Chapter 54

Tang Ran's parents and the private room waiter all stood dumbfounded, watching the Wei family leave. Even after the door was closed, they still couldn't believe what had just happened.

Tang Ran's parents looked at Zhou Ming for a long time before cautiously asking, "Zhou Ming, we are very grateful that you stood up for Ran Ran, but can you tell us why they came to apologize?"

When Tang Ran's parents asked this, the private room waiter immediately perked up his ears to listen carefully. If it were true that the Wei family had a change of heart and came to apologize on their own, it would be like living in a dream. No one with an IQ over three would believe that. Clearly, Zhou Ming had done something to force the Wei family to apologize.

Before Zhou Ming could answer, Tang Ran quickly replied, "Of course it's because Brother Ming has money."

Tang Ran's answer left everyone with a puzzled look. Could it be that just because Zhou Ming had money, the Wei family came to apologize? The logic clearly didn't make sense!

Zhou Ming had to explain, "Uncle, Aunt, actually, it's not that complicated. The money Wei Hua's family used to start their factory was all borrowed from the bank. Now their loan has expired, and they have only been able to delay the deadline by flattering and bribing the bank manager. However, I happen to know the bank manager, so they had to come and apologize to Ran Ran to avoid having their factory sued and auctioned off by the bank."

"Turns out you know the bank manager in Nanjiang, Zhou Ming? No wonder you can be a big boss in Hongcheng! Your family background is truly different," Lin Weixiu said in surprise. From her and Tang Jun's expressions, it was clear that they were even more impressed by Zhou Ming's identity.

Zhou Ming just smiled, as the reality wasn't what Tang Ran's parents thought. Zhou Ming wasn't actually very familiar with the bank manager, Mr. Yang. The reason Mr. Yang agreed to help him was that Zhou Ming promised to help him secure a million-yuan deposit. However, Zhou Ming didn't need to explain this to Tang Ran's parents, so he just smiled it off.

The meal was soon finished, and after Zhou Ming paid the bill, he and Tang Ran, along with her parents, left the hotel. Tang Ran's parents had to go back to work, so they returned to the mall.

After seeing off Tang Ran's parents, Zhou Ming noticed that Tang Ran was looking down, seemingly lost in thought. He asked, "Ran Ran, what's wrong? Are you still upset about Wei Hua?"

"Of course not!" Tang Ran said, "It's just that... my mom called me over and told me to... to get along well with you."

"Get along with me? What do you mean by that?"

As soon as Zhou Ming said this, he immediately remembered that Tang Ran's parents thought he and Tang Ran were dating.

Zhou Ming glanced at Tang Ran, who was blushing. Recalling her parents' previous attitude towards her and Wei Hua, Zhou Ming realized that her parents might have more than just the intention of having her get along well with him...

Zhou Ming wanted to explain to Tang Ran that they were just putting on a show for her parents, but seeing her current state, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

As Zhou Ming hesitated, Tang Ran mustered the courage to look up and say, "Brother Ming, there's a park over there. Would you like to go for a walk?"

Zhou Ming nodded and walked into the park with Tang Ran. The whole way, neither of them spoke. Although Tang Ran had previously said they were just putting on a show, Zhou Ming felt that she was starting to take it seriously. He glanced at Tang Ran a few times and saw her blushing, clearly treating this as a real date.

This wasn't surprising, given that Tang Ran had always admired him, and the recent series of events had affected her deeply.

However, this also made Zhou Ming feel a bit guilty, as if he were deceiving a pure and innocent girl. As a result, he felt a headache and didn't know what to say to her, as if the change in their relationship made everything he said seem inappropriate.

Thus, Zhou Ming and Tang Ran walked into the park in silence. Just as Zhou Ming was scratching his head, trying to break the awkward silence, he suddenly noticed two tears on Tang Ran's face. He was startled and quickly asked, "Ran Ran, what's wrong?"

Tang Ran looked at Zhou Ming with regret and said, "I'm sorry, Brother Ming. I'm so stupid. I said I would get along well with you, but I don't know what to say."

"Ran Ran, what are you talking about? On a date, it's the man's job to make the woman feel comfortable," Zhou Ming said.

"Really?" Tang Ran looked at Zhou Ming with her beautiful, big eyes, full of doubt.

"Of course."

Zhou Ming nodded firmly. Although he didn't know how other men treated their women, he felt it should be this way. Besides, he thought Tang Ran was so cute, and he couldn't understand why Wei Hua, that bastard, would have the heart to hit her.

Zhou Ming took Tang Ran to a bench and sat down. After some thought, he tried to comfort her, "After today's events, I think Wei Hua won't dare to bother you again, and your parents won't force you to do anything. You need to get over this and not let it weigh on you, okay?"

Tang Ran clenched her small fists and nodded firmly, "Brother Ming, don't worry. Although I cry a lot, I'm a strong girl!"

Zhou Ming smiled, "That's my girl!"

Tang Ran gazed at Zhou Ming, "Brother Ming, thank you so much for today. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Since you call me Brother Ming, isn't it only natural for me to help you?" Zhou Ming said.

"But Brother Ming, you spent over a million yuan! I could never earn that much in my entire life!" Tang Ran said anxiously.

"As long as I can help you, Ran Ran, it's worth it. Even if it were ten million, I would be willing!" Zhou Ming said.

Tang Ran looked at Zhou Ming in amazement, clearly moved by his words, "Thank you, Brother Ming, for being so good to me. I don't know how to repay you. How about... I offer myself to you?"

This sudden statement completely caught Zhou Ming off guard. If he didn't know that Tang Ran was innocent and pure, he would have thought she was trying to provoke him. But because she was serious, it made Zhou Ming even more uncomfortable. He said, "Ran Ran, you're still young. You probably don't understand what it means to offer yourself to someone."

Tang Ran said indignantly, "I'm not young! I understand what it means to offer myself. It means I will follow Brother Ming and be your woman!"

"But Brother Ming is going to marry your sister, Lin Muqing. What about that?" Zhou Ming had no choice but to bring up Lin Muqing.

"That's okay. I can be the second wife! I can cook, take care of children, and serve Brother Ming with Muqing," Tang Ran said earnestly.

Zhou Ming stared at Tang Ran, feeling defeated by her innocence. He didn't know what to say.

Then Tang Ran said, "Brother Ming, do you not believe me? If you don't, you can kiss me. Once you kiss me, I will be your woman."

"What kind of twisted logic is that? Who told you that?" Zhou Ming asked in surprise.

Tang Ran hesitated for a moment but then decided to tell Zhou Ming, "Wei Hua told me."

Sure enough, that bastard!

Zhou Ming cursed inwardly. He knew Wei Hua's intention was to take advantage of Tang Ran's innocence and make her follow him for life. When she refused to let him kiss her, and with some other reasons, Wei Hua couldn't control himself and hit her.

"Brother Ming, you're not disgusted with me, right? I really, really didn't do anything with Wei Hua. I can swear, he never kissed me. I only let him hold my hand, but I washed it thoroughly with soap when I got home!" Tang Ran explained anxiously to Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming was initially stunned but then realized that Tang Ran was probably guessing that he was disgusted with her because he didn't react.

Thinking this, Zhou Ming quickly explained, "Ran Ran, you misunderstood. I didn't mean that."

"Then will you kiss me, Brother Ming? Please, I'm begging you!" Tang Ran said.

Zhou Ming was speechless. As someone who had no luck with women in his previous life, he had never encountered such a situation. He instinctively looked around, but fortunately, there was no one else there. Otherwise, if others saw this beautiful girl begging him to kiss her, they would be shocked.

"Ran Ran, although Wei Hua is a bastard, he wasn't wrong about this. Your kiss is your most precious thing and shouldn't be given to just any man," Zhou Ming tried to reason with her.

But Tang Ran persisted, "I know, but I want to be your woman. Even if you try to get rid of me, I won't leave!"

Zhou Ming was at a loss and had to say, "Alright, but you have to be a good girl and listen to me, okay?"

"Okay! Brother Ming finally agreed to kiss me!" Tang Ran cheered, then made a solemn promise, "Brother Ming, I promise I will always listen to you and be a good woman for you."

"Then get ready. I'm going to kiss you now," Zhou Ming said.

Tang Ran nodded repeatedly, then closed her eyes. Zhou Ming could feel her body tense up, her small fists clenched in front of her chest, her innocent face showing a mix of nervousness, fear, and anticipation.

Zhou Ming smiled and placed his hands on Tang Ran's shoulders, gently saying, "Ran Ran, don't be nervous. Relax."

Whether it was Zhou Ming's words or Tang Ran's self-control, her body soon relaxed. Zhou Ming slowly leaned in and kissed her lips.

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(End of the chapter)