Chapter 47: Stop It, Shuyao Hasn't Fallen Asleep Yet (Double-Length Chapter)

Bentley is a luxury brand, so naturally there’s a brand premium. How much that premium is depends on the strength of the brand itself, but whoever buys, it’s the same price. Lin Ran invested 3.4 million and made a windfall of 34 million—a hugely successful investment.

After returning home, he contacted the junk collector to come over. The old landlord’s makeshift sofa and bed, bought from the secondhand market, were hauled out to be sold. The worker shook his head and refused to take them, so Lin Ran actually paid 40 yuan as a tip just to have them carried downstairs and thrown away.

By six in the evening, the new furniture arrived. The two girls couldn’t really help, so they just stood by, watching Lin Ran direct the movers as to where to place each piece for the best effect.

Jiang Shuyao twirled a lock of hair that fell on her chest, her cheeks flushed as she whispered, “Lin Ran is so homely… My mom always said that men who know how to run a household are the best kind.”

“Don’t get any ideas about your brother-in-law!” Jian Wei’an said, turning to busy herself in the kitchen.

“I wasn’t! Don’t talk nonsense, I’m not like that,” Jiang Shuyao muttered, rubbing her head.

Lin Ran came over, “What are you two chattering about?”

“None of your business, hmph~” Jiang Shuyao shot back, darting into the kitchen to help.

Lin Ran sent his father a message: [Don’t come home after work.]

His father’s heart skipped a beat: [What happened? Did your mom find my secret stash of cash?]

Lin Ran: [You have a stash?]

His father: [Saving up for a fishing rod (dog head emoji).]

Lin Ran transferred him 10,000: [Your stash is safe. I won’t be home tonight, Mom has a meeting at the education bureau. Go pick her up after work, treat her to a nice dinner, have a romantic evening. If you don’t spend it all, I’ll tell Mom about your secret fund.]

His father: [Don’t forget to walk the dog.]

Lin Ran: [OK!]

Now that he had money, Lin Ran didn’t forget to let his parents enjoy life, even as he savored it himself.

Soon, all the furniture was arranged. Lin Ran signed the delivery slip, saw the workers out, and stood for a moment admiring how the once ordinary house had been transformed into a top-tier luxury home.

Jiang Shuyao exclaimed, “Wow~ It’s become a mansion in an instant. It’s so beautiful, the quality of life has shot up.”

Lin Ran nodded. “Of course.”

Jian Wei’an added, “Honestly, putting all this in a rental seems like a waste.”

Lin Ran gave her a thumbs-up. “Exactly. Spending 3.4 million on furniture in someone else’s house feels like a huge loss. I might as well spend a couple more million and just buy the place. The property prices in Shudu have plummeted anyway. If I buy at rock bottom now, a place on Donghu Lake, I could make a million or so when it rebounds. For now, let’s live here a while. I'm starving. Can we eat yet?”

“It’s ready. Let’s eat.” Jian Wei’an replied.

Since it was summer and just the three of them, dinner was simple: durian chicken stew, cold mixed fish mint, and cilantro beef salad.

After a day of spending and excitement, Lin Ran was exhausted. He ate heartily, nodding in approval. “You two really cook to my taste.”

Jiang Shuyao pouted, “Wei’an made the food. It’s her cooking you like, not mine.”

Lin Ran teased, “So you’re just useless, then.”

Jiang Shuyao clung to Jian Wei’an’s arm, whining, “Wei’an, your boyfriend is bullying me again.”

Jian Wei’an sighed, “Stop with the fake whimpering and eat.”

“Fine, fine. Now you’ve got a man, you don’t care about me anymore. Hmph!” Jiang Shuyao muttered, burying her head in her food.

After dinner, Lin Ran took the dog for a walk and swung by home to grab a few changes of clothes—he’d be living between the two places now.

An hour later, back at the apartment, the dogs curled up in their beds while Lin Ran and Jian Wei’an cuddled on the sofa, joking and flirting.

Jiang Shuyao felt completely numb. Not only were the people paired off—the dogs were, too. She was the only one left alone, feeling like she’d committed some cosmic sin.

Soon, it was time for showers.

Jian Wei’an said, “You go shower first.”

Lin Ran replied, “You two go ahead. I’ll watch an antiques livestream.”

Jian Wei’an glanced over, “Listening to Shui appraise antiques? You like that stuff?”

Lin Ran shrugged, “Good for learning. I remember my grandpa had some silver coins when I was a kid—I’m curious if they’re worth anything. I’ll check next time I visit. If they’re warlord-era coins, they could be valuable.”

Jiang Shuyao laughed, “Ha! You spend hundreds of thousands without blinking, but you care about a few old coins?”

Lin Ran replied, “Spending is one thing, but you have to make the money back. That’s what matters.”

Jiang Shuyao gave him a thumbs-up. “A man who knows how to spend also needs to know how to earn. You’re great—keep it up! We’ll go shower now.”

Lin Ran asked, “Are you showering together?”

“It’s faster that way, so you don’t have to wait too long,” Jiang Shuyao replied. Despite her playful banter, she was actually quite thoughtful.

The two girls grabbed their pajamas and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind them.

Sigh~

Trust between people still wasn’t quite there yet.

Lin Ran continued watching the antiques stream, all the while the sound of running water and their hushed conversation drifted from the bathroom…

“Shuyao, I swear, these last couple days my chest feels swollen, like I’m going through puberty again. Do you think I’ll go up a cup size?”

“Don’t! C is perfect. Look at me—36D. Even jogging hurts.”

A snort of laughter came from the living room.

“Lin Ran, stop eavesdropping! Or I’ll revoke your cohabitation privileges!” Jiang Shuyao shouted in exasperation.

“You’re just talking too loudly,” Lin Ran called back, chuckling. As the saying goes—‘A man without women in his heart makes money naturally as a god!’

But that only applies to the heart—nobody said anything about not having women by your side!

Cohabitation was truly the best.

Soon, the two girls emerged from the bathroom, hair still damp.

Their pajamas were much less conservative than the previous night.

Jian Wei’an wore a white camisole nightdress, her delicate shoulders and long legs on display. The loose fit couldn’t conceal her stunning figure, accentuated with every movement.

Jiang Shuyao, in a flesh-toned camisole, possessed the kind of figure that could only be described as a bombshell—petite face, but as curvy as they come.

Yeah, no wonder she complained about jogging.

Lin Ran hummed a tune as he headed for his shower. Just as he undressed, there was a knock at the door.

“Lin Ran, open up, I need to grab something,” Jiang Shuyao called.

“I’m already in the shower.”

“Oh.”

“What did you need?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Weird.”

Lin Ran glanced down to see underwear in the laundry basin at his feet.

Judging by the size, it was definitely Jiang Shuyao’s.

So she was embarrassed he might see it.

Black lace, front clasp. Stylish taste.

After a bit, Lin Ran finished his shower and emerged, only to find the living room empty.

He heard voices from the master bedroom.

Had they gone to bed already?

He knocked on the door, “Are you asleep?”

Jiang Shuyao replied, “It’s late—shouldn’t you be?”

“Wei’an, come out for a moment—I need to talk to you.”

“I have an early shift tomorrow. Good night, darling.” Jian Wei’an’s voice was shy, unwilling to come out—she knew if she did, she’d be dragged off to the guest room to sleep.

The master bedroom light snapped off.

Sigh…

Lin Ran lay down in the guest room, thinking, I moved in for cohabitation, not to sleep alone—especially with two gorgeous women just next door. Torture, pure torture.

Barely two minutes had passed before he started sweating and fidgeting.

Am I really that desperate?

Why am I sweating so much?

Then he realized—the guest room had no air conditioning!

Without another word, he shot up and knocked on the master bedroom again.

Jiang Shuyao called, “Your girlfriend’s already asleep—you don’t need to knock.”

“The guest room doesn’t have AC.”

Jiang Shuyao was speechless.

This man… she wanted to wring his neck!

“There’s AC in the living room—the one you bought. And that sofa you bought for tens of thousands, it’s more comfortable than a bed.”

What could Lin Ran say? He’d bought the AC—might as well enjoy it.

“Good night, Makka Pakka,” he called out.

“Good night, Upsy Daisy,” Jiang Shuyao replied.

“Good night, Little Iggle Piggle,” added Jian Wei’an.

“I thought you were asleep?”

“Hehe, I’m going to sleep now. Bye, sweet dreams.”

Lin Ran stretched out on the sofa, turned on the AC, and resigned himself to the situation.

In the master bedroom, the lights went out.

The two girls were just settling in to sleep.

Beep beep beep—

Jiang Shuyao’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it and blurted, “Wei’an, did you forget to charge up today?”

“Charge what?”

“The electricity card. It says there’s only five yuan left.”

“Five is enough for tonight. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“But your man’s running the big AC in the living room—that thing eats power.”

Jian Wei’an fell silent. Anyone who’s lived through summer knows—no AC, no sleep.

“Let him go home,” suggested Jiang Shuyao.

“Do you think he’d actually leave?” Jian Wei’an replied.

Jiang Shuyao knew Lin Ran wouldn’t.

Sigh.

“Fine, let him come in and sleep on the floor. There’s no other way.”

“Or give me money and I’ll get a hotel room for you,” Jiang Shuyao joked.

“Jian Wei’an, are you even human? You’d kick me out?”

“I’m just thinking of your reputation.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I pay rent here, I’m sleeping here.”

“Alright, lay out your yoga mat. I’ll go get him.”

Jian Wei’an got up and went to the living room. Lin Ran was just dozing off on the sofa when she shook him awake.

“What is it?”

“Come sleep inside.”

“Why?”

“We’re out of electricity.”

“No.”

Lin Ran was stubborn.

Now that they were only inviting him because the electricity was out, he refused to go.

“Oh, come on, don’t be petty. Come sleep inside.”

“I said no.”

He turned his back to her.

Jiang Shuyao came out too. “It’s dropped another 30 cents! Haven’t you convinced him yet?”

“He won’t budge.”

“He won’t? Lin Ran, you won’t come sleep in the same room as two girls?”

Hah.

Lin Ran scoffed at their hypocrisy.

If not for the electricity, would they invite him in?

“Nope. I’ll go down with you all—if we’re going to roast, we’ll roast together!”

“You really… hehe~” The girls couldn’t help but laugh.

Outside, Lin Ran was the cool, aloof male god. At home, he was just an overgrown boy.

“What now?” Jian Wei’an asked.

“Coax him,” Jiang Shuyao replied.

Jian Wei’an sat down, giving Lin Ran a gentle shake. “Honey~ come sleep inside. Don’t sleep on the sofa, please?”

He stayed silent, unmoved.

Jiang Shuyao tried too, “Old—oops, almost called you the wrong thing! Lin-ge~ There’s really no electricity left. If it goes out, I’ll be so hot. Come sleep with us?”

“No.”

Jiang Shuyao gave up, turning to Jian Wei’an. “Your turn.”

“If that’s how you want to play… don’t blame me.” Jian Wei’an stood, looming over Lin Ran, and in her strong Sichuan dialect, barked, “Get up from that sofa and come sleep with us or I’ll show you what a real Sichuan woman is like!”

When a woman from Shudu says that, it’s a final warning.

“Alright!” Lin Ran jumped up, grabbed his pillow, and headed to the master bedroom.

“Hehe, you’re the boss, Wei’an,” Jiang Shuyao laughed.

“Let’s just sleep,” Jian Wei’an said.

But when they entered, Lin Ran lay down on the bed, and Jiang Shuyao exploded.

“Ah!!! You can’t sleep on my bed! Your spot is on the floor, just like last time.”

“I’m sleeping on my girlfriend’s side, not yours. I’m not sleeping on the floor. If you don’t like it, I’ll go back to the living room.”

At this moment, Lin Ran had to stand his ground. Playing the gentleman would be foolish.

“Then where do I sleep?” Jiang Shuyao protested.

“You sleep on the floor.”

“I’m not sleeping there.”

“Would you rather my girlfriend sleep on the floor while you take her place?”

“I…” Jiang Shuyao was at a loss.

Jian Wei’an considered it, “How about Shuyao and I sleep on the floor, you take the bed.”

“Get up here already!” Lin Ran said, pulling her into his arms.

Seeing this, Jiang Shuyao felt utterly defeated.

So I’m out? I’ve lost my bed privileges? If I’d known, I would’ve stuck it out and roasted with them in the heat. I never should’ve agreed to let Lin Ran move in—now I’m the one left out.

Sigh.

“Fine, I’ll sleep on the floor. But! This is important—Lin Ran, Jian Wei’an, listen: No fooling around on the bed. Just sleep.”

Jiang Shuyao turned off the lights and lay down on her makeshift bed, yawning. After such a day, she was exhausted.

She trusted Lin Ran and Jian Wei’an wouldn’t cross the line with her in the room.

On the bed, Jian Wei’an nestled into Lin Ran’s arms. It was only the second time she’d slept like this, but he whispered softly, “Do you like sleeping in my arms?”

Blushing, Jian Wei’an nodded.

She’d always slept however she liked, but after spending a night with Lin Ran, she realized there was nothing more comfortable than sleeping with your boyfriend—especially being held close. She adored it.

The room was dim, a faint moonbeam the only light, just enough to make out the silhouettes.

Lin Ran gently turned Jian Wei’an’s face towards his. She saw the look in his eyes and knew he wanted to kiss her, but she shook her head slightly—Shuyao was still awake, just below them.

But Lin Ran didn’t care. He kissed her anyway.

Jian Wei’an closed her eyes, arms wrapped around his neck, savoring the sweetness of a couple's kiss.

They kept quiet, afraid the sound of a kiss would reach Jiang Shuyao.

Stealth was key.

Lin Ran’s hand slid up Jian Wei’an’s smooth thigh…

Her body shivered as she shook her head, murmuring weakly, “Stop… Shuyao’s still awake…”

From the floor, Jiang Shuyao nearly choked.

You two are just too much!