Chapter 95: Each Time

Observing Jin land on his bottom in the toilet bowl, Lu Ran clapped his hands, then opened the bathroom door and walked out.

The two bodyguards noticed Lu Ran's exit.

Their tone instantly became respectful and hesitant, "How are we supposed to explain this to Mr. Ji?"

"My boss?"

Lu Ran waved it off, "Oh, he's long accustomed to it."

The bodyguards continued to be astonished.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised to see them.

He instructed, "I happen to have something to attend to outside. You two go in there and keep an eye on that one, make sure he doesn't escape!"

With that, Lu Ran left.

The two bodyguards glanced at Lu Ran's retreating figure and then at the one still bent over in the restroom.

They jokingly extended their arms in an "Elang" gesture towards Lu Ran.

However, Lu Ran had already vanished in the blink of an eye.

One of the bodyguards couldn't help but wipe his face as he asked, "Big Brother, what should we do now?"

The other one was equally uncertain.

Eventually, he said helplessly, "What else can we do? Let's go in!"

Lu Ran wandered around the corridor for a bit.

From a distance, he noticed Shen Hongyuan and Old Leon engaged in conversation.

Second Young Master was nowhere to be seen.

Therefore, Lu Ran didn't approach them and continued strolling down the corridor instead.

Sure enough, he soon spotted Yan Lino on his own.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment.

He mussed up his hair slightly and then approached Yan with a flustered expression.

"Second, Second Young Master, can I ask for your help?"

Yan looked at Lu Ran, somewhat surprised.

He was still upset by Old Lino's words earlier.

His father had mentioned that marrying into the Lu family seemed like an incredible opportunity.

Yet, as usual, such fortunate arrangements were made for his older brother instead of him, despite them both being his sons. It was as if he, the second son, didn't exist.

Seeing Lu Ran approach, Yan was still feeling indignant. "Aren't you with my brother?"

"The issue lies with your older brother. He's suddenly acting very strangely, and I still hope that Second Young Master Ji can lend me a hand..."

Lu Ran whispered.

Upon hearing this, Yang perked up unexpectedly.

He had always been overshadowed by his older brother. Now, someone thought his brother was unreliable and sought his help instead?

"I'll accompany you then," Yang said.

"Thank you so much." Lu Ran smiled at him and turned to lead the way ahead.

Yang observed the young man before him the entire journey.

Frankly, he didn't have any particular first impression of Lu Ran. When they first met, he only remembered Lu Ran as a shabbily dressed follower beside Ji Min.

Upon learning that Lu Ran was associated with the Shen family, his impression had soured even further.

That was why he had taken out his frustration on Lu Ran without hesitation, dousing him in alcohol.

Yet, given Jin's evident interest in Lu Ran, Yang couldn't help but study Lu Ran for a while longer.

He even entertained the thought, somewhat distractedly, that perhaps Lu Ran was not interested in his brother but in him instead?

If that were the case, wouldn't he be the one to seize the "opportunity" through an alliance with the Shen family?

Opportunity was all Yang could think about, so much so that he didn't notice when Lu Ran led him towards the restroom.

By the time he snapped back to reality, the young man in front of him had turned around and pushed him into the restroom, shutting the door with a loud "slam."

One could only say that the brothers Jin and Yang shared similar instincts.

Upon witnessing Lu Ran's actions, Young Master Two's heart raced with anticipation.

Assuming they were about to have a moment in the restroom, he raised his arm, ready to pin Lu Ran against the wall.

However, halfway through, his arm froze in mid-air.

For he had finally caught sight of a familiar figure, desperately struggling with their head wedged inside the toilet bowl in one of the adjacent stalls.

If he recalled correctly...

Why does this person wear clothes that resemble his brother's so closely?

Yang devoted himself to his studies for a while, and upon lowering his gaze once more, he found that the very same youth who had just been gazing up at him with an obedient smile now held a toilet brush in hand, its origin inexplicably obscure.

Yang's eyes dilated, and he quickly took a step back. "W-What do you intend to do?"

Lu Ran was somewhat astonished by the second young master's intelligence.

He asked, "You saw your brother in this state and still asked me what I was doing?"

Yang turned his head again to glance at the cubicle over there and then at the toilet brush in Lu Ran's hand.

Only now did he realize, albeit belatedly, how his elegant and captivating lover, who could be found everywhere, had ended up in such a predicament.

"Haha! With your scrawny frame, what can you possibly do to me?"

Yang scoffed disdainfully.

He was no Jin, all show and no substance.

Speaking, he reached out to seize the "weapon" in Lu Ran's hand.

But as both hands extended, brandishing various moves, he astonishingly found that there was nowhere to actually make a move?

"You! Just you wait!"

Realizing the situation was turning unfavorable, Yang immediately moved to open the door and leave.

Lu Ran sighed.

Given Yang's physique, it was indeed a bit challenging for him.

Feeling slightly defeated, Lu Ran could only say, "Come out, then."

Yang was just about to unleash another threat.

Glancing up, he noticed the adjacent stall wide open, and two burly men stepping out from within.

They pinned him down, one on each side.

A muffled cry echoed through the corridor.

moments later, Lu Ran reappeared.

He had deliberately washed his hands thoroughly, meticulously drying each finger with a tissue.

Then, with a look of panic on his face, he dashed towards where Shen Hongyuan and Old Lino were conversing.

Midway, Lu Ran paused.

From a distance, he cast a disdainful glance at Shen Hongyuan.

Afterward, he reached up to tousle his clothing, creating a slightly disheveled appearance.

Meanwhile, Shen Hongyuan and Old Lino were still engrossed in their conversation.

There was Lu Ran, disheveled and rushing over. After standing still, he seemed to suppress his anger with great effort as he shot Shen Hongyuan a glance.

Seeing this expression, Shen Hongyuan knew that he must have suffered a great loss.

Putting on an oblivious facade, Shen Hongyuan smiled warmly at Lu Ran and asked, "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Lu Ran glanced at him but didn't pour out his grievances. Instead, he turned to Old Renald and said,

"Uncle, Jin Heyang and I... They started fighting over me!"

Both Shen Hongyuan and Old Renald were taken aback by these words.

With a worried look on his face, Lu Ran continued, "Jin was with me... when Yang suddenly came over and punched Jin, asking why it was always him..."

Lu Ran's explanation was vague.

But Old Renald knew his two sons well and immediately connected the dots.

Given Jin's nature, he would certainly be trying to touch someone up right now.

There was even a chance that it might turn into a forced situation.

Yang was a fool who lacked his elder brother's intelligence but insisted on mimicking him.

It was something only a pig-brained person would do to intervene at such a crucial moment.

They were in the Shen family's house right now!

The Linos and Shens had a long-standing feud, yet these two brothers were actually fighting over a member of the Shen family within their home?

This was a massive disgrace.

Old Linos nearly fainted from anger.

He immediately stood up and exclaimed, "These two ungrateful brats, to actually do such a thing. Where are they?"

"They're... in the restroom on the first floor," Lu Ran whispered.

Old Linos promptly headed for the restroom.

In the face of trouble caused by someone from another family in his own home, the head of the family, Shen Hongyuan, naturally followed.

Lu Ran accompanied him, lingering behind.

"You did that on purpose to Jin…" Lu Ran gritted his teeth.

Shen Hongyuan's expression showed genuine surprise, not a hint of guilt for involving his own son in trouble.

He pretended to inquire, "What's wrong? What happened between you and Young Master Jin?"

But seeing Lu Ran's enraged state, Shen Hongyuan completely relaxed his guard.

It seemed something serious had indeed occurred.

Over there, Old Lino was consumed with anger and, without hesitation, pushed open the bathroom door and entered.

Spotting the commotion inside, with figures seemingly engaged in a fight, Shen Hongyuan instinctively followed suit and stepped into the bathroom.

A sharp click echoed in the air.

Upon turning his head, he saw Lu Ran, standing behind him, locking the door.

At that moment, the chaotic scene in the bathroom finally came into view.

With his head down, someone was bound to the toilet, desperately struggling. Yang was held down by two bodyguards, with a filthy toilet brush pressed against his face.

In that instant, not only Old Leon was stunned.

Even Shen Hongyuan, who had personally experienced Lu Ran's "special attacks," was taken aback.

What on earth were they doing!

His understanding of Lu Ran was still limited to that dog.

He never imagined that his son's aggression had extended to human restrooms!

So stunned was Shen Hongyuan that he had momentarily forgotten to hide.

After all, Zhang Lin, Gu Ningqi, and the others wouldn't go into explicit detail about their experiences outside.

The current situation far exceeded Shen Hongyuan's comprehension.

He felt an irresistible urge to investigate and took two steps toward the cubicle.

Upon closer inspection, he confirmed that it was indeed a person bound to the toilet.

Not some form of performance art.

Taking two more steps back, he examined the toilet brush propped against Yang's face with scrutiny.

After much contemplation, he concluded:

This was indeed a genuine toilet brush, and one that had been used before.

Upon this realization, Shen Hongyuan was left profoundly stunned.

He paused in his tracks and began to ponder slowly.

Why did they come in here again?

Old Leino was even more bewildered.

Spotting his eldest son with his head in the toilet, he didn't even realize that it was Lu Ran's "innocent bunny" arm holding him down.

In Old Leino's eyes, Lu Ran was too harmless.

There was no need to consider him a threat at all.

Thus, after much deliberation, Old Leino confronted Yang with an angry expression. "I can overlook your brotherly bickering, but how could you stuff your own brother into the toilet!"

Yang, prodded by the toilet brush, was stunned.

Before Old Leino arrived, he had unwavering faith that his own father would come to his rescue.

For this reason, despite the toilet brush poking at his mouth, Yang gritted his teeth and endured it.

Yet, his father arrived and his first reaction was to interrogate him?

If he were truly guilty, would he be threatened with a toilet brush?

Yang nearly jumped in anger!

"Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh!" He struggled to explain.

But explaining meant opening his mouth.

His jaw relaxed.

The bodyguard holding him, reacting to his struggle, exerted more force.

A horrifying scene unfolded.

The bodyguard holding the toilet brush stared at it in his hand, his expression breaking down for a moment.

He looked even worse than Yang.

Good heavens.

What had he done?

Was this the beginning of his downfall?

But one had to admit, it was quite an effective way to teach someone a lesson...

At this moment, seeing his own son being stabbed, Old Lino finally realized that he had been tricked.

He was just about to speak.

But Lu Ran, from the tool compartment, took out a plunger and threw it at another bodyguard. "Catch!"

This bodyguard had not yet succumbed to corruption.

Seeing the plunger flying towards him, he panicked.

When he successfully caught it, he was on the verge of tears. "Young Master! Is this something you can just throw around?"

"Relax, I threw it headfirst!"

With that, Lu Ran pointed at Old Lino and said, "That cunning old fellow is all yours!"

After saying that, he turned around and grabbed Shen Hongyuan, who was attempting to escape.

Then, he flashed a smile, "Head of the Shen family, aren't we in your own home? Why are you running?"

Looking at Jin still stuck in the toilet bowl, Yang with a toilet brush stuck in his mouth, and Old Lino facing a plunger, Shen Hongyuan's expression shifted multiple times.

His face flickered between fear, kindness, and malevolence several times.

Eventually, realizing that his acting wouldn't convince Lu Ran, his expression darkened completely.

With a quivering voice, he exclaimed, "This is the Shen family! What are you doing, Lu Ran?"

Lu Ran looked at him with a smile and said, "You ask me what I'm doing? Why didn't you question your actions when you conspired with outsiders to sell your own son?"

Afterward, he grabbed Shen Hongyuan's collar and led him to one of the partitions, pushing the door open.

In a casual manner, as if they were having a chat, Lu Ran sighed to Shen Hongyuan, "That Jin fellow attempted to take advantage of me on several occasions, but I never used this on him."

"Do you know why?" Lu Ran inquired.

Shen Hongyuan's face was rigid, not daring to utter a word, fearing that any wrong remark might provoke this madman.

Lu Ran was indifferent to his response.

He simply offered an expression of delight:

"Because your second son just used it! Of course, I'm saving it for you, the father!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongyuan's face contorted in shock.

Lu Ran applied more force.

Shen Hongyuan then toppled straight towards the toilet bowl.

He quickly used his hands to brace himself, staring at the terrifying toilet with trembling lips. "Rebellious child! Rebellious child! I am your biological father!"

Hearing this, Lu Ran was taken aback. "So you do remember?"

He showed no mercy as he pushed the man further into the toilet bowl.

Shen Hongyuan had no strength in his arms; he was about to fall in headfirst.

Petrified, he cried out, "Didn't you ask where the Gu family's gift to you is? I'll tell you right now!"

All that answered him was the calm, indifferent voice of the youth behind him:

"But I don't want to know right now. I just want to press you into me."

"No, no, no!"

Shen Hongyuan didn't believe that there was anything in this world that couldn't be resolved by interests.

If there was, it could only be because he wasn't yet truthful enough.

Hastily, he said, "It's in the cabinet against the wall in my study, to the east. The key... the key is on me!"

Yet, Lu Ran didn't lessen his grip by an inch.

Another roar of "Ah" echoed, followed closely by a thud.

Lu Ran watched silently as he pressed Shen Hongyuan, his father in a biological sense, into the toilet bowl.

In the end, he reached out to pluck a set of keys from Shen Hongyuan's belt, disdainfully flicking them aside.

When he straightened up and surveyed the bathroom, the scene was nothing short of horrifying.

Shen Hongyuan howled as he pulled his head out of the toilet bowl.

Lino, whose face had been pushed into the plunger, and Yang, who had a toilet brush in his mouth, were now in a state of detached souls, seemingly questioning if they were still dreaming.

Jin, through persistent struggles, had managed to break free from the ropes and fell onto the ground.

However, this incident seemed to have deeply affected him.

He sat on the floor with a dazed expression, almost in a state of stupor.

Lu Ran shook his head and asked the trio from Lino's family in a puzzled manner, "Why did you react so strongly?"

Why such a huge reaction?

He actually asked why they had such a strong response?!

Upon hearing this, Jin almost jumped off the ground.

He pointed at the toilet and, in a state of utter devastation, asked, "If you had to drink toilet water, wouldn't you be devastated too?"

Lu Ran, the culprit, tilted his head. In his innocent black eyes, genuine confusion shone through:

"But didn't you two already have that drink together?"

Jin was taken aback by his words.

Upon careful recollection, his expression transformed subtly.

Immediately, he roared, "We didn't drink what your brother poured out; we spat it all out!"

He bellowed out his words, yet all that met his gaze was the youth standing before the washbasin, diligently scrubbing his hands, still gazing back at him in bewilderment, saying,

"But you all drank what I poured, and didn't you enjoy it immensely and even yearn for it afterwards?"

Jin was utterly stunned.

Upon fully grasping the implication nestled within the young man's words, his entire being trembled with a palpable intensity.

"Y-YOU mean..."

"No, no, no, it's impossible!"

With visible struggle, Jin glared at Lu Ran and asked resentfully, "Which time was it?"

Having asked the question, he beheld the youth smiling at him bashfully, a familiar flush of shyness spreading across his countenance as he said,

"Each and every time."

Each time...

"I've been endlessly thinking about the wine you poured for me..."

"It's a truly unique richness."

...

Recalling his own past words, a jet of water burst from Jin's throat in an instant.