He had thought that both of his younger sisters were dead, which filled him with deep hatred, making it suffocating for him to breathe every day. But now that he had found Xi Bao and Beibei alive and well, was what he was doing really worth it?
Seeing Xi Nian lost in thought, Yuran didn’t speak to disturb him. She quietly waited for Xi Nian to sort through his thoughts.
After a long time, Xi Nian didn’t know how to speak to Yuran. There were some things he couldn’t say. Yuran didn’t want to know the entire plan; she just needed an assurance, "Are you going back to London?"
The tone harbored a tendency towards severance.
Xi Nian’s body stiffened, and almost without hesitation, he said, "I will refuse."
"That’s good," Yuran said, smiling.
Xi Nian knew he’d been tricked. He was momentarily stunned, but he didn’t get angry. Instead, he covered his forehead with his hand and laughed, "Xi Bao, you’ve always liked to do this since you were little."
"If the trick works every time, why wouldn’t I use it?"
Xi Nian: "...I understand now. I will fall seriously ill and end up in the hospital, never making it to London."
Yuran’s eyes flickered slightly, "What about second brother and third brother?"
"Don’t worry, they know even better what they need to do. Next, you go and switch out Bo Yan. There are some things I need to confirm with him before making a better choice."
"Is everything settled?" Bo Yan sat on the edge of the bed, gently patting Zhizhi’s back as Zhizhi slept soundly, her mouth moving as if she were savoring something tasty. Seeing Yuran enter the room, he spoke, his face full of tender affection unhidden.
Yuran closed the door as she came in and quickly kissed him on the face, "Seventh brother."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on him. Seeing her seemingly listless, Bo Yan frowned, "What’s wrong? Speak up."
Yuran shook her head, feeling a tinge of sadness, "Seventh brother, it seems my brother has prepared himself to face death, and I...am a bit sad. I hope you can help persuade him during the discussion later."
Bo Yan’s pupils darkened with an unusual depth. He opened his arms and embraced her, pressing his lips against hers until she was panting for breath. Only then did he release her, "Don’t worry, take a nap with Zhizhi, and I will talk to him, okay?"
After placing her on the bed and removing her shoes, Bo Yan bent down and said, "Rest well, I’m going out."
Bo Yan’s lips looked somewhat red. Even though Xi Nian was not experienced in romantic affairs, he could tell what had transpired, feeling a pang of regret as if his own prized cabbage had been ravaged by a pig. However, there were more pressing matters at hand, so he did not dwell on it.
Sitting opposite each other, Bo Yan spoke up, "You want to die?"
That was a difficult turn in the conversation.
Bo Yan continued, "Wanting to die isn’t difficult. The sea-crossing bridge is nearby. You can jump from it and it would be so much easier. You won’t even have to worry about my wife being concerned about you."
Bo Yan, "If you want to die, just die outright. Why make my wife realize it and worry about you? I worry about her being in a bad mood and unhappy every day. You, on the other hand, are quite the character."
Xi Nian: "...Alright, alright, let’s talk properly. I know I was inconsiderate, you don’t have to mock me. I will consider everything thoroughly and won’t say anything carelessly, not bringing any negative influence to Ranran. This time, indeed, it was my fault.
However, there is one thing I need to confirm with you. If someone ever wants her life, will you protect her promptly and completely?"
Bo Yan’s expression suddenly darkened, a cold and merciless aura emanating from him. Xi Nian was somewhat surprised, looking at his somber face, "What do you want to say?"
Xi Nian’s face also looked very unpleasant, "This time the parachuted leader who replaced me is Xi Gu’s mother, who has seen Xi Bao and Xi Bei as thorns in her side since they were little. If I don’t go to London, there’s only one solution at present, which is to be severely injured and comatose, unable to move at all,
Of course, this reason will also lead to Xi Bao and Xi Bei being targeted by her, becoming the first to be eliminated, car accidents, homicide, there are many methods, so I just need your assurance, whether you can protect her thoroughly. If not, then my death would not be unacceptable."
Bo Yan, "Do you think I’m unreliable?"
Xi Nian, "...Did I say that?"
Bo Yan, "You can pretend to be dead, I’ll arrange the hospital for you. As for Yuran and Meng Qiuyan, I can protect them well."
Xi Nian gave a slight smile, "Having a brother-in-law is actually not bad."
Bo Yan’s face darkened, "It has nothing to do with you."
"I know, ’City of Temptation’ I leave to you."
"Hmm." Bo Yan nodded, "Since the two of us have reached a consensus here, later when Beibei wakes up, you can explain in detail to her. I don’t want to be a messenger."
Xi Nian, "Not wanting to be a messenger, yet delivering the message so quickly?"
Bo Yan, "If you dare to say it yourself, the phrase ’messenger’ will not be associated with my name, and I’ll take your surname."
In fact, the compatibility between the brother and the brother-in-law might not be that great either.
The two did not stay at Xi Nian’s place for dinner, Xi Nian himself simply couldn’t cook, and the two didn’t fantasize about it.
Upon sending them away, Xi Nian still politely asked once more, "Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner? I can ask the maid to come and cook."
Bo Yan expressed undisguised disdain, "No."
Yuran also shook her head, "No need, you go and arrange your matters."
Zhizhi also shook her head firmly, "Uncle, we won’t eat. There’s still a lot of delicious food made by dad at home."
The key point was that Uncle’s place didn’t have a single dish, yet he had the audacity to invite guests for dinner, what was he thinking?
What Xi Nian was thinking about he didn’t ponder deeply on his own, anyway, it was easier to solve when he was at home.
On the way home, Yuran heard from Bo Yan the things she wanted to know, her mood became much lighter, and instead of going home for dinner, Bo Yan took them to a private restaurant.
It was said to be operated by the descendants of the imperial chefs, notoriously difficult for reservations and queues, and how Bo Yan managed to book a table was unknown. Since they had a reservation, she and Zhizhi naturally opened their appetites to eat.
From the moment they entered the door, the entire place was imbued with an ancient charm, styled like the Song Dynasty, with inscriptions in each of the private rooms. There were only five private rooms in total, serving five tables of customers a day, which was already the limit for this place. Yuran tugged at Bo Yan’s sleeve, "Seventh Brother, did you make a reservation? When?"
"No need for a reservation, it’s a friend’s place. I haven’t had the chance to introduce you before. Today’s just right, not too much, not too little."
Zhizhi turned her head and looked at the two, burying her head in Bo Yan’s neck, "Daddy, I’m a bit hungry."
"Alright, we’ll be able to eat in a little while, okay?"
As expected, there was already a waiter waiting at their arrival, who did not seem surprised to see Bo Yan but instead led them expertly to the private room. After serving tea and snacks, the waiter departed.
Soon after, the door to the private room was pushed open again, and in came a person, who bore some resemblance to Si Huang.