Baby Ran

Su Ran felt enveloped by a gentle flow of water, his consciousness sharp while other senses dimmed, aware he was in virtual space before entering the world. System 555 was reporting, “Housewife World, plot completion 100%, ranking in the top ten for honest person completion history.”

“Excitement index broke the limit, ranking in the top ten for honest person controlling the plot history.”

“Overall single history ranking, number eight on the big board.”

“Congratulations, host, for breaking the new honest person record, entering the top ten rankings in your first world.”

“Money duplication, fixed assets of 670 million, personal items 145 million…”

Hearing the system’s detailed calculations, Su Ran was amazed that the gifts from Lu Jin and the others were actually real, converted by the system into an equivalent amount of money, a frightening sum.

After depreciating by a hundred times, there were still over 8 million left!

“Congratulations, host, for entering the wealthy rankings, placed twelfth.”

“Overall performance, based on the host’s plot completion and excitement index, you’ve earned 10,000,000 points, successfully unlocking the quick-travel shop.”

“Congratulations, host, a flying start, gaining high scores in the first world, surpassing 99% of honest people. Keep up the good work!”

After reporting seriously, 555 finally loosened up, “Ran Ran, we’re rich!”

Points could not only buy privileges in the quick-travel world but also items in mission worlds. Typically, newcomers scoring five million points was impressive, but they directly hit ten million!

And the money they made in one world was more than others made in several worlds combined—truly becoming wealthy honest people!

Su Ran was certainly pleased, “Let’s keep working hard.”

555 echoed, “Keep it up! Strive on!”

After discussing, 555 resumed its formal tone, “In the next world, one of the main characters knew the host from high school. Do you choose to start at the node of acquaintance or fast forward to the beginning of the plot?”

Without hesitation, Su Ran chose to fast forward—who wants to relive high school?

Because any major character interacting with him would send him to the interaction node, like now in this world, he knew one of the characters from high school. If he didn’t choose to fast forward, he’d have to relive high school.

“Received,” 555 said, then continued, “Would you like to purchase a fast forward tool?”

“Buy it.” Su Ran replied. After all, that’s what money is for.

“Received, purchasing fast forward tool, costing three million points.”

Su Ran was surprised by the price.

In the next second, a white light flashed before his eyes, and 555’s mechanical voice echoed, “Housewife World memory automatically cleared, welcome to Female Cosplayer Streamer World.”

Su Ran paused for a moment; as his senses sharpened and memories flooded his mind, the past three years felt especially clear because he had essentially traveled back to three years ago. All the experiences were his own, just fast-forwarded.

In this world, he was an honest and timid person in real life, but an experienced surfer in the online world.

He also had an online boyfriend in this world, the protagonist Fu Qian’an, a bastard child of a wealthy family, raised among all walks of life and grew up as a problematic delinquent. Dropping out in middle school, at twenty, his family wanted to take him back, but he couldn’t stand their strict rules and ran away, using his identity to bargain with the wealthy family and now living in a rented apartment.

And Su Ran’s role? He became Fu Qian’an’s money-making tool before he returned to the wealthy family and a bridge to meeting other main characters.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?”

Su Ran snapped back to reality and looked to his side. The young man next to him was significantly taller, with a chiseled face and deep-set eyes, turning heads in the campus.

This was one of the main attackers, Pei Zhiyang, his high school classmate. Their families knew each other since they often stuck together, close enough to wear the same pants. Now, they both attended the same university, nearly inseparable.

“Nothing much, just zoned out for a bit,” Su Ran said.

A few tall guys came towards them, greeting Pei Zhiyang, “Yo, Brother Yang, hanging out with your wife again?”

“Brother Yang and his wife are really loving, always together.”

Pei Zhiyang laughed and kicked out, “Get lost, our Baby Ran is shy.”

Su Ran, “…”

Ah, too familiar, this straight man flavor is too strong.

Back in his dorm, as he was lost in memories, a large hand suddenly cupped his face, and Pei Zhiyang’s weighty arm wrapped around his shoulder, his hand reaching over to pinch Su Ran’s cheek. Su Ran looked at him puzzled, feeling a bit of pain on his cheeks, his eyes slightly red, “What are you doing?”

Pei Zhiyang simply stopped, his hands now massaging Su Ran’s soft cheeks. Being tall and muscular, it was like he was enveloping Su Ran completely.

Su Ran didn’t understand this behavior of always squeezing his face, his lips now pushed into a pout, almost drooling.

“A pretty girl just walked by, were you too busy watching her that you didn’t hear me speak?” Pei Zhiyang asked discontentedly.

“No… I didn’t notice.” Su Ran replied, his mind had been elsewhere, not paying attention to any pretty girls.

“Really?” Pei Zhiyang moved closer, squinting.

“Really.” Su Ran said sincerely, “What were you saying just now?”

“I said, let me have a sip of your lemonade.” Pei Zhiyang then let go of Su Ran.

Su Ran lifted the iced lemonade he was holding. Pei Zhiyang supposedly had a thing about cleanliness, but Su Ran never felt it, like now when he had already drunk half of it, he still wanted a taste.

Pei Zhiyang “Hmm”ed, then grabbed Su Ran’s hand himself, drinking from it.

After drinking, he immediately made a pained expression, “So sour, it’s not tasty at all.”

Su Ran, “…”

Every time he says it’s not tasty yet always wants a taste.

Su Ran suspected that if he held a pile of dung, he’d still want to taste the saltiness.

The two walked to the dorm together, Pei Zhiyang actually not very approachable in person, quite cold when there were more people around, could really put on an act, except he couldn’t pretend at all in front of him. Su Ran had seen more than once when a beautiful girl asked for his contact, and he politely refused each time, saying she wasn’t his type.

When asked what his type was, he couldn’t say clearly, only that he liked girls who were fair-skinned, cute, and had a soft personality, easy to bully. Listening to this, Su Ran was speechless; such personalities would need to take the initiative themselves, and yet he acted so aloof in front of girls, just setting himself up for loneliness.

He had doubted whether Pei Zhiyang was gay, but after spending a long time around him, he dismissed the thought. It wasn’t that no boys chased him.

His type was quite popular among gays, he had encountered quite a variety, remembering the first time he encountered this situation in high school. At the time, he was right there when an art student upperclassman, with hair longer than most boys and pretty delicate features, confessed to him. He hadn’t managed to keep his expression in check, making a face as if he had eaten shit, which made the boy who confessed feel the same.

Afterward, he told Su Ran that being confessed to by a boy was disgusting. Hearing this, Su Ran’s heart went numb.

Because he was gay. If one day his friend knew he was gay, that boat of friendship would definitely capsize, so he had never dared to tell him, even dating online was done in secret.

Their school had mixed dorms, Pei Zhiyang studying finance and Su Ran economics, ending up on the same floor. Pei Zhiyang didn’t go back to his room but straight into Su Ran’s. Their dorm rooms were double rooms with quite decent independent bathrooms.

“Nice that your roommate isn’t here,” Pei Zhiyang said, sprawling on Su Ran’s bed without a care.

“Don’t say that, it’d be bad if he heard.” Su Ran replied.

His relationship with his roommate wasn’t great, barely speaking a few words to each other, not very harmonious.

Pei Zhiyang had suggested several times they could switch to the same room, but Su Ran refused on the grounds of not wanting to be special. The truth was, his roommate was also one of the main attackers!

Su Ran glanced around the room, then immediately went into the bathroom, “You lie down first, I forgot I had to clean the room today.”

His roommate seemed to have a cleanliness habit too. Once, Su Ran forgot to clean, and his roommate came back at night, standing by the window on the phone. After hanging up, he showed Su Ran the dust on his long fingers, “Su Ran, did you clean today?”

That icy tone made him very uncomfortable, so he dared not forget again.

Pei Zhiyang sat up bored, watching Su Ran waving a rag in front of him, “Is it done yet? That’s about enough.”

“Just done, I’m just wiping this corner.” Su Ran said. There were two desks in the dorm, placed between the two beds. These desks they often used weren’t very dusty, but the area under the desks was often overlooked. That day, he also saw his roommate wiping there, amazed at his attention to detail.

Pei Zhiyang watched as Su Ran bent down, his shirt riding up to reveal a stretch of smooth, pale waist under his watchful eyes, irresistibly tempting.

And as Su Ran reached for the furthest spot, suddenly an arm was thrown around his waist, and he was pulled over.

Su Ran directly threw the rag at his face, Pei Zhiyang “ptui”ed, wiping his face. If someone else had thrown a rag at his face, it would’ve been a fight, but now, he immediately started fooling around with Su Ran.

Eventually, Su Ran was pinned down on the bed, Pei Zhiyang practically straddling him, holding his hands above his head, slipping his hands under his clothes to tickle his ribs, “Little Ran Ran, are you giving in?”

Su Ran laughed until tears came out, Pei Zhiyang knew exactly where he was ticklish, “Stop… it’s so ticklish…”

Su Ran kicked out, but was still held down tightly by Pei Zhiyang, his shirt riding up to reveal a large patch of snow-white skin, “Pei Zhiyang, I give in, isn’t that enough?”

Pei Zhiyang didn’t stop, Su Ran’s breaths becoming more rapid. He suddenly leaned down close to Su Ran’s ear, “Baby Ran, my roommate isn’t here tonight, come sleep at my place, it’s been a long time since I held you to sleep.”

“Okay… okay, I agree, just let go of me…”

Just then, the dorm door opened, and Qin Yue walked in, thinner than Pei Zhiyang but just as tall. As a roommate, Su Ran knew what Qin Yue looked like without his shirt: his body was all firm muscle.

He and Pei Zhiyang were completely different types of handsome. Qin Yue had a deep and distinct face, not as thick-browed, perhaps what’s trendy now would call him a fresh-faced handsome guy, with a cold aura, giving off a distant feeling, whereas Pei Zhiyang was also not easy to approach, but more of a cool type.

Qin Yue coldly swept a glance over the two piled on the bed, then sat at the desk as if he saw nothing.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward; Pei Zhiyang got off Su Ran after Qin Yue came in, his face cooling too, as no one liked someone who put on more airs than themselves.

Pei Zhiyang rubbed Su Ran’s hand, winked at him, “I’m going back now, come find me tonight.”

“That, I might not…” Su Ran had agreed just now to stop the tickling, but before he could finish, Pei Zhiyang had already left.

Su Ran felt a bit awkward, he turned to Qin Yue, who hadn’t given him a single glance, but he had something to ask for his help today, so he gathered his courage to approach.

“Qin, I have a favor to ask, could you cover for me during the dorm check tonight?” Su Ran clasped his hands in a praying gesture.

Qin Yue slightly frowned, the fragrance on Su Ran’s body seeping into his nose. He looked at him, Su Ran’s face slightly flushed from the earlier roughhousing, his wet soft hair sticking to his cheeks. From the shouting earlier, he’d have thought his roommate had already done it with someone in the dorm.

Now telling him he wouldn’t be back tonight, was he going to a hotel with someone?

Qin Yue withdrew his gaze, “Sorry, I’m not obliged to do that.”

Su Ran, “…”

Okay, that was the expected outcome after so much mental preparation.

Really doesn’t show any mercy, originally he was part of the student council, such a small favor would be easy, but really difficult to deal with.

Su Ran called out to 555, “I think this world is going to be tough, all straight men, and I’m fucking straight too!”

555 immediately came online to comfort him, “Ran Ran, you’re fine! The higher the difficulty, the more points we get. We breezed through the last world, this one won’t be a problem either!”

Su Ran couldn’t remember how they managed in the last world, but hearing the system say this gave him a boost of confidence.

Su Ran opened the wardrobe and picked out his favorite outfit, thinking if he wouldn’t come back tonight…

He undressed right in front of the closet, Qin Yue happened to look up, his gaze sliding across a patch of snow-white, then falling back on his book, the whiteness blinding. It was his first time seeing such a pale man.

Short-sleeve shirt, shorts that reached the knees, white socks, according to the system’s gay aesthetic, Su Ran got dressed. Standing in front of the mirror, he felt this was just normal attire, how was it a gay aesthetic?

555 reminded, “Spray some perfume.”

“Oh right.” Su Ran, a delicate gay, even sometimes wore a mask for skincare.

Just as he sprayed twice, Qin Yue sneezed, “Please don’t spray perfume in the dorm, it’s very pungent.”

Su Ran, “…”

“Alright, I got it.”

He usually didn’t spray, the perfume was basically idle, but this was for a date.

Qin Yue looked him up and down with a slight frown. He had a mild pollen allergy, he didn’t mind Su Ran’s usual scent, even found it quite nice, but he couldn’t stand the perfume, it seemed like he really was going out on a date.

Su Ran and his online love interest arranged to meet near the school, this being his first time turning an online relationship into reality, so he was quite nervous.

“I’m out of the school gate.” Su Ran messaged the other party.

The other party, Fu Qian’an, had an avatar of himself, bleach-blond hair, handsome and angular features, exactly Su Ran’s type.

They had been chatting for about two months, and Su Ran was getting increasingly hooked, even sending him 2,000 yuan when he complained about being broke—a not so rich poor student with a monthly allowance of 5,000.

When he looked up, Su Ran saw the striking blond hair under the sunlight, his smile uncontrollable but also very shy, he ran over, “Qian’an…”

The other sized up Su Ran as he approached, fresh and sunny, but he wasn’t interested at all.

Fu Qian’an frowned, “Didn’t I tell you to meet me in drag, why didn’t you wear it?”

Hearing this, Su Ran’s face turned red, he had sent Fu Qian’an a photo of him in drag by accident, but he didn’t usually have a drag hobby, it was just for a cosplay at a comic expo.

But since then, Fu Qian’an’s chats had become much warmer, and Su Ran knew, it seems he really liked his drag.

“I was a bit embarrassed to wear it out.” Su Ran said.

“Let’s go,” Fu Qian’an said dismissively, casually draping an arm around Su Ran’s shoulder, “I’ll take you to my place first, I bought some clothes for you, try them on later.”

“You bought clothes for me? That’s so nice of you…” Su Ran said, they were lovers after all, but being hugged by Fu Qian’an like this on their first meeting made him a bit shy.

Good thing Su Ran had system assistance for acting, otherwise he couldn’t have been constantly aware of these things.

“It’s nothing, you’ll see.” Fu Qian’an said, then removed his arm from Su Ran’s shoulder, the thought of hugging a gay person making his skin crawl.

If it weren’t for their money being the easiest to scam, he’d hate this damn job.

“Going to your house on our first meeting… Isn’t that a bit too fast…” Su Ran looked at him.

Fu Qian’an really got goosebumps, he couldn’t stand Su Ran’s coy act, a grown man, disgusting!

But he couldn’t help but put on a smile, “How could it be, baby? Now you know where I live, you can come over anytime, and don’t worry, I cherish you, I won’t do anything to you.”

Hearing this, Su Ran’s smile couldn’t stop until he entered Fu Qian’an’s rental, a strong smell of cigarettes hit him, cigarette butts everywhere, takeaway boxes piled up on the table.

The living conditions were very poor, school rentals were generally expensive, but Fu Qian’an’s rental was probably cheap, given how rundown the interior was, the paint peeling, and it was on the first floor, even if it was a two-room, it probably wasn’t much.

Fu Qian’an then casually picked up clothes from the peeling sofa, “Sorry, it’s a bit messy, I’ve been neglecting sleep for streams.”

Su Ran had seen his streams, he played games, hardly anyone in the stream room, but he was very dedicated, probably because he was addicted to gaming, always pouring money into it.

“I’ll help you clean up.” Su Ran said, just as he was about to start, Fu Qian’an stopped him.

“Eh? How can I let you do that on your first visit, don’t worry about it, go try on the clothes I bought you.” Fu Qian’an said, “They’re on the bed in the inner room, feel free to try them.”

Hearing this, Su Ran immediately went happily to the next room, but paused when he opened the bag because he found it was all rather revealing women’s clothing and some cheap makeup.

It seems Fu Qian’an really liked his drag, then… he might as well satisfy him.

Twenty minutes later, just as Fu Qian’an was losing patience, “Is it done yet…”

Su Ran came out, he picked the least revealing clothes, but the top’s half-sleeve was still short, exposing his waist, the skirt also very short, barely covering the thigh roots. Makeup wasn’t hard for him, he often did cosplay makeup, and now his makeup was more everyday. His features were already soft, now enhanced by the makeup, he looked almost indistinguishable from a girl.

And Fu Qian’an was stunned, subconsciously swallowing, she was simply too beautiful, with that face, whether in reality or online, she was a killer.

But seeing his flat chest, he instantly deflated, this was a man.

“How is it?” Su Ran asked.

Fu Qian’an clapped, “Great, so beautiful.”

Actually, Su Ran was already handsome, but Fu Qian’an was straight.

In the end, Su Ran simply helped clean up Fu Qian’an’s place a bit, then changed back into his clothes before leaving.

When leaving, he only treated him to a cup of milk tea, then let him return to school on an empty stomach.

Su Ran couldn’t help but complain to 555, “What a piece of work.”

“Absolutely, starving our Ran Ran.” 555 said.

“Being asked out and not eating is really infuriating!” Su Ran said, usually when going out, he only cared about eating, what to do was secondary.

But according to his persona, a clear and stupid college student, satisfied with a drink of water, he also understood Fu Qian’an’s tight financial situation, and had already fallen for him.

On the way, he grabbed something to eat, then returned to the dorm. Just as he entered, he saw Qin Yue coming out of the bathroom, just showered, moisture still on him, seemingly surprised to see him, but didn’t ask.

Su Ran had gotten used to this, put down his stuff, and went to shower. While showering, he seemed to hear the dorm check, he was about to poke his head out when he heard Qin Yue say, “He’s showering.”

Su Ran then relaxed and finished his shower, then lay down in bed. That’s when Qin Yue spoke, “Turning off the lights?”

It was now ten thirty, Qin Yue had a very healthy routine, hardly like a modern college student.

Su Ran was about to agree when he heard Pei Zhiyang’s voice outside, “Baby Ran, leaving now, Baby Ran.”

Su Ran immediately got up, almost forgetting Pei Zhiyang had said to come to his dorm tonight.

“Tonight I’m going to Pei Zhiyang’s room, turning off the lights.” With that, Su Ran was already at the door, a “click”, the room plunged into darkness.

He felt even closer to Pei Zhiyang since entering university, often eating and sleeping together, the dorm beds not large, but they squeezed in to stay together.

Pei Zhiyang immediately wrapped his arm around his neck, “Tell me, how long has it been since you’ve been to my room, kiddo? Not even saying you missed daddy.”

Su Ran, “……it’s only been a week.”

Hearing this, Pei Zhiyang tightened his grip, “A week isn’t long? Don’t you know, without holding you, I can’t sleep.”

Su Ran couldn’t help but push him a bit, “Stop it, anyone who didn’t know better would think we’re gay.”

Just then, a classmate passed by, “Brother Yang, going to sleep with your wife again?”

Pei Zhiyang immediately smiled and said, “Ah, old husband and wife, gotta sleep together.”

Su Ran, “……”

It was clear, he didn’t care at all.

In the dorm, as soon as Su Ran lay down, Pei Zhiyang stuck to him, the bed slightly wider than a normal single bed, Su Ran almost pressed against the wall, the other side left empty.

It was summer, both in light short sleeves and shorts, Su Ran felt the person behind him like a small furnace, legs entwined with his, constantly rubbing back and forth.

Su Ran turned around, putting a hand between them, “It’s so hot, and can you stop moving around, I can’t sleep.”

Pei Zhiyang loosened up a bit, laughing, “Baby Ran’s legs are so smooth.”

“Don’t rub them.” Su Ran said.

“Alright, alright, if I don’t behave, Baby Ran won’t sleep with me next time.” Pei Zhiyang muttered, then buried his face in Su Ran’s neck, “Ran Ran baby smells so good.”

Su Ran, “……”

These cheesy lines, only such a straight guy could say them, just like his previous roommate.

The more innocent the talk, the less cautious.

It was eleven o’clock, Su Ran was about to close his eyes to sleep, but just then, the phone next to his head suddenly lit up. Su Ran picked it up, seeing a WeChat message on the screen.

“Baby, I have something I want to talk to you about.”

Su Ran’s heart jumped, and the next second, Pei Zhiyang suddenly sat up, “Who’s this calling you baby?”

He said as he reached for the phone, Su Ran quickly rolled over to protect it, if he found out, that’d be the end!

Pei Zhiyang pressed down on him, his voice cold, “Ran Ran baby, are you seeing someone behind my back.”

Su Ran quickly deleted the message, looking up at the person above him, his heart racing, “No, just someone I met in a game, he probably thinks I’m a girl, that’s why he calls me that…”

In the dim light from the phone screen, Su Ran’s face looked somewhat pitiable, like a wife cheating behind her husband’s back. Pei Zhiyang then reached under his clothes, pinching the soft flesh at his waist, “Remember what I told you before.”

Su Ran thought for a moment, then said softly, “Before dating, I have to bring the person in front of you for approval.”

“Mm, right, me too, but I have no plans to date yet, you should also focus on your studies, we’re just freshmen, what’s the hurry,” Pei Zhiyang said, his grip a bit stronger, making Su Ran shiver, “Remember what I said, otherwise I won’t let you off.”

“Mm, I’ll be good.” Su Ran said, as if, if he knew he had a boyfriend now, he’d probably distance himself and escape all at once.

So he absolutely couldn’t let him find out now!

Pei Zhiyang then lay back down contentedly, then said, “Hurry up and delete that guy, doesn’t it disgust you being called baby by a man.”

Su Ran, “……okay.”

Had he forgotten how much more disgusting the things he said were?