Chapter 39 Money Chips

...Can you love me?

Lu Ran didn't ask the question, so Pei Ci naturally couldn't give an answer.

Pei Ci felt slightly uncomfortable. Her palms were wrapped in thick fabric, making them sticky with sweat. The burning sensation on her lips lingered, and she felt a slight stinging pain when she opened her mouth slightly.

The person who did this was staring at her without moving. His pupils were jet black, his nose straight and prominent. His gaze, his body temperature, even his breath carried a burning sensation she couldn't ignore.

But the current situation...

The carriage was spacious, but Ye Qingyu was right next to him, yet he stopped the car and made such a bold move.

Aren't you afraid that Ye Qingyu might suddenly wake up?

Or is it that you don't care if you're seen?

Can she really trust her?

Pei Ci frowned.

Lu Ran, snapping out of his reverie, noticed Pei Ci's thoughtful expression. His heart tightened, and he quickly took out a tissue to wipe her lips. As he wiped her mouth, he whispered a reassuring promise in her ear:

"I remember what I was doing."

"I will do well."

"Do you think it's good?"

He spoke in a sticky, incoherent way, which annoyed Pei Ci to no end. Oh well, she could only take it one step at a time.

She slapped Lu Ran's hand away and gestured for him to drive.

As the car slowly started moving, Ye Qingyu, sitting to the side, pursed her lips.

Ye Qingyu remained conscious throughout, and through her slightly open eyes, she saw two figures pressed together.

Pei Ci's beam of light shone indiscriminately on everyone.

Whether it's a wounded rat or a prisoner who can't have the love he desires.

Ye Qingyu's breathing gradually softened. She could only endure the knife-like pain by recalling Lu Ran's scarlet, desperate eyes.

*

After about a half-hour drive, the car slowly slowed down at a club-themed restaurant in downtown Antalya.

Lu Ran was clearly well-prepared. At this moment, the restaurant owner and staff, dressed in neat uniforms, were waiting outside the store.

Upon seeing the familiar luxury car, they immediately stepped forward and opened the car door themselves.

"Greetings, Young Master Lu."

Lu Ran gave a light "hmm" and waved the person aside. The shop owner, now on the side, kept his gaze on the ground, maintaining an elegant and polite smile. The new employee behind him, however, perhaps lacking experience, subconsciously glanced at the people in the back seat of the car.

Young Master Lu is practically a part-owner of this restaurant. He usually comes here with Jing Lin, has a meal, and then goes upstairs to the private club to vent their energy.

I didn't expect them to bring people with them this time.

There were two girls, from the same school as the young master.

This young master never lets women get close.

That's rare...

Just as he was about to take a closer look, the boss grabbed his arm. The employee, snapping out of his daze, met Lu Ran's icy gaze and immediately lowered his head in fear.

After warning the disobedient servants, Lu Ran got out of the car. He then opened the car door for Pei Ci and Ye Qingyu in the back seat.

Because of the reward in the car, his temper became more stable.

He was willing and happy to do this for Aci. But when it came to Ye Qingyu, he remained calm.

"This is it," Lu Ran said.

Following Lu Ran's pointing finger, Pei Ci surveyed the restaurant's facade. The restaurant was named "Violence Aesthetics," meaning a style that blends violence and aesthetics. The main color scheme of the store was a deep blue-black-gray, which gave people a suffocating feeling.

Looking at the boss and employees next to him, all dressed in identical tight-fitting blue-black suits and black gloves, the feeling of suffocation was amplified.

Lu Ran wanted Ye Qingyu to fight back, and choosing this kind of restaurant was indeed quite suitable.

After observing the situation discreetly, Pei Ci looked at Ye Qingyu beside her and asked, "Is it alright?"

The key today is still Ye Qingyu.

Ye Qingyu did not comment on the restaurant.

The three then entered the restaurant.

The restaurant's interior design is consistent with the exterior, featuring misty blue curtains, black walls, mirrored floors, and crystal chandeliers embedded in the ceiling. The main hall is divided into smaller rooms by openwork black screens.

The restaurant was clearly booked by Lu Ran; there was only classical, somber music playing, and no one else was there.

The owner then led them to a private room.

The private rooms, in the same style, were even more exquisite. At the center of each room was a huge crystal round table, occupying almost two-thirds of the space. On the table were over twenty plates covered with black lids.

"A-Ci, sit here." Lu Ran led Pei Ci to a spot with extra cushions.

Pei Ci had never been to such an environment before, but she wasn't curious. She didn't know what Lu Ran was trying to tell her, but at this point, she could only play along. So she silently sat down in the chair.

The chair was a bit far from the table, so Lu Ran lifted it and moved it forward a little. The room was air-conditioned, set at a comfortable, slightly warm temperature for Pei Ci. After settling Ye Qingyu in, Lu Ran took off his coat and said to Ye Qingyu, who was standing in the doorway:

"Just find somewhere to sit."

Ye Qingyu didn't speak, but glanced at the seating arrangement. The round table could seat more than a dozen people. Lu Ran was sitting next to Pei Ci, and she unexpectedly sat opposite him.

The crystal chandelier overhead stretched the shadows of the two people, creating two competing forces in this stifling and oppressive environment.

"What are you going to do?" Ye Qingyu spoke first.

"No rush." ​​Lu Ran didn't even look at her, but clapped his hands. Then the shop owner pushed the cart and handed a plate from the cart to Pei Ci.

Pei Ci noticed that her dish seemed to be different from the ones on the table; this plate was smaller. Under the gazes of the two people, she opened the black lid.

On the plate was a bowl of porridge served in an exquisite porcelain jar. The porridge was golden yellow, with soft, well-cooked grains. I didn't know what had been added to it, but it smelled wonderful and looked very appetizing.

"This is the restaurant's signature dish," Lu Ran explained from the side. "You can have it to tide you over."

Seeing that Pei Ci didn't move, Lu Ran said, "We can talk about serious matters once you've eaten enough."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Ye Qingyu.

Ye Qingyu acquiesced.

No matter what we do, Pei Ci is the most important.

Pei Ci could only pick up the spoon.

The air was unbelievably quiet at that moment, broken only by the sound of the spoon hitting the ceramic jar. Pei Ci was very agitated; she ate a little and then put down the spoon.

After watching Pei Ci wipe her mouth, Lu Ran tapped the table with his knuckles. "Ye Qingyu, I should treat you to dinner."

Ye Qingyu looked at him without saying a word.

Lu Ran didn't expect him to answer. He raised his finger to the waiter next to him, and the waiter walked over to Ye Qingyu and presented several dishes to Ye Qingyu.

Pei Ci looked over; she wanted to see what Lu Ran was up to.

Ye Qingyu then opened the lid of one of the dishes.

There's no food inside.

It's money.

The green and red banknotes of Antalya, piled high, spilled out of the plate after the lid was removed.

The same was true for the other plates that Ye Qingyu hadn't opened.

It's all money.

Lu Ran didn't even glance at the row of money. He was a young master born into a wealthy and noble family, born into privilege, at the pinnacle that others could not reach. Money was just a concept to him.

For him now, it is a tool to reconcile with Ye Qingyu.

Quiet.

A deathly silence fell over the room.

"Smack—!"

Ye Qingyu knocked over one of the plates, and the money clattered to the ground.

This action caused Pei Ci to clench her fingers tightly.

Lu Ran wasn't surprised by Ye Qingyu's actions; normally, he would have lost his temper. But now he pretended not to see it and ordered the waiter, "Continue."

Then the other plates were moved to Ye Qingyu's front, and this time the waiter opened the lids for her.

This plate contains a gold brick.

The golden hue was particularly dazzling under the light.

Without giving Ye Qingyu time to react, Lu Ran signaled the waiter to reopen the plate.

This time it's a dazzling array of gemstones.

Then there are watches worth millions.

Luxury cars.

Property ownership certificate.

Land ownership.

Everything of worldly value was laid out before Ye Qingyu.

This is an extremely lavish meal.

All of them were hearty dishes.

Lu Ran wasn't good at pleasing people, but that only applied to Pei Ci. Pei Ci was born in the same family as him, and the desires for gold, silver, jewels, fame, and fortune that most people pursue held no appeal for them. Pei Ci's illness, however, was precisely something that even with his wealth and power, Lu Ran couldn't obtain.

For everyone except Pei Ci, this is actually quite simple.

Money and power could not erase the hatred between him and Ye Qingyu.

But when the offer he can make is so astonishing, are there really people who are completely unmoved?

After all, all he wanted was forgiveness.

It doesn't necessarily mean forgiveness from the bottom of one's heart; it's enough to maintain appearances.

High returns with low payouts—is no one tempted by that?

Lu Ran awaited Ye Qingyu's answer.

Ye Qingyu simply stared at the banknotes and jewelry, remaining silent.

The indoor environment was ultimately too hot, so Lu Ran rolled up his sleeves and raised an eyebrow at Pei Ci beside him.

This was a reassuring gesture. After making this gesture, he said:

"Ye Qingyu, this is my compensation to you."

"I deeply apologize for everything I have caused you since you entered the school."

“You are Pei Ci’s friend, and from now on you will be my friend. I hope you can forgive me.”

This was a rare instance of Lu Ran offering a gentle apology.

Ye Qingyu's facial muscles twitched slightly as she looked at the mountain of dishes in front of her and said calmly, "What if I say no?"

Lu Ran had obviously thought of this as well; he hadn't expected to leave unscathed when he came.

"I know you hate me a lot."

"Because none of the instigators, including myself, have received any retribution."

Lu Ran clapped his hands, and the door opened from the outside. This time, it wasn't a waiter who came, but Jing Lin, who had been missing for quite some time.

Jinglin, holding a set of boxing gloves, waved to the three people in the room and said, "Hello, everyone."

No one responded to his greeting, but Jing Lin didn't mind. He placed the boxing gloves in front of Ye Qingyu.

"Oh?" Ye Qingyu seemed to have become somewhat interested.

Lu Ran explained, "This is my boxing club. You can hit me all you want, I won't fight back."

"You can cripple or injure me as you please," Lu Ran said with lowered eyelids, "just leave me alive."

He took the medicine, and his head was spinning. Even if he went crazy, he couldn't do anything.

Even if Ye Qingyu breaks his ribs and knocks out his teeth, he can recover quickly as long as he gets through this.

His relationship with Ah Ci will not end.

It will never end.

Thinking of this, Lu Ran licked his lips. The warmth of A-Ci lingered on his lips, and her fragrance filled his nostrils. His mind calmed even more, almost to the point of despair.

He walked up to Ye Qingyu and said, "Ye Qingyu, as long as you reconcile with me, you can get anything from me."

Ye Qingyu remained silent.

She was looking at the mountain of banknotes, gold, and jewels piled up in front of her, which shimmered under the lights.

From the time she enrolled until now, her suffering and the bullying she endured at school pale in comparison to this treasure.

Ye Qingyu had to admit that if it were just school bullying, doing this much would indeed be enough to move any bullied person.

But this does not include her.

It's too late, all of this has come too late.

The relationship between her and him was never just about school bullying.

The taste of blood filled her mouth as she bit her tongue, which was bitten raw, and she forced herself to swallow.

She stood up from her seat, picked up the boxing gloves on the table, and looked at Pei Ci beside her instead of Lu Ran.

"Pei Ci, come and take a look."

“Jinglin is here too.”