Ning Ran rolled her eyes at the man and his insufferable pride.
Still, she was utterly impressed by how Nan Chen managed to turn their situation around even though he was
injured.
When Nan Chen told her that he would protect her, Ning Ran thought he was just trying to make her and himself
feel better.
It wasn't until right then did she realize that he meant every word he said. He really did it!
“You should eat more. I prepared these dishes for you as a token of my gratitude, so let's not waste them,” uttered
Guo Si.
“We'll have more, then,” responded Nan Chen before giving Ning Ran a look. We better eat whatever we can to
keep our strength up since we have no idea what we'll run into when we leave.
Ning Ran did not have the appetite to eat because she was too excited about their escape. Nonetheless, she forced
herself to fill her stomach.
“Maybe you should take it easy.” Nan Chen thought the woman was overdoing it.
“Mind your own business!” retorted Ning Ran with a smile.
“Let's move out. I need a crutch,” declared Nan Chen as he helped himself up by pushing on the table.
“I'll get you one. By the way, you have to remember to tell the police that I let you go and that I did nothing to harm
you,” reminded Guo Si.
“Don't worry. I'm a man of my word. You won't go to prison,” promised Nan Chen.
The next morning, Erbao heard Lu Yunxue's voice outside not long after she woke up.
Lu Jingyuan, being the responsible person she was, arrived early to pick up Erbao because she promised to take the
girl to the doctor that day.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Ms. Lu, does she have to fast for traditional medicine?” Cheng Xiangyun asked Lu Jingyuan.
“No, but Dr. Ding said that would be best because food would affect the color of her tongue. However, I prepared
some oatmeal for her, so she'd have something to eat right after the appointment,” replied Lu Jingyuan.
How considerate! She is a mother, after all. Cheng Xiangyun had to admit that she would never have thought of
preparing breakfast for Erbao beforehand.
After washing up and changing into an adorable outfit, Erbao came out of her room.
Due to her lack of appetite, she had become almost as slim as Dabao, which made her look prettier.
“Let's go.” Qiao Zhan was also ready to leave.
“You're going too?” inquired Cheng Xiangyun.
“Of course. I must go because I have to protect Erbao,” answered Qiao Zhan.
“Then who's going to protect Dabao at home? We can't all go.” Cheng Xiangyun knew the only reason Qiao Zhan
wanted to tag along was to check out pretty ladies.
“You should stay home with Dabao. I'll leave a few men here to protect you. Being out there is more dangerous
than staying home, so I should go with them.”
Even though Qiao Zhan had a point, Cheng Xiangyun thought it would be inconvenient for the man to go with Erbao
since Erbao was a girl.
“It wouldn't be appropriate for you to take a girl with you, so I have to be the one to go.”
“But we have Ms. Lu with us, don't we?”
Cheng Xiangyun rolled her eyes at Qiao Zhan in response. “Has it not occurred to you that Ms. Lu would be busy
looking after her own children? What's the matter with you?”
“Fine. I'll stay with Dabao and arrange a few men to go with you then.” Finally, Qiao Zhan agreed to stay behind.
Parked outside the inn was a jeep that belonged to Lu Jingyuan.
Since she looked soft, anyone would be surprised to learn that she owned not a regular SUV but a wild-looking off-
road vehicle.
“Get in. Our destination isn't far away, so we'll get there in my car in no time,” stated Lu Jingyuan.
“I didn't expect you to drive such a wild car. Do you have a thing for outdoor adventures?”
“I do. I've been to many places, including no man's land. I used to think that's how I'd live out the rest of my life, but
after becoming a mother, I lost some of my freedom. It's fine, though. I can continue to travel around the world
after my kids are grown up, which is why I have to work hard to earn more money.” Lu Jingyuan looked different
when she started talking about traveling as her eyes would sparkle with excitement.
“Mommy, you're complaining about Yunbing and me, aren't you? You think we're a burden.” Lu Yunxue pouted in
dissatisfaction.
“You are, but I'm more than happy to carry you.” Lu Jingyuan looked like an angel when she broke into a smile,
revealing her pearl-white teeth.
“When we're all grown up, will you take us with you on your travels?” inquired Lu Yunxue.
“Nope,” replied Lu Jingyuan without a second thought.
“Why?”
“You'll be in college when I travel. You won't have the time. After you graduate, you'll have to start earning money
to fund my travels, which means you'll be even busier. That's why I should just go alone.”
Seated beside Lu Jingyuan, Cheng Xiangyun was amused when she heard the woman. How can anyone be this
cool? Parents usually toil for their children, but not this mother. She's already thinking about how she's going to live
off her children! How interesting!
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAfter glancing at Cheng Xiangyun, Lu Jingyuan smirked. “Do you think I'm selfish?”
“No. I think that sounded just fine. You're giving up your lifestyle for them now, so it's only natural that you get to do
what you want when your children are grown up. Some parents give their children every last cent they have only to
spoil them into good-for-nothings,” replied Cheng Xiangyun.
“Exactly! Those parents are the reason why their children live off them. I'll never let that happen to me; I'll live off
my children instead!” stated Lu Jingyuan with a chuckle.
“Agreed! You're a fascinating person, Ms. Lu.” Cheng Xiangyun could tell Lu Jingyuan was growing on her. Not only is
she gorgeous, but she's also interesting. What's more intriguing is how down-to-earth she is, even though I can
sense she's well-traveled. The woman keeps a reasonable distance from people yet remains approachable. When
Qiao Zhan refused to let her into the inn yesterday, she turned around and left without a word. However, that
evening, she proposed a toast at dinner as if nothing had happened. People like her, who are both courteous and
generous, are the easiest to get along with.
“You think I'm fascinating?” inquired Lu Jingyuan, smiling.
“Yeah, I think you're special.”
“There's nothing special about me. I'm just an ordinary single mother trying my best to become a gentler person
and raise my children.”
“Judging from your accent, am I right to assume that you're not a local?”
“You are. I'm from the capital,” revealed Lu Jingyuan.
To Cheng Xiangyun, the fact that Lu Jingyuan, a single mother, moved to the small border town from the capital to
open an inn while raising two children was intriguing in and of itself.
She wanted to ask about the children's father, but unfortunately, Lu Jingyuan did not seem willing to divulge.
While they were still conversing, they reached the traditional medicine clinic.