Chapter 33 033 "Just kissing, is that okay?"
Chen Sulin slowly unwrapped the packaging ribbon and opened the box.
Chen Miaoying exclaimed "Wow!" from the side, then said eagerly, "Dad, I want to see the gift Mom gave me too!"
Chen Sulin is tall, and with his normal posture while holding the box, Chen Miaoying, who is in her last year of kindergarten, couldn't see what was inside the box at all.
Meng Ran was amused by her; the little girl was too enthusiastic, exclaiming "Wow!" before even seeing anything.
Chen Sulin said gently, "Wait a minute, Dad hasn't finished looking at it yet."
Chen Miaoying: "Oh... Dad, hurry up!"
Meng Ran thought to herself, "Why is he fighting with a child?"
But seeing the man's earnest expression as he examined the gift, a secret joy rose within her.
She thought that it was always gratifying to receive something as a gift that was appreciated.
Meng Ran watched as Chen Sulin took the pen out of the box.
Having long, slender fingers definitely has its advantages; this pen looks better in his hands than it does in its box.
Seeing that he hadn't opened the pen cap yet, Meng Ran said, "The characters are engraved on the inside of the pen cap. They're a bit small, so you have to look carefully to see them."
Chen Sulin hummed in agreement and opened the pen cap.
Meng Ran: "Did you see that?"
Chen Sulin: "Point it out to me?"
Perhaps the restaurant wasn't well-lit, as it was indeed difficult to find.
Thinking this, Meng Ran leaned closer and squinted her eyes: "Right here... um... yes, right here."
She turned her head to see if he had found it, only to realize that she had unknowingly gotten too close to Chen Sulin.
Especially since the man was looking down to accommodate her, when she looked up, her lips almost touched his chin.
Meng Ran's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly took half a step back to hide her panic.
Did you see that?
Chen Sulin's eyes were clearly smiling: "Yes, thanks to your help, I can see it now."
Meng Ran: "..."
She was certain that Chen Sulin was in a really good mood today, and was even in the mood to laugh at her.
Meng Ran couldn't help but retaliate: "President Chen, you can go to the hospital for a check-up when you have time. Maybe your eyesight has deteriorated from being too busy with work all year round."
Chen Sulin replied casually, "Hmm, I'll consider it."
Meng Ran was speechless. Does this mean that anyone who can sit in Chen Sulin's position must have a thick skin?
Chen Sulin hadn't put down the pen in his hand yet, slowly examining it back and forth as if it contained some important secret.
This made Chen Miaoying anxious: "Dad, why aren't you done looking at it yet?"
Chen Sulin then placed the pen in his daughter's hand: "Be careful, don't drop it."
Chen Miaoying: "Dad was so long-winded today!"
The pen was handed to Chen Miaoying, and the little girl examined it over and over for a long time.
The father and daughter studied the pen for quite some time, taking turns examining it.
Finally, Chen Miaoying had seen enough and returned the pen to Chen Sulin.
"Dad, it's my turn to give you a present!"
The gift Chen Miaoying prepared for her father was a pen holder that she made herself in kindergarten art class.
"Congratulations, Dad! You're another year older!"
After giving birthday gifts, it was time for Chen Miaoying to eat cake, which she had been looking forward to for a long time.
After washing her hands in the restroom, Chen Miaoying sat down at the dining table with shining eyes.
She loves cake the most, but the only downside is that her father only allows her to eat a small piece.
"Dad," Chen Miaoying pleaded, "Can't I really have two pieces?"
Chen Sulin: "No, you've been eating cake way too many times lately."
I just ate at Zhu Haoran's house on Sunday.
Chen Miaoying said coquettishly, "But this time is different. This isn't someone else's cake; it's Daddy's birthday cake!"
Chen Sulin: "...Okay, after you finish the piece on your plate, Dad will cut you a small piece."
Chan Miu-ying: "Yay! Daddy was great today!"
Meng Ran looked at Chen Sulin with surprise.
It's important to know that while Chen Sulin has always been very patient and gentle with his daughter, men are always impartial when it comes to matters related to her health.
Breakfast should not always consist of foods high in sugar; ice cream cones should be limited to half a cone at a time; and the number of times you eat out at restaurants should be strictly controlled each month.
She thought today would be the same; he definitely wouldn't budge. Meng Ran was prepared for her daughter to resort to her charms if they failed.
Unexpectedly, Chen Sulin agreed so readily.
It seems... he's in a really good mood today, good enough that he can indulge his daughter to a certain extent.
Could it be that his work has been going well lately, or that his company signed a big contract?
Noticing her gaze lingering on him for a long time, Chen Sulin asked, "What's wrong?"
Meng Ran: "It's nothing, I just feel..."
She looked at him: "You seem to be having a good day?"
In the past, Meng Ran would never have asked this question.
But after spending these days together, she felt that Chen Sulin was not just the capricious and distant man she knew.
Chen Miaoying, still chewing her cake, mumbled, "Mom, today is Dad's birthday. He can make a wish, receive gifts, and eat cake, so of course he's very happy!"
Meng Ran smiled and said, "That's true."
Chen Miaoying swallowed the cake and tilted her head curiously: "Dad, what did you wish for?"
Meng Ran followed her daughter's gaze, also feeling a bit curious.
Chen Sulin remained expressionless: "I can't tell you."
Chen Miaoying protested, "Why!"
Chen Sulin: "Don't you know that wishes won't come true if you say them out loud?"
Chen Miaoying: "What about Mom? Can't we tell Mom either?"
Chen Sulin: "If I tell Mom, isn't that the same as telling you?"
Meng Ran listened from the side, feeling both annoyed and amused.
Is she such a mother without principles? He underestimates her!
Meng Ran: "You know what, I wasn't actually that curious."
Chen Sulin smiled and said, "Mm."
He looked at her, his voice gentler than usual: "It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that you'll know when your wish comes true."
Meng Ran: "What if it can't be achieved?"
Chen Sulin replied firmly, "No."
Meng Ran: "How did you know?"
She thought she probably had a talent for taking advantage of others' kindness, and since Chen Sulin was in a good mood, she couldn't help but contradict him.
Chen Sulin: "Because the most difficult wish I made has already come true, I think God has been kind to me and shouldn't be stingy in granting my wish again."
Meng Ran's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she didn't dare to ask him what his most difficult wish was.
Chen Miaoying's eyes darted back and forth between her parents.
What riddles are Mom and Dad saying? She can't understand them at all.
Chen Sulin subtly changed the subject: "Speaking of which, shouldn't people celebrating their birthdays have the right to collect debts owed to them?"
The word "debt" made Meng Ran pause.
She feigned ignorance: "What debt?"
Chen Miaoying raised her hand: "I know, Mom! You promised to feed Dad cake!"
She was familiar with the word; her father had asked her for "debts" before, for example, if she was too tired the day before and didn't finish the tasks assigned by the teacher, she would have to make up for them the next day.
Meng Ran: "..."
Why does a five-year-old child have such a good memory?
Is this the kind of strength that comes from receiving elite education from a young age?
Chen Miaoying earnestly comforted Meng Ran: "Mom, it's just Dad and me here today, so you don't have to worry about being seen by other people."
Meng Ran rubbed her forehead.
How come this kid knows everything?
Meng Ran looked at Chen Sulin, her eyes saying: Does it have to be this way?
Chen Sulin said calmly, "Set a good example for your daughter."
He already said that.
Meng Ran pointed to the plate in front of Chen Sulin, indicating that he should hand her the cake.
Chen Sulin: "Don't you have some there?"
Meng Ran choked for a moment.
He doesn't mind that she ate the cake before, so what's there for her to be so fussy about?
Meng Ran scooped a piece of cake from her plate and brought it to Chen Sulin's lips.
Seeing that the man had eaten, she immediately put away her spoon as if she had accomplished her mission, without lingering for even a moment longer.
Chen Sulin found it amusing: "Am I that scary?"
Meng Ran thought to herself, it is very scary, but it's a different kind of scary than before.
Before, I didn't know when he would get angry; now, I don't know when he will be inexplicably happy.
...
A private club in the west of the city.
Zhao Yanzhou entered the private room, and his friend stood up to greet him with a wine glass in hand.
"Yanzhou, how was the afternoon?"
Zhao Yanzhou tossed his coat onto the sofa and pointed to the wine bottle: "Pour me a glass."
"Sure," his friend said with a laugh as he poured a drink. "Since you're treating today, I'll do my part."
Zhao Yanzhou took the wine and downed it in one gulp.
My friend raised an eyebrow and filled my cup again: "What's wrong? Is something not going well?"
Zhao Yanzhou sat down: "It's alright."
Friend: "So what are you doing?"
Zhao Yanzhou didn't answer, but took another swig of wine and glanced at the time on his wristwatch.
It's 15 minutes to seven.
What is she doing right now?
Zhao Yanzhou and Chen Sulin's birthdays are only three days apart.
He remembers that when he was a child, his birthday was always celebrated in a grand way.
He was his father's youngest son, born when his father was over forty. He was spoiled rotten by the elders in the family, and he received so many gifts on his birthday that he was overwhelmed with gratitude.
In contrast, Chen's father was always strict with Chen Sulin, and the Chen family never held the kind of grand birthday parties that wealthy young men often had.
For a while, Zhao Yanzhou even felt sorry for Chen Sulin and asked him if he wanted to celebrate his birthday with him.
Unsurprisingly, I was rejected.
After turning eighteen, Zhao Yanzhou celebrated his birthday every year with a group of brothers, which was very lively.
It seems that Chen Sulin has not publicly celebrated his birthday since he came of age.
So will she spend her birthday at home with Chen Sulin this year?
Just like when she was with him before, she was all smiles and laughter, her heart and eyes filled with him.
Just imagining it for a moment, Zhao Yanzhou felt his stomach twist and his fingers gripping the wine glass clenched involuntarily.
"I think..." Zhao Yanzhou looked up at his friend, "I'm starting to lose control, what should I do?"
His friend was startled by his expression and quickly asked, "What? You couldn't hold back anymore? What happened?"
Zhao Yanzhou: "I want to see her."
The friend, confused, said, "Didn't you see her today? I kept an eye on her for you and watched you follow her in your car."
“You don’t understand.” Zhao Yanzhou shook his head. “When I say ‘see,’ I mean to stand in front of her squarely and tell her that I want to be with her.”
My friend fell silent.
He thought Zhao Yanzhou liked Meng Ran, but at most, he just wanted to have some fun, like other men in the circle.
In wealthy circles, messy relationships between men and women are commonplace. Even when one party is married or both are already married, it's not uncommon for them to have affairs.
But everyone tacitly agreed to stop there. What they did in private was one thing, but in formal occasions, they still acted as loving couples with their partners.
Zhao Yanzhou's friend initially thought that Zhao Yanzhou meant the same thing. He said he didn't care that Meng Ran was already married, which meant he didn't want to marry her.
But judging from the implication in Zhao Yanzhou's words, his friend was no longer sure.
A friend tentatively asked, "Yanzhou, when you said you wanted to be together... you don't mean you're planning to have her divorce Chen Sulin and then marry you, do you?"
Zhao Yanzhou glanced at him: "What? It's not okay?"
Her friend blurted out, "Are you crazy? Even if she herself is willing, do you think Chen Sulin will let her go? And what about your parents? Do you think they'll agree? Besides, she has a daughter!"
Zhao Yanzhou's face was ashen: "As long as she's willing, I can find a way to help anyone else."
My friend hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
What method should we consider?
Who is Chen Sulin? He's a ruthless character who, in his early twenties, forced his own father to abdicate and relinquish power, completely depriving Old Chairman Chen's illegitimate son of his inheritance rights.
Regardless of whether Chen Sulin was simply using Meng Ran or had feelings for her, he could never allow his wife to divorce him and remarry her first love.
Otherwise, wouldn't that be tantamount to telling outsiders that his wife has been entangled with her first love all these years?
What man could bear such an insult?
Furthermore, Chairman Zhao and his wife cannot allow their youngest son to act recklessly without any limits; otherwise, Zhao Yanzhou and Meng Ran would never have broken up back then.
Zhao Yanzhou seemed oblivious to his friend's gaze: "As for the daughter, if she wants to take her away, I can raise her with her."
Friend: "..."
“You really are…” her friend murmured, “If I had known you were this crazy, I wouldn’t have told you I met her today.”
Zhao Yanzhou smirked: "Don't worry, you don't need to tell me her whereabouts anymore. I already know when she'll go out next and where she'll go."
In the afternoon at the hospital, she told Uncle Dong to take her to the lumber store on Friday, and he heard everything.
My friend smiled wryly: "It's not that I'm afraid of trouble, it's that I'm afraid that one day when Chen Sulin comes after you, I'll be caught in the crossfire and get killed too."
...
After dinner, Jiang Yuqing sent a message saying that her mother had arrived home safely.
The doctor advised Ms. Jiang to rest in bed at home and avoid bending over, sitting or standing for long periods. She should see significant improvement within a week and return for a follow-up check-up in a month.
"Ranran, did your Mr. Chen contact the hospital?" Jiang Yuqing asked. "I felt that the doctor today was particularly patient and polite. He spent ten minutes just explaining the precautions to me."
"Back then, because of my mother's illness, I went to the People's Hospital dozens of times, and I've never seen a doctor with such a good attitude."
Meng Ran: "Really? I didn't know... I'll ask him when I have a chance."
Jiang Yuqing: "Okay. If it really is him, I, Jiang Yuqing, owe him a favor, and I will definitely find a chance to repay it."
Meng Ran smiled: "That's rare."
Jiang Yuqing: "I've always been very clear about right and wrong! Oh, by the way, I'll treat you to a meal this weekend as a way of thanking you for your help this time."
Meng Ran: "Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Meng Ran went to take a shower.
After saying goodnight to Chen Miaoying, Meng Ran hesitated whether to call out to Chen Sulin.
She wanted to ask him if he had helped contact the hospital, but then felt it was unnecessary to ask at this point.
Perhaps we can bring it up casually during the next dinner.
Just as she was struggling with her decision, Chen Sulin called out to her.
"I have something to tell you," he said. "To the study?"
Meng Ran hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "I also have something I want to ask you."
She followed him into the study.
Chen Sulin gestured, "You go first."
"It's nothing serious," Meng Ran said. "I just wanted to ask you, when I took Jiang Yuqing's mother to the hospital this time, didn't you help contact the hospital?"
Chen Sulin paused, his fingertips pausing: "Why do you ask that?"
Meng Ran's brow twitched: Was Jiang Yuqing wrong about this reaction?
"It's nothing," she said. "Because Jiang Yuqing said that the doctor was particularly kind when giving instructions today."
Chen Sulin's brow furrowed slightly.
It seems it really wasn't him.
Seeing this, Meng Ran smiled and said, "Maybe Jiang Yuqing is overthinking it. Maybe the doctor we met today was just a nice person."
Chen Sulin: "Hmm."
Meng Ran: "I have nothing else to say, then—"
Chen Sulin: "Wait a minute."
Meng Ran was slightly taken aback: "Hmm?"
Chen Sulin said helplessly, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I haven't said what I wanted to say yet."
Meng Ran, embarrassed, replied, "Oh, then you tell me."
She was in such a hurry to leave that she forgot that it was Chen Sulin who first said he needed to talk to her.
Ever since that near-miss on Sunday night, she's been constantly overly nervous when she's alone with him.
Chen Sulin: "If something similar happens again, call me."
Meng Ran looked at him with a slight confusion.
What do you mean by "similar things"?
Chen Sulin: "For example, if someone needs your help to get to the hospital, call me first."
Meng Ran: "..."
Chen Sulin: "What?"
Meng Ran: "I was thinking, shouldn't that be your working hours? It wouldn't be good to disturb you if you were in a meeting or something. Besides, your relationship with Jiang Yuqing wasn't good to begin with, so I can handle this myself..."
Chen Sulin tapped his knuckles on the table, a rare hint of annoyance in his eyes: "Didn't you say you hoped I could get along well with Jiang Yuqing?"
Meng Ran blinked.
Oh, I think she did say that.
However, she was just saying it casually; she didn't really expect Chen Sulin to do anything for her sake.
Chen Sulin: "Besides, it was you who took her mother to the hospital. I'm not helping Jiang Yuqing, I'm helping you."
"So, if you encounter a similar situation again, just contact me directly."
Chen Sulin's tone left no room for refusal.
Meng Ran unconsciously replied with an "okay," and saw that the man's expression finally softened.
She found it strange that he seemed quite reluctant to help her when she didn't want to.
I'm trying to help him, but he doesn't appreciate it. This guy is really hard to please.
Meng Ran: "Then... I'll go back?"
Chen Sulin: "Meng Ran."
He didn't call her by her full name often, and every time he did, Meng Ran's heart would involuntarily skip a beat.
Meng Ran: "What's wrong?"
Chen Sulin softened his voice: "I said I wouldn't force you, and I definitely won't."
Meng Ran was taken aback when he saw through her thoughts, and then her face tightened a little.
“…I understand,” she said.
Chen Sulin: "So, stop avoiding me all the time?"
Meng Ran: "Mm."
Seeing that she agreed, Chen Sulin took two steps closer.
The tall figure loomed over her, and Meng Ran's breath caught in her throat instantly.
He wouldn't let her hide, but what did it mean that he suddenly got so close?
Just as she was thinking this, she heard Chen Sulin speak in a deep voice.
"Can we just kiss, without doing anything else?"
Meng Ran blinked slowly, and after realizing what he was saying, her face turned bright red.
How could he be so greedy?
She had just promised not to avoid him when he made a new request.
And if you're going to kiss, why ask beforehand? How is she supposed to answer that?
Meng Ran bit her lip and remained silent, but this time Chen Sulin seemed determined to get her answer before he would make a move.
Where did that man who used to kiss me without asking go?
Under Chen Sulin's dark gaze, Meng Ran felt that even breathing became difficult.
Even more terrifying, she discovered that her body craved him.
Just the close breathing of them made her legs feel weak.
Meng Ran didn't dare to look at him, and said softly with her eyes downcast, "It's your birthday today... whatever you say goes."
A very soft laugh came from above.
Her chin was held in a large hand, and Chen Sulin lifted her face, gently covering her lips with his.
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Author's Note: Sorry for the writer's block, I'm late.
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