CFRFGC Chapter 116

⌈”Well, I’m back.”⌋

The scene left everyone around truly dumbfounded.

What did this mean?

It seemed that… after Ji Min’s legs were healed, his “family status” had actually dropped?

Ji Min was sitting on a sofa nearby.

Lu Ran was casually leaning against the back of the sofa, head lowered, playing on his phone.

At first glance, these two seemed completely unfamiliar with each other.

But after witnessing what just happened, no one dared to think that way.

Shen Xingran had been embarrassed.

He glanced at Lu Ran, then at Ji Min, and muttered a curse under his breath before dejectedly walking away.

The others who had gathered also left in twos and threes.

Ji Min bent his leg, sitting on the single sofa.

He had gotten used to sitting in a specially made wheelchair, but sitting on this sofa felt a bit awkward.

Perhaps because it was uncomfortable, his long legs, which were usually covered by a thin blanket, occasionally shifted or moved, drawing attention.

After sitting for a while, Ji Min couldn’t help but raise his hand and tap the young man behind him.

Lu Ran, who had been watching the Shen family father and son with their uncle at the door, didn’t even look his way.

But a man under thirty, handsome, healthy, and in charge of the entire Ji Group, held considerable attraction in the aristocratic circle.

Even though some people vaguely sensed the relationship between Ji Min and Lu Ran, there were still those who weren’t willing to give up.

A few older people, using their seniority, brought their outstanding younger relatives over to congratulate Ji Min.

Lu Ran snapped out of his thoughts.

He looked up and saw a crowd gathered around Ji Min again.

In front of Ji Min, a man slightly older than Shen Hongyuan was holding his son’s hand and “promoting”: “This is my youngest son. When he was little, he used to visit the Ji family. I wonder if you remember him…”

Lu Ran paused for a moment, glancing at Ji Min.

Then he heard Ji Min coldly and without hesitation reply: “I don’t remember.”

The older and younger man awkwardly walked away.

Before long, another pair approached.

It was a rich lady pulling her daughter along.

The rich lady was all smiles, while her daughter looked utterly embarrassed, casting furtive glances at her mother as if wishing she could disappear into outer space.

Just as this pair arrived, another mother dragged her son over.

The two groups of people met head-on. Before Ji Min could say anything, the two mothers began bickering.

It was clear that a confrontation was about to erupt between them.

Meanwhile, someone, like a hidden observer, found a way around the argument and successfully bypassed the two groups that were fighting.

Ji Min, who had been watching this scene unfold, felt utterly uncomfortable as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He was worried Lu Ran might get upset. Ji Min, in turn, took a quick glance at the young man behind him.

To his surprise, Lu Ran was not looking worried but instead seemed to be enjoying the spectacle of the two sides trading barbs.

Ji Min: “……”

Well, all his worries had been unnecessary.

However, seeing that the three groups were really about to approach them, Ji Min furrowed his brows, cleared his throat, and was about to speak.

But at that moment, he noticed that Lu Ran, who had been silent behind him, shifted.

Lu Ran still didn’t say anything.

Instead, he slowly but firmly moved around to the front of the sofa, lowered his body slightly, and sat directly on the armrest next to Ji Min.

The young man crossed his arms, wore a cold expression, and looked around at the people who were still oblivious to the situation.

His posture was a clear declaration of ownership.

The onlookers, who had their own intentions, couldn’t help but mutter among themselves.

Some had already heard about the actions of this young master of the Shen family and silently gave up their plans.

Others, however, still thought the rich and dangerous path was worth trying and figured they might still have a chance with Ji Min.

They confidently approached Ji Min, thinking, “Surely this Lu Ran won’t hold on forever?”

But just as they were about to speak, they saw the man sitting on the sofa suddenly laugh quietly and then, with a movement, pulled the young man into his arms.

He then raised his head, his eyes no longer warm with humor, and looked at the crowd.

Under everyone’s gaze, the man spoke in an affectionate, yet somewhat helpless tone: “Please forgive me, respected elders. My partner is difficult to calm when he’s upset. Right now, I’m afraid I don’t have time to receive all your congratulations.”

The crowd was stunned. They hadn’t expected Ji Min to say something like that.

With the word “partner” out in the open, it was clear—officially announced.

At that moment, any lingering thoughts some might have had instantly dissipated.

Even those who weren’t ready to let go didn’t dare approach anymore, their faces betraying their reluctance.

No matter how shocked they were inside, no one dared to challenge Ji Min’s words.

The crowd chuckled awkwardly before scattering to their own business.

Lu Ran remained sitting on the armrest of the sofa, not moving.

At first glance, everything seemed calm. But upon closer inspection, one could see the tip of the young man’s ears were tinged red, hidden beneath his hair.

“Move, you’re making me uncomfortable,” Lu Ran said, reaching up to push Ji Min’s arm away.

Ji Min clicked his tongue, “Aren’t you angry and planning to fall for someone else? Why are you still sitting here, blocking me?”

At this, Lu Ran was remarkably frank.

He tilted his chin up, snorted, and said, “It’s one thing to be angry.”

He was mad, but his person was not for anyone to touch!

Though the crowd had left, the young man still sat there with his arms crossed, head held high, perched on the armrest of the sofa.

He looked like he was vigilantly guarding his territory, eyes scanning anyone who might come near.

Ji Min couldn’t help but pull Lu Ran into a loose embrace and chuckled softly.

“Do you get angry like this with everyone?” he sighed.

“Behave yourself,” Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

The implication was clear: he was still angry.

Ji Min raised his gaze to study the side of the young man’s face.

The kid was young, yet when it came to relationships, he took them seriously.

He clearly distinguished between making a fuss over something personal and dealing with external threats.

He wasn’t hesitant when it came to putting someone in their place or taking action when needed.

He was straightforward to the point of being adorably honest.

Ji Min’s chest felt like it was simmering in a pot of hot water, constantly bubbling with warmth.

His fingers brushed against Lu Ran’s thin shirt fabric at his waist.

It felt like the surrounding noise was suddenly too much to bear.

After sitting quietly for a moment, Ji Min couldn’t help but lower his voice to ask, “Is there something else? Do you want to go back?”

Lu Ran gave him a sidelong glance, thinking Ji Min might be uncomfortable because of his legs.

After some thought, realizing that he had already dealt with his “water baby” and had no other business, he nodded and stood up from the sofa.

After standing, he glanced back at the man still sitting on the sofa.

Although his face was still sullen, he stretched his hand toward Ji Min and said irritably, “I’ll help you.”

Ji Min smiled and placed his hand into the young man’s palm.

Ji Min’s palm was broad, easily covering Lu Ran’s hand. For a moment, it was hard to tell who was pulling whom.

Lu Ran exerted some force on his arm, but couldn’t pull him up right away.

The moment the man across from him exerted force, Lu Ran stumbled forward, almost crashing into Ji Min’s arms.

Fang Chen, who had come over to find Lu Ran, just happened to witness this scene: “…”

Ji Min steadied the person in his arms and said softly, “With that little strength, you still say you want to pull me?”

After speaking, Ji Min looked up and nodded politely at Fang Chen, who was not far away. “Young Master Fang, thank you for looking after Lu Ran recently. Please convey my regards to your father.”

Fang Chen, who felt like he had just been shown up: “…”

“Ah hahahaha… I just remembered I have something to do,” he quickly made an excuse and fled.

“Are you sick? Why are you using so much force all of a sudden?” Lu Ran was confused.

Ji Min raised an eyebrow and said honestly, “Oh, your ex-boyfriend sees you moving on and wants to play a little trick, is that not allowed?”

Lu Ran: “…”

“Are you going or not? If not, I’m leaving.”

Only then did Ji Min stand up and follow him out.

Once they got in the car, Ji Min said to the driver, “Go home.”

“Mm?” Lu Ran looked at him in surprise. “Aren’t you going back to the hospital?”

Ji Min sighed, reached out to tap his forehead, and said irritably, “I’m out today. You didn’t expect me to get better?”

“Ah?”

The young man’s eyes brightened with joy, but then he remembered he was still angry and tried to suppress it. He stiffened and coldly said, “Oh.”

Ji Min suppressed a smile at the corner of his mouth, pretending not to notice.

By the time they left the banquet, it was already near midnight.

When they arrived at the Ji family home, they were preparing to head to their rooms to rest.

Ji Min’s legs were still not fully recovered, so he took the elevator upstairs.

It wasn’t until they got off the elevator and stood in front of the same door that Lu Ran realized something was off. He stood there, staring at Ji Min, both of them locked in a silent standoff.

“Why aren’t you coming in?” Ji Min smiled at him.

Lu Ran: “…”

“Fine, if you’re going in, then go in.” He reached out and pushed the door open.

Opening the door, he looked at the bedroom, which was filled with scattered items of his own, and couldn’t help but remain silent.

He walked over to the sofa and picked up the jacket and pants that had been thrown on it.

Then he moved to the bedroom and picked up the pajamas.

Lu Ran quietly gathered the remaining things and walked out, holding them in his arms.

Halfway through, he was stopped from behind.

“Where are you going?” Ji Min asked softly.

“Going back to my room to sleep,” Lu Ran replied.

“Isn’t it the same to sleep in my room, your boyfriend’s room?” Ji Min said.

His voice was very low.

The room was very quiet.

So quiet that the word “boyfriend” seemed to softly echo against the walls.

“Da Huang is afraid to sleep. I have to go keep him company,” Lu Ran said.

Ji Min raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Hm? Da Huang has been sleeping alone all these days. Why is he afraid today?”

Lu Ran: “…”

He continued walking while holding his clothes. But as he turned, he bumped into the switch.

With a “click”, the bedroom was engulfed in darkness.

Warm breaths and the familiar, reassuring embrace came flooding in along with the darkness.

“Let me hold you.”

In the dark, Ji Min whispered this near his ear.

His voice carried the longing of several months. A sigh of relief after the danger had passed and his wishes were finally fulfilled.

“Just let me hold you,” the man repeated in a hoarse whisper.

The knife that had been pressing on his head finally lifted, but the panic and pain when it was pressed down were still vividly felt.

Lu Ran’s eyes suddenly grew teary.

He released the clothes he had been holding and turned to embrace Ji Min.

He clung to the familiar shoulder and nestled into that reassuring embrace.

Lu Ran also called out in a hoarse voice, “Boss.”

“Mm,” Ji Min responded, not correcting him.

Lu Ran called again, “Ji Min.”

“Mm, I’m back,” Ji Min said.

Hearing this, Lu Ran’s throat and eyes ached together.

He buried his face in the man’s neck, trying to suppress the growing sourness in his eyes.

In the dark, the warmth of a fingertip brushed over his eyelashes.

The damp fingertip slid down his cheek, gently cupping his chin, and lifting it.

For the past three months, all the suppressed choices, longing, and fear poured out between their lips and tongues.

Ji Min kissed him fiercely.

The kiss between them was fiercer than any kiss they had shared before.

With a force that seemed capable of devouring the other, it was as if this was the only way to make up for the past thoughts of “letting go”.

He never wanted to let him go.

Whether it was finding the boy another suitable partner or leaving him alone in this empty world.

A faint taste of blood mixed with the rising heat, spreading between their lips and tongues.

Ji Min closed his eyes.

He slightly pulled back his lips, habitually restraining himself.

But even with just the slightest separation, the boy in front of him chased after him.

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