RMM -Chapter 361 Side Story: Liang Bo’an (Part 7)

“You… what are you talking about?”

Qi Ran’s body seemed to lose all support. She stepped back and collapsed onto the sofa, hands trembling uncontrollably, her heart racing. She knew that Liang Bo’an must have known… knew that Xiao Ci was his daughter—but still, she instinctively tried to deny it. Her voice was dry and hoarse, frighteningly so.

“All right, Miss Qi,” Liang Bo’an said calmly. “By now, it’s clear to both of us. There’s no need to keep hiding it. The child is here, and some things don’t need to be said out loud.”

Liang Bo’an’s attention was almost entirely on Xiao Ci in his arms. His expression grew increasingly tender, his mood naturally uplifted. Even his usual denial toward Qi Ran was tempered with a rare, gentle attitude—something he rarely showed in front of others.

Qi Ran felt frozen after hearing his words. She stayed motionless for a long time, her pale cheeks making her look completely lost in thought.

Although Xiao Ci was only two years old, she was already very sensible and clever, especially when it came to reading people. She had been mischievous in the restaurant before but now, feeling the tension between the adults, she calmed down.

At first, she had been caught up in her own excitement and hadn’t noticed the tense atmosphere. But soon, she fully understood. Though young, her mind was delicate and perceptive, clearly influenced by whoever she had learned it from.

She didn’t speak immediately after entering the restaurant, blinking quietly while listening to the adults’ conversation. She didn’t fully understand it, but she knew something serious was happening—otherwise, the air wouldn’t be so heavy.

The little girl also felt a certain sadness. She had only ever had her mother. Though her mother and grandfather loved her deeply, sometimes she still felt lonely, especially when seeing other children with both parents.

More than once, Xiao Ci had wondered what her father might be like and why he never came home. She wanted him to take her to amusement parks, to eat delicious food, to be with her.

Smart from a young age, Xiao Ci was more mature than most children. She knew her family was incomplete and that she should have a father. She had asked Qi Ran before but never received a satisfactory answer.

Gradually, Xiao Ci stopped asking. She understood there was no answer and vaguely realized that she might never meet her father. It didn’t mean she didn’t feel sad—she would cry secretly whenever she thought of it—but she never demanded her mother give her a father.

Her father became a secret in her heart, unspoken, though she would sometimes imagine that perhaps one day he would suddenly appear.

When she first saw Liang Bo’an, for some reason, the words “Dad” flashed in her mind. She felt that he must be her father; the image in her heart matched him.

That’s why she asked that one question, which led to everything that followed. By some twist of fate, she finally got a father.

Putting that aside, Xiao Ci now watched Qi Ran and Liang Bo’an with both anticipation and anxiety. She hoped this uncle was her dad, but she also feared he wasn’t. And her mother… seemed not to like him.

Having been silent all this time, Xiao Ci now felt worried seeing Qi Ran’s reaction and began to regret coming along. She thought she shouldn’t have followed her mother or called out to the man in the hospital—then her mother wouldn’t have been so upset.

Sensitive as she was, Xiao Ci sensed Qi Ran’s panic and began to panic too.

“Mommy, don’t be sad. I’ll behave, we’ll go home and sleep. Xiao Ci will be good…”

She struggled to leave Liang Bo’an’s arms, tears streaming again.

To her, Liang Bo’an was not as important as Qi Ran. Her mother, who had been by her side for two years, loving and protecting her, mattered more. Liang Bo’an was, at most, a possible “father.” Even if she liked him, she could not surpass her mother.

Liang Bo’an, taken aback by the turn of events, froze for a moment, but the struggling child in his arms made him anxious.

“Xiao Ci, be careful with your wound. Don’t move, okay?”

He tried to soothe her, but the child suddenly cried out.

“I don’t want to! Uncle is bad! He hurt Mommy! I want Mommy! Let go! Waaaa…”

Xiao Ci was genuinely scared, arms outstretched for her mother, her face streaked with tears.

Seeing her daughter cry, Qi Ran had no time to think. She hurried to pick her up. Liang Bo’an didn’t resist and helped hand Xiao Ci over.

The commotion grew, drawing the attention of other restaurant guests. Luckily, barriers shielded the scene from view, but Liang Bo’an didn’t care—his focus remained entirely on Xiao Ci, face full of concern.

“I’ll take you home,” Liang Bo’an said.

He watched Xiao Ci gradually calm in Qi Ran’s arms, only softly sniffling. His expression relaxed slightly, regretful that he had frightened the child.

“Okay,” Qi Ran agreed reluctantly.

Exhausted from the ordeal, Xiao Ci had fallen asleep in Qi Ran’s arms by the time Liang Bo’an drove to her building.

“Miss Qi,”

The car stopped, but Qi Ran didn’t rush out, knowing Liang Bo’an still had something to say.

Sure enough, he glanced in the rearview mirror at her and Xiao Ci, then spoke softly.

“Xiao Ci… is indeed your child, but I will not give her to you. You’d better not think about it!”

Qi Ran, afraid of waking Xiao Ci, spoke quietly but firmly.

Tonight was out of her control. Liang Bo’an was too clever; he would not be fooled about Xiao Ci. But… even so, he must not think of taking her. Xiao Ci was hers—no one could ever take her!

Liang Bo’an’s expression froze slightly. He stared at Qi Ran through the rearview mirror, silent, his face barely visible in the dim car.

After a moment, he sighed. “I’m not trying to take Xiao Ci from you. Don’t worry.”

Qi Ran blinked, incredulous. What had his earlier behavior meant then?

“That’s best. Mr. Liang, you are young and accomplished. If you wanted a child, I’m sure many outstanding women would be willing. Xiao Ci… doesn’t need your trouble.”

Looking at him through the mirror, Qi Ran’s gaze was firm, unwavering, though her voice had softened.

Liang Bo’an frowned, displeased. Seeing Qi Ran so eager to distance herself from him irritated him.

“I don’t recall saying I would ignore Xiao Ci. It’s a bit presumptuous of you to decide for me.”

“What do you mean!?”

His ambiguous attitude angered Qi Ran. She glared at him, demanding an explanation.

“Calm down. Let’s talk properly. Getting upset after a few words won’t solve anything.”

For the first time, Liang Bo’an displayed patience in the face of someone’s sharp rebuke, carefully observing her anger without feeling offended.

The child is this old and already so easily agitated?

“All right, you speak, I’ll listen,” Qi Ran said after a pause, still displeased.

“Xiao Ci is my daughter. I’m surprised, yes… but I like her very much. So I want to acknowledge her as my own.”

Liang Bo’an’s mind was clear. This decision wasn’t impulsive. Whether out of responsibility or love for Xiao Ci, he had to claim her.

Two years had passed; he could not waste any more time. He wanted to watch her grow, to protect her… perhaps she was his only hope in life.

It felt as if a ray of light had suddenly appeared in his otherwise dull existence. He was exhilarated.

It was like life had taken a sharp turn and suddenly opened into a new world. Liang Bo’an would never let go of Xiao Ci.

“Two years you’ve been gone, and Xiao Ci has been fine. Can’t you just act like tonight never happened? If you want to claim her, how will you do it? How will you explain to her? I’m begging you—don’t disturb us. If you want a daughter, find another woman to have one.”

Qi Ran refused. Xiao Ci was her everything. Suddenly, someone appeared trying to share it with her—how could she accept it?

Their mother-daughter life was fine as it was. They didn’t need a father to interfere.

“Find another woman? What? You mean I should grab some drunken stranger off the street, sleep with her for a night, and wait for her to give me a child?”

Qi Ran’s repeated refusals finally annoyed Liang Bo’an. Frowning, he snapped, harshly, making her pale.

If not for being forced into a marriage alliance with the Qin family three years ago, she… she wouldn’t have resorted to such measures. Back then, it was just to escape her father’s pressure, and she never imagined she would have a child. That actually worked in her favor—how could her father force an unmarried, pregnant daughter into a marriage? And who would accept a woman carrying a child without knowing the father?

That confrontation ended with a complete victory for Qi Ran. Her father agreed not to interfere in her love life but forbade her from keeping the child.

Unmarried pregnancy was already shameful; how could she give birth? How could she marry later with a child?

Thus, after one confrontation ended, another began.

At first, Qi Ran thought to use the child as leverage, but later, she truly cared. This was her child—how could she abort her?

Eventually, she gave birth and happily named her Qi Chu Ci. Qi Yuanze, usually stern, softened at the sight of his granddaughter.

Qi Ran had always given Xiao Ci the best. Everything was carefully chosen. Except for giving her a father, she could provide everything else. She could compensate her daughter.

So she never thought of Liang Bo’an, let alone that one day he would appear and claim he wanted Xiao Ci.

How could she not panic?

“What exactly do you want?” Qi Ran steadied herself and asked in a hoarse voice.

“Xiao Ci is my daughter. I will not treat her unfairly. My presence isn’t to disturb you but to give Xiao Ci a fuller, complete life. I’ll give her more than you ever could. I won’t try to take her from you—I know she cannot be without you. But she also longs for a father. Can’t you see? My daughter must live better than others.”

Liang Bo’an paused, then, looking at Qi Ran, said solemnly, the thought having just struck him: “Let’s get married.”

Only then could Xiao Ci have a perfect answer, a perfect life. Only then would everything seem natural.

Qi Ran didn’t know how she got home that night—her mind was blank, dazed.

She carefully placed her daughter in bed, too tired to shower or change clothes, simply lying beside her, staring at her little face in a daze.

Mom, everyone else has a dad. Why don’t I?
Mom, when will Dad come see me?
Mom, I want a dad…

Qi Ran recalled her daughter’s questions, her puzzled, plaintive expression, and her heart ached.

Xiao Ci needed a father. She had the right to a complete family. Qi Ran had no right to deprive her. Had she thought of how Xiao Ci felt seeing other families together?

Children aren’t oblivious. This would be a wound that never fully heals, staying with her for life.

Three years ago, it was voluntary. Three years later, he didn’t force her. He just wanted Xiao Ci to have a better life.

“I’m not unreasonable. I believe that, given who you are, Miss Qi, we will get along peacefully. Perhaps… over time, feelings might develop. This could even fulfill a fated connection.”

Qi Ran remembered Liang Bo’an’s words, her expression shifting repeatedly. Her grip on the bedsheet loosened and tightened, time passing idly.

She was considering, hesitating.

The last words had been said casually by Liang Bo’an, a joke meant to lighten her mood. But who knew that the joke would one day come true?

Of course, that was later. Fate has its own way. After all the twists and turns, those meant to be together will be together. All the grudges and reconciliations are just life lessons. Hard-won happiness makes people cherish it more.

She didn’t know how much time had passed, staring at her daughter’s peaceful sleeping face. Biting her lip, a look of determination crossed her face.

Late at night, Liang Bo’an could not sleep. Too much had happened tonight, and Xiao Ci’s sudden appearance was an unexpected surprise. How could he rest?

While thinking about Qi Ran’s decision, his phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Liang, I accept your proposal. Let’s… get married.”

Her voice on the phone was calm and serene, like moonlight.