Chapter 32: Patronage

Chapter 32 - Sponsorship

Orphan.

Those two words were like slaps on the faces of every Shen family member.

The modesty that Madam Shen had just barely managed to preserve was instantly stripped away once more.

Seated in the audience, she looked up at Lu Ran on stage.

For an instant, it felt as if her soul had detached, making the scene seem absurdly comical.

Her son stood on stage, addressing his mother in the crowd, "I'm an orphan."

Madam Shen felt both absurdity and fury.

Her mind was filled with thoughts: Wasn't Lu Ran content enough? What did he come to this sponsorship event for?

Despite herself, her eyes couldn't help but linger on Lu Ran.

It was as if she was truly seeing her son for the first time, and her retinas conveyed a barrage of information to her brain.

Lu Ran's hair had grown long; why hadn't he gotten it cut?

His clothes seemed worn, with faded edges and frayed cuffs.

The fabric didn't appear soft or comfortable against the skin; it was unworthy even of being a rag in the Shen household.

With each new detail, Mrs. Shen's panic grew.

Then came the familiar anger born of embarrassment.

He had brought this upon himself.

All on his own!

Why didn't her other sons behave this way?

Despite her mind's protests, the subtle glances from those around her transported Mrs. Shen back many years.

It was during a family trip.

Something had gone wrong on the way, leading to a fierce argument between her and Shen Hongyuan.

Mrs. Shen couldn't recall the specifics of that incident anymore.

She only remembered sulking in the RV, weeping in self-pity. One of the children must have approached her, hugging her legs and saying something.

Mrs. Shen had yelled, "Scram!"

The soft little ball was taken aback, standing there helplessly, not knowing what to do.

After that, Mrs. Shen truly couldn't remember anything.

It wasn't until they reached their vacation villa that someone realized the young Master Shen was missing.

The moment she learned this news, Mrs. Shen felt as she did today, with everyone's gazes seemingly blaming her for her negligence.

Relieved, Madam Shen thought of something.

Thankfully, the Shen family had not disclosed Lu Ran's identity.

Thankfully, no one knew about her relationship with Lu Ran.

By the time Madam Shen regained her composure and lifted her gaze again, the young man on stage had already left.

Her tensed nerves eased slightly.

At that moment, Mrs. Lin, sitting beside her, turned to look at Lu Ran as he descended from the stage, then back at Madam Shen, and commented, "How could you let a child come up here?"

Madam Shen's heart, which had just settled, skipped a beat. "Y-You, what did you say?"

Mrs. Lin glanced at her, chatting as if she was an experienced elder. "In families like ours, people in our position should be more magnanimous. Whatever happens at home should stay at home; it wouldn't do to make a spectacle out of it."

Madam Shen was still in a daze and failed to grasp the implications behind Mrs. Lin's words.

What does tolerance entail?

From the side, Shen Xingran, who had overheard the conversation, lowered his head silently and clenched his fists.

He suddenly recalled the rumors he had intentionally or unintentionally divulged.

When Lu Ran had first returned to the Shen family...

Someone had inquired about his relationship with Lu Ran.

Out of fear that his status as an adopted son would be exposed, he had panicked and hinted that Lu Ran was merely Shen Hongyuan's illegitimate child.

Once a lie was spoken, it required constant repetition and reinforcement.

But Shen Xingran never dreamed that one day, Lu Ran would confront him and Madam Shen openly in front of everyone.

On the other side of the long table,

Ji Min sat quietly in his wheelchair, watching the absurd spectacle unfold.

The sponsorship ceremony was quite lengthy.

Midway through, the school had arranged a tea break.

Many students left their seats, strolling in the corridors or heading to the restrooms.

Some bold ones even approached the front to greet the company representatives directly.

However, no one dared to approach Ji Min.

He was seated in a wheelchair.

An aura of "strangers keep away" radiated from him, exerting a natural intimidation on these students still sheltered within the ivory tower.

But Ji Min himself was oblivious to this pressure.

He was frowning at the stage, deep in thought.

Nearby, someone was chatting casually, "I heard it's... but when did the Shen family fall so low that they need to seek funding for their own bloodline?"

Ji Min's eyes narrowed slightly.

He hadn't specifically investigated Lu Ran's background, but he could guess the possibilities with reasonable accuracy.

Butler Chen organized the student files in his hand.

Not only was he Ji Min's personal butler, but technically, he held the position of an assistant to the chairman. Hence, he would attend such events and handle matters that Ji Min found inconvenient to deal with personally.

After passing the documents, Butler Chen observed Ji Min in deep thought and followed his gaze.

Then, he chuckled and teased, "Should we add this Lu Ran student to the list?"

"Ha," Ji Min averted his gaze. "I have no intention of engaging in charity work, nor do I plan to get entangled in the mess of the Shen family."

Despite these words, before the form was submitted, Ji Min stopped an assistant beside him.

He whispered, "Add one more spot for my personal sponsorship."

Butler Chen smiled.

Lu Ran's major didn't align with the direction set by the Ji family.

"I agree that private funding is an excellent option," he said.

Ji Min didn't seem embarrassed by his change of heart; he simply said firmly, "Let's see what he chooses."

Lu Ran didn't push his way to the front to network.

Instead, he went out into the corridor to catch his breath.

After only a short while, an assistant approached him and said, "Student Lu Ran, please come with me. There's something related to sponsorship we'd like to discuss with you."

Lu Ran looked in the direction the assistant indicated and saw Madam Shen standing alone by the entrance of an empty classroom.

He didn't resist and followed the assistant over.

Upon entering the classroom, he closed the door.

"YOU!" Madam Shen pointed at Lu Ran's nose and scolded him. "What did you say up there on stage?"

Lu Ran leaned back slightly, avoiding Madam Shen's outstretched finger.

Of course, he had noticed Shen Xingran and Madam Shen, but he hadn't paid much attention to them.

From the beginning, he knew that the Shens would come.

He also knew how they would react upon seeing him, given their temperament.

Chances were, they would feel ashamed.

But Lu Ran himself was completely unfazed.

Ashamed?

That was a concern for when one needed to put food on the table and keep living.

Lu Ran wasn't even sure if he would survive another car accident a year from now, let alone end up in a dark hospital room again.

He had no energy to dwell on such matters.

Moreover, the scholarship event was a regular activity in universities.

It was only the Shen family who would feel ashamed.

"What did I say wrong?" Lu Ran questioned her in return.

"What do you mean by saying you're an orphan?" Mrs. Shen vented her anger and panic. "Your father and I are still alive. Besides, didn't we find you? What else do you want?"

"You're right," Lu Ran nodded.

He strode out immediately. "So while everyone's still here, I'll clarify things."

Mrs. Shen was baffled. "Clarify what?"

"Of course, it's to clarify that both my parents are alive and found me, but they're unwilling to acknowledge me. Not only do they refuse to provide for my living expenses and tuition, they even ask me for rent," Lu Ran said.

As he spoke, he pulled open the door of the empty classroom and stepped into the corridor.

Then, as if he had just thought of something, he turned back to add, "I'll also honestly tell them that my birth mother is sitting right there in the audience."

Lu Ran's words hit Madam Shen where it hurt the most.

Upon hearing Lu Ran's words, she nearly fainted from the shock.

If Lu Ran were to expose all this, the Shen family would truly lose both face and dignity.

Madam Shen had initially assumed that Lu Ran was merely making a fuss to gain her attention. However, she hadn't expected him to actually head for the meeting room.

Panic-stricken, she exclaimed, "Quick! Quick! Stop him!"

She no longer cared about propriety or grace as she rushed forward to grab Lu Ran's hand.

Lu Ran turned around, his expression a mix of amusement and seriousness. He asked, "Madam, is it appropriate for you to be pulling and tugging like this?"

At that moment, they were standing in the corridor.

Lu Ran's words attracted curious glances from the students passing by.

Madam Shen's smile froze on her face.

She quickly straightened her posture and, adopting a softer tone, whispered to Lu Ran, "What do you really want to drop this sponsorship event?"

Lu Ran countered with a question, "What do you think?"

Madam Shen responded, "Would it be enough for the Shen family to officially acknowledge you? We're already working on it. If you're in a rush, I can urge your father to speed things up."

Her voice softened as she pleaded, "So, Ranran, please don't act recklessly, okay?"

Lu Ran wasn't convinced by her empty promises.

"I'm afraid you're overthinking it," Lu Ran said, looking down at the woman before him.

His mother.

He smiled and continued, "I'm just an ordinary orphan. All I want is a standard sponsorship contract with a company, to graduate smoothly, and then work to pay off my debts. That's all."

With that, he freed himself from Madam Shen's grasp and walked towards the meeting room alone.

Lu Ran's expression was serene, his mood equally tranquil.

As quiet as it was when he lay on his hospital bed in his previous life, gazing at the ceiling in silence.

Until he turned the corner and unexpectedly collided with Ji Min in his wheelchair.

Lu Ran: "..."

He instinctively looked up at what was behind Ji Min.

"Mr. Chen is still in the meeting room," Ji Min informed him.

"Oh," Lu Ran acknowledged.

The students in the hallway gradually returned to the meeting room, and the surroundings fell quiet.

Ji Min's gaze drifted over the railing, down to the floor below.

Lu Ran passed by him from behind.

"Not a bad calculation," commented the observer, watching the scenery.

Lu Ran abruptly halted his steps.

Ji Min's eyes were half-lidded as he spoke in a calm, low voice, "Forcing the Shen family to sign a sponsorship contract with you here ensures your college life for the next four years and a smooth transition into the Shen Corporation after graduation."

"Once you're in the Shen Corporation, your leverage will increase, and you'll have more room to maneuver."

Lu Ran gradually clenched his fists.

Ji Min was right.

Initially, he had only sought a sponsorship.

But upon further contemplation, he realized that without the Shen family's support, no company would want him.

Thus, Lu Ran had set his sights on the Shen family during this sponsorship event.

"I didn't realize you were eavesdropping," Lu Ran grumbled, looking down.

"I don't have such a habit," Ji Min replied.

Lu Ran: "..."

Well, that was a guess.

All the effort he had put into devising a clever plan was nothing but a transparent ploy to the man's keen eyes.

"What... do you want?" Lu Ran asked warily.

Ji Min abruptly withdrew his gaze from downstairs and turned to look at him.

It was supposed to be a victorious battle.

Yet the youth was like a frost-bitten eggplant, not only devoid of any hint of joy, but also exuding an aura of deathly stillness about him.

"Lu Ran."

He unexpectedly called out the youth's name.

The young man, however, didn't kneel down and look up at him as he did that day in the carriage.

Instead, he stood in the hallway, maintaining a not-too-close, not-too-far distance, and turned his head slightly, casting a gentle and subtle glance from the corner of his eye.

"Let me see you off for your trip abroad," Ji Min said.

Upon hearing this, the defensively poised Lu Ran's eyes suddenly widened.

"In the Shen family, you can't win against Shen Xingyu. Outside the Shen family, you can still live a decent life with your own capabilities. Don't covet what doesn't belong to you."

That was all Ji Min had to say.

He wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs, let alone had any particular fondness for illegitimate children.

Such an extensive explanation is truly an unprecedented oddity.

Upon hearing his words, the surprise in the eyes of the youth opposite had entirely dissipated.

Resuming its usual calm and undisturbed appearance.

His lips curled into a cryptic smile, and he softly repeated, "Something that doesn't belong to me?"

Ji Min found the smile on the child's face strangely irritating.

He felt somewhat weary, blinking his eyes slightly.

When he opened them again, he found a smartphone screen inches from his face.

The screen displayed a QR code for payment.

The person who had been standing at a distance was now squatting beside his wheelchair, his face twisted in an ingratiating manner, his dark eyes shining as he looked at Ji Min:

"You don't need to go abroad, it's too troublesome. Why don't you just transfer the money to me in cash?"

Ji Min: "..."

"Is my money that easy to earn?" he sneered.

"Not giving it, huh?" Lu Ran stared at him. "If not, what were you talking about?"

With that, he put away the QR code and grumbled as he stood up and left.