CFRFGC Chapter 121

⌈At first glance, it seemed like he ate more than he had, having worked hard all afternoon yesterday.⌋

Daylight brightened again.

Lu Ran groggily opened his eyes, greeted by the same dazzling sunlight as the day before.

It felt as though no time had passed, as if the entire day prior had vanished into thin air.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes, lying still on the bed.

His limbs felt heavy and stiff, as though weighed down by stones, too numb to lift.

Lu Ran moved his gaze slightly, watching the curtains fluttering nearby.

These were Ji Min’s bedroom curtains, not the memory of the windowless hospital room etched in his mind.

Even though he had been reborn for quite some time, there were still moments when Lu Ran woke from sleep unsure whether the world before him was real.

Sometimes, he couldn’t help but wonder if this so-called rebirth was merely a dream conjured by his unconscious self, still lying in a hospital bed.

Even Ji Min and Da Huang might just be figments of that dream.

This was why Lu Ran disliked lingering in bed for too long. He refused to dwell on such pointless speculations.

Summoning strength, he pushed through the weight in his body and turned over, preparing to get out of bed.

But as soon as he propped himself up on his arms, he paused involuntarily.

Great.

Now he was certain it wasn’t a dream.

In his previous life, he’d never had such experiences—nor could he have dreamed of something this vivid and bizarre.

Just then, Ji Min returned to the room, intending to check if Lu Ran was awake.

The moment he opened the bedroom door, he saw the boy hunched over, trying to get out of bed.

Ji Min’s gaze instinctively swept over the faint marks on Lu Ran’s collarbone. Before any teasing thoughts could arise, he saw the boy’s legs suddenly give way, causing him to plop down onto the carpet.

“Hey!” Ji Min hurried over and helped him up.

A look of disbelief lingered on Ji Min’s face. He hesitated, then couldn’t help but ask, “Really? I don’t think I was that over the top…”

But midway through, he realized how that might sound like a weak excuse.

So, he softened his tone and asked, “…Does it hurt?”

“Hurt?”

Lu Ran grabbed Ji Min’s arm with one hand and held his forehead with the other, his voice hoarse and nearly drained.

“That can wait. The most important thing right now is… is there any food?”

Ji Min: “…?”

Holding his forehead, Lu Ran could only feel dizzy, his vision swimming in darkness.

He carefully assessed his condition, then declared with certainty, “I’m starving! I swear I’m about to starve to death. Hurry up and get me something to eat!”

Ji Min: “…”

Lu Ran had woken up late yesterday morning, missing breakfast.

Lunch had been skipped altogether due to… a rather vigorous activity that lasted the entire afternoon.

By the time they were done, he was completely drained, with only sleep on his mind—forget about eating.

Then he had slept through the night until early this morning.

Having gone a full day without food, Lu Ran felt like his stomach was about to cave in as if he was becoming nothing but skin and bones.

Despite his weak state, Lu Ran was adamant about going downstairs to the dining room for breakfast himself.

When Ji Min tried to carry him, he was waved off firmly.

Lu Ran even argued, “You’re too slow when you carry me!”

Ji Min: “…”

After much effort, they finally reached the dining table.

Lu Ran sat down, picked up a bowl of congee, and downed two bowls in quick succession.

Then he grabbed the plate of fried shrimp balls in front of him and polished off the entire dish.

Ji Min, who had just reached for his chopsticks: “…”

After finishing the shrimp balls, Lu Ran tackled a basket of steamed soup dumplings, followed by two pan-fried buns, and a slice of cheesecake.

Only then did he feel somewhat revived.

He ladled himself another bowl of soup and drank it down.

When he put the bowl down, he noticed Ji Min holding his own bowl, quietly watching him.

“…What are you looking at?” Lu Ran asked through a mouthful of food, his words barely coherent.

Ji Min: “…Nothing.”

He was just thinking that this was so typical of Lu Ran.

Even his post-event morning seemed extraordinary.

At first glance, he looked like he’d eaten even more than Ji Min, who had been the one exerting himself all afternoon yesterday.

Ji Min sighed.

Seeing that Lu Ran was about to dig in again, he finally reached out to stop him. “If you keep eating, your stomach’s going to hurt.”

Then, unable to hold back a chuckle, he added, “Last night, when I tried to wake you for a midnight snack, who was the one sleeping like a dead pig?”

Lu Ran rolled his eyes but still couldn’t resist grabbing another bun before finally stopping.

It was still a rest day today.

After finishing breakfast, Ji Min found himself with some free time.

There were no servants in the villa and Butler Chen had gone out to play chess with an old friend.

The only ones left in the house were Ji Min and Lu Ran.

Lu Ran still seemed a bit sluggish.

He was lying sprawled on the sofa, transferring files on his phone.

Even in this position, he couldn’t stay still, constantly shifting and changing his posture.

Ji Min watched him for a while before reaching over to scoop him into his arms.

“Don’t interrupt,” Lu Ran protested. “I’m sending files to my advisor.”

Ji Min rubbed his slightly stubbly chin against Lu Ran’s neck, complaining, “Does it have to be right now?”

Once Lu Ran’s finger pressed the send button, Ji Min snatched the phone from his hand and tossed it aside, pulling him in for a spin.

“Hey, don’t move!” Lu Ran braced his hands against Ji Min’s shoulders. “I just ate too much. If you hold me too tightly, I’ll throw up on you.”

Ji Min: “…”

“Do you have an allergy to romance or something?” Ji Min ground out between clenched teeth.

Lu Ran couldn’t help but burst into laughter, straddling Ji Min’s lap as he laughed uncontrollably.

But as he laughed, his knee slipped, and he accidentally did a split.

The movement pulled at the muscles in his inner thigh, which were already faintly sore.

Lu Ran: “…”

The laughter immediately died on his lips.

Ji Min pulled him back into his arms, pressing him firmly against his chest.

He squeezed Lu Ran’s wrist, then moved up to his elbow and shoulder, his expression serious. “Does anything hurt?”

Lu Ran: “…”

He stared blankly at Ji Min and countered, “What do you want me to say, Uncle Ji?”

Ji Min clicked his tongue in annoyance and patted Lu Ran’s waist. “I’m asking seriously—do your joints hurt?”

Lu Ran paused briefly, then replied nonchalantly, “I said no.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked up and met Ji Min’s dark, brooding gaze.

With his hands firmly gripping Lu Ran’s waist, Ji Min leaned back against the sofa and spoke in a slow, cold tone dripping with sarcasm: “Some people insist I shouldn’t hide this or that from them, yet they keep everything tightly under wraps themselves, never telling me a thing.”

The remark was laced with pointed frustration.

Lu Ran felt a sudden pang of guilt as he listened. He scratched his head awkwardly.

Seeing this, Ji Min raised an eyebrow in surprise and asked, “You’re really hiding something from me?”

Lu Ran: “…”

“So you were fishing for information?” he retorted.

“I’m just trying to have a proper conversation.” Ji Min straightened up slightly and asked again, “Tell me honestly, do your joints still hurt?”

Lu Ran: “…”

After a brief silence, he replied ambiguously, “Not really. Besides, it’s been hurting for so long that I’ve kind of gotten used to it. At this point, it’s practically like it doesn’t hurt.”

Ji Min’s expression darkened. He patted Lu Ran’s waist again but said nothing further.

In the afternoon, Lu Ran, who was napping in bed, was abruptly dragged out.

Ji Min didn’t explain, simply bundled him into the car.

It wasn’t until they had been driving for a while that Lu Ran fully woke up.

He rolled down the car window to look outside, then turned to Ji Min and asked, “Where are we going?”

“To get you checked by a doctor,” Ji Min replied.

Lu Ran instinctively said, “I’m not going to the hospital.”

Ji Min sighed and explained, “It’s not a hospital—it’s a psychological clinic.”

Lu Ran fell silent.

He had read Ji Min’s will before.

Despite the man’s outward composure, the car accident from last time had left a deep impression on him.

Before his surgery, Ji Min had already shortlisted a few renowned psychologists.

In his will, he had even urged Lu Ran to give them a try.

Now, without saying anything, Ji Min had simply brought him here.

Lu Ran didn’t resist.

The persistent pain was indeed bothersome.

But Lu Ran was well aware that this might not be something a doctor could fix.

When they entered the clinic, Lu Ran sat down on the sofa.

Ji Min followed him inside but didn’t take a seat. Instead, he stood behind Lu Ran.

The psychologist sitting diagonally across from them studied Lu Ran for a moment before smiling and saying, “Oh, it’s you.”

“Hmm?” Lu Ran was a bit surprised.

He looked up at the doctor.

The psychologist was a kind-looking woman who appeared younger than Madam Shen.

But Lu Ran didn’t recall meeting her before.

The doctor smiled and explained, “Once, when I was on vacation visiting family, I passed by the place where you were lying down and heard you tell a story.”

Only then did Lu Ran remember.

She must have been referring to the time he was kicked out of the Shen family home.

There had been many people listening to his story back then. Lu Ran hadn’t paid attention to everyone individually.

“A story?” Ji Min asked. “You were lying outside telling stories?”

Lu Ran coughed lightly and said, “Just making something up.”

But upon reflection, aside from his own life story, he didn’t recall saying much else.

He grew more candid and added, “An autobiography.”

Once the consultation formally began, however, Ji Min was “invited” to leave the room.

Lu Ran wasn’t someone who was used to confiding in others.

Lu Ran didn’t feel any particular need to confide in anyone.

He simply cooperated with the psychologist, participating in therapies and exercises.

He didn’t hold out much hope for any significant outcome.

His regular weekly visits to the clinic were more to put Ji Min’s mind at ease.

After all, there wasn’t much else to do during summer vacation.

Meanwhile, the business circles in Beijing were abuzz with activity.

The signing ceremony for the HZ project was approaching.

Everyone was well aware that the Shen family had a 90% chance of securing this project.

Moreover, the recent technological breakthroughs achieved by Shen Corporation were truly enviable.

The industry began to idolize the Shen family, creating a wave of admiration.

Madam Shen became even more enthusiastic about socializing, attending an endless string of salons and gatherings.

Shen Xingzhuo, too, found himself surrounded by admirers.

Lu Ran, immersed in his work at the lab, paid no attention to these developments.

It was only when Fang Chen visited him that he occasionally heard a few bits of gossip.

At first, these events didn’t disrupt Lu Ran’s life at all.

Until a senior in the lab started making frequent efforts to interact with him.

Whether it was conducting experiments or attending group meetings, the senior would enthusiastically assist and speak up on his behalf.

On one occasion, using an experiment discussion as an excuse, the senior walked with him all the way to the school gate in the evening.

And that was when Ji Min, who had come to pick Lu Ran up, spotted them.

The man, consumed by jealousy, practically overturned an entire vat of vinegar, his sour mood filling the air.

Lu Ran was speechless for a long moment before bluntly asking the senior what exactly he wanted.

Startled by Ji Min, the senior stammered and finally confessed his reason for approaching Lu Ran.

It turned out that the senior had heard Lu Ran was also part of the Shen family.

Since his own family was eager to establish ties with the Shens but couldn’t find an entry point, he had tried cozying up to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran was speechless for a long while, unable to believe that someone had mistakenly tried to curry favor with him.

This incident alone spoke volumes about the Shen family’s recent rise in status.

And then there was Shen Xingran.

He had once again assumed the role of a star surrounded by adoration.

Even during a brief summer visit to the school to submit some documents, he was flanked by a group of friends attending to his every need.

One day, after stepping out of the psychological clinic, Lu Ran spotted Shen Xingran not far away.

Beside Shen Xingran stood a familiar face—none other than Jin Lino, the man Lu Ran had “treated” to several rounds of toilet water.

The two appeared to be on close terms. After chatting for a bit, they parted ways.

Shen Xingran turned and noticed Lu Ran in the distance, pausing for a moment before smiling.

“What a coincidence,” he said.

“Quite the coincidence,” Lu Ran replied, his gaze following Jin as he walked away.

Shen Xingran lifted his chin, a smug smile spreading across his face. “Seeing your admirer hanging around me now—how does that feel?”

Lu Ran: “…”

After a brief silence, he couldn’t resist asking sincerely, “When you kiss him, do you know he’s drunk toilet water before?”

Shen Xingran’s expression immediately cracked.

The two had little else to talk about.

Shen Xingran turned to leave but halfway through, he glanced back at Lu Ran and said with a grin: “With the Shen family thriving like it is now, even a long-time enemy like Lino’s family is cozying up to me. You left the Shen family—don’t you regret it?”

Lu Ran smiled faintly but said nothing.

When he got back to the car, Ji Min pulled him into his arms and asked, “You’re in such a good mood today?”

“Yeah, I am.”

Lu Ran’s gaze drifted out the car window, settling on Shen Xingran’s retreating figure.

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