Qing Muye, Meng Jingwei, and Tang Si drove to the countryside and found Shi Ran's home.
After getting out of the car, they saw Shi Ran's parents cleaning the pigsty, chattering and scolding.
"Uncle?"
Meng Jingwei got out of the car, carrying a gift box. She looked into the yard from the doorway but didn't see Shi Ran.
Shi Ran's father, standing in the pigsty, looked up at Meng Jingwei and frowned, as if wondering who the woman in front of him was. "Who are you?"
"I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Meng Jingwei, Shi Ran's best friend. I came specially to see you."
On the way, they had agreed that to avoid worrying Shi Ran's parents, they would first probe for information. If Shi Ran wasn't home, they wouldn't ask further questions.
"Oh, you're Ranran's friend."
Shi Ran's father put away the water hose and broom used for cleaning the pigsty, opened the iron gate of the pigsty, and came out. "Hahaha, are you guys the only ones here? Didn't Ranran come back with you?"
Meng Jingwei glanced sideways at Tang Si, as if signaling him not to act impulsively.
"Shi Ran is still at work. We were passing by, so we decided to visit you." Meng Jingwei stepped forward and handed him the gift. "Shi Ran asked me to bring these to you."
The honest and simple Shi Ran's father smiled with relief upon seeing the valuable gifts. "Oh my, this silly girl, buying such expensive things."
"Shi Ran is doing very well at work and earning money. Buying you some things isn't an expense," Tang Si explained.
Shi Ran's father took the gifts, his smile reaching his eyes. "Hahaha, good, good, good. I must accept my child's thoughtfulness. Come, come, come, I'll take you inside to sit for a while."
"No need, we have some other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now." Meng Jingwei shook her head, politely declining. "We're busy with work this time. When I'm free next time, I'll come to visit you with Shi Ran."
"Oh, alright, alright, alright." Shi Ran's father was very happy.
Meng Jingwei waved. "Uncle, we're leaving now."
Qing Muye and Tang Si also waved goodbye to Shi Ran's father.
The three of them got into the car and drove away.
Sitting in the back seat, Tang Si looked back at Shi Ran's father standing at the entrance of the yard, feeling a pang of discomfort and a surge of guilt.
He clenched a bank card in his hand, and several times he impulsively wanted to give the bank card to Shi Ran's father as compensation. However, Meng Jingwei had warned him earlier, saying, "If you give it to Shi Ran's father, it will make her father suspicious."
To avoid the old man from guessing too much or worrying, Tang Si had no choice but to refrain from giving it.
"Ran Bao'er isn't at home. Where else could she be?" Tang Si leaned back against the car seat and sighed. "I've sent people to investigate, but this stubborn woman has become smarter and has avoided all surveillance. We can't find her at all right now."
"Tang Si, don't worry too much. Shi Ran won't be in any danger. She just wants some peace and quiet. You shouldn't overthink it."
Meng Jingwei comforted Tang Si.
Qing Muye drove with focus, the car navigating the muddy and potholed road, which was not easy.
After a while, he said, "I think the priority right now is not to find Shi Ran, but you."
"What do you mean?" Tang Si didn't quite understand.
"Even if you find Shi Ran, it will be useless if your family doesn't accept her. If you can handle your parents during this time and get them to accept Shi Ran, that would be the best option."
Qing Muye stated.
His words were not without reason.
In the current situation, it was the Tang family who did not accept Shi Ran. Even if Shi Ran was found, what would be the point?
At that time, Shi Ran would still face threats from the Tang family.
"Yes, Tang Si, Ah Ye is right." Meng Jingwei also agreed with Qing Muye's statement. "Shi Ran won't be in any danger, and she has money. You don't need to worry too much."