Chapter 110: Not Used To It

Chapter 110: Not Used To It

Ji Min was genuinely startled.

"Why are you here?"

Lu Ran didn't reply, only burying his head into Ji Min's embrace.

The night was quiet.

The warm yellow light illuminated the bedroom, while only the silhouettes of dark trees swayed gently in the night breeze outside the window.

The youth continually nestled closer into Ji Min's embrace.

His hair was soft, and his body carried a subtle fragrance of mint-scented shower gel.

That humid aroma filled the room, making it exceptionally tranquil.

Amidst this serene, secluded atmosphere, Ji Min couldn't resist closing his eyes, indulging in the moment.

Allowing someone to nestle closely into his embrace.

Through the thin layer of pajamas, a warmth that was both comforting and stirring transmitted through.

Accompanied by the light yet warm breath of youth.

Ji Min could sense Lu Ran's arms wrapping around him tightly.

Almost as if he desired to adhere to him without any gap.

Ji Min felt the youth tilt his head back to kiss his chin.

Eagerly, the kisses rain down, each one bearing an almost desperate yearning.

With his eyes closed, Ji Min endured in silence.

Until the youth's fingers slithered beneath his sleeping robe.

Ji Min gently pressed the other person's hand, slowly opening his eyes.

He planted a gentle kiss on the teenager's forehead and whispered softly, "Stop fussing, shall we go back to sleep?"

Saying so, Ji Min gently pushed the other person away, using his arms to prop himself up and sit up on the bed.

Just as he began to prop himself up, the youth within the covers stretched out his arms once more, embracing him anew.

"I won't be returning."

Burrowing his face into the man's chest, Lu Ran muffled, "I'm not making a fuss."

As he spoke, the youth raised his face, his eyes revealing an almost panicky obstinacy beneath their depths.

He straightened up, looked up at Ji Min, and said earnestly, "Let's do it, okay?"

Ji Min paused, then reached out to gently rub the soft crown of Lu Ran's head.

"Why bother mentioning these now? It's not like it's urgent."

Lu Ran pressed his lips together and wrapped his arms around the man's waist once more.

"I'm not joking; I'm serious. Why can't we?"

Ji Min leaned against the headboard, his gaze lowered as he gazed at the youth's whorl of hair.

He reached out to gently pat Lu Ran's back, then looked up at the warm-colored ceiling lamp.

He gazed silently for a while.

None could fathom how Ji Min managed to suppress the almost painful longing deep within his heart.

Eventually, he gently set the person aside and whispered, "Sleep here. I have some matters to attend to in my study."

Saying this, he propped himself up on the armrest by the bed and returned to his wheelchair.

Without pausing, he directly maneuvered his wheelchair outside.

Hardly had he gone far when sounds came from behind him.

The youth, barefoot, leapt down from the bed and swiftly closed the distance between them in a few steps.

In an irresistible manner, he climbed onto his wheelchair, straddling him across his lap.

"I don't care, I'm going to do it anyway!"

The person on his lap said with an intimidating tone.

Ji Min, however, raised his gaze to meet the youth's eyes, which veiled a tremor of unease.

He reached out, tracing the pad of his finger gently across the corner of Lu Ran's eye.

Gently, he inquired, "Aren't you the one who fears nothing? Why are you like this now?"

"I'm not scared," Lu Ran turned away.

"That's why you didn't want to tell me about the surgery," Ji Min kissed his eyelids.

Lu Ran rubbed his eyes and then glared back at him,

"Are you going to do it or not? If not, I'll find someone else."

A man's arm encircled his waist, leaning back in the chair as he asked leisurely, "Oh? Who are you looking for?"

"I...," Lu Ran stumbled over his words, babbling, "I'm looking for Gu... Gu Ningqi, Zhang Lin, and also..."

"Tsk."

Ji Min reached out to pat his waist. "You don't even know how to choose properly."

He was talking about nothing but flawed individuals.

Lu Ran pressed his lips together. "Anyway, I..."

His unfinished sentence was cut off by a kiss.

It was a gentle kiss, soothing and comforting, easing Lu Ran's tension and anxiety.

Click.

Ji Min switched off the light in the bedroom.

The room dimmed instantly.

The streetlamps outside the window revealed their hues.

A hazy, yellowish glow penetrated through the half-drawn curtains.

In this semi-darkness, the rustling of clothing and intermittent sounds of kisses echoed softly.

After a brief moment, a low sob was heard.

Ringing halfway, it was abruptly stifled by its owner's voice.

Only the gentle and prolonged breathing remained.

There was another moment of silence.

Ji Min reached out to switch on the light, then slowly returned to the bedside, where he gently placed the wilted youth, whose ears were flushed red, onto the bed. He drew the covers over the boy, tucking him in securely.

With his eyes closed, Lu Ran buried his face into the blankets.

Ji Min chuckled softly.

The young man immediately buried himself even deeper.

It wasn't until the faint creaking sound of the wheelchair turning that Lu Ran abruptly lifted his head and looked at Ji Min.

He reached out to grab the corner of the man's clothes and asked, "Where are you going?"

Ji Min opened his hand, showing the palm to Lu Ran.

With a slight curl of his lips, he said, "To wash my hands."

Lu Ran: "…"

He slowly withdrew his hand.

The sound of the wheelchair receded, followed by indistinct splashing noises coming from the bathroom.

Lu Ran's eyelids began to droop.

He intended to wait for Ji Min's return.

But with his nerves that had been tense for so long suddenly easing up, he couldn't resist the urge to sleep.

When Lu Ran finally woke up, it was already morning.

He was still lying in Ji Min's bed, but Ji Min was nowhere to be found.

Lu Ran jolted upright from the bed, still in his pajamas, and hastily rushed downstairs.

Upon seeing the man sitting in the dining room as usual, he let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Awake?" Ji Min looked over at him.

"You... Why didn't you wake me up?" Lu Ran pouted, voicing his complaint.

"You were sleeping like a log. Nobody could have woken you," Ji Min remarked.

Lu Ran: "..."

Ji Min appraised the person from head to toe, raising an eyebrow as he said, "With this attire, you don't think I'd assume you weren't coming and just headed straight for the hospital, do you?"

Lu Ran's thoughts were accurately guessed, and he cast another glance before turning to ascend the stairs for his ablutions.

When I came down, Ji Min was still waiting outside.

Yet, it was evident that everything was already in order, awaiting departure.

Lu Ran remained silent.

He had classes today, so he merely picked up his backpack silently and followed Ji Min into the car.

The vehicle exited the Ji residence's grand gates.

The driver hesitated for a moment before asking, "Should we head to...?"

Ji Min replied, "The school."

Lu Ran interjected, "The hospital."

Both of them spoke in unison.

The driver: "…"

Ji Min cleared his throat and turned to look at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran remained silent, holding his backpack with one hand while gazing at Ji Min.

Ji Min: "…"

He turned back and said to the driver, "Let's head to the hospital first."

Only then did Lu Ran avert his gaze.

During the ride, the atmosphere in the car was tranquil.

After sitting straight for a while, Lu Ran turned to Ji Min again and asked, "Don't you have anything to tell me?"

Ji Min glanced at him and replied, "What could there be to say in such a short time?"

Lu Ran remained silent, not uttering a word.

Ji Min headed to the New City Private Hospital where Doctor Kemler worked, a rather secluded ward.

The car pulled into the hospital and came to a stop.

The door on Ji Min's side opened, and an accessible ramp descended from the vehicle.

As the man maneuvered his wheelchair to exit the vehicle, the youth turned his head and gazed at Ji Min, saying, "You must ensure you return after a successful surgery, understand?"

Ji Min chuckled softly.

He said, "Alright, I promise to fulfill the mission."

Medical staff arrived outside and escorted Ji Min to his designated surgical wing.

Lu Ran sat in the car.

Normally, it was always Ji Min who sent him to school.

He alighted from the car, leaving Ji Min seated quietly inside, watching him depart.

Now, it was Lu Ran alone in the vehicle, gazing at Ji Min's disappearing figure.

After a long while, the driver prompted, "Uh... class is almost about to start."

"Oh," Lu Ran acknowledged. "Let's head to school then."

The driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror, thinking to himself that this young couple made even a routine surgery seem like a farewell before a life-or-death situation.

On the way, he couldn't help but offer reassurance,

"The Chairman has prepared thoroughly for the surgery, and it will be conducted by the best medical team. There shouldn't be any issues."

"Of course," Lu Ran agreed.

However, despite his words, his eyes kept wandering to the empty space beside him.

Ji Min had gone to prepare for the surgery.

Initially, he had intended to have Butler Chen stay with Lu Ran, but Lu Ran had declined the offer.

As a result, the Ji residence was now occupied by Lu Ran alone.

Ji Min arranged for another temporary butler, but Lu Ran wasn't particularly acquainted with this new staff member.

The taste of the meals at home remained unchanged, and his studies were as demanding as ever.

In fact, with the approaching final semester, things had become even busier.

Yet, Lu Ran found himself feeling somewhat unoccupied.

Ji Min's surgery was conducted in a closed setting.

Lu Ran had no objections; there were plenty of messy affairs within the Ji family, and it was wise to be cautious.

Moreover, Lu Ran didn't wish for Ji Min to be distracted by anything else.

Every day, Ji Min would send messages, make calls, and discuss the progress of the surgical preparations with him.

Yet, Lu Ran still felt a sense of emptiness within him.

Unable to resist, he took on two more part-time jobs, filling every gap in his academic schedule.

At the fast-food restaurant.

After the busiest hours, Lu Ran cleaned up the tables and stood by the counter, lost in thought.

He counted the time they had known each other—it hadn't been that long.

Their official time together was even more fleeting.

For some reason, though, even while living the same hasty, hustle-and-bustle life as before, he couldn't help but think of Ji Min.

Lu Ran took out his phone, opened their chat window with Ji Min, and gazed at it quietly.

Then, he lifted his head, scanning the interior of the restaurant.

Nestled in the corner by the east, an uncle was engrossed in reading the newspaper.

By the western window, a tall and slender office lady sipped her coffee gracefully.

"Jingle."

The doorbell rang once.

Both the reading uncle and the coffee-drinking office lady instantly shot sharp glances towards the entrance.

A burly man in a leather jacket stepped inside from the doorway.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, the two patrons slowly averted their gazes.

The muscular man approached the counter and ordered five hamburgers.

As Lu Ran jotted down the order, he couldn't help but discreetly inquire, "Do... you get your expenses reimbursed for ordering at the restaurant where I work?"

Scratching his head, the man chuckled embarrassedly, "This counts as part of our meals, so it's all covered by the company."

"Oh, he's quite generous," Lu Ran commented.

After the burly man left, Lu Ran glanced at the figures both inside and outside the fast-food shop.

He thought to himself, This fast-food restaurant's revenue is probably all supported by these bodyguards.

Having worked quietly for a few days, Lu Ran encountered another incident at school.

After finishing his morning classes, he was just about to pack up his things and go eat when someone who looked somewhat familiar found his classroom and asked, "Where's Lu Ran?"

Lu Ran looked up and scanned the person.

This person had a natural air of arrogance on their face, but they didn't seem to be troublemakers.

Moreover, with their slender arms and legs, they didn't appear to be very capable in a fight.

So, Lu Ran approached them directly and asked, "What can I help you with?"

The man lifted his chin and glanced at Lu Ran without uttering a word, only pretending to clear his throat.

Confused, Lu Ran stared at him silently.

After a moment, the man cleared his throat again.

Lu Ran grew irritated. "If you have a sore throat, go see a doctor. I'm a veterinarian; I can't help with that."

The man's face turned ashen, and he said awkwardly,

"Don't you remember me? I'm Fang Chen. We've met twice before – we even saw each other at the Gu family's place last time."

Lu Ran pondered deeply for quite a while until the surname "Fang" sparked a memory.

He pointed at Fang Chen and said, "Oh, you're that... young master."

Relieved that Lu Ran had recalled him, Fang Chen sighed in relief.

However, after recognizing Fang Chen, Lu Ran immediately turned and headed for the cafeteria.

Fang Chen hurriedly followed after him.

By the time they reached the cafeteria, it was already bustling with people.

Lu Ran was in line to get his food. After he finished, Fang Chen boldly called out to him, "Hey, hey, hey, I forgot my meal card."

Lu Ran gave him a glance and casually swiped his card for him.

Carrying his tray, Fang Chen tagged along behind Lu Ran like a little follower, eventually sitting across from him.

Coming from an affluent family and being the youngest, he had always been doted on. Now, feeling that it was only natural for someone to help him, he sat down ready to eat.

But just as his chopsticks were about to grab some food, Lu Ran swiftly took away his plate.

Fang Chen looked at him blankly.

"Without paying, what the hell do you think you're eating?" Lu Ran showed him his Alipay QR code without any hesitation, not sparing him any dignity.

Fang Chen had never encountered anyone who so bluntly asked him for money in his entire life.

He instinctively wanted to flare up.

But the moment he thought of Lu Ran's track record, he immediately caved and quickly took out his phone.

After scanning the code, he was dumbfounded. "Wasn't it supposed to be eighteen yuan and fifty cents? Why did I just pay one hundred and eighty-five?"

"Because I swiped for you," Lu Ran said with a justified tone.

"You, you, you!" Fang Chen's temper flared. "Then I'm not eating!"

"Wasting food is shameful." Lu Ran lifted his tray slowly.

His posture suggested that he might throw the food at someone's face if they disagreed.

Fang Chen shuddered and promptly paid up.

Perhaps he had been secretly taken advantage of many times since he was young, but this time...

This could very well be the most blatant display yet.

Fang Chen lowered his head and sullenly consumed the meals that had inexplicably become ten times more expensive.

He couldn't help but mutter, "No wonder I've heard you don't have many friends."

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

"Nothing!" Fang Chen hurriedly replied.

After they finished their lunch,

Lu Ran turned to Fang Chen again and asked, "Well, tell me, what did you want to talk about?"

The two of them were still seated in the cafeteria.

Fang Chen seemed lost in thought and was clearly feeling rather awkward.

He looked left and right, as if he were up to no good.

Finally, before Lu Ran's patience ran out, he leaned in and whispered mysteriously:

"Can I borrow your dog for a while?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran raised his eyebrows. "What do you need Big Yellow for?"

Fang Chen's embarrassment grew more apparent on his face.

He whispered, "I thought the way you pranked Shen that day was really cool, so I wanted to try it out too."

Lu Ran fell into a slow silence.

After pulling pranks for so long, he had heard all sorts of reactions - disgust, astonishment.

But this was the first time someone called it cool.

As if afraid Lu Ran would misunderstand, Fang Chen quickly explained, "I've been bothered by an idiot recently. He's incredibly disgusting; he's spreading rumors that he's already slept with me. I really want to get rid of him!"

Fang Chen gritted his teeth as he spoke, unable to resist complaining, "You have no idea, it's like a snail has crawled all over me!"

Lu Ran interrupted his critique with a light cough. "Big Yellow isn't for loaning."

"Fuh?" Fang Chen's face fell instantly.

"But... the key point of what you witnessed at the Shen residence wasn't Big Yellow," Lu Ran said.

"Then what was it?" Fang Chen asked.

"It was me!" Lu Ran stood up.

An hour later, a piercing scream echoed from the restroom of a teaching building in University Y.

Standing outside the restroom, Fang Chen watched with immense excitement, clapping until his hands turned red.

"Well done! Thrilling!"

Lu Ran remained unfazed, as calm as a still pond.

He removed his disposable gloves and proceeded to wash his hands at the sink.

Fang Chen excitedly patted his shoulder. "Brother, you've helped me out. From now on, we're friends!"

"Starting today, if anyone in Beijing dares to mess with you, tell them you're under my protection, Fang Chen!"

Young Master Fang was highly animated, but Lu Ran calmly pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands.

Then, he silently displayed his payment QR code.

Fang Chen: "..."

"What's this about?" he asked.

"For the payment? You don't expect me to do it for free, do you?" Lu Ran said matter-of-factly.

A few minutes later, Lu Ran left the restroom, pleased with his four-digit earnings.

After that incident, Fang Chen occasionally came to hang out with Lu Ran.

As time went on, everyone in their field learned that Lu Ran and the young master of the Fang family were good friends.

Occasionally, those who failed to see the signs and still dared to provoke Lu Ran had vanished.

As they spent more time together, Lu Ran discovered that Young Master Fang, despite being excessively indulged by his family, wasn't a bad person.

On another weekend, Fang Chen visited Lu Ran at the laboratory.

With enthusiasm, he suggested, "You must be bored being at home alone, right? Why don't we go out and have some fun? If you're not interested in going out, how about I pay a visit to your place?"

Lu Ran was in the middle of changing into his lab coat.

Upon hearing this, he turned his head to look at Fang Chen.

Staring at him for a while, he suddenly asked,

"From the very beginning, it was Ji Min who told you to approach me, wasn't it?"