Mr. Huo wasn’t at home. After Mrs. Huo introduced Ye Ranran to the house’s servants, someone led her upstairs.
One went to find Zhou Xian. Even though he wanted to follow Ye Ranran, he physically couldn’t.
But he could make the road ahead easier for her.
"Mrs. Second Young Master, this is the Second Young Master’s room," the servant said as he opened the door.
Ye Ranran walked in. It was a suite with a study, a bedroom, and a bathroom.
The black and white decor was akin to a bachelor’s set-up.
From the window, one could see the artificial hill perfectly.
There was a book on the bedside table. Ye Ranran picked it up and saw it was a sketchbook - one she was very familiar with.
As she flipped through it, the familiar annotations overwhelmed her with a surge of sorrow.
It was her sketchbook from her first year in university when she took a year off to recover from an injury and started over.
She chose her favorite major - fashion design.
She could imagine Jun Mochan flipping through her sketchbook, picturing her studying it.
He surely wanted a response from her, but he was also afraid of scaring her.
She had no idea that someone was watching her, paying attention to her, in secret.
Just as she was about to burst into tears, the door was pushed open. Xu Zi walked in from outside.
Seeing her close the door, Ye Ranran smirked, "You’re pregnant. Shouldn’t you be taking good care of yourself, sister-in-law?"
"Ye Ranran, don’t be too pleased with yourself. So what even if you’ve moved in? Mom still favors me." Once she was alone, Xu Zi showed her true colors and started to taunt Ye Ranran.
Ye Ranran looked at her like a jesting jester. "If that’s so, what are you worried about? What are you afraid of?"
"Who said I’m worried or afraid? I’m just letting you know and also, reminding you of your place."
Ye Ranran nodded. "I’ve always been clear about my standing. What about you? Is the love you snatched away sweet?"
"Don’t get riled up. It isn’t good for the baby if you’re too emotional. Also, I’m just kindly reminding you of the reality, no malice intended." As Ye Ranran said this, her eyes and brows were filled with a smile, her face full of kindness.
Around her, tranquility permeated like a frozen lake that no storm could make it ripple or waver.
Xu Zi suddenly realized that Ye Ranran wasn’t the same as before.
Before, Ye Ranran used to show her emotions clearly, but now she seemed devoid of any emotion, or had she learned to hide them well?
Xu Zi couldn’t believe that a person could change so drastically so quickly.
She didn’t know what Ye Ranran had gone through, the kind of path she had treaded upon.
"You’re right, taking care of myself is what I should do. As for you, it’s been so long, yet your belly remains still. Can’t you conceive, or can’t you have a baby?"
Xu Zi’s words hit where it hurt Ye Ranran most.
Her numb heart was once again cruelly pierced, Ye Ranran felt unbearable pain all over.
"Whether I can have a baby or not is none of your business. Out of respect for you being my sister-in-law, I’ll give you a friendly reminder: Now that you’re pregnant, take good care of your womb. In case the baby doesn’t make it, considering my brother’s current temperament, I doubt you’d get another chance even if you could conceive again."