Chapter 108 — Entrusted by Another

Outside the door stood a man wearing a baseball cap, dressed in military green casual attire. His skin was slightly flushed, a healthy complexion. Though not as tall as Cheng Yishu, his build was clearly strong. His bright, sharp eyes fixed intently on Cheng Yishu, his displeasure plainly evident.

Su Nian slid a bright red suitcase toward Cheng Yishu without expression and said simply, "I was sent on someone’s behalf."

Cheng Yishu furrowed his brow and asked, "Sent on someone’s behalf? By whom? For what?"

“Xu Ningning didn’t feel comfortable letting Xiao Wen come to Yunnan alone, so she asked me to accompany her for protection,” Su Nian replied succinctly.

Cheng Yishu’s anger flared instantly. "So you knew Lin Xiaowen was coming to Yunnan, and that she was looking for me... but you were afraid she might get hurt, is that it?"

Su Nian remained noncommittal.

Cheng Yishu glared at him furiously and continued, "She traveled all this way alone—why didn’t you worry then? And now, faced with the person most likely to harm her from the Si family, you didn’t protect her. But now you think she’s safer with me? What are you all thinking?"

A deep sense of humiliation at being misunderstood welled up inside him, and Cheng Yishu almost wished he could punch him right then.

“This is Xiaowen’s personal belongings and some important things. Xu Ningning told me to bring them over,” Su Nian said matter-of-factly, ignoring Cheng Yishu’s words.

“That’s not right!” Cheng Yishu’s instincts went on high alert as he glanced cautiously behind Su Nian.

Su Nian gave a faint, cold smile and said, "Don’t worry, no one followed me."

Cheng Yishu withdrew his gaze and asked in a low, doubtful voice, "How did you know where I was staying? How did you know the exact room? And how did you get here without alerting the front desk?"

That was why Cheng Yishu had thought it was a crew member or hotel staff knocking; otherwise, he wouldn’t have opened the door so easily.

For the first time, Cheng Yishu found himself curious about Su Nian. It wasn’t easy to find out which hotel he was staying at, but the exact room number was never leaked—especially since there was a confidentiality agreement with the hotel, and strangers were never allowed near the guests’ floors.

“I only arrived today because I had to handle some matters—things to make sure the Si family can’t track Xiaowen’s whereabouts,” Su Nian explained. “Xiaowen coming here alone is fine, but things might get dangerous soon... so I had to come.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yishu’s expression shifted slightly. Yet, seeing Su Nian wasn’t speaking lightly, he frowned coldly and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Growing impatient, Cheng Yishu raised his voice, almost shouting, "Explain yourself!"

“Who’s there? I think I hear Su Nian’s voice—is it really him?” Lin Xiaowen, having waited a long time without Cheng Yishu returning, listened carefully before walking over.

“It’s really you! Su—”

“Bang!”

“What are you doing?” Lin Xiaowen exclaimed as Cheng Yishu briskly shut the door and pushed her toward the bedroom, scolding as he went, “Can’t you behave? Dressing like that, are you trying to show yourself off to every man?”

Lin Xiaowen glanced down at the oversized bathrobe that covered her from neck to toe and tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Like this? What’s wrong with that?"

“I don’t care. Just don’t let other men see you!” Cheng Yishu glared at her, pointing at her feet. “Stay put. Don’t come out. I’ll get you some clothes.”

“Where are you going to get clothes from...” Lin Xiaowen mumbled, instinctively following after him.

Cheng Yishu whipped around, his face cold. “Don’t move!”

Lin Xiaowen froze, looking pitiful.

Only then did Cheng Yishu hurry to the door and open it again. Su Nian was still standing there calmly.

“Wait ten more minutes,” Cheng Yishu said as he grabbed the red suitcase, shot Su Nian a glance, then slammed the door shut once more.

Like a gust of wind, he vanished into the bedroom.

“Xu Ningning had Su Nian bring these. They’re your things. Change your clothes, then I’ll let him in,” Cheng Yishu said in one breath, to which Lin Xiaowen responded with an “Oh.”

She looked around—this suite had only a bedroom and a living room.

“You go out, too!” Lin Xiaowen said naturally to Cheng Yishu.

“What?” Cheng Yishu frowned, narrowing his eyes at her.

“I said you go out. I need to change!” Lin Xiaowen refused to argue, grabbing him and pulling him toward the door.

“Why should I—hey—” Cheng Yishu protested unhappily.

“Hurry up!” Lin Xiaowen pushed him out without a word. Small as she was, Cheng Yishu dared not resist too forcefully; in the end, he let her open the door and stepped outside obediently.

The door closed for the third time. Outside, the two men stared at each other, exchanging looks that silently said, “You’re not much different.” Then, each turned away and waited quietly for the door to open again.

Lin Xiaowen’s style of dress never changed—simple and unpretentious.

A plain white shirt, black pencil pants, and SpongeBob cartoon socks—no doubt chosen by Ranran.

Her hair was neatly tied in a small bun atop her head, revealing a clean, makeup-free face. It was precisely this simple, pure Lin Xiaowen who attracted Cheng Yishu most.

The three sat in the living room, each lost in thought. Cheng Yishu insisted on sitting in the middle, separating the other two. Su Nian, uninterested in arguing, cooperated by sitting at the edge.

Lin Xiaowen was the first to speak, her expression anxious as she looked at Su Nian.

“Did Ningning say anything else besides sending you? How is Ranran? Has Ningning seen her?”

“Don’t worry. Xu Ningning has met Si Nan. To be exact, after Si Nan discovered you were missing, he was the first to find Xu Ningning,” Su Nian replied.

“Did he give Ningning a hard time? What about Ranran...” Lin Xiaowen’s heart tightened with concern.

“No, Si Nan wouldn’t do that,” Su Nian interrupted gently, continuing, “Ranran is his niece. No matter how unhappy Si Nan is, he wouldn’t harm the child. You can rest assured.”

Lin Xiaowen sighed with relief, but the thought of Ranran not finding her, crying and scared, brought tears she couldn’t hold back.

“I have to go back!” Lin Xiaowen suddenly stood up.

Cheng Yishu rose as well, eyes wide with surprise. His face twitched slightly from the shock as he stammered, “Niece? Ranran is Si Nan’s niece, not his daughter?”

Realizing his mistake, Cheng Yishu hurried to correct himself, “No, no... Si Nan isn’t Ranran’s father, is he?”

His astonished eyes grew wide with disbelief and an inexplicable joy, making his expression somewhat comical.

Su Nian also stood, frowning at Cheng Yishu. “Who told you Si Nan was Ranran’s father? You, who never checks anything properly and runs away when problems arise, still dare to tell me you’d give Xiaowen happiness... I shouldn’t have believed your nonsense back then!”

Though displeased with Cheng Yishu, Su Nian knew this wasn’t the time to argue with him. Stepping past Cheng Yishu, he stood before Lin Xiaowen and spoke soothingly.

“Don’t worry. That little girl Ranran is very smart. None of us told her what happened. She cried and insisted on staying with Aunt Ning. Si Nan had no choice but to let Xu Ningning take her away.”

Su Nian smiled softly and added, “She’s with the Xu family now. You can feel relieved.”