It was the first time Liang Meijuan had seen Ye Lingling like this. Normally, Ye Lingling would always smile before speaking, maintaining a gentle and kind image. Her words and actions were considerate, making people feel at ease.

She treated Xia Anran especially well—washing her clothes, cooking her favorite meals, and indulging her as if she were a child.

But now, it was clear that this was all a facade. In reality, Xia Anran was afraid of her. This only proved that Ye Lingling was two-faced, acting one way in public and another in private, with a deeply scheming nature.

After realizing Ye Lingling’s true character, Liang Meijuan’s opinion of her soured. She had suffered at the hands of people like this before.

There had once been someone similar in her department—always acting affectionate and calling her “big sister” to her face, only to stab her in the back and snatch her promotion as department head.

Liang Meijuan despised such deceitful people the most.

Thinking back to the argument she had overheard in the hospital room, her gaze fell on the jade bracelet on Ye Lingling’s wrist.

The bracelet had an excellent color and looked quite valuable. It was supposed to be Xia Anran’s dowry bracelet, yet Ye Lingling had simply worn it as if it were hers?

Liang Meijuan’s expression grew stern as she frowned and said, “Xiao Ye, give the bracelet back to Anran.”

Ye Lingling felt uncomfortable. Liang Meijuan had always spoken up for her, but this was the first time she was siding with Xia Anran.

She couldn’t return the bracelet.

In her past life, she had taken this bracelet from Anran, and her luck had only improved afterward. The bracelet was worth millions—how could she possibly give it back?

But now that this old woman had spoken, and with everyone in the hospital room watching, refusing would only make her look even guiltier.

Ye Lingling’s eyes darted around as she quickly found an excuse.

“Auntie Huo, the bracelet is too tight. Forcing it off might break it. I’ll figure out a way to remove it when I get home.”

She was already planning to visit the black market later and buy a similar-looking fake bracelet. Xia Anran wouldn’t be able to tell the difference—she could just fool her with a replacement.

Liang Meijuan immediately noticed the way Ye Lingling’s eyes flickered, a clear sign that she was making up excuses.

This only confirmed her suspicion that Ye Lingling was trying to keep the bracelet for herself, making her dislike her even more.

Xia Anran clutched Ye Lingling’s sleeve, pleading with her.

“Sister, please just give me back my bracelet. I know how to take it off.”

She looked so scared of Ye Lingling that even the woman in the next bed couldn’t stand it anymore. She shouted at Ye Lingling, “What’s so hard about taking off a bracelet? I think you’re just making excuses to keep it! Hurry up and take it off—the poor girl is about to cry.”

The other patients in the room also chimed in to support Xia Anran.

“She’s right. That bracelet is too big for her anyway. She could just slide it right off if she wanted to.”

Ye Lingling was stuck. She had no choice but to start removing the bracelet.

But halfway through, it got stuck. She looked at Xia Anran helplessly and said, “Anran, see? It won’t come off. I don’t want to break it. I’ll take it off for you when we get home, okay? Don’t worry, I won’t keep it.”

“Sister, I know a way.”

Xia Anran didn’t give her a chance to refuse. She turned to the woman in the next bed and asked, “Auntie, may I borrow some soap?”

The woman was generous and handed it over immediately. “Of course! Here, use this.”

Ye Lingling’s expression darkened—she knew exactly what Xia Anran was about to do.

Xia Anran took Ye Lingling’s hand, wet the soap, and rubbed it onto her wrist, saying, “Sister, if you use soap, the bracelet will come off easily.”

Ye Lingling’s entire body stiffened. Instinctively, she tried to pull her hand away, but Xia Anran held on tightly.

She could only watch as Xia Anran coated her wrist with soap and effortlessly slid the bracelet off.

Ye Lingling felt as if her heart had been ripped out as she stared at the bracelet.

Xia Anran slipped it onto her own wrist and held it up in front of Ye Lingling, smiling sweetly.

“Sister, see? That was easy.”

Xia Anran had fair, delicate hands, untouched by hard labor, with slender fingers and skin as smooth as white jade.

With the bracelet on her wrist, its rich green color stood out even more, radiating elegance and refinement.

The woman in the next bed couldn’t help but praise her.

“Oh my, what beautiful hands! You can tell just by looking at them that she’s blessed with good fortune.”

Xia Anran smiled sweetly and replied in a soft voice, “Thank you, Auntie.”

The woman immediately took a liking to her.

“Listen to that voice—it’s as lovely as a songbird’s! What a charming girl.”

Other patients joined in to compliment Xia Anran.

“She looks like someone straight out of a painting—such a beauty.”

“Jade has a spirit, and look how perfect it looks on her.”

Even Liang Meijuan, who had always disliked Xia Anran, found herself feeling less annoyed by her.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling was seething with jealousy. She clenched her teeth as she glared at Xia Anran.

After her rebirth, she had thought everything was under her control. Yet Xia Anran had turned out to be the biggest obstacle, taking back the bracelet right away.

A deep sense of unease crept into her heart. Without the bracelet, could she still be as lucky as she was in her past life?

No—she had to find a way to get it back.

Xia Anran was only worthy of being her stepping stone. If that little brat dared to oppose her, she would make sure she suffered even more than in her past life.

Liang Meijuan caught the sinister look in Ye Lingling’s eyes. It was like the gaze of a venomous snake, sending a chill down her spine even in the middle of summer.

For the first time, she felt a sense of concern for Xia Anran.

Xia Anran, of course, also noticed the hatred in Ye Lingling’s eyes. A cold glint flashed through her own.

This is just the beginning. Things will only get worse for you from here.

“Anran, are you feeling better?”

Liang Meijuan’s voice was noticeably softer. After realizing what kind of person Ye Lingling was, she couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for Xia Anran.

The girl might have been spoiled and willful, but she wasn’t scheming. She would need to be warned about Ye Lingling in the future.

Xia Anran smiled and replied, “Auntie Huo, thank you for your concern. I’m feeling much better now. Sorry for causing you trouble.”

Liang Meijuan was momentarily surprised.

Xia Anran had suddenly become so polite—it was a bit unsettling.

Before, she used to flatter people with over-the-top compliments, but she had never been this genuinely respectful. Her attitude was completely different.

Back then, her face had always been caked with excessive makeup, making her look both garish and older than her age.

Today, she hadn’t put on anything, yet she looked even more beautiful. The bandage on her forehead only made her seem delicate, like a sickly beauty.

But it didn’t detract from her appearance at all. Her fair skin was smooth, her arched eyebrows framed bright, clear eyes that were pure and sincere—she truly looked like an innocent girl.

For a moment, Liang Meijuan even suspected that Xia Anran’s previous gaudy style had been encouraged by Ye Lingling.

The thought crossed her mind briefly before she dismissed it.

People don’t change so easily.

No matter how adorable Xia Anran seemed right now, if she really married her son, she would probably revert to her old ways in just a couple of days.

There was something odd about this whole situation.

Ruiyang was still investigating, and although there was no direct proof that Xia Anran had drugged him, the engagement needed to be called off sooner rather than later.

Liang Meijuan spoke calmly, “Let me examine you. If everything looks fine, you can be discharged.”

While Xia Anran was being discharged, Huo Ruiyang received the lab report.

When he saw the test results, his expression darkened like a storm.