Chapter 1254: Chapter 1243: Xu Xiaoqing Is Not Your Biological Sister
“Ouch, ouch… Ruolan, you need to be gentler.”
Ning Fan shouted playfully and then begged, “Ruolan, I know I’m wrong. From now on, I’ll keep a safe distance from Xiaoqing.”
“That’s more like it.”
The ice-cold demeanor of Xu Ruolan gradually melted away, turning into a soft smile. She sat down in front of him, leaned on his shoulder, and said tenderly, “Ning Fan, when should our families meet to settle our matters?”
“Well, there’s no rush for that.”
Ning Fan smacked his lips and said thoughtfully, “Once we’re engaged, marriage won’t be far off. Right now, I have many things that I haven’t figured out yet, and I can’t find peace of mind.
Give me some time. Once I’ve sorted everything out, I’ll devote myself entirely to you, growing old together, living in harmony as we slowly age. How does that sound?”
“Wait again?”
Xu Ruolan furrowed her brows, “If I keep waiting, I’ll become an old maid. If one day you find me annoying and dump me, I won’t be able to get married.”
Saying this, a slight pout graced her lips.
Ning Fan gently tapped her forehead, saying intimately, “My Ruolan is the most beautiful woman in the world. Who could possibly compare to you? Don’t worry, even if you chase me away, I won’t leave.”
“You and your slick talk and sweet words. They say the home flower is never as fragrant as the wild flower. I think you’re a typical example. If you get tired of me and kick me aside, I wouldn’t even have a place to cry.”
“Ouch, ouch…”
Ning Fan felt his waist muscles twist 360 degrees and immediately wailed, “Ruolan, I swear if I can’t be with you forever, I would rather be hit by a car, struck by lightning, drowned, or burned to death…”
“Stop it, you jinx!”
Xu Ruolan quickly covered his mouth with her hand, a look of tenderness and affection on her face, giving him a light peck on the cheek before standing up and leaving.
“I have things to do. Remember to come to my room tonight, I have something to tell you.”
“Hehe, I get it, Ruolan.”
Ning Fan smirked mischievously and did not take it to heart.
As Xu Ruolan walked out of the room, she initially intended to relax in the back garden.
However, her father, Xu Chengyuan, pulled her aside, looking serious, and said, “Ruolan, I need to talk to you about something serious.”
“What is it, Father? Why are you being so solemn?”
Xu Ruolan was a bit confused and asked in bewilderment.
“The thing is…” Xu Chengyuan, rarely seen smoking, lit a cigarette, looking troubled, and said, “Actually, Xiaoqing is not your biological sister.”
“What?”
This shocking news hit her like a bolt from the blue. Hearing this all of a sudden, Xu Ruolan was completely stunned, standing there like a wooden figure.
From as long as she could remember, she had grown up with Xu Xiaoqing like childhood friends, sharing a deep sisterly bond. How could she not be her real sister?
No one would believe such a statement.
Besides, if she wasn’t really her sister, someone who knew the inside story would surely have let it slip.
However, Xu Ruolan had never heard of such a thing from childhood to adulthood.
Her brow twitched, her face turned cold, “Father, you mustn’t lie through your teeth. If Xiaoqing isn’t my sister, then whose child is she?”
“Sigh, it’s a long story.”
Xu Chengyuan inhaled deeply, his brow furrowing into a frown, and said softly, “When the time is right, I’ll naturally tell you. After all, this matter is of great significance, and now I’m the only one who knows.”
“Oh?”
Seeing Xu Chengyuan’s serious demeanor, Xu Ruolan realized he might be telling the truth, leaving her momentarily stunned, “Father, since Xiaoqing isn’t my real sister, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Xu Chengyuan looked at his daughter with a certain resignation, spreading his hands, “Recently, I’ve noticed the emotional issues between you three. You and Ning Fan are undoubtedly a perfect match.
However, I’ve also noticed that Xiaoqing seems to have a certain affection for Ning Fan. If this isn’t addressed, it might turn ugly. Surely you don’t want sisters to serve the same man, right?”
Xu Ruolan’s face darkened with displeasure, “Father, what exactly do you mean by this? Even if Xiaoqing isn’t my real sister, can she be with Ning Fan? Whose side are you on, Ning Fan is mine.”
“That’s not possible!”
Xu Chengyuan gave her a look, shaking his head, “You went to Dragon City, and many things happened. I heard about it too. Since you’re already aware of Ning Fan’s identity, I don’t need to elaborate. A man of his status is nearly perfect. If you like him, wouldn’t other women like him too?”
“What do you mean, Father?”
Although Xu Ruolan was angry, she heard the implication and asked further.
Xu Chengyuan sighed and said lightly, “A so-called couple is essentially a lifelong companion. People, after all, are just slightly advanced animals. Like attracts like, and birds of a feather flock together, you can notice,
some social animals, whether matriarchal or patriarchal, engage in polyandry or polygamy, while monogamy for humans, to be honest, is just a restrictive rule,
yet it can’t change the intrinsic animalistic nature within people.
Haven’t you noticed that the more powerful and wealthy the man, the more he has both a legitimate family and numerous flings on the side? This isn’t a rare case, just one not often discovered by others.
Once they reach a certain status, the desires become even more overwhelming, wanting more possessions. Women reaching a certain height face the same principle.”
“If you say it like that, aren’t women too wronged?”
Xu Ruolan pursed her thin lips, speaking expressionlessly.
Xu Chengyuan gazed deeply at her, patted her shoulder, and consoled, “You can look at the feudal society in ancient times. The first wife, to maintain her position, had a highly flexible and open mind,
if jealousy arose, she’d soon be squeezed out by other women, with a miserable end.
Although men like to have many wives and concubines, they hope for harmony among them. If there’s conflict, he would gradually resent the women involved in the friction, eventually losing all interest,
no matter how beautiful you are. In this world, three-legged toads are rare, but two-legged beauties are a dime a dozen, and in endless cycles. Do you think you’d be missed?”
Xu Ruolan furrowed her brow, looked aside, and remained silent.
She had to admit, Xu Chengyuan’s words did carry some truth.