Chapter 140: Chen Hao Ran (Part Four)
Chapter 140: Chen Hao Ran (Part Four)
[Bonus Chapter]
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"Is everyone going to shift into the new manor?" Xiang Ling asked as the wheels inside her head started turning the moment she heard her brother mentioning a new manor.
Chen Hao Ran let out a small sigh before he shook his head and answered, "Mother and father have refused to go anywhere, and your second brother is saying that he will stay with our parents. So, only me, your first sister-in-law, and Xiao Yu will be shifting into the new manor."
"Then let me solve your problem. You no longer need to look for a new place." Xiang Ling finally showed her brother a bright smile that left him shocked even more than he was after seeing her kneeling and crying. She looked so pure and enchanting as she smiled at him. He couldn’t remember when was the last time she smiled so genuinely at him... or anyone else in general.
Shaking off the emotions that were trying to overwhelm him, he asked, "What do you mean, Xiang’er?"
"First Brother, when I said that I was planning to visit our parents and ask for everyone’s forgiveness, I was also planning to request you all to return to Chen Manor. You all left our home because of me, when in reality, it should have been me and my husbands who should have left. That’s your home. You all should return there. And since you have already forgiven me, I request you to return to the manor first with sister-in-law and Xiao Yu."
"This..." Hao Ran seemed at a loss for any response and his hesitance was more than clear which made Xiang Ling frown as she asked, "First Brother, have you still not forgiven me?"
Hao Ran quickly shook his head, afraid that his sister would feel sad. "It’s not that, Xiang’er. Like I told you, I was never truly mad at you. No matter what you are like, you will always be my precious little sister."
Xiang Ling smiled warmly at her brother’s words, but at the same time, she noticed the look of worry on his face. "What is it then, First Brother? Are you worried that first sister-in-law will not like it?"
The silence already answered Xiang Ling’s question and she let out a defeated sigh. "It’s my fault. I should have known that after what I did, she wouldn’t want to live anywhere near me."
"Xiang’er, don’t be too harsh on yourself. You know that your sister-in-law isn’t that materialistic. When she will know that you have changed, she will be so happy and will let go of the past immediately." Hao Ran tried to cheer his sister when he noticed the gloomy look on her face. Letting out a small sigh, he added, "And don’t worry. I will talk to her and tell her everything. I’m sure she will be happy to return to our home."
Xiang Ling’s eyes immediately liven up when she heard Hao Ran’s words. "Thank you so much, Brother Hao. I promise that I will never give you another chance to complain about my behavior. I will treat you, sister-in-law, and Xiao Yu well."
Hao Ran smiled softly at his sister and nodded his head. Right at that moment, they heard a knock on the door before the maids entered the room and started serving the warm food that he ordered.
Once the table was filled with delicacies of different types, he signaled his sister who was eagerly scanning everything. "Go ahead, have a taste. These are some of the best dishes you can find in the entire Dongzhi."
As soon as Xiang Ling heard his words, she immediately dived into the food, causing her brother to chuckle. That day, the two siblings enjoyed a meal together in happiness after several long years.
At one point, Hao Ran even started feeling emotional when he realized that the current version of his sister was exactly what he had always wished her to be like. She was kind, gentle, warm, and innocent. When she looked at him, there was only gentleness in her eyes and a sweet smile on her lips. When she talked, there was respect in her words and tone, and when she laughed, she looked like the most innocent child out there in the world.
Being the First child in the family, Hao Ran had always looked after his younger two siblings, and during her childhood, Xiang Ling used to be his and his brother’s little bubble of happiness whom they pampered like no other. Unfortunately, she became distant with time and through the years, their sibling bond became weaker and weaker. But as he looked at the current Xiang Ling, he found himself looking at that little girl who used to cling to him all the time.
The two chatted a lot and Hao Ran was surprised to know all the details about her visit to both Shengdu and Lin Family’s Village. While Shengdu Village didn’t fall under Nanxia County, he still had heard about the attacks there as it was their ancestral hometown. On the other hand, the situation of the Lin Family’s Village was no secret to him as his father talked about the plague during dinner a few weeks ago.
He was shocked to know that his sister helped in dealing with the situation in that village and even succeeded in ending the plague with the help of the disciples of Wangjing and Wudang Sects. The more he listened to her stories, the more he believed her because there were so many little details that couldn’t be made out of thin air.
By the time they finished their meal, over an hour had passed. Hao Ran offered Xiang Ling a ride that the latter eagerly accepted. When they reached outside the main entrance of the Chen Manor, he was surprised to see the litter view of the main garden that he was able to see through the open doors. The manor had indeed returned to life.
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A/N: Thank you so much everyone for the Power Stones. This is the first week in the past three months when our story has passed the milestone of 300 PS. This Chapter is my return gift to you all. Enjoy!!