Please come to my house for dinner 02

Page 1/3

[Author’s Note: In this world, Jiang Yi and Ye Qiao are not related by blood nor by adoption. Jiang Yi and Su Ran are in a fake marriage; there is no real marital relationship, no marriage certificate, and no wedding.]

Early in the morning, Su Ran slipped into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Cooking had become an integral part of his daily life. He had once been a homebody who survived on takeout, but now he spent much of his time in the kitchen, and surprisingly, he didn’t mind. Perhaps he’d been influenced by the “virtuous wife” factor?

He was rinsing rice in the cooker when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw Jiang Yi emerge from his room, hair disheveled, rubbing his temples as if suffering from a hangover.

Su Ran ladled a bowl of the sobering soup he had already warmed up. Last night, Lu Jin had been the first to try it and praised its flavor.

Jiang Yi stopped in front of the kitchen island. Su Ran handed him the bowl, saying, “You drank too much last night. You must have a headache now. Drink this, it’ll soothe your stomach.”

Jiang Yi glanced at the bowl but ignored it, instead going into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. The water was steaming, but his face was cold as ever. He had always been like this with Su Ran, never bothering with any pretense. As the submissive, long-suffering wife, Su Ran only lowered his gaze and said nothing; he was already used to it.

“How did I get home last night?” Jiang Yi asked as he drank, having little memory of the previous evening.

“Lu Jin brought us back,” Su Ran replied. “If he hadn’t helped, we probably wouldn’t have made it home at all.”

Jiang Yi was momentarily surprised at the mention of Lu Jin, even pausing his drinking. “Lu Jin came here?”

Su Ran nodded. Jiang Yi pondered a moment before saying, “Alright, I see.”

“By the way, don’t go anywhere today. Ye Qiao is back from abroad—he hurt his arm and may need to stay here for a few days. Make sure you prepare a good dinner tonight,” Jiang Yi instructed.

Seeing Jiang Yi’s serious expression, Su Ran knew how important this was to him. “Alright, I understand.”

Jiang Yi seemed about to speak again, but when he saw Su Ran’s docile, quiet demeanor, he lost the desire to say more and turned away.

Once Jiang Yi left, Su Ran turned back to his cooking. He called out for 555. “The protagonist has arrived. The love storyline is about to begin, isn’t it?”

555 sounded very excited. As a rookie system guiding his first mission, he held high hopes for Su Ran and couldn’t wait for them to shine together. He was already fantasizing about standing on the podium at year’s end, receiving the Best System award.

“Take it slow. From the moment he steps through the door, his storyline will begin. For now, you’re just a supporting character—a tool, really. The main tasks won’t start for a few days. Just focus on playing the virtuous wife for now,” 555 advised.

Su Ran understood. Only now was he beginning to grasp how the progress bar worked. This was a feel-good romance world, where emotional fulfillment and satisfaction went hand in hand.

Jiang Yi needed to achieve both romantic and career fulfillment, meaning his relationship with Ye Qiao must reach its peak, while Lu Jin, as an influential figure in Jiang Yi’s life, would help him succeed in business. There was another important character, yet to be unlocked.

Currently, the clearest storyline was between Ye Qiao and Jiang Yi. Lu Jin’s arc had only barely started last night—so far, all Su Ran knew was that as the “wife,” his duty was to help Jiang Yi maintain this connection.

In other words, he was just a tool to move the plot forward, smoothing the relationships between characters, and also participating in various “plays.”

*

Su Ran managed a dessert shop, funded by Jiang Yi while he ran the business. He earned a manager’s salary and a ten percent bonus at year’s end.

He was content with this arrangement. Making desserts was his passion. Having come from a small town to the city, he was satisfied with his current life.

After collecting some pastries from the shop, Su Ran went to the supermarket for dinner ingredients, finally returning home with two large bags.

When he arrived, Jiang Yi was already gone. Su Ran put the groceries in the kitchen and began prepping them with practiced ease. He was so absorbed in his work that he didn’t notice the light outside turning a warm gold. The pork bone soup on the stove bubbled gently, and several dishes were already arranged on the counter when the front door opened.

Jiang Yi entered, smiling as he welcomed Ye Qiao inside. The young man, dressed casually with a sketchboard slung over his back and a splint on his arm, looked somewhat comical but still exuded a fresh, artistic charm.

Ye Qiao stood at the entryway, peering inside. He was drawn by the rich aroma of food and, following the scent, caught sight of a slender figure bathed in clean, clear light—his outline rimmed with gold.

Su Ran immediately set down his work and turned around. He realized that the protagonist wasn’t quite as he’d imagined. Although he hadn’t read many BL novels or known any gay men in reality, Su Ran had thought the “bottom” would be smaller and gentler. But Ye Qiao was tall, handsome, and strong-featured, with a hint of mixed heritage.

It was nothing like he’d pictured, but Su Ran didn’t dwell on it. He quickly went to greet him. “It must have been tiring on the road. Come in and rest.”

Ye Qiao regarded Su Ran with interest. He’d met many attractive people, but never anyone with such a gentle presence—someone whose mere existence seemed to create an aura of calm and kindness.

Ye Qiao smiled. “Should I call you… sister-in-law?”

The term caught Su Ran off guard. Before he could react, Jiang Yi seemed electrified—his face froze for a split second. “No need. Just call him Su Ran.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Ye Qiao’s eyes. He glanced between the two, quickly concluding that their relationship was not as close as that of ordinary spouses.

His suspicions were confirmed as he toured the house: a three-bedroom, with Ye Qiao assigned a bright, sunny room. He noticed the couple lived separately—Su Ran’s room was small and cramped, barely fitting a bed and wardrobe.

Jiang Yi had married while Ye Qiao was abroad. By the time he heard about it, the marriage was over, and he’d wondered at the hasty match. Now, it seemed even stranger.

“You two sleep in separate rooms?” Ye Qiao voiced his curiosity. He hadn’t wanted to trouble a newlywed couple.

His family had worried about him returning to China, fearing he wouldn’t take care of himself. Jiang Yi’s parents had insisted he stay with Jiang Yi, and the constant calls left him unable to refuse. Besides, their families had been close since childhood; Ye Qiao had once been lost and taken in by the Jiangs, and even after returning to his own family, he still called Jiang Yi his brother.

Page 2/3

The couple’s marital arrangement seemed odd, and Ye Qiao had no desire to get involved in such a strange atmosphere.

After his question, there was a moment of silence. But Su Ran felt the need to explain—after all, he had to maintain his dignity. “Yes, that’s right. Your brother entertains a lot and is a light sleeper. To avoid disturbing each other, we sleep in separate rooms.”

Ye Qiao, much taller than Su Ran, could see the crown of his head when he looked down. He seemed to hear a touch of grievance in Su Ran’s voice; his eyes were tinged with red, giving him a pitiful air.

“I see,” Ye Qiao replied.

They stood outside Su Ran’s bedroom without going in. Ye Qiao caught a faint scent—perhaps Su Ran’s own. He couldn’t understand why Jiang Yi neglected him.

During dinner, Su Ran remembered Jiang Yi’s instructions to take care of Ye Qiao. He kept offering him food with the communal chopsticks and was grateful that Ye Qiao’s injury was on his right arm; otherwise, he’d have trouble eating at all.

Ye Qiao looked helplessly at the mountain of food on his plate. “Ranran, your cooking is amazing, but you really overestimate my appetite.”

“Oh,” Su Ran replied, a little embarrassed. “Help yourself, then.”

He lowered his eyes and quietly ate from his own bowl, his eyelashes casting gentle arcs.

Ye Qiao kept glancing at him—this ‘little wife’ identity was certainly novel.

“You’re not planning to go back abroad, are you? Didn’t your parents say they’d return before the New Year?” Jiang Yi asked.

“No, I don’t plan on going back. The family business is shifting focus here, and soon the old house will be renovated. Then my parents will return,” Ye Qiao said.

“That’s great. While you’re here, feel free to relax. If you want to go anywhere, just tell us—we’ll take you,” Jiang Yi said warmly, patting Ye Qiao’s shoulder.

At that moment, Jiang Yi’s phone rang. His face grew serious as he answered. “Now? You want me to pick him up?” His tone was flat, but his brow was furrowed. “Alright, I understand.” Hanging up, he stood, looking displeased. “You two go ahead and eat. The new boss is here—I have to go pick him up.”

Su Ran understood. Jiang Yi was now vice president at his company. He had been expecting a promotion to president this year, but an outside executive had been parachuted in, and he’d been frustrated about it. Now, it seemed he had accepted it.

As night fell, Su Ran gathered the dry laundry from the balcony. Some he hung in Jiang Yi’s wardrobe, the rest he took back to his own small room, folding everything neatly.

Ye Qiao’s room was next door and very quiet; there was barely any sound from inside.

Su Ran went over and knocked. After getting permission, he poked his head in. “Qiao Qiao, do you want to shower now?”

Ye Qiao was lying on the bed with his tablet. He looked up in surprise, a teasing note in his voice. “‘Qiao Qiao’?”

Su Ran was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Ye Qiao had called him Ranran, so calling him Qiao Qiao seemed natural—more intimate, even. He’d never heard what Jiang Yi called him.

Ye Qiao’s smile widened. He had a noble, cool air, with chiseled features and a hint of mixed blood—someone who didn’t seem to smile easily. Su Ran hadn’t expected him to be so cheerful; it made him a little uneasy.

“Nothing, it’s just that I haven’t heard that name since childhood. It feels intimate—Ranran, you can call me that from now on.”

Su Ran’s soft voice sounded especially affectionate when calling his name, almost as if spoiling him.

“Then do you want to shower now?” Su Ran mumbled.

“I’ll wait a bit. You go first,” Ye Qiao replied.

Hearing this, Su Ran quickly closed the door. As the guest, Ye Qiao deserved courtesy. Besides, Jiang Yi had made it clear before leaving—Ye Qiao was injured and needed special care. Su Ran suddenly felt like he was minding a national treasure.

In the bathroom, as hot water coursed over his skin, Su Ran checked the plot progress. To his surprise, Ye Qiao’s storyline had already advanced nicely, and he’d hardly done anything—just kept up his role.

555 appeared in his mind. “Fantastic, Ranran! The main protagonist just arrived and we’ve already made great progress.”

It was only a few points, but still, for a first meeting, it was impressive. Su Ran was baffled. “I haven’t really done anything—how did it go up?”

“You maintained your character and are getting closer to the protagonist. The more you dote on him, the more he’ll torment you when he betrays you. The more dramatic, the more exciting—this boosts our progress! And don’t forget, there’s a stimulation score once the plot is maxed out!” 555 exclaimed.

Su Ran was speechless.

What a wretched character setting.

After a while, 555 suddenly said, “Wait, a new icon just lit up on my dashboard!”

Su Ran saw it too—a simple house icon. He wondered what it meant. After a moment, 555 figured it out. “Someone in the main group said this is a feature unique to the Honest Person System. The icon lights up randomly when the traveler and any plot-related character are in the same special space. It speeds up the plot, and if the main protagonist is present, even better.”

Su Ran began to understand. No wonder the plot progress had surged even though he’d done nothing—it was thanks to the designated space.

“The pros in the group call it the ‘Stimulation Chamber,’” 555 said, laughing.

Page 3/3

Su Ran pondered, sensing something unusual...

“Does this work for Lu Jin too?” he asked, puzzled.

“For now, yes,” 555 replied.

“But Lu Jin can’t increase the excitement index, can he?” Su Ran asked.

“He probably increases Jiang Yi’s intimacy level, which is good for the career storyline,” 555 said, though he was uncertain since Lu Jin’s arc hadn’t fully unfolded.

Su Ran decided not to worry and just take things as they came. He realized he’d been in the bathroom too long—his skin was flushed from the hot water.

He dried off, pulled on his pajamas, and opened the bathroom door. White steam drifted out, carrying the scent of his shower gel.

Ye Qiao was sitting on the sofa, watching Su Ran emerge from the bathroom, looking rosy and fresh.

Su Ran felt a bit embarrassed at the sight. “You want to shower now?”

Ye Qiao nodded. “I was starting to worry about you—almost checked if you’d fainted.”

Su Ran was still warm from his bath. As he approached, a clean, fresh scent wafted from him. “I took a bit longer today. Go ahead, there’s still hot water.” He gestured to Ye Qiao’s splinted arm. “Use the tub instead of the shower—it’ll be easier.”

“Alright,” Ye Qiao said, heading for the bathroom.

Su Ran tossed his dirty clothes into the washing machine on the balcony. On his way back, it occurred to him that Ye Qiao’s injury must make things difficult.

Jiang Yi’s words echoed in his mind: “Take good care of him.”

He went to the bathroom door and knocked. “Need any help?”

The door opened at once. Ye Qiao had just finished filling the tub, still fully dressed.

Su Ran had never cared for an injured person before, but it was clear Ye Qiao would struggle. “It’ll be hard to take off your shirt with one hand—want me to help?”

Ye Qiao was wearing a T-shirt. Su Ran figured taking off the top would be the only real challenge; Ye Qiao should manage his pants on his own.

Ye Qiao hesitated, then, seeing the earnest look on Su Ran’s face, said, “Alright, help me.”

Su Ran, used to being straightforward, helped without ulterior motives.

He took hold of Ye Qiao’s shirt hem and pulled it up. As he drew closer, Ye Qiao caught a sweet scent, different from the shower gel—more like Su Ran’s room.

His gaze drifted from Su Ran’s face downwards. Su Ran’s hair was still damp, clinging softly to his skin; droplets of water slid from his neck, tracing a path down white skin—one, two...

His eyes followed the droplets until Su Ran said, “Lower your head.”

Su Ran rose on tiptoe, carefully peeling the shirt over his head. Ye Qiao’s view was momentarily blocked by fabric.

For the final sleeve, Su Ran gently guided it over the injured arm.

As the shirt came off, Su Ran breathed a sigh of relief. It really would have been troublesome for Ye Qiao to manage alone—abroad, he’d probably have had a servant to help.

“Thank you, Ranran,” Ye Qiao said, his eyes lingering on Su Ran’s flushed face.

“You’re welcome,” Su Ran replied, pleased that their rapport would help the plot. He felt he was doing a good job.

However, when his gaze fell on Ye Qiao’s physique, his mood soured a little. Ye Qiao’s figure was too good—under clothes it was hard to tell, but up close, his chest and abs were impressively sculpted. It was enough to inspire envy.

“You’re Jiang Yi’s brother. It’s only right for me to look after you. I’ll go now. If you need anything else, just call me,” Su Ran said.

Ye Qiao’s eyes followed him as he left. The door closed, and he repeated the name “Su Ran” to himself, a faint laugh in his voice.

How interesting.

Soaking in the bath, the rising steam flushed his cheeks. He closed his eyes to rest.

But as soon as he did, the image of moments before surfaced in his mind—those beads of water rolling down smooth, snowy skin.

Such fine, fair skin—perfect for painting.