Chapter 55 Guidance
Just as Si Youlin was surprised, Jiang Ran smiled and said, "Next time, invite me to do something so exhilarating!"
Upon hearing this, Si Youlin felt his worldview crumbling.
She felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Song Yuqing being bullied.
Aren't they best friends?
Thinking of this, she looked at Jiang Ran with a hint of suspicion, but Jiang Ran seemed not to notice and looked up at Song Yuqing.
She was standing awkwardly by the pond, cleaning the mud off her clothes, muttering to herself, presumably scolding Si Youlin.
Jiang Ran suddenly scoffed and turned to look at Si Youlin: "Go back quickly, the old man will get anxious if you stay away for too long."
Si Youlin frowned upon hearing her words. Was she thinking of him?
He then dismissed the idea; she was the best at deceiving people, and he wouldn't fall for it again.
Then he turned and left. Jiang Ran watched his retreating figure and sighed softly.
What an awkward person...
This was the only way Song Yuqing could leave, and to avoid any unnecessary trouble if he ran into her later, he walked towards the front hall.
Halfway there, I heard faint sobbing.
Jiang Ran looked puzzled. Who would cry at a banquet? She then walked towards the source of the sound.
Ji Xia was standing under the tree, sobbing softly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Thinking of how she had just helped her out of that predicament, Jiang Ran pursed her lips, walked towards her, and handed her a tissue without asking anything.
Ji Xia hadn't noticed when she arrived, and was suddenly startled, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face.
After recognizing the person, he reached out and took the gift, saying in a low voice, "Thank you."
After she calmed down, she looked up and saw Jiang Ran standing beside her, looking at the loquat tree in front of her, silent.
Ji Xia couldn't help but laugh at herself: "I must seem ridiculous to you, hiding here and crying all by myself..."
Jiang Ran turned to look at her seriously, her face full of confusion: "What's so funny?"
"The guests in the front hall were all laughing and joking. Who would want to hide in the shadows and sob unless they were extremely sad?"
Hearing her words, Ji Xia suddenly shook her head and gave a soft, self-deprecating laugh.
Then she murmured, "I never imagined that the person who could understand my feelings the most would be someone I'd only met once."
Before Jiang Ran could even speak, she began to vent her frustrations.
After saying that, she lowered her eyes and spoke again with a more apologetic tone: "I'm sorry, I just held it in for too long, did I disturb you?"
Jiang Ran looked at her, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.
How kind she must be to apologize to someone after venting her negative emotions.
"It's alright." Jiang Ran shook her head and then comforted her, "But what's the use of crying? You can't rush things like having children. It's just that the time isn't right yet."
Hearing Jiang Ran's words, Ji Xia sighed softly: "What is destined to happen will happen..."
"To be honest, I really envy you. You have such adorable twins and don't have to worry about these kinds of things, while I..."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran subtly pursed her lips.
Envious of her?
She's trying to escape being constantly criticized by her kids, yet some people actually envy her?
We are truly connected by blood; we cannot be given away like objects.
Otherwise, she would gladly give those two little devils to her, and let whoever wants to take care of them can do so, because they are really not easy to take care of.
This would relieve her anxiety and also save me from my own worries.
Why not?
Despite her own thoughts, she continued to comfort him, saying, "Don't worry, take it slow, things will get better."
Ji Xia shook her head slightly and replied in a muffled voice, "It's been several years. If I wanted it, I would have had it long ago. Why put up with all that?"
"Suffer?" Jiang Ran looked down at her: "Suppose you really can't have children, are you just accepting that you'll suffer this humiliation for the rest of your life?"
Then, with a hint of disappointment, she continued, "You're a modern woman now, and there are plenty of women who don't want children. Given your status, what's wrong with not having children?"
"Are you just going to let us have our way with you?"
Ji Xia listened to her words thoughtfully.
Jiang Ran pursed her lips, realizing she had said too much, and coughed lightly before speaking slowly.
"Perhaps this isn't your problem at all?"
Ji Xia looked at her and replied, "In the second year after our marriage, because my mother-in-law was anxious to have a grandson, we went to the hospital for a check-up."
Then, after a slight pause, she continued, "The hospital's diagnosis indicates that the problem lies with me."
It was after that incident that her status in her husband's family plummeted. Out of guilt, she silently endured the disapproving treatment she received from her mother-in-law.
To everyone's surprise, Jiang Ran scoffed, "Diagnosis? Who says hospital diagnoses can't be faked?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Xia looked up abruptly, a hint of doubt flashing across her face: "How could that be?"
Jiang Ran said calmly and meaningfully, "What if it's just human nature at work? Human nature is far more terrifying than ghosts."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xia's expression changed, and she stood there stunned, clearly having taken her words to heart.
Seeing this, Jiang Ran didn't interfere too much with her thoughts, sighed softly, and turned to leave.
After walking for a while, I heard light footsteps behind me. When I turned around, I saw Si Youlin following behind me.
Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, and asked, "Is it on your way? Or is there something you need?"
Caught red-handed, Si Youlin pursed his lips, took two steps forward, and asked with a puzzled expression, "Why did you remind her?"
"You heard everything?" Jiang Ran asked in surprise, not expecting that he had been following her all along.
Si Youlin did not answer, but continued to say to himself, "You think you are enlightening others, but little do you know that you are harming her."
"Huh?" Jiang Ran frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"After all, she married into the Cheng family. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have always been natural enemies. If it's not this reason, it would be something else."
"After all, it's her family matter. If you bring it up now, where will she be positioned? Will she have a big fight with her mother-in-law? Or will she silently endure it?"
"Besides, once a woman marries, she is bound to her husband. Who can she question in the Cheng family? Who will listen to her?"
As Jiang Ran listened to Si Youlin's incessant chatter, a hint of surprise flashed across her face.
I never expected that he could think so thoroughly at such a young age.
They see through the ins and outs of wealthy families better than they do themselves.
After realizing the meaning behind his words, Jiang Ran lowered her eyes and then said, "But I don't think I did anything wrong. I was just trying to help her."
"Why should she be kept in the dark? That's not fair to her."
Si Youlin listened to her indignant complaints, glanced at her with surprise, and then slowly shook his head: "It's useless..."
"Is it better for one person to be sad, or for a family to be in chaos?"
Jiang Ran listened and fell silent. In her opinion, an innocent person should not be made to bear those inexplicable responsibilities.
But listening to his words, it's clear that he's looking at things from a family perspective.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but reflect on herself, realizing that she was indeed too ignorant of social etiquette.
It's ridiculous that I need a child to comfort me.
Then, she raised an eyebrow and looked at Si Youlin. Seeing her expression, Si Youlin frowned slightly.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Jiang Ran smiled slightly: "You were eavesdropping on our conversation?"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Si Youlin glanced away unconsciously and explained, "Nonsense! I just happened to overhear it on my way here."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran nodded thoughtfully: "I remember you went towards the front hall, so this direction is indeed quite convenient."
A blush crept across Si Youlin's face without his noticing.
He was indeed following Jiang Ran, but he also had his own reasons.
He initially thought she was only trying to curry favor with him, which was why she echoed his words and mocked Song Yuqing.
He figured she would be eager to comfort him after he left, so he pretended to leave, intending to secretly follow her and expose her hypocritical face.
Unexpectedly, she left directly, and I overheard her conversation with Ji Xia, which was truly unexpected.
Si Youlin remained silent, which Jiang Ran found somewhat boring. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard him suddenly ask a question.
"I want to know, why did you save me?"
Seeing the puzzled look on Jiang Ran's face, he continued, "I heard that you were the one who found us last time, and why were you on my side just now?"
This is, after all, the old man's territory. Although he is not afraid of Song Yuqing complaining, if Jiang Ran complains to her grandfather, things will become very complicated.
But she didn't. He hadn't wanted to ask, but seeing how gently she spoke to Ji Xia just now, he couldn't help but want to ask her.
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