Mm... her suppressed lustful heart seemed to be stirring.
She felt a little dizzy.
With wicked thoughts in her head and improper images running through her mind, Jian Ran couldn't help feeling a bit guilty.
Fortunately, they had just walked out of the club, and a night breeze blew away most of those lascivious thoughts.
Jian Ran's car was parked in the adjacent lot. As they descended the steps, they ran into the group from A University that she least wanted to see.
What a small world!
Since they had already burned bridges, Jian Ran had no intention of greeting them. But just as she was about to ignore them completely, she spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
Zhang Fan, Zhou Yu's former college roommate and longtime friend.
Jian Ran hadn't seen him in the club earlier and didn't know if he was with the group or just happened to run into them.
Zhang Fan was also visibly surprised to see Jian Ran.
His eyes then fell on their intertwined hands, a flicker of hesitation in his expression, but he still walked over.
Jian Ran let go of Chu Lulin's hand.
Chu Lulin lowered his gaze, staring at the now-empty hand for two seconds, his expression unreadable.
"Jian Ran, long time no see."
Jian Ran nodded lightly. "Long time no see."
She couldn't treat Zhang Fan the same way she treated the others behind him. He was one of the few among Zhou Yu's friends who had supported her and Zhou Yu's relationship. Over the years, he had always been polite to her. She had heard that when Zhou Yu brought Su Yan to the alumni gathering last time, Zhang Fan had publicly questioned the appropriateness of that move.
For that alone, Jian Ran appreciated him.
A few more people followed Zhang Fan. They weren't from the earlier group in the club. Jian Ran wasn't very close to them, but she knew their names.
They exchanged a few pleasantries. One of the men took a cigarette out of a pack and offered it to Chu Lulin beside him.
Jian Ran instinctively reached out to block him. "Sorry, he's still a student. He doesn't smoke."
The group was obviously surprised to hear that Chu Lulin was a student.
The man awkwardly withdrew the cigarette.
Jian Ran also withdrew her hand, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Chu Lulin's expression had turned cold. He seemed a bit unhappy.
She remembered hearing that cigarettes were a social currency among men. Her refusal on his behalf might have been inappropriate.
It might make him lose face.
But she still thought Chu Lulin, being a student, shouldn't pick up the habit of smoking.
Without thinking, she suddenly pulled a lollipop out of her coat pocket—one she didn't remember putting there—unwrapped it, turned, and handed it to Chu Lulin.
Chu Lulin was taken aback, looking at the lollipop in her hand, not quite reacting.
Jian Ran didn't overthink it. She brought it directly to his lips, her voice coaxing. "Orange flavor. It's good."
Chu Lulin lowered his eyes at the lollipop near his mouth. The distant look in his eyes softened with warmth.
Finally, he parted his lips and took the lollipop.
Cute and obedient, yet somehow cool.
Seeing that she had successfully appeased him, Jian Ran quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
But the people nearby, watching their intimate exchange, wore thoughtful expressions.
Except Zhang Fan. Jian Ran wasn't really close to these people. After a few more words, she excused herself.
They arrived at the parking lot.
Jian Ran handed Chu Lulin the car keys. Seeing the lollipop still in his mouth, she asked, "Is it good?"
Chu Lulin's eyes curved, clearly in a good mood, no trace of his previous coldness.
"Sweet, since you fed it to me."
Jian Ran snorted and playfully scolded him for his 'sweet talk.'
But she didn't know that their actions were seen by someone not far away, interpreted differently.
Xie Tong, watching Jian Ran, couldn't help sneering. "Hah, and she thought she was so great. After breaking up with Zhou Yu, all she could find was a pretty boy!"
"Don't say that. Maybe it's a normal relationship. That guy looks okay, not like a gold digger."
"Who says he isn't? Why else would she date a younger guy? He's clearly younger than her, and still a student..."
Zhang Fan, hearing the whispers behind him, frowned.
But since the speakers were girls, he hesitated to say anything.
But Li Wei, standing beside him, had no such qualms. She had just come out with Zhang Fan and a few others to discuss some personal matters. When she returned to the room, she heard about their conflict with Jian Ran.
To be honest, Li Wei had never approved of Xie Tong's crowd's behavior.
No matter what happened between Jian Ran and Zhou Yu, that was their private business. What made these people so arrogant?
"What's wrong with dating a younger guy? If I had Jian Ran's wealth, I'd do the same," she retorted bluntly.
Finding a younger guy with such looks and temperament was Jian Ran's own skill. If they were capable, they could find one too.
Sour remarks like that only made them look worse.
"Besides, anyone with eyes can see how that guy looks at Jian Ran. If he's after her money, it's a shame he's not an actor with that performance!"
Li Wei's words left the group silent.
Xie Tong and her friends wanted to retort but found no argument. They could only flush red and back down.
Zhang Fan looked at the car as it merged into the traffic. After a moment's thought, he took out his phone and sent a text message.
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Author's note: Jian Ran: He's still a student, so obedient, definitely doesn't smoke.
Little author hesitates and says: But he does smoke and drink in private.