Chapter 9: Best Friend

Chapter 9: Best Friend

Initially, Zheng An Ran didn’t want to study abroad, but her high school grades were too poor for her to get into a university. Spending money to study abroad and gain a prestigious degree was already the best option available.

Moreover, according to Fang Fei, leaving when a boy loved her the most would leave an indelible and beautiful impression in his heart, which was why Zheng An Ran parted ways with Yu Mingze.

Who would have thought that after several years apart, an unexpected incident occurred: Yu Mingze got married, and another woman took the position of "Mrs. Yu," which Zheng An Ran coveted.

Zheng An Ran had once complained to her mother about this, but when Fang Fei reassured her and laid out their future plans, Zheng An Ran calmed down, found an opportunity to "reunite" with Yu Mingze, and took the chance to test Song Qingyu.

The result was clear; if it weren’t for Fu Yining unexpectedly siding with Song Qingyu, Song Qingyu would never have been a match for her.

Now, she had successfully won Yu Mingze to her side.

Recalling her mother’s advice, Zheng An Ran pursed her lips, her eyes brimming with determination.

The role of the future lady of the Yu family must be hers!

"An Ran, we’ve arrived." Yu Mingze stopped the car, one hand on the steering wheel, and asked if she wanted to go inside and look around.

Zheng An Ran shook her head, explaining it was late and not proper for a young girl to stay out too late. They could visit next time.

"Mingze, I understand your feelings, but as Aunt Fu said, you are already a married man. Even if I want to be with you, I can’t be too close."

Zheng An Ran’s eyes were filled with lingering affection, her tone full of reluctance, telling Yu Mingze with the most aggrieved words: "Look, you’re already married. If you want to be with me, you need to end things with Song Qingyu."

Yu Mingze knew he had wronged her, realizing he should have firmly kept her by his side back then, or firmly chosen not to marry Song Qingyu, and none of these troubles would have arisen.

"Alright, I’ll take you home, and later— we can be together openly!"

Yu Mingze told Zheng An Ran to wait while he sorted things out at home, and then they could be together openly.

"Mingze, thank you!" Zheng An Ran smiled softly, watching the car restart and head toward her home.

When they arrived at her doorstep, Zheng An Ran undid her seatbelt, opened the car door, and couldn’t resist leaning over to kiss Yu Mingze’s cheek.

"Mingze, please drive carefully on your way back."

"I will."

Yu Mingze couldn’t hide his smile, and as Zheng An Ran waved goodbye, he stepped on the gas and left.

As the car vanished into the distant lights, the smile on Zheng An Ran’s face vanished instantly. She picked up her small handbag and hurriedly walked into the house.

"Mom, I’m back!"

"Baby, what’s wrong?"

Fang Fei, Zheng An Ran’s mother, was sitting on the sofa in the living room. Zheng An Ran’s father, Zheng Yongming, had a dinner engagement that night and hadn’t returned yet. At the moment, only Fang Fei and the nanny, who was making soup in the kitchen, were at home.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Fang Fei clearly saw the sports car pull up to their doorstep and her precious daughter step out.

However, the Zheng An Ran who entered didn’t seem very happy.

Fang Fei stood up and approached her, touching her face with concern. "My darling is finally back. Mingze brought you home, right? What’s wrong?"

"Mom, don’t mention it!" Zheng An Ran pouted, tossing her small handbag onto the sofa and plopping down.

"What’s wrong?" Fang Fei sat down next to her daughter and gently held her hand, asking what had happened.

An Ran recounted what had occurred during the day and asked Fang Fei, clearly upset, "Mom, did you and Aunt Fu have a fight? Why didn’t she help me today? She kept standing by that Song Qingyu’s side, it made me so mad!"

"No way!"

Fang Fei believed her relationship with Fu Yining had always been good. In fact, the reason An Ran could attend the Yu family event today was because Fu Yining had arranged it after their phone conversation yesterday.

Why the sudden change?

Fang Fei thought for a moment and asked her daughter, "Did you push Song Qingyu too obviously?"

An Ran was dissatisfied, "Mom, even though I acted on impulse, it wasn’t that bad, was it? Even if Aunt Fu didn’t want to help me, she shouldn’t have sided with Song Qingyu!"

Fang Fei frowned, "What about Ming Ze?"

"Ming Ze came out with me, but what am I going to do about Aunt Fu from now on? She really seemed to dislike me today!"

Things didn’t go as An Ran had planned, and she was extremely upset.

Seeing her daughter so anxious, her face twisted with worry, Fang Fei quickly pulled her into her arms to comfort her.

"My dear, don’t worry. Aunt Fu wouldn’t dislike you. Something must have gone wrong."

"How about this, I’ll talk to her tomorrow and find out what really happened?"

Fang Fei believed that with her relationship with Fu Yining, she would give her this favor.

After all, it was Fu Yining who initially suggested An Ran as a potential daughter-in-law!

Nestled in her mother’s warm embrace, An Ran looked up, hopeful, "Mom, really?"

"Of course, why would Mom lie to you?"

Fang Fei instructed, "Your only task now is to firmly hold onto Ming Ze’s heart, and you don’t need to worry about anything else. Mom will handle it for you."

As for that Song Qingyu who had taken her daughter’s place…

Ha, she’s not even worth mentioning!

"Wow, thank you, Mom!" An Ran was happy and hugged Fang Fei tightly.

Fang Fei gently patted her daughter’s back and said with a smile, "Go on, Aunt Li will bring you some soup later. Drink it and rest well, then tomorrow you can go and cultivate your relationship with Ming Ze, okay?"

"Okay!" An Ran picked up her handbag and walked to her room with a smile.

After watching her daughter go upstairs, Fang Fei called for Aunt Li, who was still busy in the kitchen.

"Madam, what is it?"

"Please call Mrs. Yu for me..."

==========

The next morning.

The long dining table was set with a delicious breakfast, and the male head of the household and his daughter-in-law had taken their seats.

Wang Yue and Hu Ma were surprised that Mr. Yu had decided to stay for breakfast. Usually, he would use work as an excuse to eat at the office and avoid the enthusiastic hostess.

But they were even more surprised that the lady of the house, who always followed the principle of "early to bed, early to rise," hadn’t appeared on time.

Wang Yue glanced at the clock and, seeing that Mr. Yu was still waiting, turned to Hu Ma. "Please check if Mrs. Yu is feeling unwell."

Hu Ma nodded and immediately went upstairs with a maid to check on the situation.

Beyond the hills and beyond the buildings, Fu Yining was still fast asleep...