Chapter 490: Yi Yanran’s Predicament

Chapter 490: Yi Yanran's Predicament

Yun Shumo sighed helplessly and finally said, "Forget it, you guys keep playing. I'll go check on her."

Then he picked up his phone and ran after Karen.

Ji Shu exclaimed in surprise, then leaned in front of Yun Mu with a curious expression, asked with a wink, "Did I miss something exciting? What's going on between those two?"

Yun Mu played dumb, "What do you mean?"

"Are you really clueless or just pretending? Don't tell me you didn't notice the chemistry between them!" Ji Shu said.

Yun Mu, sipping yogurt, had no time for her, "I didn't notice, don't ask me."

"Fine, keep your secrets!" Ji Shu then turned to Ji Ming, "Brother, aren't you good friends with Yun Shumo? Do you know..."

"Stay out of grown-up business, play the game, play the game!" Ji Ming clearly didn't want to gossip about his good friend's affairs.

But Yunzhe's cold eyes followed Karen as she walked away, squinting slightly. Was it his illusion?

He felt that Karen, though spirited, lacked a certain masculine quality.

Yunzhe then looked at Yun Mu, who, being a medical student, should be very familiar with human anatomy. Yun Mu just shrugged at him, as if to say, don't ask me either.

In the following game session, Yun Mu and Yi Jue, Ji Shu and Yunzhe, the two couples were more like showing off their affection than playing games. Ji Ming couldn't stand it anymore and simply went outside to smoke, leaving them to it.

While smoking, Ji Ming occasionally glanced back, his gaze landing on Ji Shu and Yunzhe. Ji Shu was playful and carefree during the game, jumping around and occasionally bumping into the table, while Yunzhe was always there to catch her.

Though they were subtle gestures, it was enough to show that he truly cared for Ji Shu.

Ji Ming suddenly remembered Yi Yanran's words.

"Want to make a bet? Yunzhe will eventually choose Ji Shu. Yun Mu is indeed dazzling and can attract boys' attention and admiration, but sometimes this pursuit of beauty can blind a person. True love isn't just a fleeting crush; it's a lasting connection."

To everyone's surprise, Yunzhe ended up choosing Ji Shu in the end.

What about him?

Was he also blinded by Amu's charm and allure, mistaking it for love? Or was it just a deep love for over a decade, only to end up as a side character, loving without ever being loved back?

Thinking about how he had grown up with Yun Mu, from childhood friends to the first stirrings of young love, he had accompanied Yun Mu through every step of life.

But why wasn't he the one to lead her down the aisle?

Sigh!

Damn it all!

Even Young Master Ji wants to find love!

Ji Ming was outside, brooding over the passing of time and his own heartache, and finally sent a text to Yun Mu before driving to a bar. He needed some beautiful company and a stiff drink to soothe his wounded heart.

At his usual haunt, Ji Ming was led by the waiter to the best corner with a view.

But just as he poured a glass of wine, he heard music coming from the stage.

Ji Ming's gaze was drawn to it.

On the stage, under the spotlight, sat a female guitarist wearing a white feathered mask and a mini skirt. Without the noisy and restless rhythm, just soothing and calm music, yet it held everyone's attention.

After a brief prelude, the female guitarist's clear and melodious voice came through: "Tea with raindrops, and there you are on the long street. The morning's fleeting words are like the misty rain of Jiangnan. A dragon hides beneath the tea, mandarin ducks frolic in the water, and you and I in the autumn rain are merely part of the scenery..."

Ji Ming, casually listening, was suddenly captivated by the familiar voice, his breath catching in his throat.

The clear, catchy singing, accompanied by light, uplifting music, washed over Ji Ming, as if he had stepped into a delicate ink landscape painting.

His grip on the glass tightened as he watched the quiet figure on stage, sitting there strumming the guitar and singing softly—a beauty he had never seen before.

This... Could the person on stage really be Yi Yanran?

When the song ended, the woman on stage took her guitar and stepped down, walking straight to Ji Ming's booth. As she removed the white feathered mask...

Ji Ming was stunned—damn, it really was Yi Yanran!

"What, don’t you recognize me?"

Ji Ming, shocked, downed three glasses of wine in a row before rasping, "I hardly dare to believe it—Miss Yi, performing in a bar? Without your father, can the Yi family really not hold up?"

Yi Yanran glanced at him and chuckled lightly. "My father was strict with me growing up. He only let me perform elegant piano pieces on concert stages, but I’ve always hated the piano and violin. I love the guitar. I love singing."

"So I wear a mask and come here occasionally when I’m stressed or in a bad mood, to sing a few songs and relax."

"I see."

Ji Ming caught the key point, "So you're in a bad mood today?"

Yi Yanran lowered her eyes, as if giving a bitter smile. "It’s not about good or bad. Since I’m determined to stand in that position, I can’t afford to be capricious. It’s just... you were right earlier. Without my father, it’s really hard for me to hold the Yi family together."

As she spoke, Yi Yanran seemed tempted to pour herself a glass of wine to drown her sorrows. But then she remembered she was pregnant and stopped herself.

Ji Ming, uncharacteristically gentlemanly, poured her a glass of water.

"Thanks," Yi Yanran said.

Ji Ming coughed dryly, "Haven’t you thought of a solution? Find a powerful man to help you!"

Yi Yanran smiled bitterly. "In my current state, who would dare marry me? Those from families too low, I look down on; those from families too high, look down on me for being pregnant before marriage. Heh, that’s how the world works. When you’re on top, everyone flatters you. But once you fall, everyone tramples on you. So... I have to rise again, to a position even higher than before!"

Ji Ming looked at her, this motivated and positive version of her, momentarily at a loss for words.

After all, he was one of those who had stepped on her hard. No, he could even be called the one who helped drag her into hell...

Yi Yanran glanced at him, noticing he wouldn’t even look at her. She thought Ji Ming still despised her, as always, and that her earlier words had sounded too calculating.

With a self-pitying curl of her lips, she said, "Forget it. Enjoy your drink. I should go back."

As she spoke, she picked up the mask, put it back on, and got up to leave.

But then Ji Ming also stood up and grabbed her wrist. "Wait!"

Yi Yanran turned back in surprise.

Ji Ming said, somewhat awkwardly, "I’ll go with you."

After speaking, it seemed that he himself felt his actions were somewhat unjustifiable, so he quickly added, "I've been drinking, I can't drive. You take me back!"

Yi Yanran: "..."

Mr. Ji, surely you have drivers, designated drivers, and bodyguards at your disposal?

Could it be...

Yi Yanran couldn't help but wonder if this Ji Ming was deliberately trying to get close to her?

But why? Hasn't he loved Yun Mu for over a decade and always looked down on her, even despised her?

Does Ji Ming even realize what he's doing?

Yet Yi Yanran didn't say anything, calmly accepted the car keys, and said, "Alright, let's go."