After contracting to have a child, the icy female CEO became addicted.

"I wasn't acting."

Wen Ling took a deep breath and looked at Jiang Ran seriously. "I really did come to apologize, to apologize for what happened last night, and also for what happened before..."

She paused, as if she had just gone through a fierce internal struggle.

Her sudden change in attitude left Jiang Ran completely bewildered.

However, the saying "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature" is most fitting for Wen Ling.

However, since she didn't lay a hand on him, nor did she get angry or question him, Jiang Ran stopped mocking her. He simply said in a calm tone, "There's nothing to apologize for. What's past is past. We were just doing a transaction, weren't we?"

His expression was indifferent, showing no trace of the past.

The word "deal" sent a jolt of fear through Wen Ling, and she cried out, "No, it's not a deal..."

"Oh, that's ridiculous, it's not a transaction anymore?"

Jiang Ran sneered, her tone remaining indifferent: "You've already found a stepfather for the child, isn't that a deal?"

"Well, that's because I don't know how to be in a relationship..."

Seeing that things were finally getting to the point, Wen Ling was sweating profusely. She hurriedly explained, "I've never been in a relationship before. At the time, I just thought you and Wen Zhi were deliberately trying to make a fool of me, so... so I just randomly picked someone to retaliate against you..."

"Ha ha."

Jiang Ran looked at her "awkward" explanation, chuckled dryly, and said, "Why didn't you say so on the spot?"

"I... that's because... that's because..."

These were the same words Wen Zhi had said. Wen Ling was stumped for a moment, and she stammered for a long time without being able to give a complete reason!

"That's because you did it on purpose!"

Jiang Ran kindly spoke up for her, and fueled by the anger from her earlier humiliation, she unleashed it all on Wen Ling: "You deliberately tried to mess with my mentality, crippling me and then giving me crutches. Isn't that your usual tactic as a big boss? What, now you're apologizing? Do you expect me to thank you?"

"That's not how it is, Jiang Ran, let me explain!"

Seeing that Jiang Ran's words completely misinterpreted her intentions, Wen Ling panicked and hurriedly waved her hands to explain, "I really have never been in a relationship. I'm 29 years old this year. Before, besides going to school, I was involved in the family business. When you and Wen Zhi team up, the only thing I can think of is finding someone of the opposite sex. This is how I understand business competition. I..."

"stop!"

Jiang Ran was too lazy to listen anymore!

What good is a belated apology other than a few words? Does that mean the psychological damage done to him back then is over?!

There's no such thing as a simple matter anywhere in the world!

Besides, it's been a year, what's the point of bringing it up now?!

You might as well just get the divorce done already!

Jiang Ran's current thought is to cut the Gordian knot quickly; he really doesn't have time to waste any more time with Wen Ling!

Seeing that Jiang Ran seemed completely unable to listen, the fear of losing him surged back into her heart!

Wen Ling instinctively stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Ran's arm the moment he was distracted and agitated.

"Jiang Ran, let me explain. I really didn't know how to be in a relationship back then. It was Wen Zhi who told me that this was wrong, and the other people around me too. I was too self-centered and never considered your feelings. I really didn't know this would cause you so much distress..."

Her eyes were a little red.

For the first time, a look of panic and fear appeared on that usually aloof face.

Even in this close eye contact, Jiang Ran could see the humility revealed in her phoenix eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses.

Humble...

Jiang Ran suddenly felt a little dazed. In his daze, he remembered that his ex-girlfriend Qin Yiyao had looked at him with the same eyes back then.

However, Qin Yiyao's humble demeanor was tinged with snobbery.

However, the temperature can vary.

Jiang Ran actually saw sincerity in Wen Ling's humility...

Is this woman's acting really that good?

The thought that popped into Jiang Ran's mind was simply a case of "once bitten, twice shy." Without the slightest hesitation, he pushed away Wen Ling's hand and said coldly, "Sister, you really don't need to put on this fake act. Once the show's over, just leave. I don't need you, a pampered heiress and CEO, to come here in person to apologize."

The more heartless Jiang Ran's words and the colder his actions, the more the feeling of impending loss drove Wen Ling to madness.

"What acting? I didn't!"

She suddenly squatted down, grabbing Jiang Ran's knees instead of his arm, and said, "I really wasn't acting, Jiang Ran..."

Wen Ling's voice suddenly choked with emotion. She pressed her hands tightly against Jiang Ran's knees, looking up at him pleadingly, "I like you... I didn't know what liking someone meant before. I was only thinking about getting revenge on you. I didn't know that doing that was insulting you..."

Seeing her eyes instantly redden, Jiang Ran felt a chill run down his spine from her gaze!

No way, this woman is really getting into character?!

Is it possible to act so convincingly when it's just a fake situation turning into a real one?!

Jiang Ran was no longer shocked by Wen Ling's transformation from icy indifference to her current humble pleading; after witnessing this whole performance, she was truly impressed by Wen Ling's acting skills!

"Stop joking, sis. You're 29. Haven't you ever seen a pig run even if you've never eaten pork? You still don't know how to date? Do you really think I'm a three-year-old?"

"A child?"

Wen Ling was taken aback, as if she had grasped a laughable hope, and blurted out out of the blue, "If you're willing to be a child, I'm willing to take care of you for the rest of my life. Besides, I'm already much older than you..."

"?"

This is absolutely insane!

If she had maintained her previous tough stance, Jiang Ran wouldn't have been afraid at all. It was a head-on confrontation; at worst, she'd just lose her life. Who was afraid of whom?

But then, Wen Ling's erection suddenly softened.

She even spoke to him from a humble, pleading, and ingratiating tone, looking up at him...

With her face rounder, Wen Ling's gaze was no longer so aggressive. Now that her attitude had softened so much, Jiang Ran was even a little embarrassed to say anything harsh.

"Jiang Ran..."

Seeing Jiang Ran's complicated expression and silence, Wen Ling thought that her words had touched Jiang Ran's heart. Like grasping at a lifeline, at this moment, all pride and face were thrown to the back of her mind.

Her tear-filled eyes suddenly narrowed slightly, a smile forcing a smile onto her aloof face. She looked up at Jiang Ran, her tone a mix of pleading and negotiation: "Let's...not get a divorce, okay?"