Ning Ran realized that something was amiss after noticing Nan Chen’s expression and explained, “That was not what I meant, you’re definitely not my son.”
This explanation seemed to have made things more awkward.
Nan Chen eyes were blazing with anger.
“What I’m trying to say is, we are poor. We will find ways to treat minor health problems, instead of visiting the hospital. Hospitals need us to go through all sorts of screening and test before administering the actual treatment, how can we afford that?” Ning Ran explained her logic. I just have to become a ‘doctor’ to figure things out myself. Believe me; I might be more skillful than some other doctors in big hospitals!” She said while smiling at Nan Chen.
Nan Chen’s anger was suddenly overcome by an inexplicable feeling, when he realized that many people actually did not go to the hospital when they were sick.
And they chose not to go, not because it was a nuisance, but rather because they had no money.
It must have been hard on her. Nan Chen thought.
The light from the streetlamp in the tiny neighborhood shone on Ning Ran’s face. She looked as beautiful as a flower that was waiting to bloom in the middle of the night.
“You don’t believe me?” Ning Ran asked Nan Chen.
“I do.” Nan Chen for once answered truthfully.
‘I’m not trying to win your sympathy. I don’t think there’s any problem with it. My children still grew up healthily and happily.” Ning Ran said with pride.
“It would be even better if they enter the Nan family.” Nan Chen said.
Ning Ran instantly became alert, “You’re not here to snatch my kids away, aren’t you?”
“No I’m not.” Nan Chen said.
“Good. Because I’ll kill you if you do.” Ning Ran rubbed her fists and was ready to throw a punch.
“If I’m willing to marry you, would you say yes?” Nan Chen asked.
“I’ve told you before, I will not marry you.” Ning Ran said.
Nan Chen felt strange. Why wouldn’t she say yes when she had always wished to use her children to help her rise through the ranks?
Had she really told Nan Xing she was not willing to marry into the Nan family?
“Why?” Nan Chen was curious.
“What’s wrong with you today? Haven’t I told you?” Ning Ran was getting impatient.
“Since I’m here today, I want to have a proper discussion with you.” Nan Chen tried to copy how Nan Xing spoke, and forced himself to speak proudly and frivolously.
It was clearly a failure, but he did seem more relaxed.
“Speak.” Ning Ran switched to a more comfortable position to sit in.
“Our marriage.”
“I’m not going to marry, and you know the reason why. I don’t like you.”
“But with me, you can have a better life. The kids can have a better education and environment to grow up in. They will become outstanding individuals.”
“Am I married to you now?” Ning Ran straightened herself up and asked.
Nan Chen was not sure why she had thrown the question at him, but he answered truthfully. “Nope.”
“Are my kids outstanding?” Ning Ran asked again.
Nan Chen was speechless, and did not know how to answer.
The two children were outstanding, for sure. No one else would be worthy of this description.
“They’re outstanding because they are gifted, but without a proper environment to further develop their potentials, they will eventually become ordinary.” Nan Chen said.
“Many of us in this world are ordinary folks. I just want them to live healthily, peacefully and happily. I don’t really mind if they become ordinary one day.”
Nan Chen was a little angry. This woman and her lowly mindset! It’s fine if she wishes to be ordinary, but why would she want her children to go down the same path as well?
What puzzled him the most was that she still refused to marry into the Nan family.
Nan Chen always had the impression that Ning Ran would want to get into the Nan family, by hook or by crook. Now that she rejected the offer, he became more confused.
Is she trying to put on airs and act like she doesn’t care? She might not have said so, but deep in her heart, it could be her lifelong dream.
“Then what is your ideal type?” Nan Che changed the subject.
“What a meaningless subject. There’s no ‘standard’ when it comes to liking someone. It’s not like buying products, when you have sizes and measurements for reference.” She said. “You will know what you like about your other half when you fall in love. If you never had this feeling, how would you know what you like?” Ning Ran responded with another question.
Nan Chen was once again dissed by this woman, but he could not agree more.
Deep thoughts from a shallow-thinker. Nan Chen was impressed.
“Then what kind of person do you hate?” Nan Chen asked again.
“Ehm… someone who is uncivilized and constantly full of themselves. Someone who doesn’t know how to respect others.”
Nan Chen thought to himself, aren’t you this kind of person too?
“Are there such people around you?”
“Well, your brother is one of them, isn’t it?” Ning Ran blurted out.
She definitely hit the bulls’ eye – the bulls’ eye that sparked Nan Chen’s rage!
Nan Chen reached his boiling point, and his lips trembled, but he decided to keep quiet.
So in her opinion, he was uncivilized, constantly full of himself, and did not know how to respect others?
What do you mean I’m uncivilized? When have I been full of myself?
“What’s wrong with you? You’re not happy because I talked bad about your brother?” Ning Ran rolled her eyes at Nan Chen.
Nan Chen tried to relax, “Nothing.”
“Oh yea, have you talked to your brother about this marriage proposal?”
“Yes.” Nan Chen said.
“He must have opposed strongly, right?” Ning Ran said with a laugh.
“How do you know?”
“Because he hates me!”
“Why would he hate you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I hate him too.” Ning Ran said.
“Get out of the car now.” Nan Chen said in a cold voice.
“What?”
“I asked you to get out!”
“Oh, so this is what brotherly love is all about huh? Someone got upset because I talked bad about his brother? So we’re going to have a fallout now?
Nan Chen soon realized that he was a little too emotional. It was a known fact that she hated him, so what was there to be angry about?
“What I meant was, it’s getting late. You should go home and rest.” Nan Chen tried his best to contain his anger and spoke gently.
“Are you alright? Does your stomach still hurt?”
“I’m fine.” Nan Chen wanted to say ‘thank you’ but could not bring himself to do so.
“Okay, go home and don’t ever come here again. This place is not for you. Please don’t think of marrying me again. Just go and find yourself a pretty woman. I’m leaving.” Ning Ran got down from the car and slammed the door. Nan Chen could not help but frown.
A leopard never changes its spots. RUDE.
“Are you sure you don’t want to get married?” Nan Chen wanted her to confirm.
“You’re very long-winded. No means no. I’m not into you.” Ning Ran waved goodbye and went upstairs.
Nan Chen sat alone in the car for some time, and drove off once his stomach felt slightly better.
It was not his intention to pull a prank on Ning Ran when he impersonated Nan Xing.
He was hoping to get to know her a little better as he took on another identity.
Clearly, he failed. He could not understand her motifs.
In the past, rumors that revolved around Ning Ran were mostly negative — how she was involved in complicated relationships, how she would sleep with the directors to secure a role, and how she had led to her mother’s death.
But after getting to know her personally, Nan Chen felt that she might not be that evil, after all.
She might be rude and was outgoing, but she did not seem like a wicked person.
Nan Chen was confused. Did he think wrongly of her?
But how can I be wrong?
