Return to before death

"Young Master Sheng, I'm nothing to you. What more do you want? What do you want to do?"

"In exchange. I'll help you this once, and you agree to one request of mine. We'll discuss the details outside."

Yan Ran looked at the aloof and arrogant man and nodded.

She had no right to refuse, after all, she had nothing left.

The two of them went out to a coffee shop, but didn't stay for too long.

Yan Ran, after all, had so vehemently criticized Sheng Xuanling in the past, and she was still unable to let go of her feelings, as she still disapproved of the man's behavior. However, after sitting for a while, she managed to organize her thoughts and was able to reasonably express some of her requests.

"Sheng Xuanling, if I want to ask you to help me save my daughter, what do I need to give in return?"

Sheng Xuanling looked at the woman with both unease and determination in her eyes with some surprise, and for some reason, her mood improved.

"I'll help you once if you make a promise; I'll decide the details."

"It has to be something I can do, and it has to be within a time limit," Yan Ran emphasized. She couldn't possibly agree to such an empty promise, especially one that had no bottom line.

“Three months.” Sheng Xuanling lowered his eyes, looking at the ripples in the water in his glass. “I’m giving you three months. If you can’t do it, the cooperation will end.”

"Okay." Yan Ran knew how much trouble her words would cause her, but she still said it resolutely.

Shengxuan Lingxu raised his cup.

After all, they were accomplices who knew the same secret.

"You've probably realized it yourself, haven't you? Going back in time will cause the butterfly effect. In other words, as long as you go back to the time of the murder case related to your daughter, you can indirectly influence your daughter's case."

Sheng Xuanling put down her coffee and said coldly.

“Of course. Besides, you should be prepared, or rather, you have already obtained what I need?” Yan Ran asked.

“You can’t say that…” Sheng Xuanling said coldly, “I know what you want, and it’s easy for me to get it, but it’s different for you.”

"what do you mean……"

"I should state my request now. It's very simple. Will you agree or not?" He frowned and took out a small black velvet box from his pocket.

Yan Ran was bewildered. Something given to him?

"Okay," she replied.

Then Sheng Xuanling continued, "My requirement is that you wear this. After all, we're starting to cooperate again, and all past grievances should be wiped clean."

Inside the box was a thin platinum ring, which, judging by the size, was a pinky ring.

Yan Ran was stunned, and the suppressed anger surged up in her heart. Although she managed to suppress it in the end, she really had no mood to continue entangled with Sheng Xuanling.

“Okay, I’ll wear it.” She said, taking the ring and putting it on. Then she added, “I’ll take my leave now. I’ll wait for you to keep your promise.”

"dislike?"

“I am not your plaything, nor do I need jewels and flowers.”

After saying that, Yan Ran turned and left.

Back at Yu Xiao's house, Yan Ran had shaken off her negative emotions.

Things always tend to improve.

Qin Zhiyuan's guilt can be exploited, and the temporary alliance between him and Sheng Xuanling can also be of great help, so she needs to maintain the status quo.

Once she obtains the relevant information, she will travel back in time.

She would be content as long as Tangtang came back.

Thinking of this, Yan Ran couldn't help but think of Zong Zhengqing, who was, after all, Tangtang's father.

To be honest, ever since their last falling out, Zong Zhengqing hadn't contacted them at all. To say he was head over heels in love wouldn't be quite accurate. His mother forbade any contact, and Zong Zhengqing truly never did.

She sneered inwardly. Men, no matter how sweet their words, their actions reveal their true nature.

The phone call came at that moment.

Yan Ran raised an eyebrow in surprise as she looked at the caller ID. It was Zong Zhengqing's number. She hesitated, feeling a little soft-hearted, or rather, some of the things he had said during their last meeting had indeed touched a chord with her.

He had witnessed her grievances and forbearance over the years, and now he was determined to protect her.

"Hello." Yan Ran answered the phone.

"Ranran, it's me. Can we meet today?" Zong Zhengqing said almost pleadingly, then he couldn't help but cough, one cough after another.

Yan Ran was already a bit soft-hearted, and seeing him like this, she didn't notice for a moment and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you coughing?"

"I just had a bad cold last time, it's nothing serious," he said casually.

Yan Ran's heart clenched, and she couldn't help but ask with concern, "Didn't you take your medicine?"

"I ate... Ranran, you still care about me, so please don't leave me and come back with me." Zong Zhengqing pleaded earnestly through the phone. Yan Ran, remembering what had happened before, especially Tangtang, still felt like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat and couldn't answer.

"We can meet, but a divorce is necessary. I don't love you anymore, we can't be together."

"I really wasn't with Lan Ke," Zong Zhengqing repeatedly emphasized.

Yan Ran fell silent. She had seen the paternity test, but Tangtang... Tangtang's death and injury had hurt her too deeply.

It was as if she had become a completely different person. Occasionally, when Yan Ran recalled Zong Zhengqing's cold voice in the middle of the night, she would shudder involuntarily. He had completely disregarded Tangtang's life.

She didn't know how important what was being asked for was, but Zong Zhengqing didn't hesitate for a moment.

"Zhengqing, let's separate." Yan Ran hesitated for a long time before slowly speaking.

Zong Zhengqing was stunned.

There was complete silence on the phone, broken only by the occasional sound of a car speeding by.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Please give me one last chance, okay?"

Yan Ran thought for a moment.

"Are you driving? It's too dangerous to make a phone call. Let's talk after you're done."

After saying that, she hung up the phone. Zong Zhengqing, holding his phone on the other end, looked grim. He slammed the phone onto the passenger seat and accelerated.

Afterwards, Yan Ran received a text message from Zong Zhengqing, who wanted to meet.

Yu Xiao had actually told her that it was best not to see Zong Zhengqing again if she really wanted to leave. However, there was another sentence in the text message Zong Zhengqing sent: he wanted to accompany her back to the Zong residence to retrieve something she had left there.

Yan Ran hesitated. It wasn't that she was greedy for money, but many of her memories with Tangtang were condensed in some inconspicuous items. She had lost Tangtang, but at least she could get those memories back.

The two agreed to meet downstairs at Yu Xiao's house.

Yan Ran had no intention of dressing up and simply wore a military green trench coat downstairs. Zong Zhengqing also didn't dress up much and looked quite haggard.

“Let’s go,” he said, opening the car door.

Yan Ran's previous words were too harsh, and the atmosphere between the two was quite awkward when they met. Even after Yan Ran was sitting in the car, she only said "thank you".

They were so polite to each other as if they were complete strangers.