How did Lin Qianrou know about that? Meng Yanran had never told a single soul about what she felt and thought when she was younger. She might have been surrounded and looked up by people, but there were times that she envied others who could experience what she couldn't as an heiress of a wealthy family.

  In her whole life, Meng Yanran followed the custom of the Meng family. Always dressed properly, her manners and her conduct always on point.

  She wished she could make friends without having to worry about them only using her because of her standing. She wanted the experience traveling alone without a huge entourage of bodyguards tailing her around.

  Perhaps, she had been mean to Lin Qianrou because she was envious of what cousin had, that she hadn't. Lin Qianrou's mother was a Meng, Meng Yanran's aunt and her father's younger sister.

  Meng Yanran's father had once told her that Lin Qianrou resembled his deceased sister so much, he couldn't help but to bring the orphaned Qian home to their family. He wasn't able to help Qian's mother when she was alive, so he took the opportunity to make up to her by looking after his niece.

  "It's alright, Yanran. There's no shame in it, if that's what you really wanted." Lin Qianrou continued. "Actually, I thought you would have done this as soon as Uncle died, but you didn't."

  "Because I couldn't leave my mother on her own. She said I owed her my life and I needed to repay for it." Meng Yanran sniffed and dried her tears.

  "That's just bullshit!" Lin Qianrou snapped. She flushed when she realized what she had just said wasn't appropriate for a woman of her status.

  "Sorry." She muttered an apology to her cousin. "Li Meili must be rubbing off me too much." She then kissed the forehead of her sleeping baby. "Sorry, baby. Mommy just said a bad word."

  Meng Yanran had always known that Qian would be a great mother someday. She was gentle and kind hearted. No wonder Xu Wenyang fell head over heels for her. When they were dating, Meng Yanran always had to wait for the man to schedule their date as he almost had no time to see her.

  At least now Xu Wenyang has changed, according to Lin Qianrou. If he didn't, Meng Yanran would make sure to hit his head if it means putting some sense into his stubborn head. He needs to be reminded to look after his own family. Qian and their newborn baby would need him more than ever.

  "I must admit that I'm surprised with the kind of friends you have, Qian. Not only were you able to befriend the Black Nightingale, but you are also in the same circle as the empress?" Meng Yanran tried to break the awkward silence between them.

  Lin Qianrou blushed. She was nothing compared to those two, but she must admit she truly enjoyed their friendship.

  "Have I told you that it was them who helped me and Wen when we were about to divorce?"

  Meng Yanran tilted her head on one side as she looked at her cousin curiously.

  "Eh? You almost got a divorce?" She couldn't believe her cousin would do something like that while knowing she was pregnant.

  Xu Wenyang must have truly dried out Qian's patience for her to consider a divorce.

  "Sister Moyu and Mr. Qin told me not to be reckless and to have a nice long talk with Wen before deciding if I want a divorce or not. Guess they were right. I would've never thought that Wen loved me this much if we didn't give it a try." Lin Qianrou shrugged.

  "They are really that good, huh?" Meng Yanran said as she stared down at her drink. She had to admit that the empress had a way in words. Those words were able to move her.

  Qian said Tang Moyu had seen potential in her. Meng Yanran wondered if it was true or not. The empress didn't say anything about it anyway.

  The whole day was spent with her hanging out with Qian, talking about everything they could think of. The cousins only parted when it was time for the mother and child to return home, as Xu Wenyang was already waiting at the lobby to pick them up.

  "Yanran, please take care of yourself. Don't forget to give me a call if you need help or someone to talk to." Were Lin Qianrou's parting words before she left.

  "I'll keep that in mind, Qian. Thank you."

  Days later, Meng Yanran found herself strolling inside the airport, waiting for her flight to Shandong. She was seated, holding her luggage and her tickets, wondering what was waiting for her at her destination.

  Her apprenticeship might take years, but knowing that Tang Moyu had her back, Meng Yanran thought that it might not be a bad idea after all.

  When she heard the call for the passengers on her flight, Meng Yanran hurriedly made her way, dragging her luggage with her as she waited for her turn to get inside the plane.

  She gave the airport one last look, shaking the feeling of being watched by someone. She might be overthinking things again.

  "Are you sure you don't want to tell her good luck?" Song Fengyan asked, aware that Young Master Li was infatuated with Meng Yanran.

  "There's no need to. She probably doesn't remember me anyway. What's the point?" Li Yuanyi replied, still looking at the same place where Meng Yanran had disappeared from.

  "You are stupid. You should have come out to her and confess your feelings instead of hiding and following her around like a stalker." Song Fengyan commented.

  Young Master Li scoffed and turned around, ready to leave.

  "The pot calling the kettle black. At least I'm not the one who fell in love with a stripper. Ah, my mistake. She's an actress now, isn't she?"