My Nemesis Has Finally Gone Bankrupt Chapter 81

Chapter 81:

The Next Day.

When Ji Ran woke up, he heard the sound of water coming from the bathroom.

There was no one beside him on the pillow. He reached out and touched the bedding. Because it was still warm under the covers, it meant the person in the bathroom had also just woken up.

He yawned several times in a row, struggling to leave the bed. He randomly grabbed a pair of shorts from the wardrobe and put them on before heading towards the bathroom.

Pushing open the bathroom door, he saw Qin Man, also only wearing shorts, standing in front of the sink, silently washing… clothes.

It was the school uniform.

Ji Ran’s ears felt a little hot. He had seen Qin Man washing clothes before, as he had once waited outside Qin Man’s dorm room.

He just hadn’t expected that one day, Qin Man would actually wash his clothes.

He opened his mouth to speak, only to realize his voice was hoarse, emitting only a raspy sound.

Qin Man finally heard the movement amidst the water, turning back. “Did I wake you up?” His neck was marked with redness, inevitably reminding Ji Ran of last night’s events.

Ji Ran cleared his throat awkwardly, looking at the clothes in Qin Man’s hands, and asked with feigned ignorance, “What are you doing?”

Qin Man replied, “There’s something on them, not convenient to put in the washing machine, so I’m hand-washing them.”

What that “something” was didn’t need to be elaborated upon.

Ji Ran rubbed his nose. “…What’s there to wash? Just throw them away.”

Qin Man shook his head. “No, they can still be used in the future.”

“Useless,” Ji Ran leaned against the door. “…I won’t wear them.”

“I’ll wear them next time. The ones you bought are wide, they fit me perfectly.”

“…..”

Ji Ran couldn’t help but imagine, feeling parched. “It’s early in the morning, don’t talk dirty.”

But in the end, they didn’t discuss throwing them away again.

In the afternoon, Ji Ran made plans to play basketball with Cheng Peng. After spending a few days in detention, Cheng Peng decided to relax a bit and hadn’t gone to the company for the past two days.

Qin Man’s right hand hadn’t fully recovered, so he couldn’t engage in vigorous exercise or lift heavy objects. He sat with Yue Wenwen in the audience seats.　　

“I’m going to the Maldives in a couple of days,” Cheng Peng said, sweating on the basketball court.

Ji Ran wiped the sweat off his face with a corner of his shirt. “What for?”

“For vacation, I’ll be back after playing for half a month,” Cheng Peng said. “Wanna come? You don’t seem to have much going on lately.”

“I’m not going,” Ji Ran refused. “I’m busy.”

Cheng Peng chuckled. “What could you possibly be busy with?”

“I have dinner plans with a few race car drivers.”

After saying that, he swiftly snatched the ball from Cheng Peng’s hand while he was still engrossed in their conversation.

“Damn,” Cheng Peng said, watching Ji Ran effortlessly sink the ball into the basket. “That was sneaky.”

Ji Ran chuckled. “I didn’t call a timeout, so it doesn’t count as sneaky.”

After finishing the game, the four of them went to a street food stall to eat.

“Hey, let me tell you something,” Yue Wenwen said, peeling crayfish with a smug smile. “I exposed the fact that Wen Xiao has been playing around with multiple people.”

Thinking about Wen Xiao’s expression at that moment, Yue Wenwen couldn’t help but laugh. “And I even told his current boyfriend about him secretly hooking up with his ex-boyfriend… Last night’s drama was epic, Wen Xiao’s face was priceless.”　

Ji Ran never went easy on his enemies. He asked, “Did it affect you?”

“No, I stayed far away. Ah, if it weren’t for the police showing up, I would’ve gone over and kicked him while he was down,” Yue Wenwen paused. “Besides, even if Wen Xiao knew it was me, he couldn’t do anything about it.”

Ji Ran was always accurate in his judgments of people. Wen Xiao indeed lacked the courage to retaliate directly; he was more likely to use underhanded methods.

“Anyway, if he ever gives you trouble, just contact me directly. I’ll take care of it,” Ji Ran said.

Yue Wenwen sweetly agreed on the surface but didn’t take it seriously.

After a satisfying meal and drinks, the four of them discussed whether to find something else to do. After some deliberation, they decided to go to a mahjong parlor and play a few rounds to relieve stress.

As soon as they stepped out of the diner, Ji Ran’s phone rang.

He rejected the call three times before finally answering. Whatever the person on the other end said, his expression gradually darkened. Throughout the call, he only responded with a simple “Hmm.”

After hanging up, he said flatly, “I’m not playing anymore. I have something to take care of.”

Cheng Peng asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Something had grown on Ji Guozheng’s brain. He has been admitted to the hospital,” Ji Ran said expressionlessly. “I don’t know if he’ll make it, the lawyer is there, saying there’s a will.”

There was silence among them for a moment.

“We’ll play mahjong another time,” Ji Ran turned around and said to the person next to him, “You can take a cab back by yourself.”

But Qin Man didn’t move. “I’ll go to the hospital with you.”　

“No need.”

Qin Man’s tone was unusually firm. “If you won’t take me, I’ll go to each hospital one by one.”

“…”

Yue Wenwen sweated for Qin Man on the side.

Ji Ran never liked others meddling in his family affairs. Even Cheng Peng, apart from investigating previous incidents, had never discussed anything else with Ji Ran.

This was Ji Ran’s forbidden area, where stepping on it would trigger an explosion.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke to defuse the situation, “Xiao Manman, how about Cheng Peng and I accompany you back? It’s not a good time to take a cab.”

“No need, you two go ahead,” Qin Man declined politely but firmly.

Seeing the two men in deadlock, Yue Wenwen was about to intervene.

Then, Ji Ran frowned tightly, took out the car keys from his pocket, and tossed them to Qin Man. “It’s up to you… You drive.”

After the two left, Yue Wenwen stood dumbfounded in place, still not coming to his senses.

“Ji Ran actually… let Qin Man go with him?!” He patted Cheng Peng’s arm. “Should we also go to the hospital to take a look?”

Cheng Peng asked, “Are you Ji Ran’s boyfriend?”

“No, but he allowed Qin Man to go with him…” Yue Wenwen stopped mid-sentence, “Wait, what? What does that mean? Them? Him and Qin Man?”

　　——

On the way to the hospital, Ji Ran sat lazily, propping up his chin, silent.

Qin Man glanced at him and broke the silence, “What are you thinking?”

Ji Ran turned his head, staring at Qin Man’s profile. After a while, he replied, “I don’t know.”

This matter came too suddenly. He couldn’t immediately discern his emotions, whether he was happy or sad.

Ji Guozheng was being taken to the hospital where Qin Man’s uncle worked, which was understandable, as it was the largest hospital in the city.

Outside the operating room, Grandma Ji paced anxiously.

“Madam, please rest for a while… You’ve been standing for most of the day,” the old steward advised.

Grandma Ji  didn’t respond; instead, she looked at the person sitting in the chair.

“Are you satisfied now? You’ve angered your father like this!” Ji Weit steady sat there, unmoving, with dried tear streaks on his face. “The doctor said the tumor has been growing for months, it’s not because of me. Grandma, please sit down first.”

Grandma Ji was speechless at being countered. “You… you still have the nerve?”

Considering the old lady’s health, Ji Wei finally refrained from further arguments.

Grandma Ji was truly anxious. After living for so many years, it was the first time she felt so helpless. Her son had always been healthy, and the family underwent regular medical check-ups every year. Who would have thought they couldn’t avoid this serious illness? Her eldest grandson eloped, the younger one distanced himself from the family, and the shareholders in the company were eyeing it greedily…　

If she hadn’t forced herself, she might have fainted by now. She turned around, intending to sit down and rest, but caught sight of someone walking towards her and immediately stopped.

Ji Ran had long felt the heat of his grandmother’s gaze. There were many people standing in front of the operating room, but he didn’t feel like getting involved. Walking halfway, he sat down on a nearby bench.

Just as Grandma Ji was about to step forward to say something to him, someone beat her to it. Ji Wei swiftly stood up and walked straight towards Ji Ran.

His action attracted the attention of everyone around—everyone knew that the relationship between these two brothers was deeply strained. Were they about to fight in the hospital?!

Grandma Ji also felt a bit panicked. She quickly told the person next to her, “Go and check…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Ji Wei walk to the bench where Ji Ran was sitting, and then… sat down very naturally.

Even Ji Ran was somewhat surprised. He furrowed his brows, “What, is your butt too big that other chairs can’t accommodate you?”

Ji Wei replied, “I told you, I have something to tell you.”

Ji Ran wasn’t interested. What could they possibly have to talk about?

“Speak.”

“There are outsiders here, not convenient,” Ji Wei glanced at Qin Man.

Who would have thought that the other’s gaze was even colder than his.

Ji Ran said, “Then keep it to yourself, don’t say anything.”

“…,” Ji Wei sighed helplessly, “It’s about your mother.”

Ji Ran immediately turned to look at him, his eyes filled with gloom.

Ji Wei sighed again, “I don’t mean to speak ill of her. Can’t we sit down and have a proper talk?”

In the stalemate, Qin Man stood up.

“I’ll go get you a glass of water,” he said, reaching out to ruffle Ji Ran’s hair, “And I’ll contact my uncle, call me if you need anything.”　

After Qin Man left, Ji Ran impatiently asked, “So what’s the matter?”

Ji Wei looked at the ground as if organizing his thoughts.

“I looked into the matter between my dad and your mother,” Ji Wei took a deep breath, “I think it’s necessary for me to tell you.”

Ji Ran looked at him, his eyes devoid of emotion.

“Those things—between her and my dad,” Ji Wei licked his lips, “…it wasn’t her intention.”

With that statement out, he relaxed a bit, carefully choosing his words as he spoke softly.

“She was deceived by her agent, or maybe, maybe someone else deceived her.”

“In short, she didn’t do it willingly, and afterwards, she even considered leaving. But… your situation was discovered by my dad, and she… couldn’t leave.”

“She was quite pitiful.”

In that era, a woman without connections, how could she possibly escape the grasp of powerful families?

After finishing his words, Ji Wei let out a long sigh.

He was prepared for anything, even if Ji Ran came at him to hit him, he wouldn’t fight back.

But unexpectedly, Ji Ran remained seated quietly, showing no sign of wanting to resort to violence.

Half a minute later, Ji Ran asked, “Is that all?”

His voice was calm, devoid of any emotion, “Is that the extent of it?”　

“Right.” Ji Wei paused, thinking Ji Ran didn’t believe him, “This is true. I got it from her agent, and… my mother knows about it too.”

Ji Ran asked, “Did you find out anything else?”

“Nothing more. Just this matter… Is there anything else you want to know?”

“The car accident involving Zhao Qingtong.” When he mentioned this, Ji Ran’s tone finally carried some emotion, “Is it related to anyone else?”

Ji Wei widened his eyes, “No—what do you mean? What are you suspicious of? And why didn’t you tell me about this earlier if you already knew?”

“What’s the point of telling you?” Ji Ran scoffed, “Besides, the evidence I have is not even complete compared to yours.”

Before Ji Wei could respond, he heard some commotion beside him.

The operating room door opened.

Grandma Ji rushed forward, anxiously asking a string of questions. The doctor pulled down their mask and gave a brief explanation.

Grandma Ji nodded repeatedly, visibly relieved.

Soon, Ji Guozheng was wheeled out. He was asleep, covered up to his neck with a blanket.

It seemed he hadn’t passed away yet.

Ji Ran didn’t want to linger any longer. He stood up, turned around, and started to leave.

“Wait!” Ji Wei furrowed his brows tightly, “Are you just going to leave like this?”

“And what else should I do? Stay here as his caregiver?” Ji Ran sneered.

“Our matter isn’t resolved yet.”

“I have nothing to do with you.”

Ji Wei raised his voice: “I will go and pay my respects to her.”

Ji Ran’s footsteps paused slightly.

The people around heard this sentence and looked over at them. But Ji Wei paid no attention to them.

He continued, “I had some misunderstandings about her before, and I will apologize to her. Also… I will give you an explanation about us.”

The person in front of him only paused for a moment before leaving without looking back.

“I don’t care.” Ji Ran’s expression remained unchanged as he walked to the hospital entrance.

Qin Man had just bought two bottles of mineral water from the vending machine and turned around to see him.

Ji Ran saw him, remained silent, and continued walking until he reached him.

Ji Ran didn’t know that he could control his facial expressions but couldn’t control the emotions in his eyes.

Before he could say anything, Qin Man opened his arms first and half-forcedly pulled him into a hug.

Ji Ran was taken aback but surprisingly didn’t struggle. He kept his head down, resting his forehead against Qin Man’s shoulder.

As dusk approached, the light outside dimmed, casting a long shadow of the two through the hospital window.

After a while, Qin Man finally asked, “How is he?”

“Not dead.”

Qin Man rubbed his neck and didn’t say anything more. “Let’s go, back home.”

Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.