Chapter Forty-Eight: Genuine Affection

“How did you come here so late? After I lost consciousness, were you hurt? Now you—” Before Shangguan Ranran could finish, Huangpu Shenqing drew her into a fierce embrace, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones. He breathed in the scent of milk on her, greedily, as though he could engrave it upon his heart, to assure himself that she was still safe and sound.

“Ranran, let’s be together,” he murmured. “I want to be with you every moment. I don’t want to be helpless when you’re ill, unable to stay by your side. I don’t want to appear beside you without a name or status, only to be driven away.”

“Mr. Huangpu? What status? Who drove you away?” Could it be that her father, while she was unconscious, had sent him away?

“Ranran, give me a status, will you?” His voice was hoarse and aggrieved. He wanted to stay by her side, openly and rightfully.

That way, when she fell ill, he wouldn’t have to leave. He could always be there for her.

“Huangpu,” Shangguan Ranran gently pushed him away and switched on the lamp at the bedside. The room flooded with light.

Looking at him, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was the villain who had deceived his affections.

She reached for his hand, intending to speak, but then noticed it was covered in wounds, as if from sharp, small objects, and the injuries had only been crudely treated.

“What happened to your hand?”

Huangpu Shenqing pulled back his hand. “It’s nothing.”

“You must tend to your wounds, or they’ll become infected.” Shangguan Ranran got out of bed, found the first aid kit, and carefully treated and bandaged his hand.

“Be careful when you touch water.”

“Ranran, will you say yes?” Huangpu Shenqing grasped her hand, his gaze earnest and unwavering.

“I...” She was uncertain, unsure whether she liked him as well.

But she knew that she was always different before him compared to others.

When he drew near, she blushed, her heart raced.

When he gazed at her, the tips of her ears flushed pink, and she felt nervous.

He said he learned to cook for her, that these were the dishes Ranran liked.

When he spoke, so serious, if she refused him, she felt as if she were a bad person.

She always deliberately ignored and avoided these feelings.

Because she did not know why this man liked her, or for how long his feelings would last. That was why, last time, she had said they were not suitable for each other.

“Ranran, are you still going to refuse me?”

“Mr. Huangpu, are you sincere?” Shangguan Ranran countered, her eyes meeting his by chance.

“Of course. Huangpu Shenqing’s feelings for Shangguan Ranran are true. I love you as dearly as life itself.”

“Then let’s give it a try, Mr. Huangpu.”

Let’s try it.

Let’s try.

Try.

Never had this word sounded so sweet to him as it did now.

Huangpu Shenqing drew her into his arms again, his voice brimming with joy. “Ranran, I’m so happy.”

Huangpu Shenqing remained until Shangguan Ranran had fallen asleep before he left, kissing her wounded forehead as he departed.

—

The next day, Mo Yi sent over the chosen four characters for the company’s new name: Lianran Group.

When he entered the office, he found his boss smiling foolishly, and immediately doubted whether he had entered the room properly.

So he stepped out and re-entered, this time facing that usual cold, indifferent gaze. Yes, that was how it should be.

“Do you not know how to knock? Or have you all grown unruly because I haven’t been in the office these past days?”

“Sorry, President, I’ll go out and knock.” He’d just realized the door had been left open and forgot to knock, a faux pas that could very well cost him his life.

Mo Yi knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Huangpu Shenqing said, tucking away last night’s memories and resuming his customary icy demeanor.

“President, I’ve had the name ‘Lianran’ custom-made for the company—‘Lian’ from ‘refine’ and ‘Ran’ from ‘imbue.’ Huangpu Group is officially renamed Lianran Group.”

“You may handle these details as you see fit. Have Mo Jiu compile a list of the company’s senior members—anyone who isn’t one of us is to be removed. Anyone holding shares is to be bought out. For those unwilling, investigate their backgrounds thoroughly; leave that to Mo Shi.”

“Yes, sir. And how should we handle those three hundred people?”

“Have the steward arrange for discreet residences for them. Release half of them. Investigate Jun Ruohan and Huangpu Rong—if they have people hidden in the shadows, don’t leave any survivors.”

“Yes, any further instructions?”

“Send ten more people to keep watch on Huangpu Qingyin. At the first opportunity—whatever happens, her life or death is no object. As for Huangpu Qing’an, assign another ten to follow him. I want him to know what it feels like to lose everything.”

“Yes.”

“Also, spread the word: terminate any cooperation with the Jun and Bai families.”

“But President, our company has never collaborated with either of them.”

“I want every company that works with them to withdraw.”

“I understand. I’ll take care of it.” Once their company announced it would never work with the Jun or Bai families, all those partnered with them would pull out.

Who would really pay attention to whether their company had ever actually worked with the Jun or Bai families?

Even if people knew there had been no cooperation, they would still understand that the Jun and Bai families had provoked the wrath of their group.

...

These days, Shangguan Ranran stayed in the hospital, painting, chatting, drinking tea—a thoroughly pleasant existence.

Except, of course, at night.

Every evening, Huangpu Shenqing would come. At first, he stayed only a few hours, but soon, he spent the whole night.

He graduated from the chair beside her bed to her bed itself.

Each morning, when she found herself in his arms, her face would flush scarlet, and she would wait until he left before crawling out from under the covers.

At first, her father suggested transferring her to A City People’s Hospital, but her mother objected, insisting that this quiet place was best for recovery.

In truth, she could have been discharged long ago, but everyone had objected.

So she remained quietly in the hospital, entrusting all departmental matters to Ye Zuo and Ye Xin.

The wound on her forehead had already scabbed over and healed, leaving only a faint scar behind.