Lan Jingqian stood under the stone steps of the side house, speechless for a long time.
He knew that the girl in front of him was the most innocent, and she didn't know anything about the old affairs between the Tang family and Lan Jingqian. For the past ten years, she has always regarded herself as Tang Shixin's exiled daughter, and it was because of the car accident that she was discovered and brought back to the Tang family - and it is still the same to this day.
So Lan Jingqian didn't know how to explain his identity to her, let alone how if Tang Ran didn't believe it or lost control of his emotions, how should he face her questioning, and how should he never fulfill any parental obligations to them? How to explain sixteen years.
Lan Jingqian should be ready to come again. But he couldn't help it.
As long as he thinks that in the side house of the Tang family lives the daughter who grew up quietly in a corner he had never seen before, no amount of rationality will be overwhelmed and overturned by uncontrollable impulses.
The experience and stability accumulated over the years are no longer there. In front of this blind girl who is only sixteen years old, he is no longer the upstart in the control field who has been praised by financial magazines. He seems to have returned to the most jerky and helpless youth. era.
Even with an opening remark, Lan Jingqian didn't know how to speak.
And in this silence, the girl turned her head in confusion towards the darkness.
After listening to the movement for a while, Tang Ran asked again, "Hello? Are you still there?"
"..." Lan Jingqian came back to his senses, "Yes, I am."
Tang Ran was even more confused by this strange visitor: "Who are you and where did you come from?"
Lan Jingqian took a deep breath: "I'm sorry, Xiaoran, I'm late. I just found out that you were here, and I immediately came over from the Tang family's main house. I am, it's yours..."
Lan Jingqian paused, still unable to directly express the identity that was too unfamiliar and sudden to him.
Tang Ran listened blankly.
When Lan Jingqian stopped again, she waited for two seconds, and after thinking about Lan Jingqian's words, the little girl suddenly reacted—
"Ah, you are the new driver arranged by the main house for me, right?"
"… "
Lan Jingqian paused and raised his eyes.
Tang Ran regarded this silence as the default.
She rolled her eyes, as if relieved, and muttered softly: "I was still wondering whether to call them again to ask, but it was already arranged... It's okay."
Tang Ran raised his head again and smiled: "You don't have to feel sorry, I have finished my class this afternoon, and there is no delay. Wait for next Friday, just remember to come earlier."
"… "
"Oh, by the way, can you tell me your mobile phone number?" The little girl smiled embarrassedly, the dimples on her cheeks were shallow, "I'm worried that next time I have to go out, if I want to contact you, I will always go through the main house. not very convenient."
Lan Jingqian's eyes were full of emotions, but he finally suppressed it.
He lowered his head, his voice hoarse and soft: "Okay. Do you want me to help you store it in your phone?"
Tang Ran hesitated.
After all, the new driver in front of him came from the main house, so Tang Ran was still not at ease giving private items such as mobile phones to the other party.
Perhaps seeing through the little girl's hesitation, Lan Jingqian's eyes were relieved and soft: "Then tell me your mobile phone number, I'll call you later, and you can contact me at any time in the future, okay?"
"Is it okay?" Tang Ran was a little embarrassed that someone saw through his defenses.
"Well, it doesn't matter."
Tang Ran reported his mobile phone number to the other party, and then said, "Thank you, uncle."
"You're welcome."
"… "
The air fell into silence, and Tang Ran tangled her fingers in a daze: According to her limited experience with people, she should say goodbye at this time.
how this uncle...
Tang Ran blankly recalled the process when his last driver went to Grandma and her for the first time. After hesitating for a few seconds, the little girl asked, "Uncle, let me pour you a glass of water."
Lan Jingqian opened his mouth and finally nodded: "...Okay."
"Uncle wait for me a moment."
The little girl turned and walked into the house. The door was open, and Lan Jingqian looked at the girl's back. She didn't walk fast, but it wasn't jerky, and she easily bypassed all the obstacles in the room.
Lan Jingqian looked both relieved and sad.
After a while, the little girl came out with a glass half filled with water: "Uncle, here it is."
"...Thank you." Lan Jingqian stretched out his hand to take it, "Don't leave the door open like this when you're alone, it's not safe."
Tang Ran was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Although I can't see it, my ears are very good. I can hear my uncle taking a step. Go straight for 72 steps from the side house, and then turn left and then take 131 steps. It is the back door of the Tang family compound. We can hear the security guard over there talking a little louder. The movement here is the same. Moreover, the security uncles over there are very strict. Without prior notice or permission from the Tang family, any No one can get in."
Tang Ran paused, lowered his head and muttered in a low voice: "Last time there was a new person in the security team, I don't know the habit that has been set a long time ago, even my robot was blocked outside, and it was hard to find the one that was put in from the main house... "
Lan Jingqian likes to listen to girls talk, and he looks deeply at every small expression, his eyes are sad and deep.
Under his gaze, the little girl didn't know if she noticed something. She raised her head and said hesitantly, "And uncle, you seem... a little unhappy."
"I heard it too?"
"Well," Tang Ran nodded, "I felt it as soon as I spoke, uncle, have you encountered anything sad?"
Lan Jingqian's eyes softened slowly, and his voice softened: "Yes. Can you chat with me?"
The little girl hesitated and nodded: "Okay, I have nothing to do. But in half an hour, the main house will come over to bring me dinner. I can't delay for too long, otherwise the person who brings the lunch box back will be punished. trained."
"Well," Lan Jingqian nodded. "If you are worried, I will stand outside and not go in."
Tang Ran rolled her eyes and smiled: "It doesn't matter, the home is also very safe."
"Um?"
"Because I have a... wishing well," I don't know what to think, the little girl's beautiful eyebrows and eyes brightened, and the little dimple was full of joy from the heart, "He helped me put some Small automated devices, some of which can directly ring the alarm bell at the back door security."
"… "
Hearing the lack of precaution and reminder in the little girl's words, Lan Jingqian couldn't help showing a faint smile.
It was only after a few seconds that he slowly reacted, frowning slightly alertly.
"Wishing Pond? Is it alone?"
"Um!"
"That name sounds good to you."
"Yeah. Because he said that as long as I give him a coin, he can fulfill all my wishes."
"… "
Lan Jingqian frowned deeper.
This sounds like words to deceive the little girl's sincerity...
Tang Ran has once again revealed that kind of soft and bright smile that is different from usual.
"He was a special, special, very nice guy, in every way."
Lan Jingqian resisted the urge to ask questions.
He squeezed his fist slightly and made a note in his heart: After returning, in addition to investigating the little girl's life history and physical condition, and confirming how the Tang family has treated her over the years, it is best to also check whether she is I didn't know any friends.
The kind of kid who dares to say some rhetoric to take advantage of his daughter when he can't see it, it's best to pray that he won't get caught...
Otherwise, he will definitely squeeze "death" with his own hands.
When Duan Qingyan came to the house to deliver dinner to Tang Ran, she found that the little girl tonight was a little special.
"You seem to be very happy tonight, Xiao Ran?"
"Is there?" Tang Ran returned to the dining table after washing his hands, the corners of his eyes curved.
"Well, what happened to make you happy?"
"Today, a new driver was arranged for me at the main house." Tang Ran said, "He must be a very storyteller and a very gentle person. I think we will get along very happily in the future."
"I see," Duan Qingyan nodded absently.
Tang Ran was already preparing to eat, and when she heard Duan Qingyan's end, she hesitated and turned back: "But you don't sound like you're too happy."
Duan Qingyan sighed: "There is one thing, I am debating whether to tell you or not."
Tang Ran was stunned: "Is it a very important thing?"
Duan Qingyan shook her head: "I don't know either."
"Then, just tell me when you want to say it." Tang Ran chuckled.
"… "
After being silent for a few seconds at the little girl's beautiful smile, Duan Qingyan took the initiative to sit beside Tang Ran and lowered her voice: "Xiao Ran, you have to promise me that you can't tell anyone what I told you today - otherwise I think I will die. It's gone!"
Tang Ran was stunned: "Is it that serious?"
"Extremely serious!" Duan Qingyan took a deep breath, and finally couldn't hold back any longer, "Do you know Lan Jingqian?"
Tang Ran was surprised: "I've heard of him. He and Luo Zhan are friends."
Duan Qingyan, who was just about to speak, was taken aback: "Ah? He and Luo Zhan are friends? They look like they are ten years apart?"
Tang Ran smiled: "I also heard from the people in the int laboratory. Luo Zhan and him hit it off at an AI international exchange meeting, and then they became friends with each other. They have a very good personal relationship."
"Ah, is it because of this that he asked about you..." Duan Qingyan was confused.
Tang Ran recovered and asked inaudibly, "Why?"
Duan Qingyan came back to her senses, gritted her teeth, and said, "This afternoon, that person named Lan Jingqian suddenly came to the Tang family's main house and talked with the old lady in the tea room for a long time - you didn't see that scene, they chatted. It's like a roller coaster ride, and the smell of gunpowder is heavy!"
After listening to Tang Ran, he raised his eyes blankly: "So?"
"Then Lan Jingqian suddenly asked about you!"
"Ask me?" Tang Ran was stunned, "Why are you asking me?"
"I don't know, I didn't have time to listen." Duan Qingyan blushed, "I, I, I was frightened by the old lady, and when I heard your name, I was shocked and my hands shook, and then I was chased by the key. Out."
Tang Ran didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Duan Qingyan sighed in frustration: "Maybe it's because of Luo Zhan's relationship that he inquired about you? But it doesn't seem to make sense..."
Tang Ran accompanied Duan Qingyan to think for a while, then gave up: "There are too few clues, and I can't figure it out."
Duan Qingyan: "I will prick up my ears in the main house during this period of time, trying to figure out what the reason is!"
Tang Ran chuckled: "Okay."
"But Xiaoran, it's fine if you know it yourself, but don't say it out loud," Duan Qingyan said with a bitter face, "Butler Qiu is terrifying, he warned me not to mention this. If he knew what I said When he comes out, he will definitely kill me—the old people in the family say he used to be a desperate bastard!"
Tang Ran smiled and rolled his eyes: "It's a society ruled by law now, so there won't be such a thing."
"His eyes are really scary..."
Tang Ran: "Well, then I promise you that no one will say anything."
Duan Qingyan nodded and stood up. Just after she was relieved, she suddenly remembered something and turned her head back alertly: "Not a human being."
"Ah?" Tang Ran raised his face blankly.
"Just, that robot of yours..." Duan Qingyan rolled her eyes with a guilty conscience, "Don't tell him. In case, if he records it, then I'm even more dead."
Tang Ran: "Luo Luo is a very obedient robot and won't do that kind of thing."
Duan Qingyan was in a complicated mood: "He..."
"Okay, I promise you that's all, I must not even say Luo Luo!"
"Uh-huh."
That night, routine "robot" time.
When Luo Zhan came out of the mechanical box and entered the side house where the door was reserved for him, there was no one in the living room. Only a faint voice came from the bedroom.
Luo Zhan showed an unexpected expression—
This was the first time he met Tang Ran who was talking on the phone with someone instead of sitting in the living room waiting for her "Luo Luo" to appear.
Luo Zhan felt unspeakable unease in his heart.
He frowned slightly and walked towards the bedroom.
As soon as I got outside, the door happened to be opened from the inside, and a little girl with a bright smile came out of the door.
Then she sharply noticed something, and her figure stopped.
The little girl moved the tip of her nose forward and sniffed lightly:
"Yes... is Luo Luo here?"
The "robot" boy in a white shirt froze two seconds ago.
He lowered his eyes and looked at the little girl who just happened to open the door and walk out, and was parked not far from his chest at this moment.
The tip of her tiny nose was only an inch or two away from the button of his shirt. The warm, slightly scorching breath slammed into his chest through the thin shirt.
Luo Zhan raised his eyes with difficulty, and his Adam's apple rolled down.
"… good evening, master."
The mechanical sound struggled to keep it steady.
"Ah, almost hit it."
The little girl took a half step back and raised her face with a smile.
Luo Zhan was dazzled by the girl's bright smile.
He almost couldn't help raising the corners of his lips: "Is the master talking on the phone just now?"
"Yeah." Tang Ran said actively, "I have a new driver today, and he is very good!"
During the day, Luo Zhan had just fulfilled the little girl's wish and became her driver. When he heard this sentence, he naturally thought he was talking about himself.
The young man's lazy face of Qing Jun showed a more obvious smile.
"How powerful?"
Tang Ran happily raised the phone in his hand.
"He said this evening that he was going to take me to the outskirts for the weekend tomorrow. I thought that the main house would not agree to it - but he did it! Do you think he is very good?"
Luo Zhan: "..."
Luo Zhan: "?"