Chapter 115: “Falling for Another”

Chapter 115: "Falling for Another"

"Cough."

Ji Min cleared his throat softly.

He cast an upward glance at the youth beside him.

Lu Ran lowered his gaze, engrossed in playing with his phone, utterly disregarding him.

It appears to be engaged in conversation with Fang Chen.

For a while, Ji Min watched, then reached out to take the young man's phone.

"What are you chatting about? Let me have a look," he said.

Lu Ran evaded his hand and glanced at him. "What are you doing, invading my privacy?"

Ji Min: "..."

He slowly withdrew his hand and said with displeasure, "How come I didn't know when you became so close to Fang Chen?"

"Who knows?"

Lu Ran's voice was leisurely. "Suddenly having a good friend fall from the sky, one must cherish it properly."

The tone was incredibly sardonic.

If Ji Min couldn't pick up on this now, he might as well have not lived all these years.

He thought to himself that this kid could be incredibly dense at times, but shockingly perceptive at others.

It was clear that Lu Ran had noticed his arrangement and was unhappy about it, thus provoking him here.

"Cough."

Ji Min raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose. He spoke softly, "I just thought that you should socialize more with people your age, that's why I... "

To his surprise, Lu Ran agreed without any hesitation.

"Yes," he said. "I used to spend time mostly with those older than me. Now I realize, it's the young ones who are more fun."

Ji Min: "..."

He raised his hand to rub his forehead.

With no other option, he glanced aside, seeking help from Butler Chen with an imploring expression.

Housekeeper Chen pretended not to notice and focused intently on examining the carpet in the rehabilitation area.

The consequences of one's actions should be faced by oneself.

Observing him is utterly pointless.

With a sigh, Ji Min could do nothing but accept it.

He turned to the youth at his side, a note of helplessness threading through his voice as he said,

"Is that how you behave? Is it appropriate to openly discuss falling for someone else with me, your current boyfriend?"

Ji Min emphasized the term "current boyfriend."

To which the young man replied, "Why wouldn't it work?"

Lu Ran smirks, his eyes narrowing as he looks over.

"You're both settling your estate and arranging for friends. You put so much effort into acting as my senior."

"Given that we can't be boyfriends now, is it not acceptable for me to share my romantic journey with you, as a respected elder?"

Saying this, Lu Ran beamed and showed him a photo of himself and Fang Chen together.

Q: "What do you think? Is the romantic interest I've chosen this time satisfactory? Is he better than the last one?"

Ji Min: "..."

It's over, there's no soothing this situation now.

A tense stalemate ensued for a moment.

As the nurses around, eager for a spectacle, gradually dispersed, Butler Chen also walked to a short distance away, engaging in conversation with the on-duty doctor.

Only then did Ji Min let out a sigh.

He leaned in closer to Lu Ran once again, then gently touched his forehead against the youth's before resting his chin upon the younger man's shoulder.

"Please, don't tease me anymore, I beg of you," he pleaded in a soft, earnest tone.

After the surgery, there's bound to be some difference.

Unconstrained by the wheelchair, the man across from him could now approach as closely as he desired.

And there was no need for Lu Ran's consent.

Ji Min, standing well over six feet tall, now leaned his entire upper body forward, his build towering and imposing.

He resembled an oversized teddy bear for hugging.

In his almost-thirty years, Ji Min's display of coquettishness was rather irresistible.

"Keep your distance," Lu Ran said sternly, pushing him away.

He exerted some effort, but surprisingly, he couldn't budge the man?

Considering the other person's leg, Lu Ran didn't dare to apply too much force.

In the end, he only said coldly, "Hey, I already told you I've moved on!"

"Y-Yes, yes."

Ji Min chuckled against his ear, "If you've really moved on, why do you still come to this hospital you hate the most every day to accompany your ex-boyfriend for rehabilitation?"

"Do the person you like now know how much you're still hung up on your ex-boyfriend?" the man asked softly.

"..."

The words sounded like an affair, making Lu Ran's face flush red.

With great effort, he pushed the man away and sat up from the bench.

With flushed ears, he smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.

"I'm going back," he said.

Without thinking, Ji Min pulled him back and frowned. "Where to?"

"Back home," Lu Ran replied.

Ji Min glanced at the sky outside.

He held the youth's wrist, unable to shake off a lingering reluctance as he said, "It's so late. Don't bother going back. There's an empty room here."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes at him. "You just said a moment ago that I hate hospitals the most."

Ji Min: "..."

He fell silent for a moment, eventually releasing Lu Ran's hand. He sighed and said, "Be careful on your way."

Ever since Ji Min embarked on official rehabilitation, he also began handling company affairs personally.

Conducting video conferences and communicating with partners via video calls had become the norm.

Ji Min had been absent for nearly three months, and upon his reemergence, everyone noticed that the wheelchair he used to rely on was gone.

In its place was an ordinary office chair.

This change was truly conspicuous.

Ever since Ji Min assumed power, he had always been seen in a wheelchair.

Though it was never explicitly mentioned, everyone assumed that his legs were beyond healing, leaving him disabled for life.

To everyone's surprise, however, the operations of the Ji Corporation hadn't skipped a beat during those three months.

Miraculously, Ji Min's legs had recovered.

Soon, this news spread like wildfire through the entire high society of Jing City.

Despite the fact that Ji Min's status and net worth remained unchanged.

Yet, the mere act of him standing up from his wheelchair elevated the young head of the Ji family significantly in the public's perception.

Another topic of much discussion was the Shen family.

Previously, the Shen family had been vying with the Lino family for the rights to the HZ project.

In terms of strength, both families were evenly matched.

However, during the competition, Shen Hongyuan grew overly anxious, going so far as to entertain the young master of the Fang family and proposing a joint venture with the Lino family.

His eagerness invited speculation about the state of the Shen family.

Later, the Lino family released some unfavorable news about the Shen family, seemingly gaining the upper hand in the competition.

But business landscapes can shift dramatically overnight.

Who could have predicted that just when all seemed lost, a laboratory under the Shen family's umbrella would make a groundbreaking technological breakthrough, suddenly turning the tables on the Lino family?

Rumor had it that the Fang family was preparing to sign a contract with the Shen family.

This instantly elevated the Shen family's status within the social circle.

Shen Hongyuan, wanting to seize this opportunity to attract more investments, decided to host a grand banquet in celebration of Shen Xingyu's birthday.

Lu Ran also received an invitation.

The invitation was personally delivered to the Ji residence by Shen Xingyu's assistant.

Flipping it open, Lu Ran gave it a glance.

Recently, his mind had been preoccupied with Ji Min's surgery, leaving him with no interest in keeping tabs on the Shen family's affairs.

The invitation served as a reminder that it was time for him to pay a visit.

On Shen Xingyu's birthday, Lu Ran had no classes in the afternoon.

After school, instead of going to the hospital, he returned home for an afternoon nap.

Awakening from his nap, he found Ji Min's video call waiting for him.

Probably realizing that he had upset Lu Ran, Ji Min had been reaching out to him more frequently lately.

It was almost to the point of being clingy.

There would be a call in the morning, another during lunchtime, and yet another before bedtime.

Sometimes, Ji Min would even time his calls to coincide with the ten minutes after Lu Ran's classes ended.

Most of the time, Lu Ran would answer.

Occasionally, when he grew annoyed, he would dismissively say, "I'm playing games with Fang Chen. Can't talk."

Thus, as soon as he connected the video call this time, the man on the other end frowned and asked, "Playing games with Fang Chen again?"

Lu Ran rubbed his eyes, yawned, and said,

"Yes."

"Your face still bears the marks, and you're trying to deceive me?" Ji Min said.

"Oh." Lu Ran showed no sign of being caught in a lie, responding casually, "I got hit in my dream."

Ji Min: "..."

This statement was a direct hit.

For a moment, Ji Min genuinely regretted why he had ever thought of finding a playmate specifically for Lu Ran back then.

"I'm angry, Lu Ran," the man said in a deep voice. "You can already dream about someone you've just met?"

To his surprise, Lu Ran looked at him in shock.

He asked, "Are you only starting to get angry now?"

Ji Min: "..."

Suddenly, he felt like laughing again.

Noticing the displeased expression on the young man's face, he quickly composed himself and tried to soothe him.

"Not at all, I've been seething for days, even in my dreams."

Lu Ran raised his hand, poised to terminate the video call.

Ji Min hurriedly asked,

"Didn't you come over today? Were you too tired?"

"Didn't you say you were fine? Why should I have come over?" Lu Ran retorted.

President Ji, who used to say "it's fine" all the time, fell silent.

...Thank you, he truly realized his mistake.

Lu Ran checked the time and ended the video call with Ji Min.

He changed his clothes and prepared to return to the Shen family's residence.

Just as he was about to leave, Big Yellow sauntered over slowly.

Recently, Lu Ran had been constantly visiting the hospital, and pets were not allowed there, resulting in less time spent with Big Yellow.

Lu Ran immediately scooped up the dog in his arms, feeling sorry for him:

"Come on, let Daddy take you out to play."

Before leaving, Lu Ran glanced through the leashes and chose the slightly worn one with a rabbit doll attached.

Upon arriving at the destination but before entering, Lu Ran spotted Fang Chen with a displeased expression.

A circle of people had gathered around Fang Chen, yet the man acted arrogantly, ignoring everyone.

Spotting Lu Ran, he excitedly waved and dashed out from the crowd.

"Goodness gracious, you're finally here! I was about to burst!"

Fang Chen then crouched down, lavishing Big Yellow with affectionate pats.

"Why come if you felt suffocated?" Lu Ran looked at him.

Fang Chen felt a bit awkward as he replied, "I didn't want to come either, but my dad insisted I attend."

Lu Ran understood Fang Chen's implication.

Fang Chen's father had sent him as a gesture of respect to the Shen family.

It seemed that the Fangs were indeed very interested in the Shens.

Guests had started arriving one after another.

Shen Hongyuan was greeting them alongside Shen Xingyu. Upon seeing Lu Ran, his face froze, and he involuntarily asked:

"Why are you here?"

Today was an important event for the Shen family. What was the banquet assassin, Lu Ran, up to?

Seeing this, Lu Ran smiled.

He pointed in the direction of Shen Xingran, who was not far away, and said frankly, "Your dear son here specially sought me out to tell me that you've been in a good mood lately, so he asked me to come home for a visit."

Shen Xingran's face paled immediately.

In the end, it was Shen Xingyu who stepped forward and said, "I was the one who invited him."

With Shen Xingyu taking responsibility, Shen Hongyuan naturally couldn't say anything more.

Besides, Fang Chen was still present.

After Lu Ran and Fang Chen entered together, Fang Chen was promptly pulled aside by familiar uncles and elders for a chat.

Lu Ran looked around and, remembering his unfinished business from last time, decided to make a quick visit to the restroom.

Having flushed all the water balloons down the drain, Lu Ran washed his hands and stepped out.

No sooner had he left the restroom than he bumped into Shen Xingyu head-on.

The man, who had been distant yet polite outside, looked up at the restroom sign behind Lu Ran, then at the teenager in front of him, and let out a somewhat helpless sigh.

"What mischief have you cooked up this time?" Shen Xingyu asked.

"Nope," Lu Ran shrugged, continuing to lead Big Yellow out.

He passed by Shen Xingyu's side with a sidelong glance.

As he walked, the rabbit puppet dangling from the leash in his hand swayed gently, its ears fluttering.

Shen Xingyu's gaze involuntarily lingered on that rabbit puppet for a long time.

Just as Lu Ran was about to exit the corridor,

he suddenly spoke up, his voice soft, "Ran Ran, I'm very happy that you came today."

Lu Ran turned to glance at him. "You don't have to be happy. I came here to play a prank, not because of you."

Shen Xingyu was taken aback.

Sighing, he stepped forward and asked, "Can't you really come back home?

Lu Ran looked at Shen Xingyu across from him.

Actually, sometimes Lu Ran couldn't help but marvel at how remarkable Shen Xingyu was.

Born into the Shen family, he neither became a spoiled heir like Shen Xingzhuo nor was he preoccupied with power struggles like Shen Xingran.

It wasn't easy for him to grow up so focused on meaningful matters while also being highly capable.

Just like this HZ project.

With such a huge loophole within the Shen Corporation and Shen Hongyuan personally hindering progress.

Yet, Shen Xingyu could apply pressure step by step without revealing any signs of distress in crucial areas.

With a sudden smile, Lu Ran gazed at Shen Xingyu and asked,

"Do you want me to go home because you, as my elder brother, can't bear to see me wandering, or is it because the Shen family needs me back?"

Despite being only in his late teens, the young man's eyes were astoundingly perceptive.

When their gazes met, Shen Xingyu felt a flush of embarrassment and quickly looked away.

He didn't dare to meet Lu Ran's eyes nor did he dare to glance at the rabbit doll clutched in his hand.

However, Lu Ran didn't push for an answer to this trivial matter.

Casually, he glanced behind Shen Xingyu.

Then, with another smile, he said, "Don't you have an idea about what happened to me in the Shen family? Would you dare to ask me to return home without any solid evidence if you were in my shoes?"

There seemed to be a hint of leeway in his words.

Shen Xingyu promptly reassured, "Don't worry, I'm working hard to make these things happen..."

At the corner of the hallway.

Shen Xingran retracted his gaze and leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.

As expected, he knew Lu Ran had ulterior motives!

What was Shen Xingyu up to? After being rejected once by Shen Hongyuan, did he really plan on pulling Lu Ran into the Shen family?

A familiar sense of panic welled up within him.

Shen Xingran retreated silently.

In the main hall, Mrs. Shen was engaged in lighthearted conversation with several wealthy ladies.

Shen Xingran immediately approached, hoping to find solace in his mother's presence.

Noticing his approach, Mrs. Shen swiftly found an excuse to pull him aside.

Shen Xingran assumed that Lady Shen had sensed his distress and was about to console him.

Instead, she looked around and patted her chest, asking, "Did Lu Ran come over today?"

With an unusual tone, Lady Shen remarked, "He didn't cause any trouble today, did he?"

Shen Xingran opened his mouth but said nothing.

Lady Shen looked at him, as if she wanted to say something but held back. She patted Shen Xingran's hand and advised, "This banquet is crucial for our family. Be obedient and don't provoke him."

Although her words still showed her favoritism towards him, in that moment, Shen Xingran felt an immense discomfort, a profound uneasiness.

It was as if his only source of support had distanced itself from him.

"Mom…" Shen Xingran called out.

But Lady Shen had already smiled and greeted another lady who had just entered.

Shen Xingran gazed at Madam Shen's retreating figure without uttering another word. There was no trace of disappointment in his eyes. Instead, he was merely reminded of the time when Madam Shen had suspected him of being Shen Hongyuan's illegitimate child. A scoff escaped Shen Xingran's lips as he turned and left. "I've made preparations to bring you into the Shen Corporation."

Shen Xingyu was sharing his plans with Lu Ran.

His assistant hurried over and whispered, "Your uncle has arrived and is currently chatting with President Shen..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingyu's brows immediately knitted together.

He immediately strode towards the entrance.

He took two steps forward, then paused, addressing the youth behind him, "Wait for me just a moment."

That was when they left.

Lu Ran overheard his assistant's words and pondered for a moment.

Cousin?

Shen Hongyuan had several cousins.

But in Lu Ran's memory, there was only one.

That cousin wasn't quite a proper person; he once attempted to harass Shen Xingran.

Eventually, he was sent to prison with the combined efforts of the Shen family and Shen Xingran's admirers.

Lu Ran glanced toward the door and saw a middle-aged man in his forties with stubble on his chin, looking rather rakish.

However, Shen Xingyu quickly blocked the man outside the door.

Lu Ran shifted his gaze away, but he could still hear Shen Xingran's voice in his ear.

"It's only natural for Brother to want to return home now, considering the rumors about the head of the Ji family…"

Shen Xingran was engaged in conversation with his friends, his voice lowered but not entirely discreet.

Upon hearing the mention of "Ji Family," the crowd around immediately lost their drowsiness.

Now, it's common knowledge that Ji Min's leg has been cured.

With his legs healed, his status naturally changed.

Leaving aside other aspects, their positions in the matrimonial market were poles apart.

At this moment, many people discreetly cast their gazes at Lu Ran when they thought of the rumors linking Ji Min with Shen Family's wayward young master.

If their memories served them right...

Lu Ran hadn't been seen with Ji Min for quite some time.

Moreover, it was rumored that he didn't have an amicable relationship with the Shen Family and had always resided outside.

Now, he had taken the initiative to return to the Shen family...

Some of Shen Xingran's friends deliberately flattered him, saying,

"At that time, he was still disabled, but he still took a fancy to you. Now that he's better, naturally, he wants someone better."

Shen Xingran stopped there without elaborating further.

Lu Ran found the conversation rather intriguing as he listened.

After a while, he interjected, "He didn't even fancy you when he was disabled; now that he's recovered, he likes you even less. So why are you whining about it?"

This comment was a direct and indiscriminate jab at the gossipers.

Shen Xingran felt that he had guessed correctly.

Otherwise, Lu Ran wouldn't have said such a thing.

Pausing for a moment, Shen Xingran looked at Lu Ran and sighed,

"Brother, how can you say that? Even though Mr. Ji... he has helped you a great deal. Isn't it rather impolite to speak of him in such a manner?"

As Shen Xingran spoke, he shook his head and hesitated before adding, "Back then, to provoke Father, you even said that Mr. Ji was hopelessly in love with you, going mad if he couldn't see you for an hour."

Upon hearing this, the looks from those around Lu Ran turned somewhat amused.

It was unexpected that someone would boast about themselves like that.

Shen Xingran, engrossed in brewing tea, failed to notice the sudden silence at the entrance.

Until the silence spread to where they were.

A tall, imposing shadow loomed over them.

Only then did Shen Xingran instinctively step back and turn his head.

Before him stood the man who had once been wheelchair-bound, appearing at the banquet in a way no one could have imagined.

The man was dressed in a tailored haute couture suit that accentuated his tall and slender figure even more.

His broad shoulders and sturdy physique exuded an innate sense of intimidation.

And now, with his dark eyes fixated intently, the air around him grew even more oppressive.

He said,

"That's right, I'm hopelessly in love with him. I go mad if I can't see him for an hour, lose my appetite, and feel like I can't live without him."

"Well, is there a problem with that?"

The room fell silent.

Shen Xingran felt his cheeks flush red in that instant.

After a long moment of silence, scattered greetings and congratulations began to echo around them.

The man who had just delivered those "tough" words approached Lu Ran and, once again, lowered his gaze, the corners of his eyes and brows carrying a hint of a smile.

He reached out to take the leash from Lu Ran's hand.

About to say something.

There was the sight of the youth sending him a sharp, disdainful glance.

"Acting, is there anyone more pretentious than you in this world?"

Ji Min: "..."

The man, who had just exuded an overpowering presence, gently cleared his throat and, with a leisurely touch, reached out to caress the young man's finger.

Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

"Why are you standing there? Are your legs quite capable of supporting you now? Find a place to sit down."

Ji Min: "..."

The man fell silent for a moment before obediently finding a nearby sofa to sit on.