Zhu Ran rushed over without a word. By the time he arrived, Zhu Yanqing had left. The auntie couldn’t provide much detail, only that he had visited, argued with Wang Ruyun somehow, even gotten physical, and she had chased him out.
Zhu Ran thanked her and ran upstairs. He had been worried the whole way and burned with anger hearing the story, but standing at his mother’s bedroom door, he suddenly felt timid.
After hesitating for over a minute, Zhu Ran knocked and called, “Mom.”
“Come in.” Wang Ruyun’s voice came from inside.
Zhu Ran turned the handle and entered. A gust of wind poured in through the window.
In the strong winds, Wang Ruyun’s expression was grave. When she turned, her arm bore large patches of red swelling from bruises.
“Did Zhu Yanqing do this?” Zhu Ran exploded in fury at the sight. “I’ll take you to the hospital!”
“It’s just a scrape, not serious.” Wang Ruyun shook her head, even calmer than him. She said she was fine, the typhoon was coming, and he should go home first.
How could it not be serious? It was so bad. Zhu Ran’s eyes reddened, fists clenched as he moved to storm out.
“Stop.” Wang Ruyun said, “Don’t go causing trouble with him.”
Zhu Ran couldn’t believe it. “Mom, at a time like this, you’re still speaking up for that scum?”
Winds howled outside as the auntie and workers reinforced the garden trees.
Wang Ruyun was quiet for a long time, then suddenly said, “I plan to divorce.”
Zhu Ran blinked, then said, “That’s great!”
Wang Ruyun’s expression softened a bit. She added, “I tried talking divorce with him today, but he refused. Suing would drag on with procedures, and asset division would be messy. I have an education fund saved for you that’s ready to cash out. Just in case, withdraw it when you get back and put it in your own account.”
Zhu Ran looked up blankly. He had never known about this.
Before he could think further, Wang Ruyun added, “There’s one more thing you need to prepare for. Zhu Yanqing has an illegitimate child, which might affect the property division.”
“An illegitimate child? He still dared to cheat?” Zhu Ran’s eyes reddened, and he grew so furious that he wanted to rush out and beat the man senseless. But then he suddenly realized that his mother was the one who was truly heartbroken.
“It’s only been conceived recently,” Wang Ruyun said. “Less than two months, so I want to settle this quickly.”
Zhu Ran immediately replied, “I’ll find a lawyer for you.”
“I’ll handle it myself,” Wang Ruyun waved him off. “You’re in your senior year and busy with internships. Focus on graduating first.”
Zhu Ran opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. Their family had always been like this—everything handled calmly, each person dealing with their own affairs.
It was only after falling in love with Huo Boyan that Zhu Ran realized there was something wrong with this way of interacting. But habits formed over years were hard to change all at once. He didn’t want to force his mother, so he just added, “Tell me if you need anything. Don’t hold back with me.”
Wang Ruyun paused, then suddenly laughed. “Just a kid, but talking like such an old soul.”
“I’m not a kid anymore,” Zhu Ran shook his head, speaking very seriously. “Mom, I can take care of myself, and I can take care of you too.”
Wang Ruyun was stunned for a moment, then she turned her face to the side and let out a soft “mm.”
The wind picked up, billowing the curtains high. Zhu Ran stepped forward to close the window. As he turned back, he heard Wang Ruyun whisper, “I’m sorry.”
The voice was so faint that it was almost drowned out by the sound of the window closing, but Zhu Ran still caught it.
“Mom…” He turned around, his voice trembling slightly.
Wang Ruyun looked at Zhu Ran, her tone softening. “Ranran, Mom’s sorry to you. Back then, I acted on impulse and nearly made a terrible mistake. Twenty years of marriage ended in failure. But the path you’re on is even harder—no protection from marriage, and you’re so deeply emotional. I just can’t help but worry.”
Zhu Ran lowered his gaze and murmured, “But I only like men…”
Wang Ruyun shook her head. “I’m not saying this to stop you. I just hope you’ll be more cautious. At least… at least don’t end up like me.”
Zhu Ran wanted to say something uplifting to comfort his mother, but when he opened his mouth, nothing came out. He couldn’t even convince himself of those positive words.
He could enjoy the fleeting romance of love, but could he really stay this happy forever?
Wang Ruyun said no more—she didn’t believe it either—and began urging Zhu Ran to leave.
By the time Zhu Ran left, the wind had grown fiercer, and the weather had turned dreadful. Thick dark clouds pressed down overhead, suffocating him, making him want to smash something to vent.
It had been a long time since he’d felt this powerless rage, not since he’d been with Huo Boyan.
On the roadside, workers taped up glass windows against the wind. Supermarket shelves stood empty, long lines snaked at the checkouts, and double-decker buses like giant worms crawled back to the depot. The city buzzed with unease and fear.
[Buzz buzz—]
A message from Wang Ruyun: I forgot to tell you earlier—be careful with Zhu Yanqing. Don’t meet him alone. He’s been taking money from Huo Boyan and is capable of anything.
Zhu Yanqing had been taking money from Huo Boyan all this time?
No wonder Zhu Yanqing had been so quiet lately. So Huo Boyan had been feeding this beast?
But why? Zhu Ran himself didn’t even dare spend Huo Boyan’s money, so what right did Zhu Yanqing have to keep asking for it?
In that instant, the taut string in his mind snapped. Negative emotions flooded his thoughts like a tidal wave.
