Chapter 89 – Two Choices

Two small, nervous hands were tightly clasped together. The housekeeper, who appeared kindly but was in fact cautious and meticulous, led the way. Ranran, dressed in a pale yellow kindergarten uniform and carrying a little backpack, with two braids neatly tied, followed closely behind, her tiny feet stepping soundlessly on the soft carpet. The silence around them was so absolute it sent a chill down one's spine.

Si Nan resided in the hotel’s presidential suite, the highest tier available, on the floor with the widest view and the most tranquility. Besides him, there was no one else on that entire floor.

The heavy wooden door swung open. Ranran peeked her little head out from behind the housekeeper, curiosity brimming on her face as she gazed into the room.

What a grand and beautiful house! The curtains were lovely, the sofa was lovely, the cabinets, the carpet, and the enormous television—all these things were unfamiliar to Ranran. Her small mouth parted in awe, round eyes darting about as if she could not take in everything at once.

“Mr. Si, Miss Ranran has arrived!” announced the housekeeper, who managed Si Nan’s Shanghai residence. Although Si Nan seldom stayed in Shanghai, he still owned property there. And since there was a house, there needed to be someone to look after it. Thus, working as the Si family’s housekeeper became the easiest—but not necessarily the most comfortable—job.

As the housekeeper spoke, Si Nan’s mind wandered. He suddenly thought he could have Lin Xiaowen become the mistress of that house, and perhaps then he would be more inclined to stay a few extra days.

Before he could dwell on this, Lin Xiaowen burst out of the bedroom. Ranran’s delighted, childish voice rang out:

“Xiaowen…”

“Ranran… How are you? Are you alright?”

Lin Xiaowen pulled Ranran into her arms, inspecting her from all sides. Si Nan, following behind, could barely suppress his amusement, inwardly scoffing:

This woman is truly foolish. How could he possibly let the child suffer harm or bear any grievance?

And so on…

Yet he failed to realize that Lin Xiaowen’s actions were simply the most instinctive reactions of a mother.

“Xiaowen, why are you here? That auntie told my kindergarten teacher she was picking me up to find my mom… Why didn’t you come yourself? I was getting a little scared…”

Ranran pouted, earnestly voicing her dissatisfaction. As Lin Xiaowen’s expression gradually calmed, Ranran continued,

“Xiaowen, you don’t look well. Are you sick?”

She raised her small hand to touch Lin Xiaowen’s fevered cheek.

“Yes, Xiaowen is sick, so she’s resting here with Uncle. Uncle could only send the auntie to pick you up!”

Si Nan gave Lin Xiaowen no chance to speak, swiftly scooping up Ranran and holding her in his arms.

Lin Xiaowen stood up in anger, her voice cold.

“Give the child back to me!”

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

Si Nan looked at her, amused, then turned to Ranran, softening his tone.

“I just want to spend a little time with my niece, strengthen our bond. Isn’t that right… Ranran?”

Ranran stared wide-eyed at Si Nan, then suddenly her eyes sparkled and she called out with a smile,

“Uncle Si… You’re Uncle Si, right? The uncle who shares my surname!”

Si Nan’s mood brightened as he smiled at Ranran.

“Ranran has such a good memory. You haven’t forgotten me. Unlike some people, after I helped her so much, she turned around and forgot all about me, not even willing to give me the chance to say a few words to her… Ranran has a conscience. Maybe it’s the blood relation—what do you think, Wen?”

Si Nan looked triumphantly at Lin Xiaowen. Lin Xiaowen pressed her lips tightly together and stepped forward to reclaim the child, but Si Nan turned away, carrying Ranran toward the door as he spoke.

“Ranran, let Mama rest more. The doctor said Mama is too tired and needs quiet. Isn’t that good?”

“But… but I just saw Xiaowen. I want to be with Xiaowen…”

Ranran’s voice faltered as Si Nan quickened his pace. Her eyes reddened with anxiety, and she reached back for Lin Xiaowen, crying out,

“Xiaowen, I want Xiaowen…”

“Si Nan, Si Nan, put the child down… Si Nan…”

Lin Xiaowen’s face paled. She followed behind, her voice urgent and furious.

Si Nan suddenly stopped and turned back, his gaze cold. Ranran, nestled in his arms, sensed the shift in atmosphere and began to whimper softly.

“Ranran, be brave. Don’t be afraid… Mama will take you home.”

Lin Xiaowen stretched out her trembling arm, and rather than ‘embrace,’ it was more accurate to say she ‘snatched’ Ranran’s small arm, pulling her toward herself. The child’s cries once again shattered Lin Xiaowen’s heart.

“How can a child of the Si family be so spoiled?” Si Nan snorted coldly and raised his voice.

“Take the child away, and look after her properly!”

“Yes, sir,” replied the housekeeper, expressionless and mechanical, as she took Ranran. Si Nan, with just one hand, easily restrained Lin Xiaowen.

“Si Nan, Si Nan, what exactly are you trying to do… Ranran…”

“Waa… Xiaowen, Xiaowen… Mama, I want Mama… Waa, Mama…”

Ranran finally broke down in loud sobs, her little arms and legs struggling, but she was no match for the housekeeper’s strength. She could only cry and cry.

“Mama, I want Mama… waa…”

“Ranran… put the child down, do you hear me…” Lin Xiaowen was frantic, shoving Si Nan in anger.

“Lin Xiaowen!”

Ranran’s wailing grew distant. Lin Xiaowen became wild with desperation, kicking and grabbing at any part of Si Nan she could reach. Her neatly styled bun came undone, leaving her hair disheveled like a madwoman.

“Lin Xiaowen…”

Si Nan called her name loudly. The sharp pain in her slender wrist brought Lin Xiaowen back to herself for a moment.

“I won’t do anything to the child. You should be able to rest easy about that.”

Si Nan’s jet-black eyes locked onto Lin Xiaowen’s now lifeless gaze. His voice, cold and razor-sharp, continued,

“You have four hours to make your decision.”

“One: Break up with Cheng Yishu, and I’ll return your child. We’ll go back to Hong Kong together to see Father.”

“Two: If you insist on staying with Cheng Yishu, watch him slowly fall from the brightest star in the night sky to earth, and you will never see Ranran again. In four hours, there’s a flight to Hong Kong. The old man is so advanced in age—he’ll be thrilled to see his granddaughter, and he will never let her leave his side again.”

“Si Nan…”

Lin Xiaowen looked at him with eyes that might as well have pierced his soul, filled with the deepest disgust and hatred.

How could this man be so cunning, so vile…

How could there be a soul so utterly mismatched in appearance and character…

“Si Nan, why can’t you just let me go?”

Lin Xiaowen’s tone was nearly pleading, filled with helplessness, fear, resignation, and exhaustion. All the words for frailty enveloped her entirely, but not a single one stirred Si Nan’s sympathy.

“You want to know?”

Si Nan slowly released her, leaving Lin Xiaowen collapsed like a broken marionette on the soft carpet.

“All right, I’ll tell you.”