Men, when they become absurd, are truly terrifying.
"Why tell me all this?" Shi Ran couldn't help but ask. "Do you want me to offer my blessings?" She nodded. "Alright, I wish you a happy marriage, many children, and a long life together."
After speaking, Shi Ran added, "As long as you and your wife can leave our family to live in peace, I'll say as many blessings as you want to hear."
"Shi Ran!"
Tang Si's expression turned cold, and he reprimanded her, "My marriage to Zhao Wuyan is just to get revenge on her!"
As his words fell, silence suddenly descended.
The two met each other's gaze, their pupils filled with pent-up emotions.
After a long while, tranquility returned.
Shi Ran was skeptical but had no way to verify his words.
The main point was...
"What's the point of saying all this?" Shi Ran's face was adorned with a dazzling smile. "What's past is past. Whether you're getting revenge on Zhao Wuyan or genuinely love her, that's your business. My status is humble, I'm not worthy of you, nor do I dare to aspire to you. I only hope you can stay away from me and grant my family and me peace."
Having witnessed the power of the influential, Shi Ran completely abandoned any lingering thoughts of Tang Si.
Once you face reality, you'll realize that feelings are truly worthless!
She loved Tang Si, but what of it?
Even if Tang Si marrying Zhao Wuyan was solely to exact revenge, at most, he would neglect her, making her marriage feel like a widowed one.
Would he really bring ruin to the Zhao family?
The outcome was evident; he wouldn't.
Even if they divorced in the end, Tang Si's parents would never accept a disfigured woman into the Tang family.
This was fate.
No matter how much one struggled, they couldn't break free from the shackles that bound them.
Shi Ran resigned herself to her fate.
They gazed at each other for a long time. Various emotions surged in Tang Si's eyes, and finally, he spoke, "Can you give me a hug? Just hug me like before, and I won't bother you anymore."
The sudden request stunned Shi Ran.
Looking at the man she had longed for day and night, she gathered her courage, walked forward, and embraced him.
The time for thought was no more than five seconds.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, just as she had in the past, resting her cheek against his chest and slowly closing her eyes.
The familiar scent wafted towards her, and everything felt like a return to the sweet days in the Hidden Clan. Shi Ran asked, "Did you ever love me?"
Her mind, beyond her control, uttered the question.
After asking, Shi Ran herself was stunned.
As the woman embraced him in his arms, Tang Si looked down at her, placing a large hand on her head, gently stroking her hair, and with his other arm around her waist, he said, "I always have."
He said he always had.
Though Shi Ran's eyes were closed, a tear escaped the corner of her eye.
Tang Si placed his hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her away. Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, he raised his hand, using his thumb to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. He leaned in and kissed her lips.
This time, Shi Ran didn't resist.
His hot lips met her slightly cool ones, and in that instant, a current swept through her entire body, plunging Shi Ran into a state of surrender.
Love, truly terrifying.
Even if one was perfectly lucid a moment ago, they could be plunged into a state of ruin the next.
Fortunately, Tang Si didn't go further. Instead, he pulled her into his embrace and said, "Let's return to Jiangnan. I'll help you settle your family's affairs."
As it was, she carried three little lives within her. If they were discovered by the Zhao family or his parents in Lancheng, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although he could dispatch people to protect Shi Ran, he couldn't stay by her side twenty-four hours a day. As long as she was in Lancheng, she wouldn't be safe.