Chapter 37: Jane Vivian Tears Apart the Woman Who Covets Her Boyfriend!

Time ticked by, the brilliant sun gradually deepening into a shade of orange-red, its rays spilling into the room from the balcony.

Lin’s mother and father continued to watch the two people in the kitchen with unwavering attention.

Every now and then, Lin Ran would tease Jiang Shuyao, making her stomp her foot in playful annoyance and exclaim, “You’re so annoying~”

Sometimes, when Jiang Shuyao tiptoed to reach for a jar of seasoning in the overhead cabinet, Lin Ran’s tall figure would appear behind her, enveloping her as he easily retrieved it. She would say softly, “Thank you~”

This scene was better than anything on television; Lin’s parents watched, captivated. It really did resemble a young couple cooking together.

No, no, no.

Lin’s father shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

That’s my son’s girlfriend’s best friend.

As a father, what am I thinking?

“I need to use the computer for some work,” Lin’s father announced, heading to Lin Ran’s room to fetch the laptop before disappearing into the study.

Lin’s mother remained on the sofa, cracking sunflower seeds and watching the scene with satisfaction.

Soon, preparations in the kitchen were complete.

The next step was to charm the future parents-in-law on behalf of her friend.

Jiang Shuyao brought out the tea leaves she’d bought ahead of time, brewed a pot, and carried a cup to the study door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Uncle.”

Lin’s father turned to see Jiang Shuyao and quickly stood up to take the tea from her.

“I can make tea myself, you know. There’s no need for you to go to the trouble.”

“This is Snowfall, the tea Vivian bought for you. I made it for her.”

He took the cup. Though it was scalding hot, he didn’t mind and took a sip. “Delicious, very good.”

“Uncle, I’ll let you get back to work.”

“Alright, alright.”

Jiang Shuyao left the study, returned to the kitchen, and took a watermelon from the fridge.

Lin Ran offered, “I’ll wash the knife and cut the watermelon.”

“No need! Ah—”

In an instant, Jiang Shuyao transformed into a capable woman: with a swift motion, she broke the watermelon open with the back of her hand and split it neatly in two.

Lin Ran: ???

Jiang Shuyao realized this wasn’t her own home—it was her best friend’s in-laws’ house. Was she being too rough?

Immediately, she switched back to demure mode, fetched two spoons, stuck them into the watermelon halves, cradled hers with a sweet smile, and brought the other half to the sofa.

“Auntie, have some watermelon.”

“Thank you.”

Lin’s mother accepted the watermelon, finding this girl quite genuine and innocent.

“Sit down.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Shuyao sat beside her, hugging her half of the watermelon.

“Auntie, you’re a teacher, right? Which subject do you teach?”

“Chinese.”

“Vivian’s grades in Chinese are excellent, too.”

Jiang Shuyao was clear on her mission for the day. She played her part well, charming the future in-laws on behalf of her friend.

The two of them chatted over watermelon.

Lin Ran lounged nearby, scrolling through Douyin. His followers had surpassed two thousand now, with more than ninety-nine private messages—far too many to read.

As Jiang Shuyao chatted with Lin’s mother, she leaned back slightly and peeked at Lin Ran’s phone, seeing photos of women in his messages.

For the sake of her best friend’s happiness—and to keep Lin Ran from being targeted by other women—Jiang Shuyao continued to chat and laugh, then reached out in a flash, snatched his phone, and tucked it under her, letting her shorts-clad peach-shaped bottom pin it down, denying him access to other women.

Lin Ran just laughed, and spent the rest of the time quietly watching the two women chat.

He realized Jiang Shuyao was astonishingly sociable and skilled at making his mother happy.

Time went by.

Jiang Shuyao glanced at the clock: five thirty.

Vivian, why aren’t you home yet?

I’ve already charmed your future in-laws for you—if you don’t come back soon, I’ll end up as their future daughter-in-law myself!

At this moment—

Vivian Jian had already returned home, having turned her closet upside down, clothing strewn about, unsure what to wear to Lin Ran’s house.

Backless? Absolutely not.

Tight-fitting? Even worse.

It had to be elegant, proper, beautiful, dignified…

After much deliberation, Vivian chose a long dress that reached her ankles.

“Perfect!”

She grabbed her bag and hurried downstairs.

At the entrance to the complex, Mrs. Wang and the other ladies were gossiping as always, casting glances at her.

Mrs. Wang didn’t like Vivian, but couldn’t win an argument with her, nor dare to spread rumors.

Vivian ignored them, carrying fruit and milk as she strode toward the residential area.

She was notorious for holding grudges—last time Mrs. Wang had spoken ill of her boyfriend, Vivian had vowed to remember it forever.

Having finally started a relationship, anyone who gossiped about her or coveted her man would regret it if she found out.

She went upstairs, reached the door, and knocked without a hint of hesitation.

Knock, knock, knock.

Here she comes—Lin’s father appeared from the study into the living room.

Whew—

Jiang Shuyao exhaled in relief. The main character had finally arrived; her mission was complete.

Lin Ran opened the door, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Vivian in a beautiful dress, her entire aura transformed into that of an official girlfriend.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“Hurry inside, it’s hot out.”

“Mm.”

Vivian nodded and stepped inside. “Hello, Uncle, Auntie. I brought you some fruit and milk.”

“There’s no need to bring anything, really. Next time, just come as you are.”

Lin’s mother smiled, took the fruit and milk, handed them to Lin’s father, and drew Vivian inside.

“Auntie, let me change my shoes first.”

Vivian took the slippers Lin Ran handed her and, as she changed, heard music coming from the study.

She smiled. “That’s a lovely voice.”

Lin’s father replied, “It’s Lin Ran’s playlist, I just put it on shuffle. But it doesn’t compare to your singing.”

Vivian grinned. “Oh, Uncle, you’ve heard me sing?”

He laughed. “Xiao Ran played your songs for us. Very nice.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Uncle.”

Lin Ran spoke up. “After I left you this afternoon, a girl ran into me near your office and dropped her USB drive. It’s full of songs. Could you return it to her at work tomorrow?”

“You return it. If I do, she might think you showed me the contents—girls care about their privacy.”

Vivian said this as she took Lin’s mother’s hand and began chatting with her.

Lin’s parents were impressed by their son’s girlfriend—she was truly poised and confident. Some girls would get suspicious over something as trivial as a USB drive, but not Vivian.

She had no need.

Vivian, with her perfect pitch, instantly recognized the voice from the music as her colleague Wang Ting’s; the song was even Wang Ting’s ringtone, so of course she knew it.

Plus, Wang Ting had called earlier about the USB. Now it all made sense—so she was trying to make a move on Lin Ran?

Vivian insisted Lin Ran return it himself.

She was not so generous; she was extremely possessive, and any woman who eyed her man was crossing the line.

Playing mind games?

Wang Ting was a novice.

Vivian could easily handle her—this was nothing.

She brushed it aside; tonight’s family dinner was what mattered most.

“Uncle, Auntie, please have a seat. I’ll cook dinner.”

“No, no, let us do it. You’re our guests, you shouldn’t have to cook.”

Vivian smiled. “It’s no trouble. Please relax and let me cook for you. I hope you’ll enjoy it.”

She called Jiang Shuyao to help in the kitchen.

“Mom, Dad, you sit. I’ll lend a hand,” Lin Ran added, following them in.

Jiang Shuyao assisted, Vivian cooked, and Lin Ran was the official taste-tester.

One man, two women, each with their role—a harmonious little “family of three.”

Vivian didn’t spare a thought for Wang Ting’s little schemes; she focused on cooking.

It was Lin Ran’s first time watching her in the kitchen; there was nothing fake about her skills.

She heated the oil, added the ingredients, and the sizzle filled the air with savory aromas.

As the sun set, dish after dish was brought to the table.

Once the stove was off and the apron removed, everyone gathered around.

Lin Ran opened a bottle of wine and poured for all.

Vivian stood and raised her glass, Jiang Shuyao following suit.

Vivian smiled. “Uncle, Auntie, this first glass is for you. Thank you for raising such an outstanding son. I’m also very lucky to have met him and to be his girlfriend. Here’s to you.”

Jiang Shuyao chimed in, “Me too.”

Lin Ran stifled a laugh.

Jiang Shuyao realized her mistake. Blushing, she quickly corrected herself, “No, no, not like that! I mean, I wish you both good health, and wish Lin Ran and Vivian happiness.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Lin’s parents said warmly. “No need to be so formal. You’re all working in Chengdu, it’s not easy—come home whenever you like.”

Lin Ran raised his glass. “Come on, enough with the pleasantries. Cheers!”

Clink—the toast was made.

The family dinner was a joy.

The fact that Lin Ran hosted a family dinner showed his sincerity.

Vivian and Jiang Shuyao were, of course, delighted.

Lin Ran was always devoted to his girlfriend; if a girl was his, he’d have no qualms about bringing her home.

Isn’t that what a proper boyfriend should do?

The meal lasted an hour and ended happily.

Vivian and Jiang Shuyao started to clear the dishes, but Lin’s mother insisted, “No need, you cooked—let us handle the rest. Lin Ran, take them out for some fun.”

“Alright, let’s go for a walk and walk the dogs,” Lin Ran agreed.

They went downstairs to East Lake Park.

As always, Lin Ran and Vivian walked ahead, whispering sweet nothings and holding hands.

Jiang Shuyao trailed behind, holding the leashes of the Samoyed and the husky.

They have each other, and I get to be the third wheel, she thought.

After a half-hour stroll, Lin Ran walked Vivian and Jiang Shuyao to the gate of their building.

Vivian said, “I still have some work to do. Come to my office tomorrow at noon—I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Lin Ran replied, “Alright.”

“Bye-bye~”

They waved goodbye.

Vivian then sent a message to Chen Tao: [Could you call Wang Ting’s boyfriend, Li Tai, for me?]

Chen Tao: [What’s up?]

Vivian: [My boyfriend is coming to see me at the office for lunch tomorrow. I want to treat everyone.]

Chen Tao: [Why don’t you tell Wang Ting yourself?]

Vivian: [I don’t have her WeChat.]

Chen Tao: [I’ll let Wang Ting know.]

Vivian: [Just tell her boyfriend, Li Tai. You know Wang Ting and I don’t get along—she’ll refuse if you tell her. But if you tell her boyfriend, he’ll bring her. I’ll treat everyone to lunch. It’ll be… a surprise for Wang Ting.]

Chen Tao pondered. Vivian was taking the initiative to reconcile and treat everyone, and she was bringing her boyfriend? He’d met him at lunch, then looked up Ji Bochang online—there was a 90% chance Vivian’s boyfriend was Ji Bochang.

This lunch was worth attending—good networking for the future.

But if he told Wang Ting, she definitely wouldn’t come; she didn’t like Vivian at all and would be even more jealous if she knew Vivian’s boyfriend was Ji Bochang.

Currently, Wang Ting was keeping Li Tai as a backup while trying to hook a richer heir. Who knows what will come of that? But for now, Li Tai was still her boyfriend, and Vivian and Ji Bochang were inviting him to lunch—this couldn’t fall through!

So, Li Tai immediately agreed and privately arranged the lunch with Vivian.

Just as Vivian had planned—a surprise for Wang Ting tomorrow!

After receiving Chen Tao’s reply, Vivian turned off her phone and went home.

Ruthless!

Vivian was ready to personally deal with any woman who dared covet her boyfriend.