Please come to my house for dinner.

The next morning, after Su Ran finished getting ready and was about to head downstairs for breakfast, he had just closed his room door when he saw the door next to his open. Lu Jin, neatly dressed, stepped out. Upon seeing him, a smile involuntarily curved the corner of Lu Jin’s lips, and he even greeted him first, “Going downstairs for breakfast?”

Su Ran nodded, somewhat understanding. After all, he had just learned the night before that neither he nor Jiang Yi were protected by the law. Compared to the difficulties he faced when he was with Jiang Yi, things were clearly easier now.

“Yes, breakfast,” Su Ran replied. He usually ate breakfast early every day and was accustomed to it. Unlike others who would sleep in and only eat around nine or ten.

“Mm, together,” Lu Jin said briefly.

The two walked side by side. Su Ran could clearly feel Lu Jin’s happiness; the atmosphere around him was unusually gentle, but in a subtle way, because despite his smile, he still looked serious.

Once inside the elevator, Su Ran stood by the buttons. Having spent more time with Lu Jin and experienced his inexplicable quirks, some of the charm had worn off. It turned out that Lu Jin’s thought process could sometimes be baffling, making him less lofty and the interactions less formal than before.

As the elevator descended, although Su Ran felt more relaxed around Lu Jin, he still sensed something unusual about him today.

Originally, there had been about half an arm’s length between them, but at some point, Lu Jin had moved closer and closer. His arm kept brushing against Su Ran’s, even lightly rubbing the back of his hand.

Su Ran immediately raised his hand to smooth the bangs from his forehead. Lu Jin looked at him, his eyes tinged with a hint of grievance.

*Ding* — the elevator doors opened. Su Ran stepped out, with Lu Jin following him all the way to the dining room connected to the kitchen.

At the long table, only Yan Ze and a beautiful woman were having breakfast. When Yan Ze saw them, he immediately stood up. “Morning.”

“Morning,” Su Ran greeted.

The next moment, Yan Ze rushed over to him. “Morning, Brother Ranran.”

Su Ran knew Yan Ze’s personality well enough to feel he was somewhat unruly. He merely smiled at him, while Lu Jin, standing beside him, suddenly grabbed the back of Yan Ze’s collar and asked in a dangerous tone, “Brother Ranran?”

Yan Ze had had enough of Lu Jin treating him like a thief; unable to get what he wanted, he couldn’t even have the satisfaction of teasing. “Yeah, that’s how Ye Qiao calls you, right, Brother Ranran?”

Su Ran didn’t intend to respond, just smiled and started eating.

At that moment, Lu Jin’s face was full of warning. “You’re not allowed to call him that.”

Yan Ze was puzzled. Seriously? Not allowed to touch, nor allowed to call by that name? He was full of resentment but sat down to continue eating. Then he said, “Tonight, we’re having barbecue. I’ll handle the grilling, Boss Lu Jin, please prepare the ingredients. Don’t buy from the estate’s place—I can’t get used to it.”

Su Ran listened quietly, thinking that if Yan Ze wasn’t doing any work, it wouldn’t be good. Since Lu Jin was good at buying ingredients, he would just go along to help.

Lu Jin was in a very good mood today and was about to banter with Yan Ze, “I’m not serv…”

Before he could finish, Su Ran said, “I’ll go with you to buy. I know how to pick.”

Lu Jin swallowed the words he was about to say, looked at Su Ran, and a smile that seemed about to overflow appeared in his eyes, tinged with sweetness. “Alright, we’ll go together.”

After breakfast, Lu Jin and Su Ran left. The car was provided by the estate, complete with a driver. Su Ran originally wanted to sit in the front passenger seat but was grabbed by the arm by Lu Jin and pulled to sit with him in the back.

“Where to?” the driver asked, glancing back.

“To the city mall,” Lu Jin replied, then looked at Su Ran, “Is there anywhere you want to visit…”

Before he could finish, the front passenger door suddenly opened, and in came someone Su Ran hadn’t expected.

Zhou Luo sat down firmly, with a broad smile turning to the two behind him. “I’m coming with you. I just happen to want to visit the city and buy some things.”

Lu Jin frowned as he looked at him, then glanced at Su Ran.

Su Ran pondered briefly, unsure of Zhou Luo’s intentions but curious to see. He had already sensed the complicated dynamics between Zhou Luo and Jiang Yi and naturally wanted to know why Zhou Luo was approaching him.

---

At the mall, Su Ran finally understood why Zhou Luo insisted on coming along.

He had to visit the mall first, then use the excuse of shopping to mock and boast. His real purpose was to clearly tell Su Ran that he indeed had a relationship with Jiang Yi.

Zhou Luo touched the fabric of a piece of clothing and chuckled, “Su Ran, you know, thanks to President Jiang, my pocket’s a lot heavier now.”

No matter how naive Su Ran was, he caught the meaning behind those words. Zhou Luo was basically bragging that Jiang Yi was giving him money. But since Jiang Yi hadn’t told him that directly, Su Ran wouldn’t easily believe it.

Even though he was deceiving himself, with his weak personality, facing Zhou Luo’s provocation, he could only quietly bow his head, feeling bitter and suffocated inside. It seemed Zhou Luo had figured out his character well—knowing that he had no standing with Jiang Yi and dared not cause trouble—so he dared to trample over him like this.

Zhou Luo shamelessly glanced over Su Ran and sneered, “Su Ran, I should call you ‘brother’ since you’re three years older. Not to be nosy, but you’re Jiang’s wife after all. How can you keep dressing like this? Doesn’t Jiang give you money for clothes?”

They were just outside a clothing store, not even inside yet, and Zhou Luo was already launching a barrage of words. Su Ran didn’t know how to retort. He was right—Jiang Yi indeed didn’t give him money for clothes...

“I’ve been saving up,” Su Ran answered honestly. Although angry, his rebuttal seemed weaker.

He anxiously glanced around and saw Lu Jin hadn’t come back yet. He didn’t want to continue shopping with Zhou Luo and just wanted to quickly finish buying ingredients and return.

Indeed, Zhou Luo’s voice turned sharp at this moment, “Saving up? No wonder—here, let me test you. Do you recognize this brand?”

Su Ran was momentarily dumbfounded and about to reply when a cold voice interrupted, “I doubt ordinary people know this kind of second-tier brand.”

Lu Jin’s words were very convincing. Zhou Luo immediately became embarrassed. Given the difference in status, Lu Jin was definitely someone he couldn’t offend. But he never expected Lu Jin to speak up for Su Ran!

Lu Jin approached, hands full of luxury shopping bags, which he handed to Su Ran softly, “I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought a little of everything.”

Since entering the mall, Lu Jin had sensed something was off. If he let Su Ran choose, knowing his personality, he probably wouldn’t pick anything. But Su Ran couldn’t be outdone—just by standing there, he won. How could he be suppressed by such vulgar comparisons?

Su Ran looked a bit lost. “Why... are you giving me these?”

“Take them,” Lu Jin said firmly, looking at him seriously. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have given the project to Jiang Yi. You’re the most important part of this project, you know that.”

Su Ran’s heart stirred as he looked at Lu Jin. He had hesitated whether to accept such expensive gifts, but with Zhou Luo watching, he believed Lu Jin’s actions were also meant to save face for him. Compared to him, Lu Jin seemed to dislike Zhou Luo, this rival, even more.

Grateful, Su Ran accepted the bags. “Thank you.”

Turning to look at Zhou Luo, he saw him eyeing the bags, then shifting his gaze back to Su Ran’s face, his expression nearly contorted.

After that, Zhou Luo completely wilted. Trying to show off in front of Lu Jin was impossible.

What surprised Su Ran was how wild Lu Jin was in the shopping spree. Seeing something that suited Su Ran, he didn’t even ask the price but bought it outright, leaving Zhou Luo dumbfounded and green with envy.

After two hours of shopping, they had spent millions, all on Su Ran’s behalf, making him realize that the currency circulating among the wealthy was in a different league.

Su Ran was a little confused by Lu Jin’s motives—was it just to slap Zhou Luo in the face? For fun?

Having money truly meant freedom.

In the end, they had so many bags they could hardly carry them all. Zhou Luo helped shoulder some, his face almost turning green but he remained quiet, saying nothing more.

Watching Zhou Luo’s retreating figure, Su Ran felt considerably happier. Lu Jin saw the smile on his face and slowly curved his lips.

Walking a little further, Su Ran suddenly felt an itch on the back of his hand. Turning his head, he saw Lu Jin beside him. Although Lu Jin was looking straight ahead, his hand slowly reached out and held Su Ran’s.

The warmth transmitted through his hand startled Su Ran, who almost instinctively shook off his hand.

Lu Jin’s ears instantly flushed red. He frowned at Su Ran but then seemed to understand.

Although his marriage with Jiang Yi was fake, to outsiders it was a legitimate marriage. So they still couldn’t show affection openly, especially in front of Zhou Luo, where they needed to maintain moral high ground.

Thinking this, Lu Jin’s eyes darkened.

---

Su Ran’s heart beat faster. He didn’t understand why Lu Jin acted this way. Looking at Zhou Luo’s back ahead, if he were seen holding hands, Zhou Luo would surely imitate Jiang Yi, and before the plot even unfolded, Su Ran, as the dutiful wife, might be discarded by Jiang Yi for such a reason...

Wait... Suddenly, Su Ran’s mind cleared.

Looking at Zhou Luo’s back and then at Lu Jin, could this be Lu Jin’s purpose—to make him leave Jiang Yi quickly? Even if they were nominally married, it wasn’t acceptable. Lu Jin wanted to be with Jiang Yi officially and properly...

It all made sense now. The reason for buying so many things was to put on a show in front of Zhou Luo!

Su Ran felt a bit troubled. Why couldn’t he just give up already...

Even after getting into the car, Su Ran’s mind was still in a mess. How was he supposed to face Lu Jin?

In the car, Zhou Luo had completely turned mute, gazing blankly out the window, his previous liveliness gone.

The car was very quiet. Lu Jin looked down at his phone, thinking for a moment, then entered seven zeros in the transfer amount.

Su Ran heard the notification and opened his phone. Seeing the transfer, he was initially puzzled about who would send him money, but when he saw the amount, his face instantly flushed red. He had never seen so many zeros before!

Ten million transferred!

Lu Jin pocketed his phone, thinking about how Jiang Yi rarely gave Su Ran money and that Su Ran had no other income source. A pang of pity rose in his heart.

This was just a small sum. He didn’t want to scare Su Ran at the start; he wanted to ease him into such transfers gradually.

He wanted Su Ran to gain confidence, not to be moved by Jiang Yi’s small favors, and certainly not to let someone like Zhou Luo act so arrogantly in front of him.

Lu Jin leaned in, close to Su Ran’s ear. “Ranran, spend this first. When it’s gone, I’ll transfer more.”

Su Ran was still dazed by the string of numbers, completely stunned, overwhelmed by the money. In this life, no, including the last, he had never seen so many zeros!

Lu Jin quietly watched him. Su Ran’s side profile was sculpted and beautiful. His lips were almost touching Lu Jin’s ear, which was pale and delicate.

Lu Jin breathed in his scent, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips gently on Su Ran’s earlobe.

At that moment, Zhou Luo in the front seat happened to look up and, through the rearview mirror, saw the scene. He nearly had his heart leap out of his chest!

Back at the villa, Su Ran put the shopping bags in the kitchen and then went upstairs, his mind in chaos needing time to sort things out.

Lu Jin followed him upstairs. When Su Ran reached his door, Lu Jin stayed right beside him. As Su Ran opened the door and was about to enter, he felt someone closely following behind. He grabbed the door handle and turned around, nearly bumping into Lu Jin.

Su Ran really needed some solitude now and didn’t want Lu Jin to come in, but Lu Jin smiled at the suddenly facing him Su Ran.

Su Ran rarely saw him smile, especially such a gentle one. His sculpted face seemed to thaw like melting ice, making Su Ran pause for a moment. But the next second, Lu Jin moved closer and closer, causing Su Ran’s heart to race. It felt as if Lu Jin was about to kiss him...

Just as their breaths began to mingle, Su Ran immediately pushed him away and saw Jiang Yi approaching from the other end of the hallway.

Everything became clear. This Lu Jin, who looked serious, was actually scheming. He was a tool, yes, but not a tool to provoke Jiang Yi. This tool was not to be used that way!

“I’m going to rest,” Su Ran said, then shut the door.

Lu Jin stared at the suddenly closed door, stunned. He touched his lips, feeling discouraged.

Why was even a kiss not allowed? Hadn’t he already confessed? There should be no barriers between them now.

Yet, he wasn’t even allowed to kiss.