But he didn’t want Sheng Qingxi to remain trapped in the memory of that day.
Lin Ran gently patted Sheng Qingxi’s back, coaxing her softly, “You know I’m going to be fine today. Those things won’t happen again. You know this, don’t you?”
Sheng Qingxi murmured a quiet response.
Hearing this, Lin Ran kissed her black hair, as if rewarding her. “Come on, I’ll take you upstairs for a bit more sleep.”
Lin Ran knew that Sheng Qingxi had likely either gotten up very early or hadn’t slept at all, given how early she had come over. The plan he and Lin Huang had arranged wouldn’t start until the evening, so he decided to carry her upstairs to get some rest.
After tucking Sheng Qingxi into bed, she didn’t feel the slightest bit sleepy. Her wide, watery eyes stayed fixed on Lin Ran, who stood beside the bed.
Lin Ran didn’t sit on the bed, avoiding any unintended awkwardness.
Instead, he casually pulled over a chair, placed it by the bed, and started playing on his phone, ignoring Sheng Qingxi’s gaze. Even with his head down, he could still feel her staring at him from the bed.
This particular place and time made Lin Ran feel a bit sensitive.
He wasn’t comfortable interacting with Sheng Qingxi in his room, especially on his bed.
Especially now that he had unilaterally confirmed their relationship.
After watching Lin Ran for a while, Sheng Qingxi suddenly spoke up, “Lin Ran, your hair is still wet.”
Lin Ran responded lazily, “Mhm, it’ll dry in a bit.”
Seeing that he wasn’t interested in talking to her, Sheng Qingxi puffed her cheeks in frustration. She didn’t know how long she continued staring at him until drowsiness finally overtook her. She blinked tiredly, her vision gradually blurring, but Lin Ran’s figure remained still.
Slowly, her eyelids closed.
Lin Ran only looked up at her when he heard her breathing soften. She was curled up under the blanket, her fair little face half-hidden, her long lashes lying quietly against her cheeks, just as well-behaved as she was.
Looking at Sheng Qingxi like this, she seemed like a delicate, fragile porcelain doll.
But Lin Ran knew that was just the surface.
His girl possessed a resilience and courage that others could never match.
…
At ten o’clock.
There was some noise in the hallway as He Mo and Xie Zhen woke up, already bickering from the moment they got up.
Even in his soundproof room, Lin Ran could hear the muffled but persistent racket from outside. His expression darkened as he stood up, quietly closed the door, and crossed his arms, waiting outside.
Neither He Mo nor Xie Zhen noticed Lin Ran standing in the corridor as they walked over from the other side of the hallway.
“Did you log into my account again yesterday?”
“If you’re not fully awake, go back to sleep. Say something that actually makes sense.”
“He Mo, I’m telling you! After the exams, I’m going to teach you what a real pro looks like.”
“Idiot.”
Listening to their argument, Lin Ran’s temple throbbed in annoyance.
They were almost at the college entrance exams, and these two were still arguing about video games, completely oblivious to the situation.
Lin Ran’s cold voice interrupted them, “Are you done?”
Both He Mo and Xie Zhen froze, immediately turning to look at Lin Ran, who was standing by the door with a dark expression. Instantly, they took a step back in unison.
Lin Ran looked like he was ready to throw a punch.
Xie Zhen swallowed nervously and cautiously asked, “Brother Ran, w-what’s up?”
Lin Ran glanced at them before tilting his head slightly, gesturing toward the door behind him. “Sheng Qingxi is sleeping inside. Keep it down. Also, when you go downstairs, keep an eye on that girl, Lin Yanyan.”
He Mo: What?
Xie Zhen looked horrified.
He was certain Sheng Qingxi hadn’t come back with them yesterday.
Seeing their confused expressions, Lin Ran knew what was running through their heads. He impatiently explained, “She came over early this morning. Didn’t sleep well, so let her rest.”
Lin Ran thought to himself with dissatisfaction, Once I graduate, I won’t have to explain myself so much anymore.
So annoying.
He Mo and Xie Zhen exchanged glances and wisely kept their mouths shut, heading downstairs.
As they reached the first floor, Lin Yanyan was sitting at a small table, eating cake. When she saw them, she pointed toward the kitchen. “Brother Zhen, my brother saved you guys some noodles and dumplings.”
Xie Zhen nudged He Mo. “Mozi, go to the kitchen.”
He Mo looked confused. “Why don’t you go?”
Xie Zhen whispered, “I need to talk to Yanyan about not going out today. Can you handle that?”
He Mo’s expression immediately changed. “Fine, I’ll go. I’ll even slice the fruit and bring it out.”
Xie Zhen lifted his chubby chin with a hum of satisfaction and plopped down beside Lin Yanyan at her table. After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he carefully called out, “Yanyan.”
Lin Yanyan glanced at him. “Hm?”
Xie Zhen cleared his throat, clearly feeling a bit awkward. “Do you have any plans to go out today?”
Lin Yanyan shook her head.
Xie Zhen was relieved. If she wasn’t planning to go out, this would be easy to manage. He tentatively suggested, “How about we hang out at the garage today? Your brother’s arranged for someone to play that murder mystery game with you.”
Lin Yanyan blinked her eyes innocently at Xie Zhen. “No can do, Brother Zhen. My brother told me to keep an eye on you and Brother Mo today while you guys study at the garage. He also said you’re not allowed to go downstairs or play any games.”
Xie Zhen: What?!
Xie Zhen thought he must have misheard. Did Lin Ran really just pull this stunt on me again? How is this even something a person could do?!
When He Mo returned with breakfast, the first thing he saw was a sulking Xie Zhen.
He nudged Xie Zhen. “You done talking?”
Xie Zhen grumbled bitterly, “Brother Ran said we can’t take a single step downstairs, can’t play games, and he put Yanyan in charge of making sure we study. Tell me, is Brother Ran even human?”
He Mo remained silent for a moment before nodding. “That’s totally Brother Ran’s style.”
Both of them sighed deeply in unison.
Lin Yanyan, sitting innocently at the table, blinked at them, completely oblivious to their frustration.
…
On the third floor, in Lin Ran’s room.
By the time it was almost noon, Sheng Qingxi was still fast asleep, nestled under the blankets. Her face was flushed, and she looked like she was having a sweet, restful sleep. In the hours that passed, she hadn’t moved a muscle.
Lin Ran sat on the edge of the bed, helplessly watching her.
He couldn’t tell if she had slept at all the previous night, considering how she had shown up so early, before dawn had even broken.
Although Sheng Qingxi had lived through ten years in their previous life without him, Lin Ran still saw her as a child who hadn’t fully grown up. Her heart, pure and untouched, had never been tainted by anything else.
Lin Ran had never met anyone like her before.
Not ever.
And he had never imagined what kind of person he might fall for in the future. But when she appeared in his life, there was no need to imagine anymore—she became the embodiment of his dreams.
*Buzz—*
Lin Ran’s phone vibrated softly.
He glanced at it, seeing messages from He Mo and the others in the group chat, urging him to come downstairs for lunch.
Just as he was about to reply for them to go ahead without him, he heard a soft rustling from the bed. Tossing his phone aside, he looked over and saw that the little piglet on the bed was waking up.
She blinked her sleepy eyes, searching for him. When her gaze met his, she softly called out, “Lin Ran.”
Lin Ran’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice.
Though there was a small distance between them, Lin Ran hesitated for a moment before surrendering and walking over to the bedside.
He leaned down slightly, gently stroking Sheng Qingxi’s soft hair, his voice low and reassuring. “I’m right here.”
Sheng Qingxi reached out her arm, pale as jade, stretching it out toward him. Her beautiful eyes gazed at him, and she pouted like a kitten seeking affection. “I want a hug.”
Lin Ran: “…”
Fuck, here we go again.
Lin Ran’s gaze darkened as he looked at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. He forcefully pushed down the thoughts that stirred in his heart.
He didn’t dare hug her directly, so he sat on the edge of the bed and carefully gathered her into his arms, keeping the blanket between them. “Did you have a bad dream?”
The girl in his arms shook her head, pressing her cheek against his chest and remaining still. After a moment of quiet, she suddenly said, “Lin Ran, your heart is beating so fast. Is it really hot on the bed?”
Lin Ran gritted his teeth. “…It’s not hot.”
Luckily, after asking that question, Sheng Qingxi didn’t stir up any more trouble.
Lin Ran waited for the surge of emotions to calm down before gently patting Sheng Qingxi’s head. “Want to go downstairs and eat? Ah Zhen and the others are waiting for us.”
Sheng Qingxi nodded.
As they were heading downstairs, they bumped into Xie Zhen, who was just coming up with a cup of milk tea in hand. They had ordered takeout for lunch again. Even though there was a cafeteria and restaurant next to the club, Xie Zhen and the others were long tired of the food there.
When they were at the garage, it was either takeout or Lin Ran cooking for them.
Of all the people eating today, Lin Ran was the only one who knew how to cook.
Sheng Qingxi only ate a little before putting down her chopsticks and sipping from the milk tea Xie Zhen had brought.
Lin Ran glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. This disobedient girl wasn’t eating properly again. Normally, she’d at least have half a bowl of rice at school, but today, she didn’t even bother to scoop any rice.
Lin Ran tapped his finger lightly on the table in front of her. “Eat a few bites of rice before drinking that.”
Sheng Qingxi shook her head and leaned in closer to him, whispering, “Lin Ran, I can’t eat too much when I’m nervous.”
Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. “What are you nervous about?”
Sheng Qingxi glared at him, refusing to speak.
Seeing no other option, Lin Ran leaned in close to her ear and whispered something.
Sheng Qingxi hesitated for a moment before asking, “Really?”
Lin Ran smirked. “Of course it’s true.”
Hearing this, Sheng Qingxi put down her milk tea, scooped half a bowl of rice, and began eating seriously. Lin Ran set his chopsticks down on the edge of his plate and began peeling shrimp for her.
Xie Zhen and the others exchanged glances but wisely kept quiet.
After lunch, they played in the living room for a while before Lin Yanyan shooed Xie Zhen and He Mo off to study. She sat across from them with a book in hand, determined to carry out Lin Ran’s orders to the letter.
Meanwhile, Lin Ran took Sheng Qingxi out.
Lin Ran was well aware that Xu Yirong had people watching near the garage, so he didn’t ride his bike. Instead, he casually led Sheng Qingxi out on foot.
By 4 p.m., Lin Ran returned to the garage alone.
Two hours later, Lin Ran left the garage again, this time with Lin Yanyan. After making sure her helmet was on properly, she obediently climbed onto the back seat. Lin Ran mounted the bike, secured his own helmet, and the red motorcycle roared down the street like a gust of wind.
Before long, a black sedan parked across from the garage slowly began to follow them.
It was rush hour, and the streets were clogged with heavy traffic.
Lin Ran’s motorcycle weaved effortlessly between the cars, and several times, Xu Yirong’s people nearly lost them. Fortunately, someone had been stationed at the entrance of Chengnan Garden. As soon as they saw the red motorcycle, they immediately called Xu Yirong.
By 7 p.m., Aunt Chen swiped her card to enter Chengnan Garden, carrying a bag in her hand.
Just as she finished swiping the card, her phone rang in her pocket.
Hurriedly shoving the card back into her bag, she pulled out her phone and glanced at the screen. It was Lin Ran calling.
“Xiao Huo? I’m just about to reach the entrance.”
Aunt Chen answered the phone as she walked inside.
On the other end of the line, Lin Ran’s voice was casual, no different from usual. “Aunt Chen, Yanyan is asleep in her room. You don’t need to wake her up after you finish cooking. Let the little girl sleep a bit longer.”
Aunt Chen quickly responded, “Alright, I’ll keep the food warm after I’m done.”
…
Across the street from the Chengnan Garden villa.
Lin Ran hung up the phone with a calm expression, watching as Aunt Chen walked into the villa area.