Chapter 67: My Boyfriend, Rented to You for a Day

Lin Ran returned home, set aside the gifts he'd prepared for his parents from his suitcase, and took out the presents for Jane Wei'an and Jiang Shuyao, dialing Jiang Shuyao's number: "Are you home?"

"I'm at the mahjong parlor where Uncle and Aunt are playing cards, on Second Street!"

Lin Ran hung up and went down to the basement, drove the Bentley to the mahjong parlor, and parked outside.

Woof woof woof~

Baibai and the husky dashed over, circling around Lin Ran. He patted them affectionately.

Outside the tea house, Lin's father, out walking the dogs, chatted with the other uncles and aunts. Seeing Lin Ran get out of the car, they exclaimed, "Your dad said you’ve made it big, Lin Ran! It’s true, you’re driving a Bentley now. Making that much money?"

"You're too kind, Uncle and Aunt. Not that much, just enough for one car," Lin Ran replied humbly; in front of neighbors, modesty was essential. He then turned to his father, "Dad, you’re off work?"

"Just finished an insurance job and came back. When did you get home?"

"Just now."

With that, Lin Ran went inside to look for Shuyao.

The uncles and aunts crowded around to admire the car, showering Lin’s father with praise for his son’s achievements, making him beam with pride.

Jiang Shuyao was playing mahjong with several elderly ladies.

Lin Ran approached, "Play eighty thousand."

"Eighty thousand," Jiang Shuyao tossed out the tile, then turned and saw Lin Ran. Her face lit up in surprise, "Hey, when did you get back?"

"Just now. Happy?"

"Of course I’m hap—" Shuyao started, then changed her tone, "Happy for Jane Wei'an, of course. Lin Ran, I'm going to win today. If I do, I'll treat you both to hotpot."

"Next time. Finish this round, then come with me."

"Where to?"

"Got something to do."

"If you’re busy, go ahead. I want to play mahjong."

Lin Ran grabbed Jiang Shuyao and called out, "Dad, come in and play for Shuyao. I’m taking her out for a bit."

With that, he dragged Jiang Shuyao away.

An uncle muttered, "Uh… Jiancheng, why does your son keep running around with his girlfriend’s best friend?"

Lin’s father replied, "They're just friends."

But inwardly, he wondered—back from the metropolis, not looking for his girlfriend but first thing, driving a Bentley to pick up her best friend. What was he up to?

In the Bentley.

"Why the rush? Where are we going?"

"Picking up Jane Wei'an from work."

"I get that you want to pick up your girlfriend as soon as you’re back, but why drag me along? To watch you two act lovey-dovey?"

"Uh… well… every time I go out with Jane Wei'an, you’re always there. If you’re not, we feel awkward."

"Do you want me to bite you?"

"Alright, alright, just teasing. The red box in the back seat is a gift for you."

Jiang Shuyao hurriedly retrieved the box, opened it, and found a Hermès handbag inside. "It’s beautiful! Is this for me? Must’ve cost a lot."

"We don’t talk about money between us."

"Fair enough. Since you gave me a bag, I’ll keep providing emotional support during your dates. Plus, I just won three hundred yuan. I’ll treat you both to hotpot later."

"Didn’t know you were so good at mahjong."

"Of course."

Beep beep beep~

Jiang Shuyao’s phone rang; her mother was calling. The two argued on the phone.

Lin Ran stayed silent, driving to wait for Jane Wei'an outside her company, listening to Jiang Shuyao’s quarrel with her mother.

A moment later, Jiang Shuyao hung up, cheeks puffed in frustration.

Lin Ran had already guessed the reason for the argument. "Your mom wants you to go home?"

Jiang Shuyao nodded. "She gave me an ultimatum: I must return to Xi’an this week. If I don’t, she’ll come to Shu City herself to drag me back."

"Do you want to go back?"

"I don’t know…" Jiang Shuyao gazed out the window, lost in thought. "Everyone goes home after graduation. I suppose I should, but I don’t know what reason I have to stay."

"No! You can’t go back!"

Hearing this, Jiang Shuyao turned to Lin Ran, surprised by his reaction.

"And the reason?"

"The reason is, if you’re not here, who will provide emotional support for Jane Wei'an and me during our dates?"

That reason… was heartless! Begging for a beating!

"Lin Ran, you’re too much, ah!!!!"

Bang bang bang—

Jiang Shuyao landed a few punches on Lin Ran.

Lin Ran laughed, patting the fuming Jiang Shuyao, then grew serious. "I respect your feelings. Do you want to go back?"

"I…" Jiang Shuyao hesitated, bowed her head, and shook it, indicating she didn’t want to return.

"If you don’t want to, I have an idea. Call your mom."

"Call her for what?"

"I’ll tell Auntie you don’t want to go back."

"Sigh, it’s useless. She won’t agree no matter what I say."

"You won’t know unless you try. Or would you rather be dragged back?"

Jiang Shuyao hesitated, then dialed her mother.

Beep beep beep~ Connected, on speaker.

"Daughter, what’s up? Have you changed your mind about coming home?"

"Mom, I don’t want to go back."

"No way! Wait and see, I’m coming to Shu City tomorrow!"

Jiang Shuyao was crestfallen.

Lin Ran took the phone. "Hello, Auntie."

Hearing a man’s voice, Jiang’s mother paused, "Who are you?"

"Auntie, my name is Lin Ran. The reason Shuyao doesn’t want to return to Xi’an is because she wishes to stay in Shu City and strive together with me."

"Why would my daughter stay and strive with you?"

"Your daughter is my… girlfriend."

Ah!!!

Jiang Shuyao was startled. "No, no, mmm—"

Lin Ran quickly covered her mouth.

There was a few seconds’ silence on the other end.

"So that’s why Shuyao hasn’t come home after graduation. She said she couldn’t leave Jane Wei'an, but that was just an excuse. Turns out she has a boyfriend. Lin Ran, is it? My daughter refuses to come home because of you. She must really love you. Alright, I’m coming to Shu City right now!"

"You still want to take Shuyao away?"

"I’m coming to meet you, to see if your relationship is genuine. If it’s not, I’ll definitely take my daughter home. That’s all for now, goodbye."

She hung up.

Jiang Shuyao pushed away Lin Ran’s hand from her mouth, speechless. "Your brilliant plan is to pretend to be my boyfriend?"

"Uh…" Lin Ran scratched his head. "I thought once Auntie knew you stayed for your boyfriend, she’d agree. Didn’t expect her to be so determined—now she wants to come see for herself."

"Of course. I’m her daughter; she can’t rest easy knowing I have a boyfriend. Meeting you is only natural. Now tomorrow, she’ll come to meet my boyfriend. What do we do?"

"Maybe call back and say we’ve broken up?"

"My mom would come here to kill you!"

The two fell into deep thought.

Just then, Jane Wei'an finished work, walked out of the office building in a black T-shirt and white shorts, spotted the Bentley, and happily ran over.

She opened the Bentley driver’s door.

"Ran darling, I missed you~mua~mua~mua~"

She hugged Lin Ran’s head and showered him with kisses.

Lin Ran stayed motionless; Jiang Shuyao, in the passenger seat, was downcast, and the atmosphere in the car was gloomy.

Jane Wei'an paused, "What’s wrong with you two?"

Jiang Shuyao: "Ask your boyfriend."

Lin Ran: "Uh… Wei'an, I messed up."

Jiang Shuyao: "What mess? Don’t worry, tell me, I’ll fix it!"

"Here’s what happened…" Lin Ran explained everything. Jane Wei'an already knew Jiang Shuyao’s mother had been urging her to go home. Lin Ran continued, "I just meant to pretend to be her boyfriend, hoping Auntie would let her stay in Shu City, but now her mom says she’s flying over to see me?"

"…"

Jane Wei'an was stunned.

Lin Ran: "I was only trying to help Shuyao. I never thought it would turn out like this. Sigh… I acted impulsively and made things worse for Shuyao."

Jiang Shuyao: "I’ll call my mom and explain. Worst case, I’ll go back to Xi’an with her. Whenever I have time, I’ll come to Shu City to see you. Wei'an, no matter how far apart we are, our sisterhood will never change."

With that, Jiang Shuyao called her mother. "Mom, you don’t need to come. I… What, you’re already boarding? Why so fast?"

"My daughter has a boyfriend! How could I not hurry? I want to see what kind of young man he is. The flight’s about to take off, I’ll be in Shu City in an hour—just in time for dinner."

Jiang Shuyao gritted her teeth, not wanting her mother’s trip to be in vain—otherwise, she’d be an unfilial daughter.

"Mom, actually, Lin Ran and I…"

Before she could finish, Jane Wei'an leaned across from the driver’s seat, grabbed Jiang Shuyao’s phone, and answered, "Auntie~"

"Hello, Wei'an, how’s work?"

"Work’s great. Auntie, you’re coming to Shu City?"

"Yes, Shuyao said she has a boyfriend—some Lin something?"

"Lin Ran, right?" Jane Wei'an glanced meaningfully at the others in the car.

Lin Ran and Jiang Shuyao were mortified.

"Yes, yes, Lin Ran. Wei'an, you’re Shuyao’s best friend. What do you think of that young man?"

"I don’t know."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Whether your daughter’s boyfriend is good or not, you can decide after seeing him yourself."

At this, Lin Ran and Jiang Shuyao raised their heads: !!!!

Wei'an was fearless.

"Auntie, bye, see you soon."

She hung up, tossed the phone back to Jiang Shuyao. "I’ll lend you my boyfriend for a day to deal with your mom."

Jiang Shuyao replied, "Don’t worry, Wei'an. Once I’m done, I’ll return him to you!"