Chapter Sixty-Eight: Prodding the Thorn Once More

Shangguan Ranran was bewildered to find her followers on Weibo steadily increasing.

She hadn’t posted anything. Where were all these followers coming from?

“Sis, I really like you, sincerely.”

“Miss Shangguan, I like you, truly.”

“Keep going, Miss Shangguan!”

“Miss Shangguan, you’re the best. I have faith in you.”

“Could you post a personal photo, Miss? The kind I could just stare at all day.”

“Please, just one photo!”

“I want to know what it feels like to be noticed by the famous Mr. Huangpu.”

“I’m only here because of Mr. Huangpu.”

...

Ouyang Mufeng had also followed Shangguan Ranran. When he learned of his second brother’s antics in the company group chat, he immediately messaged Gong Yi and Lin Yan privately.

Shangguan Ranran’s followers kept skyrocketing.

Top trending topic one: The illustrious Huangpu joins Weibo with the post: ‘It’s really me.’

Top trending topic two: The unknown followed by Huangpu—Shangguan Ranran.

Shangguan Ranran, watching the trending topics...

What do they mean, ‘unknown’?

Wasn’t that a bit much? Wasn’t it almost a personal attack?

What about her title as a department head in the Shangguan Group—wasn’t that impressive?

Now she already had tens of thousands of followers and had no idea how it happened.

Ranran_i: “Mr. Huangpu, my followers have suddenly shot up for no reason. I’m over ten thousand now.”

Huangpu Deepheart: “Mm, I noticed. Ranran, you’re amazing.”

Shangguan Ranran covered her face. Even though she was just reading a message, it felt as if Huangpu Deepheart were speaking right in front of her.

Ranran_i: “Enough chatting, I’m going to sleep now. You should rest early too, Mr. Huangpu.”

Huangpu Deepheart: “Mm, good night, Ranran.”

Ranran_i: “Good night, Mr. Huangpu.”

The next day, Shangguan Ranran didn’t go out. She stayed at the manor, playing chess with her grandfather.

“Ranran, your chess skills have declined, haven’t they?” Ye Hai remarked, holding a black piece. On the board, black surrounded white, leaving white in a weak position.

“Grandpa, I was never that good at chess to begin with. How could I compare with you?”

“You little imp, if you lose, you’re coming with me to Old Man Ye’s house.”

The Ye family in Country Y was an upper-class clan; their main residence was here, while the Ye family branch in Country Z was managed by Ye Liting, whose wife was from Country Z, which is why he developed his career there.

“What? Did you have another argument with Grandpa Ye?”

She’d always end up playing peacemaker whenever she went to the Ye family.

Old Master Ye lived alone on this side of Mofei’er; his family lived downtown and only visited once a week.

“Hmph, that stubborn old man. All I did was mention Yanzhi, and he threw me out!”

Ye Yanzhi, the eldest grandson of the Ye family, was an award-winning actor who had taken the grand slam of the film industry by storm. He was a household name both at home and abroad.

“What did you say about Brother Ye?” Shangguan Ranran placed her white piece on the board. She was destined to lose, but she had to play to the end with her grandfather.

“I... I just said...” Ye Hai muttered. He’d said, “Isn’t your grandson already over thirty? Still not married? Is there really no one interested?”

Old Master Ye, furious, had taken up his cane and chased him out. He hated having anyone poke at his sore spots.

Ye Yanzhi was that sore spot—always busy in the entertainment industry, never at home.

He was already so old and still not married. He always said he hadn’t met the right person, or hadn’t found someone suitable.

He wouldn’t let anyone introduce him to girls, either. It was as if he didn’t exist as far as his grandfather was concerned. And Ye Hai just had to bring it up again, twisting the knife.

So the old master had the butler throw him out.

“All right, Grandpa, I’ve lost. I’ll go with you in a bit,” Ranran said, as the game reached its conclusion.

They went to visit in the mid-afternoon, around three, knowing Old Master Ye would be resting after lunch, so they chose that time.

“Uncle Butler!” Shangguan Ranran called out warmly as soon as they arrived.

“Ranran? Sir, Miss Shangguan is here.”

“Ranran’s here? Quickly, let her in,” Old Master Ye’s delighted voice rang out.

She was his joy and sunshine.

Old Master Ye came out and, seeing Ye Hai behind her, pursed his lips at once. Same old trick every time, and never embarrassed.

“When did you get back, Ranran?” Old Master Ye asked kindly as they sat in the living room.

The butler went to make tea.

“I returned yesterday afternoon and brought you some specialties from Country Z,” Ranran said, handing over a gift box. She had packed several yesterday at the airport—some for her grandfather and Uncle Li, and two for Old Master Ye and the butler.

“Ah, Ranran, you’re still the best—not like certain people who just poke at my sore spots.”

Ye Hai touched his nose, uncomfortable, and said nothing.

“Grandpa Ye, my grandfather just speaks bluntly. He doesn’t mean any harm. Don’t take his words to heart. Brother Ye is so outstanding, you really don’t need to worry.”

“That’s exactly why I worry even more.” Old Master Ye sighed, his hair white with anxiety. He was already well past seventy, pushing eighty. How could he not be anxious?

The butler brought out tea and poured some for each of them.

Ranran took a cup to Ye Hai, then another to Old Master Ye.

“Does Brother Ye have anyone he likes?” she asked.

“I’ve never heard him mention anyone. Probably not. That introvert only knows how to act. If he really liked someone, I’d be burning incense in thanks,” Old Master Ye replied, looking utterly troubled. “If only you were a few years older, Ranran.”

If that were the case, he’d have his grandson marry her without hesitation. Such a good girl—what a pity she couldn’t be his granddaughter-in-law.

“What are you talking about, Old Man Ye?” Ye Hai burst out, indignant. His precious granddaughter was not someone his grandson deserved—there was too much of an age gap.

“I’m just saying, why are you so worked up?” Old Master Ye was irritated by his reaction. Was his grandson so unworthy? He was the nation’s idol!

“In any case, Ranran and Yanzhi are impossible. I’ll find him another debutante. If not in Country Y, there’s always Country Z. If that doesn’t work, I’ll search the world for him. There must be someone suitable,” Ye Hai declared, setting down his teacup as if making a solemn vow.

“Hmph, as if we need your help. There are fans lining up from Country Y to Country Z who’d marry Yanzhi.”

“That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to…”

“I know exactly what’s on your mind. Aren’t you just…”

As the two old men bickered, Shangguan Ranran sat calmly to the side, sipping her tea. The scene was so very familiar.