Chapter 68: Encouragement

Lu Ran hadn't shown up for his "work" in several days.

He only picked up and dropped off Big Yellow in the early morning and late evening, barely having any substantial conversations with Ji Min.

The teenager would leave each day with great enthusiasm and return just as excited. Occasionally, when he had some free time, his lips would be moving nonstop about experiments.

From the outside, Ji Min seemed entirely normal.

He didn't throw tantrums; everything appeared to be as usual.

Compared to when Lu Ran was around, he even seemed to be annoyed less frequently.

Ji Min appeared more serene overall.

However, this tranquility was so profound that it felt somewhat abnormal.

At times, he would suddenly lift his head in the middle of working, gazing blankly at the empty desk across from him.

There were moments when Butler Chen felt he was on the verge of asking, "Just how many classes does this child have?"

Or, "Are college students really that busy these days?"

But Butler Chen wasn't sure if these were his own illusions or if Ji Min genuinely wanted to ask but held back at the last moment.

It seemed he had suddenly developed a keen interest in spending time with Big Yellow.

In the past, Ji Min didn't like to leave his office or the office building.

Due to his health issues, someone would always trail behind him whenever he went out.

Now, he would deliberately set an alarm and make time to take Big Yellow for a walk.

With the small rabbit leash in hand, he would sit in his wheelchair and stroll silently in the sunshine.

Ji Min wasn't usually talkative.

Big Yellow was almost ten years old and, except in Lu Ran's presence, it rarely showed much energy.

Thus, a man and his dog strolled along the road together, an atmosphere of silence hanging heavily between them.

Butler Chen followed them a few times and couldn't help but comment one day, "Do you know what you resemble right now?"

Ji Min looked up at him without a sound.

He bore no resemblance to his usual self when provoked by Lu Ran, with anger flaring up as if he wished to ascend to heaven on the spot.

Butler Chen sighed and said, "You look like an empty-nester senior, left alone at home while their children have gone off to study or work."

Ji Min: "..."

That evening, Lu Ran came to pick up Big Yellow.

The teenager, familiar with the way, pushed open the office door and entered, immediately complaining, "There's this teacher who's so bizarre, they call out names in reverse order..."

Ji Min raised an eyebrow at him, "So you got caught skipping class?"

Lu Ran: "..."

There was a sudden sense of guilt as if he had been caught red-handed by his parents.

It was quite rare for him to experience such a feeling in his life.

"I didn't skip class," Lu Ran explained while stroking Big Yellow's head. "I just arrived a bit late from the laboratory building. Thankfully, they didn't deduct any academic credits!"

He was in high spirits and clearly wanted to continue talking.

However, checking the time, he said, "I need to go back. I have classes early tomorrow morning, so I'll have to wake up early."

Standing up, he patted his hands towards Big Yellow. "Big Yellow, let's go!"

The man and his dog left the office once again.

Ji Min did not try to keep them.

The office, which had just been lively for a short while, instantly returned to silence.

The ordinary quietness was even more irritating now, in contrast to the brief commotion that had just taken place.

Ji Min glanced at the sky outside and called the driver to send Lu Ran home.

Anyway, the whole city already knew about his "certain relationship" with the youngster, so there was no need to avoid suspicion anymore.

That night in the office, Ji Min didn't say anything.

Butler Chen almost thought that Ji Min would endure indefinitely, or perhaps he simply didn't have the concept of "enduring."

However, on the way back, the usually quiet man in the backseat suddenly spoke up:

"Is there something wrong with the Shen family?"

"Hmm?" Butler Chen leaned in to listen attentively.

Ji Min frowned seriously and said, "I won't comment on the parents, but that adopted son... It's not good to live with someone like that."

Butler Chen couldn't figure out why Ji Min had brought this up.

Ji Min was genuinely somewhat worried.

After all, Shen Xingran was part of a "special group."

He might even bring home all sorts of questionable individuals.

Even if there were no outsiders, Lu Ran living in the Shen household would inevitably lead to them sharing meals together.

And even if they didn't eat together, they would still be breathing the same air.

No wonder when he saw Lu Ran for the second time, the kid didn't even recognize a condom.

Now, he was throwing around terms like "king oyster mushroom" and "golden needle mushroom."

All this was due to the negative influence of his surroundings.

After a thorough analysis.

President Ji spoke with great fairness and the caring tone of an elder, as if he had no personal agenda: "For his growth, should I take him in to live with me?"

Butler Chen: "..."

Well, so that's the real reason behind all this?

Wasn't it just because the young lad didn't get to chat with you at night?

I thought you had real self-control, but it turns out you're planning something big, trying to take him home directly?

Butler Chen turned to examine Ji Min closely.

Ji Min wore an earnest and composed expression.

There was no trace of guilt on his face.

It seemed as if this man had logically justified his actions in his heart.

He genuinely believed he was merely concerned about Lu Ran's upbringing and growth environment.

Butler Chen fell silent for a moment.

Suddenly, he began to question the Ji family's approach to education.

How did you manage to achieve such a remarkable outcome?

"Your happiness is all that matters…" Mr. Chen sighed.

By Friday, Mr. Chen realized that Ji Min was more determined than he had anticipated.

In the past, Ji Min didn't observe weekends.

His schedule was packed, often rushing from one location to another without pause.

This time, when his assistant confirmed his itinerary, Ji Min initially glanced at it without comment. But as the assistant was about to leave, he called him back, took back the schedule, and casually crossed out a few entries.

Leaving only one activity on the golf course.

On the weekend day.

Lu Ran arrived at Ji Min's place very early.

After a week of continuous school, Lu Ran finally returned to his "work."

He instantly slipped back into his corporate drone mode with great enthusiasm.

He even rubbed his hands together eagerly, "I went to bed early last night, so I'm full of energy today. So, where are we going?"

Ji Min looked at him silently and said, "To play golf."

Upon hearing they were going to a golf course, Lu Ran let out a disappointed "ah."

Ji Min's eyebrows shot up immediately.

He asked coldly, "Don't you like it?"

"It's not that I don't like it," Lu Ran analyzed carefully, "but aren't there fewer people at a golf course? Wouldn't that be less efficient?"

Ji Min was taken aback and asked, "What efficiency?"

"The efficiency of work! Since my job is to help you dispel rumors, places like banquets would likely be the most efficient," Lu Ran argued persuasively.

His unwavering focus on work and earnest analytical approach would melt any boss's heart with gratitude.

But the very thought of what constituted "work" in the young man's context...

Ji Min's smile vanished.

He fell silent for a moment, but eventually, he couldn't resist a gentle cough, subtly reminding, "Actually... there's no need to push yourself so hard."

Yet, the moment those words left his lips, the excitement in the child's sparkling eyes gradually faded as he looked at him.

Lu Ran spoke with a touch of embarrassment, "But I haven't been able to work properly for a whole week. Wouldn't it be a loss for you to pay me such a high wage?"

Ji Min turned his head to look at him.

He could tell that the young man was genuinely troubled.

It was the kind of discomfort one felt when they couldn't accept someone else's favor with a clear conscience.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, "Or perhaps..."

In an instant, Ji Min guessed what he was about to say.

Well, if you're not comfortable with that, I'd be more than happy to assist you for free.

However, Ji Min had no intention of letting their employer-employee relationship come to an end.

In an instant, he interrupted the young man's words as he figured it out.

He uttered, without much contemplation, "The quality of work is more crucial; the quantity matters less."

Ji Min nearly bit his tongue upon finishing his sentence.

What was he doing?

Encouraging this youngster's "work"?

Lu Ran, however, found the reasoning persuasive and nodded seriously. "You're right."

Ji Min: "..."

He shifted his gaze away from the child beside him and gazed silently out the window, reflecting on the absurdity of his previous words.

Despite initially feeling disappointed when he heard they were going to a golf course, Lu Ran's eyes still lit up at the sight of the vast green lawn when they arrived.

Ji Min concealed the amusement in his eyes.

The CEO who was negotiating with Ji Min today had long heard about how Ji Min had previously stood up for this young master from the Shen family.

Upon seeing Lu Ran, he greeted him warmly, without any hint of inappropriate familiarity in his gaze.

It was as if he was truly meeting a familiar junior.

Ji Min was reasonably satisfied.

He allowed the child to play with Big Yellow under the watchful eye of Manager Chen.

Opposite Ji Min sat the seasoned CEO, discreetly observing the young man.

It was rumored that Ji Min doted excessively on this little master of the Shen family, who had been lost for over a decade.

Yet, upon closer inspection, it was hardly noticeable.

The teenager was engrossed in examining his cue stick, but Ji Min remained the impeccable businessman he was in the corporate world, not diverting a single ounce of attention.

His focus was unwavering; he could still pinpoint any inconsistencies in the conversation and firmly safeguard their project from compromise.

The CEO sighed inwardly, lamenting the harm of gossip. How could someone like Ji Min be so invested in another person?

He lifted his water glass, contemplating how to breach the crux of their discussion.

Yet, the man across from him suddenly said, "Your posture is wrong."

The CEO was taken aback. "Huh?"

He looked down at his posture while holding the water glass, thinking that Ji Min was indeed particular.

Just as he was about to ask Ji Min why he brought this up, the teenager standing not far behind Ji Min, who was playing a game, also turned his head and asked, "What's wrong with it?"

Ji Min replied, "With your back and hands so tense like that, it's no wonder you're missing." He added, "Count how many times you've hit the ball so far."

The CEO, listening by the side, fell silent.

Lu Ran adjusted his posture upon hearing this.

But with this adjustment, he became even more stiff. His swing didn't even graze the ball.

The man, who had previously conducted business seamlessly, let out a sigh.

He rotated his wheelchair and reached out to adjust the youth's posture.

Just as his fingertips were about to brush against the youth's waist and arms, he gently withdrew them once more.

He picked up a magazine from the table as if to avoid suspicion, rolled it up, and used it as a makeshift pointer, mimicking a teacher's demeanor.

"Here, and here. Don't be so rigid."

The paper tube gently tapped against Lu Ran's sides and arms through the layers of clothing.

It brought a subtle itch that only served to intensify desire.

"And here."

The paper tube slid down to tap against his thigh, "Your muscles are tense."

Lu Ran couldn't resist and dodged away.

He turned his head to glance at the rolled-up magazine in Ji Min's hand.

As grown men, they were openly discussing golf techniques in public, preferring direct hands-on instruction.

He even specifically grabbed a magazine.

There was something peculiar about the situation.

But under Ji Min's guidance, Lu Ran finally managed to hit a ball.

Without asking the caddy to retrieve it, he eagerly set off with Big Yellow to find the ball.

Ji Min watched for a while, only retracting his gaze when they were out of sight.

He turned around to find the CEO on the other side staring at him with an indescribable expression.

"What's wrong?" Ji Min asked, setting down the magazine.

CEO: "…Nothing."

He just felt a sting on his face.

Feeling as though he was still excessively radiant and superfluous even under the broad daylight, Lu Ran strolled around and eventually found his ball, inquiring about his score.

Just as he was about to leave, a car pulled over beside him.

An unexpected visitor emerged from the vehicle.

Looking up, Lu Ran recognized Jin Linuo, someone he hadn't seen in a long time.

After Ji Min had turned down the Linuo family last time, they had come knocking a few more times.

Yet, nothing substantial had come of it.

Judging by Jin's demeanor today, he seemed to have regained his former arrogance.

It was unclear what new opportunity the Linuo family might have stumbled upon.

As usual, Jin wore his playboy facade.

He sized up Lu Ran from head to toe, speaking in his less-than-perfect Mandarin:

"Honey, it's been a while. Ever since I had that drink you poured for me last time, I've been longing for that taste nonstop."