CFRFGC Chapter 100

Moonlit: Happy 100th chapter!!!~

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⌈They have already done what they wanted!⌋

“Boss, you’re amazing!”

Lu Ran’s eyes sparkled brightly.

Ji Min smiled faintly as he put the bow down.

“It’s not that amazing. I can only teach you a little,” he said.

On the other side, Shen Xingzhuo had already shut down.

Under Ji Min’s guidance, Lu Ran shot several more times. In the end, he even scored around five or six rings.

He was having a great time.

Because Lu Ran never had the chance to try archery when he was younger.

He remembered watching martial arts dramas as a child, thinking the male leads who drew bows and shot arrows were incredibly cool.

He had even secretly made his own bow and arrow once.

It was simply a stick with silk thread tied at both ends, and another branch used as an arrow.

But it was too dangerous, so his teacher confiscated it.

Ji Min quietly sat in his wheelchair, watching the boy’s back.

After playing for a while, Lu Ran still wanted to continue, but Ji Min stopped him.

“That’s enough. If you keep playing, your arms will hurt tonight.”

After saying that, Ji Min turned his head to look at the butler.

Old Master Gu still hadn’t woken up, so the butler could only smile apologetically.

At this point, he also realized that Ji Min’s visit today was mainly for Lu Ran.

He immediately suggested, “There’s a dandelion field over there, a place that Young Master Shen often went to when he was a child. Would you like to take a look?”

“Let’s go,” Ji Min said.

The butler was about to lead them over but suddenly paused, remembering something.

He turned around and subtly reminded them, “It rained recently, so the path in the field might not be in the best condition.”

Hearing this, Ji Min nodded.

He motioned for Lu Ran and said, “You can go by yourself. Just be careful on the way.”

“Mm…” Lu Ran hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’ll be back soon.”

Since he was visiting the Gu residence out of respect for Old Master Gu, Ji Min had only brought an assistant and a bodyguard with him.

He had the bodyguard follow Lu Ran.

Seeing Lu Ran leave the archery hall, Ji Min lost interest in staying in the area.

He remotely controlled his wheelchair and moved back to the nearby rest area.

After a while, Gu Zhi arrived.

He poked his head in and called out, “Oh, looks like everyone’s here.”

When he saw him, Shen Xingyu respectfully greeted, “Uncle.”

Shen Xingzhuo, though reluctant, also greeted him.

Ji Min, still not quite pleased with Gu Zhi, ignored him.

Gu Zhi wasn’t bothered. He looked around and asked, “Where’s Ranran?”

As soon as he spoke, both Shen Xingyu and Shen Xingzhuo answered simultaneously.

But their answers were completely different.

Shen Xingyu subconsciously mentioned Lu Ran’s whereabouts: “He went to the dandelion field.”

Shen Xingzhuo, on the other hand, said, “He’s with Gu Ningqi.”

Afterward, both of them paused and exchanged a look, seemingly realizing they had both said something wrong.

Ji Min let out an ambiguous laugh from the side.

The laugh carried a hint of mockery.

Gu Zhi scratched his head and laughed, adding, “I always forget. We should call him Xiao Ran now.”

“Why are you asking about him?” Ji Min lifted his gaze to look at him.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingyu glanced over and said, “Uncle is Lu Ran’s elder, and the Gu and Shen families have a marriage alliance. Asking about it is only natural.”

“By the way, how has Mr. Ji been considering the marriage alliance we discussed last time?”

Gu Zhi didn’t quite understand why the two of them seemed to have a tense atmosphere as if there was some underlying hostility.

But when he heard the word “marriage alliance”, he perked up and asked, “Marriage alliance? What marriage alliance? Does the Ji family have a marriage alliance with the Shen family too?”

Shen Xingyu sneered coldly: “Then you’ll have to ask Mr. Ji why he keeps clinging to my younger brother.”

Gu Zhi’s mind took a moment to catch up with their train of thought.

“Oh! You’re talking about him and Lu Ran?”

“Heh, do they even need a marriage alliance?”

Gu Zhi started to make playful gestures.

Seeing the expression on Gu Zhi’s face, Ji Min immediately wanted to stop him.

But it was too late.

Gu Zhi, with a look of envy, said, “Those two already made it official. The entire Ji Corporation knows Lu Ran publicly praised him for being so impressive!”

Ji Min: “…”

As soon as Gu Zhi spoke, both Shen Xingyu and Shen Xingzhuo were completely stunned.

Only Gu Zhi, the fool, didn’t notice the sudden awkward atmosphere.

He nudged Ji Min’s shoulder and teased, “Thanks to Xiao Ran’s promotion, isn’t it now well-known that Mr. Ji is bigger than king oyster mushrooms?”

Ji Min: “…”

At that moment, Ji Min truly believed that there really was a sense of karma in the world.

“Ji! You—you—” Shen Xingzhuo jumped up directly.

Shen Xingyu’s expression turned even colder, almost frozen, and he seemed somewhat dazed by the news.

His narrow eyes widened.

Although he had long suspected Ji Min had feelings for Lu Ran, he had always trusted Ji Min’s character.

He had believed Ji Min’s approach toward Lu Ran was mostly protective—otherwise, he wouldn’t have intentionally used the “marriage alliance” to provoke Ji Min last time.

But he never expected…

King oyster mushrooms?

Made it official?

Shen Xingyu completely lost any respect he had as a junior for Ji Min, his senior.

Grinding his teeth, he said, “Ji Min, he’s only nineteen!”

Ji Min silently rubbed his forehead.

This accusation was way too solid.

And yet, he hadn’t done anything.

Ji Min instinctively wanted to defend himself.

But hearing Shen Xingyu’s words, he blurted out, “Nineteen is also considered an adult.”

Shen Xingyu was stunned.

Shen Xingzhuo couldn’t hold back and cursed, “Can you be any more shameless?”

For the love of heaven, Ji Min really hadn’t done anything: “…”

Meanwhile, the butler led Lu Ran to the edge of the dandelion field.

Beyond that, there was a muddy path ahead.

In the distance, the dandelion field was full of yellow and pink small flowers. Although they hadn’t turned into fluffy balls yet, they were still beautiful.

The butler continued guiding Lu Ran forward.

However, Lu Ran glanced at the distance, then at his shoes, and said, “I won’t go any further. It’s fine just standing here and looking.”

He suddenly felt there was no real point.

He didn’t remember anything about this place.

And Ji Min couldn’t accompany him to look around.

Lu Ran stood there casually for a while, then decided to leave.

On the way, the butler took a phone call and apologized to Lu Ran, saying, “Old Master Gu needs someone over there.”

Lu Ran nodded. “It’s fine, I’ll just wander back on my own.”

The butler glanced at the bodyguard behind Lu Ran, then left with a sense of relief.

Before leaving, he reminded him, “In case you get lost, find a security camera and speak to it.”

“Mm.”

Lu Ran responded briefly, not saying much.

He no longer seemed as interested in everything around him, unlike when he was with Ji Min.

The butler left by another path.

When Lu Ran was walking back along the same path, he unexpectedly spotted two familiar faces.

It was Shen Xingran and Gu Ningqi, the two of them standing in a pavilion.

But Lu Ran glanced at his shoes again.

He wasn’t in the mood for a fight today.

So, he took a different route.

On the other side, Shen Xingran didn’t notice Lu Ran passing by.

He was holding Gu Ningqi’s hand, pleading, “Ningqi, can’t you help the Shen family?”

“Ranran, just because the Gu family knows the situation of the Shen family, I can’t help. That big financial gap, how am I supposed to convince my dad?” Gu Ningqi said helplessly.

Shen Xingran pulled his hand away from Gu Ningqi’s, saying, “The Gu family doesn’t want to help, so why talk about a marriage alliance?”

“Marriage alliance? What about your dad’s connection to the Lino family?” Gu Ningqi asked.

“But… that has nothing to do with me!” Shen Xingran replied.

The sound of their conversation gradually faded away.

Lu Ran frowned, thinking for a while. For Shen Xingran to seek help from Gu Ningqi, it seemed that the Shen family really had encountered some major problems.

But here’s the issue.

Even if it was a financial hole left by Old Master Shen years ago, it shouldn’t have remained unfilled for over ten years, right?

The Shen family hadn’t encountered any major crises.

Where did such a huge financial gap come from?

Lu Ran took a longer route.

As he was about to return to the archery hall, someone called out to him.

“Lu Ran!”

Lu Ran turned around and saw that it was, once again, that fool, Gu Ningqi.

He and Shen Xingran were no longer arguing as they had earlier. Now, they were sitting together, cozily drinking coffee.

“What’s up?” Lu Ran asked.

Gu Ningqi laughed lightly. “Nothing much. Just saw you coming to my place, so as the host, I thought I’d greet you.”

Since the last time he embarrassed himself at the banquet, Gu Ningqi had been in a slump for a long time. Every time he heard that Lu Ran and Ji Min were going to be at the same event, he would deliberately avoid them.

Now, perhaps because he was on his own turf, he seemed to have gained a little more courage.

He glanced behind Lu Ran, saw only one bodyguard, and scoffed.

“Didn’t you come here with Ji Min? Where is he?”

He then glanced at the cobblestone path beneath Lu Ran’s feet and suddenly exclaimed, “Ah, is it because it’s inconvenient for him to move around in a wheelchair?”

Lu Ran gave him a sidelong glance, puzzled, and said, “Now even golden needle mushrooms can talk?”

As soon as Lu Ran said “golden needle mushroom”, Gu Ningqi’s face turned bright red. “You!”

Lu Ran wasn’t in the mood to get involved. He threw a sarcastic remark and continued toward the archery hall.

However, this part of the garden belonged to the other half of the estate.

Not far ahead were fields of vegetables. Between the archery hall and the fields, there was a tall wall that required a detour.

Lu Ran was considering which direction to take.

But Gu Ningqi stepped forward and looked at him. “So, did you manage to see my grandfather today?”

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow.

Gu Ningqi immediately laughed. “You think I invited all these people here just for show? Knowing you were coming today, if I didn’t trip you up a little, how would I be doing justice to you?”

Lu Ran frowned slightly.

No wonder Old Master Gu hadn’t appeared yet.

“This is just the beginning,” Gu Ningqi chuckled. “Just wait and see.”

“Brother Ningqi, what are you talking to him about?”

Shen Xingran, holding a cup of coffee, walked over.

These past few days, Shen Xingran has been feeling quite off.

The last time he met with the Lino family, Lu Ran had tricked him.

Later, in order to invite the Lino family back to the Shen family, Shen Hongyuan even specifically sent him away.

This was the first time Shen Xingran felt like he had become a peripheral figure in the Shen family.

He knew what Shen Hongyuan cared about most, which is why he came to plead with Gu Ningqi today for the sake of the Shen family’s matters.

But as soon as he walked over, what did Shen Xingran see?

What shoes was Lu Ran wearing?

Aren’t those the limited edition signed ones from brand N? Were they replicas?

Shen Xingran looked again, trying to find signs of low-quality imitation.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find any.

Shen Xingran had seen many high-end items.

He thought he wouldn’t be bothered by a pair of shoes.

But in that instant, for some reason, it wasn’t jealousy he felt but rather sadness.

Now, he had become a peripheral figure in the Shen family.

He had to beg Gu Ningqi just to try to regain his former status.

But Lu Ran?

He was wearing shoes that Shen Xingran couldn’t even get his hands on.

It seemed like he was slowly becoming the young master of the Shen family once again.

As if…

Fate had suddenly returned to its rightful path. Lu Ran was always meant to be like this.

Shen Xingran couldn’t help but wonder who had bought those shoes for him.

Was it Shen Xingzhuo, Shen Xingyu, or Shen Hongyuan?

Or perhaps, when he wasn’t looking, had Madam Shen also been secretly buying things for Lu Ran?

Shen Xingran tried hard to focus on the shoes Lu Ran was wearing.

He was trying to regain that sense of superiority he had always felt in front of Lu Ran.

And finally, he found a hint of it.

The shoes were indeed authentic and very precious.

But Lu Ran clearly wore them with great care.

The white suede uppers were spotless. Despite walking all the way through the Gu family’s garden, not a speck of mud had gotten on them.

He was so careful, as if…

He had only ever worn this one pair of good shoes in his life.

“Nice shoes,” Shen Xingran said with a smile.

He glanced at Lu Ran and, with a meaningful tone, added, “You should take good care of them.”

With that, he grabbed Gu Ningqi’s hand and turned to leave.

But just as he turned, the coffee cup in his hand tipped.

By coincidence, the brown liquid splashed directly onto Lu Ran’s shoes.

Lu Ran took a step back just in time, but the stains still splashed onto the white shoe surface.

The deep brown coffee flowed down the shoe’s toe, seeping into the suede material of the shoes, leaving an unsightly mess.

“Oh no, sorry!” Shen Xingran laughed, “Don’t mind it, brother.”

He smiled as he draped his arm around Gu Ningqi and continued forward.

It was only at the Gu family’s place that he dared act so boldly.

The Gu family was Gu Ningqi’s territory, and today Lu Ran had come to ask the elder Gu some questions.

So Lu Ran wouldn’t overreact. He definitely wouldn’t…

Suddenly, Shen Xingran felt a sharp tug on his scalp.

“Ah!” he cried out, instinctively turning his head, only to realize that his hair was being tightly yanked.

Lu Ran’s grim voice came from behind him: “Hey, you got my shoes dirty.”

Shen Xingran panicked: “It’s just a pair of shoes, you…”

But Lu Ran didn’t give him the chance to speak. He yanked Shen Xingran’s hair and began dragging him toward a nearby field.

The force on the back of his head was strong.

Shen Xingran struggled to maintain his balance while being surprised by Lu Ran’s reaction.

He had experienced Lu Ran playing tricks before.

But this time, it was completely different.

In the past, whether before or during his madness, Lu Ran had always been calm.

It was precisely because of his calmness that the things he did afterward were even more unexpected.

Sometimes Shen Xingran even felt that, during those times, Lu Ran wasn’t really angry or upset.

He just needed an excuse to mess with them.

But now, Shen Xingran could feel the force on his scalp.

And… he even heard Lu Ran’s breath growing heavier with anger.

“What… what do you want to do?” Shen Xingran’s voice trembled.

Gu Ningqi quickly followed: “Lu Ran! This is the Gu family’s place!”

Lu Ran finally stopped walking.

The shoes on his feet had gotten dirty from the mud in the field, completely ruined.

“The Gu family? Well then, let me have you try something,” Lu Ran’s voice was heavy.

“Try what?” Gu Ningqi asked in confusion.

His gaze slowly shifted, and he saw where Lu Ran had stopped.

He had stopped at the edge of a field.

There, a pile of what seemed like rotting grass and mud was stacked up.

Gu Ningqi didn’t often come to the garden and didn’t know what it was.

But he had a bad feeling.

Because that pile was giving off an indescribable smell and seemed to be emitting smoke as if it were fermenting.

The next second, Gu Ningqi felt himself being kicked.

He tried to steady himself but was kicked again. Suddenly, he was sent tumbling headfirst into the pile of unknown substances.

Immediately afterward, Lu Ran kicked Shen Xingran into the manure heap.

While fiercely kicking them, Lu Ran’s voice trembled like a child’s: “You got my shoes dirty!”

His voice was almost on the verge of tears.

After kicking them, he still wasn’t satisfied. He scanned the area.

Finally, he saw a large white bucket in the field.

The bucket contained about half a load of brown, murky liquid.

Inside it was a long-handled iron ladle.

Lu Ran strode over, picked up the bucket, and suddenly splashed the liquid onto the manure pile!

Shen Xingran and Gu Ningqi had just managed to pull their heads out of the manure when they were hit squarely by the splash.

Both of them were completely stunned.

Even after Lu Ran had finished splashing, they still had no idea what had been thrown at them.

Shen Xingran just wiped his face in a panic.

After wiping, he stared blankly at his hands, which were covered in a brown liquid that resembled coffee but was even murkier.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed some red things mixed in, like pieces of shredded chili peppers.

Chili peppers?

He stared in confusion and muttered, “How could there be chili peppers?”

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