Chapter 1003 Do Not Blame Me
The meeting took place at a private club, where Qiao Zhan invited the person to meet.
The arrangement was handled with proper decorum.
Ning Ran got out of the car and exchanged pleasantries with Qiao Zhan.
“Did he reveal his identity to you?” Ning Ran asked.
Qiao Zhan appeared somewhat hesitant. “He didn't disclose it. But he was very courteous.”
Ning Ran could not quite comprehend what he meant. “Courteous?”
Qiao Zhan responded with a serious nod. “Yes. Courteous.”
“Why does he want to see me? Did he explain that?” Ning Ran continued asking.
“He just wanted to see you, that's all. By the way, Sir Chen approved the arrangement, so if you're unhappy about
it, please don't blame me,” Qiao Zhan said.
His remark got Ning Ran even more confused. Why would this meeting make me unhappy? Is he unattractive? Or
are there any other reasons that might upset me when I meet that man?
“What do you mean? I feel you're keeping a lot of things from me.” Ning Ran pressed on.
Qiao Zhan hurriedly gestured. “No, no, absolutely not! You should go in and meet him. He has been waiting for you
for quite some time.”
Ning Ran knew how tight-lipped Qiao Zhan was, and if Nan Chen wanted him to keep something a secret, Qiao
Zhan would never divulge the information. Well, I guess I have to see for myself.
Nonetheless, she was confident that meeting the man would not jeopardize her safety. Otherwise, Nan Chen would
not have permitted it to happen.
After entering the room, Ning Ran was taken aback by what she saw.
Sitting on an Epean leather couch was a middle-aged man in his fifties.
Clad in a black suit, he looked a little frail and skinny. His gray hair was combed backward, and he possessed a
distinguished air about him.
It might not be entirely appropriate to describe someone of his age as “handsome,” but it was evident that he
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtexuded a pleasant demeanor. One could tell that he must have been extraordinarily attractive in his younger days.
The man still emanated a steady and elegant aura. It was evident that he must be an influential figure, and his
presence commanded respect and admiration.
Despite his age, women would still find him charming and captivating.
The middle-aged man, with a slightly trembling lip, anxiously stood up from the couch as soon as he saw Ning Ran.
He nodded in acknowledgment but could not utter a word.
He was extremely nervous.
Ning Ran had not met him before, but she recognized him.
After learning some things about him, she had once searched his name on the internet and seen the photos he had
publicly released in the media a few years back.
Over the years, he gradually withdrew from the limelight and rarely appeared in the media.
He appeared to have lost weight, and his hair had significantly grayed, giving him a distinct appearance that
deviated from what one would typically expect for someone his age.
However, Ning Ran, though her heart was also racing, pretended not to recognize him and responded with a polite
nod.
“Please, come and have a seat,” the man said, his nerves getting the better of him.
Every movement he made was graceful and refined, exuding an air of sophistication.
Ning Ran was also apprehensive, but she put on a facade of composure as she slowly took a seat across from him.
“I'm Rong Xiao. Rong Yi's father.” The middle-aged man introduced himself.
Ning Ran nodded slightly and greeted him politely, “Nice to meet you.”
Rong Xiao froze for a moment, his feelings stung by her calm and composed demeanor. However, he quickly
composed himself and managed to flash a forced grin.
“You don't have to be afraid of me. I visited your school today, not with any ill intentions. I just wanted to see you
and the kids. Rong Yi told me about them, and I was delighted to hear about them, so I thought of coming here to
take a look. I apologize for my abruptness and behavior.” Rong Xiao was so flustered that his sentences were all
jumbled up.
Ning Ran remained silent, unsure of what to say. She did not feel the need to express either malice or goodwill. At
that point, any response would seem unnecessary.
Upon noticing how quiet Ning Ran was, Rong Xiao kept mum for a moment.
After a brief pause, Rong Xiao broke the silence and continued, “Rong Yi told me about you, but he didn't know
much either.”
Ning Ran hummed in response and did not offer any further words.
“I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. I...” he said.
“You don't need to say anything,” Ning Ran responded calmly.
Once again, her nonchalant response stung his feelings, and he found himself at a loss for words, choked emotions
in his throat.
He picked up a water glass from the table and took a sip, but it was already empty.
Ning Ran stood up and poured him another glass of water.
Regardless of who he was, she felt uneasy seeing an elder drinking from an empty glass.
Agitated, Rong Xiao took the glass as if he had received a great favor, uttering thank you repeatedly.
An unexpected excitement flushed it red on his thin and pallid face.
Ning Ran, too, poured herself a glass of water and took a sip to ease her embarrassment and nervousness.
Once more, the two plunged into silence.
The meeting could not have been more awkward.
“By the way, is there anything you want me to do? No matter how difficult it is, I'll do it for you at all costs,” Rong
Xiao said cautiously.
This seemingly plain statement struck Ning Ran suddenly. At all costs? That's a big promise.
In essence, he was willing to give her everything she asked for.
He carefully crafted his words, yet sincerity shone through his eyes.
He truly meant every word he said. Whether it was to make amends or for other reasons, he was sincerely willing
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmto do anything for Ning Ran.
“Anything?” Ning Ran asked, raising her head.
Rong Xiao nodded steadily. “Anything.”
“Rong Jilin almost harmed my kids. Will you be willing to hand him to the police?” Ning Ran said suddenly.
Rong Xiao froze for a moment and could only stare at her in a daze.
Ning Ran scoffed inwardly. Didn't you say you would do anything for me? Now, you can't bear to do that to your son,
can you? In other words, you're only willing to do things that money can solve, but you won't do anything that can
jeopardize the Rong family. As long as you have money, nothing seems unsolvable. However, for matters that can't
be solved with money, you won't simply agree to them, right?
She could not help but feel foolish for having trusted his sincerity earlier.
“I've indeed not taught Jilin well. I'm sorry.” Rong Xiao's voice grew softer.
“No need to apologize. And I won't accept your apology. He has harmed my kids and me twice. I'll never forgive
him, no matter who he is,” Ning Ran said indifferently.
“Of course, he doesn't deserve forgiveness. Some mistakes can be forgiven, but some are not. Neither he nor I can
expect you to forgive us,” Rong Xiao uttered.
These words left Ning Ran momentarily speechless, unsure of how to react. We're talking about Rong Jilin, yet he
brings himself into it. How am I supposed to respond to that?
Ning Ran had no idea what had happened in the past, so she could not judge what was right or wrong.
After all, her mother had passed away many years ago, making it meaningless to dwell on that.
Moreover, whenever emotions were involved, discerning right from wrong would become a complicated matter.
“Forget it.” Ning Ran got up. “I'm going to leave now.”
Rong Xiao, too, stood up. “Stay a little longer, will you? I still have things to say...”
Ning Ran calmly interjected, “It's meaningless to say anything now. I don't want to hear it anymore.”
Yet, Rong Xiao added, “I'll call the police now to report Rong Jilin's kidnapping of the children.”
Upon hearing that, Ning Ran was stunned.