Chapter 87 Urgent Matter, Concerning Young Master Ming

Ming Zhan calmed down and said in a low voice, "It's nothing, I just bumped into something accidentally."

Lan Xiya scolded, "How could you be so careless? This wound probably won't be able to get wet for a long time."

Mingzhan is a swimmer and needs to train every day.

Mingxiao glanced at Mingyu and said gently, "Azhan is preparing to retire."

"What? Retirement?" Lan Xiya's eyes widened, and she froze. After a two-second pause, she realized what was happening, and her face paled slightly.

Although the Ming family is not as large and powerful as the Bo family, they are still a prominent family in Jiangcheng.

Every mother has her own selfish desires, and Lan Xiya is no exception.

She hoped that her son, Mingyi, would eventually take charge of the Ming family. She also knew that Mingyi was too young and might not be able to command respect. Therefore, she went so far as to ask Sang Yuwan to send him to the Bo family for training.

Unexpectedly, Ming Zhan suddenly announced his retirement.

In terms of seniority, Ming Yi is preceded by Ming Xiao and Ming Zhan.

Mingxiao was in poor health and lost his eligibility to run for successor at a young age.

The situation is different in Ming Dynasty.

Lan Xiya's expression gradually turned somewhat unpleasant.

Ming Yu's face darkened, and he growled at them, "Get inside, all of you."

"Yes, Father." Mingxiao replied respectfully.

Mingzhan pursed his lips and remained silent.

Mingxiao coughed twice and, with a complicated expression, helped Mingyu into the house.

Lan Xiya twisted her hands, bit her lip, glanced at Ming Zhan, and a surge of resentment welled up in her eyes.

When she married into the Ming family, Ming Zhan was five years old and Ming Xiao was eight. It could be said that she watched them grow up.

As a stepmother, she did her best and was considered competent.

They respected her quite a bit. But, after all, she wasn't their biological daughter.

Once interests are involved, the relationship becomes somewhat delicate.

Ming Zhan knew perfectly well what was going on, but he suppressed his emotions and slowly said, "Aunt Lan, it's chilly outside, let's go inside."

Lan Xiya glared at him. "A-Zhan, why did you retire?"

Ming Zhan put his hands in his coat pockets, his eyelids slightly lowered. The streetlight shone on his handsome face, making it appear even more profound. He gave a slight smile, "I'm tired."

Lan Xiya's expression changed slightly, "You can rest if you're tired, there's no need to retire..."

Mingzhan interrupted her, "Aunt Lan, I know what you want to say. Over the years, I have always respected you. So has my brother. But on this matter, I will not back down."

Lan Xiya's heart skipped a beat, and her face paled.

Ming Zhan added, "I don't mind Ming Yi competing with me fairly."

Lan Xiya's heart pounded.

Just as she had imagined.

His sudden retirement was precisely for the sake of becoming the heir to the Ming family.

Ming Zhan frowned, remained silent for two seconds, and then went back into the house.

Lan Xiya watched his retreating figure, her suppressed emotions finally coming to light, her eyes filled with deep anger.

-

The next day.

Sang Yuwan had just arrived at the office when Lan Xiya walked in right behind her.

"Auntie, what brings you here?"

Sang Yuwan frowned and asked in confusion.

Lan Xiya placed the insulated box on the coffee table on the guest sofa and smiled slightly. "I heard from your mother-in-law that you have some morning sickness, so I made some hawthorn soup that your mother used to like to drink."

Sang Yuwan's heart softened. "How early do we have to get up to cook this?"

Lan Xiya looked at her, "It's only an hour earlier than usual. If your mother were here, she would definitely be more proactive than me."

Sang Yuwan felt a sudden pang of sorrow, and her eyelashes trembled.

Lan Xiya's eyes reddened slightly. "Wanwan, would you like to have a bowl while it's hot?"

Sang Yuwan couldn't bear to go against her wishes, so she nodded, "Okay."

A hint of joy flashed in Lan Xiya's eyes. She then unscrewed the lid of the insulated box, took out a cup, and poured more than half of it into it.

Just as she was about to serve it, Sang Yuwan stood up and said, "Put it there, Auntie."

"Okay." Lan Xiya put down her cup and waited for her to come over before sitting down.

Sang Yuwan took a sip and thought it tasted pretty good, so she took two more sips.

Since everyone thinks she has severe morning sickness, she has to put on an act.

Lan Xiya was unaware of the situation and only thought that she genuinely liked to drink it. Her nose tingled with emotion. "You're just like your mother, even your food preferences are similar. When your mother was pregnant with you, she liked to drink this."

Sang Yuwan choked, the soup almost going into her trachea, "Cough..."

Lan Xiya was startled and gently patted her back, saying anxiously, "It's all my fault. I made you sad again so early in the morning."

Sang Yuwan held her cup and smiled.

Lan Xiya handed her a tissue and sighed softly, "Sigh..."

Sang Yuwan knew perfectly well that her coming over so early in the morning must have something on her mind. She took another sip of hawthorn soup and casually asked, "Auntie, what's wrong?"

Lan Xiya turned slightly to the side, her brows furrowing. "Wanwan, I have something to ask you, and you can't hide it from me."

Sang Yuwan put down her water glass and wiped her mouth. "What is it?"

Lan Xiya lowered her voice, "Do you know why A-Zhan retired?"

"Huh?" Sang Yuwan was taken aback. "Second brother is planning to retire?"

Seeing her shocked, Lan Xiya was somewhat taken aback. "You didn't know? I thought he would tell you."

A faint smile appeared on Sang Yuwan's lips. "Why did he tell me?"

“You guys…” Lan Xiya paused, then smiled awkwardly, “You two are the closest. I thought he would tell you.”

“We used to have a good relationship. Unfortunately, six years ago…” Sang Yuwan suddenly stopped talking, swallowing the rest of her words.

Lan Xiya looked at her, her eyes suddenly welling up with tears. "Wanwan, I'm sorry, it's all Auntie's fault. It's my fault..."

"Let's not talk about the past," Sang Yuwan interrupted her. "You came here today just because of this?"

Lan Xiya said worriedly, "Wanwan, your Uncle Ming's health has been poor these past two years, so he's been thinking about establishing an heir. I'm afraid Ming Zhan's retirement at this time is because of this."

"Isn't this fine?" Sang Yuwan said dismissively.

"Wanwan, Mingyi is your younger brother." Lan Xiya's eyes grew redder and redder, tears welling up in them.

Sang Yuwan fully understood her thoughts, and a crease appeared between her brows. "Auntie, it's true that Mingyi is my younger brother. But this is a family matter of your Ming family, and I have no right to interfere, much less meddle. Besides, my second brother is more suitable than Mingyi."

Lan Xiya felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this. She wiped away her tears, choking back sobs, "Wanwan, are you saying I should just ignore this?"

"Auntie, how are you going to manage this?" Sang Yuwan asked.

Lan Xiya, “I…”

Knock knock—

Rong Zhi knocked on the door and entered. He was slightly taken aback when he saw Lan Xiya.

"Did I arrive at the wrong time?"

Lan Xiya hurriedly turned her head away, grabbed a tissue, and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Sang Yuwan looked up, her brows furrowing slightly. "If you're not in a hurry, come over later."

Rong Zhi's lips curled up slightly. "It's urgent." He added at the end, "It concerns Young Master Ming."