Saturday 29 July 2017

First Marriage Then Love 《先婚厚爱》Chapter 72 Translation

072. Pillow side whispers 


Su Yi Cheng dazedly stares at her, and doesn’t say anything for a while.

An Ran suddenly felt that she had spoken too much. He had never asked her to tell everything about the relationship between her and Mo Fei, so who was she to ask about his?

The corner of her mouth bends shamelessly, “I asked without thinking, don’t mind me.” Saying that, she reaches out to open the door and gets out.

Xiao Zhang by the door approaches them to welcome them, and seeing An Ran his bright voice calls out, “Hi sister-in-law.” 

An Ran bursts out laughing, and with equal cheerfulness says,  “Hi Xiao Zhang.”

Xiao Zhang scratches his head, embarrassed, his mouth split wide open. It was so pure and cute.

Su Yi Cheng comes out from the car, carrying their luggage. He smiles at Xiao Zhang and asks, “Xiao Zhang, is my dad back?”

“Reporting, senior official hasn’t returned yet. I heard that in the next few days there will be a military exercise, so in recent days senior official has been returning home later.” Xiao Zhang says in seriousness, his two arms straight down by his side, his body straight as a ramrod.

Su Yi Cheng nods, and goes over to An Ran to pull on her hand, “Let’s go in.”

An Ran returns a smile, and nods. She allows him to lead her into the courtyard.

When they went in Qin Yun was in the kitchen and their aunt was busy preparing lunch. Hearing the noise outside, she circles around and comes out with her apron. She sees An Ran and Su Yi Cheng together, and immediately a smile fills her face, “An Ran’s back. Come sit for a bit, sit for a bit. Lunch is almost ready.” Saying this she quickly heads back to the kitchen, pressing on to speed up.

Su Yi Cheng watches his mother disappear into the kitchen, and turns to look at An Ran. A while later, he then says, “Hey, you think my mom didn’t see me?”

An Ran looks at him, puzzled, “What do you mean?”

He’s such a big person, but also he was standing right beside her. If her mother-in-law could see her, how could she not see him?

“Before, once I came home she’d go ‘Ah Cheng Ah Cheng’. Did you hear, she just said An Ran you’re back!” Su Yi Cheng says. He has a childish expression, as if he had been wronged, like he was complaining.

“Pfft---!” An Ran couldn’t hold it in, and sneers. She deviously turns her head and looks at him amused, and says, “Su Yi Cheng, are you jealous?”

Su Yi Cheng rubs his nose, and whines, “Just feel snubbed.”

An Ran laughs even harder. She never thought that his deadpan appearance can be this adorably funny. Then suddenly, her lips warm up, and she couldn’t even laugh, because Su Yi Cheng had already sealed it with a kiss, swallowing all of her laughter, and her own bashfulness and embarrassment.

An Ran goes wide eyed, somewhat at a loss from his doing. She haphazardly swats his shoulder in response. He really is crazy, where does he think he is, his mother is in the kitchen, if she comes out she can see, as if he wanted his own mother to see that she is like this with him, then does he want her to hide from people!

“Wu wu, Su…. Su Yi Cheng, you… you let wu… let me go wuuu…” She was distracted by the kiss, and she couldn’t even muster what she wanted to say.

However, Su Yi Cheng had no intention of letting her go. With one hand he grabs her waist, so she can press onto him, while the other hand holds on to the back of An Ran’s head, deepening the kiss.

Unable to throw him off, instead An Ran was disorientated by his kiss. She was even slowly getting excited by his kiss, forgetting that she was outside right now. Her arms creep up around his neck, eyes closed, and returns his hot kiss.

“Uh, madam, why are you standing by the door, didn’t you want to tell them lunch was ready?” The aunt carries out the dishes and was about to go out to put them on the table, but she catches Qin Yun secretly hiding behind the door, sticking her head outside looking at something. She was muttering something, seeming like she was cracking jokes, such a joyful expression.

“Aiyah.” Qin Yun was startled. She turns her head, reprimanding, “Why are you so loud.” She turns back and was about to go back and watch the couple passionately kiss each other, yet she sees her son smiling yet not smiling towards her side, and her daughter-in-law was burying herself in her son’s chest, her tiny hands unceasingly slapping her son.

Upon seeing this, Qin Yun immediately makes her appearance clear, and quickly says, “You guys continue, continue. Food isn’t ready yet, not ready yet, also I didn’t see anything, really did not see a thing.” Saying that she hurriedly closes the kitchen door.

Watching the incredibly shy and embarrassed person in his chest, Su Yi Cheng’s mood improves. He whispers into her ears, “Alright, my mom went back in. Let’s continue?”

An Ran jerks her head up, and hurriedly withdraws from his embrace. Continue, then she really is digging a hole and burying herself. She resolutely looks at him wide-eyed, and hurriedly turns around and runs into Su Yi Cheng’s room. Before going for a meal she arranges the hair and clothing that Su Yi Cheng had messed up.

When she came out of the room Qin Yun and auntie had already arranged the bowls and utensils. Seeing An Ran appear, the two simultaneously give her an ambiguous smile.

An Ran turns red and says ‘mother’ in a low voice. Then Su Yi Cheng sits beside her. Su Han Nian and Su Wen Qing, because the army department was preparing for a performance, they did not return that noon.

At the dining table, Qin Yun was like last time, enthusiastically giving her food, saying that she’s too thin, and needs to eat a bit more. She talks about Su Yi Cheng’s shortcomings, saying a wife is married to pain, how she brings children yet not a piece of meat is to be seen.

Su Yi Cheng rubs his nose, looks at An Ran, then turns to look at the table, even adding a few pieces of large meat onto An Ran’s bowl. “Here, eat a bit more meat.”

An Ran looks at her bowl half filled with food. She was simply helpless. She is thin because her appetite isn’t that big, and now with this much food, when can she finish this!

After eating Qin Yun pulls An Ran aside to chat. The two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair joke around and chat for a bit. However, they didn’t chat for too long, when An Ran felt that she was quickly getting overwhelmed. Because Qin Yun had asked her when she was planning to get pregnant. Not waiting for An Ran’s reply, on her own she laughs and says, that she can see that right now they are very affectionate, and she can estimate that the time when she will carry a child will not be too long. Then she looks at An Ran, and looks at An Ran’s belly. She mutters something for the longest time, which An Ran did not hear the first time, still foolishly asking all over. Qin Yun then smiles ambiguously at her, and says, that she can’t say for sure that your stomach already is carrying my eldest grandchild.

An Ran was shocked and embarrassed, she couldn’t even say a word. Her face turned even more red and heated, looking like a red apple, that is to say, very goodlooking.

Finally Su Yi Cheng comes out of the room, and says that he wants to show An Ran around, rescuing An Ran from the waters.

Seeing that her son wanted to take An Ran out, Qin Yun naturally doesn’t object. She nods her head incessantly, furthermore warning Su Yi Cheng that he needs to properly show An Ran around.

After An Ran had stepped out and walked for a bit, her blushing cheeks did not even fade away. She looks at Su Yi Cheng and sees that he is in a very good mood.

An ran pouts at him, and shakes off his hand. She speeds up her pace, feeling regret. If she had known that it would be this way she wouldn’t have returned with him.

Su Yi Cheng smiles, walks ahead and takes her hand, and says, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to look at the back mountain.”

The couple, hand-in-hand, walk along the clay path. The path was very wide, and was made of yellow clay. There was a lot of silt, and the pavement had some trace of being rolled over, which must have came from a large vehicle or machine.

In reality, on both sides of the path the landscape was very beautiful. As far as the eye can see was green rice fields, and when you raise your head you can see the dark blue sky that was a rare sight in the city. The environment here was very good. Taking a breath, one can tell that the air was clean.

In fact, what Su Yi Cheng had called a back mountain was not very high. It didn’t reach 200 m, and there was a road built around the mountain. In between the mountains farmers were working the land, and once you go up and survey the scene below, you can see that not too far away troops were training. You can faintly hear the loud shouting of the slogan, very imposing; one would shake if they were to hear it.

“How come you aren’t in the army?” An Ran turns around to ask Su Yi Cheng beside her. For two generations the Su family had served the army. They were considered the typical military family, and according to the family tradition it was considered normal for the child to serve the army, and he nevertheless had relinquished military politics, relinquished martial culture.

Su Yi Cheng was taken aback, his brows wrinkle because of the question. After a while he then turns his head to look at An Ran and says, “I needed a challenge. Being in an environment for so long will cause conflict in the environment. Since childhood the military lifestyle made me feel that the force and my daily lifestyle wasn’t too different. After being in the force for 10 years, I decided to change into a new environment, one that was completely different.” 

“You’re very successful ha, now you’re a leader, how many people flatter you.” An Ran teases.

Su Yi Cheng turns himself, facing her, and looks at her funny. “Then do you want to flatter me?”

“Do you need me to flatter you?” An Ran replies, smiling.

Su Yi Cheng nods his head noncommittally, “Of course.”

An Ran also nods in understanding, then angles her head and thinks for a while. She feigns distress and says, “It seems that I can’t find anything to flatter you, what to do?”

Hearing that, Su Yi Cheng scowls, “Aiyah, that indeed is not good.”

An Ran was amused by his appearance, then with a righteous face she says, “You are the people’s public servant, what nerve you have for wanting the common folk to flatter you. Mr. Su, serving the people is your mission!” She pouts, her expression serious.

Su Yi Cheng nods, and says, “Makes sense.” Then he looks at her for a while, then says, “I think I know what to do.”

An Ran was curious, and cautiously asks, “Whaaaa---“ Her 'what' was cut off, because her mouth was already blocked by someone. Thus, not one word can come out. Just like the heated kiss from that afternoon, Su Yi Cheng closes his eyes and sucks on her, his hands, slowly stroking her slender waist.

An Ran was a little annoyed, but she couldn’t hide from his heated kiss. At this enticement, her pink tongue followed by dancing with him.

Not knowing how much time had passed, Su Yi Cheng was finally full, and lets go of her. His stomach heaves up and down, his breathing was also hurried and disordered. Holding An Ran, the two stood there foolishly, unmoving.

After a while, An Ran finally adjusted her breathing in his embrace, then grumbles and swats Su Yi Cheng, saying, “Why do you always go for a surprise attack like that.” Fortunately there wasn’t anyone, but if someone had walked by, she really would have lost face.

Su Yi Cheng chuckles, and allows her to swat him. It didn’t hurt and it wasn’t ticklish. Then, wearing a smile, he softly speaks into her ears, “Your pouty appearance, looked like an invitation to me, so I complied to the natural request. I am the people’s public servant, of course it’s my duty.”

“When did I!” An Ran protested. She glares at him. She herself was not aware, that her small mouth was pouting right now.

Su Yi Cheng breaks into laughter, looks at her earnestly and asks, “Are you inviting me again?”

An Ran hurriedly covers her mouth, coquettishly staring at him wide-eyed, the redness in her face was carrying down to her body.

By the time they got back to the courtyard it was already night fall. The sun was setting behind the mountain, the sunset glow projected a red light across the entire horizon. A faint whistle of a bungle horn sounded from a distant place, and the soldier’s chanting were especially resounding.

Xiao Zhang sees him, and as always he calls out ‘sister-in-law’ in a bright and clear voice. His honest smile was infectious.

But, the car parked in front of the gate surprised Su Yi Cheng. He frowns and wrinkles his brows.

An Ran noticed his change in attitude, and turns to look at the vehicle. It was an Audi. She doesn’t know much about cars, so she doesn’t know what model it is and what was wrong with it. She asks, “What’s wrong? Is something wrong with the car?”

Su Yi Cheng shakes his head. He turns to ask Xiao Zhang, “Mayor Ling is here?” There was nothing wrong with the car, however the license plate belonged to the municipal committee, and Mayor Ling drives this car.

“Yes. He is in the house talking with Madam.” Xiao Zhang replies.

Su Yi Cheng nods, turns his head to An Ran and says, “Let’s go in.”

An Ran doesn’t say anymore, nods, and follows him into the courtyard.

Entering, Mayor Ling and Qin Yun were talking in the living room. On the small table there was a cup of tea, still steaming. The two in the living room see that they had returned, and a smile appears on their faces.

Su Yi Cheng gives a faint smile in response, and simply walks over to the living room, and says, “Uncle Ling must be here looking for dad to play chess.”

Ling Chuan laughs and nods, “Yes. Originally I wanted to kill a few rounds with him, didn’t expect that he’s recently been busy with practice.” He sees An Ran stand beside Su Yi Cheng. His eyes had this unspeakable melancholy and regret.

An Ran smiles and nods at him, and politely calls out, “Uncle Ling.”

Ling Chuan nods, then, he seemed to recall something, and asks Su Yi Cheng, “Oh right, has your health recovered? I hope it’s not a hindrance.”

Su Yi Cheng sits across from, smiles and nods, “It’s nothing. Just an old illness, not serious.”

“You, young fellow need to take care of your body. You are my right hand man, without you these past two days, I could not get used to it. Looks like I’ve truly gotten old, gotten old.” Ling Chuan sighs.

“Our generation should be old, busying for a decade, our children have already grown. Is it possible not to be old.” Qin Yun says. She then stands up, and smiles at An Ran, “Come, An Ran, help mother prepare dinner. Us ladies can chat aimlessly then, let’s not let these menfolk listen.”

An Ran nods, and agrees, “Alright.”

The living room was left over with Su Yi Cheng and Ling Chuan. The two men were silent for a while, when Ling Chuan takes the lead and says, “Yi Cheng, come play a round with me. We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

Su Yi Cheng nods, “Okay.” He gets up and carries the set of Chinese set from the study, and arranges the chessboard.

Ling Chuan starts with the red flag. Su Yi Cheng follows; the opening was typical. Both sides were evenly matched; it was hard to tell who would win.

The rook was brought out, falling behind the opponent’s juncture, suppressing the dark horse’s advancement. Ling Chuan laments, “If not for that time, do you think you would have become my son-in-law?”

Su Yi Cheng looks at him, plays the cannon, and just faintly responds, “Affairs of life are hard to tell.”

“Right. The affairs of life are hard to tell!” Ling Chuan approves, nodding his head. He never thought that he would have to cut ties with his own daughter. Not seeing her for a several years, even though he knows that she is back, he hasn’t seen her yet.

Su Yi Cheng doesn’t speak, concentrating on playing chess.

“She… Has she looked for you?” Ling Chuan asks.

Su Yi Cheng doesn’t raise his head. He knows that he is asking about Ling Ran. He nods slightly, “Yes. I’ve met her.”

“Yi Cheng, do you still have feelings for her?” Ling Chuan couldn’t help but ask. These past few years there wasn’t anyone else by his side. He had always assumed that he could not let go of his affections for Ling Ran, so much that he thought that he would still be his son-in-law, even though it was late by so many years. However he did not expect that he would suddenly marry; there wasn’t even a bit of sign indicating so.

Su Yi Cheng looks at him, pulls his rook and drops it, then faintly says, “Checkmate.”

Ling Chuan was surprised, his lost spirit comes back. He looks down at the chessboard, slightly dazed. He wasn't planning to place that chess piece there, and not long after, he got his own king captured.

While Ling Chuan was frazzled, Su Yi Cheng faintly says, “Now I just see her as your daughter.”

Ling Chuan raises his head, looks at his serene, smiling face, and instantly, doesn’t know what he should say. Right, how could he have some feelings left for her after going through that.

Ling Chuan forces a smile and nods, “Don’t mind, don’t mind. It was I who was thinking too much.”

Su Yi Cheng doesn’t reply, his expression still the same as before. He only says, “Uncle Ling, stay for dinner tonight. Tonight let’s swap pointers with a second round.”

Ling Chuan powerlessly shakes his head, laughing at himself, “Can’t, can’t. I’m afraid that if I stay I will get sliced to pieces by your father-son combo. I can see that I should save my army and quickly return, otherwise it will be an ugly death.” His visit today was to ask; chess was just a pretense. He had asked what he wanted, and so he should return.

Su Yi Cheng smiles, “Uncle Ling is joking, that was just luck.”

Ling Chuan stands, before leaving he pats Su Yi Cheng on the shoulder and says, “These next two days you should take care of your health. Get better so you can return to work early. Besides, next week the committee is holding a meeting on advancing with Ke Ji city, when the time comes you should prepare a statement.”

Su Yi Cheng nods, and accompanies him out.

It was only after eating dinner that Su Wen Qing and Su Han Nian had returned. An Ran kept the two company by talking for a bit, then she returned to the room, while Su Yi Cheng was called into the study.

An Ran sits on a desk and looks over the book that was on it, to pass the time.

At this time, Lin Li calls, and says that Cheng Xiang was back. She told Cheng Xiang about the co-worker situation, and Cheng Xiang said it was no problem, when the moment comes he will contact her colleague, and he can lend a hand and look at the risks of the investment.

Originally, asking for Cheng Xiang about investments was just an excuse, so at this moment An Ran can only carelessly answer, "Ok. When the time comes I’ll give Cheng Xiang’s number to her, so that she can contact him herself.”

Lin Li straightforwardly agrees. The two talk about nothing significant for a bit, then An Ran hears Cheng Xiang’s voice in the background.

“Aiyah, not going to talk with you anymore, my Xiao Xiang is calling me.” Lin Li says, and was about to hang up.

“Wait, Lin Li!” Before she could hang up, An Ran calls out to her.

Lin Li was startled, she asks, “What’s wrong? Is there something?”

“Uh, n-no.” An Ran hesitates. She doesn’t know why, but she started to feel strange, a feeling that she couldn’t quite describe.

“Huh?” Lin Li was suspicious.

“You, you and Cheng Xiang, are things well?” An Ran probes.

“Huh? Should something be wrong?” Lin Li asks puzzled, like she didn’t understand.

An Ran had just unnecessarily asked. They had known each other for 10 years, and Cheng Xiang’s character isn’t distrustful. It was just her that was too sensitive, “N-nothing. Just with the texting situation I thought you would still have a grudge, so I just asked carelessly.”

“Aiyah, it was just a misunderstanding. Besides Cheng Xiang came back, and he bought me a really pretty crystal bracelet. I’ll show it to you another day ha!” Lin Li says excitedly, her voice couldn’t hide her happiness.

An Ran softly smiles, and relieves herself, says, “You’re bullying me. The whole day you’ve been flaunting about how much your Cheng Xiang loves you.”

“Doesn’t your Mr. Su love you?” Lin Li asks. Then she puts on attitude and says, “How about this, next time you bring your Mr. Su with you, this older sister will teach him properly, let him know, that there is someone on this side, so he dare not bully you.”

“Hehe.” An Ran sneers, and again says, “Okay okay okay. Next time I’ll let you lecture him, let him know that I have a powerful backing behind me. See if he dares bully me or not.”

“Yeah, obviously.”

The two chat for a little more, then they end the call.

Closing the phone, An Ran laughs to herself and shakes her head. She takes one of the scattered books again and flips through it. Suddenly someone from behind circles their arm around her waist, startling An Ran, “Ah---!”

That person laughs, his breath sprinkles into her ears.

An Ran turns her head, only to see Su Yi Cheng looking at her funnily. She couldn’t help but pout and glare, “You scared me to death. How could you not make a sound coming here?” When he had come in, she did not hear a thing.

“Why, were you talking bad about me?” Su Yi Cheng hugs her and jokes.

“Of course not.” An Ran denies. She wasn’t that kind of loose-mouthed person, and doesn’t have the habit of talking behind someone’s back.

“Really?” Su Yi Cheng raises his brow, then asks, “Then when did I bully you? Not treat you right?”

An Ran blanks. Clearly he had just heard what she was talking about with Lin Li, and her little brain rolls around. She strikes, “You were eavesdropping!”

“You didn’t lock the door, moreover this is my room, it’s considered public space to us, so you were talking in a public space.” Moreover she was talking loudly, it was hard not to hear, so how could that be considered eavesdropping.

“I…..” An Ran was speechless. Indeed it was so. “B-but I was just joking with Lin Li, you don’t have to take it seriously.”

Su Yi Cheng frowns, “Really? But judging from your friend’s tone it didn’t sound like she was joking. She said that next time she sees me she will lecture me properly?”

An Ran takes a step back. She always had a bad feeling, especially now when they were leaning so close to each other, especially when there was only them in the room, especially when it’s night right now!

Su Yi Cheng naturally saw through her intention. Not batting an eyelid he moves forward to lean against her, and puts a tighter hold on her waist. His expression was still just as vigorous as before. He has this expectant look in his eyes as he looks at her face to face.

An Ran subconsciously averts her eyes, somewhat lacking confidence she says, “I-I w-want to go shower.” Saying that, she struggles to throw off Su Yi Cheng’s embrace.

Su Yi Cheng doesn’t let go. He stares at her. Because An Ran was struggling, their bodies were starting to rub against each other. She was soft against his hardness, that kind of clear contrast. A flame quickly blazes in his heart. The corner of his mouth that had that faintly discernible smile at once becomes artificially rigid, and his deep eyes now had this fervent heat, that heat, was burning her.

The physical change was obvious, and An Ran naturally sensed it. That premonition she had before was coming out to be even more violent, she knows, that if she didn’t go now, she is going to be very miserable later on!

“L-let me go, I really want to take a shower.” An Ran pleads.

Su Yi Cheng stares at her, his grasp on her tightens even more. Only after a while does he spit out the words, “Not letting go!”

An Ran swallows uneasily, her body incessantly backing up,” You, you you you what do you want to do?”

“You don’t know what I want?” His voice was already dark, but his hoarse voice at this ambiguous room seemed especially enticing. Saying that, Su Yi Cheng pulls her back. Because their bodies were inseparably close, the change in his physiology was obvious.

An Ran reddens even more. She twists herself, and stutters, “D-don’t know.” Of course she knows what he wants to do, but how could she say it.

Su Yi Cheng laughs evilly. Suddenly he uses his strength to hug her.

“Ya---!” An Ran cries out, her arms quickly embraces itself around his neck, “You-what are you doing!” It was so sudden that it startled her.

“Doing ai!” Su Yi Cheng finishes with hearts in his expression, then directly hugs her down onto the bed. Then he practices what he preaches and does his thing.

Outside, Qin Yun had boiled some rice balls for a midnight snack, but when she reached the door, she had her raised, she heard from inside that ambiguous, delicate sound. She quickly puts her hand down, the smile on her face deepens. She hastens up and turns back.

In the living room Su Wen Qing was sitting on the sofa. He was holding the preparation outline for the military performance, and on the small table, had a bowl of boiled rice balls placed in front of him, still steaming.

Seeing Qin Yun who had carried the rice balls upstairs and come out again, he pushes his spectacle up, and says, “The children don’t like eating it?” Actually he also doesn’t really like it, these things were too sweet, but he doesn’t dare voice it out. His wife loved eating sweet things, and thought that everyone else in the world has the same taste as her.

Qin Yun laughs happily and sits down beside her husband. The smile on her face was split wide open to her ears. She puts the tray on top of the small table, and takes an rice ball herself as she says, “They’re busy right now, can’t eat. There are still more in the kitchen, later on Ah Chang can heat it up himself and eat.”

“Huh?” Su Wen Qing was puzzled, “Don’t they have the day off? They still brought work back home?” Saying that he still has the outline in his hands and lectures Qin Yun, “You too, you didn’t say anything to him, even though work is important, but if he wears his body down, then it’ll hinder his work even more!”

Qin Yun glares at him, and says, “They aren’t busy with work, they’re busy with something else.”

Su Wen Qing was confused and doesn’t respond. His brows wrinkles even more, 'puzzle' was painted all over his face, “What else?”

Qin Yun was defeated by this unromantic husband. With good mood she jokingly sings, “Knucklehead!” Then she leans close to him and says, “Perhaps soon, we will be holding a grandchild.”

Su Wen Qing blanks, and reacts much later on. Naturally he understood what she meant, but he was not completely there, rather he was stuck on that word 'grandchild', “Really?” With his troop and courtyard, at his age, who doesn’t brag about their offspring. Like the front yard’s Old Xu, all day long he was flaunting over how cute his granddaughter was, she can sing and dance, all day long calling ‘grandpa, grandpa’ and clinging onto him. Hmph, he was purposely showing off in front of him. However that child really was nimble, and was pretty. One look would attract people’s attention. It was just that Ah Cheng was slow with tying the knot, don’t talk about carrying a grandchild. But now it was good, he has a daughter-in-law, and the day when he will hold his grandchild is not too far off. At that time he will also hold his grandchild and bring it to Old Xu’s house, see if his granddaughter is nimble or his grandchild is intelligent.

“Really, it’s true.” She was genuinely eager, furthermore she was truly fond of An Ran, “Anyways, they just got married, newlyweds naturally are more affectionate.”

“Makes sense.” Su Wen Qing agrees and nods. He also has a smile on his face.

“Here, this bowl is for you.” Qin Yun says and pushes the tray of rice balls towards Su Wen Qing.

Su Wen Qing blanks, the corner of his mouth twitches. He just forces a smile and says, “Um, I still haven’t finished this one. It’s not good to eat too much at night.”

Qin Yun looks at him, and just says, “Then eat quickly, don’t you soldiers hate wasting food the most.” Saying that, she carries the half of the remaining rice ball and goes to the kitchen.

Meanwhile Su Wen Qing looks at the two trays of rice balls, and spaces out for a while. He then sighs, accepting his misfortune and takes a bite.

An Ran felt dizzy as someone was carrying her, but she didn’t have the strength to resist. Her eyelids could not open. She just felt someone carry her, the hug was warm, then she was put into warm water, and the aches in her body all relax at once. She was awake, but her eyes could not open. She did not have an ounce of strength left in her body. Her body was wiped clean by someone, she could feel it. Their action was very gentle.

She doesn’t know how long she had washed, just felt that she was once again in the air, and when she was put down she was already lying on the bed. The person put her clothes on for her. Then she lies down on the bed again. She only feels tired and sleepy, after lying down she wanted to sleep. Her consciousness was also slipping away little by little. In the misty gap she seemed to hear someone speak into her ears.

“I've lost love once. This time, I’m not losing my happiness……”



---END OF CHAPTER---

Phew! I finished the chapter on time XD 

Saturday 22 July 2017

First Marriage Then Love 《先婚厚爱》Chapter 71 (2) Translation

071. The pig who threw away happiness (2) 



By the time An Ran had woken up again, the space beside her was empty. She lifts her arm and looks at the time. Unwittingly it was already 7 in the evening, and she had unexpectedly slept for 5 hours. She sits up in haste, looks around, but Su Yi Cheng’s figure was nowhere to be found.

An Ran knits her brows, not yet getting off the bed. She doesn’t know where he went, even the bathroom was empty. She walks to the door, but stops in front of it. She can hear Su Yi Cheng’s voice, and another man’s voice. It wasn’t Secretary Zheng, it was an unfamiliar one. She thinks it must be his friend.


“How’s the renovation going?” Sitting on the plastic chairs by the room, Su Yi Cheng begins to ask.

“The soonest would be by next Friday.” Ye Zi Wen says. Looking at him, he gives him a punch, and hatefully says, “You, despicable fellow, owe me one. I used up all of my vacation time on you, even helped you keep an eye on the whole process, don’t you think my ancestors owe you, suddenly becoming brothers with you!”

Su Yi Cheng laughs, and nods, “No problem.”

Ye Zi Wen also laughs. Actually he was just only saying things. The two had grown up together, you can say that they grew up like family. The sentiments between them, were closer than even real brothers.

After smiling Ye Zi Wen looks at him. The smile on his face vanishes, and he grimly says, “Ling Ran still has such a big influence on you?”

Su Yi Cheng looks around, looks at him, and serenely takes back his gaze. Then he serenely replies, “No.”

“If not then would you push yourself this way?” Ye Zi Wen sneers, not believing his words, “You said your stomach was like how back then? It’s been so long since it’s recurred, now that she’s back, you fell ill. Recklessly drinking, did you think your stomach was made of steel?”

“You’re thinking too much.” Su Yi Cheng plays it down, “I just drank a bit too much with the planning department yesterday, it’s not like you don’t know how strict those fellows and their politics are, if you don’t drink, do you think I can return. It’s not like you don’t know how these dinner parties are, drinking is unavoidable.”

“This is your excuse? I’ve never known you as a person who gives excuses.” Ye Zi Wen says coldly, clearly showing that he did not believe his nonsense.

Su Yi Cheng looks at him, but no longer argues.

The two were silent, and only after a long time does Ye Zi Wen unhurriedly opens his mouth, “Why don’t I go find Ling Ran and talk to her.”

“No need.” Su Yi Cheng declines. In fact, it doesn’t matter if they talk or not, it should be said that he’d said all there is that night. After all that’s said, she is just someone he knows, nothing else.

Ye Zi Wen lets out a sigh. There’s nothing more to add to this topic. The two sit for a while more, when it seemed like Ye Zi Wen had thought of something, and asks, “Hey, what are you hiding in the room. Why don’t you let me in. A person who is visiting a patient, who in the world wouldn’t let them in the room?”

Su Yi Cheng chuckles, turns to look at the door ajar. From inside one can see a silhouette of a person sprinkled by the light. The smile on his face becomes more obvious, then turns back, and only says to Ye Zi Wen, “Aren’t you supposed to head back now.”

Ye Zi Wen gives him an odd look. This person is always like this, the more you don’t want him to know, the more he is interested in it. And so the Ye Zi Wen now is like so, “Today I absolutely want to take a look at the person you’re hiding inside.” Saying that he gets up to go into the room, but his hand was captured by Su Yi Cheng when he was about to open the door.

Su Yi Cheng laughs and looks at him. His tone wasn’t quick nor slow nor cold nor warm, “Yi Jiao asked me for your other number, perhaps I should consider giving that number to her, after all she is my younger sister. I am closer to her.”

Ye Zi Wen suddenly felt a cold shiver down his back, and pulls his hand back from the door that was almost opened. He coughs softly, and says, “Oh I just remembered that a client wanted to add a porch to the design, then, then I’m taking my leave.” He turns around, fixes his clothing and prepares to leave.

Su Yi Cheng chuckles, and says, “Ok. I’ve been quite busy these days too, I probably don’t have the time to see Yi Jiao.”

Ye Zi Wen nods, mutters something, then says, “Going now.”

When Su Yi Cheng pushes the door open and goes into the room An Ran was sitting properly on the sofa, holding a magazine in her hand, browsing it, not noticing at all that she was holding it upside down.

Su Yi Cheng saw that, but doesn’t reveal it. His smile becomes even more joyous, but he still deadpans and asks, “You’re up?”

An Ran nods carelessly, “Yeah.” Her eyes don’t dare to meet his. She isn’t certain if he knows that she was just eavesdropping by the door. Actually she did it unintentionally, really wasn’t intentional. The door wasn’t fully closed originally, and his volume wasn’t considered, ‘quiet’, moreover that time she was going to go out to look for him, so it was just a coincidence, that she overheard their conversation.

“Hungry?” Su Yi Cheng asks.

An Ran suddenly stands up, and says, “You must be hungry, I’ll go buy some food.” She couldn’t help but feel guilty. She slept like the dead, sleeping for a good few hours. It’s already 7 in the evening now, how is it possible for one not to be hungry. While thinking this, she goes to get her coat and bag.

“An Ran.” Su Yi Cheng calls out to her. He shakes his head helplessly, and points at the takeout box on the cabinet, and says, “When Zi Wen came I asked him to bring these up.”

An Ran was embarrassed. She puts down her bag and coat, and in a small voice, says, “Is it the person you were talking to just then?” After she says this, she belatedly realizes that she had just willingly confessed.

“Yeah.” Su Yi Cheng nods, neither questioning nor annoyed that she had eavesdropped. He promptly takes the takeout box and puts it down on the low table and arranges it one by one. He turns to look at An Ran and says, “Come quickly, it’s getting cold.”

An Ran answers and comes over. She sits down beside him. The food was mostly plain, mild. She takes a bite from the Chinese cabbage, and it was delicious.

Su Yi Cheng holds his bowl on one hand and eats with his chopsticks. His table manners were very proper. He ate very quickly, but it was still refined, nothing about it was uncivilized.

The atmosphere was very peaceful. An Ran fiddles with the food in her bowl, trying to find a topic to talk about, “Um, that friend of your’s and Yi jiao, they don’t get along?” Once she had heard that he would give his number to Yi Jiao, it seemed like his entire manner had changed.

“Yi Jiao likes him.” Su Yi Cheng chuckles. Thinking about Zi Wen and Yi Jiao made him laugh and lightened his mood. Yi Jiao had always liked Zi Wen. As a child she loved to follow right behind him, but Zi Wen never got the mood. It’s not that he doesn’t like her, it’s just he’s always been avoiding her.

“He doesn’t like Yi Jiao?” An Ran was curious. Even though she hasn’t seen Yi Jiao all that often, but Su Yi jiao had always given her a good feeling. She was generous and adorable, how could there be a person who doesn’t like this kind of girl.

Su Yi Cheng laughs, and adds a piece of meat onto An Ran’s bowl, “You’ll understand later.”

An Ran looks at him puzzled, but doesn’t ask any more. She lowers her head and eats the food that he had just given to her.

Su Yi Cheng had been in the hospital for two nights. After confirming that all his results were normal, the doctor allowed him to be discharged. During this period of time some had learned that Su Yi Cheng was in the hospital, many had called to say that they wanted to pay a visit, however Su Yi Cheng had declined all of them, only saying that it was just as a minor illness and there was no need to exaggerate it.

Because it was a matter of his health, Su Yi Cheng’s work was temporarily pushed back. When he had discharged from the hospital it so happened to be a weekend, and since An Ran’s blueprint was destroyed, she withdrew from the city hall construction project. Originally she was scheduled to take part in the bidding for the next two days but now it was unrelated to her.

It was a hard to come by weekend, that the both of them had nothing to do, on the day that Su Yi Cheng was discharged. Qin Yun had called, and said that they should come to the compound this weekend, and that she had personally prepared some medicine for Su Yi Cheng to take.

The couple, who really did not have anything to do, simply agreed. So they returned to the apartment to take a change of clothes, and brought some luggage as they were about to leave to set off to the compound.

An Ran wasn’t sure if there was someone who was deliberately waiting for them. Nevertheless, it was such a coincidence.

Right when the elevator doors opened, Ling Ran just so happened to be standing inside. She was wearing a one-piece rice-coloured chiffon dress, her long hair flowed over her shoulders. She wore a smile on her face. She looked ethereal.

An Ran was shocked. She couldn’t help but wonder if Ling Ran was spying on their every move. Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental that they meet every time.

Compared to An Ran’s astonishment, Su Yi Cheng seemed perfectly composed. He just nods at her, pulls on An Ran’s hand and walks into the elevator.

In the elevator, Ling Ran took initiative to say, “What a coincidence. We meet again.”

Su Yi Cheng doesn’t say anything, and just looks at the unceasing number jump down. For the purpose of averting the awkward atmosphere, An Ran puts a smile on her face, and nods at her, “Right. Really coincidental.”

With her sharp eyes Ling Ran caught sight of Su Yi Cheng carrying luggage, so she curiously asks, “Are you guys traveling?”

An Ran was about to answer, when Su Yi Cheng interrupts, “Yeah. Going with out with An Ran for the weekend.”

“Really.” Ling Ra’s tone darkened a bit. It seemed like her entire person wasn’t as angry as the latter.

“Ding---!”

The silent elevator had reached the basement. Su Yi Cheng pulls An Ran towards his parked car. Ling Ran follows them out.

As if remembering something, behind them she calls out, “Where are you guys going to, it’s also been a long time since I’ve roamed. Why don’t we go together, if you don’t mind taking me along.”

An Ran was shocked, and unconsciously turns to look at Su Yi Cheng. She only sees Su Yi Cheng turn around. He was expressionless, and says, “We do mind. Miss Ling should go find someone else.”

An Ran sees that Ling Ran’s expression stiffens, her entire body standing there foolishly. She stares at Su Yi Cheng. Her face, really looked hurt.

Su Yi Cheng doesn’t spare a glance at her. He turns around and pulls An Ran towards the side of the car. He puts the luggage at the back, then opens the passenger door and lets An Ran get on. Then he goes around the head of the car and gets into the driver’s seat. Afterwards, he starts the car, slowly leaving the underground parkade. During this entire process, he hasn’t even turned his head to glance at Ling Ran.

The car slowly heads towards the courtyard, within the car it was somewhat peaceful. Su Yi Cheng wasn’t driving all that fast, but it was steady.

After a while, An Ran starts to say, “Why don’t I drive. You just got better, you should rest.” It’ll take an hour to get to Jun Qu courtyard. Such a long travel, it’ll always tire a person.

Su Yi Cheng turns to look at her and laughs, and only says, “I’m not that delicate.” As he says that, one hand stays on the steering wheel, while the other hand takes An Ran’s hands. Holding it, he asks, “Must be bored, want to listen to music?”

An Ran shakes her head, and doesn’t let go of his hand. She was used to this wonderful thing. It hasn't been that long, yet she is already used to him holding her like this, used to his temperature. She turns her head and laughs at him, “Let’s turn on the news.”

Su Yi Cheng nods, “Sure.”

He reaches to turn on the radio. It was reporting on the city traffic, and the radio host sounded like Bo Xin Wen; old-fashioned yet meticulous. He changes to another channel, to one that was a happier program. The radio host used a humorous style to narrate a, frankly, not-so-funny, ordinary matter. It was very close to every day life, yet it was still hilarious throughout. Hearing of his embarrassment, it was a fact that everyone had gone through that trivial matter at least once in their life, and that cheered him up.

After the gag program was some sort of music program. Immediately after the broadcast a catchy pop-song started to play. An Ran had heard it a few times, and only felt that there was nothing special about it, still, however, oldies will still make people reminisce.

The host was a woman. From the voice it was hard to tell how old, but her voice was coy and it made people feel greasy. The program had opened an SMS song and interactive platform. The first text came from a mother who wanted to do something for her baby. Today was her baby’s birthday, and she wished that everyday her baby would be healthy and happy. The host puts on a song called “Treasure”; its melody was elegant, and the singer’s voice was pleasant to hear. The song reverberates throughout the car.

The next text came from a signature lonely, single consumer. She said that she really loved her ex, and because of a misunderstanding they had broken up. Now that she saw him again, he had already found a new lover. Furthermore she had just found out that she and her ex unexpectedly live in the same neighbourhood. Every time she sees them holding hands and laughing with each other, made it unbearably difficult for her. She is unable to wish them well, as she had always felt that that kind of happiness was supposed to be her’s, and it was because she wasn’t careful that she had lost that happiness.

The host was moved by the text, and when she was comforting the signature lonely single female, An Ran subconsciously turns to look at Su Yi Chen, and only sees that his expression was like before, not even the slightest amount of change, concentrating on the road in front of him, his hand still grasping her’s, his grip neither light nor heavy. The host presented the girl a song called, “The pig who threw away happiness”. Jiang Yu Yang’s voice was sad, the entire song hadn’t a hint of cheerfulness. It carried a drooping sadness.



“I threw my own love away

Who would have known this pain of my torn heart

If the path of love can still be paved

I won’t let you cry because of me

Now all that remains is this useless excuse

The pig that threw away its own happiness”



…….



The song was coming to an end, and the car was slowly approaching Jun Qu compound. An Ran reaches out to turn off the radio. She sees that those red doors were standing straight and orderly in front of her, then she watches Su Yi Cheng park his car in the Su family compound. He turns his head and smiles at An Ran, and only says, “Let’s get off.”

An Ran nods, but before she got off she couldn’t help but ask, “Back then, how did you guys fall out of love?”



---END OF CHAPTER---



Wow, noticed there was a surge of new readers, haha. Welcome all!! 

Saturday 15 July 2017

First Marriage Then Love 《先婚厚爱》Chapter 71 (1) Translation

071. The pig who threw away happiness (1) 


The man also saw An Ran, and was equally surprised, but even more, alarmed. This man wasn’t just anyone, but Cheng Xiang, who was supposed to be out on a business trip.

An Ran stares at Cheng Xiang, her brows wrinkle. She was about to ask him why he was here, when at this time a woman comes out from the washroom, elegant hair, delicate features, just her complexion was a bit pale right now, making her look even more delicate.

The woman walks past An Ran, reaching out to hold Cheng Xiang. She gives him a soft smile, and only says, “Let’s go.”

Cheng Xiang looks at her, the corner of his mouth pulls up slightly, and nods. Supporting her while she leaves, he turns back and looks at An Ran, his expression rather complex. An Ran looks on confused.

An Ran stares at him as helps that woman leave, ultimately disappearing from her line of sight. An Ran was out for a good while when her spirit sways back to her. She hurriedly takes out her cell phone from her pocket, doesn’t think too much and directly calls Lin Li.

But just when she heard Lin Li’s voice, An Ran suddenly doesn’t know what to say. She has known Lin Li for over 10 years, the two have gone through thick and thin, they were like sisters. She knows Lin Li’s disposition well, even though she looks carefree and lively, but when it comes to emotions, she is frail. In reality she is not like her outer appearance, staunch and valiant.

“Hey. An Zi, want to have lunch with me?” Lin Li’s voice was cheerful, she can hear that her mood was very good.

An Ran stays silent for a while, and asks, “Is Cheng Xiang home?”

“Nope, don’t you already know, he’s on a business trip. He won’t be back for another 2-3 days.” Ling Li says, “What’s up? Need something from him?”

An Ran’s heart turns cold. Cheng Xiang lied to Lin Li. Then does that mean that the text that Lin Li saw earlier was real? But how can Cheng Xiang be that kind of person!

“Hello? An Zi?” Lin Li hasn’t heard anything for a while, “Are you there?”

An Ran comes back to Earth, and quickly answers, “Y-yeah, I’m here.”

“What’s wrong? Do need something from Cheng Xiang?” Lin Li can hear that An Ran was strange today, but she doesn’t think too much about it.

“It’s nothing. I have a colleague who wanted to get into investments, asked me if I knew anyone who was in that field.” An Ran lies. Maybe it’s better if she tells her about this later, at least until she gets things cleared up. She can’t say for sure that this isn’t a misunderstanding. Anyways, Lin Li is with child right now--it’s not good for her to have such mood swings.

Lin Li believes her, doesn’t think too much of it, and says, “Oh, so it’s like that. Then when Cheng Xiang comes back I’ll tell him to contact you.”

An Ran nods, and replies, “Okay.” The two continue to chat about other things for a bit, but before hanging up she couldn’t help but ask, “Lin Li, has Cheng Xiang called you?”

“Yeah, morning, noon, and evening, right on the dot every time.” Lin Li says, her voice was full of happiness and pride.

“Oh. Is that so.” An Ran answers in a low voice. She raises her head, only to see Cheng Xiang walking over to her down the hallway.

“An Zi, you’re a bit weird today, did something happen?” Lin Li, although simpleminded, wasn’t foolish. She felt that An Ran was weird today, even though she can’t say where she was strange, but she still felt that something was fishy.

An Ran laughs, and unexpectedly lets herself sound natural, only says, “Hehe, you’re thinking too much. I can’t talk anymore, still have some stuff to do here, I’ll call you later.” Saying that, she doesn’t want for Lin Li to reply, and just hangs up.

She raises her head and sees that Cheng Xiang is already standing in front of her, looking at her. His eyes show guilt, apologetic.

The two were silent for a while. An Ran stares at him, her expression somewhat threatening, her tone unprecedentedly ice-cold, “You came back. Planning to explain things to me? Or are you scared that I was going to call Lin Li?”

Cheng Xiang looks at her, inwardly sighs, and just says, “It’s not what you think it is.”

“I wasn’t imagining. It’s exactly what I saw with my own eyes.” An Ran says coldly.

“So you already called Lin Li?” Cheng Xiang asks, his handsome face couldn’t conceal his frantic expression.

“Yes, but I didn’t tell her that I ran into you here.” An Ran says honestly, “I’m not planning on letting Lin Li know until I get things straight. So I was planning to hear your explanation. Why did you lie to Lin Li and say that you were on a business trip?”

Cheng Xiang’s tone clearly relaxes. He raises his head and looks at An Ran, and just says, “Thanks.” He also knows Lin Li’s disposition, what’s more, she’s pregnant.

“I didn’t tell her, and I don’t want you to thank me.” An Ran states, expressionless.

“I know.” Cheng Xiang nods, and says, “The girl just know is my friend, I’ve known her since childhood. But our relationship isn’t what you think it is.”

“Ha, childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates.” An Ran sneers.

“It really isn’t what you think it is!”

“Then why did you lie to Lin Li and say that you were on a business trip? You weaved such a ridiculous lie to deceive her!” An Ran counters.

“I don’t want her to think too much, she’s pregnant right now, and her imagination easily runs wild.” Looking at An Ran, he turns to lean against the wall beside him. He sighs, and says, “She’s my friend, I’ve known her since childhood. Before this she had something come up, and she doesn’t have any friends or relatives by her side. She’s sick now, so that’s why I came back to take care of her. That is a fact. I didn’t lie to you. I didn’t tell Lin Li because I didn't want her to think too much. Sometimes you have to lie, but that doesn’t mean that they are malicious lies.”

“Suit yourself.” It’s not like he can’t afford the money. After all, a lone male and single female, when others look at it, it’s hard not to think too much of it.

“She doesn’t let anyone get close to her.” Cheng Xiang says.

“So you’re special?” An Ran asks.

“I just think of her as a younger sister, and she only thinks of me as her older brother, other than that, there’s nothing else!” Cheng Xiang explains.

An Ran doesn’t speak, and just stares at him for a while. Suddenly the phone in her hand starts to ring. It was Lin Xiao Fen. She picks it up. It turns out she was already at the hospital, but she doesn’t know the room number, so she’s at the inpatient department downstairs right now, and asks her to pick her up.

Ending the call, she looks at Cheng Xiang again, and grimly says, “Lin Li’s my friend, I don’t want to see her hurt even a bit. You are also my friend, we’ve known each other for 10 years. I know how you treat Lin Li, so I’ll believe what you say.”

Cheng Xiang lets out his breath, “Thank you.”

An Ran nods, and says, “However, men and woman are different, perhaps you should try to find another friend to take care of that girl. Me meeting you today also means that others will also run into you. I don’t want word to bounce back into Lin Li’s ears and have her misunderstand. She loves you and depends on you a lot, you know that. Don’t see her as easygoing, she isn’t that strong.”

Cheng Xiang nods, “I know.”

An Ran looks at the time, and doesn’t say any more. She turns around and walks over to the elevator.

When she reached downstairs Lin Xiao Fen was already there. Upon seeing An Ran, she quickly asks, “What on earth is the matter, things were fine how could he end up being hospitalized?”

“It’s stomach ulcer. He drank too much at the dinner party last night.” An Ran answers. She takes the bag of fruit from her mother, then presses the elevator button.

The mother and daughter pair had reached the room but didn’t open the door. They could hear scolding from inside, the tone somewhat stirred up.

Lin Xiao Fen looks at An Ran in confusion, and An Ran also shakes her head. She doesn’t know what’s happening right now, but hearing that voice, it should be Qin Yun.

She pushes the door and goes in, only to see Qin Yun standing in front of the hospital bed, glaring at her son, criticizing that he doesn’t cherish his own health at all, while Su Yi Jiao who was standing at the side, covers her mouth as she laughs, clearly enjoying his misfortune. She turns her head and sees An Ran come in, and raises her voice and joyously calls out, “Sis-in-law.”

“Mom, Yi Jiao, you guys are here.” An Ran smiles and nods at them.

Hearing what was said, the other two people in the room also look at An Ran. Qin Yun sees that An Ran sheepishly puts on a smile. Su Yi Cheng notices Lin Xiao Fen behind An Ran, and calls out, “Mom.” He props himself up and was about to get up.

Upon seeing this, Lin Xiao Fen quickly interrupts, “Aiya, you lie down and rest, don’t get up.”

Qin Yun then notices Lin Xiao Fen behind An Ran. She studies An Ran, then Lin Xiao Fen, and quickly steps forward, and smiles and she says, “This must be daughter-in-law’s mother.”

Lin Xiao Fen also smiles, looks at Qin Yun and also says, “Son-in-law’s mother.”

“An Ran looks like you, no wonder she’s so pretty.” Qin Yun laughs as she speaks.

Lin Xaio Fen laughs, studies Qin Yun. It’s just as An Ran had said, she is easy-going, and doesn’t have an air of arrogance.

“I never would have expected our first meeting to be like this. This, it’s all ‘cause of Ah Cheng.” Qin Yun says. She glares at her son, “Clearly you know that your stomach isn’t well and yet you still drank that much, you’re simply looking for death. You’re this old yet you’re still so troublesome.”

“Our An Ran isn’t that good as well. We’ve pampered her too much and she’s been accustomed to it, doesn’t know how to take care of people at all.” Lin Xiao Fen says, and also glares at An Ran. She just got married and then they ended up in the hospital, it’s a good thing that the Su family are good people, if it were some other household, there would be endless gossip.

“Ey, how can it be An Ran’s fault. Ah Cheng’s stomach has always been problematic. There will always be dinner parties but he still doesn’t restrain himself at all. He’s made himself like this, this is his consequence.” Qin Yun doesn’t defend her own son at all.

These two, even though they just met for the first time, but they weren’t unfamiliar with each other. Sitting together, they still have things to talk about. In fact, it wasn’t even anything--they both had praises. On one hand, Lin Xiao Fen says that Su Yi Cheng is good—he is sincere about everything and understands etiquettes and customs. On the other hand Qin Yun praises about An Ran’s cleverness and obedience.

An Ran laughs and watches the two. Just as she turns her head she met Su Yi Cheng’s eyes. They both smile at each other.

They hadn’t really sat down for a long time. Once they got to know that it is just an old illness and Su Yi Cheng just has to rest for two days and that it isn’t a serious problem, the people in the room get up to leave.

An Ran accompanies them out, and Su Yi Jiao volunteers to drive them home. Lin Xiao Fen tells An Ran to stay behind and take care of Su Yi Cheng, and also repeatedly reminds An Ran that even after he discharges she needs to make mild-flavoured food, for his stomach to get better.

She sends off the two mothers, and when she returned to the hospital room Su Yi Cheng was lying down. Seeing her come in, he beckons her, telling her to come over.

“What’s wrong?” Even though An Ran was suspicious, she still comes over to his side.

Su Yi Cheng shifts over, and pats on the empty side of his bed, and says, “Come sleep here.” He can see that she is beaten, yesterday and today really had been tiring on her.

An Ran turns red, and shakes her head, “I-I’m not tired.”

“Come.” Su Yi Cheng insists.

“I’m really not tired.” An Ran mutters, but she still listens to him and steps forward, but only stands by his bedside, not sitting down.

Su Yi Cheng reaches out and pulls on her. One pull and she falls down onto the bed.

“Ah!” An Ran cries. She wanted to throw off his arm but then remembers, they are in a hospital, this is a hospital room, and he is a patient. What would they call her if she sleeps on the bed, when the nurses come and change his IV or deliver his medicine and sees her, then she doesn’t want see people!

Su Yi Cheng was fast, and circles his arm around her waist. He says into her ears, “Don’t move, you’ll pull the needle off.” His tone was gentle, it carried a touch of grief and awkwardness.

Hearing that, An Ran doesn’t dare to move. She really was scared that she would pull out the needle in his hand, but being held like this is an issue. She looks at the door, the nurses can come in any time, seeing this, she’ll be teased to death!

“You, can you let go. I’m really not tired. Do you want to eat apples, I’ll go cut one up?” An Ran says unresigned.

Hearing that, Su Yi Cheng not only does not let go, he tightens his hold on her even more. She only hears him speak into her ears, “Lie down with me for a bit. If I don’t hold you, I won’t sleep well.” His voice was light and soft, his tone seemed like it was trying hard to cover up the grief and awkwardness.

This time An Ran was truly speechless. Without a word she keeps him company and lies down, turning to look at his handsome face. His long, delicate lashes were thick and pretty.

Su Yi Cheng looks at her dazed out appearance. He thought that because of his few words and insistence that she gave up, moved him. He rose and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He sees that her slightly-closed eyes trembled a bit, and the corner of her mouth rose into a pretty smile. However, even so he didn’t miss the dark circles underneath her eyes. He puts his arm under her neck, so that she can use his arm as a pillow, then softly says, “Sleep.” After saying that, he also closes his own eyes.

An Ran had closed her eyes and lied down for a bit, until she heard his familiar, faint, levelled breathing. She opens her eyes, and sees his serene sleeping form. The corner of her mouth unconsciously rose. She carefully props herself up, and cautiously lifts up the blanket with one hand, then, as much as possible, with light movements she prepared to get off the bed, but the next second her waist was held down, her entire body, with some strength, was brought down to a warm embrace.

An Ran suddenly turns around to look at him, only to see that Su Yi Cheng still had his eyes closed, even his expression was still the same as before. An Ran couldn’t help but wonder if he had woken up just now?

She childishly reaches out and waves her hand back and forth before his eyes. He had no reaction, even his eyelashes did not waver.

She lies down on the bed for another 5 minutes, certain that Su Yi Cheng was really asleep now. Maybe just then it was an inadvertent action that he does when he sleeps. So once again An Ran cautiously lifts his arm up, lifts the blanket, and softly and quietly moves off the bed, but before she could take the next step, her body once again was pulled into a warm embrace, but this time it was tighter. The two bodies were inseparably close. Her soft body closely against his tough chest, rough against soft, it was a fantastic feeling.

“You-you’re up?” Looking at Su Yi Cheng, An Ran asks uncertainly.

Hearing that, Su Yi Cheng slowly opens his eyes, looks at An Ran, then closes it again. He insipidly replies, “Sleep with me for a bit.”

This time An Ran was completely dispirited. She stares at him for a while, finally abandoning her plans of leaving. Then not long after, tiredness came upon her. Because last night she was afraid that he would wake up in the middle of the night dying of thirst, she didn’t sleep. She just leaned on the bed with her eyes closed for a bit. Right now she truly was tired, and her eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. Then, slowly, slowly, she closed her eyes. Not long after, her breathing slows down, faintly.

After An Ran entered the land of dreams, Su Yi Cheng, beside her, slowly opens his eyes. He looks at her calm, sleeping face, and the corner of his mouth slightly rose. He then adjusts her position to a snug one, and only then does he close his eyes again. Falling into her breathing pace, he slowly falls asleep.



---END OF PART 1---


Next part

Saturday 8 July 2017

First Marriage Then Love 《先婚厚爱》Chapter 70 Translation

070. Stomach illness



The next morning Su Yi Cheng insisted on driving An Ran to work. When they arrived at the parking lot, they happened to bump into Ling Ran who was coming down from the elevator.

Ling Ran looks at them, wearing a happy smile and walks over to them. An Ran looks at Su Yi Cheng, and only sees that he is crinkling his brows in displeasure. He doesn’t even glance at Ling Ran. He turns around and walks over to the parked car.

At the moment when Su Yi Cheng was going to turn and leave, An Ran sees Ling Ran’s smile clearly drop. However, in an instant, she quickly smiles again, and politely asks An Ran, “Are you heading to work now?”

An Ran can only smile, and give a slight nod, “Yeah. Miss Ling must be doing the same.”

“Yes. I opened a boutique down the street. If you have time An Ran you can come visit me.” As she was saying that, she takes out a business card from her bag and gives it to An Ran.

An Ran continues to smile, turns to look at Su Yi Cheng who was sitting in the car. She smiles apologetically at Ling Ran, and just says, “Sorry, I have to get to work. We’ll chat when there’s time.”

Ling Ran smiles and nods, and turns to look at Su Yi Cheng in his car. Her eyes show a kind of indescribable mood.

An Ran opens the passenger door and sits. Just as she was about to sit down, the seat belt was still not get buckled, when Su Yi Cheng suddenly steps on the accelerator. The car jerks forward. Luckily An Ran reacted quickly, she grabbed hold onto the door of the car, and she didn’t bump into anything.

He lets go of the accelerator, Su Yi Cheng looks at her apologetically. He was about to say something, but at that moment doesn’t know what he should say. Just by chance Su Yi Cheng’s phone goes off at this time. It was a call from home. He doesn’t need to guess. It’s probably Qin Yun who was calling.

Su Yi Cheng puts on the Bluetooth, while concentrating on the road, he says, “Hello.”

“Ah Cheng ah, the meeting time with our in-laws is tomorrow right?” Qin Yun asks. Even though An Ran was already the Su family’s daughter-in-law, but the parents have never met before.

Su Yi Cheng then remembers, that tomorrow evening they set up a date for their parents to have a meal together. He says, “Yes. It’s tomorrow.”

“I said it was tomorrow, your dad was insisting that it was today. I think he really has dementia.” Qin Yun laughs as she speaks. She suddenly recalls something, and her tone becomes much more serious, “Ah Cheng, Ling Ran is back. She came to visit a few days before.”

Su Yi Cheng was speechless, he didn’t expect that Ling Ran had already came to his parent’s house. He just doesn’t understand what in the world she is trying to do.

“Ah Cheng, Are you there?” She hasn’t heard anything for a while, so Qin Yun couldn’t help but ask.

Su Yi Cheng comes back to Earth, and mutters a response, “Yes.”

“Did she go see you?”

“Yes.” Su Yi Cheng still mutters his response. He turns to look at An Ran beside him, only to see her head turned, looking out the window.

Qin Yun turns silent for a while, then cautiously says, “An Ran, does An Ran know about it?”

“I’m not sure.” He doesn’t know if An Ran knows or not. He hasn’t asked, and she hasn’t asked.

Qin Yun sighs, and finally simply says, “There are some things that will be better if you personally tell her rather than her asking you about it.”

He ends the calls, turns to look at An Ran. She was still in the same position, one arm leaning on the window, her gaze on the view outside, exceptionally earnest, as if there was a scenery that couldn’t be missed.

“Mom just called to ask about the dinner tomorrow. Did you tell mom and dad?” Su Yi Cheng softly asks.

An Ran returns back to Earth, and nods,”I’ve told them. I let them know two days ago.”

Su Yi Cheng nods, and turns to look ahead, while An Ran turns back to look at the scenery.

The car slowly stops in front of the Jing Cheng building entrance. When An Ran opened the door and was about to leave, she suddenly hears Su Yi Cheng say, “I know Ling Ran.”

An Ran looks back, stares at him, and a while later, asks, “Is she that friend you mentioned before?”

Su Yi Cheng nods, and softly says, “We haven’t been in contact for a really long time. She just came back from abroad.”

After a while of silence, An Ran nods. She smiles at him, and says, “I understand.” Saying that, she opens the door and leaves. She had a faintly discernible smile. Even though she doesn’t know the real truth of their relationship, but he was still honest to her. She was still happy for that. At the minimum, it quelled her anxious heart.

Su Yi Cheng watches her go into the building, then her figure disappears from his sight. After that he doesn’t start the vehicle right away, rather he looks at his cell phone. He keys in a number, then connects the call.

The phone rings for a long time when it was finally answered, “Hello, who is it….. Ah~!” He only hears Ye Zi Wen answer languidly, then yawn.

“It’s me.” Su Yi Cheng answers, waiting for him to clear his head up.

It doesn’t take long for Ye Zi Wen to become clear-headed. His voice was no longer raspy like before, as he says, “Special Assistant Su. Don’t you know that disturbing people this early in the morning when they’re dreaming is immoral!”

“Didn’t know that.” Su Yi Cheng just mutters. “How’s the renovation going?”

“Still not done, should take about another month.”

Su Yi Cheng frowns, and says, “Is one week okay?”

Ye Zi Wen was taking a sip of water. He hears “Pu----“, and the person on the other line starts to cough violently. He stops coughing a while later, and roars into the phone, “Su Yi Cheng, have you been kicked in the head! You think I can fly, you shouldn’t forget that it’s a 200 sqft house, how can one week be enough!”

“Didn’t I already give you a week.” Su Yi Cheng says, his tone indifferent. In fact, at first he wasn’t in a hurry, but Ling Ran was there, and he doesn’t want An Ran to feel insecure. They don’t need those unnecessary drama.

“The soonest would be 20 days.”

“I’ll give you 10 days.” Su Yi Cheng compromises.

Sensing something strange, Ye Zi Wen asks, “Why are you in such a rush?” He lived in his current place for several years now, even if there was one more person, it shouldn’t crowd the place. Besides, that one more person was a woman, just need to share a bed, there’s no need for another room.

Su Yi Cheng was silent for while, and finally says, “Ling Ran’s living in the same building as me.”

Ye Zi Wen immediately turns silent. He knew Ling Ran, in fact, he, Su Yi Cheng, Zhou Han and Ling Ran were childhood friends. He and Su Yi Cheng were from the Jun Qu compound, while Ling Ran and Zhou Han were from Ji Guan compound. Ji Guan compound and Jun Qu compound were only separated by two blocks, at that time children were always making trouble. Jun Qu and Ji Guan compounds were separated into two cliques, no one could spy on the other. One day on the way home from school, Su Yi Cheng wasn’t careful while cycling and bumped into a schoolgirl, and right at that time Zhou Han saw that a kid from their Ji Guan compound was being bullied. Not saying anything he stepped forward with his fists clenched. It can be considered as ‘don’t fight, won’t make friends’, and from that time on, because of that Su Yi Cheng and Zhou Han, the two became good friends. As a result all the children from the two compounds started to get along. And that time when Su Yi Cheng accidentally bumped into a schoolgirl wasn’t just anyone, but Ling Ran.

From then on the boys always played together, climbing mountains, playing soccer, etc., while Ling Ran was always Su Yi Cheng’s little attendant. Where Su Yi Cheng was, she was certainly there. From then on the two naturally walked side by side, going through a few years of romance, even so much that the two families were sure that their respective child would become daughter-in-law and son-in-law. Then one day Su Yi Cheng dragged the other two grown men running around the entire city looking at jewellery shops, so he could buy a ring and propose to Ling Ran, but then that thing happened. Ultimately Su Yi Cheng threw that ring into the river, and the Ling family did not hesitate to sever their relationship with Ling Ran. Finally Ling Ran was dragged out of the country by Zhou Han. And Su Yi Cheng never talked about it for several years, and since then never once was there a woman by his side.

A long time had passed when Ye Zi Wen finally says, “I’ll try my best.”

“Thanks.” Su Yi Cheng expresses his thanks, then hangs up. He turns back to look at Jing Cheng’s large building, gathers his spirit and starts the car to depart.


An Ran then reaches her office. She puts her bag down. Someone knocks on her door. Huang De Xing opens the door and goes in, his face smiling and looking at An Ran.

An Ran gets up, “Director. How can I help you?”

Huang De Xing smiles and raises his hand to tell her to sit down, and pulls out a chair in front of her and sits down.

“I heard what happened yesterday. In regards to who did the vile act of tearing your blueprint, the company will certainly investigate and give you an explanation. You can be rest assured.” Huang De Xing says so.

“Really.” An Ran looks at him, and only responds faintly. She knows that he is dealing with her, and the investigation will go forward, but what the result is going to be is another matter. “Then I’ll wait for the company’s report.”

Huang De Xing nods, pleased, and says, “In fact, everyone clearly knows about your strength. The reason why the company is doing this competition is to allow those unwilling people to accept their loss. Who would’ve expected that there are people who are that petty, and mess things up this way.”

An Ran just looks at him, neither smiling or responding to him.

“I’ll cancel the competition this afternoon. Regarding the design for the government building, I’m afraid this time your design really can’t make it this time. We can only go ahead and use Xiao Xiao’s and try.” Huang De Xing says as he watches An Ran’s expression.

The corner of An Ran’s mouth twitches, but she doesn’t smile. She only says, “I’ll listen to everything that the company has arranged. I have no opinion.” Regarding his favouritism towards Xiao xiao, she was already expecting it. It wasn’t odd at all.

Hearing that, Huang De Xing nods, clearly satisfied with her answer. He gets up, faces the door, but doesn’t forget to say, “When will you ask Special Assistant Su to meet for a meal?”

An Ran only slightly smiles and nods, “There’ll be a chance.”



After lunch, when she was going to the toilet, by chance she bumped into Xiao xiao who was fixing up her makeup. Seeing her come in, she looks at her with the corner of her eyes, returns her gaze to the mirror, and takes a powder puff to powder her face.

An Ran just returns her attitude, passes her, and just goes in. When she was coming out after flushing, Xiao xiao was still there, this time putting on lipstick. It was a bright-coloured red, a look that will turn heads. Plus she put on a foundation that was much too white, contrasting her black outfit. This look made An Ran think of some kind of bloody, strange horror film. She was really unimpressed by this look.

Her gaze wasn’t on her face. She just washes her hands, and takes a paper towel and leaves.


At noon Lin Xiao Fen calls her to confirm tomorrow’s dinner. Regarding the meeting of the parents, Lin Xiao Fen was still extremely nervous. Throughout the call she couldn’t stop asking about what the Su family was like, and also asking if they should bring something to gift them when they meet and so on and so forth. An Ran reassures her, and only says that the members of the Su family were all good people, modest and easy-going, not one ounce of snobby attitude.

Hearing her daughter say that calmed her heart down, but she still inevitably has to ask how she and Su Yi Cheng were getting along these last few days, if Su Yi Cheng was treating her good, furthermore telling her that she and Su Yi Cheng should come to visit at least once a week.

An Ran promises her, then tells her mother about some of the things going on in her life and her work. Naturally, they were only good things. Then she told her mother that tomorrow evening she and Su Yi Cheng will go and pick them up, so when the time comes they should just wait at home.

She hangs up the call, sitting in that position her hair was made messy. When she was on a mental journey of emptiness Ling Lin comes in with a blueprint. It was a school assignment from before. An Ran still hasn’t taken a look at it yet. Ling Lin’s cell phone goes off. It was from Ling Ran, telling her that she wants to have dinner together tonight. Ling Ran happily agrees. She doesn’t know what Ling Ran had said over the phone, but she only sees Ling Lin look at An Ran, asking, “Gu jie, let’s have dinner together, my sister said she wants to thank you for all your care throughout this period of time.”

Hearing that, An Ran frowns, raises her head and slightly smiles at Ling Lin, declining, “It’s alright. I already have an appointment with someone. How about next time.”

Ling Lin doesn’t think much about it and relays An Ran’s words. The two sisters chat about something, then ends the call. An Ran hands back her blueprint, and only tells her she’ll have her redraw it, telling her she isn’t asking for a new one, but at the minimum it needs to make sense. She takes out two books from her drawer, and gives it to her, for her to look at it when she has time.

Ling Lin sticks out her tongue with a red face and leaves, while An Ran sits back in exhaustion and leans against her swivel chair. She doesn’t know what the past relationship was between this Ling Ran and Su Yi Cheng. Ling Ran’s purpose of taking the opportunity to get close to her, she feared it pretty much had to do with Su Yi Cheng. However from the look of Su Yi Cheng’s attitude this morning and last night, she guesses that she should avoid this Ling Ran.

When there were only a few more minutes until her shift ended Su Yi Cheng calls in, says that today there was a company investigation, and there is probably a dinner party tonight. He can’t pick her up, so she’ll have to go back alone. An Ran nods and says ok, reminding him to come home early.



Tonight An Ran treats herself to a bowl of noodles, and goes to the studio after eating. She tries to remember pieces of the torn up blueprint, and draw it out.

Not knowing how much time had passed, An Ran finally somewhat drew a semblance of it, unconsciously reaches out to her side. She was thirsty, and wanted a cup of tea, only to discover that she wasn’t in her own office, but rather in the apartment’s studio. She gets up and leaves the studio, was about to go into the kitchen and get herself a cup of water.

“Peng----!”

Something dropped from the living room. She turns around and goes towards the living room, only to discover that Su Yi Cheng was already home. He was frowning, one hand on his stomach, the other hand holding a small medicine bottle, his forehead was covered in cold sweat. He looked like he was in pain.

Upon seeing this, An Ran quickly steps in, “Su Yi Cheng, what’s wrong?” She wanted to step forward, only to find that the floor was covered in broken glass. The water in the glass cup was also flooding the floor. She assumes that he wasn’t careful and knocked the glass over.

“Su Yi Cheng, you, what’s wrong?” An Ran was frightened by his pale face. Half supporting him, she quickly helps him take the medicine bottle, opens it, but there was nothing inside, not even a pill.

Seeing his pale face, looking like he was holding in pain, An Ran was frightened, her voice slightly trembling, “Th-there’s no more. What should I do, is there any back up? Tell me where it is, I’ll go get it for you.”

Su Yi Cheng shakes his head, “N-none.” His hand tightly covers his stomach, his body was bent over in pain.

“Then, then what to do!” An Ran was urgently confused and disoriented. Seeing his pained appearance, she really is at a complete loss.

Su Yi Cheng endures his pain and looks at her desperate appearance, looking as if she were about to cry. His free hand pulls her, with strenuous effort he manages, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing. Just a chronic problem, nothing too hindering. You go change, then from the bedside cabinet drawer get my medical treatment card and my medical record, and take me to the hospital.”

An Ran quickly nods, does according to his words and goes in to change, then takes his medical treatment card and medical record, grabs some money and her keys and helps him out the door.

Because of the pain, Su Yi Cheng was completely relying on An Ran for support, and An Ran was using all her strength to support him until they got in the car. After winding around to her side of the car, Su YI Cheng wrinkles his brows with his eyes closed, leaning on the front passenger seat, An Ran looks at his pained appearance, and couldn’t help but be distressed. She adjusts his seat, so he can lie down, then starts the car and urgently heads towards the hospital.

On the road An Ran didn’t hesitate to cross a few red lights. Luckily it was nighttime, the streets didn’t have much cars, and they didn’t get into any accidents.

Su Yi Cheng was sent into the emergency room, was injected with drugs, and only then did Su Yi Cheng’s complexion ease up a bit. Although his brows were still tense, but this complexion wasn’t like before, so pale it scared people.

When Su Yi Cheng was put on IV An Ran wasn’t relieved and asked the attending physician. It was a recurring stomach ulcer, he reckons it was from the alcohol or spicy food that irritated it. It was grave, even though surgery wasn’t needed, but he needs to stay in the hospital and be observed for a few days.

Listening to the doctor’s explanation, An Ran then felt relieved. She looks at the man on the hospital bed who was now asleep, but whose brows were still wrinkled. Then she stands at the front desk and deals with the bills and formalities in place of him.

When she returned Su Yi Cheng wakes up in confusion, looks at An Ran who was sitting beside him, then dazedly closes his eyes. Because it was an emergency, they did not have all the necessities. She knew that there was a market by the hospital entrance, so she took advantage of his sleeping state, and thought of buying some disposable towels, toothbrush and washbowl. Before leaving the hospital An Ran still looked around to ask the doctor. The doctor said that he needs to take care of his stomach, from now on he has to eat cleaner food.

She was afraid that he would wake up the middle of the night from hunger. When An Ran was heading back she bought some pure congee, thus, if he wakes up in the middle of the night, he could still eat.

In the middle of the night Su Yi Cheng really did wake up, but he was woken up because he was thirsty. Lying on the bed he could clearly make out that this wasn’t home but rather a hospital. His mouth was extremely dry, he turns his head and was about to get up, but he catches sight of An Ran lying on her stomach sleeping on the bedside. One hand was even resting on his hip. Because he was afraid that he’d wake her up, Su Yi Cheng doesn’t get up. He turns his head and clearly sees that there was a cup of water on the bedside cabinet, and reaches out to carry it.

Even though he was really careful, his movement light, but he still woke up An Ran who was sleeping lightly. Seeing that he’s awoken, An Ran quickly gets up and asks, “You’re up. Do you still feel unwell anywhere? Does your stomach still hurt? Are you hungry, do you want to eat something?”

Su Yi Cheng watches her lips chatter. He shakes his head. He reckons that she was frightened, and was about to say some comforting words, tell her that there’s nothing wrong with him, but when he was about to open his mouth, his voice was stuck in his throat, “N-nothing, don’t worry!” His voice was very hoarse. That one sentence, his dry throat was so sore.

Upon seeing this, An Ran gives him a glass of water, supporting him and holding the cup and helping him drink it.

Su Yi Cheng nearly drank half of the water in one gulp, his tightened throat that felt like it was set on fire finally relieved a bit.

An Ran places the glass of water back on the bedside cabinet, and asks again, “Are you hungry? I bought some congee, do you want me to heat it up for you?” Su Yi Cheng shakes his head. He has no appetite now. He lies down on the bed dazedly and closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.


The next day he wakens dizzily. He faintly hears An Ran talking on the phone asking Huang De Xing for a leave of absence.

When he was completely sober, she had already hung up the phone and returns. Seeing him awake, she asks him if he was hungry, she can go buy congee for him.

Su Yi Cheng looks at her. Only after a long while does he nod. He indeed was hungry. Yesterday he had drank too much alcohol, and didn’t eat anything. Red, white, yellow he drank and mixed, on the way home he started to feel that his stomach was unwell. He knows that it was his stomach ulcer acting up, but nevertheless he insisted on letting the driver drive him back home. He thought that he can take a few pills and it’ll be fine, but he didn’t think that the Heavens wasn’t helping him. To his surprise the medicine bottle was empty, and the last pill will already gone. Because there wasn’t a lot of dinner parties for this period of time, this chronic illness hasn’t shown up for a while. He forgot that he had run out of medicine.

When An Ran was out buying congee Su YI Cheng gave Secretary Zheng a call, to say that he won’t be coming into the office today, and if there was any urgent documents then he can just directly send it to the hospital.

Secretary Zheng was a bit intimidated by his hoarse voice. He quickly asks if something happened to him. Su Yi Cheng roughly told him about the situation. Secretary Zheng did not wait for him to finish speaking, and asks for address so he can come.

An Ran goes up carrying the congee. She ordered several kinds of light appetizers, for him to snack on.

The nurse was there to take his temperature. He doesn’t have a fever, but he still needs to continue being on IV. She warned him that for this period of time he must be careful of what he eats and drinks, and reminds him to avoid spicy foods and tobacco and alcohol. An Ran took note of each and every of them.

Su Yi Jiao called in just as Secretary Zheng had arrived. At that time Su Yi Cheng and Secretary Zheng were discussing about work. His cell phone was placed on the side, so when the cell phone started to ring Su Yi Cheng only takes a look at it, then gives it to An Ran, and tells her that she can pick it up.

An Ran hesitated to take it. It was only when she saw the caller ID that she knew it was Su Yi Jiao. They’ve meet twice, and her personality was lively. An Ran wasn’t intimidated, and directly answers the call.

Actually Su Yi Jiao was calling to ask about the dinner with the two families tonight. She wanted to ask ahead of time of Gu Heng Wen and Lin Xiao Fen’s dietary restrictions, if there was any then she will immediately let the kitchen know to leave them out. After all it was a meeting between the two households, at the least it is still a formal matter that needs special attention.

Su Yi Jiao rants on, and An Ran couldn’t find a chance to interrupt. She waited until she was finished, but because she wasn’t hearing Su Yi Cheng’s reply, she couldn’t help but cautiously say, “Bro, are you listening? Say something!”

An Ran then found the opportunity, and says, “Um, Yi jiao, it’s An Ran. Your brother has something to do right now, he can’t take the call.”

Su Yi Jiao was surprised, but after taking a few seconds, she quickly recovers, and enthusiastically calls out, “Sis-in-law! You’re with my brother right now? Don’t you have work?”

An Ran then needs to come up with a response, that Su Yi Cheng was at the hospital. It isn’t a big problem, but after all he still needs to stay in the hospital for a few days for observation, so there is no choice but to cancel the dinner tonight. She quickly tells Su Yi Jiao, “The dinner tonight is cancelled.”

“Uh, why?” Su Yi Jiao was confused. This morning her mother specially called her to tell her to get their best chef for tonight, set aside the best room, and didn’t say anything about it being cancelled!

“Your brother’s stomach ulcer acted up, and the doctor says that he has to stay for a few days for observation. So, let’s put it off for a few days.” An Ran states.

“Ah! Why is it like this, is he okay? Is it urgent? Did he mix alcohol and drink it? He falls ill if he has even a drop of alcohol.” Su Yi Jiao mutters. He ruined his stomach through drinking. There was one time when it was grave, he drank and made his stomach bleed. When he threw up all that came out was blood, he scared their mother so badly she almost fainted.

“He had a dinner party yesterday, I guess he did drink too much.” An Ran says.

“Sister-in-law, which hospital are you guys at right now, I’ll come over.” An Ran tells her the name of the hospital and the address, then hangs up. After hanging up she then calls Ling Xiao Fen, roughly describing the situation, then tells her that the dinner is cancelled, and they will change it to another day.

“Is Yi Cheng alright?” Lin Xiao Fen asks in concern, and also adds in to blame An Ran, “What did I tell you, why didn’t you take good care, you two have only gotten married for a few days, and you went and sent them to the hospital!”

An Ran blushes in shame, and only says in a low voice, “He drank too much at a dinner party.”

“How is work more important than health.” Lin Xiao Fen reprimands, and asks, “Where are you right now, I will come over.”



Receiving his cell phone, Su Yi Cheng and Secretary Zheng were already finished talking about work. Secretary Zheng sees her smiling and nods at her, then turns around and tells Su Yi Cheng, “Then I will go back to city hall, and pass on your orders.”

Su Yi Cheng nods, nothing more to add.

Seeing that he was about to leave, An Ran gets up to send him out. When she returned Su Yi Cheng was leaning against the hospital bed. Even though he looked wan and sallow, but that did not obstruct his good lucks and charms at all. It was merely morning rounds, delivering water, delivering medicine, each of these were done by different nurses every time. Even if there was nothing, a nurse would come over to take a look at his medical case, then warn him that he needs to eat milder foods from now on.

Waiting until the inspecting nurse to leave, Su Yi Cheng then waves An Ran over, telling her to come over, and says, “Last night, was hard work on you.”

An Ran shakes her head, a slight smile on her face. She asks, “Are you thirsty? Do you want me to get you a glass of water?”

He had been speaking with Secretary Zheng for a long time, his throat was extremely dry. He nods, not refusing.

Accepting An Ran’s water, he asks, “What did Yi Jiao want.”

“She wanted to consult you about the food for dinner tonight, but with how you are right now, I told her to cancel it.” An Ran states.

Su Yi Cheng looks at the cup of water in his hand, and smiles helplessly.

He was silent for a while, so An Ran asks, “Did you really drink a lot of alcohol last night?” She wasn’t certain whether or not his drinking had to do with Ling Ran.

Su Yi Cheng looks at her in the eyes, and gives her a soft smile, saying, “I was with the planning department team last night, and couldn’t evade them. Drank a bit too much.”

“Your stomach’s not good, from now on you should avoid drinking as much as possible.” An Ran says frowning.

Su Yi Cheng smiles, and reaches out to pull her hand, “Yesterday, did I scare you?” His large palm rub An Ran’s small hands. He knows that she was definitely scared yesterday, so much that she cried.

An Ran looks at him, shoots a glance, but doesn’t say anything. Her hands were so warmed up from his hold, that sweat was starting to form. But she doesn’t take her hand away, as she was scared that if she pulled away she would knock the water over.

Actually she was really scared by him yesterday, but who wouldn’t get a scare from it, once she came out she saw his pale face and holding his stomach. She couldn’t understand a word he said. But at least it’s nothing now.

“I’m sorry.”

An Ran turns her head, only to see Su Yi Cheng staring at her, showing a guilty expression. He was still holding her hand, softly rubbing it and pressing it, then apologizes, “I made you worry last night.”

Seeing him this way An Ran doesn’t know what to say. She can only stare at him in a daze. After a while, does she quietly say, “From now on, don’t drink.”

Su Yi Cheng chuckles, his eyebrows raise. A slight dimple appears on his cheek. He nods, “Okay. I’ll listen to my young wife.”

An Ran became embarrassed by him calling her young wife. She turns red, and pulls her hand away. She speaks quietly, then directly goes to the washroom.

Actually An Ran didn’t need to go to the washroom, but she was afraid of the awkwardness so she went to hide. After walking around for a bit, she was about to head back, when she actually needed to use the washroom. She was thinking of something else while her mind wandered, as she walks toward the end of the hallway. At the bend of the washroom, An ran was about to go in, when she sees that there was a man standing in front of the ladies’ washroom. She thought that he was waiting for his girlfriend or wife. Not minding much, she passes him intending to go in, but before she went in she turns her slightly to take a glance at that man. And because of this glance, An Ran suddenly stops, staring in shock at the man standing there. She was startled, it was unbelievable!



---END OF CHAPTER---