Right now, Hu Ran thought about nothing else, aside from the fact that her fiancé had a former flame, but was forced to marry her out of desperation.

  While she was not aware of how Mu Qiqi had made her way into Hu Mansion or how she convinced Hu Ran’s father to let her in her room, she only knew that the girl appeared to be very concerned over the Third Sheng Brother.

  That was why Hu Ran kept tossing and turning around in her bed, unable to fall asleep for the entire night.

  What Sheng Xiao said was very true—she had to continue her act regardless.

  After all, how could a halfwit like her have the sense to refuse a wedding? Moreover, she had been showing signs that she liked Third Young Master, and there was no telling what storm she could cause if she suddenly did not like him.

  That was why Third Young Master would have to bear with her for the time being in spite of his grief. If push comes to shove, she could try coming up with an arranged divorce with him when she was free from the Hu family.

  ***

  The next morning, Hu Ran’s stepmother suddenly appeared by her door.

  When she saw that Hu Ran had already put on make up with Xiu’s help, she walked up to her and got Xiu to leave.

  “Xiao Ran, don’t ever come back after you leave this house, or I can’t give you a brother.”


  “You know how things are with your father. What would happen if there is no son to inherit the family estate in the future?”


  “So, be a good girl, Xiao Ran, and listen to the others at the Sheng family.”


  Hu Ran acted as if she understood none of that, naturally learning what her stepmother’s plan was.

  Just to get pregnant, her stepmother had tried to kill her over the years.

  The woman was that evil.

  Still, Hu Ran became more determined to marry into the Sheng family because of her stepmother’s words. Otherwise, she could never tell when she had provoked that woman and would get killed for it.

  “Madam, the Sheng family’s car has arrived. Our Young Mistress should be going.” Xiu’s voice spoke from outside the door then.

  The stepmother nodded, pinching Hu Ran’s chin as she warned her. “I won’t be merciful if you return from the Sheng family.”


  “What is this merciful thing?” Hu Ran asked innocently.

  “Good girl. Time to get married to that little brother.”


  Hu Ran was soon helped downstairs to the living room, where Third Brother was already waiting for his bride. There was not a single formal ceremony no thanks to Hu Ran’s mental condition, and hence thriftily went off to get registered.

  Papa Hu personally escorted Hu Ran to the car and waved goodbye to his daughter.

  “Don’t be sad. Xiao Ran is now in the care of better folks. You can’t take care of her for the rest of your life.”


  Papa Hu nodded and held his wife’s hand. “These few years have been hard on you. Later on, we ought to plan to give Xiao Ran a younger brother.”


  The stepmother’s eyes shone at those words.

  “Qin Lan, I have been forced to do what I did these past few years for Xiao Ran’s sake. Please don’t hold it against me.”


  “It’s alright. I know very well you love Xiao Ran!”


  Even so, since that dumb thing was gone from the family, she was never ever coming back.

  ***

  Third Brother was not aware that Sheng Xiao and Mu Qiqi had visited Hu Ran, even as he took her to the civil department now.

  On the other hand, Hu Ran felt unsettled looking at Third Brother.

  This man must be hurting because he could not marry the woman he liked.

  “Xiao Ran, could you follow what I say when we’re reach the civil department later? I’ll play with you and eat with you. Do you want that?”


  “I do. I like you, little brother.” Hu Ran answered brightly and naively.

  And thanks to Hu Ran working with him, the marriage registration proved simple.

  Third Brother never imagined that he would get married just like that, and it was tragic in every way now that he thought about it.

  “Xiao Ran, you are my wife now. Are you happy?”


  Holding the marriage certificate, Hu Ran did not answer Third Brother, but suddenly embraced him. “Xiao Ran will be very, very nice to little brother.”
……

  Did that count as his only consolation?

  Third Brother smiled bitterly, and returned to Sheng Residence with her, where Gu Ziling had already prepared a bridal chamber for them. “You’re back. Head over to meet Grandfather first.”


  Hence, Third Brother led Hu Ran to the living room and passed the marriage certificate to Old Sheng, because he knew very well that the old man was afraid of them faking it.

  “Very good, we are all family now. Third Brother, you should start being fruitful with Xiao Ran as soon as you could.”


  “It’s the auspicious day of your wedding. Bring Xiao Ran back to your room to celebrate……”


  After all, the old man was sure that with Hu Ran’s mental condition, she would need time and instruction in the sheets, which was why he had them return to their room for bonding.

  “Grandfather, there are certain differences between men and women, and I believe Third Brother would be too embarrassed to raise it. As such, I should help him as his sister-in-law.”


  Gu Ziling suddenly suggested to the old man, who thought that it was rather reasonable. “If that’s so, you could give Xiao Ran some company. Third Brother, would play chess with me for a while.”


  Gu Ziling walked up to Hu Ran and was about to take her away from Third Brother when he refused.

  “Grandfather, she’s my wife and I would teach her. I don’t need to trouble Second Sister.”


  Moreover, he did not know what Gu Ziling was scheming behind his back this time, and Hu Ran could not hold her own against Gu Ziling as she was now.

  “Your sister is being thoughtful for your sake…… but do as you wish.” The old man did not force him.

  Later, Third Brother brought Hu Ran back to their room, and he settled her into the sofa after he closed the door, before telling her, “Don’t trust anyone in this family, Xiao Ran. It doesn’t matter how well they treat you, you just have to remember what I say, and don’t believe a word they speak.”


  Hu Ran fiddled with her hair and leveled a confused look at Third Brother. “But…… why? Daddy told Xiao Ran to listen to family.”


  “No whys. Just promise me. Okay?”


  Hu Ran hesitated for a moment before nodding eventually. “Okay…… and, little brother, Xiu told me that we will bathe and nap together from now on. Is that true?”


  Looking at her reaction, Third Brother could only answer, “I’ll take care of you just like Xiu did. Would you be happy?”


  “Xiao Ran is very happy……”


  Third Brother breathed a sigh of relief, and stood up to open the closet of his new room.

  He could not help being a little embarrassed to find that his and Hu Ran’s clothes occupied different halves of the furniture, and especially the sight of the feminine innerwear.

  After all, despite Hu Ran’s lower IQ, her body was that of a mature woman’s.

  If he had to take care of her, he would definitely have to……

  “Little brother…… did you have a girl you like before? Someone as beautiful as Xiao Ran?”