Chapter 383 - 227: Gifting Yangcheng’s Most Expensive Villa Complex to Yixia! Silu and Sifan Will Have One Too

Chapter 383: Chapter 227: Gifting Yangcheng’s Most Expensive Villa Complex to Yixia! Silu and Sifan Will Have One Too

Jiang Guoqiang’s voice still echoed in the hospital room, hard and unyielding, like a stone striking concrete.

The color drained from Jiang Yixia’s face. She clutched the corner of her clothes, her knuckles turning white.

She opened her mouth as if to speak, but then swallowed her words.

Pan Lanfang tugged at Jiang Guoqiang’s sleeve and chided him in a low voice, "What are you so angry about? Our daughter was just asking. Is it really necessary to get so worked up?"

Jiang Guoqiang snorted and sat down on the sofa. He slammed the insulated container on the table, his voice muffled. "Even a casual question isn’t okay. A man like that shouldn’t even be mentioned."

Jiang Yixia lowered her head. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke, her voice soft and cautious. "Dad, I’m just posing a hypothetical. If—and I’m just saying if—Silu and Sifan’s biological father were like Lu Xiaofan, good to me and the kids, and respectful to you both... could you really not accept him?"

Jiang Guoqiang froze. He looked up at her, his expression complicated. "You’re comparing that man to Xiaolu? Do you know what kind of person Xiaolu is? He’s dependable, decent, good to you, and good to us. And that other man? Have you forgotten how he ruined your life back then? How you had to raise two children all by yourself? All the hardship and suffering you went through?"

"Sweetheart, your father’s right. A son-in-law like Xiaolu is one in a million. Comparing that other man to him is an insult to Xiaolu, isn’t it? If that man were half as good as Xiaolu, you wouldn’t have suffered so much all these years," Pan Lanfang added, her tone filled with emotion.

Hearing their words, Jiang Yixia felt a heavy, sour lump form in her chest.

She opened her mouth to speak, but when she saw Jiang Guoqiang’s face, dark as thunder, the words died on her lips.

Jiang Guoqiang took a sip of tea. His tone softened slightly but remained firm. "I genuinely like that young man, Xiaolu. He’s dependable, capable, good to you, and good to us. If you end up with him, I can rest easy. As for that other man... he can forget about ever setting foot in the Jiang family home."

"Sweetheart, I know you might still have some lingering feelings for that man, but it’s time to let the past go. You have someone as wonderful as Xiaolu right in front of you. Don’t let him slip away," Pan Lanfang added, nodding with heartfelt earnestness.

Jiang Yixia didn’t say anything more.

’It was as if two people were fighting inside her.’

’One voice said, ’They don’t know Lu Fan is *that man*. They’re just talking about two different people.’’

’The other voice said, ’But the man they’re cursing *is* Lu Fan.’’

’The man they’re praising is also Lu Fan.’

’They didn’t know, but she did.’

Suddenly, she felt exhausted.

It wasn’t a physical exhaustion, but a deep, indescribable weariness of the soul.

She remembered her dream from last night. He held her in his arms, and she leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

She remembered him lying on the bed that morning as she massaged his back, his muscles twitching faintly beneath her fingers.

She remembered the way he looked leaning against the kitchen doorway, telling her, "You’re so beautiful."

The truth was, she hadn’t truly hated him for a long time.

Or perhaps, all these years, it was never *him* she hated.

But she couldn’t say any of this to her parents.

They didn’t know Lu Fan was that man. They were still praising Lu Fan and cursing the man who was his other self.

She could only listen, unable to say a word.

"Alright, alright, that’s enough," Pan Lanfang said, waving her hand dismissively. "Our daughter knows what’s best. Xiaolu is such a great guy, how could she not fall for him?"

Jiang Guoqiang nodded without another word, but his expression remained grim.

Jiang Yixia stood up. "Mom, I’m going to the restroom," she said softly.

With that, she lowered her head and walked out of the room.

The hallway was quiet, save for the occasional nurse pushing a cart by, its wheels RUMBLING softly against the floor.

She leaned against the wall for a moment and closed her eyes.

She didn’t know why she had asked that question.

Maybe it was because of the dream. Or maybe it was the sight of his even breathing as he slept beside her that morning. Or maybe it was because he looked so peaceful when she covered him with the blanket, just as he had all those years ago.

’But Dad was right. That man didn’t deserve to set foot in the Jiang family’s home.’

’But he already had.’

’He’d been inside for a long time. They just didn’t know it.’

She went into the restroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were slightly red.

When she reached the door to the hospital room, she paused for a moment before pushing it open and going inside.

Pan Lanfang was in the middle of saying something to Jiang Guoqiang, but she stopped the moment she saw Yixia enter.

Jiang Yixia sat down by the bed without a word.

She knew it would be nearly impossible to get her parents to accept that Lu Fan was Silu and Sifan’s biological father anytime soon.

...

Meanwhile, at the most luxurious villa complex in Yangcheng.

Jade Bay was receiving a special guest.

Three black sedans drove in one after another. By the time the lead Maybach came to a stop, a line of people was already waiting at the entrance.

The sales manager, along with a dozen property consultants, stood in two neat rows. Dressed sharply in suits, they looked like soldiers awaiting inspection.

The manager, a man in his early forties surnamed Sun, had his hair combed meticulously and his tie perfectly knotted.

He saw the car stop from a distance and hurried over in a light jog, his back slightly bowed and a perfectly calibrated smile on his face.

The car door opened, and Lu Fan stepped out.

He wore a thin, dark gray jacket and a pair of sunglasses. His pace wasn’t fast, but every step carried a heavy, deliberate weight.

Manager Sun quickly extended a hand, his voice sickeningly respectful. "President Lu, welcome! I’m the sales manager for Jade Bay. My surname is Sun. It’s truly an honor to have you here to view our properties. Your presence illuminates the place."