Chapter 26 : A Match of Equal Status

After the gathering ended, Zhuo Ting tried to hold back her anger, but eventually couldn’t keep it in. On the way, she cursed Fu Xingjian, “This disgusting man really went abroad! He must be chasing after that childhood friend of his! Ahh, I curse them, those two idiots deserve nothing good…”

Lin Ran quickly covered her mouth. “Be careful with your words, it might come back to you.”

Zhuo Ting, feeling disappointed by Fu Xingjian, looked at Lin Ran, “Aren’t you angry?”

Lin Ran shrugged. “There’s nothing to be angry about. I had already guessed he would chase after Yao Ning to the US.”

Earlier, Lin Ran had run into Wan Ming and knew that Yao Ning had broken up with him during the summer of their third year. So, it was no surprise that Fu Xingjian went to the US to pursue Yao Ning.

It was the perfect excuse to comfort him after his breakup and solidify his own position.

When graduation photos were taken, Lin Ran didn’t go back to school and had no plans to get a graduation photo. Zhuo Ting made the decision to have the class monitor Photoshop her face into the group picture.

When Lin Ran later received the photo and saw her face beside Fu Xingjian’s, edited into the group picture, she couldn’t help but smile wryly.

After starting work, she had been in a relationship with a local guy from Xicheng. His family was well off, both of his parents were civil servants. Unfortunately, after taking her home, his parents strongly opposed their relationship.

This relationship ended without much progress.

Since then, Lin Ran had focused all her energy on work.

She knew that in today’s world, marriage was about matching status and background. The rich marry the rich, the powerful marry the powerful, and people like her—without parents, with only relatives who were seen as burdens—should remain unmarried and childless.

On Sunday, Lin Ran helped Zhuo Ting with the cashier duties, but only for half a day, before heading back in the afternoon.

She planned to move her luggage to the hotel the night before so she could start work directly on Monday morning.

Opening her closet, Lin Ran casually picked out a few changes of clothes and packed her usual toiletries, along with three pairs of shoes. A single suitcase was just enough.

Before leaving, she purposely took Fu Xingjian’s umbrella, planning to return it to him on Monday.

At the hotel front desk, she confirmed the reservation was made by Yutou, then dragged her luggage to the designated room.

She and Liang Meiqi were the only two women in the project, so naturally, they were staying together.

As expected of a four-star hotel, the space was spacious, the facilities were complete, and the soundproofing was great. Lin Ran comfortably lay on the bed while checking in with Zhuo Ting.

By the time she finished unpacking, it was already dark. Lin Ran went out and found a small restaurant to have a quick bite.

Tonight, the moonlight was especially bright. Lin Ran sat on a stone stool and video-called her grandmother.

The call was answered, and the caregiver at the nursing home, Aunt Zhang, greeted Lin Ran before handing the phone to her grandmother.

Lin Ran looked at her grandmother in the video, who appeared increasingly frail, and her eyes started to well up. “Grandma, have you been eating well and sleeping well lately?”

Grandma Lin stared blankly, her eyes unfocused as she looked at her granddaughter, unable to speak for a long time.

Something didn’t seem right. What had happened? Last time they video-called, her grandma had looked healthy, her voice strong. How had things changed so drastically in just half a month?

Lin Ran quickly asked Aunt Zhang what had happened, and Aunt Zhang smiled gently, “Nothing to worry about, Ranran. Look, your grandma’s still looking a bit plump.”

“But I feel like Grandma is really tired. She didn’t even recognize me.”

Aunt Zhang sighed lightly, “Ranran, you know better than anyone how your grandma’s condition is. It’s getting worse every day, and it’s harder to care for her now.”

Grandma was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, also known as senile dementia. A few years ago, her condition wasn’t as severe, and she could still recognize Lin Ran and understand when spoken to.

But after the past New Year, her health had deteriorated rapidly, and now she didn’t even recognize Lin Ran anymore.

Lin Ran lowered her head, understanding that Aunt Zhang had a tough job. She said softly, “Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Zhang. If anything happens, please contact me anytime,” and ended the call.

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and walked back toward the hotel.

Just as she turned around, she unexpectedly ran into Fu Xingjian.

He wasn’t wearing a suit today—just a black shirt with gray casual pants and a long black coat. His tall frame and broad build gave off a commanding presence.

She didn’t know how long he had been standing there or if he had overheard her conversation with Aunt Zhang.

It turned out she had overthought it. Fu Xingjian had just finished working overtime and was heading out for dinner when he ran into Lin Ran around the corner.

Seeing her with tears on her eyelashes, he furrowed his brow. Could it be? Was she crying? Just yesterday, she had been cursing someone fiercely with her friend, and now she was quietly shedding tears here.

“Did you… move into the hotel early?” he asked.

Lin Ran was in a low mood and didn’t feel like talking. She simply nodded in response.

Fu Xingjian wasn’t insensitive, and he immediately pointed ahead, “I’m going to have dinner.”

As they walked past each other, Lin Ran suddenly remembered something. She turned and called out to him.

“Mr. Fu, your umbrella is upstairs. Should I bring it down to you?”

Just then, Fu Xingjian’s phone rang, and he made a gesture for her to wait. As the evening breeze blew, Lin Ran heard his cold voice soften, “Hello, Ningning?”