However, since she wasn't ready herself, this would give her some buffer time. Suddenly having such a big change in their relationship would leave her at a loss too.
After a moment's thought, Jian Ran agreed readily. "Okay, no problem."
"There are two conditions, right? What's the other one?"
After hearing the first, she was curious about the second.
Chu Lulin's eyes deepened as he looked at her directly, his gaze frank and intense. After a few seconds, he said, "I won't be the other man."
Jian Ran: "..."
He was willing to be kept, but not be the other man.
Well, in a way, he had principles.
But when taking this shortcut, did those things really matter?
Jian Ran frowned, a hint of doubt rising in her heart.
The two conditions alone weren't odd, but combined—not being the other man meant keeping the relationship exclusive, plus wanting a process...
"Big Sister, I know my conditions might be excessive. It's just that this is my first time doing this. There are some things I can't get past yet..."
Chu Lulin lowered his head, looking dejected, with an almost pitiful sense of restraint.
Seeing him like this, Jian Ran's heart softened, and her previous concerns vanished.
Yes, she didn't know others, but she knew a bit about Chu Lulin. Given his situation, having stronger morals was understandable.
As he said, since it was his first time, he needed time to get over certain hurdles.
So she didn't hesitate any longer and agreed directly.
But just as her boldness hadn't fully subsided, her gaze swept over Chu Lulin and she suddenly realized something.
Agreeing so quickly—wasn't that a bit damaging to her dignity as a 'rich woman'?
It made her seem too eager.
At that moment, a sense of pride as a sugar mommy surged within her.
She cleared her throat. "You've stated your conditions. Now hear mine."
He had proposed two, so to not lose face, she should propose at least three.
Hearing this, Chu Lulin turned to her. "Okay, Big Sister, go ahead."
Seeing him agree so readily, Jian Ran was taken aback and momentarily speechless.
Coming up with three demands on the spot was a bit difficult, since she had never thought about this before.
So, with a flash of inspiration, she simply copied his two conditions, leaving her to think of just one more.
Chu Lulin naturally had no objections and even kindly offered, "Those two were my conditions—I should abide by them anyway. Big Sister can propose two more."
Jian Ran: "..."
That was unnecessary!
"Let's just leave it at that. No need to be so particular." She waved her hand, acting generous.
Chu Lulin didn't insist and silently waited for her third condition.
Jian Ran paused for a few seconds, her gaze sweeping over Chu Lulin's ridiculously handsome face.
Got it!
"My third condition is that during our relationship, you can't casually add other girls on WeChat."
Given Chu Lulin's looks, he must get hit on by girls all the time.
This condition was essential.
"Okay, I'll listen to Big Sister." Chu Lulin nodded lightly, looking as if he would obey whatever she said. "I won't add any girls on WeChat from now on."
Jian Ran: "...You don't have to be that absolute."
Normal social interaction was fine; she meant the unsolicited pickups.
And so, the matter was oddly settled. Both seemed a bit overwhelmed, unsure what to say next.
Too many things had happened tonight; they obviously needed time to digest. Plus, it was getting late, so parting ways was the best choice.
Chu Lulin got out of the passenger seat. The sparse streetlights stretched his shadow long.
At some point, he had taken off his suit jacket and held it in his hand, revealing a simple but high-quality black silk shirt with the collar slightly open, and fitted suit trousers that cinched at the waist.
The well-tailored clothes accentuated his physique—broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. He exuded a sexy, cool allure.
Strikingly handsome.
It made one's heart flutter.
Jian Ran suddenly understood what Liu Miaoke had meant at the bar by 'illicit thoughts'—basically, 'wanting to sleep with him.'
But more accurately, it was—sexual attraction.
Through these days together, Jian Ran often felt that Chu Lulin had a contradictory aura, blending boyishness with mature sexiness.