Ning Ran realized that the car was driving in the direction of the Nan family, and reminded the driver, “Sir, my house is in the opposite direction.”
“Young Mistress, Captain Qiao has instructed me to send Little Master and Little Miss home.”
“The children must stay with me at my house today.”
“Young Mistress, Sir Chen has instructed that we must ensure the Little Master and Little Miss return to the Commoner Residence. Otherwise…”
“They are my children. Am I not allowed to spend one night with them?” Ning Ran interrupted him.
“Young Mistress, please do not make things difficult for us…”
“I am not out to make things difficult for you. I am only asking if I am not allowed to spend one night with my children?” Ning Ran sneered at him.
“Sir Chen says that if you make things difficult for us, we shall kneel and beg you until you agree.” With that, the chauffeur stopped the car by the roadside. He undid the seat belt and was about to kneel before Ning Ran stopped him hurriedly, “Enough. Don’t you pull that trick and scare the kids. How can a grown-up man like you kneel before the kids and me?”
“This is Sir Chen’s order. We must execute it. Our rules are very strict,” said the chauffeur resignedly.
Ning Ran sighed and waved her hands, signaling the chauffeur to continue driving.
Nan Chen is so scheming. He knew I wouldn’t allow the chauffeur aka bodyguard to kneel before me, much less before Dabao. He must be certain that this tactic would work on me. There is no need for him to deploy other means to force me to send the kids back to the Nan family. This scheming, devious man!
Ning Ran offered to alight from the car when they reached the gates of the Nan Mansion.
Judging from the situation now, I may be chased out of the Nan family if I head into the house. Why should I invite trouble for myself?
“Mommy.” Erbao was reluctant to leave Ning Ran. She wrapped her little hands tightly around her neck in a bid to stop her from alighting the car.
Ning Ran’s heart wrenched, but she could not portray her grief in front of the kids for fear of causing the kids undue stress.
“Fine. Go. Mommy will fetch you in two days.”
“Mommy.” Erbao refused to let go of Ning Ran.
“Be good and let go of me.”
“Why is Mommy not staying with us?” Erbao was about to burst into tears.
“Mommy is still trying to settle some matters, but they should be done soon,” consoled Ning Ran.
“So sorry, Young Mistress. I’m only obeying orders…” The chauffeur apologized guiltily.
“I hate you!” Erbao screamed at him.
The chauffeur dared not retort.
“Don’t behave this way. It’s not his fault. Be a good girl. I will alight now and see you tomorrow again.”
Ning Ran tried hard to suppress her reluctance and sadness.
“Really?”
“Of course. Mommy will settle my matters quickly, and we will be able to see each other every day soon.” Ning Ran forced a smile on her face.
“Let mommy get down from the car. We won’t fully understand adults’ matters.” Dabao chipped in, in an attempt to persuade Erbao.
“Brother, can you please tell Third Uncle to let Mommy stay with us?” Erbao pleaded.
“I will. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
Dabao pulled away Erbao’s hands which were still wrapped around Ning Ran’s neck.
Ning Ran took the opportunity to alight from the car.
“Goodbye, Mommy.”
Though Dabao’s tone was calm, the rims of his eyes were red.
“Goodbye. See you tomorrow.” Ning Ran forced a smile.
After seeing the car turn into the Nan Mansion’s driveway, Ning Ran turned around and was prepared to flag down a cab when another car appeared. The Nan family had arranged for a second car to send Ning Ran home. The chauffeur got out and opened the door for her.
“It’s okay. I can take a cab home myself.”
“This is Sir Chen’s order. He has ordered us to send you home safely.”
Nan Chen again! What exactly in the world does he want!
“Why should I listen to him? I’m not his subordinate.” Ning Ran was furious.
“Sir Chen says he won’t be cooperative in the future if you aren’t cooperative now.”
The threat in his message was evident. If I don’t listen to him, it will be hard for me to see the children in the future.
Ning Ran could imagine Nan Chen with his typical indifferent expression, standing before her and pointing his finger at her while he says, You can’t afford to offend me. You must obey.
Ning Ran was displeased, but she was left with no choice but to board the car.
She did not speak a word to the chauffeur. Yet he recognized the route back to her new residence and sent her straight home.
As I expected, Nan Chen is keeping tabs on me! This is so infuriating! He’s such a bully!
“Good night, Young Mistress.” The chauffeur got down the car to open the car door for Ning Ran.
“Don’t call me Young Mistress. I’m not that!”
The chauffeur bowed his head and did not say anything.
“Tell your Sir Chen not to be too full of himself.”
Ning Ran knew she was being spiteful and could not do anything to avenge herself. Nonetheless, she felt better after saying those words out loud.
The chauffeur did not dare repeat her words to Nan Chen, who would not give a hoot about them anyway.
Everything was within his control. He had the rights to be full of himself.
After Ning Ran returned home, she realized that Cheng Xiangyun was not back yet. I wonder where she has wandered off to.
It was a habit of Ning Ran to video call the children to wish them goodnight. Only in this way would the children sleep at ease.
Erbao’s face popped up on the phone screen. She was in a study room; the bookshelves behind her were full of books.
“Where is your brother?”
“He’s reading with Third Uncle. They’re discussing some weird stuff.”
Ning Ran understood what Erbao meant. Dabao and that Poker Face can indeed discuss many topics that even I find to be baffling.
“It’s so late. Why aren’t both of you sleeping yet?”
“Mommy, it’s not that late. Don’t worry, we will be sleeping soon,” said Erbao obediently.
“Ask your brother to come to the phone. I want to speak to him.”
“Okay.” Erbao put down the phone and ran off looking for Dabao.
After a while, Dabao took the phone and changed the video call to an audio call.
“Mommy, I’m tracking the man’s movements. I will send all the numbers he has recently called to you,” said Dabao in a low voice.
Astounded, Ning Ran asked, “How did you do that?”
“It’s very easy for me. You need not to ask.”
“Aren’t you worried he will find out?” Ning Ran was still worried.
“Of course not. I have planted something on his phone, but he will not discover it even if he installs an anti-virus software.”
Although Dabao was only a mere child, he was very reliable, even more so than those boastful adults.
Ning Ran was about to speak when someone called out to Dabao over at his end, “Dabao, it’s time to sleep.”
It’s Nan Chen’s voice. This man really is annoying! He must have known I’m talking with Dabao. He’s doing this on purpose. Why can’t I talk to my own son?
“I’ll be there immediately, Third Uncle.”
“Dabao, ignore him. Let us continue talking,” said Ning Ran, infuriated.
“Mommy, let’s not talk anymore. I need to send you the stuff you need urgently, as I must sleep on time.”
“Fine.” Ning Ran knew her son had imposed strict discipline on himself. She could not very well disrupt his disciplined lifestyle so she could only agree.
