I'm the demise's white moonlight of the bigshot - Chapter 69-Part 1
Chapter 69—Part 1
When the little girl held his hand and took small, careful steps forward, Shen Zhi couldn’t help but feel amused.
She was quite bold when coaxing him earlier, but as soon as she let go of his hand, she quickly darted ahead, looking like she was terrified of running into her family.
Say one thing and mean another.
Ji Ran held his hand and walked backward, facing him as she asked, “Why are you in Jiangdu?”
Watching her walk like this, Shen Zhi grabbed her hand with a hint of helplessness.
“Be careful,” he said.
He gazed at her radiant smile, her dark, sparkling eyes curving into crescent moons with joy.
Shen Zhi reached out, gently ruffling the hair on top of her head. Looking at her, he said softly, “I’ve never told you this before, but my mother is actually from Jiangdu.”
Ji Ran froze mid-step.
She stared at Shen Zhi in surprise, her small face tinged with confusion.
Clearly, this was news to her.
Hesitant, she asked, “Your mother is from Jiangdu? Why didn’t you tell me before?”
There were many reasons.
So many that Shen Zhi didn’t know where to begin.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell her; he simply didn’t know how to start.
Talking about his mother inevitably brought up his past, and Shen Zhi wasn’t ready to share everything about himself just yet.
After all, he was Yuan Jing.
Ji Ran studied his expression and, connecting it to his family background, assumed he was keeping it from her because of that.
Tilting her head slightly, she looked up at him in silence, her heart aching a little.
She gently leaned in, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Even through the bulky down jacket he wore, his posture remained upright and elegant.
Her hands softly stroked his back in a soothing motion. “It’s okay,” she whispered.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.”
She understood that everyone had shadows in their heart they didn’t want anyone, even the people they loved most, to touch.
That was okay.
She was willing to wait until the day he felt ready to open up.
Shen Zhi lowered his eyes and held her tighter.
As his heart softened and he searched for the right words, the little girl stood on tiptoe and leaned closer.
Her dark eyes blinked twice, and she said, “Shen Zhi, don’t you feel like you’ve got the best girlfriend in the whole world? Isn’t it wonderful?”
Shen Zhi’s long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable until a faint smile curved his lips.
“So you’re admitting you’re my girlfriend?”
Ji Ran’s eyes widened in shock, her startled look resembling a frightened little rabbit, with her eyes glistening slightly.
She immediately averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact.
“Where should we go play?” she asked hastily.
“I know Jiangdu really well. I can take you anywhere you’d like.”
Her evasive tactic made Shen Zhi chuckle.
He reached out, lightly pressing the corner of her eye, and leaned closer, narrowing the distance between them.
His voice was low and intimate, heated with unmistakable affection even in the cold air.
“Ranran, am I your boyfriend?”
Even though they had discussed their future, this was their first time liking someone.
He couldn’t help but want to be closer—closer still—despite knowing they had a long journey ahead.
In this fleeting moment, he simply wanted to stay as close to her as possible.
Ji Ran felt flustered by his teasing.
Her heart felt as if it were floating on water, unable to settle.
Knowing she needed gentle handling, Shen Zhi stopped pressing her and simply held her hand, walking forward quietly.
After covering some distance, he stopped and prepared to flag down an approaching taxi.
The cab displayed a green “Available” sign, clear even from a distance. Just as Shen Zhi raised his hand, the little girl beside him whispered, “I think so.”
Shen Zhi turned to her, his dark eyes capturing her gaze.
They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Thinking he didn’t understand, Ji Ran lowered her head, staring at her shoes, and mumbled softly, “Yeah, actually…”
Before she could finish, Shen Zhi suddenly swept her up in his arms.
Ji Ran panicked, glancing around, and patted his shoulder several times, her voice rising in urgency.
“Don’t! Put me down.”
When he didn’t let go, she called his name, soft and anxious, “Shen Zhi.”
It wasn’t until she lightly punched his chest that Shen Zhi finally set her down.
Leaning close, he brushed his nose against hers, letting out a contented sigh.
His voice was husky as he murmured, “Ranran, you’re mine.”
Idiot.
Ji Ran wrapped her arms around his waist and couldn’t help but silently scold him in her heart.
She wouldn’t remember where they went that day or even what they did, but she knew she would never forget how a boy, overjoyed by her words, held her tightly on a street corner.
The light in his eyes at that moment would stay with her forever.
—
That evening, Shen Zhi took Ji Ran to dinner at a small restaurant famous for its local Jiangdu dishes.
It was one of those modest roadside spots frequented by locals, with no flashy signs or excessive advertising.
This was before the era of trendy eateries and must-visit restaurants dominating every food app.
Some small establishments thrived purely on word-of-mouth and years of loyal customers.
After sitting down, Ji Ran glanced back at the large fish tank near the entrance.
The restaurant was known for its sauerkraut fish, made from live fish freshly caught and prepared on the spot.
Anyone who ordered the dish would see a fish netted and taken to the kitchen.
She glanced around.
Despite it being dinnertime, the place was packed.
“This restaurant is so popular,” she whispered.
“Many people drive here just to eat,” Shen Zhi said as he unwrapped their utensils, rinsed them with hot water, and placed them in front of her.
Ji Ran sipped her tea, looked down at it, and exclaimed, “This is barley tea, isn’t it? It smells amazing!”
Shen Zhi found her curiosity about everything amusing.
“Doesn’t the environment here bother you?” he asked.
The restaurant was old and far from spotless, with obvious hygiene issues.
At the next table, a girl had spread tissues over the surface as soon as she sat down, her expression one of disdain.
Her boyfriend, apparently embarrassed, tugged at her sleeve.
The girl, however, didn’t hold back her displeasure.
“Who told you to bring me to a place like this? Do you think I wanted to come?”
“It’s just cheap,” she added, her brows furrowed.
The boy’s face darkened.
Ji Ran quickly looked away, not wanting to add to the boy’s discomfort.
Just then, their first dish arrived.
Shen Zhi handed her the chopsticks.
It was a plate of stir-fried greens with mushrooms.
Ji Ran took a bite of mushroom, and Shen Zhi suddenly said, “If one day… I mean, if the Shen family has nothing to do with me anymore…”
His tone was calm, as though discussing something inconsequential.
Yet it was clear this wasn’t a new thought but something he had carried with him for a long time.
Ji Ran paused mid-bite and let out a soft laugh.
Propping her chin on one hand, she tilted her head slightly and said quietly, “Shen Zhi, let me remind you of something. I come from a family built on arranged marriages.”
Her voice paused briefly.
Shen Zhi raised his chin slightly, signaling her to continue.
Smiling, Ji Ran said, “Not only can I inherit my dad’s wealth, but I can also inherit my mom’s. So, even if you have nothing…”
Her tone was playful and full of pride, with a touch of mischief in her expression.
“I’ve got plenty.”
“And I’m a good student. I can make my own money in the future and take care of you too.”
Ji Ran thought about the rumors she had heard about this man in her previous life.
His tailored suits and the expensive watches he often changed were hot topics among female employees.
He seemed like someone who would be expensive to take care of.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Zhi asked, noticing her pause mid-sentence.
He found her plan to “support” him amusing.
Ji Ran said softly, “Even if it costs a lot to take care of you, I’m willing.”
Shen Zhi chuckled.
Where had she gotten the idea he was expensive to support?
He thought of himself as a frugal and modest high school student.
“Do you think I’m expensive to support?” Shen Zhi asked, laughing.
Ji Ran’s eyes widened.
He really had no self-awareness, did he? Just one of his watches could probably buy half her closet full of bags.
Seeing her conflicted expression, Shen Zhi burst out laughing.
“Don’t worry. Even if I leave the Shen family, I won’t be left with nothing.”
His tone was casual, as though discussing something trivial.
Ji Ran pouted slightly, looking unhappy.
“Are you really afraid you can’t support me?” Shen Zhi teased, lightly pinching her earlobe.
“Smile. I’ll take care of supporting the family in the future.”
Ji Ran sniffled softly and asked in a quiet voice, “Will you give me all the money you make?”
