Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Kissing Until Remembering
Lan Yan was stopped at the entrance to the emergency room.
“Sorry, you can’t go in there.”
Still, Xiao Si’s fleeting figure didn’t escape her sharp gaze.
Lan Yan didn’t say anything—she simply waited outside.
She didn’t know how long she had been waiting until a pair of shoes appeared before her. Only then did she lift her head.
Xiao Si’s handsome face crashed directly into her view.
Lan Yan locked eyes with him for a few seconds before asking, “Finished with everything?”
Xiao Si replied, “Why are you here?”
“Oh, I was heading downstairs when I happened to see you, so I followed along.”
She glanced inside the room and asked again, “Was the person in there the head nurse?”
Xiao Si answered truthfully, “Yes, it was her.”
“Did something happen?”
After all, they had just met a few hours ago.
Xiao Si explained, “She suffered from gas poisoning at home.”
Lan Yan was somewhat startled by this revelation.
She asked, “How is she now?”
Xiao Si said, “She’s out of danger for now.”
“Oh, that’s good then.”
Lan Yan responded absentmindedly.
She didn’t ask why Jiang Huai experienced gas poisoning at home, nor why Xiao Si was the first to find out.
She felt the question redundant and chose not to ask.
Because she understood one principle: in love, one must have tolerance. To maintain a lasting relationship, it’s critical to have the ability to overlook petty concerns. Some things needn’t be overanalyzed—just trust your own heart.
She shifted the topic. “So, are you going upstairs to see Aunt Yun?”
Xiao Si’s jet-black eyes locked on to hers intently. He said, “When she noticed something was wrong, she called me. Coincidentally, Wan and I were nearby, so we went over.”
Lan Yan blinked after hearing this and replied, “Oh, got it.”
The fact that he voluntarily explained certainly comforted her a great deal, though that wasn’t the main reason.
After some hesitation, she decided to ask a burning question: “If, one day, I’m with you and she calls to ask for your help—help regarding something life-threatening—would you leave me to go to her?”
Lan Yan regretted the question almost immediately.
Just a moment ago, she told herself to be tolerant, yet now she had completely contradicted her own advice.
She knew her query made her seem petty.
It slipped out in a moment of impulsiveness.
Lan Yan wasn’t someone prone to impulsivity, though perhaps it had something to do with other matters weighing on her mind.
Before Xiao Si could answer, she gave a faint smile and said, “I’m just joking, don’t take it seriously. Human lives, of course, come first.”
“Aunt Yun should be awake now, I’ll go upstairs first.”
After saying that, she stepped past him and walked forward.
Lan Yan hadn’t expected issues to crop up so soon after they got together.
She hadn’t gotten far when her wrist was firmly grabbed.
Without warning, a strong force pulled her back, causing her to fall into a broad, warm, and sturdy embrace.
The familiar, crisp scent of the man surrounded her nose.
Soon after, his deep voice resonated by her ear: “I’ve told you before—there is no ‘choosing between you and her.’ She’s not even in the equation. If there’s ever a choice to be made, you will always be my priority. Granted, some things are purely coincidental and beyond explanation, but I will never abandon you.”
His tone grew particularly firm with the final sentence.
Xiao Si understood that Lan Yan, due to her environment growing up, had become an exceptionally sensitive individual.
Thus, he only wished to do everything in his power to provide her with absolute security.
Lan Yan didn’t doubt him—in fact, she trusted him greatly.
It was just as he himself had said: coincidences happen, and when they do, it’s impossible to stand idly by.
If she were in his position, she probably wouldn’t turn a blind eye either.
Human beings inherently conflicted creatures.
Lan Yan said, “I know you wouldn’t abandon me. I was only asking casually.”
Xiao Si placed a hand on the back of her head, resting his chin lightly against her crown.
In a low voice, he said, “Still, I hope you address things directly with me, like just now—rather than burying them inside and dealing with them alone.”
“Alright, I understand,” Lan Yan replied.
Suddenly, a teasing male voice rang out: “Embracing like this in public—is that really appropriate?”
Wan Muqi had been standing nearby for quite some time.
Lan Yan withdrew from Xiao Si’s embrace and turned to see Wan Muqi behind her.
“Mr. Wan,” she greeted.
Wan Muqi smiled and said, “Hello, sister-in-law.”
Lan Yan: “…”
Wan Muqi glanced at Xiao Si, whose expression wasn’t particularly pleasant, and explained to Lan Yan, “Sister-in-law, I can vouch for Uncle Xiao—we genuinely happened to be near Jiang Huai’s place together. So, Sister-in-law, don’t go breaking up with him out of anger, or else he might cry himself hoarse tonight, unable to find his bearings.”
“…”
Xiao Si wrapped an arm around Lan Yan’s shoulder and shot Wan Muqi a look. “If you don’t know how to talk, then shut your mouth.”
Lan Yan nudged his side gently with her elbow. “Don’t talk to Mr. Wan like that.”
After all, Wan Muqi had just helped her out not long ago.
Xiao Si pursed his lips and said no more.
Wan Muqi observed him and laughed, “Ah, another henpecked husband in the making.”
Xiao Si responded, “And you’re pretending you’re not one yourself?”
Wan Muqi shrugged and said, “I never claimed I wasn’t.”
Xiao Si didn’t bother engaging him further. Turning to Lan Yan, he said, “Let’s go.”
“Wait a moment,” Lan Yan turned her head toward him. “Shouldn’t you stay here for the head nurse?”
She meant the words sincerely, without insinuation.
After all, she had seen no sign of Jiang Huai’s family arriving during her long wait.
Xiao Si replied, “There’s no need. I’ve already asked the hospital staff to notify her family. Besides, I’m not her family—staying here won’t make any difference. And more importantly, she’s an employee of the hospital. Even if her family doesn’t show, the organization won’t neglect her.”
He finished speaking, leaving her at a loss for words.
“You should go. They don’t need you here.”
This remark was clearly aimed at Wan Muqi.
Unperturbed, Wan Muqi offered Lan Yan a polite farewell and left.
Lan Yan watched Wan Muqi’s retreating figure and suddenly remarked, “You should treat Mr. Wan more kindly. Don’t always antagonize him.”
Xiao Si knew why she was speaking up for Wan Muqi.
He said, “He took ten million from me last time—that’s more than enough to cover his legal fees.”
Lan Yan replied, “But Mr. Wan really did me a favor.”
Xiao Si scoffed lightly, “Do you know how often I’ve helped him out? If he waives his fee for you once, he’s still ahead.”
Lan Yan had nothing further to say.
When the two returned to the ward, Mrs. Xiao had just regained consciousness.
Seeing the two standing side by side, Mrs. Xiao broke into a radiant smile.
Lan Yan helped her sit upright. Mrs. Xiao held Lan Yan’s hand and asked, “When will I get to see you two married? I’m really looking forward to that day.”
Lan Yan didn’t know how to respond, so she glanced at Xiao Si.
Seated leisurely in a chair, Xiao Si raised his brows slightly. “I’d like that to happen as soon as possible, but it’s not for me to decide alone.”
Lan Yan: “…”
Mrs. Xiao, however, turned toward him and said, “Don’t pressure Lan Yan into doing anything she doesn’t want to, or you’ll answer to me. If she doesn’t want to marry you, that’s proof you’re still not deserving.”
Having finished her rebuke, Mrs. Xiao turned to Lan Yan with a gentle smile and said, “Lan Yan, don’t feel pressured. If you don’t want to get married, then don’t. You’ll always be my daughter regardless.”
Xiao Si rolled his eyes in frustration. “Mom, that’s not what you said earlier.”
Mrs. Xiao retorted, “None of your concern.”
Xiao Si muttered under his breath, “They weren’t kidding when they said a woman’s heart is like the depths of the ocean.”
“Lan Yan, let’s not entertain him. Let’s chat privately,” Mrs. Xiao said cheerfully.
This wasn’t new to Xiao Si—he had grown accustomed to it long ago.
Despite being Mrs. Xiao’s biological son, sometimes he felt less like her child than Lan Yan did.
As the two women conversed casually, Xiao Si found himself sidelined and began playing with his phone in silence.
At one point, Lan Yan excused herself to the restroom.
Mrs. Xiao seized the opportunity to question Xiao Si, “You brat, how’s the person I asked you to investigate coming along?”
Xiao Si glanced at the restroom’s direction. “There are over a billion people in the country, and plenty of people with the same name. Even if I had supernatural abilities, it wouldn’t be possible to uncover the truth in just one day. I’m just an ordinary human, so you’ll have to give me more time.”
Mrs. Xiao huffed, “Your efficiency is atrocious. Want me to make a poor review of you in front of Lan Yan?”
“Dear Ms. Liang, do you still want grandchildren or not?” Xiao Si quipped.
Mrs. Xiao scoffed, “If I hadn’t laid the groundwork for you, you probably wouldn’t have wooed her at all. If you had one ounce of your dad’s boldness, I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a daughter-in-law or holding a grandchild.”
“…”
Ms. Liang had always been brutally candid with her words.
She added, “Hurry it up and stop dragging this out, understood?”
“Got it, got it,” Xiao Si replied.
Mrs. Xiao seemed about to say more but shut her mouth as soon as she heard the door open.
Not long after, Mr. Xiao arrived.
Initially, Mr. Xiao wanted to take time off work and stay in the hospital to accompany her, but Mrs. Xiao insisted he go back to his duties. Unable to disobey his wife, Mr. Xiao complied.
Seeing his father’s arrival, Xiao Si stood up. “Now that Dad’s here, we’re not needed anymore. Let’s get going,” he said.
Lan Yan had no objection.
She turned to the elderly pair and said, “Aunt Yun, Uncle Xiao—see you later.”
“Alright, you two can go,” Mrs. Xiao replied. “Don’t feel like you have to visit me every day—I don’t want your work to be disrupted because of me. There are caretakers here, so there’s no need to worry.”
“I understand, Aunt Yun,” Lan Yan acknowledged the sentiment.
“Okay then, hurry and go on your date,” Mrs. Xiao said with a wave of her hand.
“…”
Once back in the car, Lan Yan fell into a quiet spell.
Noticing her unease, Xiao Si asked, “What’s on your mind today? Did something happen that you didn’t tell me about?”
Lan Yan finished fastening her seatbelt when a shadow suddenly loomed over her.
She looked into the face that appeared mere inches away, furrowing her brows slightly as she pushed at his shoulder.
“What’re you doing? Didn’t you say we were going to get food?”
“Something about you seems off. Is there something you’re hiding from me?”
“Nope.”
Xiao Si narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”
Lan Yan hesitated for a moment. “I’m sure.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well, I don’t have any proof to convince you.”
Xiao Si leaned his face even closer.
Lan Yan instinctively placed a hand over his face to stop him.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it—don’t invade my personal space!”
Xiao Si grabbed her hand, lowering it.
In the next instant, he sealed her lips with his own.
“…”
Lan Yan quickly succumbed to his kiss, her breathing growing shallow, her body turning soft.
When Xiao Si finally released her, her eyes were misty with a veil of faint tears.
Their foreheads pressed together.
His wide, heated palm cradled her cheek as he asked in a deep voice, “Carefully think again—is there something you want to say? If you can’t remember, we can keep kissing until you do.”
Lan Yan found herself at a loss for words.
Was this man born manipulative?
Why did he always resort to such exasperating tactics?
Lan Yan raised her hand, lightly covering his lips with her palm, if only to preemptively block more kisses.
Clearing her throat, she said, “I overheard a secret outside Hu Yunqin’s hospital room today.”
Xiao Si quirked his brow. “What secret?”
Lan Yan hesitated briefly. “Are you sure you want to know?”
He nodded.
“Then sit properly, and I’ll tell you,” Lan Yan replied.
True to his word, Xiao Si adjusted his posture and sat upright.
Lan Yan sighed in relief, smoothing out the wrinkles he had caused in her shirt earlier.
After a few seconds of quiet contemplation, she said, “Hu Yunqin, Aunt Yun, and Uncle Xiao have known each other for years. You’re probably aware of that, right?”
Xiao Si responded, “Didn’t know before, but do now.”
“…”
Ignoring his flippant demeanor, Lan Yan pressed on, “She pursued Uncle Xiao back then.”
This revelation caught Xiao Si off guard, surprising him for a moment.
“And so?” he asked.
Lan Yan turned toward him, staring silently.
Xiao Si locked eyes with her briefly before suddenly chuckling.
Lan Yan frowned at his seemingly inexplicable laughter and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Xiao Si lightly tapped his cheekbone with his tongue before responding, “Don’t tell me you’re wondering if you’re Uncle Xiao’s daughter?”
Lan Yan’s brow furrowed tightly. She had initially entertained the notion but dismissed it upon further consideration.
Uncle Xiao was not the type to be interested in Hu Yunqin.
Xiao Si extended his finger, flicking her lightly on the forehead. “What’s that mind of yours conjuring up now? Why would you ever think you’re Uncle Xiao’s daughter? If anything, it’d be more plausible that I’m not their biological child—after all, I’m practically dispensable to them, whereas you hold much more importance.”
Lan Yan: “I did think about it briefly, but I know it’s impossible.”
Xiao Si: “Then what’s the issue? Worried that Mrs. Xiao might know and you’d feel awkward around her?”
Lan Yan’s silence confirmed his conjecture.
“Silly girl, you’re overthinking. Mrs. Xiao probably knew long before you caught wind of it. Besides, Uncle Xiao and Mrs. Xiao have been each other’s first and only love—you really don’t need to stress about this. My dad’s been a devoted husband for life; even in his youth, my mom had him wrapped around her finger.”
Lan Yan: “…”
“So, you’ve been brooding all afternoon over such a trivial matter?”
Lan Yan bit her lip in silence. Perhaps it was one of several things bothering her, after all.
…
The following morning, Lan Yan received a text message from an unfamiliar number.
The content read: Want to know who your biological father is? Come to No. 8, Lane 10, Yunhe Road at 7 PM tonight.