Chapter 015: Something’s Not Right!
Shi Runrun was struck to the heart by her question. Her thoughts were chaotic and shadowed, with no answers to be found. Just then, her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID, eyes widening, breath catching in her throat.
Speak of the devil, and he appears.
After a moment’s hesitation, Shi Runrun answered, taking a deep breath and striving to keep her voice steady. She hadn’t expected his reprimand to come so swiftly through the receiver: “Why didn’t you let me take you this morning? Am I really that scary?!”
Shi Runrun was silent.
She wanted to ask him about the woman he mentioned last night—who was this ‘Zaozao’? But she didn’t know what right or reason she had to ask. The question stuck in her throat.
“I...” After a pause, his tone returned to its usual calm and steadiness: “I’ll pick you up after school. My aunt is coming back today—we’ll go to the airport to meet her.”
An hour later, school ended.
Shi Runrun stepped out of the campus gates and, as expected, saw that familiar man. Today, the luxury car had changed to a Bentley, but what remained unchanged was the crowd that gathered around him, his dazzling presence, his noble bearing.
She gazed at him, feeling as if she were in a dream. Suddenly, she recalled what Cen Huan had asked her that afternoon:
Have you, in just a few days, fallen for him...?
She didn’t know. Truly, she didn’t.
But when she heard another woman’s name from his lips, it still hurt.
Helpless, Shi Runrun told herself not to think further, shuffled forward with small steps.
The students watching all knew her identity now; they made way for her automatically.
She boarded his car amidst envious, jealous, and resentful gazes.
On the ride, he acted as if nothing had happened, introducing her to his aunt.
From his words, Shi Runrun learned that Xiao Xuezheng’s aunt was named Xiao Shujing. Xiao Xuezheng had lost both parents at a young age; his grandparents were abroad at the time, so he was raised in the country by Xiao Shujing.
He was especially close to his aunt, treating her as his true mother.
Xiao Shujing’s status within the Xiao family was exceedingly high.
Listening, Shi Runrun grew nervous.
It felt just like a daughter-in-law meeting her mother-in-law for the first time...
Although not his biological mother, she was like one. Aunt—would she dislike her?
With this question lingering, they arrived at Jing City International Airport at half past six that evening.
Xiao Xuezheng held her small hand, leading her to the VIP arrivals exit.
Shi Runrun was tense the entire time; her hand trembled, palm clammy.
The man sensed her unease, smiling gently, “Don’t worry, my aunt won’t bite! She won’t dislike you either!”
Shi Runrun remained silent.
She knew that, yet still felt inexplicably anxious.
“Relax. With me here, just lean on me, silly girl!”
His lighthearted words swept away her gloom.
Shi Runrun widened her eyes, gazing directly at him.
After last night, she had been sad, but now, his words warmed her heart, making her feel safe.
Just lean on me...
It was a promise, one a husband would make to his wife.
Shi Runrun believed it, silently hoping he meant it too.
Soon, Xiao Shujing emerged from the VIP channel.
Xiao Xuezheng immediately led Shi Runrun forward.
The first impression Shi Runrun had of Xiao Shujing was that of an elegant, noble middle-aged woman, wearing sunglasses and a fox fur coat.
“Aunt,” Xiao Xuezheng called warmly, and Shi Runrun followed suit.
“Ah!” Xiao Shujing responded enthusiastically, “This must be the little wife you mentioned!”
She removed her sunglasses, reaching out to Shi Runrun, “Hello, I’m Xuezheng’s aunt—my name is...”
But before she finished, as she looked at Shi Runrun, her expression changed abruptly. Her fair brows knit into a frown; she was stunned.
Shi Runrun was caught in awkwardness—should she shake hands or not?
Xiao Xuezheng quickly stepped in, “Aunt? What’s wrong?”
Realizing her lapse, Xiao Shujing waved it off with an embarrassed smile, “Nothing, nothing, just suddenly remembered something. We shouldn’t stand here—let’s go home!”
Yet as Xiao Xuezheng and Shi Runrun turned away, Xiao Shujing narrowed her almond eyes, carefully scrutinizing Shi Runrun’s silhouette.
She shook her head, thinking: Impossible. There are so many similar faces in the world. It can’t be...
On the way home, Shi Runrun sat in the passenger seat, Xiao Shujing in the back.
Perhaps due to her pregnancy, Shi Runrun soon drifted off to sleep.
Once she was asleep, Xiao Shujing asked Xiao Xuezheng, “This girl, her surname is Shi, her name is Runrun, correct?”
Xiao Xuezheng nodded, asking if something was wrong.
Xiao Shujing didn’t answer, her brows furrowing deeper.
She shook her head, thinking: No, the girl’s surname isn’t Ji. She can’t be her daughter...
They arrived at the villa.
Xiao Xuezheng got out first, circled to the back to open the door for Xiao Shujing, then went to the passenger side, carrying the sleeping Shi Runrun out.
Inside, Granny Xiao came to greet them. Seeing Shi Runrun asleep in his arms, she whispered, “Such a sleepyhead?”
Xiao Xuezheng nodded, carrying her up the steps.
In the house, Aunt Lin was already serving steaming hot dinner.
Shi Runrun was carried upstairs by the man, while Xiao Shujing remained outside, making a phone call.
Granny Xiao called out to her daughter, “Shujing, why are you still outside? Come in!”
Xiao Shujing replied, “Yes, Mom, I know!” Then, turning away from the villa, she spoke into the phone, “Help me investigate someone—her name is Shi Runrun. I need all her background information tonight!”
She hung up and entered the house.
Inside.
Granny Xiao followed Xiao Xuezheng upstairs.
Xiao Xuezheng placed the sleeping Shi Runrun onto the bed, pulled the quilt over her.
Granny Xiao watched her grandson’s tender care, patting his shoulder with a smile, “You’re going to be a father now, you finally know how to cherish someone!”
“Grandma.”
“All right, all right, I won’t tease you. Let your wife sleep a bit. Let’s go downstairs—your aunt has just returned, keep her company awhile. I wonder how she’s fared abroad all these years.”
Downstairs, Xiao Shujing grew more uneasy the longer she thought. Her mind was filled with Shi Runrun’s face—so eerily similar to that terrifying woman from years ago...