53 : Slept on the floor

 After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Yin's mother spoke first: "Yinyin, have you thought it through? Although it's fake, everything will proceed normally. You'll move out of the house and live with Xiao Shang. You've just returned, and we don't want—"

Perhaps afraid of triggering bad memories, Yin's mother immediately stopped and changed her words: "Your father and brother will support this company. We just hope you won't force yourself. We will protect you."

Hearing this, Yin Luo felt even more guilty, and his usually bright eyes darkened.

"Mom, everything has become like this because of me. I can't drag you down anymore." He pursed his lips and lowered his eyes. "This is the only thing I can do."

Hearing this, the others knew that his mind was made up, and that he didn't reject Shang Chengning, so they didn't try to persuade him further. Then, Yin's parents thanked Shang Chengning and asked him to take good care of Yin Luo.

Shang Chengnin: "I'll take good care of him."

The man hadn't come empty-handed this time; he brought many presentable gifts, which he gave to several people before staying for dinner at the Yin family's house.

After dinner, Yin Luo saw Shang Chengnin out.

No one followed; everyone gave the soon-to-be-engaged young couple enough private space.

Yin Luo was quite surprised by the suggestion of a fake engagement, so she thanked him properly.

"No need to thank me," Shang Chengnin said with a casual smile, "We're family now."

Yin Luo stared at him wide-eyed.

Shang Chengnin chuckled softly: "Just kidding."

Yin Luo knew he was joking, but her expression was blank, unable to process it.

He quietly escorted her to the door, and as they passed the garden, the other man suddenly said, "But I really hope it's true."

Yin Luo stopped.

Shang Chengnin's eyes were deep and clear, revealing emotions that Yin Luo didn't quite understand: "I wish you could really marry me."

Yin Luo didn't know how to answer, her earlobes gradually turning pink, and finally she could only say dryly, "The driver is waiting for you in the car."

Only then did Shang Chengnin look away, not continuing the topic: "I'll text you when I get home."

Yin Luo: "...Okay."

She had only just agreed to the engagement, and the other person had already automatically taken on the role, even reporting to her when she got home. But compared to Duan Muze, Shang Chengnin was much more mature and stable, and Yin Luo believed that the other person wouldn't do something so crazy.

Besides, he would eventually leave this world.

Watching the black sedan gradually disappear into the distance, Yin Luo turned back.

The man in the car kept his gaze fixed on the young man in the rearview mirror.

Indeed, Shang Chengnin wouldn't do anything as crazy as Duan Muze, but he was also a man, the kind of man who would stop at nothing to conquer and plunder the person he liked.

Compared to Duan Muze, that mad dog, he was more like a cunning old fox, his aggression so subtle it was almost imperceptible, drawing his prey into his net without them even realizing it.

Yin Luo was a tempting prey he would never let go of.

*

After Yin Luo saw the person off, his parents, though reluctant, didn't try to persuade him further. They respected his decision and began packing his luggage.

That evening, Yin Yuzhou knocked on Yin Luo's door as usual.

He gave her a small piece of cake and some milk, then went straight to the point: "Are you really going to get engaged to Shang Chengning?"

"Brother, you know it's fake. This is the only way now, and Shang Chengning won't do anything to me. Once Duan Muze gives up, I'll cancel the engagement." Seeing Yin Yuzhou's weary face from working so hard for the company, Yin Luo hugged him tenderly.

Before Yin Yuzhou could say anything more, he felt a soft warmth in his arms.

Yin Luo hugged him back.

The man froze.

He was the kind of person who didn't express himself much, and although Yinluo was very obedient and well-behaved, she didn't particularly like physical contact either, so they had never hugged like this before.

Yinluo was so soft to hug.

And smelled so good.

A warm feeling welled up in Yin Yuzhou's heart, and he suddenly wanted Yinluo to stay in the Yin family forever, so that no one could covet his younger brother.

"Brother, don't worry." Yinluo patted Yin Yuzhou's somewhat stiff back, "You've protected me so many times."

"This time it's my turn to protect you."

*

The news of Yinluo and Shang Chengnin's upcoming engagement spread throughout the circle, becoming the biggest gossip recently. Several wealthy young men gathered together, chatting idly.

"Hey, wasn't that young master of the Yin family supposed to be very close to you?" a man of above-average appearance asked the person next to him, "What? Didn't you know anything about it beforehand?"

Li Feiran's brows furrowed tightly, and after a moment he said, "You better mind your own business."

After saying that, he took a big gulp of wine.

His handsome, dashing appearance took on a melancholic air because of these actions. At the party, a minor celebrity's eyes lit up when she saw him, and she straightened her clothes, ready to hook up with a sugar daddy. But she was immediately deterred by Li Feiran's cold glare.

"Get lost." Li Feiran didn't even bother to look at the celebrity.

He had once liked Yin Luo; how could he possibly be interested in these people again?

It was just that Yin Luo didn't like him anymore.

A wave of disappointment washed over Li Feiran. That year, after learning that Yin Luo had gone abroad to study, he had also argued with his family about going abroad. After meeting her overseas, he couldn't help but confess his feelings to her.

The result was obvious: she politely rejected him.

He had heard that Yin Luo had dated Duan Muze for a while, but years later, she was engaged to Shang Chengnin.

Anyway, it was never his turn.

Li Feiran felt bitter. He took out his phone, hesitated, and finally sent Yin Luo a message:

【Happy Engagement】 Of

course

, the message that Li Feiran hesitated over for so long before sending was completely insignificant in Yin Luo's WeChat, which was practically exploding with messages.

Almost everyone in the circle who had him on WeChat sent him messages.

Some were congratulatory messages like Li Feiran's, some were surprised and doubtful, and a very small number—like Lu Ran—called him directly.

Yin Luo thought he would definitely be nagged, so he didn't answer.

It rang for a minute before automatically hanging up.

Immediately afterwards,

messages kept coming in.

【How come you got engaged to that old man so quickly?】

【I just said the day before yesterday that I would ask you out after filming.】

【You didn't even give me a chance to pursue you.】

【Or do you like Shang Chengning? Didn't you tell me before that you didn't like him?】

Yin Luo could feel Lu Ran's irritation between the lines, and was a little glad that he hadn't answered the phone earlier.

He stared at the chat box for a long time, before he could even begin to explain, when Shang Chengnin's message popped up—

the older man: [If Lu Ran contacts you, remember to keep your distance from him.]

Yin Luo: "..."

In the ten or so seconds between the pop-up messages, Lu Ran's messages came one after another.

[I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been angry.]

[Do you like him?]

[I'm going back to Wucheng tonight, can I ask you out?]

Yin Luo

had just that he had an important job, and he was afraid of delaying the other party's work, so he immediately explained the situation. Sure enough, the other party's mood improved a lot, but he was still quite dissatisfied.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Lu Ran drove to the vicinity of the Yin family.

Considering Yin Luo's safety, the Yin family hadn't allowed him to leave the villa area recently—actually, Duan Muze's incident wasn't exactly a kidnapping, but rather a blatant abduction, but his power was strong, and the Yin family had to agree on the surface even if they were unwilling.

But after so much time had passed, there was no news of Yin Luo, and they were determined to find their child, even if it meant going against the Duan family.

Yin's mother knew Lu Ran; he had provided a lot of help when they were looking for Yin Luo, and since they were classmates, she had a good impression of him. Seeing him arrive, she even cut some fruit to offer: "Are you here to see Yinyin?"

"Yes, Auntie, I'll take this upstairs."

Lu Ran took the fruit and went to Yinluo's door. The door was open, and the young man inside was sitting on the bed, turning to look at him: "Lu Ran, you're here."

Lu Ran was slightly taken aback.

He hadn't heard Yinluo's voice in a long time.

His eyes stung a little, and the tall, aloof young man approached and hugged him tightly.

The familiar scent wafted in his nostrils, and Lu Ran rubbed his stubble against Yinluo's neck, visibly blushing the skin there.

The young man's voice was muffled: "Why didn't you wait for me...

I was also prepared to protect you. "

Lu Ran had a contract for this job and couldn't turn it down. He was planning to discuss the marriage alliance with the Yin family with his family after the job was finished. Although the Lu family's businesses weren't in Wucheng, they were large and had many partners, so they could always have some influence.

But this old fox acted so quickly.

First Duan Muze, then Shang Chengnin, he was always the one Yin Luo ignored, even in a fake engagement, he wouldn't get a chance.

Thinking back to their time at school, it turned out to be the period when he was closest to Yin Luo.

Lu Ran felt a pang of sadness.

"But, Yin Yin, I'll still wait for you."

Lu Ran knew his own personality; he couldn't bring himself to force her.

His only skill was waiting.

He reserved a seat for Yin Luo's class, diligently filling his notes and homework, all for a single phone call from her. He came alone to a foreign country, sitting on a garden bench, gazing intently at the handsome young man in the back of the classroom.

"As long as you need me."

I'll always wait for you

.

*

While Lu Ran was there, Yin Luo asked him about his future work, about his modeling and acting career.

Lu Ran was doing quite well, except for his relationship with Duan Muze, which had turned from friends to enemies; everything else was pretty much as the original story.

The same was true for Shang Chengnin.

It seemed there wouldn't be any major problems for now. Yin Luo and Lu Ran spent a few hours together, and after chatting, seeing it was getting late, she urged him to go home. Lu Ran looked at him reluctantly, "I haven't had enough time yet..."

Yin Luo hesitated, "But it seems our guest room isn't ready yet."

Lu Ran: "I'll just sleep on the floor in your room."

Yin Luo: "Won't that be uncomfortable..."

Lu Ran was already a wealthy young master, and now he was a big star. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to sleep on the floor in his small room... Yin Luo hesitated, but after being pestered by Lu Ran for a while, he finally agreed.

The servants had prepared extra blankets, and Yin Luo opened the wardrobe to find him a change of clothes.

There were new towels and underwear, but as for pajamas...

Yin Luo glanced back at Lu Ran.

Upon closer inspection, Lu Ran had indeed grown much taller, his shoulders were broader, and he looked very sturdy.

He wanted to suggest asking his brother for a set, since they were about the same size, but remembering that Lu Ran was particular about these things, he swallowed his words.

"I don't think I have one for you here... wait a minute." After saying that, Yin Luo remembered that he had a tracksuit that was too big for him, which had been sitting on top of the wardrobe for a long time.

He brought over a chair, took off his shoes, and stepped onto it.

The wardrobe was quite high, and Yinluo had to stand on tiptoe to reach the clothes inside.

The clothes were a mess, and he had to be extra careful not to disturb the top layer, so he didn't notice the darkening gaze of the man behind him.

"I think I have some..."

"I bought it a while ago..."

Yinluo muttered to himself, just as he found the outfit and was about to pull it out when his waist suddenly tightened.

He jumped in fright.

Realizing what was happening, he whispered, "Lu Ran, what...what are you doing?"

In the summer night, Yinluo was wearing shorts, and his two slender, shapely legs brushed against Lu Ran's body, the slightest touch feeling hot.

He thought the other was teasing him: "I found it, you should be able to wear it."

"Let me down first."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Ran picked him up and carried him to the bed.

Yinluo had a bad feeling, and sure enough, the system chimed: [Host! Your male physique has improved!]

Yinluo: "..."

He pretended not to understand.

But the system kept beeping: 【He got up when you stepped on the chair.】

【I wanted to notify you, but men are always all talk and no action, so I thought it was nothing, sob sob.】

Yin Luo's scalp tingled.

Because he could definitely feel it now; the man's body was pressed tightly against his leg.

If Lu Ran were to be even slightly more ruthless and insist on rubbing against him, Yin Luo's skin would definitely break—Lu Ran did have that thought.

But seeing Yin Luo's pale face, and remembering the young man's experience with Duan Muze, he dared not act recklessly.

Not being a scoundrel was one thing, but he wouldn't let the man go easily either. The man's strong arms were on either side of Yin Luo, the veins bulging, looking very powerful.

Yin Luo subconsciously bit his lip, watching him warily, afraid of doing something outrageous.

But this appearance was too tempting in Lu Ran's eyes; the young man's skin was like a layer of shimmering gauze under the moonlight, but even whiter than that light.

Lu Ran moved closer uncontrollably.

Closer still.

Just as he was about to press his lips against those two rosy red lips, the phone beside him suddenly rang.

—It was Yin Luo's phone.

Yin Luo was pinned to the bed, unable to see the screen: "Who's calling?"

Lu Ran frowned, looking rather grumpy: "An old man."

Shang Chengning had mentioned this morning that the two families would be having dinner together tomorrow, so this call must be for something important. Yin Luo struggled to get up, but Lu Ran was strong, and he couldn't manage it after a few tries: "Let me get up, I need to answer the phone."

"Just answering the phone is fine, isn't it?" Lu Ran had finally managed to get close to Yin Luo, so of course he didn't want to let go. He answered the phone, held it to Yin Luo's ear, and remained silent.

Shang Chengning didn't notice anything amiss on Yin Luo's side. He told him the location and time of the restaurant the two families would be going to tomorrow: "Does your parents have any dietary restrictions?"

"No..." Yin Luo sniffed.

Shang Chengning hummed in agreement, about to start a conversation, when he heard Yin Luo breathe heavily.

He froze.

That voice… was both delicate and sweet.

The last syllable still trembled.

It was as if she couldn't bear something.

His mind went blank until he cried out urgently again after the sound faded, finally finding his low, hoarse voice: “Are there other people over there?” (

← Previous Chapter Next Chapter →