RMM -Chapter 360 Side Story: Liang Bo’an (Part 6)

Qi Ran looked at her crying and fussing daughter in distress, feeling a headache coming on. Xiao Ci had always been well-behaved, and this was the first time she had been so noisy. Seeing her little face full of grievance, Qi Ran couldn’t help but feel heartache, her mind wavering, unsure of what to do.

Moreover, as her daughter’s struggles grew more obvious, Qi Ran finally couldn’t bring herself to be strict. She was worried that Xiao Ci might hurt her arm while wriggling.

Just as Qi Ran was about to pick her up, unexpectedly, a pair of hands reached out from the side and scooped Xiao Ci up.

“I’ll hold her. I’ll be careful with her arm, and this will make it easier,”

Liang Bo’an said with a smile, handling her very gently. Then he turned to look at Xiao Ci, smiling even more warmly. “Xiao Ci, Uncle will carry you, alright?”

Seeing herself in Liang Bo’an’s arms, Xiao Ci instantly stopped crying and smiled, wiping her tears as she nodded. “Yes! I want Uncle to carry me!”

Watching the two of them get along so harmoniously, Qi Ran felt conflicted. She bit her red lips tightly, her expression complicated and hard to read.

But seeing her daughter so happy, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. She sighed quietly and nodded. “Okay, I’ll let you go, but you must behave, understand?”

“Yes!” Xiao Ci’s face lit up even more when her mother agreed. She responded with a clear, bright voice.

“Let me carry her.”

Qi Ran stepped forward, reaching out to pick up Xiao Ci. But Liang Bo’an shifted sideways, avoiding her hands with ease, and smiled. “It’s fine. I’ll hold her.”

Then he looked at the others nearby and nodded politely. “We’ll head off first. Sorry for bothering you.”

The group stared, dumbfounded, as Liang Bo’an naturally held Xiao Ci and then politely said goodbye.

He’s supposed to be the outsider, right? Why does he act like the host? What’s going on?

And why, as they watched the three of them walking away together, did it feel so… fitting, like they were truly a family?

The two friends shivered. Surely it was the alcohol—they’d drunk too much to imagine this. Drinking really does cause trouble.

Only Qi Yuanze’s expression remained serious. Watching his granddaughter, obedient and happy as she leaned on Liang Bo’an’s shoulder, chatting with him occasionally, and their daughter following along nearby, his eyes flickered, and his face darkened.

Liang Bo’an carried Xiao Ci to his car, opened the passenger door, and carefully set her in the seat.

After closing the door, he saw Qi Ran standing in front of the car, frowning, still not getting in.

“Get in. Let’s find a place; otherwise, Xiao Ci won’t be comfortable.”

Liang Bo’an was in a good mood. Although he wasn’t smiling, the corners of his lips curled slightly. His charming face showed a hint of delight.

Hearing him call her daughter’s name so naturally, Qi Ran’s expression grew more complex. An unprecedented sense of helplessness washed over her.

Along the way, Liang Bo’an kept talking to Xiao Ci, asking if she was hurt, what she wanted to eat, and where she liked to go. He maintained an enthusiasm she had never seen before.

Even upon reaching their destination, he still asked if she liked the place, offering to change it if she didn’t—intimately attentive.

Qi Ran sat in the back, eyes tracing the fleeting lights outside the car window. Listening to the conversation between the adult and child in the front, her face slowly clouded with confusion.

Liang Bo’an was affectionate and patient; Xiao Ci was happy and lively. Their interactions showed none of the awkwardness usually present between new acquaintances, only warmth and harmony.

In fact… Liang Bo’an seemed to hold a special fondness for Xiao Ci. In both his words and demeanor, he looked every bit the father doting on his young daughter.

Thinking this, Qi Ran closed her eyes wearily. Her earlier anxiety settled, and her expression grew tired.

What is meant to come, will come. Fine, she thought—take it step by step.

Liang Bo’an brought Qi Ran and her daughter to a Western restaurant. Perhaps being a regular, as soon as he entered, someone greeted him warmly:

“Mr. Liang.”

“Find me a quiet spot, please.”

Liang Bo’an nodded, giving instructions in a deep voice.

Even after sitting down, he held Xiao Ci on his lap, gently asking what she wanted to eat.

Qi Ran couldn’t bear it any longer and spoke up. “Let Xiao Ci sit by herself, or give her to me.”

Upon hearing this, even before Xiao Ci could reply, Liang Bo’an frowned slightly, displeased. “She’ll sit here. That way, I can take care of her. How old is she? Can she take care of herself?”

…Qi Ran was momentarily speechless. Her hands, resting under the table, clenched and unclenched repeatedly before she calmed herself.

“Xiao Ci is my daughter. I know how to take care of her. I don’t need you, an outsider, interfering.”

Qi Ran’s tone was sharp, her displeasure clear. She no longer felt nervous—she had prepared herself to respond as needed. He wasn’t a monster; there was no need to fear him. She would stand her ground.

Liang Bo’an, hearing the emphasized word “outsider,” showed no change in expression. He gently ruffled Xiao Ci’s hair and looked at Qi Ran with a half-smile. “Outsider? Am I?”

Qi Ran’s heart skipped a beat. A chill ran from her feet to her head.

“What do you mean?”

She almost dropped her cup, forcing herself to stay composed. Yet internally, she was in turmoil, filled with unknown fear and confusion that wouldn’t subside.

“What do I mean…” Liang Bo’an’s expression turned serious. He looked down at Xiao Ci, who was gazing at him with her big watery eyes reflecting his face, and smiled again. “Xiao Ci, if Uncle were your dad, would you like that?”

“Mr. Liang!”

Qi Ran could no longer contain herself. She shouted angrily, eyes wide, hands tightly clasped.

“Xiao Ci, let’s go home.”

Qi Ran stood up, preparing to lift Xiao Ci.

Now she was certain that Liang Bo’an had made up his mind about something. Panic rose in her heart. Her earlier composure vanished. She regretted coming—she shouldn’t have brought Xiao Ci here.

“Miss Qi, we haven’t resolved our issues yet. Why rush? Let’s speak openly, face to face. Otherwise, it will feel so unresolved, and I’d feel uncomfortable too.”

Liang Bo’an’s posture holding Xiao Ci didn’t change; he had no intention of handing her over. Raising an eyebrow, he looked at the flustered Qi Ran and spoke gently, good-naturedly.

“There’s nothing left to discuss. My daughter is tired. I’ll take her home to sleep.”

Qi Ran insisted, afraid that if the conversation continued, some matters would be forced into the open… she didn’t know how it would end.

“Mom…”

Xiao Ci was also frightened by her mother’s behavior, hesitantly whispering, her tiny voice tugging at Liang Bo’an’s heart.

At this moment, he was completely certain of the thought he had earlier. Initially, it had seemed absurd, who would have imagined such a thing could happen? Yet holding the obedient Xiao Ci in his arms, joy and delight filled his heart.

Having such a daughter seemed… not bad. An unexpected blessing, perhaps.

“I didn’t expect, three years later, Miss Qi would give me such a big surprise. I like it very much.”

Liang Bo’an smiled innocently and sincerely, as if he were truly thanking Qi Ran.