I relied on a system to prolong my life in ancient times.

Chapter 289 Zhou Lan's Thoughts

Speaking of her half-sister, Zhou Qingran's face clearly showed displeasure: "When I went out that day, Zhou Lan followed me the whole time, and I couldn't get rid of her no matter what I did. And when we were in the manor, she always followed me. She clearly knows that I don't like her, but she still keeps appearing in front of me. She wasn't like that when she first came to the manor. I don't know what's wrong with her now?"

She's clearly up to no good; she's probably got her eye on Qin Yan too. But given her status as an illegitimate daughter, it'll be difficult for her.

"Qingran, think about when Zhou Lan always appeared in front of you?" Xiao Siyue suddenly thought of a possibility.

Hmm? Zhou Qingran didn't know why Xiao Siyue suddenly asked this, but she still thought about it carefully.

"It seems that Zhou Lan has been appearing in front of me more often since Qin Yan arrived," Zhou Qingran also noticed the problem.

"Siyue, do you mean Zhou Lan might have taken a liking to Qin Yan?" Zhou Qingran frowned.

"Hmm, that's possible. After all, why did she suddenly act like that? When you were together, did Zhou Lan do anything particularly outrageous?"

"Nothing out of line? Not really, just unusually enthusiastic towards Qin Yan."

“This Zhou Lan is really something…” Xi Ningzhi glanced at Xiao Siyue but didn’t say those words aloud.

"Qingran, you need to be wary of Zhou Lan. Be careful that she doesn't do anything to hurt you." Xi Ningzhi was worried that Zhou Lan might harm Zhou Qingran.

"Yeah, I know. I always thought those two siblings would behave themselves, but it turns out they have quite a few ideas." Zhou Qingran said angrily.

"Qingran, what is Qin Yan's attitude towards Zhou Lan?"

"It's alright, about the same as me. I feel like Qin Yan treats everyone the same." This is what bothers her. She always feels that Qin Yan is not sincere towards her. It seems that in Qin Yan's eyes, everyone is the same, even her, his future wife.

Xiao Siyue couldn't really comment on this, since she had never met the person and didn't know what kind of person he was.

"Qingran, if you're not entirely sure, don't rush into marriage." Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you make a mistake. Right now, you might think Qin Yan is alright.

“Yes, I will.” Zhou Qingran nodded.

Zhou Qingran had already made up her mind that she would definitely sort out her affairs properly after she got back, and she couldn't just get married so casually.

She actually envied Xi Ningzhi for finding someone who was compatible with her, but she wasn't jealous.

She believed she would too.

"Okay, let's not talk about these unhappy things anymore. You said you wanted to see my little nephew, so let me touch him now."

Zhou Qingran placed her hand on Xi Ningzhi's belly: "Hello, little nephew, I'm Aunt Qingran. When you're born, I'll take you to play, okay?"

"Hehe, you're saying this too early. He can't hear you." Xi Ningzhi looked at Zhou Qingran with amusement.

"That's not necessarily true. Maybe my nephew can hear me," Zhou Qingran retorted.

Xi Ningzhi didn't argue with her; let her say whatever she wanted.

"Alright, I should go back now. I'll come see you again in a while." Zhou Qingran sat for a while, then got up to say goodbye.

"Sit a while longer, it's still early. Why don't you stay for a simple meal?" Xi Ningzhi urged.

"No, I'll head back now and come again next time."

"OK then."

"Okay, don't come out. Be careful of your stomach. You're pregnant." Zhou Qingran said quickly as she saw Xi Ningzhi get up to see her off.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm only three months old. I'm not that delicate." Xi Ningzhi found it quite amusing to look at the nervous Zhou Qingran.

"How can you not be delicate? You're carrying my little nephew in your belly."

"Fine, I'm not even born yet, and my status with you has already dropped."

"Of course! From now on, you'll be ranked after my little nephew." Zhou Qingran said, feigning seriousness.

"Hmph, hurry up and go back," Xi Ningzhi said, feigning anger.

"Hey, they were just saying they wanted me to stay for dinner," Zhou Qingran said before leaving.

Watching Zhou Qingran's departing figure, Xi Ningzhi's smile gradually faded.

"Third sister-in-law, are you worried about Qingran?"

"Yes, Qingran used to be spoiled by her family and was quite naive. She didn't know how wicked people could be. And those siblings weren't exactly easy to deal with. I was afraid she would fall into their hands."

"Third sister-in-law, don't worry too much. Qingran is very smart, isn't she? Nothing will happen. Besides, there's Madam Zhou and Brother Zhou, aren't there?" Xiao Siyue comforted her.

"Hmm, maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily, but I really want to meet Qin Yan. I wonder if he's good enough for Qingran."

"If Third Sister-in-law really wants to see him, how about letting Sister Qingran bring him out next time so we can meet?"

"This isn't really a good idea." Xi Ningzhi was somewhat tempted, but then she remembered that she was pregnant and it wasn't appropriate for her to go out.

"It's okay, we can go with Third Brother. With Third Brother there, we can rest assured."

“Okay, I’ll talk to your third brother when he gets back tonight,” Xi Ningzhi nodded.

"Third Sister-in-law, I won't bother you any longer, I'll head back now." Xi Ningzhi usually takes a nap every afternoon, but she hasn't slept yet today because Zhou Qingran came over.

"Okay." Xi Ningzhi was also a little sleepy. Since becoming pregnant, she not only slept longer each day, but also ate more than before.

Fortunately, my morning sickness wasn't too severe, and I'm much fuller now than before.

That evening, Xi Ningzhi told Xiao Siyuan about it.

“Okay, I’ll be on vacation in a couple of days, let’s go together.” Xiao Siyuan immediately agreed. He knew that Zhou Qingran was his wife’s close friend, and now that Zhou Qingran was getting married, his wife was worried and wanted to see her, so it was no big deal.

When he was with Xi Ningzhi, Zhou Qingran only came to see him once and asked him a lot of questions, because he was afraid that he would treat Xi Ningzhi badly.

He felt that this was good; having a true friend was something many people longed for.

"Thank you, Siyuan."

"Zhizhi, we're husband and wife, there's no need to be so polite, you don't need to say thank you," Xiao Siyuan said, kissing Xi Ningzhi's forehead.

"Mmm," Xi Ningzhi buried her head in Xiao Siyuan's arms, feeling incredibly sweet.

She was really lucky. Before marriage, her family doted on her, and after marriage, her in-laws treated her very well, and her husband truly loved her.

She hopes her best friend can also be happy and find a husband who truly loves her.

"Go to sleep, it's getting late. You have a baby in your belly, you need to rest well." Xiao Siyuan pulled the blanket up over himself.

Xi Ningzhi closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.