Chapter 64-Part 2

“Hey, hey, I just wanted his phone number. Why are you getting so mad?”

Her friend was clearly taken aback by how harsh Shen Min was, especially since she had so casually revealed Shen Zhi’s background in front of a stranger.

“Okay, okay, I won’t ask for his number anymore, alright? I just wanted to have a bit of fun anyway.”

After some coaxing and soothing from the others, the girl named Shen Min finally calmed down.

Once they left the restroom, Ji Ran slowly pushed open the door of the stall and stepped out.

She walked to the mirror and saw her own delicate face reflected back, lips pressed tightly together in clear displeasure.

She had been holding herself back with all her might earlier.

Otherwise, she would have stormed out and punched that woman named Shen Min.

She couldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of Shen Zhi.

So what if he was an illegitimate child?

He didn’t choose his birth.

The conversation she overheard in the restroom completely dampened her mood for returning to the banquet hall.

Lifting the hem of her gown, Ji Ran walked down the corridor, knowing that there must be a lounge nearby.

Banquet halls like this usually have a lounge.

But after searching for a while, she still hadn’t found one.

Instead, she came across a glass door leading to an outdoor terrace.

It was winter now, and the terrace was deserted in the cold, midwinter night.

Ji Ran was wearing a light, thin evening gown that was beautiful but certainly not warm enough.

She had no intention of stepping out onto the terrace.

But as she passed by, she noticed a faint red glow at the far end of the terrace.

Looking closely, she realized it was someone leaning against the railing, smoking.

The person seemed to be on the phone, suddenly raising their voice, “I told you, whoever wants to dance can go ahead, but I’m not going.”

Ji Ran froze in place.

That voice…

When she gently pushed the door open, the young man leaning against the railing had just hung up the phone, but the cigarette in his hand was still lit, casting an eerie glow in the darkness.

He placed the cigarette between his lips, taking a deep drag, and then slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

The temperature outside was so low that the warm smoke ring quickly turned into a pale white mist in the night air.

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped lightly around his waist.

Almost instantly, Shen Zhi turned his head, his long, narrow eyes sharp and cold, staring directly at the person behind him.

He grasped the arms around his waist, ready to push the person away.

But when his gaze landed on the person behind him, the icy and somewhat violent look in his eyes softened immediately, and his grip loosened.

“Ran Ran.”

His deep voice was tinged with surprise.

Ji Ran, wearing a light pink gauzy gown, tilted her head slightly, looking up at him.

In that moment, she resembled a fairy princess who had suddenly descended into the night, making the surrounding darkness seem gentler.

She tilted her head up, her long lashes trembling slightly, and smiled faintly.

“Surprised?”

Surprised was an understatement—he was completely caught off guard.

Shen Zhi had been in a bad mood, not wanting to attend this event at all.

After all, he had never enjoyed such occasions, but Shen Jiming insisted he attend and even suggested he go on stage to wish the old man a happy birthday.

He even mentioned that the other two branches of the family had prepared performances.

Shen Zhi had always respected the old man because, ever since he came to the Shen family, the old man had been the kindest and most considerate toward him.

But he didn’t want to participate in these ridiculous displays.

All this unnecessary drama was just to gain an advantage in the fight for the inheritance.

Then, a slight shiver from Ji Ran brought him back to reality.

It was freezing out here, and Ji Ran shivered involuntarily.

She was biting her lip, trying not to let her voice tremble when she spoke.

Shen Zhi pursed his lips, somewhat stiffly, but immediately took off his coat.

Today, he was dressed unusually formally in a black suit, with sharp, clean lines and not a single wrinkle—clearly a custom-made suit. As he removed the jacket, he quickly draped it over Ji Ran’s shoulders.

The coat was warm from his body heat, enveloping Ji Ran in comfort, like sinking into a warm bath.

She couldn’t help but let out a small sigh of relief.

“Let’s go inside,” Shen Zhi said as he took her by the wrist and, with one arm around her shoulders, gently guided her back into the hallway.

The entire hotel was heated, and the cold around them quickly faded.

Shen Zhi tilted his head slightly, looking at her, his voice husky.

“What are you doing here?”

That was a thought that had crossed his mind earlier, but now he was actually asking her.

Ji Ran also tilted her head, whispering, “Guess.”

But as soon as she said it, she laughed softly. No matter how upset she was before, the moment she saw him, all the frustration, anger, and annoyance vanished.

Ji Ran pressed her lips together, trying her best not to smile too obviously.

She didn’t want Shen Zhi to see how happy she was to see him—she didn’t want him to know just how much she liked him.

With that thought, her ears turned red.

Shen Zhi was far too perceptive.

Even such a subtle change didn’t escape his notice.

And he was mischievous—he not only noticed, but he even gently pinched her ear.

Ji Ran couldn’t help but gasp, lowering her head, clearly a bit embarrassed.

Shen Zhi finally couldn’t hold back a small chuckle and softly called her name, “Ran Ran.”

His voice was always low and magnetic, especially when he called her name.

It was as if he added some kind of chemical to it, making it react instantly in her ears.

A shiver ran down her spine.

He gently hugged Ji Ran, and the little girl obediently and softly leaned into his embrace, her nose lightly brushing against his neck, accidentally touching his bare skin.

Warm.

In this place where no one welcomed him, having her here made everything feel just right.