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Chapter 55: Shameless Sponging

Shen Qingxuan stared blankly at the still-lit screen, which already showed the call-ended interface.

What was going on?

Why did Jiang Yubing suddenly call to ask whether he could swim, That question felt far too baffling.

Was she planning some sort of water activity?

Yet he never heard her mention it beforehand.

“You two move this fast?”

“You didn’t call me here just for camping, right?”

Zhao Ran asked.

“Not that fast! It’s been a full month at most.”

Shen Qingxuan scratched his head.

———

The car stopped steadily in front of the main gate of Bai Youwei’s villa.

“Young master.”

A man who looked like a butler came to the car, bent at the waist, and stood respectfully.

Zhao Ran nodded calmly and said in a steady tone, “Please change me to a roomier car.”

“Yes, young master.”

The butler responded and then turned around and left at a brisk pace.

Shen Qingxuan felt a bit curious, but he did not ask further.

After all, Jiang Yubing told him that Zhao Ran and Bai Youwei already obtained their marriage certificate.

He followed Zhao Ran into the villa.

The two of them ran back and forth several times, and moved the tents, barbecue rack, and other camping gear to the side of the car piece by piece.

Just as they were about to get in and leave, an opulent Rolls-Royce drove over slowly and parked squarely in front of them.

Its sleek body gleamed with luxurious luster under the sunlight.

A middle-aged man then stepped out of the car.

Shen Qingxuan stared at the newcomer, and his eyes widened like brass bells.

“U-Uncle Zhao?”

Zhao Yang wore a warm smile and called out kindly, “Little Xuan, long time no see!”

“Uncle Zhao, what is this?”

Shen Qingxuan asked with a face full of confusion.

He truly could not figure out why Zhao Ran’s relative would step out of such a lavish car.

Zhao Yang laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said, “Haha, I see you are going out to have fun, let Zhao Ran tell you about it.”

After speaking, he looked at Shen Qingxuan again with a smile, “Little Xuan, come by when you have time!”

He then turned around and walked into the villa.

Zhao Ran gazed at his father’s departing back and stayed silent for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, then turned to the puzzled Shen Qingxuan and said, “Get in the car, I will explain on the way.”

The car started slowly, its wheels rolling over the ground with a faint rustling sound.

Shen Qingxuan could not restrain his curiosity, and as soon as he sat steadily, he blurted out, “Zhao Ran, are you secretly a rich second generation?”

He knew Zhao Ran’s family situation; there was no way he could afford a Rolls-Royce.

If Zhao Ran really was a rich heir, it would hurt Shen Qingxuan more than being killed.

Zhao Ran gripped the steering wheel firmly with both hands and kept his eyes on the road, and said calmly, “My family situation is a bit complicated.”

He paused, as if recalling memories he preferred not to mention, “My mother died when I was little, you know that.”

Shen Qingxuan nodded and showed an understanding expression.

He still remembered that Zhao Ran became gloomy for quite a while when they were children because of his relative’s passing.

“My father raised me alone all these years, he is both father and mother, so I never planned to date, I only wanted to work hard first so he could relax a little.”

Zhao Ran’s voice sounded low and gentle, tinged with faint sorrow.

Shen Qingxuan listened quietly without interrupting, he knew Zhao Ran needed to vent at this moment.

“Last year I accidentally found out that an auntie kept chasing after my dad.”

Zhao Ran continued, “For my sake my dad refused her many times, he worried a new relationship would hurt me.”

“Then that auntie came to me and explained the situation. She truly liked my dad, did not mind my existence, and even said she would treat me like her own son.”

Zhao Ran let out a light sigh, “I thought for a long time and felt my dad deserved his own happiness, so I persuaded him to accept her.”

Shen Qingxuan was stunned.

Moments ago he thought Zhao Ran had latched onto Bai Youwei and started sponging.

It turned out it was actually his father.

Uncle Zhao truly deserved the title, shamelessly sponging.

Shen Qingxuan sighed to himself.

This plot felt way too melodramatic.

It was even more dramatic than a TV drama.

Zhao Ran let out a helpless laugh: “At first I also felt as if I were dreaming, but now that I see my dad in a good mood every day, I think it is pretty nice.”

“So, Bai Youwei is…?”

Zhao Ran gave a helpless smile, “Exactly what you think, so she keeps blaming me.”

Shen Qingxuan smacked his lips and did not probe further into the issue.

After all, it belonged to the couple’s private matters.

“Look at your luck, you jumped from an ordinary family to an aristocratic one at once, so you have to cover your brother-in-law in the future!”

Zhao Ran rolled his eyes at him, “Cut the nonsense, no matter how the family changes I am still me; saying that between brothers-in-law is too distant.”

While they spoke, the two already arrived at the supermarket entrance they had agreed on with Jiang Yubing and Bai Youwei.

After parking, Zhao Ran had just opened the door when he saw Bai Youwei standing not far away with her arms crossed and a proud look on her face.

Jiang Yubing beside her greeted them with a smile.

Shen Qingxuan leaned over to Zhao Ran’s ear and whispered, “See, your girl is still angry, you have to coax her properly later.”

Zhao Ran glared at him and replied under his breath, “Stop talking nonsense.”

He then strode toward the two girls.

“Have you bought everything?” Shen Qingxuan asked while looking at Jiang Yubing.

Jiang Yubing nodded, “Almost, we are just waiting for your tent and barbecue rack.”

Bai Youwei let out a soft snort and turned her head away from Zhao Ran.

Seeing this, Shen Qingxuan teased deliberately, “Are you sulking with Zhao Ran? Want me to teach him a lesson for you?”

When Bai Youwei heard that, she turned around at once, put her hands on her hips, and said, “You? Can you beat him?”

Everyone could not help laughing, and the atmosphere instantly became relaxed and cheerful.

They carried the items onto the car together and set off for Baiyue Mountain once again.

When they reached the campsite, many people already set up tents, and joyous laughter echoed among the mountains.

Zhao Ran and Shen Qingxuan quickly started to pitch the tent, Jiang Yubing and Bai Youwei busied themselves arranging the barbecue ingredients.

While pitching the tent, Shen Qingxuan still joked with Zhao Ran, “Now that you count as an aristocratic young master, isn’t pitching tents a bit beneath your status?”

Zhao Ran retorted irritably, “Stop babbling and work. Otherwise there will be no barbecue for you later.”

After the tent stood, the barbecue rack also went up.

Shen Qingxuan placed the ingredients on the grill with practiced ease, brushed oil, and sprinkled seasonings.

Watching from the side, Zhao Ran could not help praising, “I never expected you to have such skills, truly hidden depth.”

A trace of pride lifted the corner of Shen Qingxuan’s mouth, “That’s right, don’t underestimate me.”

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