Chapter 77:
Three minutes later, the old lady sat back on the sofa and took another big sip from the thermos. Her mood had been fluctuating and she was starting to feel overwhelmed.
Ji Ran’s mind was equally chaotic. He hadn’t spoken since sitting down, still regretting what had just happened.
What’s wrong with this person? It would have been fine if he had just stayed quiet inside. With him blocking the way, not to mention Grandma Ji. even her assistant won’t be able to move him.
After a while, Grandma Ji broke the silence, “Xiao Man, what are you doing here… What happened to your hand?”
“I accidentally bumped into something,” Qin Man obviously didn’t want to explain to her.
Grandma Ji persisted and asked the question she wanted to ask the most: “Are you here to stay?”
This question was a bit self-deceiving. If he was really here to stay, why did Ji Ran insist on keeping him out just now, not even letting her take a look?
Ji Ran paused, “Otherwise…”
“No,” Qin Man’s tone was casual, he smiled, “We’ve been living together for a while now.”
Well, that killed the conversation.
The three sat on the sofa, two with heavy and complex expressions, while Qin Man remained calm and composed, even with a hint of a smile on his lips.
The assistant stood behind, secretly wiping sweat.
What the hell was this, a battlefield?
Ji Ran, fed up, impatiently asked, “You’ve seen the person, shouldn’t you leave?”
It took Grandma Ji a while before she managed to squeeze out a sentence, “When did… this happen?”
“This has nothing to do with you, does it?” Ji Ran raised an eyebrow, “Are you planning to celebrate our anniversary for us?”
Grandma Ji automatically blocked out his words. If she kept listening, she would be driven to death by anger today.
She looked at Qin Man, “Xiao Man?”
Qin Man smiled and evaded the question, “We’re fine, you don’t need to worry.”
Grandma Ji: “…Where did you get the idea that I’m worried about you two?!”
She had originally thought of many ways to handle this situation, money, power, or threats, there was always a way to drive the other party away.
But the target turned out to be Qin Man…
Others might not know, but she was well aware. Qin Man’s deceased grandfather was a prominent figure at her age, and after his passing, most of his inheritance wasn’t publicly disclosed, but she knew very well that it all went to Qin Man.
So when she heard about the bankruptcy of the Qin family, she didn’t believe it. She even sent someone to specifically check the bankruptcy notice from the court.
Ji Ran steered the conversation back, “You should take back these photos.”
Grandma Ji asked, “Do other people know about your affairs?”
Ji Ran intentionally teased her, “Yes, plenty. Everyone knows except for you.”
Grandma Ji decided to end this meeting.
Today, she had received too much information, and if this conversation continued, she feared she would have to make a trip to the hospital.
With the recent turmoil in the Ji family, she couldn’t afford to collapse.
She had just stood up when Ji Ran spoke again.
“Grandma, although I can’t marry them, I do have another good solution.”
Grandma Ji stopped in her tracks, looking at him skeptically. “Go on.”
“Isn’t it just lacking a wedding?” he said sincerely. “Have you forgotten, there’s someone else in the Ji family who can hold a wedding.”
Grandma Ji didn’t immediately catch on. “Who?”
Ji Ran smiled, particularly sarcastic. “Your son.”
Grandma Ji raised her hand and took a deep breath, pressing it against her chest.
Her upbringing dictated that it was normal to be more infuriated by Ji Ran’s words. With this thought, she gave up on the idea of communicating further with Ji Ran and turned to leave.
But she saw Qin Man suddenly bend down, picking up the little trinket from the ground and examining it in his palm for a few moments.
Then he smiled and said, “Luckily, it’s not broken.”
Grandma Ji was dumbfounded, speechless, and turned to leave.
Soon, only the two of them were left in the living room.
Ji Ran impatiently ran his hand through his hair. Qin Man had exposed himself, and this whole thing was completely beyond his plans.
What should we do now? What if this matter spreads to Qin Man’s relatives or friends…
But this matter cannot be made public. Grandma Ji probably won’t spread it around.
Thinking about it, he still felt uneasy and couldn’t help but scold, “Your hand is injured, why would you still take such risks?”
Qin Man’s smile faded, “Me?”
“Just now, you were supposed to stay quiet inside, why get discovered?”
“What’s wrong with being discovered?” Qin Man countered.
“Then you’ll be tainted—” Ji Ran couldn’t finish his sentence.
The side of his face met the couch as it received a slap, sinking deeply.
Qin Man couldn’t bear it anymore. He shifted position, propping his hand against the back of the couch, one leg kneeling to press against Ji Ran’s thigh, assuming a restrained posture.
His eyes drooped, a rare hint of anger evident in their depths.
“What makes me liking you a stain?” he asked.
“…”
Ji Ran hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from him. After a while, he finally responded, “What are you doing…”
“We’re in a romantic relationship now, not a transactional one,” Qin Man interrupted. “I’ll return all the money I took from you before. Will that help you understand the situation a bit better?”
Is Qin Man… angry?
Ji Ran found it inexplicable. “I never thought about getting the money back that I gave you.”
“Then what do you want from me?” Qin Man asked.
Ji Ran: “What do you want from me? You… you step aside first.”
“What do I want from you? You’re willing to introduce me to others, to establish my identity,” Qin Man remained unmoved, his eyes dark and the ease he showed in front of Grandma Ji earlier had vanished completely.
“‘Even if I lose him, I’ll fall for the next man’?” he said in a cold voice, “Without me, who else would you want to love?”
Ji Ran had been about to respond, but suddenly stopped, just silently watching him.
“You came out for me, yet kept me hidden… Why, are you trying to pave the way for your next relationship?”
The two remained at an impasse. After a while, Ji Ran asked, “Are you done talking?”
Qin Man’s expression was blank. “Mmm.”
“Wait a minute, are you angry?” Ji Ran had initially felt like he should get angry back, feeling inexplicably challenged on the couch. But as he listened, he found himself wanting to laugh. “Getting jealous over someone who might be my next partner?”
“Mmm.” Qin Man admitted straightforwardly. Then he paused and added, “You don’t have a next partner.”
Ji Ran couldn’t help it. He suddenly turned his head and chuckled, “You’re quite interesting…”
He raised his hand and couldn’t help but pinch Qin Man’s cheek, laughing happily, his ears turning red. “I didn’t plan on coming out, it was all because of her pressure. It was a moment of impulse, of course I wouldn’t drag you into it.”
“We’re in the same boat, there’s nothing to drag anyone into.”
“…We’re in the same boat, could you stop talking so lewdly? You’re still a high-achieving student…” Ji Ran clicked his tongue, lightly pushing his shoulder. “Alright, stop being childish. Move aside, I need to close the door.”
Qin Man still didn’t move, staring straight at him.
“…”
Ji Ran sighed, grabbed Qin Man’s collar, and leaned in to kiss him on the corner of his lips.
“Getting worked up over such things, how boring…” he said, but before he could finish, Qin Man’s eyes suddenly filled with a hint of amusement, then gradually widened. He didn’t hesitate to chase after Ji Ran’s lips and bite them, refusing to let go of the kiss.
“Not boring at all. You’re so cute, how could it be boring?” Qin Man teased.
It took Ji Ran a while to realize he was being played. “Damn, you tricked me?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Qin Man replied innocently.
“Get lost,” Ji Ran blushed from the kisses, then retaliated by biting him back. “You’re such a good actor, why don’t you go act?”
“And what’s this?” Qin Man asked softly, holding something in his hand.
Ji Ran’s face flushed. “What, can’t you read Japanese? Do you need me to translate for you?”
“Yes, please translate,” Qin Man insisted.
Ji Ran snatched the item and dramatically read aloud, “Viagra Extra Strength, specialized for erectile dysfunction, impotence, premature ejaculation…”
Qin Man burst into laughter and then silenced him with a kiss.
After they had their fun, Qin Man stood up and organized the photos on the table.
Ji Ran lazily half-laid on the sofa, his clothes disheveled. “She didn’t even take these things with her… Where are you going to put them?”
Without responding, Qin Man turned his back, his smile fading slightly.
He walked straight to the trash can and threw all the photos in without hesitation.
—
In fact, after the argument with Grandma Ji, Ji Ran still felt quite agitated.
Every mention of Zhao Qingtong left a bitter taste in his mouth.
But after Qin Man’s intervention, he suddenly felt much more relaxed. In the afternoon, he even had the mood to play a popular MOBA game.
In the evening, he streamed a newly released blockbuster from Europe and America on the TV and snuggled up with Qin Man on the sofa to watch.
Qin Man read the title of the movie, “The third installment?”
“Yeah,” Ji Ran glanced at him. “You haven’t watched it?”
“No, when were the first two released?” Qin Man asked.
Ji Ran gave him a disdainful look. “The first one was released when I was a freshman… and when you were a sophomore. The second one was when we graduated. How come you haven’t watched such a famous series? What were you doing in college?”
“I don’t remember,” Qin Man smiled. “College was boring without you.”
Ji Ran was speechless for a while before finally saying, “…Masochist.”
“What about you?” Qin Man asked. “What were you doing in college?”
Ji Ran chuckled, “Nothing much, just conquering every bar in the city.”
“The coach didn’t intervene?” Qin Man asked.
“Who could control me?” Ji Ran remembered something and chuckled. “He came to the bar to find me back then, and I ended up getting him drunk.”
The area around the university was filled with colorful nightlife, and with no access control in the school, and not having to hide from the resident assistant, he had lived recklessly for those years. It was a bit like not being able to stop a speeding car once it started.
Qin Man remained silent, listening to him with a smile, feeling more and more regretful as he listened.
If only he had been a year younger than Ji Ran.
Then he could have known which university Ji Ran applied to and could have tangled with him for four more years.
As Ji Ran was talking, his phone suddenly rang. It was Yue Wenwen.
He took a bite of watermelon and answered, “What’s up?”
Yue Wenwen began excitedly, “Ji Ran, you’re famous! No, we’re famous!”
The TV volume was too loud, and Ji Ran couldn’t hear clearly. “Your house caught fire?”
Yue Wenwen strained his voice, “No… Do you remember the time we ate at the farmhouse after the hot spring hotel?”
Ji Ran noticed his friend’s excitement and had a bad feeling. He picked up the remote and paused the movie. “I remember. What’s wrong?”
“That time, didn’t we bump into He Suiran filming a variety show?” Yue Wenwen said. “The production crew didn’t edit us out!”
“We’re on TV! The entire online community is discussing Qin Man and you! Your popularity is almost catching up with those celebrities!”
Ji Ran’s earlier jest had turned into reality. Just at noon, he had bluffed Grandma Ji, claiming that the whole world knew about him and Qin Man. Now, he opened a video streaming app and saw that within a single day, their appearance had garnered fifty million views on the variety show. He wished he could tear his own mouth open for saying such things.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
