Lan Yuxi frowned slightly. "What nonsense are you spouting! My third brother looked for you for so many years. How could he possibly let you go? And Han Yi, can you really bear to leave him behind?"
"..."
"Yu Fan, let me tell you, our family doesn't need marriage alliances to consolidate our position. My parents hope that all my brothers can find their true love."
Qiao Yu Fan tugged at her collar uncomfortably.
Lan Yuxi pulled her hand and held it tightly. "If our family truly cared about social status, my father wouldn't have married my mother. Because my maternal grandparents were just ordinary university professors. And as for Qiyue, although her surname is Nan, her parents don't want to acknowledge her, and her adoptive mother is just a vulgar shrew. Look, aren't my parents trying hard to match her with my fourth brother? Let's talk about Peipei. Peipei's grandfather is the Prime Minister, but my parents, because they were too materialistic, didn't even let them into the house and directly sent them away. Think about it, if our family really cared about status, my parents would be fawning over them, not chasing them away."
"But I'm just a girl from the mountains..."
"You're also a special forces operative from the X Special Forces. That's a title no one can look down on."
"I'm just a retired special forces operative."
"If you still want to be that heroic and spirited special forces operative again, once Han Yi is better, I'll make arrangements."
Qiao Yu Fan's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. "I've been retired for four years. I can't go back."
Lan Yuxi chuckled and nudged her arm. "It's not only the X Special Forces that have special forces operatives. I'll find you a better place then."
Qiao Yu Fan smiled. "You're just teasing me!"
"I'm really not teasing you. You'll know when the time comes. Yu Fan, don't overthink things. Take good care of Han Yi. A child can't be without a father, and even more so without a mother. I understand this deeply."
"I heard from your third brother. You're truly strong. Compared to you, I'm nothing."
"The one who is truly nothing is me. Because along the way, I met many benefactors. Without them, I would have been gone long ago."
Qiao Yu Fan gripped her hand tightly. "Yuxi, apart from my brute strength, I don't know how to say anything comforting. But I know that you've endured such hardships, and things will definitely get better in the future."
Lan Yuxi laughed heartily. "Yes, not just me, but you too. We'll both get better. You've met most of our family members. You'll have in-depth interactions with them during this time. If you think we're alright, please join our big family. If you feel you don't fit in with us, then let my third brother take you and your son to live the life you want. How does that sound?"
"Yuxi, how can I possibly deserve your invitation to stay? I just see how outstanding your family is. If Han Yi can grow up with you, he won't be like me, unable to protect his child or even his own romantic pursuits. That's why I had that thought just now."
Lan Yuxi smiled helplessly. "You! You must have been thinking all sorts of things and not sleeping all night. Yesterday, you were afraid we'd snatch Han Yi away from you, and today you want to give him up and run away? With my third brother's temper, where could you go? He'd find you whether you went to heaven or hell. Not only will he search the world for you, but I will too. Once I take action, even if you go to the moon, I'll drag you back."
Qiao Yu Fan chuckled. "I'm not leaving, okay?"
Lan Yuxi smiled. "That's more like it!"
Qiao Yu Fan looked at Lan Yuxi with determination, speaking word by word. "I've decided. Not only am I not leaving, but I will cooperate with you and act together to seek justice for the people of Daliang Mountain."
Lan Yuxi patted her shoulder forcefully. "Good, when the final operation begins, I'll definitely bring you along!"
Qiao Yu Fan smiled gratefully.
As they were chatting, Lan Muguo stood at the doorway and knocked on the door.
"Xi'er, where is Qiyue?"
Lan Yuxi pouted. "I wasn't watching her for you."
Qiao Yu Fan chuckled. "Qiyue went shopping with Zixin and the others."
Lan Muguo scratched his head. "Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. I'll go find her now."
Qiao Yu Fan's face flushed red all the way to her ears.
Seeing her blush, Lan Muguo suddenly had a mischievous thought. "Third Sister-in-law, Director Hao has guaranteed to Father that after Han Yi's surgery, he will soon become a healthy child."
Qiao Yu Fan's face immediately lit up with joy. "Really! That's wonderful!"
Lan Muguo didn't succeed in making her blush, but he still couldn't resist sharing another piece of good news with Qiao Yu Fan.
"There's even better news. Father is funding it, and Director Hao is providing the personnel. The two of them are forming a medical team to go to Daliang Mountain to treat the villagers."
Qiao Yu Fan excitedly grabbed Lan Yuxi's hand.
Lan Yuxi gasped in pain.
Lan Muguo quickly came over. "Third Sister-in-law! Third Sister-in-law, please be gentle. Xi'er's hands are very delicate; she can't withstand your grip like that."
Qiao Yu Fan quickly released Lan Yuxi's hand, apologizing profusely. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I got too excited!"
"It's alright. Third Sister-in-law, your grip is really strong!" Lan Yuxi shook her hand. "In terms of grip strength, I might not be able to beat you."
"No, yesterday when you held me down, I used all my strength and couldn't break free."
Lan Muguo took Lan Yuxi's hand and looked at it. Seeing only a slight redness, he relaxed. "You stay with Third Sister-in-law. I'll go find Qiyue."
Lan Yuxi pouted. "It's a group of girls. Is it really appropriate for you to go?"
"What's not appropriate? I'll carry their bags," Lan Muguo said and then ran out.
Qiao Yu Fan smiled and said, "It seems your fourth brother really likes Qiyue."
"Yes, his eyes light up every time he sees Qiyue, just like how my third brother looks at you."
Qiao Yu Fan pursed her lips and smiled. "The way our boss looks at you is truly gentle! It's the first time I've seen the boss look at someone like that."
Lan Yuxi said indignantly, "Don't mention him. I get angry whenever I mention him!"
"What happened? Did the boss upset you?"
"He didn't upset me, but he bullied me. Otherwise, why would I be here so late today? Cha Chao and Mu Mu are so worried."
"I was too busy talking to them earlier, and I didn't get to talk to Cha Chao and Mu Mu. I'll go see them." Qiao Yu Fan took some washed strawberries out of the refrigerator and said with a smile, "Your third brother said Cha Chao and Mu Mu love these. I washed them specially, waiting for them to come."
"Then I'll thank you, Third Aunt, on their behalf."
Qiao Yu Fan, her face flushed, walked out quickly.
Lan Yuxi smiled and chased after her. "Third Sister-in-law, wait for me!"
"What are you two doing? Is a dog chasing you?" Lan Muwei's voice came from behind with a laugh.