Chapter 40: Expressions of Gratitude

Chapter 40: Expressing Gratitude

After informing Little Wang, Lu Ran packed his belongings and followed Chen Sheng to leave.

Upon reaching the car, he realized that Shen Xingzhuo was also inside.

Probably because he had noticed that he wasn't well-liked.

Surprisingly, Shen Xingzhuo hadn't made a scene by running into the store.

Lu Ran didn't mind at all.

Upon reaching the destination.

Lu Ran glanced at the twin towers outside the car window.

He was quite surprised as he looked at Chen Sheng appreciatively, "You're actually willing to dine here?"

This immediately reminded Chen Sheng and Shen Xingzhuo of what had happened in that club last time, "..."

For a moment, Chen Sheng silently wiped his face. "Because I only have a membership card for this place."

This was where Lu Ran had first clashed with Lin Yi.

Upon entering, he found that Chen Sheng and the others hadn't reserved the same private room on the first floor as before.

They had switched to another one.

The room was well-heated.

A hot pot, prepped in advance, bubbled merrily.

Tiny red tomatoes bobbed in the soup base.

Chen Sheng invited everyone to sit down without saying much. After some brief small talk, they dove straight into the feast.

After a few sips of alcohol, conversations began to flow.

Chen Sheng shifted his chair closer to Lu Ran.

"Sorry, Brother Lu," the others apologized.

Chen Sheng scratched his cheek, "Although we didn't mention it before, you know the kind of circle we're in. There's always been a certain..."

He waved his hand dismissively, "Who knows, maybe you are!"

Lu Ran found the situation rather amusing.

He didn't hold back and chuckled.

He confessed openly, "There's no need to be sorry. In the Shen family, I'm treated even worse than an illegitimate child."

At least an illegitimate child would have a mother who genuinely cared for their well-being.

Beside him, Shen Xingzhuo, who had been silently eating, gripped his chopsticks tightly.

Upon hearing Lu Ran's words, a wave of melancholy swept through the group.

Previously, although they didn't treat Lu Ran as harshly as Lin Yi, they still ignored him, ostracized him, and occasionally sneered at him.

But Lu Ran mostly ignored them.

Perhaps it was because Lu Ran had an impressive track record.

So...

His disregard seemed exceptionally tolerant.

If everyone present were to be honest with themselves, if they were looked down upon as an illegitimate child outside, they would surely retaliate fiercely.

If it were Lu Ran, he would probably dunk their heads into the toilet and flush.

Upon reflection...

Lu Ran's tolerance was so touching that it brought tears to one's eyes.

"Sigh, no more words -- it's all in the wine!"

The atmosphere at the dining table became lively once again.

When the meal was nearly finished, Lu Ran sat on the sofa to digest, lost in thought as he gazed out the window.

Outside the private room's floor-to-ceiling window, the city lights were just beginning to twinkle.

This hour marks the height of prosperity in the Twin Towers.

Of course, this only applies to the outer building that is open to the public.

The other tower merely has its corridor lights illuminated.

The door remains solemnly quiet and serene.

The sofa beside me sinks slightly under its weight.

Lu Ran turned his head and saw Shen Xingzhuo had taken a seat beside him.

"Is it alright to return that late? Aren't you supposed to pick up your dog from a few streets away?"

Shen Xingzhuo said.

He was just about to casually ask Lu Ran if he wanted a ride back home.

Lowering his gaze, he found the youth looking right at him.

Staring at him with astonishment, he asked, "Are you secretly in love with Big Yellow?"

Shen Xingzhuo: "?"

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

"Huh?" He laughed incredulously. "Lu Ran, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Why else would you stealthily follow it and even find out where it's being boarded?" Lu Ran argued logically.

Shen Xingzhuo was speechless. "I just…"

In the midst of their conversation, his phone slid onto the sofa.

The screen was still lit.

It displayed an order page from an overseas pet brand.

The purchases consisted solely of dog food, a dog bed, and a leash.

Lu Ran was even more astonished. "You've even prepared a betrothal gift? But Big Yellow is a male."

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

His face was deathly pale, with an intense urge to reach out and strangle the person standing before him.

"Stop your nonsense, I just..."

Lu Ran shook his head solemnly. "Let's not discuss this further. I'm not in favor of this marriage."

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

Oh, heavens!

Someone, just kill him already!

Just as Shen Xingzhuo was at a loss for words, fuming to the point of leaping onto the sofa, lights began to flicker on one by one in another building, starting from the street lamps outside.

Then, it was the lobby.

Soon, the bright illumination spread upstairs like a blazing fire.

In no time, the once-silent building came alive.

Figures could be seen moving behind the windows.

In the ground floor lobby, several supervisors were coordinating matters.

In a short while, an attendant was arranged to wait at the entrance.

The sudden illumination of the building was quite eye-catching.

Chen Sheng and the others were surprised:

"Isn't that building only accessible with prior appointment? Why is it so urgent this time? Who has such clout?"

Someone responded, "Who else could it be? There are only a few big shots in the business circle."

Another dozen minutes passed.

Lu Ran saw a familiar executive car stop in front of the building.

Next to him, Shen Xingzhuo was saying something once more.

But Lu Ran's attention suddenly wandered.

"Big Yellow is also my dog, so of course I have to…"

His ears caught Shen Xingzhuo's words.

Lu Ran's thoughts were dragged back.

He looked at Shen Xingzhuo in shock, "What do you mean Big Yellow is your dog? Your obsession has some limits, right!"

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

Roar!

Creeping darkness!

Whose younger brother was this guy?

Anyway, he wasn't his!

Fortunately, Lu Ran quickly suggested going to the restroom.

This saved Shen Xingzhuo's heart from exploding with anger.

Lu Ran didn't head to the restroom.

He retraced his steps down the same long corridor as before.

He arrived at the emergency exit of another building.

The security guard stationed at this floor's exit was the same one from last time.

Seeing Lu Ran, he was momentarily taken aback.

Before Lu Ran could speak, the guard proactively asked, "Looking for Mr. Ji?"

Lu Ran nodded.

He felt a bit anxious.

This time, Butler Chen wasn't around, and he had assumed he wouldn't be able to enter.

But this time, the security guard didn't let him pass unchecked.

Instead of answering, he radioed for someone and led Lu Ran into the corridor.

The hallway seemed to have grown even longer than before.

Upon entering, Lu Ran realized his decision might have been impulsive.

He should have delivered to Ji's residence tomorrow instead.

Lost in thought, they continued walking.

Suddenly, the attendant leading the way stopped in front of a door.

Smiling at Lu Ran, the attendant knocked on the door.

From within, a voice echoed, "Come in."

The tone was neutral, giving no indication of the occupant's mood or whether they were occupied.

Yet, the attendant did not press for more information.

He simply made a polite gesture inviting Lu Ran to proceed, then turned around and left.

Lu Ran: "..."

He almost made an "Elang" gesture.

"Not at all, buddy."

Aren't you going to open the door and report your presence?

Are you really going to leave him here all alone?

Isn't there any empathy among fellow wage earners?

Lu Ran stood by the door, all on his own.

His palm rested on the doorknob, yet it remained stationary.

The tip of his foot pretended to kick at an imaginary stone on the polished marble floor.

Kicking for quite a while, he finally lifted his head and took a deep breath.

"Crack..."

The heavy door creaked open, revealing a narrow gap.

"Let's condense tomorrow's schedule even more."

Ji Min handed the itinerary to his assistant.

Upon hearing the voice, he looked up and saw a fluffy head poke through the door crack.

The young man had taken off his thick cotton jacket, leaving him in a slightly thin, creamy white hoodie with a hood.

As the hat slid down, his fine black hair stood on end due to static electricity.

Through the strands of hair, two pale, delicate ears tinted with a faint pink could be seen.

With wide, dark eyes, he peered cautiously into the room, resembling a hamster sneaking into a cat's territory to steal cheese.

Ji Min's knuckles curled slightly, creasing the corner of the schedule with an almost imperceptible fold.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Lu Ran pressed his lips together, unsure if he had interrupted some important task. He felt a bit embarrassed.

Just as he was about to withdraw his head, he heard the man inside the room speak casually, "Wrong room. The restroom is at the end of the corridor."

Lu Ran: "..."

In that instant, the pot of awkwardness that had been simmering all day finally came to a halt.

All sense of discomfort vanished.

"I don't have to go to the bathroom every single time!"

He abruptly pushed the door open and stepped into the room, slamming it shut behind him.

"Oh," the man replied softly, returning his attention to the other documents in front of him.

By the time the young man had both feet firmly planted inside, the faint blush on his ears had almost faded away.

He spoke again, his tone deliberate, "I was wondering if you were going to kick a hole in the marble to crawl in."

The fleeting blush rushed back at his words.

Lu Ran kept his hands in his pockets, his fingers fidgeting.

Well then.

That explained how he'd entered so easily.

It turned out that he could see everything just now!

Lu Ran was at a loss for words, clutching his fingers.

The room fell silent once again, an indescribable awkwardness hanging in the air.

At that moment, Butler Chen approached and handed Ji Min a cup of black tea.

Ji Min peered at Butler Chen with a subtle glance.

Softly reminding, "It's for you."

Butler Chen raised an eyebrow in surprise.

At this moment, the silent young man beside him spoke up.

He spoke with unwavering determination, "I didn't come here to look for an uncle."

Ji Min lifted his gaze to look over.

Suddenly and unprepared, he found himself locked in the honest, resolute gaze of the youth's dark eyes.

Within these eyes, there lurks a hint of bashfulness.

Mingled with a hint of bashfulness and a subtle intention to retreat.

Yet, the owner of those eyes held firm and straightforwardly admitted, "I'm here to apologize to you."

Ji Min was taken aback by such an honest and direct apology.

For a moment, he was left speechless.

The old butler standing by the side glanced at Ji Min.

His gaze seemed to convey:

Even children know to apologize promptly, yet some people have been waiting for their delivery for two days.

Ji Min averted his gaze from the butler Chen's teasing look.

The butler smiled, offered Lu Ran a cup of tea as well, then left the room.

Click.

The door opened and closed again.

In the spacious and empty suite, only Lu Ran and Ji Min were left, two men alone.

Ji Min lowered his head to flip through the documents in his hand.

After a few pages, he rubbed his temples and set the files aside.

He maneuvered his motorized wheelchair himself, turning towards the floor-to-ceiling window.

"What are you apologizing for?" he asked softly.

The moment Butler Chen left, Lu Ran felt a bit awkward.

He quickly said, "Oh, I should also thank you for offering to send me abroad for further studies and asking about my job."

"Mm," the man replied with half-lidded eyes.

It was unclear if he was looking at the view outside the floor-to-ceiling window or the reflection of the young man on the glass.

Apology accepted. Thank you expressed.

The whole process seemed to have come to an end.

"Um... I'm fine now."

Lu Ran turned lightly on his feet.

He cast a glance over his shoulder.

The wheelchair was still silently parked in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

"I'll be going then," Lu Ran said, placing his hand back on the doorknob.

With a click, the door opened once more.

Ji Min gazed quietly at his own pale reflection in the windowpane.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed.

He maneuvered the wheelchair back around.

The words were on the tip of his tongue but didn't make it past his lips.

A soft "pat" could be heard.

The door swung shut.

The furry youth who had just darted in is now nowhere to be seen.

A sudden surge of irritation emerged without warning.

Before Ji Min could discern the origin of this emotion.

With a swoosh.

The recently closed door swung open once more.

A black-haired youth clad in a hoodie bursts into the room with a swift, resounding "whoosh."

Ji Min had just come back to his senses.

Feeling a gentle warmth on his knee.

His gaze softened as he observed the boy, who had just been standing with restraint, now crouching in front of him, his small hands resting on the knees covered by the thin blanket.