Chapter 38 Part 1

The next day, Zhu Ran arranged to meet his parents at a restaurant near the hospital.

He refused Huo Boyan’s company, even though Huo Boyan had given him much useful advice and provided emotional support in some ways. But in Zhu Ran’s heart, he had to face this matter himself—with his own will, actions, and words.

He was grateful for Huo Boyan’s guidance, support, and encouragement, but that didn’t mean he needed Huo Boyan to make decisions for him or speak on his behalf. He didn’t want to panic and flee to another savior just because his family had hurt him; essentially, that wouldn’t change anything in his life.

Although he refused Huo Boyan’s accompaniment, Zhu Ran promised him that he would share the outcome after the conversation.

This was the plan they had discussed together, and regardless of whether it went well or not, Huo Boyan had the right to know.

Twenty minutes after Zhu Ran arrived at the private room, Wang Ruyun and Zhu Yanqing entered one after the other. The three of them sized each other up, and for a moment, no one spoke, as they all vaguely sensed Zhu Ran’s changes.

Wang Ruyun was the most perceptive. She felt fear from Zhu Ran’s indifference and calmness, along with a terror of losing control over her child. She had many questions she wanted to ask but didn’t erupt immediately. Instead, she stood quietly by Zhu Yanqing’s side.

“Sit down. What do you want to eat?” Zhu Ran said calmly. “I’m treating today.”

Zhu Ran’s composed attitude startled them even more, and each began calculating their next move.

The family inexplicably ordered food and ate, as if it were a real family gathering.

They rarely dined out, and this meal was particularly hard to swallow. No one touched their chopsticks much, but Zhu Ran ate the most.

At the end of the meal, Zhu Ran set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said calmly, “Mom, I asked you to come today because there’s something I want to tell you. Dad’s here too, so we can clear everything up at once—no misunderstandings.”

Zhu Yanqing knew things were going south. He slammed the table to strike first. “You still have the nerve to speak? Hooking up with a man on the cruise ship and running off with another— is that what a son should do?”

Wang Ruyun gripped her purse tightly, her expression shocked. “Ranran, is what your dad said true?”

Zhu Ran seemed to have anticipated this. He laughed mockingly, but his tone remained calm. “Is that how Zhu Yanqing put it to you?”

The form of address alerted Wang Ruyun that something was wrong. Zhu Ran occasionally disobeyed, but he was essentially a good child who wouldn’t call an elder by their full name. This must mean something had gone terribly wrong.

Wang Ruyun asked Zhu Yanqing again, “What’s going on?”

A flash of shame crossed Zhu Yanqing’s face before he quickly grew righteous. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

“If he won’t say it, I will.” Zhu Ran placed his phone on the table and played the surveillance video. “Zhu Yanqing drugged me on the cruise ship to please Huo Zhixiao, then let another man into my room to have relations with me. He also took my access card and passport, trying to confine me here.”

Wang Ruyun was stunned by the barrage of revelations. Her hands clutching the purse tightened, her bony fingers like bird claws, her heart pounding wildly.

“Mom, I won’t recognize him as my father anymore.” Zhu Ran looked up at Wang Ruyun, enunciating each word. “Between us, who do you choose?”

Wang Ruyun’s breathing quickened. Her expression shattered along with the happy family image she desperately tried to maintain. She slapped Zhu Yanqing across the face with a sharp crack.

“Zhu Yanqing, are you even human? Wasn’t what you did to me back then enough?” Wang Ruyun’s chest heaved rapidly, her small frame erupting with unprecedented ferocity. “Ranran is your own son—how could you make him do something like that!”

Zhu Yanqing incredulously clutched his face. In all their years of marriage, Wang Ruyun had never laid a hand on him.

Zhu Ran wasn’t as calm as he appeared. Only after hearing Wang Ruyun’s words did his suspended heart finally settle. But soon, it jolted again. What had she just said? Wasn’t what you did to me back then enough?

Zhu Ran’s gaze darkened as he shot a cold glare at Zhu Yanqing. But before he could speak, Wang Ruyun’s face suddenly changed. She gasped for breath and grabbed the man’s arm beside her. “M-Meds… the meds…”

“Where do I have them?” Zhu Yanqing panicked too, then quickly retorted, “Didn’t you bring your own medicine?”

Zhu Ran calmly pulled out a small brown pill bottle and shoved a nitroglycerin tablet into Wang Ruyun’s mouth. “Hold it under your tongue.”

Wang Ruyun gripped Zhu Ran’s arm tightly. As the medicine took effect, her racing heartbeat gradually steadied. Holding his arm, she realized for the first time that Zhu Ran—still a child in her memories—now had such strong arms.

Zhu Ran and Wang Ruyun left the restaurant together.

The negotiation ended with Zhu Ran retrieving his access card and passport, Wang Ruyun berating Zhu Yanqing, and her proposing separation. Afterward, Wang Ruyun, filled with righteous indignation, took Zhu Ran back to her sister’s home.

As they left the restaurant, Zhu Ran spotted a black sedan parked by the roadside. The window rolled down halfway, revealing Huo Boyan’s handsome profile. Zhu Ran then realized that Huo Boyan hadn’t left after dropping him off.

He wanted to go over and say hello, but Wang Ruyun was emotionally agitated and kept a firm grip on his arm. Zhu Ran couldn’t break free to meet Huo Boyan. He made a apologetic phone gesture, signaling he’d call later. Huo Boyan nodded and gave him a thumbs-up.

He was celebrating gaining his mother’s support, but Zhu Ran wasn’t as happy as he’d imagined.

That sentence Wang Ruyun uttered in anger weighed heavily on him. He knew his mother had him out of wedlock, but it wasn’t exactly honorable. He’d only heard his grandmother mention it casually back home. Everyone had joked that the couple had a good relationship, but now Zhu Ran realized the situation might not be what he’d thought.

He thought he should have made them divorce sooner.

Many thoughts flashed through Zhu Ran’s mind, but looking at Wang Ruyun’s solemn expression, he couldn’t utter a word.

The taxi stopped at Shallow Water Bay Villa. Zhu Ran helped Wang Ruyun out of the car. His aunt didn’t know the details, only that her brother-in-law had done something unforgivable to her sister and nephew. She expressed sincere sympathy and warmly welcomed them.

Zhu Ran felt very embarrassed—they had imposed on his aunt too many times. Wang Zhuoying told them not to stand on ceremony, saying her kids were traveling, her husband was abroad on business, and she was bored alone at home. Plus, going back meant facing the detestable Zhu Yanqing, so they should stay to relax.

Wang Ruyun was persuaded and decided to stay long-term. Zhu Ran couldn’t convince her otherwise and continued staying.

After over two hours of bustling about and settling Wang Ruyun, Zhu Ran finally returned to his room.

It was still the guest bedroom on the second floor, overlooking the lawn and Small Garden below, then the wall and road beyond. The phoenix trees by the road were in full bloom, scattering petals in the wind with every breeze. Zhu Ran stood by the window and called Huo Boyan.