Chapter 1186: Chapter 1186: Keep Manman Safe

She didn’t want to be a selfish person, but equally, she didn’t want to be the wife of a wealthy man.

She was originally a little girl from the mountains; she just suited a simple life. She and Shen Chi were from different worlds.

Nie Chenglang stood by his car, watching her leave.

When Xu Chaomu stood by the bus stop, just then, a car passed by her.

Xu Chaomu didn’t notice the person here, but the person in the car saw Xu Chaomu.

It was none other than Zhou Ran, who was driving out of the hospital.

She was curious–hadn’t Xu Chaomu left yet? Why was she here?

Looking further ahead, indeed… she saw Nie Chenglang. His eyes were full of reluctance and tenderness; that gentleness could almost melt someone.

Zhou Ran didn’t stop; she directly stepped on the accelerator and drove toward the prison.

As she passed by Xu Chaomu, Xu Chaomu still didn’t see Zhou Ran in the driver’s seat, as she was shading Xiaobao from the sun, looking for the bus.

Zhou Ran glanced at Xu Chaomu, whose child in her arms was quite cute, with little dimples appearing when he smiled.

However, this woman was still tied to Nie Chenglang by lingering feelings.

How could Shen Chi marry such a woman?

Moreover, she had lived with Nie Chenglang in Paris for five years. Five years of memories weren’t something that could be easily erased.

The child Xu Chaomu had carried back then was the best proof!

The car continued toward the prison. At this moment, she thought of Jiang Zhilan and the Bai Family.

Shen Chi had become furious for the sake of his beloved, yet he didn’t know his own woman was secretly interacting with another man behind his back.

Zhou Ran truly felt that Shen Chi didn’t deserve this.

The afternoon sunlight was nice, slantingly shining on the car windows, refracting a rainbow of light.

Zhou Ran wore sunglasses, driving continuously toward the prison.

Her heart was complicated; it had been a long time since she last saw Jiang Zhilan, and unexpectedly, this meeting was to be in prison.

It had to be said, Shen Chi had been harsh this time.

At most, Jiang Zhilan was guilty of an attempted crime, yet she faced a decade-long prison sentence, which was unbearable for most people, let alone for someone of Jiang Zhilan’s age.

…

When she arrived at the prison, indeed, the security was tight, no ordinary persons were allowed.

But Zhou Ran’s status was well-known to everyone, hence, no one stopped her.

Zhou Ran first requested the case file from the chief of the police, and then read it carefully.

Shen Chi had accused Jiang Zhilan of many charges, though they were groundless. However, Shen Chi could find witnesses and evidence. In plain terms, Shen Chi didn’t want someone to get off easily and could find countless reasons–this was why no one in C City dared to offend him.

The relationship between Shen Chi and the chief was very good, which Zhou Ran also knew.

She was here today to see Jiang Zhilan, and likewise, Shen Chi would know.

“Take me to see Mrs. Jiang,” Zhou Ran said calmly, unshaken.

“Okay, Mrs. Zhou, right this way, please,” the chief said politely.

After a long walk, the chief finally led Zhou Ran inside, winding around, before finally stopping.

“Madam Zhou, try not to talk for too long,” the director said.

Zhou Ran nodded, “I understand, but I have one request, no surveillance.”

Zhou Ran’s voice was not loud, but it had a deterrent power that made people shiver with fear, especially her gaze, which was uncompromising.

The director hesitated for a moment but still nodded, “Okay.”

“Good,” Zhou Ran was satisfied.

The director then took his subordinates and left. Since he had agreed to Zhou Ran’s terms of no monitoring or recording, he intended to keep his word.

Two women, there probably wasn’t much to talk about.

As Zhou Ran approached, Jiang Zhilan was sitting on a chair, her gaze blank, having lost her usual brilliance.

Jiang Zhilan’s hair had turned significantly white, her skin was sallow, and her lips pale. She sat there listlessly, immobile, like a wax statue.

Hearing footsteps, she finally looked up.

Seeing Zhou Ran, Jiang Zhilan’s face showed a complex expression, mixed with excitement, shame, and awkwardness.

“Zhilan, are you getting used to it here?” Zhou Ran asked from outside.

Jiang Zhilan did not speak, only lowering her head.

“Zhilan, Cexian and I apologize. Shen Chi’s actions towards the Bai Family were beyond our control,” Zhou Ran spoke in a light tone, “Shen’s no longer belongs to Cexian, as you know. Cexian has been unwell, and I have been taking care of him. We had no knowledge of Shen Chi’s actions against the Bai Family.”

Jiang Zhilan then moved her lips and looked at Zhou Ran, “I know, you were powerless.”

“Zhilan, Cexian and I are not asking for your or Bai Xuan’s forgiveness, we can only apologize,” Zhou Ran said earnestly, “We are really sorry, but Shen Chi has his own ideas that we can no longer influence.”

Seeing Jiang Zhilan’s current state, Zhou Ran felt a great sense of guilt.

“It has nothing to do with you… Perhaps, I really made a mistake,” Jiang Zhilan sighed.

“There is no surveillance here, rest assured, the director still shows me, Zhou Ran, some respect,” Zhou Ran said calmly, “you can tell me anything.”

“…” Jiang Zhilan was silent, her expression weary.

“I know, you must feel this is unfair,” Zhou Ran said, “so, I will help you as much as I can.”

“Zhou Ran,” Jiang Zhilan said, “Bai Xuan and Manman haven’t done anything wrong. If it’s really because of me, let Shen Chi come at me, don’t target the Bai Family, and especially not Manman, please?”

Jiang Zhilan’s tone was pleading, her eyes filled with longing.

“How do you still not understand,” Zhou Ran sighed.

What Shen Chi wanted to target was the entire Bai Family! Not just Jiang Zhilan, but also Bai Xuan and Bai Man! Especially Bai Man.

Bai Xuan’s refusal to hand over Bai Man had already enraged Shen Chi, even crossing his bottom line, which was something Shen Chi could not tolerate.

Jiang Zhilan fell silent again; she understood Zhou Ran’s words.

“Zhilan, I will try my best to get you out on bail. Although our families cannot be united through marriage, we still have a longstanding connection,” Zhou Ran said.

“Zhou Ran, thank you. If possible, can you make sure Manman is safe? She’s the only daughter I have, and I don’t want anything to happen to her,” Jiang Zhilan said.

“You need to understand how much Shen Chi loves Xu Chaomu,” Zhou Ran said quietly.

Jiang Zhilan’s spirits deflated; yes, the more Shen Chi loved Xu Chaomu, the more he hated Bai Man. Zhou Ran couldn’t influence Shen Chi’s decisions; Shen Chi wouldn’t let Bai Man off easy.

“Nevertheless, Zhilan, I will do everything within my power,” Zhou Ran said, “Take good care of yourself.”

“Zhou Ran, does Shen Chi really love Xu Chaomu that much?” Jiang Zhilan asked tentatively.

“Yes,” Zhou Ran nodded, unable to deny that Shen Chi loved Xu Chaomu to the core, which was indisputable.