Chapter 19: You Won’t Mind Sleeping in My Arms, Will You?

“My dad won’t be sleeping for a while, so I’ll order takeout for you.”
If I cook dinner myself, could I earn a lot of favor points?
“Forget it. Takeout isn’t healthy. I’ll make something for you.”
“You know how to cook?”
“I can learn, for my future girlfriend.”
That line really strikes a chord with any girl.
[Jian Wei’an’s favorability: 64]
It increased again.
Lin Ran was brimming with determination.
In the living room, Lin’s father lay sideways on the sofa watching “Sword Point,” and saw his son heading to the kitchen.
“Hungry, son?”
“I didn’t eat dinner, so I’m a little hungry. I’ll cook some noodles. Want some?”
“No, I’m dieting.”
“Dad, where are the noodles?”
“If you don’t see them, we’re out.”
Without noodles, what am I supposed to cook for Wei’an?
Lin Ran looked at the cupboard and spotted a pack of “Happiness Snail Rice Noodles.”
He felt a deep resistance—he couldn’t stand that pungent smell.
But Jiang Shuyao had mentioned that Wei’an loved snail rice noodles.
Between money and compromise, Lin Ran quickly made his choice—he would cook snail rice noodles!
The prerequisite: he found an N95 mask, put it on, shut the kitchen door, and turned on the exhaust fan.
He started cooking.
Ou~
The smell was overwhelming—Lin Ran almost gagged.
…
Lin Ran’s room was modest, about ten square meters, with a bed, a wardrobe, and a computer desk by the window with a box of tissues on it and a conveniently placed trash bin, which contained used tissues.
Many framed photos adorned the wall—various awards Lin Ran had won, and representative snapshots from elementary school to university, including group photos with female classmates. Wei’an noticed several girls looking at Lin Ran with a sparkle in their eyes and thought… Lin Ran was tall, handsome, and a top student. He must have been the dream crush of many girls in high school and university.
Thinking of this, Wei’an felt a little lucky.
Very soon.
Lin Ran finished cooking the snail rice noodles and carried them out of the kitchen. Lin’s father caught a whiff of the stench and quickly pinched his nose.
“Son, are you really that hungry?”
“Want some?”
“No, no, no—take it away, it stinks.”
“I’ll eat in my room, so it won’t bother you.”
Lin Ran slipped back into his bedroom and placed the snail rice noodles on the computer desk.
Wei’an caught the smell and instantly perked up, suppressing her excitement: “You like snail rice noodles too?”
“I don’t. Shuyao said you do, so I made them for you.”
“If you can’t stand the smell, just throw them away. I won’t eat, so you won’t have to suffer.”
“I’m not afraid of the smell. I’m only afraid of my future girlfriend going hungry.”
Wei’an bit her lip.
He was truly… so thoughtful.
[Jian Wei’an’s favorability: 66]
It increased again.
“Lin Ran, do you want a bite? It smells bad, but it tastes amazing, I swear.”
“I really can’t stand snail rice noodles, but so many people say it’s delicious… hmm, I’ll just try one bite.”

“Then bring a bowl and chopsticks, I’ll share.”
“My dad’s outside. If I bring another set, he’ll get suspicious. How about this: you feed me a bite.”
Wei’an blushed, picked up some noodles, and held them out to Lin Ran’s mouth.
Lin Ran took off his mask and slurped a small mouthful.
“It’s both stinky and fragrant—not bad. I’ll have another bite.”
“Here you go.”
“Slurp~ Delicious! Let’s take turns.”
“Okay.”
Wei’an took a bite, then picked up another mouthful and offered it to Lin Ran again, smiling happily as she hummed softly, “The most beautiful moment in the rain is sharing snail rice noodles with you ♪”
Lin Ran was entranced. “You sing so well.”
Under the night sky, in the rainy evening, beside the window, at the computer desk, the two of them shared snail rice noodles, one bite at a time.
[Jian Wei’an’s favorability: 67]
A warm moment from her future boyfriend.
After finishing the snail rice noodles, Lin Ran took the bowl outside and saw his father asleep on the sofa.
Lin Ran decided to take Wei’an out for a date, so he dashed back to his room: “Wei’an, let’s go.”
“Alright!”
Wei’an followed Lin Ran, nervously leaving the room, being extra careful lest Lin’s father wake up.
Freedom was just ahead!
[I gaze up at the moon above, how many dreams are flying freely ♪]
Lin’s father was awakened by a phone call.
Oh no!!!
Wei’an, startled, turned back and rushed for Lin Ran’s room, but in her nervous haste, her foot slipped and she fell to the floor with a thud.
“What was that noise?”
Lin’s father turned his head toward the hallway outside the bedroom.
“Nothing.”
Lin Ran blocked his view, while Wei’an crawled back into the room across the floor.
Phew~
Lin Ran breathed a sigh of relief, returned to his room, and closed the door. Wei’an sat by the window, rubbing her foot.
“What happened?”
“I twisted my ankle a bit. It hurts.”
“Let me massage it for you.”
“I can do it myself.”
“You twisted it in my house. I have to take responsibility. Come on, lift your foot up!”
Lin Ran spoke in a tone that brooked no refusal.
He was just too considerate.
Wei’an nodded, propped one hand on the bed, the other resting modestly on her thigh beneath the white shirt to cover herself, lifted her calf slightly, and offered it.
“Why are you handing it to my mouth?”
“I didn’t notice.”
Lin Ran held her calf in one hand, and under the warm glow, her delicate foot looked translucent and beautiful.
“Lin Ran~”
Wei’an shyly reminded the entranced Lin Ran.
Ahem~
Lin Ran coughed lightly and snapped back to reality. Why am I so helpless before a pretty foot?
He reached out his other hand, held her foot, which felt like warm jade, and gently began to massage it.
Wei’an felt embarrassed and awkward.

Her little foot was being handled by a boy for the first time—no, massaged.
Ring, ring, ring~
Just then, Jiang Shuyao called.
Wei’an answered.
“Wei’an, I’ve been waiting at home half the night and you haven’t come back. Where are you?”
“I…” Wei’an looked at Lin Ran, embarrassed, “I’m at Lin Ran’s place.”
“Ah!!!” A scream came from the phone. “It’s already gotten to that stage? Did you… give yourself to him?”
“Give what, give—don’t be ridiculous. Am I that kind of person? Ah—it hurts—”
At that moment, Lin Ran pressed a bit too hard and Wei’an winced in pain.
“You said it hurts???” Jiang Shuyao’s mind raced: “Are you two… doing it?”
Pfft~
Wei’an almost spat blood.
“Don’t let your imagination run wild. I twisted my ankle and Lin Ran’s massaging it.”
Wei’an briefly explained the situation.
“…Bai Bai was thinking of her silly dog, I just came to Lin Ran’s house, you believe me now?”
“No dog would believe it!”
“……”
“Are you coming home tonight? If not, I’ll lock the door.”
“Of course I’ll come home—even if there’s a storm!”
“Alright, alright, I won’t sleep. I’ll wait for you and munch on some gossip. Bye.”
“……”
Wei’an hung up.
She withdrew her foot, sat on the bed hugging her knees, and complained, “Stop massaging. You knew I was on the phone with Shuyao and you deliberately hurt me, making her misunderstand.”
Lin Ran smiled, “Misunderstand what?”
“She thought we were… you know! Don’t tease me. Go check if your dad’s asleep.”
“OK.”
Lin Ran slipped out again and saw his father was still watching TV on the sofa.
“Dad, you’re still up?”
“A friend called and reminded me there’s a Champions League match at 2:30 tonight. I placed a bet, so I’ll stay up and watch.”
Lin Ran shook his head, half amused.
“Take your time, I’m going to sleep.”
Lin Ran slipped back to his room, spread his hands, “You heard him.”
Wei’an’s gaze was resolute. “I can wait!”
“Don’t bother. The match ends at four or five. You can’t leave tonight—just sleep here.”
Lin Ran lay back comfortably on the bed and patted the spot beside him.
Wei’an’s anxious heart finally gave up.
Beep beep beep~
At that moment, Jiang Shuyao sent a WeChat message: [Wei’an, you’re not back yet?]
Wei’an sighed: [Don’t wait for me, I won’t make it back.]
Wasn’t this woman saying she’d come home even if there was a storm?
Fine, Bai Bai waits for her dog, Wei’an waits for Lin Ran.
Dog for dog, person for person, right?
Jiang Shuyao: [As your best friend, it’s normal for you to sleep with your boyfriend, but I still need to remind you—take proper safety precautions!!!!]