqi.
Lu Shuyang gave Song Wuqi dignity, but Song Wuqi did not give himself dignity.
Tang Ran didn't attend the banquet in the front building. She was waiting for Xia Xin'er and the others to return so she could have a celebration party with her friends in the group chat.
Song Wuqi returned with them, with Ye Xiaoyu following behind.
A note from the author:
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