Not Even a Kiss

The next morning, Su Ran finished getting ready and was about to go downstairs for breakfast. As he stepped out and closed his door, he saw Lu Jin’s door open. He was fully dressed, looking neat and well-put-together. Seeing Su Ran, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he greeted him first. “Going downstairs for breakfast?”

Su Ran nodded, understanding where this was coming from. After all, he had just found out last night that his marriage with Jiang Yi wasn’t legally protected. Compared to the difficulty of being with Jiang Yi before, it seemed a lot easier now.

“Yeah, breakfast,” Su Ran replied. He was used to eating early in the morning, as he always did. While others slept in and got up around nine or ten, he was already up and about.

“Mm, let’s go together,” Lu Jin said simply.

As they walked side by side, Su Ran could clearly feel Lu Jin’s happiness, the air around him seemed softer and gentler, though he still wore that serious expression.

In the elevator, Su Ran stood next to the button panel. After spending some time around Lu Jin, he had gotten used to his strange behavior, which had lost some of its mystique. Lu Jin, with his odd logic at times, wasn’t as unapproachable as he once seemed. It didn’t feel as stiff as it used to when they were together.

However, something about Lu Jin today felt a bit off. They had originally kept a distance, but without Su Ran realizing when, Lu Jin had moved closer, his arm brushing against his repeatedly, and even his hand occasionally grazing Su Ran’s.

Su Ran raised his hand and adjusted his bangs. Lu Jin glanced at him with eyes that seemed to carry a hint of grievance.

The elevator “dinged,” and the doors opened. Su Ran walked out, with Lu Jin following right behind him, sticking close as they headed for the restaurant connected to the kitchen.

At the long table, only Yan Ze and a beautiful woman were having breakfast. Yan Ze saw them and immediately got up. “Good morning!”

“Good morning,” Su Ran greeted back.

Before he could sit, Yan Ze rushed to him. “Good morning, Ran Ran!”

Su Ran had figured out Yan Ze’s personality by now. He was the mischievous type, always joking around. He smiled at him, and then Lu Jin suddenly grabbed Yan Ze by the collar, speaking with a dangerous tone. “Ran Ran?”

Yan Ze, tired of Lu Jin treating him like an enemy, couldn’t help but retort. “Yeah, Ye Qiao calls him that, doesn’t he? Ran Ran.”

Su Ran didn’t respond, just gave a smile and started eating.

Meanwhile, Lu Jin wore an expression of warning. “Don’t call him that.”

Yan Ze raised an eyebrow. “What? You won’t even let me call him that?”

Yan Ze was annoyed but sat back down, continuing to eat. “Tonight, we’re having a barbecue. I’ll take care of the meat, President Lu, you handle the ingredients. And don’t buy the stuff from the villa— I can’t eat that.”

Su Ran listened, thinking it was probably a bad idea to leave everything to others. He was good at picking out ingredients, so he decided to go along with buying the food.

Lu Jin, clearly in a good mood, was about to argue back when he was interrupted by Su Ran. “I’ll go with you to buy it. I know how to pick the best ingredients.”

Lu Jin swallowed his words, smiling warmly at Su Ran. There was a sweet look in his eyes as he agreed, “Alright, we’ll go together.”

After breakfast, Lu Jin and Su Ran went outside. The estate provided a car with a driver. Su Ran intended to sit in the front, but Lu Jin grabbed his arm and pulled him into the back seat with him.

“Where are we going?” The driver asked, looking back.

“To a mall in the city,” Lu Jin replied, then turned to Su Ran. “Any place you’d like to visit?”

Before Su Ran could respond, the front passenger door opened, and to his surprise, Zhou Luo climbed in.

Zhou Luo sat comfortably, turning around with a grin. “I’m joining you guys, I wanted to go to the city to buy some things.”

Lu Jin frowned at the sudden addition, then glanced at Su Ran. Su Ran paused, unsure of what Zhou Luo’s intentions were. However, now that he was becoming more aware of the subtle dynamics between Zhou Luo and Jiang Yi, he figured he might as well see what Zhou Luo was up to.

At the mall, Su Ran finally figured out why Zhou Luo had insisted on tagging along.

Zhou Luo started shopping, and while pretending to look at clothes, he casually dropped remarks meant to show off, like, “You know, if it weren’t for President Jiang, my wallet wouldn’t be so full.”

Su Ran, even if he wasn’t the sharpest, knew what Zhou Luo was implying. He was suggesting that Jiang Yi had given him money. But Su Ran hadn’t heard it directly from Jiang Yi’s mouth, so he wasn’t going to believe it easily.

Even though Su Ran wasn’t the most assertive, Zhou Luo’s taunting only made him feel embarrassed and upset. It seemed Zhou Luo had figured out that he didn’t dare confront him, knowing he had no position in front of Jiang Yi. So Zhou Luo took full advantage of it, belittling him without mercy.

Zhou Luo continued, his eyes sweeping over Su Ran. He sneered, “Su Ran, I guess I should call you ‘bro’ since I’m younger by three years. You’re Jiang’s wife, right? How can you dress like this? Doesn’t Jiang Yi give you money to buy clothes?”

They were still standing at the entrance of a clothing store, and Zhou Luo’s comments were unrelenting. Su Ran didn’t know how to respond. Zhou Luo was right in one sense—Jiang Yi didn’t give him money for clothes…

“My savings are all saved up,” Su Ran muttered, feeling frustrated, but his response came out weak.

Su Ran quickly looked around, hoping that Lu Jin would show up soon. He didn’t want to keep shopping with Zhou Luo, he just wanted to buy the ingredients and head back.

Sure enough, Zhou Luo’s voice cut through the air, almost mocking, “Savings? No wonder… here, let me test you. Do you know this brand?”

Su Ran was about to answer when a cold voice interrupted. “I think most people wouldn’t recognize this second-rate brand.”

Lu Jin’s words carried weight, and immediately Zhou Luo’s face grew awkward. His status paled in comparison to Lu Jin’s, and he couldn’t believe Lu Jin was defending Su Ran.

Lu Jin stepped forward, holding several luxury brand bags, which he handed over to Su Ran. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I bought a few things.”

Since they had arrived at the mall, Lu Jin had known that if he let Su Ran choose, he’d probably avoid these flashy items, but Su Ran shouldn’t be forced to feel inferior. Just by standing there, Lu Jin knew he’d win—these petty comparisons were nothing.

Su Ran felt uncertain. “Why are you giving these to me?”

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

Su Ran was moved. Looking at Lu Jin, he hesitated about whether he should accept these expensive gifts, but seeing Zhou Luo nearby, he understood that Lu Jin was helping him save face. Compared to Zhou Luo, Lu Jin clearly disliked him as a rival.

“Thank you,” Su Ran said, taking the bags.

When he turned to look at Zhou Luo, the man’s face twisted in frustration. He couldn’t hide his jealousy.

The shopping continued for another two hours, and they spent millions, all on things for Su Ran. It was surreal for Su Ran. He didn’t quite understand Lu Jin’s motives. Was it all just to embarrass Zhou Luo, to get some satisfaction from the situation?

Money really did make everything easy.

By the time they were done shopping, they had so many bags they couldn’t carry them all. Zhou Luo helped, but his face was nearly green with envy, and he fell silent.

Su Ran felt satisfied as he watched Zhou Luo struggle with the bags, and Lu Jin, noticing his smile, grinned as well.

As they walked, Su Ran suddenly felt his hand itch. He glanced over and saw Lu Jin standing beside him, looking straight ahead, but his hand slowly inching toward Su Ran’s.

The warmth of his touch surprised Su Ran. He immediately pulled his hand away.

Lu Jin’s ears turned red, and he frowned, but then seemed to understand.

Even though their marriage was fake, to the outside world they were still seen as a legitimate couple. They couldn’t act too openly, especially not in front of Zhou Luo, who would use it against them.

Lu Jin’s expression darkened as he thought about this.

Su Ran’s heart raced. He didn’t understand why Lu Jin was doing this, and as he looked at Zhou Luo’s back, he realized that if Zhou Luo saw them, he might go back and tell Jiang Yi about it. Su Ran could already imagine how Jiang Yi might use this as an excuse to abandon him.

Wait… Su Ran suddenly realized something.

Looking at Zhou Luo’s retreating figure, he glanced at Lu Jin, and everything clicked. Lu Jin’s goal was to make him leave Jiang Yi, even though they were still considered a couple in name. He wanted to be with Jiang Yi in the open, without any obstacles.

It all made sense now. Lu Jin had bought all those things for him just to put on a show in front of Zhou Luo!

Su Ran felt frustrated. Why couldn’t Lu Jin just let go?

Even after getting in the car, Su Ran was still confused about how to deal with Lu Jin.

Inside the car, Zhou Luo was completely quiet, staring vacantly out the window, his excitement from earlier completely gone.

The car was quiet, with Lu Jin looking down at his phone. After a moment, he pressed a series of numbers, transferring a large sum.

Su Ran heard the notification and opened his phone, only to see a transfer for an amount that made his face go red. He had never seen so many zeros in his life!

One million!

Lu Jin pocketed his phone and thought about how Jiang Yi rarely gave Su Ran money. With no income of his own, Lu Jin couldn’t help but feel pity for him.

He didn’t want Su Ran to be overwhelmed by such a large amount of money at once, so he was taking it slow, wanting Su Ran to get used to such transfers.

“I want you to feel secure,” Lu Jin whispered, leaning toward Su Ran, “Take this money for now. When you’ve spent it, I’ll transfer more.”

Su Ran was still stunned by the amount, his mind blank. He had never seen so many zeros before.

Lu Jin watched him quietly, the warmth of his body close. Su Ran’s profile was striking, and as his lips brushed lightly against Su Ran’s ear, it made his breath hitch.

At that moment, Zhou Luo glanced up through the rearview mirror, and his heart nearly stopped when he saw the scene.

Back at the villa, Su Ran dropped the shopping bags in the kitchen and hurried upstairs. His head was spinning, needing some time to think and sort through everything.

Lu Jin followed him upstairs, and as they reached the door, Su Ran turned to face him. Lu Jin was so close, he nearly bumped into him.

Su Ran didn’t want him to come inside, but when Lu Jin smiled at him, it caught him off guard. It was rare to see him smile so gently, almost like the melting of ice and snow. For a moment, Su Ran just stared.

But then Lu Jin came closer, and Su Ran’s heartbeat quickened. It felt like Lu Jin was going to kiss him.

Just as their breaths intertwined, Su Ran immediately pushed him away, only to see Jiang Yi coming down the hall.

At that moment, everything clicked. Lu Jin might have been pretending all along, using Su Ran to provoke Jiang Yi.

“I need to rest,” Su Ran said quickly, shutting the door in Lu Jin’s face.

Lu Jin stood there, staring at the door that had just closed. He touched his lips, a bit dejected.

Why couldn’t he even get a kiss? Hadn’t he been open and honest? There shouldn’t be any obstacles between them anymore.

Not even a kiss.