After saying this, Qin Man couldn’t help but stroke her hair in annoyance.

If people were to speculate about what had happened to Yao Ran, it would only reflect terribly on the Yao Family. If the Yang Family would find out about this, then what would happen next?

Her mother was actually worried about this! Yao Ran didn’t know what to say. She had known that her mother didn’t love her, but she didn’t expect that—

“It’s not good for your reputation,” Qin Man said quickly, realizing what she had thought. “I’m only worried about what others might think of you. You get it, don’t you, Ranran?”

She pretended to be calm. “I know, and you don’t have to worry.”

There was a long period of silence when she added, “I’ll wear long sleeves for the next couple of days. I’ll try my best to cover it up, so no one would find out about this.”

Yao Ran lowered her head, staring at the ground. Her fingernails dug into her palms as she stifled the urge to cry.

Hearing her words, Qin Man couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. She stepped forward, touching her forehead.

“Ranran, it’s my fault. Are you feeling okay?”

She smiled weakly. “I’m fine. I know that you were just feeling stressed. This is nothing I couldn’t handle myself. I’m fine, Mom. I really am.”

Seeing the bright smile on Yao Ran’s face, Qin Man couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable.

“Mom…” she said hesitantly, believing this to be the right time to ask her. After all, now that her guard was down, she might be able to get something out of her. “Were you guys talking about Yang Nian?”

She had actually already listened to their conversation when she was at the door.

She knew that the engagement between the Yang and Yao Family was due to a verbal agreement made by their elders. With this in mind, the chances that this engagement would continue were high.

However, Grandma Yao had always been biased against her, so who knew how the tables would turn?

Grandma Yao served as a bridge between the two families, so if she were to say anything more, then Yao Tang could easily replace her.

Qin Man frowned. “How did you know?” she demanded. “Were you eavesdropping on us?”

“No!” Yao Ran hurriedly shook her head. “I just think…Grandma has always liked my cousin more, right? So that means…she’d be the most reasonable candidate for marriage.”

As she spoke, Yao Ran sniffled. Her eyes were turning red from her unshed tears.

Her daughter had never lied to her before, so she believed her.

Qin Man’s face softened. “Ranran, you shouldn’t think too much,” she reminded. “I will be fighting for you. Besides, don’t you have Young Master Cheng on your side? Yao Tang wouldn’t be able to compare to you.”

She relaxed. “I know, wouldn’t this be a good opportunity for her? She came from the countryside, and a marriage like this—would be beneficial for her. If I were to take something from her…she’d have even more complaints.”

Before Qin Man could answer, she added, “After all, she’s your biological daughter.”

“She’s not my daughter!” Qin Man immediately cut off.

Yao Ran froze.

“No, Mom…”

Suddenly, Qin Man’s gaze appeared sharper. Was this brat trying to lure her to spill something? However, upon seeing her watery gaze, she buried those thoughts in her heart.

She was probably overthinking things.

“I don’t have such an unfilial daughter like that brat!”

Yao Ran’s tears fell from the corners of her eyes. Sobbing, she clutched herself. “It’s my fault,” she stuttered. “It’s all my fault for affecting your relationship with my sister. Why don’t we just let her marry into the Yang Family instead? I won’t—”

“Ranran,” she said, pulling her into a hug. “You’re so kind. Only you would think such a thing, but this isn’t your fault. You shouldn’t be punished for this!”