Chapter 68: A Heart of Suspicion

  Ran Jincheng asked Jiang Xue'er where she had been for the past five years, but Jiang Xue'er had already anticipated this question. However, the matter of the Ling Stone couldn't be revealed to too many people, so Jiang Xue'er spent a whole night thinking about how to respond to today's inquiry.

  "Dad, actually I've been in Geneva for the past five years, and I've been by your side all along. There were some things that happened, so I didn't get in touch with you." Jiang Xue'er knew it wasn't quite right to say this, but she could only take it one step at a time.

  Ran Lingfeng smiled and said, "Dad, you don't know that Xue Er is now the boss of Fuhe Group and has also obtained a doctoral degree. The resort project we were going to invest in, which I told you about before, was actually hers." Ran Lingfeng didn't forget to praise Jiang Xueer in front of Ran Jincheng even when he was happy.

  "Really? The boss of Fuhua Group isn't an Englishman, I've met his son once, what's his name... how did Xue Er become the boss of Fuhua Group?" Ruan Jincheng was confused.

  Jiang Xue'er said that she wouldn't have thought Ruan Lingfeng would say something like this, and laughed: "Ever since I arrived in Geneva, a kind-hearted old lady took me in when I was wandering the streets alone, and even sponsored my PhD studies. After completing my education, I happened to hear that Fuhua Group was facing a crisis, and at the time I just so happened to have a bit of money, so I invested in Fuhua Group."

  Ran Jincheng listened and smiled, saying: "So that's how it is. You see, taking care of the company and bringing up two kids is so tiring. Now that you're back, just stay here properly and don't leave again. Your mom and I are bored at home with nothing to do. It's great to have Xia Qi and Xia Nan keeping us company."

  Jiang Xue'er felt a great deal of comfort in her heart when she heard Ran Jinchen's sincere attitude, "Dad is right, Xue'er. You're already busy taking care of the company and raising two kids on your own. Why don't you come back and live with us? Dad and mom are at home most of the time, and Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan can also be taken care of by them. I don't want to see you working so hard."

  At this time, Mrs. Rong, who was playing with the children, also said: "Xue Er, you see that Ling Feng and the others don't want you to leave, so why should you go? Taking care of children is not an easy task either. Since the day you got engaged and fell into the sea, we've been hearing news of your death... You also know that our Rong family has only one child per generation, and Ling Feng has only you in his heart. Previously, when we asked him to go on blind dates, he didn't even want to return home."

  "Mom, what's the point of saying these things now? Isn't Xue Er already back? And she brought you two grandsons." Ruan Lingfeng heard about the blind date earlier and was afraid that Jiang Xuer would be bothered by it, so he cut off Mrs. Ruan from continuing to speak.

  "Mom is right, it's all Snow's fault." Jiang Snow heard Ran Lingfeng complaining about the past and also acknowledged the hard work of being a mother for her son.

  "Xue'er, Mom didn't mean to blame you, she just hopes to have her own grandchild soon..." Madam Ruan's words were cut off by Ruan Lingfeng.

  "Mom, what do you mean by that? Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan are both my sons, how can you say something like that?" Ran Lingfeng shouted angrily.

  Ran Lingfeng was clearer than anyone about what he had done, but now his mother's suspicious heart made Ran Lingfeng feel a shock at this moment. He looked at Jiang Xue'er, afraid that she would not accept the words just spoken and leave again.

  The two children beside them saw the adults quarreling and were a bit scared, so they left Madame Ruan and ran to Jiang Xue'er's side, calling out "Mommy."

  "Mummy, Daddy is so fierce! You scared me." Little Qi said cleverly.

  Jiang Xue'er hugged Xiao Nan and Xiao Qi, letting them sit beside her, probably because Ruan Lingfeng had spoken too loudly just now and scared them.

  "Ling Feng, how can you speak to your mother like that?" Mrs. Ruan was startled by Ling Feng's shout.

  Ran Jincheng said to Mrs. Ran, "Don't get too excited, calm down, you were just happy about having a grandson, how did you suddenly get angry? Ling Feng, what's wrong can't be discussed properly, why are you yelling so loudly, how can you yell at your mom, quickly apologize to her."

  "Mom, I'm sorry. I was too impulsive just now." Ran Lingfeng knew he seemed too excited and also feared that Mrs. Ran would get angry and have a liver fire.

  Ran Jincheng smiled and said to Jiang Xue'er: "Xue'er, don't blame your mom, what she just said don't take it to heart, that's just her temper."

  "Dad, how can I blame Mom? It's all Snow's fault for not making things clear to you both. Mom is also thinking about the Ruan family's legacy and Ling Feng. How can I blame her?" Jiang Xue'er hugged the two children tightly. She didn't want to talk about their origins in front of the kids, especially since Xiao Qi was still young, fearing that it would leave a shadow on him. Regardless of whether it was Xiao Nan or Xiao Qi, Jiang Xue'er treated them like her own biological sons, without any bias.

  "Xue Er, sorry, don't take to heart what mom said earlier. Mom just has a lot of doubts in her mind. You say you've been missing for five years and suddenly come back with two kids. How can mom possibly believe that?" Mrs. Ruan had indeed been suspicious from the start. Not to mention that they weren't even married, how could two people who weren't together have children? Moreover... looking at Xiao Qi's age, he's not just 7 years old or younger. In the seven years prior, they were still getting to know each other and Jiang Xue Er was still a minor, so it's impossible for her to have had a child back then. And as for Xiao Nan, she looks like she's 3-4 years old too. Calculating the time, it coincides with when Jiang Xue Er fell into the sea. This whole thing is really hard to understand.

  "Mom, I'll tell you about Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan later." Ruan Lingfeng saw that Jiang Xue'er was understanding and didn't get angry at what his mother said earlier, which made Ruan Lingfeng feel relieved.

  After these five years of experience, Jiang Xue'er has also become more mature. When dealing with important matters, she is very calm and no longer impulsive. Jiang Xue'er understands what Madame Ruan is thinking in her heart, and she won't blame her. Anyone who disappears for five years will be suspected.

  "Mommy, Mommy, let's go home, okay?" Little Qi felt that this place was boring and not fun at all. He had thought that coming to see Grandpa and Grandma today would be a lot of fun, but unexpectedly it wasn't fun at all, and he even saw the grown-ups quarreling, which was really no good.

  "Mommy, I want to go back too, this place is no fun at all and it even scared Xiaonan."

  Ran Jincheng thought the two kids were adorable. From earlier till now, Ran Jincheng had been staring at Xiao Nan, thinking that Xiao Nan looked exactly like Ran Lingfeng when he was little. "Xiao Qi, Xiao Nan, do you want Grandpa to take you to play in the garden? Grandpa's garden is very big and fun, Grandpa will take you, okay?"

  Xiao Nan and Xiao Qi looked at Jiang Xue'er, Jiang Xue'er said: "Dad, mom, look, we haven't been here for a long time either. Xiao Nan and Xiao Qi are also a bit shy, so let's not bother you too much today. I'll bring them over to see you another day."

  "Xue Er, what are you talking about? We're all family, how can it be a bother? Are you still upset about what Mom said earlier?" Madam Ruan heard Jiang Xue Er's words and seemed to be slightly displeased.

  "Mom, you misunderstood me. I'm just worried that Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan have been out for a long time and are a bit uncomfortable." Jiang Xue'er said with some difficulty.

  Ran Lingfeng saw Jiang Xue'er's embarrassed expression, and made a harmonious scene, saying: "Mom, Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan are indeed ordinary at home, suddenly coming out is a bit uncomfortable. Snow, Dad and Mom were overjoyed to see their grandchildren, they just wanted to keep Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan for a while. Otherwise, how about this, Dad and Mom, I'll bring Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan together to visit you in a few days."

  "Alright, since that's the case, okay then, Little Qi and Little Nan, remember to come visit Grandpa and Grandma often. Next time Grandpa will take you to have fun, not like today. Okay?" Little Qi nodded, and Ruan Jincheng said: "Xue Er, now that you're back, why don't you move over here and live with us? That way we can keep each other company."

  "Dad, I'll think about this carefully when I get back. We should go first and come visit you again sometime." Jiang Xue'er pulled Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan to stand up.

  Ran Jincheng saw that Jiang Xue'er and the two children didn't intend to stay, so he could only say: "Alright then, be careful on your way."

  "Dad, Mom, let's go." Ruan Lingfeng said.

  "Xiao Qi, Xiao Nan, say goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma." Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan, compared to the passion from just now, fell sharply, feeling bored with the unexciting things, and only faintly said: "Grandpa and Grandma, goodbye."

  Ran Lingfeng drove the car with Jiang Xue'er and others out of the Ran family mansion. Xiao Nan and Xiao Qi sat quietly in the back seat, which made Ran Lingfeng feel strange. When they came this morning, the two were still very mischievous, but now they are so quiet. He asked: "Xiao Qi, Xiao Nan, why are you so quiet? You were so naughty this morning, and now you're both sulking?"

  "Because Mommy is unhappy, so we are unhappy."

  Xiao Nan followed up by saying: "I heard that bad grandma bullying Mommy just now."

  Ran Lingfeng heard them say this and was stunned for a moment. He looked at Xue'er and said: "Xue'er..."

  Just as Rong Lingfeng was about to say something, Jiang Xuer intercepted his words and said: "Lingfeng, I'm fine. Xiao Qi, Xiao Nan, how can you say that grandma is a bad grandma? Grandma didn't bully Mommy, and Mommy wasn't unhappy."

  "Mommy, don't lie to us anymore, we can all see it. Just now Mommy almost cried, but Mommy is stronger. Xiao Qi and Xiao Nan have sworn to protect Mommy and won't let bad people bully her." Little Qi said sensibly.

  Xiao Nan also chimed in: "It's all because Xiao Nan is too small, can't even fight back against them. Otherwise, Xiao Nan would have helped Mommy stand up for herself just now."

  "You two little rascals, what do you know at such a young age?" Ran Lingfeng heard that the two of them were so sensible, no wonder Jiang Xue'er was at ease with them staying home.

  "Of course, we are men, it's our duty to protect women." Xiaonan stood up and said with a serious expression.

  "Xiao Nan, who told you this?" Jiang Xue'er heard this and felt both angry and amused.

  "It was Uncle who said that. He said that since Mom is a woman who often goes out, as men, we should protect our women well." Little Qi stood up and explained.

  "Xiao Qi, what nonsense are you talking about?" Jiang Xue'er worried that Ruan Lingfeng would misunderstand and scolded in the small hall.

  Ran Lingfeng indeed heard this sentence, and his heart was somewhat uncomfortable. After all, Jiang Xue'er had been away from him for so long, and they had been together for so long. Moreover, she looked good, had a successful career, and was still single. With Jiang Xue'er having no relatives and no reason, surrounding him every day, he would be worried if he didn't care.

  Ran Lingfeng was thinking about how to get Jiang Xueer back by his side, just as they were drifting apart, Jiang Xueer's phone rang.

  It was a phone call, originally went to Jiang Xue'er's home to find them, saw that they were not at home, so called over to ask.

  "We went to Lingfeng's dad's place and are now on our way back, will be back soon."

  After Jiang Xue'er hung up the phone, Rang Lingfeng asked: "Is that so?"

  "Yes, he went home and couldn't find anyone, so he called to ask." Jiang Xueer was indeed worried that Ruan Lingfeng would get anxious.

  All the way, they didn't say much, each with their own thoughts, thinking about how to walk into each other's heart, so that they could understand each other better. Perhaps, years of separation had brought a little strangeness between them, and without breaking through that thin layer of paper, it would forever blur their direction, making each other's heart even more heavy and uneasy.