Ignite Me 121

Lin Ran pinched her cheek gently, smiling, “I’ll come back after I finish with work at the company.”

They lingered in the bathroom for a while, exchanging banter before heading downstairs for breakfast. After eating, they set off.

By then, the snow in Chucheng had already melted. It wasn’t as cold as the previous days, though there was still a damp chill in the air. Sheng Qingxi rolled down the car window and leaned against it, gazing outside as the wind whistled through the open space.

Lin Ran glanced over at her. “Are you cold?”

Sheng Qingxi shook her head. “No, I like winter.”

Normally, Lin Ran wouldn’t allow her to indulge in such behavior, but today was a special day—they were going to get their marriage certificate. His mood was so buoyant that he was willing to let her do as she pleased, just to avoid upsetting her.

While Lin Ran was practically bursting with excitement, Sheng Qingxi remained calm. In her previous life, she had never thought about marriage, and even in this life, it hadn’t been on her mind.

The fact that they had made it to this point was largely due to Lin Ran. Although others might not think so, Sheng Qingxi knew exactly how much effort he had put into their relationship over the years.

Since graduating, the dynamic of their relationship had never shifted—Sheng Qingxi always held the upper hand. Lin Ran never attempted to take control; instead, he willingly submitted to her, content to let her lead.

To Sheng Qingxi, marriage was neither a necessity nor a hindrance.

She thought that as long as they were together, it didn’t matter whether they were married or not. She was confident, thanks to Lin Ran, that they would always be together.

While she remained tranquil, Lin Ran was practically beside himself. A few days earlier, he had been so impatient that he nearly flew them abroad to get married. If not for his grandfather stopping him, he really would have done it. These past days had been agonizing for him, even with Sheng Qingxi by his side. He couldn’t help but resent that his birthday hadn’t come earlier.

It wasn’t often that Sheng Qingxi saw Lin Ran in such a state—pacing around the house restlessly like an agitated big dog. He would calm down if she soothed him, but the moment she wasn’t around, he would start throwing little tantrums, acting like a child.

Lost in thought, she smiled softly, then turned to him. “Lin Ran.”

“Mm?” Lin Ran responded absentmindedly, calculating how much longer it would take to reach the civil affairs bureau.

“Let’s have a child.”

Her voice was soft, gentle, and matter-of-fact.

The sound of screeching brakes echoed in the air, and Sheng Qingxi blinked in surprise.

The car, which had been moving swiftly, suddenly swerved and came to a stop at the corner of the street, catching her completely off guard.

Inside Lin Ran’s mind, it felt as though fireworks had exploded. His ears were ringing, and it took him a while to process her words. When he finally turned to her, his voice was shaky, “Yuan Yuan, what… what did you just say?”

Sheng Qingxi blinked again and, without any hesitation, repeated, “I said, let’s have a child.”

In that moment, the four years that had passed seemed to dissolve for Lin Ran. He felt like his old self again—direct and filled with fervor. His eyes locked onto Sheng Qingxi as he asked, “Why?”

Just as Sheng Qingxi understood him, Lin Ran understood her as well.

He didn’t think Sheng Qingxi had seriously considered this before. She was the type to act on impulse, doing whatever came to mind. But this wasn’t a small decision—Lin Ran had never thought about it, nor did he want to. In his mind, Sheng Qingxi was entirely his.

But deep down, he knew that she didn’t belong to him. She belonged to herself.

Sheng Qingxi reached out her hand, and Lin Ran naturally took it.

The two held each other tightly.

Sheng Qingxi looked at Lin Ran, sharing her deepest thoughts with him: “Lin Ran, from now on, you’ll have a family, and so will I. I want two kids—I want us to have our own home.”

Their lives had been fraught with hardship, like leaves adrift on water.

Lin Ran’s grip on her hand suddenly tightened.

Especially when Sheng Qingxi said, “From now on, you’ll have a family.”

Yes, thinking about it, neither of them had ever truly had a home. Sheng Qingxi’s circumstances were even more tragic. Without Sheng Lan, she might not have survived. Sheng Qingxi was a gift that fate had bestowed upon him.

After a brief silence, Lin Ran smiled.

He returned to his slightly teasing manner, lips curling upward. “You want two? Fine, I’ll give them to you as soon as we get back.”

Sheng Qingxi: “…….”

She had been serious, but this man—he just couldn’t resist joking around.

After their conversation, Lin Ran restarted the car, though his thoughts were elsewhere. Not right now, he mused. They’d have to wait until Sheng Qingxi graduated, at least. Though life is unpredictable, some things still required planning.

Besides, he had already bought a lot of things that needed testing. It would be a waste otherwise.

When they arrived at the civil affairs bureau, Lin Ran and Sheng Qingxi were the first couple to enter, thanks to arrangements made by his grandfather. The entire process went smoothly, and when it came time for their photo, Lin Ran grinned like a fool while Sheng Qingxi stood beside him, smiling softly.

With a *click*, the moment was captured.

Lin Ran finally achieved his dream of receiving their marriage certificates. One hand was tightly holding Sheng Qingxi’s, while the other clutched the two little red booklets. He couldn’t hold back anymore—he took a photo and posted it to his social media.

Firegun: Life Sentence

The accompanying picture showed their marriage certificates and their interlocked hands.

In no time, the post went viral, causing a stir across Chucheng. The young heir of the Lin family had just taken over and was already married. The woman hadn’t changed in the four years before or after—today, countless socialites in Chucheng had their dreams shattered.

Lin Ran’s phone and inbox were flooded with calls and messages.

He didn’t care, though. He simply turned his phone off and took his wife home.

Although calling it “home” wasn’t quite right—they first returned to Shengkai. Lin Ran had already prepared gifts for the kids there, handing them out with a cheeky grin. He then sidled up next to Sheng Lan with Sheng Qingxi, both calling out in unison, “Mom.”

Sheng Lan was delighted, laughing as she responded. She knew the two still needed to visit Lin Ran’s family, so she didn’t keep them for long.

Lin Ran, in high spirits, took his wife to the Lin family’s ancestral home.

Though the Lin family had already agreed to the marriage, no one had expected Lin Ran to be in such a rush. Rushing was fine, but at least a heads-up would have been nice. If not to them, then at least to his assistant, so that PR could be prepared.

As a result, screenshots of Lin Ran’s post spread like wildfire, and phones from all sectors began ringing off the hook at the Lin family residence. Unable to reach Lin Ran, they turned to his grandfather and Lin Youcheng, both of whom were quickly overwhelmed.

The old man was so furious he wanted to drag Lin Ran over and give him a beating—that thoughtless rascal!

But when Lin Ran finally showed up with Sheng Qingxi, the old man straightened up, only to melt when he saw his beautiful new granddaughter-in-law. Smiling, he invited them into his study. He had prepared many gifts for Sheng Qingxi.

Over the years, he had witnessed the deep bond between the two and had been moved by their relationship.

Lin Ran didn’t say anything when he saw the old man take Sheng Qingxi into the study. He simply waved his hand and mentioned that he would check on her later, then went to chat with Lin Youcheng for a while. The relationship between father and son was what it was—no closer, but no worse.

After everything they had been through, Lin Ran calling him “Dad” when they met or occasionally picking up the phone was about as much patience as he had for their relationship. Recently, with more matters to handle at the company, their conversations had become more frequent, but Lin Ran’s attitude remained the same—calm and distant.

Lin Youcheng had come to accept this and didn’t push for more.

After having a meal at the ancestral home, Lin Ran and Sheng Qingxi left.

After all, the day still belonged to them, and Lin Ran felt it was more than generous to have spent half the day running back and forth between various obligations.

That day, Lin Ran got married.

He felt like he had the whole world.

—

Lin Ran and Sheng Qingxi’s wedding took place in June, right after their graduation.

The wedding was filled with countless elites and dignitaries. Lin Ran didn’t turn anyone away, accepting every toast. After all, such a day only came once in a lifetime. Sheng Qingxi stayed by his side the entire time, and Lin Ran didn’t let her drink a drop of alcohol.

The celebration lasted until the moon hung high in the sky.

Xie Zhen and his girlfriend headed home together, He Mo, having had a bit too much to drink, smiled at the night sky, and Song Xingyu strolled under the stars, holding Lin Yanyan’s hand. That night, everyone was in high spirits.

But the happiest of all was Lin Ran.

Lin Ran and Sheng Qingxi took a car back to their wedding house.

The house was located in the west of the city, designed personally by Lin Ran. Despite his busy schedule in the first half of the year, he had found the time to design both their home and Sheng Qingxi’s wedding dress.

The summer night was sweltering, and the car moved smoothly down the road.

Lin Ran had drunk quite a bit, and now he was resting his head in Sheng Qingxi’s lap. He wasn’t completely drunk—just enough to want to stay close to her, doing nothing but quietly being together.

Sheng Qingxi lowered her head and gently stroked Lin Ran’s hot face, whispering, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Lin Ran didn’t respond, keeping his eyes closed and pressing his cheek against her neck.

With a sigh, Sheng Qingxi gently patted his back, soothing him. “We’ll be home soon. When we get there, I’ll make you some hangover soup, and after you shower, you can drink it. Be good, don’t be difficult.”

“Let’s shower together.”

The man, who had been playing dead, muttered in a low voice.

Sheng Qingxi’s lips curled into a smile, but she rejected him mercilessly. “No, we have to get up early tomorrow to visit your mom. No sleeping in. After you shower, we’re going straight to bed.”

The “mom” she referred to was Lin Ran’s mother. Sheng Qingxi had visited Song Zishi’s grave many times, sometimes with Lin Ran, sometimes on her own. In Lin Ran’s few memories of her, she had been a gentle mother.

Sheng Qingxi had often wondered whether she could be a good mother herself.

It was an entirely foreign concept to her. But luckily, Lin Ran was by her side. Wherever she fell short, Lin Ran would help correct her. They had always been a well-coordinated team in that regard.

During the evening’s toasts, Sheng Qingxi had changed into a light, sheer qipao.

No one knew the view under that qipao better than Lin Ran, and just the thought of it made him feel restless.

Lin Ran opened his eyes, his heated gaze locking onto her.

After a moment, his voice, low and hoarse, broke the silence: “Then we better make the most of our time.”

Sheng Qingxi was momentarily stunned—what did he mean by “make the most of our time”?

She didn’t have much time to think, because Lin Ran quickly showed her what he meant. He couldn’t even wait until they got home. For Sheng Qingxi, the situation was far too embarrassing.

“Lin Ran…”

She turned her face away, trying to avoid his kiss.

But Lin Ran wouldn’t let her escape. He knew exactly where she was most sensitive, and one little bite was enough to make her melt. He gripped her chin, dominating her as the heady scent of alcohol mixed with his kiss, the smell of it filling Sheng Qingxi’s senses.

The sound of fabric rustling filled the car.

Lin Ran reached up and turned off the car lights, pressing her against the seat back and himself. His hands moved freely in the darkness, roaming without restriction. Sheng Qingxi’s protests were silenced as Lin Ran kissed her again and again, only letting her go briefly before claiming her lips once more.

At some point, the car had stopped, and the driver had long since left.

Neither Lin Ran nor Sheng Qingxi cared. This was the first time for them in a situation like this. Sheng Qingxi was too nervous, and Lin Ran was far too excited, leaving them both in a state of breathless tension.

“Lin Ran, be gentle!”

Sheng Qingxi clung to Lin Ran’s neck, unable to help but curse at him.

Lin Ran, using his strength, couldn’t hold back any longer. In a low voice, he asked, “What did you just call me?”

“Lin… Ran,” Sheng Qingxi called out in broken gasps.

Lin Ran found her ear and bit down softly, his laughter a raspy whisper full of heat. “Wrong. Think again.”

Sheng Qingxi bit her lip—she had never called him that before.

But in the cramped, tight space, she had nowhere to hide. Lin Ran lifted her up and shifted positions, making her straddle him, their faces inches apart. Though the car was dimly lit, their eyes remained locked on each other.

Lin Ran kissed her forehead and her eyelids, brushing his lips across her slightly damp skin, breathing heavily as he chuckled. “Wife, what do you call me?”

Sheng Qingxi whimpered—he was being far too rough.

The strength in his waist and abdomen nearly shattered her composure.

In the end, Sheng Qingxi chose to surrender rather than break into tears. Leaning weakly against Lin Ran’s shoulder, she whispered into his ear, her voice trembling and so soft it was almost a whimper, laced with a hint of tears.

In a small, pitiful voice, she called, “Husband.”

Lin Ran let out a low laugh in the darkness. Even after laughing once, he couldn’t stop grinning, the curve of his lips never fading. He wasn’t about to tell his silly girl that hearing her call him that only fanned the flames.

But it didn’t matter—the night was long, and he would make sure she understood eventually.

Outside the car window, the moon hung high in the sky.

They held each other close, sharing night after night together.

For Lin Ran, every year, every day of his life would be this perfect, because Sheng Qingxi would always be by his side.

They would love each other forever, their hearts always burning bright.

He was willing to be her boy forever.

To be her Lin Ran, to be her fire.

As long as she smiled, he would bow before her, for she was his queen.