Home Post 3736-chapter-67-part-1

3736-chapter-67-part-1

Chapter 67-Part 1

Inside the villa.

From early morning, the villa was particularly lively.

Aunt Zhao did a final check on the suitcase and, feeling satisfied, called the driver to come and take it downstairs to the car’s trunk.

She glanced toward the end of the hallway.

Ever since the winter break started, Ji Ran had been waking up later than usual.

However, what she didn’t know was that the person she thought was still asleep had actually woken up early in the room.

The young girl just rolled over in the covers, and her phone was slightly warm in her hand.

Her voice, still husky from just waking up in the morning, carried a hint of coyness, soft and gentle: “Why are you up so early?”

“I had breakfast with my grandfather,” Shen Zhi, nestled on the sofa, replied in his clear, smooth voice.

But as he listened to the soft, sleepy voice from the other end, still a bit hoarse, Shen Zhi could easily imagine what she must look like now—curled up in the bed, her misty eyes half-open, with a touch of weariness.

Yet she seemed especially obedient.

Just picturing this scene made Shen Zhi involuntarily close his eyes briefly, his breathing becoming a little heavier.

He gave a low “hmm,” his voice restrained as he asked, “You’re still in bed?”

“My bed is so comfortable, I can’t bear to leave it,” Ji Ran stretched lazily under the blanket, letting out a contented sigh without realizing it.

Her soft voice, like a thread, seemed to weave its way directly into Shen Zhi’s heart.

He bit down lightly on his teeth, leaning back heavily against the back of the sofa, closing his eyes with some force.

After a while, he spoke: “It must be that comfortable, huh.”

“Mhm,” Ji Ran nodded proudly.

All her bedding had been personally selected by Aunt Zhao, perfectly balanced between soft and firm.

Even the quilt was fluffy and warm, not weighing down on her but providing plenty of warmth.

There was a momentary silence on the other side.

Suddenly, accompanied by a soft laugh, Shen Zhi spoke in a low voice: “Then I must try it for myself.”

Ji Ran’s mind was still somewhat muddled, and although she heard what Shen Zhi said, she didn’t fully process it.

She instinctively responded, “Mhm.”

But the next second, accompanied by laughter, Ji Ran’s mind suddenly cleared.

She finally realized what Shen Zhi had just said.

Biting her lip in slight annoyance, she whispered, “Shen Zhi, don’t say such nonsense.”

But after she finished speaking, his voice came again: “Mhm.. I won’t say it. Next time, I’ll just try.”

With his teasing, Ji Ran couldn’t stay in bed any longer.

She sat up.

On the other side, Shen Zhi heard the rustling sound and chuckled, asking, “You’re getting up now?”

“Yeah, I’m going back to Jiangdu today. I was supposed to go home as soon as the break started.”

If it hadn’t been for attending Shen Zhi’s grandfather’s birthday banquet, she wouldn’t have delayed until today.

However, she couldn’t help but smile when she thought about that day, when she and Shen Zhi danced the opening dance together.

Not only did it turn Shen Min’s face pale with anger, but even Shen Yue and the others weren’t pleased.

Ji Ran didn’t care what they thought.

In fact, their displeasure only made her happier.

After all, they bullied Shen Zhi constantly, and she wanted to make things difficult for them.

As she dressed, she continued, “Are you at your grandfather’s house now?”

“Mhm.. I still have to accompany the old man to a temple this afternoon.”

Shen Zhi’s voice was calm, and Ji Ran suddenly thought of something. “Didn’t your cousins have an issue with that?”

Of course, they did.

When the banquet ended last night, the old man had directly asked Shen Zhi to accompany him back to the main residence.

Shen Zhi usually avoided showing up at the main house, but since the old man had finally seen him, he wouldn’t let him go.

Naturally, this upset others.

It wasn’t just the younger generation who showed displeasure; even the elders of the first and second branches of the family seemed unhappy, clearly thinking that the old man was being too partial.

However, the old man was already old and did as he pleased, not caring about whether others were happy or not.

Unlike before, Shen Zhi didn’t refuse and went along with his grandfather.

If Ji Ran hadn’t been there yesterday, he wouldn’t have shown any particular behavior in front of his grandfather.

But since the little girl had acted for his sake, playing both the tough and soft roles, he couldn’t let her perform alone.

So when they were getting in the car, Shen Zhi had deliberately helped his grandfather into the car.

Afterward, he glanced at Shen Min, his dark eyes filled with disdain.

“I made them uncomfortable. Otherwise, your effort yesterday would have been in vain.”

Shen Zhi’s voice was slightly low, laced with a trace of amusement.

Ji Ran tugged at a lock of hair that fell beside her cheek, lightly twirling it around her finger.

She then whispered softly, “I wasn’t putting on a show. You really are the best in the city.”

“I’m amazing?” Shen Zhi asked, seemingly on purpose.

Although his tone was normal, Ji Ran suddenly felt that her phone was burning hot, making her want to throw it away.

However, the person on the other end had no intention of letting her off easily, softly calling her name: “Ran Ran.”

Ji Ran thought for a moment and nodded, even though Shen Zhi couldn’t see her.

“Mhm.. you’re amazing.”

Shen Zhi hadn’t expected her to be so obedient.

Whatever he asked, she answered.

For a moment, it felt as if his heart had melted, spreading a warm, comforting feeling.

Downstairs, there was a commotion as the final preparations were made before departure.

When Ji Ran came downstairs, she saw Jiang Liqi standing in the living room, directing the driver to load their suitcases into the car.

Ji Qingli shook his head helplessly, saying, “We’re only going back for a week. Why make such a big fuss?”

Jiang Liqi replied in a low voice, “I’ve prepared gifts for your parents, of course I need to bring them.”

Ji Qingli raised his eyes as if to say something but thought better of it.

Finally, once everything was packed, Ji Ran had her suitcase placed in the car.

She hadn’t packed much, just some personal clothing.

After all, she had more clothes back in Jiangdu.

Once in the car, Ji Ran put on her earphones and closed her eyes, while Jiang Yi sat next to Jiang Liqi, holding her arm.

This was Jiang Yi’s first trip to Jiangdu.

Jiang Liqi had privately told her that she planned to use this opportunity to change Jiang Yi’s surname to Ji.

Although this seemed a bit self-deceptive, Jiang Yi was very happy about it.

Ji Ran didn’t know about this, but she wasn’t very interested in Jiang Liqi’s plans lately.

They arrived in Jiangdu around 3 p.m., and as the plane landed, Ji Ran gazed out of the window with a touch of nostalgia.

The last time she had left Jiangdu was half a year ago.

Pei Yuan, perhaps disappointed by her decision to follow Ji Qingli, had flown to Hong Kong for work a few days before she went to City B.

Being first-class passengers with VIP access, they quickly made their way out.

Someone was already waiting to pick them up in Jiangdu.

Ji Ran was quietly pushing her suitcase when a voice called out from the other side.

“Ran Ran.”

The voice was cool and pleasant.

Ji Ran looked up and saw a woman in a light gray wool coat standing not far away.

The coat was slightly open, revealing a black sweater dress that perfectly accentuated her slender, curvy figure.

She was truly eye-catching.

“Mom.”

Ji Ran spoke in surprise.

She hadn’t expected Pei Yuan to come and meet her at the airport.

At this moment, Ji Qingli and Jiang Liqi both turned to look as well.

They had been curious about whom this was, and were shocked to see Pei Yuan.

Especially Jiang Yi, whose expression instantly became one of astonishment.

All her life, Jiang Yi had thought her own mother was beautiful, even as she approached middle age, with a figure still well-maintained.

Among her classmates’ mothers, Jiang Yi’s mother was considered one of the most attractive.

But now, seeing Pei Yuan, she was momentarily stunned by how strikingly beautiful she was.

Pei Yuan and Ji Ran did indeed resemble each other quite a bit, but their temperaments were vastly different.

Ji Ran still had a youthful sweetness about her, while Pei Yuan exuded the mature charm and grace of a woman.

Pei Yuan’s long black hair was loosely tied up, exuding a refined intellectual beauty.

Her pearl earrings gleamed with a lustrous sheen, and her red lips were alluring yet not overly bold—everything about her radiated elegance.

Jiang Yi realized that no matter how much she might favor her mother, she had to admit that Pei Yuan’s beauty was unparalleled.

Pei Yuan raised her chin slightly, and the assistant beside her, dressed in a black coat, approached and took Ji Ran’s suitcase.

“Miss Ji Ran, welcome back.”

Ji Ran was about to walk over to her mother, but before leaving, she turned to look at Ji Qingli, softly saying, “Dad, I’m going to go with mom now. She hasn’t seen me in a while…”

“Ji Ran, let’s go.” Pei Yuan’s cool voice came through again. After speaking, she turned and walked away.

Only then did Ji Ran stop talking and hurried to catch up.

Jiang Liqi snapped out of her daze and glanced at Ji Qingli, noticing that his eyes were still fixed on Pei Yuan’s departing figure.

Even though all that was left was her back, he couldn’t bring himself to look away.

 

Verified by MonsterInsights