“Why did they come to the hospital? And don’t you feel like the distance between them is a little too close?”
Su Xiang frowned, sensing that something was wrong with the atmosphere between them. “I’ve never seen Shang Xu so… emotionally expressive with anyone before.”
Ji Yan took her hand. “Follow them and we’ll find out.”
He already had an answer. The Female Protagonist’s classic terrible family background included a gambling father, a sick mother, and a hot-tempered, disobedient younger brother. The troubles this family caused would also catalyze the relationship between the male and female protagonists.
However, in the Plot, Shang Xu was hot-tempered and impatient. This male supporting character solved most of the family’s troubles, only for Shang Xu to discover the misunderstanding and assume that something ambiguous was going on between them. That led to conflict.
Now that he had become the owner of this body, he had decided not to interfere in their affairs. How would the Female Protagonist’s family overcome its troubles?
He looked forward to seeing how things would develop without the male supporting character competing for her.
“This is the place.” Lin Ranran angrily led Shang Xu to the ward door. “I haven’t made a single phone call since I arrived, so don’t accuse me later of arranging this whole act and hiring people to perform it. Also, my mother isn’t well, so don’t say anything inappropriate.”
Seeing her reddened eyes and fierce little expression, Shang Xu looked away, awkwardly.
He loosened his tie, and his tone grew gentler than usual. “Don’t worry. I’m not an unreasonable person.”
The two pushed open the door and entered. The pale, frail woman on the hospital bed looked worried. “Ranran? Why are you here at this hour? Isn’t it working time? Did something happen at work?”
“No, Mom, don’t get worked up.” Lin Ranran hurried over to support her, poured a glass of warm water, and touched her forehead to check for a fever.
Her natural, practiced movements convinced Shang Xu that Lin Ranran had not lied to him.
“Lin Ranran is an excellent employee. Please rest assured.”
“And you are?” Looking at the tall, handsome man with his exceptional bearing, Lin Ranran’s mother turned somewhat helplessly toward her daughter.
“I’m a supervisor at Lin Ranran’s company. Because of her excellent performance, I came as the company’s representative to visit you.”
His natural expression and sanctimonious appearance irritated Lin Ranran; she wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips.
Seeing her expressive microexpressions, Shang Xu found it amusing. But since he had ultimately been needlessly suspicious, he had no intention of pursuing the matter.
“You’re part of the Management Team at the Shang Corporation? To become a senior executive at such a large Corporation while still so young—you’re impressive!” Lin Ranran’s mother exclaimed. Lin Ranran’s hesitant look pleased him again.
“It’s nothing. I was lucky.”
Lin Ranran snorted inwardly. What young senior executive? What luck? He was the President of their Corporation, and the entire Shang Corporation belonged to his family. If she weren’t afraid of frightening her mother, she wanted to expose him outright.
“Auntie, I came in a hurry and didn’t bring a gift, so please don’t take offense. The company has decided to give Lin Ranran an additional three months’ bonus, and she will Become a Permanent Employee immediately.”
“I’m not offended at all. I’m already delighted that the Shang Corporation values our Ranran. She’s graduating soon, and I’ve been worrying about where she’ll work afterward. Settling down at the Shang Corporation would be more than I could ask for. You’re even giving her three months’ bonus. Your Corporation is wonderful.”
Lin Ranran’s mother was overjoyed. Her excitement triggered another fit of violent coughing. Lin Ranran hurried to put the nebulizer on her, then went outside with Shang Xu to talk.
Lin Ranran was still awkward. “Thank you for keeping your promise.”
Shang Xu said, “Do I look like someone who makes empty promises? What illness does your mother have? When you joined the workforce, Human Resources should have told you that the Shang Corporation provides serious-illness care insurance subsidies for the family members of permanent employees.”
“My mother doesn’t meet the company’s requirements.” Lin Ranran lowered her head, looking tired. “She has an immune system disorder. It can’t be cured. She suffers from complications such as weakness, fever, coughing, and dizziness. Her hospital stays and medication are unpredictable.”
“The company failed to account for cases like this. I’ll have Human Resources revise the policy.”
Lin Ranran stared at him in a daze. “Thank you, President Shang.”
Her clear eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight. The admiration and gratitude in them made Shang Xu turn away awkwardly. “You don’t need to thank me. The Shang Corporation cares for its employees’ family members so that employees can work for the Shang Corporation without worry.”
“President Shang, please rest assured. I’ll work hard and diligently from now on, and I’ll go through fire and water for the Shang Corporation.”
Shang Xu curled his lips. “The Shang Corporation isn’t a place where employees go to war. About what happened on the rooftop…”
Lin Ranran raised her hand. “President Shang, I didn’t hear anything.”
“Mm. It’s best that you didn’t.”
“Hear what?” Su Xiang and Ji Yan emerged from the stairwell, frowning as they watched the two of them walk away side by side.
“Shang Xu treats Lin Ranran differently. I’ve never seen him show so many expressions or emotions toward any woman—not even He Chan.”
Thinking of how Shang Xu usually treated her Best Friend, Su Xiang felt even more sorry for He Chan.
“Who did they go to visit?”
“We’ll know once we ask around.”
Ji Yan paid a patient from the same ward for information and learned that Lin Ranran’s mother was the person they had visited.
Su Xiang grew more upset. “At Uncle He’s birthday, Shang Xu merely had his Assistant deliver a gift. But he personally visited an Intern’s mother? Whatever the reason, I refuse to accept it!”
“Don’t be angry.” Ji Yan stroked her back. A nurse pushed a wheelchair over, so he took the opportunity to pull Su Xiang into his arms.
“We’ll soon be able to test Shang Xu’s true feelings and help He Chan see the truth. If Shang Xu really treats Lin Ranran as someone special, all the better. She can give up on him sooner.”
“Then what do He Chan’s years of devotion mean?”
“They mean Shang Xu doesn’t know how to appreciate what he has. Once he loses the protection of The He Family, the Shang Corporation won’t have an easy time.”
The System’s memories had given Ji Yan glimpses of future economic developments. He knew Real Estate would not prosper forever. Without a warning from The He Family or his support for Lin Ranran through Ji Corporation assets, the Shang Corporation would suffer heavy losses even if it completed its Career Transformation.
“Don’t be angry. Instead of wasting your energy on this, you might as well go keep He Chan company. Remember, don’t let He Chan notice anything amiss with the true and false heiresses plan.”
“Mm, I know.”
Once she had calmed down, Su Xiang realized that she was half leaning against Ji Yan’s chest. He patted her back as though it were natural, his broad chest radiating warmth. His gentle, soothing voice seemed to brush against her ear, sending waves of tingling through her.
Sensing her discomfort, Ji Yan did not point it out. Instead, he chuckled and led her downstairs by the hand. “Let’s get something to eat first. I ordered the Eight-Treasure Duck and Prosperity Prawns from Xiuyu Pavilion.”
After a pause, he added, “If you’re worried that He Chan won’t be able to move on, invite her over to see how we get along. Let her compare us with Shang Xu.”
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