Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

Can you tell me?

Yes, and no.

After all, Xie Xiao was a mere mortal; he was ultimately selfish.

He was afraid that if Luo Yanran knew everything, the grief she would feel.

In their previous life, they were so close to being together.

The previous me didn't deserve him...

In the years that followed, Xie Xiao thought about many things, many he couldn't understand, but he figured them out in this lifetime.

After figuring them out, he felt even worse.

Luo Yanran used to harbor feelings for him in secret for so long.

But until her accidental death, all that remained between them were regrets; nothing else was left.

He dared not speak, nor did he dare let her know of his own scoundrel behavior, not wanting her to realize her past blindness nor to acknowledge the hurt he'd inflicted on her.

Ultimately being a mortal, selfishness and cowardice can't be changed.

So Xie Xiao blinked, looking at the worried Luo Yanran before him, reached out to touch her face and said softly, "Maybe it's some anxiety, had a nightmare I guess..."

He paused and added, "I've been having nightmares a lot, recently."

Luo Yanran always trusted Xie Xiao, believing whatever he said, and now was no exception, especially since the first time she saw Xie Xiao so pained and desperate was indeed in a dream.

She reached out and took his hand, asking softly, "Is it the same dream?"

Xie Xiao hesitated for a second, then nodded, "More or less, it's a very unpleasant dream."

A dream that would take you away from my side.

Luo Yanran began to worry whether the pressure from Xie Xiao's job was too much, or whether he was too concerned about Lin Yu going abroad, which was why he kept having these uncomfortable nightmares...

"Should we ask Auntie if there's some kind of calming herbal medicine to take?" she murmured softly, "My mother had some sleep issues before, and then she drank herbal medicine for a while. Should I ask where that doctor is..."

Xie Xiao interrupted gently, "Aren't you curious about what I've been dreaming of?"

"Do you still remember it?" Luo Yanran countered.

"I remember," Xie Xiao said, looking very serious. "Do you remember the dream I had when I woke up from a nightmare last time? I had that dream again, where in the dream..."

He stopped and took a deep breath.

The subsequent words ultimately remained unsaid, "...you still left, and I lived alone for more than two years. That's probably the most terrifying nightmare for me."

Luo Yanran stared at the pained expression twisting his face, her tone becoming even gentler, "You know it's not real, right?"

"Then why do you still feel pain?"
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Because Xie Xiao knew it wasn't false. Sometimes he tried to convince himself that it was all not real, perhaps truly just a dream.

The longer he was with Luo Yanran now, the more he wanted to prove that the previous life was just his dream.

But the more he tried, the more it backfired...

Xie Xiao took a deep breath. "It's my problem; maybe I do really need to adjust myself."

Actually, Xie Xiao felt that perhaps he needed a psychologist.

Luo Yanran's eyes were full of worry, but she didn't speak out.

She just said earnestly, "I actually hope more that you would talk to me about it."

But when he really did talk, Luo Yanran felt that speaking didn't seem to solve anything.

Xie Xiao was always troubled by the same dream.

This weighed heavily on Luo Yanran's heart as well.

Although on the surface, it seemed like they had opened up to each other.

But in the end, there were still issues hidden in their hearts.

When Xie Qingxiao came back to pick them up for dinner that evening, he also sensitively felt that something was amiss.

Xie Xiao felt a sense of powerlessness.

Throughout his relationship with Luo Yanran, they had never argued because of someone else.

Yet, their first bout of silence was due to his own "dream."

Xie Xiao rarely felt such powerlessness in his heart.

He wanted to break the silence, but he didn't know how to start the conversation.

The restaurant they were eating at was close to Yang Lan's hospital, so it wasn't necessary for Xie Qingxiao to pick her up; she could just go there after work.

Xie Xiao and his group were the last to arrive.

However, Xie Xiao's brow twitched when he saw Zhang Qiaoqiao, who was pregnant and sitting next to Xie Liu.

Luo Yanran had heard from Xie Xiao about the past between Xie Liu and Zhang Qiaoqiao, but hadn't they broken up?

She glanced sideways at Xie Xiao, who was just as surprised.

Not just Xie Xiao, but Xie Qingxiao also furrowed his brow.

Xie Liu's current job had been introduced by him.

Thankfully, the lad wasn't working too hard these days and was punctual in his comings and goings from work, sparing Xie Qingxiao any further trouble.

After all, the job was in the school cafeteria's kitchen, which was relatively easier than his previous construction work.

Of course, the salary wasn't as high either.

But Xie Qingxiao remembered that Xie Xiao had accompanied Xie Liu during the breakup. Now, why was this girl showing up pregnant at a family dinner?

Today's meal was hosted by Xie Qingxiao, who wanted to introduce Luo Yanran to the old lady and his elder brother.

In fact, Xie Xiao noticed that his uncle and grandmother's expressions weren't too pleased.

But the aunt was beaming with joy.

Xie Liu didn't show much emotion.

Xie Qingxiao shifted his gaze and called out, "Mom, Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law."

Xie Xiao, bringing Luo Yanran with him, called out, "Grandma, Uncle, Aunt."

Then, holding Luo Yanran's hand, he introduced, "Grandma, this is my wife, Luo Yanran."

Luo Yanran saw the old lady, whose expression had not been very pleasant, smile and wave at her, "Luoluo, is it? Come here and let grandma have a look."

Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction, making her previous unhappiness seem to have vanished.

Yang Lan took Luo Yanran to the old lady while Xie Xiao and Xie Qingxiao put aside the things they had brought.

Luo Yanran sat obediently next to the old lady, her face carrying a bashful smile, "I'm sorry, Grandma, it's been impolite of me for not visiting you before..."

The old lady sighed, "How can I blame you for that? It's Xiao Xiao's fault!"

She glanced at Xie Xiao while saying this, although her eyes were smiling, "You've been hiding your beautiful wife from Grandma, haven't you?"

"Grandma, I've been wronged, she's just shy~", Xie Xiao said with a laugh, coming over to sit on the other side of grandma, while the uncle moved aside to make room, getting a glare from his wife in the process.

The uncle's wife was feeling rather upset. The old lady hadn't been kind to Zhang Qiaoqiao, not offering a smile despite the pregnancy.

On the contrary, upon seeing Luo Yanran brought by Xie Xiao, her face was full of smiles, and the aunt was undoubtedly uncomfortable with that.

"The young lady is indeed shy; that's how a young lady should be." The old lady said these words while casting a glance at Zhang Qiaoqiao, who was eating on the side, her eyes filled with barely concealed disdain.

Both Xie Xiao and Luo Yanran noticed this.

At this time, the aunt couldn't hold back and spoke up, "Luoluo, is it? I'm your aunt. You and Xie Xiao have been together for quite a while, so why haven't you thought about having children? Don't tell me young people don't want them now."

Before Luo Yanran could respond, Yang Lan retorted, "What kind of thing to say, Elder Sister-in-law? Our Yanran and Xiao Xiao haven't even picked up their marriage certificate yet, the dowry hasn't been given, and the ceremony isn't done. Why should they have a child without a proper title? It wouldn't look good."

Not only was the aunt taken aback by this, but Zhang Qiaoqiao's expression also turned sour.

Xie Liu and the uncle looked uncomfortable.

The old lady, however, slowly nodded in agreement, "That's the reasoning."