Chapter 48: The Ex

When Lu Ran left the house, Shen Hongyuan happened to be coming down from upstairs.

Last night, Madam Shen had somehow managed to soothe Shen Hongyuan.

This morning, Shen Hongyuan's expression had returned to normal.

Seeing him come downstairs, Shen Xingran waved at him with a childlike smile, saying, "Dad! Mom's porridge is super delicious, you have to try it!"

"Dad, aren't you attending a banquet this afternoon...?"

In Ji Corporation, the chairman's office.

Ji Min glanced up at the clock.

It was already nearly ten minutes past the time that someone usually arrived for work.

However, soon after, the door to the office opened.

A young man entered, accompanied by his dog.

Before stepping inside, he used a damp towel to wipe the dog's paws on the doormat.

Ji Min noticed that in addition to his backpack, Lu Ran was now carrying a paper bag from a fast-food restaurant.

It seemed to be breakfast.

In recent days, Ji Min had observed that Lu Ran's breakfasts were rather simple.

Most of the time, they settled with steamed buns.

On many occasions, two would suffice.

Thus, purchasing breakfast at a fast-food restaurant could be considered a "significant expenditure."

Ji Min was slightly taken aback.

He watched as Lu Ran placed the paper bag on his small desk and pulled out four ice creams from it.

Eating ice cream on such a freezing day.

And he bought four at once.

Ji Min's brow furrowed slightly.

Seeing him purchase so many, Ji Min instinctively assumed the boy was buying discounted items to give as gifts again.

Just as he was about to say that he didn't want any, Lu Ran removed the cardboard cones from the ice creams and took a bite out of each of the four.

Ji Min: "...."

He scoffed coldly, "Don't you care about your stomach?"

Lu Ran defended himself earnestly, "Ice cream tastes best when eaten in winter!"

He quickly devoured all four cones.

In Ji Min's office, the air conditioning was set to a chilly level, yet even after consuming the icy cream, Lu Ran couldn't help but shiver slightly.

An assistant knocked and entered, reminding Ji Min of his schedule for the day.

They also handed a copy of the itinerary to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran found it somewhat intriguing. He picked it up and glanced through, discovering that Ji Min had three separate appointments outside the office, all within the capital city but quite distant from one another.

"Am I supposed to accompany you to all these locations?" Lu Ran inquired.

Ji Min fell into a moment of contemplation.

Many people usually accompanied him, including several assistants, drivers, and bodyguards. However, this was the first time he needed to consider and arrange for the presence of his newfound companion.

Glancing at the schedule, Ji Min said, "The first two appointments are brief; you can wait in the car. For the last one, you have the option to join me."

Lu Ran's gaze fell upon the evening banquet.

One has the option to enter, or one can choose not to.

The youngster gazed at the schedule for a moment, seemingly contemplating the possibility of leaving work early.

But he quickly asked a very practical question: "Is there food at this banquet?"

Ji Min: "..."

For a moment, he felt like laughing.

Suppressing the tickling sensation in his throat, he replied coolly, "You won't starve to death."

"I'll go then," Lu Ran said.

After making the arrangements, Lu Ran sat down at the table and immersed himself in reading as if he knew the place well.

He didn't inquire further about what Ji Min expected him to do.

Instead, as noon approached, he took Big Yellow out for a stroll and brought Ji Min his lunch.

After a few days, other employees of the Ji Corporation also noticed the presence of a teenager around eighteen or nineteen years old in the chairman's office.

This young man was often seen wandering around with the dog, said to be left behind by the previous chairman.

Some even recognized Lu Ran as the staff member from the coffee shop downstairs, mustering the courage to strike up a conversation and inquire about his background.

Looking at Big Yellow and then at Ji Min's office, Lu Ran fabricated an explanation.

"Mr. Ji has asked me to take care of this dog left behind by his previous partner."

The listener wore an expression of astonishment and exclaimed, "Chairman actually had a previous partner?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Take a look at how Ji Min handles being a boss.

In other companies, CEOs were golden bachelors with a constant stream of admirers.

But in Ji Min's case, even having an ex-partner was enough to astonish the employees.

How terrible must his temper be on a regular basis?

Lu Ran mentally grumbled as he walked towards Ji Min's office.

The door was ajar, allowing him to glimpse the man frowning as he examined a document cabinet.

Then, stretching his arm, Ji Min attempted to retrieve a folder that someone had inadvertently placed on the top shelf of the bookcase.

Ji Min had broad shoulders and long arms.

Yet, even so, it seemed to be a challenging task for him.

But he didn't call for assistance.

No trace of anger was visible on his face; it remained as gloomy and still as stagnant water.

In that instant, Lu Ran suddenly understood.

Other people's astonishment at Ji Min having a previous relationship might not be due to his bad temper.

But because of his disability.

Lu Ran stood by the door for a moment.

He wanted to pretend he hadn't seen anything and wait until the person in the wheelchair returned to their desk before entering.

But a calm voice sounded from inside the office, "Are you going to wait until the food gets cold before coming in?"

Lu Ran: "..."

He slowly walked in and asked curiously, "How did you know I was outside?"

The man who had already returned to his desk lifted his chin and pointed at the dog by Lu Ran's feet.

Lu Ran looked down at Big Yellow.

Well then... So it was you who betrayed your father.

He placed the meal in front of Ji Min.

As he turned around, he glanced at the file cabinet.

Considering that this person had already seen him, he saw no point in hiding anymore.

Without hesitation, he reached out and moved all the folders on the top two shelves within easy reach for Ji Min.

Ji Min watched his actions in silence, his gaze slightly darkened.

In reality, Ji Min had a terrible temper.

It was innate.

After the car accident left him disabled, it had worsened significantly.

He has a temper, not one that flares up indiscriminately, but rather his points of dissatisfaction are peculiar.

If the assistant places items out of his reach, Ji Min wouldn't get angry.

He would find a way to obtain it himself.

Yet, if someone were to overly and cautiously treat him as if he were handicapped, Ji Min would be deeply displeased.

At this very moment, it should be the time when he is the least pleased.

Ah, but...

The young man placed the documents down but didn't turn his head to seek credit for his action.

Instead, he casually clapped his hands, returned to his small desk, and began to enjoy his boxed meal.

He had an incredibly casual demeanor.

With a sense of defiance, as if he were resigned to the worst: I did help, so let it be what it may.

Ji Min's anger strangely swirled around twice before dissipating on its own.

In the end, the man stared at him for a while before blurting out, "There's no need to place it that low."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran lifted his head from his lunch box, cheeks puffing as he chewed.

Then, Ji Min taunted, "Do you think everyone has such short arms like you?"

Lu Ran: "..."

From now on, if he helped again, he would be a dog.

In the afternoon, Lu Ran accompanied Ji Min on two outings.

Ji Min seemed to have arranged meetings to discuss business.

Lu Ran remained in the car, cuddling with Big Yellow as they gazed outside through the open window of the luxurious vehicle.

Despite being confined within the car, Big Yellow was visibly delighted. Its beady eyes seemed to have widened a bit.

Lu Ran usually had a busy schedule, juggling classes and part-time jobs.

It had been a long time since the dog had the chance to play outdoors during the day.

In the evening, Ji Min hurriedly attended the last of his financial salons.

From Lu Ran's calendar, it appeared to be a small gathering or banquet.

Assuming it was a banquet, Lu Ran thought Ji Min would spend a considerable amount of time preparing.

After all, that was how the Shen family typically operated.

However, to his surprise, Ji Min went straight to the venue after leaving his previous engagement.

Still dressed in his usual plain business suit, he looked more like he was heading to the cafeteria downstairs in his office building rather than attending a formal dinner.

However, Lu Ran wasn't accustomed to such events.

Ji Min was his boss, after all.

Therefore, after some thought, Lu Ran spoke openly, "I've never been to a place like this before. Is there anything I shouldn't do?"

Ji Min glanced at him sideways, "Just follow me."

Pausing for a moment, he asked as if to confirm, "You're nineteen years old this year?"

Lu Ran nodded, not understanding the question's purpose.

The man then continued, seemingly talking to himself, "In that case, you shouldn't drink alcohol either."

Lu Ran: "..."

Was he here to act as a boss or a father?

By the time Ji Min arrived, the banquet had already begun.

Yet, there was still a person in charge waiting outside specifically for him.

There was also a foreigner who launched into a barrage of words upon seeing Ji Min.

It wasn't English.

Lu Ran listened attentively and guessed that it was probably Italian.

The translator beside them explained, "This is Young Master Jan Lino from the Lino family. He says his father has been waiting for you for a long time."

Ji Min's voice remained calm. "It's his choice to arrive early."

The translator conveyed this message, and the speaker immediately fell silent.

Lu Ran stood quietly behind Ji Min's wheelchair, listening.

In reality, he didn't understand a single word of it.

He didn't probe further and, at the gesture of the organizer's invitation, pushed Ji Min's wheelchair up the ramp.

He did so effortlessly, inwardly grumbling that the slope was a bit steep and required extra effort to push.

But as soon as he moved, everyone around him seemed to freeze in shock, their eyes fixed on him.

Lu Ran was confused about what was happening and subconsciously stopped pushing.

Thus, he stood there, still pushing Ji Min's wheelchair, stopping on the accessible ramp.

"Keep going," Ji Min said.

"Oh," Lu Ran replied.

He found it somewhat difficult to push.

Whoever designed this passage was an idiot; it was both steep and long.

Unable to hold back, Lu Ran whispered into Ji Min's ear, "Press the controller a little, I'm about to exhaust myself."

The corners of Ji Min's lips curved up slightly, but his fingers remained still. "Didn't you want to push me yourself?"

Lu Ran: "…"

He exerted all his strength to push Ji Min upward, causing a thin layer of sweat to form on his forehead.

He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Did you secretly press the brake?"

Ji Min simply smiled without responding.

Lu Ran was furious.

Little did they know, the onlookers were watching this scene with their eyes nearly popping out.

Everyone in the high society of the entire city knew that the young wheelchair-bound head of the Ji family detested others touching his wheelchair the most.

Yet, this time, he allowed a child to push him along the ramp for such a long duration.

Upon entering, Lu Ran discovered that the banquet was actually divided into two levels. Some guests could only access one side and remained on the first level. In contrast, the host led Ji Min through the main floor and to an observation elevator on the other side. As Ji Min passed by, a moment of silence was followed by hushed whispers. "Was that Ji's family member just now?" "Was it? But why was someone pushing a wheelchair?" Lu Ran kept his head down, focusing intently on pushing the wheelchair, with no visible emotions in his eyes. The elevator ascended to the second level. There wasn't a strict separation between the second and first floors. Standing by the railing on the second level, one could oversee the entire scene on the first level clearly. It was as if they were watching monkeys in a cage.

Unlike the ground floor, the second level was dotted with several round tables, scattered in an informal arrangement.

It felt more like a series of small negotiation sessions than an actual banquet.

Lu Ran, however, was on the lookout for where the food was served.

Ji Min gave him an understanding glance and said, "Aren't you hungry? Go grab something to eat."

Lu Ran immediately nodded and made a beeline for the food.

The supervisor standing beside Ji Min glanced at Lu Ran's departing figure.

Dressed as a student, he stood out in stark contrast to the entire venue.

Recalling the scene he had just witnessed, the supervisor whispered, "Mr. Ji... who is this young lad?"

Ji Min initially intended to say it was their new assistant.

His gaze swept across this venue brimming with intertwined wine cups and the intoxicating allure of luxury, ultimately settling upon the youth by the lengthy table, who was selecting delicacies.

As if he had recalled something.

The man let out a soft sigh. "He's a child from a relative's family, treat him like a young master."