Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 343 - 199 Qu Hongling Visits

Chapter 343: Chapter 199 Qu Hongling Visits

"What!?"

"You want Jinxiu to warm my bed tonight?"

The next morning, as the bright sunshine filled the air, Jiang Shouzhong was having breakfast. He hadn’t even swallowed the mouthful of steamed bun when he heard Ran Qingchen’s nonchalant remark, and he froze in place.

Jinxiu’s bright eyes suddenly widened, shimmering with disbelief.

Thinking back to the scene she witnessed the night before, the girl thought: Could it be that the young mistress and the master are going to share a room, and therefore they’re sending me there first to warm up the bed, to give the master some experience, a preview of sorts?

At this thought, the girl’s cheeks flushed red, and her clear eyes sparkled with excitement and joy.

Jinxiu, oh Jinxiu, your good days are coming.

Ran Qingchen sipped her plain porridge expressionlessly, speaking in an even tone:

"Don’t think too much about it. It’s not because I’m worried that you might have designs on me that I’m urgently finding a woman for you. The main reason is that I hope to find Jinxiu a good home, so she doesn’t have to accompany me to a lonely end.

Jinxiu doesn’t dislike you either. Besides, as the Ran Family’s son-in-law, having a maid warm your bed isn’t considered crossing the line."

Ran Qingchen turned her head and looked at Jinxiu, who was bowing her head, with a gentle gaze, "Jinxiu, would you like to follow Jiang Mo?

The girl’s eyelashes quivered lightly, like butterfly wings unfolding, adding a touch of vivacity and charm to her.

She was about to nod shyly when she suddenly realized the meaning behind her mistress’s words. The flush on her face drained away, leaving her ashen. Looking up at Ran Qingchen in shock, she asked, "Miss, aren’t you planning to marry the master?"

Ran Qingchen’s eyelashes drooped, covering those deep, dark eyes as if hiding countless thoughts. Then her lips curved upwards, forming a crescent moon-like smile, "I want to walk a path that is opposite to my mother’s. If it is a mistake, then so be it."

Jinxiu, with a crying tone, said, "Miss, if you won’t marry, I won’t marry either. I will accompany you for my whole life."

"Silly girl, how can you accompany me if one day I fly to the heavens?"

Ran Qingchen joked.

"I... I will always be with the young mistress no matter what!" Jinxiu sniffed, her voice unwavering.

Jiang Shouzhong, who had been silent all this time, rubbed his temples and decided to be honest. He met Ran Qingchen’s gaze and said softly, "In some time, when I return to the capital, I plan to marry Miss Xiahe."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air seemed to freeze.

Ran Qingchen’s expression stiffened.

The man’s words left her momentarily stunned.

Jinxiu was also taken aback, then her head drooped down in sadness... So, the master didn’t want her after all.

After a while, a somewhat uncertain Ran Qingchen inquired, "Did you make this decision rashly, because you were afraid I would meddle with your romantic connections, or... do you and Miss Xiahe have something between you?"

"In any case, it’s a bit complicated, but I have already promised her that I would marry her."

Jiang Shouzhong didn’t intend to keep hiding the truth.

Ran Qingchen’s body trembled slightly.

Her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Even though she had reached the state of "Love-void," with a heart like still water, undisturbed by ripples, those subtle and complex thoughts still managed to penetrate the calm surface of her heart, causing ripples to spread.

In that brief moment, she experienced an indescribable, as if otherworldly, confusion and daze.

"Miss Xiahe has also agreed to marry you?" Jinxiu asked curiously.

A tinge of sourness emerged from the bottom of the girl’s heart.

She hadn’t expected that the cold and indifferent Xiahe would beat her to it.

Indeed, appearances are deceiving.

Jinxiu’s thoughts echoed her mistress’s.

After all, Ran Qingchen had once found it hard to believe that Xiahe would develop an emotional connection with Jiang Shouzhong... Yet, ironically, it was she who was out of the picture, proving the unpredictability of human emotions.

Jiang Shouzhong replied with some embarrassment and resignation:

"Well... that has not happened yet. Xiahe wants to stay with Ms. Jiang for now and has not agreed to marry me."

Jinxiu breathed a sigh of relief but then felt indignant.

Such an outstanding man as her master, and that woman dared to refuse him? Too unaware of her own fortune!

Ran Qingchen masked her emotions and smiled, "Since you already have a woman you like, I won’t arrange your marriage anymore. When I go back, I’ll talk to my aunt. If Xiahe is willing, I’ll arrange it for you. But make sure to write me the divorce papers, so Miss Xiahe won’t get jealous."

"I can’t write a divorce letter!"

Jinxiu, upon hearing this, became anxious.

She was about to intercede when Ran Qingchen’s piercing gaze fixed on her, causing her to involuntarily purse her lips. Her frustration turned into tears, brimming in her eyes.

Jiang Shouzhong, sensing the awkward atmosphere, chuckled and teased nonchalantly, "Let’s postpone that divorce letter for now. Who knows, maybe one day you will find me agreeable and decide to marry me."

Ran Qingchen glared at him and scolded, "Always wanting what’s in the pot while eating what’s in the bowl."

Jiang Shouzhong touched his nose and fell silent.

The three of them continued eating in silence, an odd atmosphere hanging over the dining table.

After dinner, Jiang Shouzhong went to find Li Nanshuang. Just as he was about to leave, Ran Qingchen suddenly called out to him.

The woman smiled warmly, her voice soft with a touch of wistfulness, "If one day I truly decide to leave the mundane world and seek something else, will you take care of Jinxiu for me?"

Jiang Shouzhong nodded gently, giving his promise, "Okay."

"Pinky promise."

Ran Qingchen extended her fair pinky finger.

She beamed with a childlike innocence, playful and untouched by worldly matters.

Jiang Shouzhong stared blankly at the delicate pinky, his mind suddenly filled with images of Zhang Que’er.

Memories from the past intertwined with the present scene, casting him into a momentary dreamlike state.

He slowly extended his own pinky, lightly hooking it with her silky finger, and said softly, "Pinky promise."