Page 413 of Assistant to My Contracted Husband

...

It was just that when Jian Ran and Gu Mochen had just gotten off the plane and turned on their phones, Jian Ran’s phone rang, but the call was from Han Siming.

The smile at the corners of Jian Ran’s mouth stiffened, and she raised a mockingly ironic one before answering the call.

"Hello..."

"Ranran, why was your phone off this whole time?"

"Well, I was on a plane... with Gu Mochen, on a business trip to Italy."

Jian Ran’s response was measured, her gaze shifting to Gu Mochen at her side. The man paused in his stride, then extended a large hand to clasp Jian Ran’s idle one, squeezing slightly, clearly signaling the smoldering anger he harbored.

Jian Ran’s face turned a shade paler.

Hearing the words "business trip," Han Siming realized that it must be a couple’s getaway.

They were a married couple after all, and could enjoy a couple’s world under the guise of a business trip...

Inside, Han Siming’s feelings were complex and uncomfortable.

Jian Ran, unable to hear the man on the other end of the phone, pursed her lips and asked, "What’s the matter, is there something you need?"

"Yeah... I just wanted to call and tell you... I’ve dealt with Chu Yingying."

At this, Jian Ran’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

"I had someone release the indecent videos of her from the restaurant yesterday. Don’t worry, it definitely doesn’t implicate you, Tang Bao, or your older brother. Also, I want to apologize for... not being able to protect you... I feel so incapable."

Jian Ran: "..."

So that’s how it was.

Seeing the stretched Lincoln approaching her and Gu Mochen, Jian Ran knew it was the car sent to pick them up. True enough, the luxury car stopped in front of them, and Jian Ran got in.

"Thank you, but... there’s no need for you to apologize. You aren’t my anyone, and there’s no reason you’re obliged to do anything."

Jian Ran’s distant words rang in Gu Mochen’s ears, and the corners of his lips twitched almost imperceptibly while Han Siming on the other end of the line turned even whiter.

"Ranran, do you really have to be so formal with me?"

Male pain and unwillingness were evident in the man’s voice. Jian Ran looked out the window at the scenery; Rome’s landscape was indeed nice.

The vast, green countryside was nothing like Yuncheng City.

"Yep! Actually, there’s no need to be very formal, after all, although we are no longer boyfriend and girlfriend, we could still be considered aunt and nephew, right?"

Jian Ran’s words were not intentionally barbed.

Chu Yingying and Han Siming were now in a somewhat ambiguous relationship; Han Siming’s entanglement with her was problematic.

Therefore, what needed to be cut off should be cut off, or else things would become chaotic.

"Do your words always have to be so sharp?"

Han Siming was very hurt.

Jian Ran pursed her lips and said softly, "It’s not that my words are sharp, but.

.. Han Siming, I just want to protect myself.

Chu Yingying is ambiguous with you and has targeted me.

Ultimately, these are troubles you’ve brought me.

.. Now I keep a distance from you to protect myself, and I don’t see a problem with that. "

"Besides... Gu Mochen is right beside me. Isn’t it proper for me to stress our respective relations while talking to you?"

Jian Ran’s eyes were cold, but her palms were cool, for though Gu Mochen held her hand, only the back of it felt warmth.

After a long while, she heard Han Siming still not giving up, asking over the phone.

"Ranran, I have to ask you something... I’ve looked into it, and for over two years, only your brother has been living at Linhai Villa... You and Tang Bao live alone, so... you and your brother... are just a married couple in name only, right?"

Jian Ran: "..."