Chapter 293: Secrets of the Villa

Stepping into Jiang Qian’s room, the inside was pitch black with the curtains pulled shut.

It took Fang Meng to open the curtains before they could see the full layout.

At the room’s center stood a stunning princess-style bed, luxurious yet simple.

The bedding was neatly arranged without any patterns, but above it hung elegant, antique curtains for display.

Stacks of books lined the walls around the bed, thousands at a glance, reminiscent of Lin Zheng Ran’s old bedroom filled with medical texts.

The rest included a desk by the window for studying and a wardrobe.

Fang Meng said, “This is Jiang Qian’s bedroom.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought the room’s style was nothing like the typical girl’s space—it screamed wealthy bookworm.

“I heard from Fang Meng that your room has a lot of books, but I didn’t expect you to have this many,” he remarked.

Jiang Jingshi came over to Lin Zheng Ran, surprised. “So this is what Jiang Qian’s room looks like?”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her curiously. “What do you mean? You don’t know how your own sister’s room is set up?”

Jiang Jingshi nodded without hesitation:

“Yeah, she never lets me in. I’ve been here before, but last time the room wasn’t arranged like this, so it’s basically my first time seeing it too.”

Jiang Qian huffed, “It’s just the bed curtains, desk, bed, books on the floor, and wardrobe that changed. Compared to last time, my room hasn’t really altered much. Looks like you’re getting forgetful with age, sister.”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked. “What’s the difference from a total overhaul? Isn’t your room just these things anyway?”

Jiang Qian paused at that, muttering to herself as if puzzled, “Why are you siding with my sister?”

Jiang Jingshi pointed to an area blocked by the book stacks near the desk. “What’s that spot surrounded by books? What’s inside? I remember there used to be another desk there.”

Jiang Qian refused to answer. “There’s nothing there.”

But before she could stop her, Jiang Jingshi had already walked over.

There, hidden behind the book wall on the desk, were stacks of photos—of a certain someone.

Graduation photos, school event shots, graduation party pictures, opening ceremony speeches, and even video tapes of speeches.

They were arranged neatly and kept spotless.

Jiang Jingshi’s eyes widened in surprise. Was this really something her sister would do?

From childhood, Jiang Qian’s room had never displayed a single photo—not even of family or selfies. Yet now, it was full of Lin Zheng Ran’s photos or group shots with him from various events.

Just how deep did her feelings go?

Jiang Jingshi stared at her sister in disbelief, covering her mouth. “This is a bit creepy, Qian Qian.”

Jiang Qian’s face flushed as she said coldly, “Creepy? And who asked you to look? I’m just nostalgic for high school life.”

Jiang Jingshi replied, “But didn’t you already have some photos in the collection room? Why so many here in your bedroom?”

Jiang Qian shot back, “I can if I want to. And how can you call me creepy? You’ve got photos of my classmates in the collection room too, sister.”

Lin Zheng Ran wondered what they were talking about.

He walked over and saw the desk covered in photos of himself or with his image. “Wow, that’s a lot of me.”

Jiang Qian was mortified and stayed quiet.

Fang Meng felt embarrassed too. As the housekeeper, she coughed to smooth things over, not wanting Lin Zheng Ran to think the second miss was some kind of stalker:

“These are just mementos from high school that Jiang Qian collected. Lin Zheng Ran was in so many events, that’s why it seems like they’re all of you, but there’s no special reason behind it.”

Jiang Qian stealthily gave Fang Meng a thumbs-up.

Nice one, Xiao Meng.

Xiao Meng responded with a thumbs-up back to Jiang Qian.

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled, but he’d caught a snippet earlier and asked Jiang Jingshi, “What were you two saying about a collection with similar photos?”

Jiang Jingshi blushed. “Yeah, there are a few. Some I put there, some my sister did. You don’t mind, right?”

Lin Zheng Ran knew Jiang Jingshi had his photo on her desk at Zheng Shi Company.

So he didn’t care.

“It’s fine. Go ahead and keep them—I don’t mind.”

Jiang Jingshi was about to say more.

But Jiang Qian cut in, “We’ve seen my bedroom. Let’s check out Xiao Meng’s room next? Xiao Meng, lead the way.”

Fang Meng nodded.

They headed to Fang Meng’s room, which was a pure girl’s space—simple, with a pink bed, pink desk, and everyday clothes on the balcony.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Now this is a normal room. In this setting, it almost feels out of place.”

Fang Meng closed her eyes and replied, “Lin Zheng Ran, that’s a bit rude to say about a girl’s room.”

“Sorry, just speaking my mind. But yeah, it’s really normal.”

Suddenly, a car pulled up outside the villa. Jiang Jingshi glanced back, wondering if it was her parents returning.

So early?

Jiang Qian heard it too: “Are Mom and Dad back?”

As the group started toward the door, Lin Zheng Ran turned back, spotting something on Fang Meng’s floor that glinted white in the sunlight.

He bent down and picked it up—it was a strand of silver-white hair.

Instantly, it reminded him of the white-haired girl he’d seen on the way here.

Jiang Jingshi saw him pick it up and asked, “What is it?”

Noticing the hair, she added curiously, “Is that hair? White hair, and so long.”

Jiang Qian overheard and turned back. “Where did that come from?”

Lin Zheng Ran replied, “It was on the floor.”

Everyone looked at Fang Meng.

Fang Meng shrugged, puzzled. “I have no idea. Maybe it got on me from some passerby when I went out shopping today. I did see a white-haired girl—probably mixed race.”

Jiang Jingshi waved it off. “Never mind that. It sounds like my parents are here. Let’s go down and say hi, Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded. “Okay.”

Fang Meng held out her hand. “I’ll throw that hair away for you.”

Lin Zheng Ran placed it in her hand, and she tossed it into the trash bin with a pursed lip.

As they left Fang Meng’s room and headed downstairs, Jiang Qian’s steps slowed.

Wait, what had her sister just called Lin Zheng Ran? Zheng… Zheng Ran?

Was that real?

My ears must be playing tricks on me, right? Absolutely.

The door to the first-floor hall opened.

In walked Jiang’s father and mother, both dressed very formally.

Seeing the group coming down the stairs,

Both parents fixed their sharp gazes on Lin Zheng Ran.

Jiang Jingshi greeted them. “Dad, Mom, you’re back so early?”

Jiang’s father smiled thinly. “Yes, we came back early to meet the guest. You must be Lin Zheng Ran. Finally, we get to see you in person.”

Lin Zheng Ran stepped forward with a smile. “Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”