Chapter 393: Chapter 393: You Are Not Meant to Be
Lan Yan looked at Mrs. Xiao and said, “Aunt Yun, I’m worried you’ll feel troubled.”
“Silly child, what’s there for Aunt Yun to feel troubled about?” Mrs. Xiao’s smile had already returned. “Aunt Yun is actually happy for you.”
“Look at you, finally finding your family. This is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?”
Lan Yan listened to Mrs. Xiao’s words and could only respond with a smile.
After all, there were some matters she didn’t want Mrs. Xiao involved in—it wouldn’t benefit her in any way.
“Thank you, Aunt Yun,” Lan Yan said.
Because, truthfully, she didn’t know how to respond to her.
Later, after the two of them had dinner together, Lan Yan sent her back to the Xiao Family’s home.
“Yanyan, do you want to come in and sit for a while?” Mrs. Xiao said. “Don’t worry, that brat isn’t home.”
She was afraid Lan Yan might not want to see that brat at home.
Lan Yan replied, “No need, Aunt Yun, I have something to do later. I’ll come in next time.”
Mrs. Xiao didn’t insist after hearing that. “Alright, drive carefully on your way back.”
Lan Yan nodded. “Okay.”
Then, Lan Yan turned her car around and left the Xiao Mansion.
She had just left when Xiao Si walked out from inside.
“Beautiful Ms. Liang, why are you lingering at the door?”
Xiao Si was dressed casually, with his hands in his pockets, standing behind Ms. Liang.
The sudden remark from Xiao Si startled Liang Yun.
“Oh my goodness!”
Xiao Si: “…”
Mrs. Xiao turned around, raised her hand, and smacked him.
“You brat, are you a ghost? Walking without making a sound—trying to scare me to death so you can get yourself a stepmother, huh?”
Xiao Si: “…”
“Mom, from the way you talk, it’s as if if I wanted a stepmother, Dad would actually agree.”
At those words, Mrs. Xiao immediately pinched his arm with her thumb and forefinger. “Oh? You really want to get yourself another mom, huh?”
Xiao Si tried to dodge, but his mother’s speed was faster.
“How would I dare! I was just joking around—you know me. Ow, ow, ow! Your strength from back in the day hasn’t diminished a bit!”
Mrs. Xiao rolled her eyes at him. “Why are you at home?”
She had just sworn to Yanyan that the brat wasn’t home, but who knew he actually was.
Otherwise, she would have lost her credibility with Lan Yan.
“Mom, being at my own home isn’t illegal. Why can’t I be here?”
“Who told you it isn’t illegal?”
“Then tell me, what law did I break?”
“…”
Mrs. Xiao opened her mouth but couldn’t immediately think of an answer.
But she was someone who knew when to hold back and when to advance. Flexibility was her forte.
“I won’t bother saying anything.”
Xiao Si let out a laugh.
Mrs. Xiao suddenly remembered something important.
She said, “By the way, Yanyan found her biological parents.”
Xiao Si looked at her calmly and said, “Ms. Liang, to be precise, her biological mother.”
Lan Yan’s father was still a mystery.
“How do you know that?” Mrs. Xiao asked.
He couldn’t have known the news earlier than she did, right?
Xiao Si: “That’s none of your concern.”
Mrs. Xiao squinted slightly and asked, “Yanyan wouldn’t deliberately tell you about this, would she?”
Upon hearing his mother’s words, Xiao Si proudly replied, “I was the one who accompanied her to meet her biological mother that day.”
When Mrs. Xiao heard this, she squinted her eyes and said, “Did you forcefully tag along?”
Xiao Si, of course, wouldn’t admit it. “She invited me.”
“Heh…” Mrs. Xiao saw right through him and chose not to expose him.
“If you had come out a little earlier, you might have seen Yanyan. Clearly, you two are truly star-crossed.”
After saying that, she walked past him into the house.
Xiao Si: “…”
She really is his biological mother.
Mrs. Xiao headed straight to the study as soon as she entered—she had to inform her husband of this news.
——
Hu Yunqin had been arranging to meet Lan Yan for several days, but Lan Yan had politely declined each time.
It wasn’t until the seventh day that Lan Yan said she was available.
However, when Hu Yunqin waited at the mall for half an hour without seeing Lan Yan, she began calling to urge her.
Lan Yan answered the call quickly.
“Hello, Yanyan, where are you now?” She didn’t rush her directly but instead maintained a soft and kind demeanor, the image of a gentle mother.
Lan Yan curled her lips slightly and replied calmly, “I just had something to take care of. I might not be able to make it right away. If you have other plans, you can go ahead first.”
Hu Yunqin felt a lump in her throat, neither up nor down.
But she suppressed it and didn’t lose her temper.
She said considerately, “I see, that’s okay. Go ahead and finish your task. How long do you think you’ll need? Mom can wait for you—it’s no trouble, or perhaps I could arrange for someone to pick you up.”
Listening to her gentle voice, one might think she genuinely cared deeply for her.
“About one or two more hours,” Lan Yan replied.
Hu Yunqin said, “Then send me the address, and I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up.”
She only knew that Lan Yan was a doctor but had no idea which hospital she worked at.
She had been unable to find out.
Lan Yan hesitated for a few seconds before replying, “Sure, I’ll send you the address shortly.”
“Alright, see you later.”
Lan Yan responded perfunctorily with a sound before hanging up.
Five minutes later, Hu Yunqin received a text with the address: People’s Road 110.
After receiving the address, she left the mall.
“Ms. Qin, where are we heading now?” her assistant asked. “Is she not coming anymore?”
Hu Yunqin replied, “She sent an address; we’ll go find her directly.”
The two walked to the elevator and descended to the underground parking lot.
After getting in the car, Hu Yunqin said to the driver, “Take us to People’s Road 110.”
The driver replied and started the car.
But in the next second, he asked, “Madam, what are we going to do at People’s Road 110? You can’t just walk into that place.”
Hu Yunqin wasn’t familiar with the city, but the driver was a local.
So she directly countered with, “Isn’t it a hospital? Why can’t we enter?”
She thought the address Lan Yan gave was for a hospital—she had received the address without verifying it.
The driver responded, “Madam, that’s not a hospital; it’s a medical research institute.”
“Medical research institute?”
“Yes, it’s the largest medical research institute affiliated with the city’s big hospital.”
“…”
An hour later.
Hu Yunqin arrived across from the research institute’s entrance.
She lowered the car window, looked at the imposing gates, and instinctively frowned.
Her mind was racing: Isn’t this girl just an ordinary doctor? Why does she work in such a place? Could she be here on some business?
A flurry of questions flashed through her mind.
Her assistant chimed in, “Ms. Qin, she’s probably here for some work.”
Although that matched her earlier thoughts, it seemed out of place.
Just an ordinary doctor—how could she have business here?
“Madam, we can only wait here; we can’t go any closer,” the driver said.
Hu Yunqin replied, “Then we’ll wait here.”
She then picked up her phone and informed Lan Yan that she had arrived.
Lan Yan, at that time in her office, glanced at her vibrating phone before setting it down.
Hu Yunqin was certainly diligent and prompt—acting as though afraid Lan Yan might evade her.
Since she was so willing to wait, then let her wait.
…
After waiting for an hour and a half, Hu Yunqin finally saw Lan Yan emerge from the research institute gates.
“Ms. Qin, is that her coming out now?”
Hearing this, Hu Yunqin turned to look.
She lowered her car window and called out across the street, “Yanyan, over here.”
Lan Yan turned her head toward the sound.
She walked over.
Hu Yunqin opened the car door and got out to greet her.
As Lan Yan approached, she enthusiastically gave her a hug.
Lan Yan had intended to avoid it but decided to endure it.
“You haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Let Mom take you to eat something first, alright?” Hu Yunqin asked warmly.
It was already 1 PM.
Lan Yan murmured, “Whatever you decide.”
“Then let’s get in the car.”
Inside the car, Hu Yunqin took the opportunity to ask, “Yanyan, do you work here?”
Lan Yan lowered her head, adjusted some creases in her outfit, and casually replied, “Yeah, is that an issue?”
Hu Yunqin froze slightly. “Aren’t you a doctor? Why are you working in a research institute?”
Lan Yan lifted her gaze. Her clear eyes carried a faint trace of chill.
Turning her head to look at her, the corner of her eye slightly raised, she said indifferently, “It’s not like there’s a rule that says I can only be a doctor.”
Seeing her displeased expression, Hu Yunqin quickly clarified, “Don’t misunderstand Mom. I wasn’t doubting you—I just wanted to understand your life better. Missing out on so many years of your growth, I’ve always felt guilty. That’s why I’m particularly interested in knowing more about you.”
Lan Yan said nonchalantly, “I didn’t say anything, so you don’t have to rush to explain. If you want to know something, just ask me directly. You won’t be able to dig up anything useful anyway.”
That hit a nerve for Hu Yunqin.
She forced a smile and replied, “Alright, I’ll ask you in the future. Before, I had Luo Jian check into your past, just to understand how you’ve been these years.”
Lan Yan replied calmly, “I’ve been fine. Although I wasn’t rich, I never struggled for food or clothing.”
The implied meaning was clear: even without this biological mother, her life hadn’t been bad.
Of course, Hu Yunqin could grasp the subtext.
“As long as it’s good…” she murmured.
A quiet stretch followed.
After that remark, Lan Yan leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes to rest.
Clearly, she wasn’t in the mood for conversation.
The lunch passed with Lan Yan saying little.
Most of the time, it was Hu Yunqin initiating topics and talking to her.
Lan Yan would respond when necessary, but if she didn’t want to answer, she remained silent.
After eating, Hu Yunqin drove her to a high-end boutique specializing in custom dresses.
“Yanyan, these dresses here are all custom designs. Go and have your measurements taken while I check out the styles,” Hu Yunqin said.
Lan Yan nodded.
Following the guidance of a store clerk, she headed to the back room.
Meanwhile, the store manager led Hu Yunqin to the VIP area to wait and handed her a selection of designs to choose from.
“Ms. Hu, these are this year’s newest and trendiest designs. Feel free to take your time selecting.”
“Alright, thank you. I’d like to take a look quietly for now. You can leave.”
“Sure, madam.”
Five minutes later, Lan Yan returned.
Hu Yunqin waved her over, smiling kindly. “Yanyan, come take a look at the designs Mom picked out for you.”
Lan Yan sat down on an empty chair nearby—a small table sat between them.
Hu Yunqin handed over the pictures of the few designs she had selected.
“Look at these. Choose your favorite. These are all hand-picked by Mom, and I think they suit your style quite well.”
Lan Yan glanced over them. To her credit, Hu Yunqin had a good eye.
It was clear she hadn’t chosen at random but had put some thought into the selections.
However…
Coincidentally, none of the chosen designs were to her liking.
Still, she wasn’t picky about dresses—as long as they were comfortable to wear.
So she casually said, “They’re all fine. You pick. I don’t have any particular preferences, as long as it’s comfortable.”
After all, whether she could end up wearing this dress at all was still uncertain.
“Alright,” Hu Yunqin said. “If you don’t mind, I’ll finalize the choice.”
Lan Yan didn’t reply—her silence signified agreement.
There wasn’t anything more for her to say about it.
After ordering the dress, Hu Yunqin took her to shop for jewelry.
After jewelry, they shopped for bags and shoes…
According to Hu Yunqin, she wanted to give her a complete makeover, from head to toe.
Lan Yan played along without objection, cooperating fully.
But while trying on shoes, she ran into Dong Xiaoxiao.
“Oh, Mom, Sis—what a coincidence!”
Dong Xiaoxiao walked over and greeted them sweetly.
“Xiaoxiao, why are you here?” Hu Yunqin asked.
She glanced cautiously at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan didn’t look at them—her focus was on her phone.
At that moment, a salesperson entered with the shoes chosen by Hu Yunqin for Lan Yan.
The salesperson addressed Lan Yan, “Miss, would you like to try these on?”
Lan Yan hadn’t spoken yet when Dong Xiaoxiao cut her off. “Of course, she should try them—otherwise, how would she know if they fit? If they don’t, wearing them forcedly would just make her a laughingstock. Am I right, Sis?”
Lan Yan lifted her gaze and looked at her.
The sarcasm in Dong Xiaoxiao’s eyes was evident, but Lan Yan didn’t seem to care.
Lan Yan’s lips curved slightly, her voice cool. “Miss Dong, your ‘Sis, Sis’ address is so grating on my ears. While it was well said, please don’t call me that again. Thank you.”
Dong Xiaoxiao frowned and stepped forward. “What do you mean? Are you saying I have a horrible voice?”
Lan Yan feigned innocence. “I didn’t say that, Miss Dong. Please don’t twist my words. After all, there are so many witnesses here.”
“But clearly, that’s what you meant!”
Dong Xiaoxiao was easily angered and already disliked Lan Yan.
She shouted furiously at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan chuckled lightly, her tone chilled. “Miss Dong, if you insist on believing that, I can’t do anything about it. Your malicious accusations leave me speechless.”
“Xiaoxiao,” Hu Yunqin stepped forward and grabbed her, scolding, “Is this how you talk to your sister?”
Dong Xiaoxiao, feeling wronged, looked at her with a face full of hurt and demanded, “Mom, are you picking her side?”
Hu Yunqin sighed. “I’m not favoring anyone. I’m just addressing the issue—Yan Yan is your elder sister. Even if you’re unhappy, you can’t talk to her like that. It’s rude behavior, and not what I’ve taught you.”
Dong Xiaoxiao was even more upset. Hu Yunqin had never said those things to her before. Ever since Lan Yan appeared, all her attention shifted to her.
Even though she understood Hu Yunqin had a motive, she still felt bitter!
Lan Yan silently observed the mother-daughter duo, without any intention of intervening—she felt like an outsider.
Grasping Dong Xiaoxiao’s hand, Hu Yunqin gently pinched her, covertly signaling her not to cause a scene publicly.
Fortunately, Dong Xiaoxiao managed to control her emotions and refrained from further outbursts.
“Be good. Apologize to your sister,” Hu Yunqin instructed her with a meaningful look.
Dong Xiaoxiao’s eyes brimmed with reluctance, but she had no choice but to listen.
Turning to face Lan Yan, Dong Xiaoxiao found her already watching, a faint, elusive smile curling her lips.
“I’m sorry.”
Dong Xiaoxiao grudgingly uttered the three words.