The Cunning CEO's Contract Wife

Chapter 178 You've Lied Again

Xiao Jingchen frowned as he looked at his phone, which had gone black after displaying a low battery warning.

He turned to look for a place to charge his phone, but Ye Chuchu, who was standing to the side, grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother Jingchen, the fireworks show is about to start."

Xiao Jingchen didn't want to stand here to watch the fireworks at all, and he especially didn't want to stand in this crowded place with Ye Chuchu, but when he met those expectant eyes, he could only suppress his dissatisfaction.

It shouldn't be too late to explain when we get back to the hotel.

Ye Chuchu didn't care about anything else. She glanced at Xiao Jingchen and, seeing that he hadn't noticed her, quietly took out her phone and snapped a picture.

Huge fireworks exploded in the sky, and the brightly lit castle in the distance was breathtakingly beautiful. Of course, the most important thing was the hand that appeared in the lower right corner of the photo.

She smiled with satisfaction and posted the photos she had taken throughout the day on her WeChat Moments.

"Thank you so much to someone for celebrating my birthday with me! The fireworks were really beautiful!"

They even tagged Lin Ran in the comments.

As she wished, Lin Ran did see it ten minutes after Xiao Jingchen hung up the phone.

She stared at the picture of fireworks, her hand unconsciously zooming in and out until the entire screen was filled with that hand.

With its distinct knuckles, one glance is enough to tell that its owner must be a handsome person.

Lin Ran was all too familiar with this hand.

These are Xiao Jingchen's hands.

Therefore, Xiao Jingchen just hung up the phone to watch fireworks with Ye Chuchu.

Business trips and busy work schedules are just excuses.

Looking at the carefully prepared meal in front of her, Lin Ran could no longer suppress the grievances in her heart, and they all came out at once.

Soon, her suppressed sobs echoed through the empty villa.

She had clearly guessed this outcome long ago, but she still couldn't control her emotions.

The candles on the small cake flickered on and off. Lin Ran checked the time and suddenly laughed.

"You lied again, Xiao Jingchen, you're a big liar."

"But it's okay, I don't care. I'm happy celebrating my birthday."

Lin Ran spoke defiantly, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

Just as she closed her eyes to make a wish, her phone, which was lying to the side, suddenly rang.

Lin Ran glanced at it through her teary eyes, then suddenly sat up straight and wiped the tears from her face.

"Mom, why aren't you resting yet at this late hour?"

The person making the call was Lin Qing. Although her voice was still a little weak, she sounded much better than she had a few months ago.

"Ranran, happy birthday, cough cough."

"The doctor gave me new medicine today, and it's working quite well. It's just that I slept all day and almost missed your birthday."

The moment Lin Qing's voice rang out, most of the grievances in Lin Ran's heart had already dissipated.

If there's anything that can soothe inner pain, it's a mother.

"Mom, seeing you get better and better is the best birthday gift I could receive."

"Silly Ranran, cough cough, have a good birthday, I'll hang up now."

Lin Qing said this with a hint of ambiguity before hanging up the phone.

Lin Ran smiled helplessly, and when she looked at the thing in front of her again, it no longer seemed as aggrieved as before.

Just as she was about to close her eyes and continue making a wish, her phone rang again.

This time, it was Grandpa Xiao who called.

The old man's voice was as clear and bright as ever, and even through the phone, Lin Ran could guess his expression.

"Grandpa isn't good at saying nice things. I'll have the housekeeper send the gift to you tomorrow. I won't bother you today."

"correct."

Grandpa Xiao suddenly fell silent, as if he had hidden himself in a quiet place, and even his voice was deliberately lowered.

"Whenever you have time, remember to come to the old house. I want to eat something nice, you know?"

Lin Ran burst into laughter through her tears and couldn't help but tease him.

"Grandpa, is this my birthday or yours? Why are you making a wish?"

The old man pretended to be angry, and his voice suddenly became much more serious.

"I'm your grandfather, what's wrong with me taking advantage of your birthday?"

"Alright, I won't bother you and that brat anymore. You two try to let me hold my great-grandson as soon as possible."

After the old man finished speaking, he hung up the phone as quickly as Lin Qing did, as if he was afraid that even a second's delay would cause something to go wrong.

The dimly lit villa returned to silence, but this time Lin Ran's mood was quite different.

Her mother's health is gradually recovering, and she can tolerate whatever Xiao Jingchen does.

Once the marriage ends, she can take her mother and leave this place, far away from everyone.

The candle in front of her seemed to have heard her wish; it flickered a few times and then went out.

Lin Ran didn't care about that and picked up the cake to eat with relish.

When she was making the cake, she thought that Xiao Jingchen didn't like sweets, and since there were so many other dishes, she made it a little smaller.

This is perfect for her to eat alone.

Even though it was supposed to be sweet, she only felt a sour taste when she ate it, and tears streamed down her face.

Lin Ran ate the entire cake while crying, ignoring the mess on the table, and went upstairs.

Meanwhile, Ye Chuchu and Xiao Jingchen returned to their hotel after watching the fireworks.

Xiao Jingchen's first action was to charge his phone and turn it on, but he suddenly stopped just as he was about to make a call.

It's 11:50, almost 12 o'clock.

Lin Ran is probably already resting by now.

After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Jingchen put the phone back.

I'm going back tomorrow, so there's still time to explain when I get back.

Xiao Jingchen frowned, sitting at the table dealing with his work, but his eyes kept glancing at his phone, as if he had forgotten something.

When Ye Chuchu returned to her room, she saw the surprise Xiao Jingchen had prepared: countless precious gems and all sorts of bags.

There are even quite a few dresses of various styles.

These were all Xiao Jingchen's "compensation" for that night.

Ye Chuchu, however, did not think that way. She was so excited just looking at these things that she wanted the whole world to know about them.

That's what she thought, and that's what she did.

A room full of luxury goods was displayed, causing a huge sensation online.

Even the old man who doesn't go online much knows about this.

The old man, who had been in good spirits since being discharged from the hospital, turned red with anger for the first time and slammed his cane heavily on the ground.

"That bastard! He actually left Ranran alone at home. I thought he'd finally come to his senses!"

"Go tell him to get back here right now."

While calming the old man down, Butler Xiao dialed Xiao Jingchen's number.