A Happy Life

A year later

Su Ran has settled down in a third-tier small city where the cost of living is low and the residents’ life is comfortable; he really likes the pace here. Plus, the rent for prime shop locations is much lower than in big cities, which eased his financial pressure. His dessert shop quickly got off the ground and even gained some local fame.

After his escape that day, System 555 gave him a new identity. Though everything remained unchanged and he still went by Su Ran, after the system’s refresh, nothing about his past could be traced. The reason he left without saying goodbye was simply that he couldn’t handle the pressure of three big guys liking him; it felt easier just to leave.

Today, he arrived at his shop on time. His work is pretty laid-back now; he doesn’t spend much time at the shop each day, having trained his staff well in the early stages.

While Su Ran was casually adjusting the pastries on the shelf, a hand reached out next to him, grabbing one of the breads, “What’s the filling in this?”

“Yogurt,” Su Ran replied offhandedly, glancing over, and as he was about to look away, he froze for a moment, then looked back with wide eyes.

“Brother Ran Ran, you’ve really made me search hard for you,” Ye Qiao said with a smile.

Suddenly seeing a familiar face, Su Ran couldn’t react at first, his instinct was to run!

He turned around immediately, but the next second, he bumped into a broad chest, “Ran Ran, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

It was He Zhiwen. Su Ran turned another direction, but just as he was about to rush out of the dessert shop, another familiar figure entered and grabbed his arm, his eyes moist, “Don’t run away anymore.”

Su Ran, “…”

Alright, he gave in.

The men looked at each other, surprised to find they were all here; they had all rushed over upon hearing the news, not expecting to sync up like this. Over the past year, they had been searching for Su Ran, and they were all aware of each other’s movements, ready to act on any hint.

They each thought they would be the first to find Su Ran, but arriving at the shop, they found they all had.

Seeing them, Su Ran went from initially shocked to now calm. It seemed there was no point in hiding; even if he changed his identity again, they would find him eventually, given their nearly omnipotent abilities in this world.

“Su Ran, do you know how I’ve been this past year?” Lu Jin said, his eyes red and voice filled with grievance.

“Sorry…” Su Ran lowered his head, feeling accused, like a bad owner who abandoned his pets.

Then Ye Qiao approached, opening his palms to show thick calluses, “Brother Ran Ran, I’ve been drawing you every day since you left. Whenever I stopped, I missed you. Please, don’t disappear again…”

He Zhiwen also spoke earnestly, “Ran Ran, we won’t make it hard for you, just… don’t vanish without a word again. We couldn’t bear it.”

Originally, they should have been rivals, but Su Ran’s departure had left them all with a deep shadow. If anyone had found Su Ran first, they surely would have hidden his information, but since they found him together, and knew no one would let go.

Now, the most important thing was Su Ran; the decision was in his hands. They were all keen on winning his favor, not wanting to be the one he rejected. Any of them would find it unbearable to be that person. Like this past year, which was lived in a tormenting limbo.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Su Ran knew his departure had hurt them deeply. His nature was to be soft and hard to refuse others, especially when he caused pain.

“Sorry…” Su Ran apologized again.

At this, Lu Jin could no longer hold back and hugged Su Ran tightly, “Please, don’t run away again.”

Ye Qiao and He Zhiwen watched Lu Jin’s embrace with somber faces, then He Zhiwen stepped forward to separate them, looking at Su Ran seriously, “Ran Ran, no need to apologize. We’ve caused you trouble, but we really can’t endure the days without you.”

Lu Jin gave He Zhiwen a look, thinking, So you think you’re the only one who can talk?

Ye Qiao grabbed Su Ran’s soft hand, “Brother Ran Ran, we’ll be obedient. You won’t be troubled by us.”

Su Ran felt a bit dizzy, realizing the impact he had on them—his first time experiencing this.

“Um…” Su Ran hesitated, the others immediately leaned in, eager to listen.

“Today’s New Year’s Day, how about you guys come over to my place and make dumplings?”

The men were momentarily stunned, then immediately agreed, “Okay!”

Su Ran’s apartment in a well-secured older building in a good neighborhood may not be large, but he loved the community atmosphere.

Upon returning, he found that the festive neighbors were moving out. Lu Jin and the others exchanged glances and smirked, “Acting fast, huh?”

They had decided this en route to find Su Ran.

Su Ran felt goosebumps seeing this, realizing money indeed moved mountains…

In his 70 square meter, two-bedroom apartment, Su Ran entered the kitchen with groceries as the three men insisted on helping. They were surprisingly efficient, unlike before.

Particularly during dumpling making, they each showcased their skill, which they must have learned intentionally.

The men eyed each other competitively. Su Ran’s cooking skills were important since he cooked every day, so even if they didn’t cook, they needed to be competent in the kitchen.

“Brother Ran Ran, look, isn’t this cute?” Ye Qiao showed a perfectly shaped dumpling to Su Ran.

“It is cute,” Su Ran praised, feeling more comfortable around them.

Receiving praise, Ye Qiao nudged Su Ran with his shoulder. Lu Jin did the same, “Ran Ran, look at mine, isn’t it cute too?”

“Yeah, also cute,” Su Ran replied.

Lu Jin nudged Su Ran too, then He Zhiwen held out his hand, “And mine, Ran Ran?”

Su Ran, “…”

It felt odd, but he couldn’t show favoritism, “Yeah, cute.”

He Zhiwen, not being so childish, sped up his dumpling making, “I’ve made twenty already.”

Lu Jin and Ye Qiao hurried their pace, turning a simple dumpling session competitive.

Eventually, they sat down to eat their dumplings and drank a little, Su Ran feeling buzzed and happy—it was his first lively celebration since leaving City A.

After that, his apartment never lacked such warmth. Even the next day, the neighbors produced a set of rules resembling an “employee manual.”

For instance, one rule stated: “Without Ran Ran’s consent, touching him is forbidden. Violators cannot see Ran Ran for a day.”

Another: “Do nothing that makes Ran Ran uncomfortable. Even if he agrees, if it causes him discomfort, the offender may not speak to Ran Ran for two days.”

And: “Do not take Ran Ran’s personal items, like clothes, socks, underwear, etc. If caught, the penalty is to disappear for a week and stay away from within 500 meters of Ran Ran.”

…

Su Ran understood some rules but found others perplexing. Why would they need his personal items?

But thinking of their feelings for him, his face heated up.

Eventually, the rules were prominently displayed on the wall in Su Ran’s home.

Time passed, and Su Ran marveled at how he had managed to coexist with these three men for so long, surprisingly harmoniously.

At least in front of him, they seemed harmonious, though they had their disputes out of his sight. Like the time he caught Lu Jin scolding Ye Qiao for always sneaking handholds.

Or the time Ye Qiao complained in the kitchen about He Zhiwen acting pitiful, waking up two hours earlier to make breakfast, then leaning on him, saying he was tired.

…

It was all trivial matters.

Their cake shop flourished, even opening a branch, and with three business geniuses assisting, they planned to expand to City A!

No one minds having too much money, Su Ran included. Now, he wouldn’t need to go to the shop every day but could direct operations from the office.

That day, they all returned to City A. Lu Jin, Ye Qiao, and He Zhiwen accompanied him to check out a new spot for the dessert shop and assess the business environment.

As they walked along the sidewalk, surrounded by the scent of various eateries and the cool shade from trees, suddenly a familiar figure appeared. Jiang Yi was rounding the corner, hurrying forward with an iced Americano, dressed in a simple suit—a contrast to his usually meticulous attire, looking a bit rushed as if he was late for work.

He saw them, paused, then approached, glancing at the men behind Su Ran before speaking, his voice hoarse, “Been alright recently?”

Su Ran calmly met his gaze. Jiang Yi, less vibrant than before and slightly weary, replied after a pause, “I’m alright.”

Su Ran nodded, “See you.”

“See you.”

As Su Ran and the others walked away, chatting and laughing, Jiang Yi couldn’t help but look back. They seemed so harmonious, those three, as if enveloped in happiness.