Chapter 0512

"Xinyan, I can't give you an answer because I'm not sure about the future. I have a bit of marriage-phobia."

That was Wu Zhishang's response at the time, neither agreeing to marriage nor proposing a breakup—utterly ambiguous.

Zhang Xinyan was furious, pointing her finger at Wu Zhishang's nose. "I'm asking you one more time, will you marry me or not?"

Seeing Wu Zhishang remain silent and unresponsive, Zhang Xinyan felt as if her heart was shattering.

She threw down her resignation letter. "Either we get married, or you'll never see me again. You'll regret losing me for the rest of your life."

As Wu Zhishang looked at the resignation letter on the desk and was about to tear it up, Zhang Xinyan spoke up.

"I've also sent a copy to your email. I look forward to Manager Liu's review!"

With that, she ran out to get back to work, tears streaming down her face as she worked.

So, it had all been her own wishful thinking.

Perhaps in Wu Zhishang's heart, he had never truly loved her.

Zhang Xinyan felt her brief romance was coming to an end.

Yet, before her heartbreak had even lasted 24 hours, Wu Zhishang rushed to her side.

"Zhang Xinyan, I've decided. I want to marry you."

Zhang Xinyan didn't understand why Wu Zhishang had changed his mind so drastically. Amidst her joy, she also felt a twinge of worry and sought confirmation.

"Are you sure?"

Wu Zhishang, with utmost sincerity, cupped Zhang Xinyan's face in his hands.

"I'm sure. You've been the one putting in all the effort in this relationship. I've never been brave. I was wrong. I'm certain I've fallen in love with you. I want to marry you. For the rest of our lives, it's my turn to love you."

Wu Zhishang had been completely awakened by Lin Ran's words: "Don't let your indecisiveness lead to a lifetime of regret."

It wasn't that he didn't like Zhang Xinyan; on the contrary, he liked her very much.

Who wouldn't like a girl who kept drawing closer to him?

Applying the hurt from his past relationship to this one was a mistake from the start.

He had avoided commitment in the past because he was afraid to love, but now he decided to be brave one more time.

Even if he got hurt again this time, he would accept it.

Zhang Xinyan threw herself into Wu Zhishang's arms, her tears smearing her delicate makeup.

"Don't worry, choosing me will absolutely not be a loss for you."

This was Zhang Xinyan's promise to Wu Zhishang, and it was precisely the promise that moved him the most.

Everything after that proceeded naturally.

After hearing all this, Lin Ran understood the gist of the situation.

"Brother Lin, thank you. Without your words, I might have really missed my chance with Zhang Xinyan."

Lin Ran yawned. "Clichéd, but... congratulations."

Lin Ran's blessing for Wu Zhishang was sincere; he felt a sense of his "son" finally growing up.

"Even if Zhang Xinyan hurts me this time, I'll accept it."

Lin Ran shook his head. "I don't know if Zhang Xinyan will hurt you, but I believe she at least wouldn't hurt you the way Zhao Miaomiao did."

There was a fundamental difference between Zhao Miaomiao and Zhang Xinyan: Zhao Miaomiao was a certified heartbreaker.

As for Zhang Xinyan, even if she and Wu Zhishang were to divorce someday, it probably wouldn't be over something like infidelity.

Wu Zhishang nodded. "True, the difference between them is quite significant."

Lin Ran took out two red envelopes. "These are the wedding gifts Yao Yao and I prepared for you. One is for you, and the other, please give to Shen Jingbing for me."

Wu Zhishang didn't stand on ceremony and reached out to take them.

These were gifts from his Brother Lin and sister-in-law; it would be a waste not to take them.

"So thin?" Wu Zhishang remarked, feeling the thickness of the envelopes.

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. "They're checks."

Alright, Wu Zhishang was shocked once again.

Truth be told, he wasn't short on money these days, but if it was from Lin Ran, he had to accept it.

"Thank you so much, my righteous sworn brother!"

"My son is thoughtful. Off you go."

Wu Zhishang got up to leave, repeatedly reminding Lin Ran on his way out that he must attend his wedding.

As for Luo Yao, it was up to her.

She could go if she wanted to; Wu Zhishang wouldn't dare insist.

After seeing Wu Zhishang off, Lin Ran returned to the bedroom. Luo Yao was still resting.

However, Lin Ran noticed Luo Yao's brows were slightly furrowed, as if she was having a bad dream.

He reached out and gently stroked her forehead. Luo Yao instantly relaxed, her brows smoothing out, transforming into a gentle and docile little kitten, looking more and more adorable the longer he gazed.

Who would have thought this was the decisive and formidable top tycoon?

Lin Ran simply watched her quietly like this until, half an hour later, Luo Yao opened her eyes.

"Ah Ran, have you been here with me all this time?" Luo Yao's eyes were filled with affection and emotion.

Lin Ran helped Luo Yao sit up, leaning her against his chest. "After seeing Old Wu off, I've just been watching you sleep. Yao Yao looks so cute when she's asleep."

Luo Yao nuzzled against Lin Ran's chest.

"Ah Ran, I just had a dream."

"A good dream or a nightmare?"

"It started as a nightmare, then turned into a good dream, and after that, it kept repeating between nightmare and good dream."

Lin Ran was puzzled. She hadn't slept for long, but she'd had quite a few dreams.

"What was it about?"

Luo Yao wore a thoughtful expression as she recalled.

"I dreamed you died, on the very day of our wedding. I can't remember exactly how you died. I cried so bitterly. Later... later you came back to life, but you came back to life around the time we first met. Then you died again, then came back to life again, then died again, then lived again..."

Lin Ran's face was full of question marks.

What was all this about dying, living, dying again, living again?

"That's a very strange dream."

Luo Yao nodded. "It is strange. What's strange about it? I don't know either."

"If you can't figure it out, don't dwell on it. It's just a dream; it's not real. What was the final outcome?"

Though Lin Ran said it wasn't real, he still wanted to know the ending.

"Finally, we got married, loved each other deeply, and had a lovely baby."

Lin Ran smiled, dotingly stroking Luo Yao's head.

"You actually think a child is cute? Then that really is a good dream."

Luo Yao lowered her head and touched her own stomach.

Perhaps a child or something like that wasn't so detestable after all.

"Ah Ran..."

"Not possible. You'll have to bear with it for now..."

Luo Yao's eyes instantly turned cold and sharp, glaring daggers at her own stomach.

What a rotten child, not cute at all.

Might as well get rid of it.

Forget it, it's the fruit of my love with Ah Ran.

Better keep it.

(Baby: ??? I feel like I'm teetering on the brink of life and death.)

"Ah Ran, what name should we give the baby?"

Lin Ran was instantly stumped. He thought for a long time but still couldn't come up with a good name.

In terms of his cultural knowledge, he wouldn't dare claim it was exceptionally high, but he was a top student. Yet now, he couldn't even think of a name for his own child.

He hadn't even decided on a surname.

His surname was Lin, as in Lin Tianba.

Although he had cut ties, having the child bear the Lin surname still felt strange.

But have the child take the Luo surname?

The Luo family weren't exactly good people either. What a dilemma.