After entering the school, Jiang Ming and the others made a detour to the lab. By the time he returned to the dorm, Chu Lulin was already back.
“Yo~ back so early? Didn’t you want to spend more time with Ran Jie?”
Chu Lulin placed the watch in the cabinet, locked it, and replied succinctly, “It’s cold outside.”
On a late autumn night, with Jian Ran dressed for style rather than warmth, staying out too long might have made her catch a cold.
Jiang Ming couldn’t help teasing him. “Never thought I’d see you being so considerate.”
Chu Lulin ignored him. “How come you’re back alone? Where are Hu Wei and Zheng Yue?”
Jiang Ming waved his hand. “Don’t even mention it. Hu Wei had a problem with some data, so he’s busy in the lab. As for Zheng Yue, what else can he do? He’s with his girlfriend.”
After speaking, he noticed the shopping bag on the table. “A gift from Ran Jie, right?”
Chu Lulin hummed lightly.
Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow, pulled a chair over, and leaned in gossipily. “Be honest with me, bro. Is it Ran Jie?”
Chu Lulin hesitated. “Is it what?”
Jiang Ming clicked his tongue. “Don’t play dumb. You know what I’m asking. Ran Jie is the one you’ve been secretly in love with, isn’t she?”
Chu Lulin lifted his eyelids and glanced at him coolly.
For a moment, he couldn’t tell if he was that bad at hiding it or if Jiang Ming had gotten smarter.
Jiang Ming rolled his eyes and mercilessly exposed him. “Tonight, your eyes were glued to her; you couldn’t tear them away if you tried. I’d have to be blind not to notice.”
“And you’re usually so aloof and hard to please, but Ran Jie had you wrapped around her finger with just a few words. She hooked you effortlessly.”
Not only him, but Senior Zheng probably guessed something too. Only fools like Hu Wei still believed Jian Ran was really Chu Lulin’s sister.
“But seriously, is Ran Jie really your sister’s bestie?” Jiang Ming asked curiously.
Had he been secretly in love with her for years?
Chu Lulin nodded helplessly.
It was actually a lucky coincidence. He was surprised too when Jian Ran said it, because when he met her, he didn’t know she was connected to his sister.
“Damn! Then you’re really hopeless,” Jiang Ming said, disgusted by his incompetence. “With the waterwheel by the tower, why waste time pining? Go for it!”
Chu Lulin was silent for a while, lost in thought.
After a long moment, he exhaled deeply and said flatly, “How do you know I didn’t?”
Over the past six years, he had appeared by her side many times, but she never saw him.
Every time he was full of hope, but never got what he wanted.
Back then, her eyes were only on Zhou Yu; she couldn’t see anyone else.
But it didn’t matter. In the end, he waited until she noticed him.
Jiang Ming scratched his head. That was indeed tough, but it didn’t stop him from racking his brains for ideas to help his buddy.
“I’ve got it. This weekend, there’s the hot spring trip to West Mountain. Why don’t you bring Ran Jie along?”
Their lab had recently passed a project acceptance, and their advisor was in a great mood. He generously arranged a fully funded trip for eating, drinking, and fun, even generously allowing them to bring guests.
“You can’t be too honest when chasing someone. Soaking in hot springs—what a great opportunity. Invite her out and create some alone time to spice things up.”
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ming, a lifelong bachelor, had plenty to say about pursuing someone.
Chu Lulin was actually tempted by the idea.
He rarely participated in group outings, but if Jian Ran could come along, it might not be so bad.
The next day, with little work at the Embroidery Workshop, Jian Ran finished early and clocked out on time.
As soon as she entered the house, she smelled the rich aroma of home-cooked food.
Hearing the noise, Chu Lulin poked his head out from the kitchen. “Just one more stir-fried vegetable. It’ll be ready soon.”
Jian Ran smiled and said no rush. But despite her words, after washing her hands, she sneaked a piece of braised pork into her mouth when Chu Lulin wasn’t looking.
Delicious.
When Chu Lulin came out with the plate, Jian Ran had just swallowed the meat, erasing all evidence—a perfect crime.
But just as she was secretly smug, the oily shine at the corner of her mouth gave her away completely.
A trace of barely detectable amusement flickered in Chu Lulin’s eyes, but he kept a straight face as if he hadn’t noticed anything.
He filled a bowl of rice and handed it to Jian Ran. “Sister must be hungry. Eat first. I’ll go change the water for Hulu and be right back.”
“It’s fine. I’m not that hungry. I’ll wait for you,” Jian Ran said, unaware that she had been caught. She just didn’t mind waiting.
Besides, she really wasn’t that hungry; she was just craving food.
She didn’t know why, but Chu Lulin’s cooking seemed to get better and better. Sometimes, even the same dish tasted even more to her liking the next time he made it.
Nowadays, they rarely ate out. Whenever they had time to meet, they usually ate at home.
Chu Lulin had also perfected the portions—one meat, one vegetable, one soup, and just the right amount of rice, leaving no leftovers in the fridge.
Seeing that Jian Ran was full and satisfied, Chu Lulin put down his chopsticks. “Do you have any plans this weekend, Sister?”