⌈”Does the person you like now know that you are still obsessed with your ex-boyfriend?”⌋
“Cough.”
Ji Min cleared his throat softly.
He looked up and glanced at the boy beside him.
Lu Ran was staring at his phone, completely ignoring him.
It seemed like he was chatting with Fang Chen.
Ji Min watched for a while, then reached out to grab the boy’s phone.
“What are you talking about? Let me see,” he said.
Lu Ran quickly moved his phone out of reach and glanced at him. “What are you doing? Spying on my private life?”
Ji Min: “…”
He slowly withdrew his hand, feeling a little annoyed. “When did you get so familiar with Fang Chen?”
“Who knows?”
Lu Ran replied lazily, “Suddenly, a new friend dropped from the sky. Of course, I need to cherish him.”
His tone was sarcastic, dripping with irony.
If Ji Min couldn’t tell, then he might as well have been wasting his years.
He thought to himself that this kid was incredibly clueless at times, but when he was sharp, it was frightening.
Clearly, he had noticed Ji Min’s arrangement and was taking a jab at him for it.
“Cough.”
Ji Min touched the tip of his nose, speaking softly, “I just thought you should hang out more with people your age, that’s why I—”
Before he could finish, Lu Ran interrupted him, answering promptly.
“Yeah,” he said, “I’ve always been with you older guys. Now I realize, hanging out with people my age is much more fun.”
Ji Min: “…”
He rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless.
With no other choice, he looked toward Butler Chen for some help.
Butler Chen, pretending not to notice, was seriously studying the carpet in the rehabilitation area.
What good was he for?
With a sigh, Ji Min resigned himself.
He turned to the boy beside him and helplessly said, “Is this how you are? Can’t you discuss this kind of thing, like switching affections, with me, your current boyfriend?”
He put extra emphasis on the words “current boyfriend”.
Who would have thought the boy would say, “What’s wrong with that?”
Lu Ran narrowed his eyes and smiled as he looked over at Ji Min: “You’re arranging wills, arranging friends, going out of your way to act like my elder.”
“Now, since I can’t be your boyfriend, how about I share my romantic experience with you, my elder? Is that not okay?”
As he spoke, Lu Ran grinned and showed Ji Min a photo of himself with Fang Chen.
He asked, “What do you think? Is the guy I’m dating now better than the last one?”
Ji Min: “…”
It was over. He couldn’t smooth things over anymore.
They were both silent for a while.
When the nurses who had been watching the drama gradually left, Butler Chen went off to chat with the duty doctor.
Ji Min sighed deeply.
He moved a little closer to Lu Ran, then leaned over and gently pressed his forehead against the boy’s, resting his chin on his shoulder.
He whispered, “Please stop teasing me, I’m begging you.”
After the surgery, things had changed a little.
Without the constraints of a wheelchair, the man in front of him could get as close as he wanted, and there was no need for Lu Ran’s permission.
Standing at nearly 1.9 meters tall, Ji Min’s upper body now loomed over, his frame large enough to overpower everything.
Like a giant teddy bear.
For a man nearly thirty, throwing a tantrum was pretty effective.
“Move away,” Lu Ran said coldly, trying to push him off.
He pushed with some force, but Ji Min didn’t budge.
Concerned about Ji Min’s leg, Lu Ran didn’t push too hard.
In the end, he coldly said, “Hey, I told you I’ve moved on!”
“Yes, yes.”
Ji Min laughed, rubbing against his ear, “You’ve moved on and still come every day to this hospital you hate, helping your ex-boyfriend with rehabilitation.”
“Does the person you like now know how much you’re still obsessed with your ex?” The man’s voice was soft.
Lu Ran: “…”
The way Ji Min said it made it sound like an affair. Lu Ran’s face turned red.
He exerted all his effort to push Ji Min off, sitting up on the bench.
He adjusted his clothes, which had been wrinkled from Ji Min’s teasing, with a blush on his ears.
“I’m going home,” he said.
Ji Min instinctively grabbed his arm, frowning. “Where are you going?”
“Home,” Lu Ran replied.
Ji Min glanced at the sky outside.
He held the boy’s wrist, still feeling a little reluctant, and said, “It’s so late already, don’t go back. There’s an empty room here.”
Lu Ran rolled his eyes at him. “You just said I hated hospitals the most.”
Ji Min: “…”
He fell silent for a moment before finally releasing Lu Ran’s hand with a sigh. “Be careful on the way.”
Since Ji Min started his rehabilitation, he also began to personally handle company affairs.
He attended video meetings and communicated with business partners through video calls.
Ji Min had been gone for nearly three months. Now that he had returned, everyone noticed that the wheelchair he had been using was gone.
In its place was a regular office chair.
This change was highly noticeable.
Since Ji Min had taken charge, he had always been in a wheelchair.
Even though no one explicitly said it, everyone assumed that his legs couldn’t be healed and that he would be crippled for life.
But no one had expected this.
In just three months, the company’s operations hadn’t been affected at all.
Ji Min’s legs had actually healed.
Soon, this news spread like wildfire, reaching the upper echelons of society in the entire capital city.
Even though Ji Min’s position and wealth hadn’t changed, the fact that he had stood up from the wheelchair raised him even higher in stature, further elevating the young head of the Ji family in everyone’s eyes.
Another piece of gossip that was all the rage was about the Shen family.
Previously, the Shen family and the Lino family had competed for the rights to the HZ project.
In terms of strength, the two were on par.
However, during the competition, Shen Hongyuan became too eager, inviting the young master of the Fang family and actively proposing an alliance with the Lino family.
His attitude raised suspicions about the Shen family’s situation.
Later, the Lino family released some unfavorable news about the Shen family, slowly overtaking them in the competition.
But the business world is always changing quickly.
Who could have predicted that, almost out of nowhere, a laboratory under the Shen family would make a technological breakthrough, putting them ahead of the Lino family?
There were even rumors that the Fang family was preparing to sign a contract with the Shen family.
With this, the Shen family’s position in the social circle instantly skyrocketed.
Shen Hongyuan wanted to seize this opportunity and attract more investments. Just as it happened, it was the birthday of Shen Xingyu, so he decided to throw a grand banquet.
Lu Ran also received an invitation.
The invitation was personally delivered to the Ji family by Shen Xingyu’s assistant.
Lu Ran flipped it open.
Not long ago, his mind had been filled with thoughts about Ji Min’s surgery, so he hadn’t been paying attention to the Shen family’s developments.
But this invitation reminded him that it was time to go back and take a look.
On the day of Shen Xingyu’s birthday, Lu Ran had no classes in the afternoon.
After school, he didn’t go to the hospital but returned home for a nap.
He had just woken up when he saw a video call from Ji Min.
It seemed that Ji Min had realized he had upset someone, as he had been contacting Lu Ran more frequently recently.
It had almost reached the point of being clingy.
A call in the morning, one at noon, and another before bed at night.
Sometimes, Ji Min would even call during Lu Ran’s breaks between classes, right at the ten-minute mark.
Lu Ran mostly answered.
Occasionally, when he was annoyed, he would throw out a quick response: “I’m playing games with Fang Chen, no time.”
So, when the video call connected this time, Ji Min frowned and asked, “Are you playing games with Fang Chen again?”
Lu Ran rubbed his eyes, yawned, and said, “Yeah.”
“The marks on your face haven’t even faded and you’re already lying to me?” Ji Min said.
“Oh,” Lu Ran replied, without a hint of fluster, calmly adding, “I was playing in a dream.”
Ji Min: “…”
This line was a direct hit.
At that moment, Ji Min almost regretted his decision to find Lu Ran a playmate.
“I’m angry, Lu Ran.”
The man said in a low voice, “You’ve only known each other for a few days and you can dream about it already?”
To his surprise, Lu Ran looked at him in shock and asked, “You’re just getting angry now?”
Ji Min: “…”
He suddenly felt like laughing.
Seeing the boy’s expression wasn’t quite right, he quickly straightened up and coaxed, “No, I’ve been angry for several days, even in my dreams.”
Lu Ran raised his hand to hang up the video call.
Ji Min quickly asked, “Why didn’t you come over today? Are you too tired?”
“You’re fine, why should I come over?” Lu Ran snapped.
The once-always-said “I’m fine” Ji Min: “…”
Thanks, he really realized his mistake now.
Lu Ran glanced at the time and hung up the video call.
He changed clothes and prepared to head to the Shen family’s house.
Just as he was about to leave, Da Huang slowly walked over.
Recently, Lu Ran had been running back and forth to the hospital. Since pets weren’t allowed in the hospital, he had spent much less time with Da Huang.
Feeling sorry for the dog, Lu Ran immediately picked Da Huang up: “Come on, let’s go out and have some fun.”
Before heading out, Lu Ran checked the leashes and grabbed the slightly older one with a rabbit plush attached.
When Lu Ran arrived at the location and hadn’t even entered yet, he saw Fang Chen with a long face.
Fang Chen was surrounded by a circle of people, but he acted so arrogantly that no one paid him any attention.
When he saw Lu Ran, he excitedly waved and ran out of the crowd.
“Ah, finally! I was suffocating!”
After saying that, Fang Chen squatted down and began rubbing Da Huang all over.
“Still suffocating?” Lu Ran asked, looking at him.
Fang Chen felt a bit embarrassed and said, “I didn’t want to come either, but my dad insisted.”
Lu Ran understood what Fang Chen meant.
His dad wanted him to come as a favor to the Shen family.
It seemed that the Fang family was really keen on the Shen family.
The guests had begun arriving one by one.
Shen Hongyuan welcomed them. When he saw Lu Ran, his face stiffened. He instinctively asked, “What are you doing here?”
Today was an important event for the Shen family, so why was Lu Ran, the party crasher, here?
Seeing this, Lu Ran smiled.
He casually pointed to Shen Xingran, who was not far away, and said, “Your good son invited me, saying he’s in a good mood lately and asked me to come by and check on him.”
Shen Xingran’s face immediately turned green.
In the end, it was Shen Xingyu who came over and said, “I invited him.”
Since Shen Xingyu said that, Shen Hongyuan naturally couldn’t say anything else.
Besides, Fang Chen was still present.
After Lu Ran and Fang Chen entered, Fang Chen was immediately pulled away by familiar uncles and older men for a chat.
Lu Ran looked around, remembering the unfinished business from last time, so he decided to take a detour to the restroom first.
He flushed all the water babies he had brought with him down the drain. After washing his hands, he made his way out.
Just as he was leaving the restroom, he bumped into Shen Xingyu.
The man, who had been cool but polite earlier, now looked at the restroom sign above Lu Ran’s head and then at the boy in front of him, letting out a helpless sigh.
“Another prank?” Shen Xingyu asked.
“Nope.” Lu Ran shrugged, continuing to walk out with Da Huang.
He sidestepped, passing by Shen Xingyu.
As he walked by, the rabbit plush on the leash he was holding swayed with each step.
Shen Xingyu’s gaze instinctively fixed on the rabbit plush and stayed there for a long time.
It wasn’t until Lu Ran was almost at the end of the corridor that he suddenly spoke in a soft voice, “Ran Ran, I’m really happy that you came today.”
Lu Ran turned back and glanced at him, saying, “You don’t need to be happy. I came today for a prank, not because of you.”
Shen Xingyu froze for a moment.
He sighed and walked up to Lu Ran, asking, “Really can’t come home with me?”
Lu Ran looked at Shen Xingyu.
Sometimes, Lu Ran couldn’t help but admire Shen Xingyu.
Born into the Shen family, Shen Xingyu had neither become a spoiled second-generation rich like Shen Xingzhuo nor was he obsessed with palace dramas like Shen Xingran.
To grow up with a heart focused on serious matters, yet still be capable, wasn’t easy at all.
Just like with the HZ project.
There were so many huge gaps within the Shen family. Shen Hongyuan was even personally hindering things.
But Shen Xingyu was still able to make subtle moves at the key points, step by step, without anyone noticing.
Now, the results were in. He had managed to turn things around in an instant.
Lu Ran stared at Shen Xingyu, suddenly smiling as he asked, “Do you want me to come home so badly because, as an older brother, you can’t bear to let me drift outside, or is it because the Shen family needs me to return?”
Though the boy was only eighteen or nineteen, his eyes were sharp and perceptive.
When he looked at Shen Xingyu, the man felt suddenly embarrassed and hurriedly looked away, unable to bear the gaze, nor could he look at the rabbit plush in the boy’s hand.
However, Lu Ran didn’t push him further on this trivial question.
He casually glanced behind Shen Xingyu, then smiled and said, “You don’t have a clear idea of what I’ve gone through at the Shen family? You want me to just return home with no proof? Would you dare do that if you were in my shoes?”
There seemed to be some leeway in his words.
Shen Xingyu immediately replied, “Don’t worry, I’m working hard to negotiate these things…”
At the corner of the hallway, Shen Xingran withdrew his gaze and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.
Sure enough, he had said that Lu Ran wasn’t up to any good!
What was Shen Xingyu thinking? Was being rejected once by Shen Hongyuan not enough? Was he really trying to pull Lu Ran into the Shen family?
The familiar sense of panic rose again.
Shen Xingran silently stepped back.
In the main hall, Madam Shen was chatting and laughing with a few wealthy ladies.
Shen Xingran immediately moved closer, hoping to find some comfort from Madam Shen.
When she saw him approach, Mradam Shen quickly found an excuse to pull him aside.
Shen Xingran thought Madam Shen had noticed his mood and was about to comfort him.
But instead, Madam Shen glanced around and then, patting her chest, asked, “Did Lu Ran come today?”
She spoke in a very unusual tone, “He didn’t cause any trouble today?”
Shen Xingran opened his mouth.
Madam Shen looked at him, about to say something, but then hesitated. She patted Shen Xingran’s hand and advised, “This banquet is very important for our family. Be a good boy and don’t go looking for trouble with him.”
Though the words still seemed to lean toward him, at that moment, Shen Xingran felt deeply uncomfortable. It was as though his only support had suddenly become distant.
“Mom…” Shen Xingran called out.
But Madam Shen was already smiling and heading toward a newly arrived lady.
Shen Xingran watched Madam Shen’s retreating figure and didn’t say anything else.
There was no disappointment in his eyes.
He simply recalled when Madam Shen had once suspected he was Shen Hongyuan’s illegitimate child.
Shen Xingran sneered and turned to leave.
“I’m preparing to have you join the Shen family.”
Shen Xingyu was talking with Lu Ran about his plans when his assistant hurried over and whispered, “Your uncle is here. He’s currently talking with Mr. Shen…”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xingyu immediately furrowed his brows.
He quickly walked toward the door.
Shen Xingyu took a few steps, then stopped and turned to the young man behind him. “Wait for me a moment.”
He then left.
Lu Ran overheard a bit of the assistant’s conversation and pondered for a moment.
“Uncle?”
Shen Hongyuan had several cousins, but in Lu Ran’s memory, there was only one uncle.
This particular uncle wasn’t very respectable; once, he even tried to assault Shen Xingran.
In the end, he was sent to prison with the help of the Shen family and some of Shen Xingran’s admirers.
Lu Ran glanced toward the door and saw a man in his forties with stubble on his chin, giving off a somewhat charming air.
But soon, Shen Xingyu blocked the man outside the door.
Lu Ran turned his gaze away, but the voice of Shen Xingran reached his ears: “It’s normal for my brother to want to go home now, especially since I heard the head of the Ji family…”
Shen Xingran was talking with his friends, his voice clearly audible.
As soon as the words “Ji family” were mentioned, everyone around them became alert.
Who didn’t know by now that Ji Min’s legs were healed?
Now that his legs were better, his status was naturally different.
Not to mention, at least his standing in the marriage market had changed drastically.
At this point, many people’s thoughts shifted to the rumors about Ji Min and the missing young master of the Shen family. They couldn’t help but glance toward Lu Ran.
If they remembered correctly…
Lu Ran hadn’t appeared with Ji Min in quite a while.
Plus, they’d heard that his relationship with the Shen family wasn’t great and he’d been living outside.
Now, though, he was actively back at the Shen family…
Some of Shen Xingran’s friends, deliberately flattering him, said: “At the time, he was still disabled. Ji Min could look past that, so now that he’s fine, of course, he would want something better.”
Shen Xingran didn’t elaborate further, merely acknowledging their comment.
Lu Ran, however, found it amusing.
He listened for a while and then interjected, “He didn’t even look at you when he was disabled. Now that he’s better, he looks down on you even more. So why are you talking so much?”
His words were a sharp, indiscriminate attack on those gossiping.
Shen Xingran, however, felt that his guess had been right.
Otherwise, Lu Ran wouldn’t speak like that.
After a pause, Shen Xingran sighed as he looked at Lu Ran and said, “Brother, how can you say that? Even though Mr. Ji… but he has helped you a lot. Isn’t it a bit impolite to speak of him like that?”
As he spoke, Shen Xingran shook his head, about to say something more, but stopped himself and added, “Do you remember when you said, just to spite Father, that Mr. Ji loved you so much that he couldn’t live without you and he would go crazy if he couldn’t see you for an hour?”
At this, the people around them looked at Lu Ran with a bit of amusement.
They hadn’t expected someone to praise themselves so blatantly.
Shen Xingran, absorbed in making tea, didn’t notice the unexpected silence coming from the entrance.
The silence gradually spread toward them.
A tall, imposing shadow loomed over them.
Only then did Shen Xingran instinctively step back a few paces and turn his head.
He saw the man, who had once been in a wheelchair, now standing in the banquet hall in a way no one had expected.
The man was wearing a well-tailored haute couture suit, which made his height and long legs stand out even more.
His broad shoulders and body exuded an inherent sense of pressure.
Not to mention, his dark eyes were weighed down with an intense gaze.
He said: “That’s right, I do love him to the point of obsession. Not only do I go crazy if I can’t see him for an hour, I can’t eat or live without him.”
“Is there a problem with that?”
The room fell silent.
In an instant, Shen Xingran felt his cheeks burning.
After a long pause, the surrounding chatter and congratulations slowly started to resume.
The man, who had just delivered a powerful statement, walked over to Lu Ran’s side, looking down at him with a slight smile in the corners of his eyes and mouth.
He reached out to take the leash from Lu Ran’s hand.
He was about to say something when he noticed the young man throw him a sharp glare.
“Show off. Is there anyone more pretentious than you?”
Ji Min: “…”
The man, who had just exuded so much pressure, now rubbed his nose and lightly coughed. He slowly reached out and touched the young man’s fingers.
Lu Ran rolled his eyes.
“What are you doing standing there? Now that your legs aren’t fine yet, why don’t you sit somewhere?”
Ji Min: “…”
The man fell silent for a moment but eventually obeyed, finding a nearby sofa to sit down.
Couple’s bickering 😂
Yes yes obey your ‘boyfriend’