"Xi'er is here," Lan Musi said, flicking Lan Yuxi's forehead with his finger.
Lan Yuxi pouted and wagged his little fist at him.
Lan Musi curved his lips and smiled, "Xi'er said she wants to visit you after work."
Lan Yuxi disdainfully curled his lips.
"I'm being discharged from the hospital soon."
"What time? I'll come over to see you off."
"No need to come, I'm leaving now… Lan Musi, my grandpa and my parents are going to your house later, they want us to be together…"
"I'm willing!"
Lan Musi's hasty declaration stunned Zheng Peipei.
The young woman paused for a moment before murmuring, "But I…"
Seeing her hesitation, Lan Musi pursed his lips tightly, "I know you don't want to start dating this early, I won't force you. But I know your family is definitely more eager than you. How about this, you agree to them first, so they stop 'talking to you' all the time. Then you try dating me for a while. If you think I'm okay, then we'll continue. If you don't, you don't need to say anything. I'll tell your parents and your grandpa that I'm the one who doesn't want to continue. That way, they won't be difficult."
"...What's in it for you?"
"Maybe after spending some time together, you'll fall for me. Isn't that the biggest benefit?"
"Are you really not treating me as a substitute, or pitying me?"
"Are you that lacking in confidence? Why do you think of yourself so lowly?"
"You still haven't answered my question directly."
Lan Yuxi had been eavesdropping, and seeing his second brother falter at a crucial moment, he angrily snatched the phone.
"Peipei, my second brother is so frustrated by your lack of confidence that he can't speak."
"I, I… He can get angry about this too, honestly!"
Lan Yuxi said with a smile, "My second brother has a first love complex. You're his first love, and his entire focus is on you right now. Even an unintentional remark from you can make him sulk for a long time."
"Okay, I'll be careful from now on."
"No need to be careful. We girls should live our own lives. Why should we change ourselves for a man."
"Um… What did you just say I was to Lan Musi?"
"You're really slow on the uptake!" Lan Yuxi giggled. "Saying 'first love' might not be entirely accurate, since you haven't agreed to be his girlfriend yet. What I meant is, you're his first woman, and he has that kind of complex…"
"Don't talk nonsense, give me the phone." Lan Musi, afraid his sister would scare Zheng Peipei away with her loose tongue, quickly snatched the phone back. "Wait for me at the hospital, I'll be there immediately."
Lan Musi hung up and walked out.
"Second brother, you haven't eaten yet!" Lan Yuxi called out, leaning over.
"Not eating, you eat slowly."
Lan Yuxi smiled helplessly, picked up his phone, and dialed.
"Peipei, wait a moment. My second brother left without even eating. If he doesn't see you, won't he cry from anger?"
"He's really coming? Um, isn't this… not good?"
"It's nothing bad. As far as I know, your grandpa didn't punish Wang Jiaojiao much, just reprimanded her a couple of times and suppressed the matter. Peipei, I'm not trying to stir up trouble, but I consider you a sister, and there are some things I must tell you."
Lan Yuxi glanced around, seeing that most people had left the cafeteria. He then lowered his voice and said, "You don't want to be a victim of a political marriage. Well, now your grandpa is ready to let Wang Jiaojiao replace you. If you don't agree to be with my second brother, your grandpa will soon give up on you. At that point, no matter how outstanding you are, you'll be overshadowed by Wang Jiaojiao."
On the other end of the line, Zheng Peipei's eyes darkened. Her mother had told her these things before, but she hadn't taken them to heart then. However, coming from Lan Yuxi, she had to reconsider.
As Zheng Peipei was feeling dejected, the door to her room was pushed open with a bang.
Wang Jiaojiao stood at the doorway, haughtily saying, "Zheng Peipei, Grandma wants me to take you home. Hurry up and pack your things."
Zheng Peipei frowned slightly and said into the phone, "Yuxi, I'll hang up now, I'll call you back later."
Lan Yuxi said coldly, "Don't be afraid of her. My people will be there soon."
Zheng Peipei felt a warmth in her heart. After hanging up, she looked up at Wang Jiaojiao and said, "I thought you would hide at home and reflect on your actions. I didn't expect you to be so shameless, to cause me so much trouble and still dare to stand here and be so arrogant."
Wang Jiaojiao sneered, "Why shouldn't I be arrogant in front of you, you dumb fool! Hurry up. It was just sleeping with a man, no need to be so dramatic."
Zheng Peipei was so angry that she stood up abruptly.
Wang Jiaojiao took a step back, but seeing that Zheng Peipei wasn't coming forward, she crossed her arms and took another step forward.
"I'm telling you, you'll be staying in my room when we get back. Your sunny room is already mine!"
Zheng Peipei clenched her fingers. "Who gave you permission to stay in my room!"
"Of course, my grandma, your own grandmother!" Wang Jiaojiao raised her pointed chin, looking at Zheng Peipei with disdain. "A used shoe has no value anymore. Why should she occupy such a good room."
Zheng Peipei was so enraged that she lunged forward and slapped Wang Jiaojiao.
"Despicable!"
Wang Jiaojiao covered her reddened face and roared, "You're the slut! You slept with someone and you're still acting pure. My grandma said, if the Lan family doesn't want you, this broken thing, then you don't need to go back to the Zheng family either!"
"Who said our Lan family doesn't want her!" a clear male voice came from behind Wang Jiaojiao.
Wang Jiaojiao turned around abruptly and saw a young doctor in a white coat looking at her with a noble air.
Wang Jiaojiao had never seen such a handsome man in her life and was stunned.
Lan Xiaoliu averted his gaze with a look of disgust and then looked at Zheng Peipei, who was clenching her fists. "Second sister-in-law, hello, I'm Lan Lun. My second brother called and asked me to come and protect you first. He'll be here soon."
Zheng Peipei's face flushed red to her ears.
Lan Xiaoliu shook his phone. "My second brother heard everything this 'auntie' just said. He asked me to tell you: it's just a room. If the Zheng family can't afford it, our Lan family can. As long as you like it, he can buy you a villa in every corner of the world, letting you live in a new place every day."
Zheng Peipei's nose prickled, and she quickly turned away.
Wang Jiaojiao was stunned for a moment before reacting. "Lan Lun, who are you calling an auntie! I'm only twenty years old…"
"Shut up! You're not qualified to speak to me!" Lan Xiaoliu raised his hand slightly, and two bodyguards immediately stepped forward.