My Nemesis Has Finally Gone Bankrupt Chapter 98

Chapter 98:

Ji Ran drove to the breakfast shop first and picked up his phone.

The breakfast shop had transformed into a late-night snack spot, and the owner handed him the phone along with two steaming baskets of snacks.

Qin Man waited in the car. Before getting in, Ji Ran unlocked his phone and glanced at it.

There were over twenty missed calls and more than forty WeChat messages, most of them from Qin Man.

Sitting down in the car, Ji Ran asked, “Did you eat enough during the dinner with the staff?”

“More or less,” Qin Man replied.

In reality, he hadn’t eaten much at all. Busy all day, he had lost his appetite.

Ji Ran handed him a bag.

Qin Man didn’t refuse; he casually tossed his suit jacket onto the back seat, unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt, rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, and began eating with disposable chopsticks.

Ji Ran opened the car window to let out the smell of food. “You paid for it yourself and still didn’t eat enough. Are you silly?”

The car’s music started playing, and Ji Ran started the car, casually selecting a playlist. He didn’t know what he had picked, but every song was about love and emotions.

Suddenly, he remembered something. “Did you have a headache this morning? Did you take medicine?”

“No, what medicine?” Qin Man asked.

“I told you before leaving. I left some medicine on the dining table and even made a bowl of porridge in the microwave… You didn’t eat it?” Ji Ran drove with one hand.

“…”

Qin Man didn’t remember Ji Ran talking to him this morning at all. He probably just nodded and went back to sleep.

“I’ll eat it when we get back,” Qin Man put down the chopsticks.

Ji Ran chuckled, “It’s been there all day. It’s useless now; I’ll throw it away when we get back.”

Qin Man finished the two baskets of snacks quickly, tied up the trash bag, and held it in his hand. Leaning his elbow on the center console between them, he edged a little closer to Ji Ran.

“Junior,” he called.

Ji Ran knew from this address that trouble was coming. “What’s up?”

Qin Man smiled and asked, “Did you kiss me last night?”

“…”

Ji Ran was genuinely afraid he might lose focus while driving. Without realizing it, he eased off the accelerator, and the car slowed down by more than ten miles.

“I asked Liu Chen, and he said when I’m drunk, I don’t hug or kiss anyone. But I distinctly remember kissing you,” Qin Man pressed on. “Did I?”

“You were dreaming,” Ji Ran replied.

“It’s impossible,” Qin Man insisted. “If I was dreaming, I wouldn’t have just kissed you.”

“I’m sure I’d have done something else.”

“…”

“Did the barber cut that tuft of hair at the back of your neck extra short?” Qin Man asked, reaching out to touch Ji Ran’s neck. “I remember it was quite sharp when I held you…”

Qin Man initially reached out tentatively, not expecting to actually touch. He thought he might be scolded back before reaching, or even bitten.

Unexpectedly, Ji Ran tilted his neck forward slightly, giving Qin Man enough space.

Feeling his hand squeeze the hair at the back of his neck, Ji Ran asked, “How is it, still sharp?”

Qin Man: “…a bit sharp, but nice to touch.”

After a moment, Ji Ran said, “Okay… let go, you freak.”

Reluctantly, Qin Man let go after a long pause, his voice slightly hoarse. “And what about this ring, did you put it back on me?”

Ji Ran’s heart skipped a beat, immediately scolding, “Don’t push it, you insisted on finding it to wear yourself. Why haven’t you taken it off yet?”

“I won’t take it off,” Qin Man said, “unless someday you give me a new one, then I’ll take it off.”

Ji Ran replied, “…dream on.”

Back at home, Ji Ran stopped in front of the iron gate, not yet having caught up with the person getting off the car, but his attention was drawn to something on the gate.

The light was dim, and at first glance, he even thought some unknown enemy had come for retaliation.

He got out of the car, only to see that it was covered in sticky notes.

[“Call me back when you get home.”]

[“Even when you’re angry, call me back.”]

[“Even if you want to end things, call me back.”]

[“If you don’t call me back by tomorrow, I’ll consider us back together.”]

…

The content of these notes was childish, but the handwriting was strong, even drawing a crooked and clumsy heart above the word “back together.”

“…” Ji Ran tore off these sticky notes and held them in his hand. “Damn it… when were these posted?”

Qin Man replied, “Probably while you were having dinner and chatting with He Suiran.”

The scent of vinegar permeated the whole street, and anyone passing by his house today would probably smell it.

“Childish brat…”

Back home, Ji Ran parked the car randomly and hurried into the house.

After hesitating for a moment, he stuck the sticky notes in his palm inside the bookshelf. Since they had been there for a while, several of them had weak adhesion. He simply took out some solid glue and secured them all.

Then he randomly picked up a few books to cover them up.

After finishing everything, he sat on the chair and started reading through the other messages he had received today.

Ji Wei sent a few messages, saying Ji Guozheng’s condition has improved, and he should come home for a few days.

Yue Wenwen also sent two messages, inviting him out for drinks.

The most recent message was from He Suiran. The content, as expected, detailed Qin Man’s faults.

Ji Ran glanced at it briefly and lost interest.

Dad Ji: Give me your bank card number.

He Suiran: Huh? Why do you need my card number?

Dad Ji: We agreed, if things work out, I’ll give you a thank-you gift.

He Suiran: No need, I’m happy to help you willingly.

Dad Ji: If you don’t give it to me, I’ll have someone send cash to you.

He Suiran: …

He Suiran: Ji Ran, do we really need to draw such clear lines between us?

Dad Ji: ?

He Suiran: I mean, even if we’re just friends, we don’t need to be so clear-cut… You and Qin Man have broken up, haven’t you? But I don’t see you drawing clear boundaries either.

He Suiran: Ji Ran, listen to me. If Qin Man can treat me like this today, he’ll definitely treat you the same way in the future. Since you’re broken up now, you should distance yourself from him.

Dad Ji: I like him. Why should I keep my distance?

He Suiran: …

He Suiran: …Then why did you break up?

Dad Ji: Just playing around. Do I need to explain that to you?

As soon as this message was sent, it was as if the phone lost its signal, and there was no response from the other side.

Finally quiet, Ji Ran breathed a sigh of relief. He leaned back, his hair tips immersed in water, feeling very comfortable with the warm water soaking his scalp.

Deciding to break up with Qin Man wasn’t about playing games; he wasn’t as kinky as Qin Man with such peculiar preferences.

He just wanted to see how much he truly liked this person.

Could he still go on without him?

Later, he realized he could.

It just wasn’t very fulfilling.

After showering, he put on a pair of pajama bottoms and picked up his phone to check Qin Man’s chat box.

Qin Man had just messaged him a few minutes ago, asking if he was asleep.

Dad Ji: Are you asleep?

q: No.

q: What’s wrong?

Dad Ji: Want to come over to the neighbor’s house?

q: ???

q: ???

Dad Ji: If you’re not coming, forget it.

As soon as he sent this message, the doorbell rang.

“…You came really fast.” Ji Ran looked at the neighbor who arrived within seconds and couldn’t help but be speechless.

Qin Man chuckled.

Could he not come quickly?

He was afraid that if he was a few seconds slower, the neighbor might change his mind and leave.

“There’s nothing special here, just drink plain water.” Ji Ran sat down on the sofa and rubbed his hair with a towel. The gray sofa immediately got damp from the water droplets.

Qin Man asked, “Why not blow-dry your hair?”

“Too lazy to bother.”

A few minutes later, Qin Man brought over a power strip and naturally started blow-drying his hair for him.

On the TV, “Huan Zhu Ge Ge” was playing. The touch of Qin Man’s hands on his scalp sent waves of tingling sensations.

“You called me over just to blow-dry your hair, didn’t you?” Qin Man chuckled.

“Whether you want to blow-dry it or not.”

“I want to.” Qin Man said, “If you’re willing, I’ll come every day to blow-dry your hair, wherever you want.”

“… “

Qin Man playfully teased him, and after blow-drying his hair, he diligently put away the hairdryer and power strip.

“Here, use this.” He took out a small box from the bathroom, “Your hair has just been bleached, give it some care.”

Ji Ran sat cross-legged and as Qin Man approached, he suddenly asked, “Do you think I called you over just to blow-dry my hair?”

Qin Man paused for a moment before saying, “No.”

He had thought too much.

“I’ve been thinking all the way here how I could stay overnight at the neighbor’s house.” Qin Man admitted candidly, “I even considered setting the house on fire, but then I worried about affecting the neighbors next door, so I held back.”

Ji Ran chuckled, “Are you crazy?”

Qin Man laughed too, sitting down next to him with the hair styling gel in his hand, turning the box over in his hands, “I guess so, I’ve been like this for a long time.”

The box ultimately remained unopened.

Suddenly, Ji Ran turned his face and kissed him on the corner of his mouth.

It was like a switch had been flipped, a signal.

Neither of them spoke, and Qin Man hesitated for just a moment before swiftly tossing the hair styling gel onto the carpet and leaning over to press him down.　

Ji Ran lay on the sofa, his freshly blow-dried hair scattered behind his head, looking at Qin Man with a smile that was half teasing.

Is it okay now?

Before Qin Man could ask, the person beneath him lifted his legs, hooking them around his waist and pressing against him.

This invitation was too enticing. Qin Man felt the blood rush to his head, and he leaned down to kiss him directly.

Ji Ran wasn’t wearing a shirt, and Qin Man’s pajamas were as thin as paper. Through the thin fabric, they kissed intimately, their bodies brushing against each other.

“What’s… going on?” After a while, Qin Man’s face flushed on one side, propped up on Ji Ran’s body as he asked, “Are you trying to kill me?”

Ji Ran’s eyes were red from the kisses. One hand was around Qin Man’s neck, the other gripping his collar.

“Haven’t we yet to finish what we started? Once we’re done, it’s over.”

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

Qin Man quickly regained his composure, the smile on his face disappearing instantly. He looked sternly at Ji Ran, pushing his hands away. “No.”

“You can play with whoever you want, I’m not playing with you.”

The person beneath quickly got up. Ji Ran leaned on the sofa, asking, “You’re really not playing?”

“No.”

“So what should I do now that I’m all ready?”

Qin Man ignored him, tightly pursing his lips and starting to walk away.

Ji Ran didn’t move, immediately calling out to him, “Stay!”

Qin Man stopped in his tracks.

This guy really couldn’t take a joke.

Ji Ran clicked his tongue, then suddenly said, “Do you know how I realized I was gay?”

Qin Man didn’t respond.

Ji Ran continued, “I knew I was gay back in high school.”

“During a basketball game, I encountered a jerk who aggressively defended against me. He stuck to me the whole game, constantly bumping into my back.”

“I felt like he was fouling me the whole time, but the referee didn’t call it. We lost the game, and I was so angry. This jerk always had it out for me, picking fights even during a game. I wanted to teach him a lesson… I planned to steal his clothes while he was showering after the game.”

As he spoke, Ji Ran seemed to remember something, his cheeks flushing slightly again. “I didn’t expect that day the school had no water… and that guy went to the public showers.”

Qin Man paused, turned to look at him, his expression tense.

Ji Ran: “I exposed him.”

Qin Man: “…”

Ji Ran: “Then I had a reaction.”

Ji Ran: “Was it in freshman year or sophomore year? I forgot.”

Qin Man, hoarsely: “Freshman year.”

Ji Ran: “So, did you actually commit a foul back then?”

“I don’t know,” Qin Man said. “I just wanted to touch you more, didn’t care about anything else.”

Ji Ran chuckled. “Admit you’re a pervert, do you?”

Qin Man: “Admit.”

Ji Ran rested his chin on the sofa. “So? Are we playing the breakup game or not?”

Qin Man: “Not playing.”

Ji Ran sneered. “How about the makeup game, then?”

Qin Man felt like his entire life’s ups and downs were summed up in this moment.

Seeing Qin Man return at a competitive pace, Ji Ran chuckled, “Still up for it?”

Qin Man took a deep breath. “If I can die with you, can it rise?”

Ji Ran felt that trusting someone was really difficult.

But liking someone was too simple.

The two wrestled from the sofa to the bed, unleashing all the pent-up energy accumulated over time. The high-quality bed shook and trembled under them, wet with a mix of sweat and more.

As Qin Man was about to put on the second condom, the person beneath suddenly rolled over, changing their position.

Ji Ran formed his hand into a gun, pressing it against Qin Man’s chin, breathing lightly.

Qin Man held the condom, smiling as he asked, “Commander, what are your orders?”

“Whose man are you?” Ji Ran glared at him, asking.

“Yours,” Qin Man said, opening his mouth to gently lick his fingertips, obediently. “Forever yours.”

“Forever love you.”

“Forever loyal.”

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