Chapter 16: Your Place, My Place, or a Hotel?

Morning light, as gentle as a quince, warmed Lin Ran in his slumber.

"Son, get up for breakfast," Zhang Huiru called as she pushed open the door. She paused in surprise; her son was usually sprawled out in all directions when he slept. Today, though, she found him resting quietly in the sunshine, his skin fair and his features handsome.

Blessed with the self-discipline of a male lead and a top-tier facial cleanser—double buffs in effect!

My son is truly handsome.

Lin Ran woke up. "Mom, isn't it early?"

"Your dad and I are going to the countryside to see your grandmother later. Do you want to come?"

"I've got something to do today, so I won't go. Next time, for sure." Lin Ran had arranged to meet Jian Wei'an that afternoon.

"Alright, take it easy at home and don't stress yourself out," Zhang Huiru said, thinking about how her son used to love visiting his grandmother's house, but now that he’d graduated and hadn’t found a job yet, he probably didn’t want to go and face all those nosy questions from relatives.

"Here." Zhang Huiru pulled out five hundred yuan and handed it to Lin Ran.

He blinked in confusion. "Why are you giving me money?"

"Just take it."

Lin Ran was touched and amused—his mother must be worried he had no money since he hadn’t found a job. "It's alright. I've picked up some freelance work online, making games, and earned a bit. You keep it. I'm an adult now; I can't keep spending your money."

With that, Lin Ran took out his phone and transferred a thousand yuan to Zhang Huiru.

"Mom, I just sent you a thousand yuan. Buy a couple of outfits for Grandpa and Grandma and take them back as a gift from me."

"You really made this much money online?"

"Would I lie to you? Wait until I've earned even more and I’ll buy you gold jewelry."

"Alright, alright, I always knew you’d be successful. Remember to eat breakfast. Your dad and I are heading out."

Zhang Huiru left the room delighted, and Lin Ran caught sight of his father Lin Jiancheng, wearing a reserved and slightly jealous expression.

Lin Ran quickly said, "Dad, once I earn more, I'll get you the latest fishing rod."

Lin Jiancheng gave a mock protest, "Don’t go spending so much. Keep up the good work, son. Your mother and I will be off now."

"Alright!"

Lin Ran was a top university graduate. Telling his parents he'd earned some money online, they could believe that. But if he said he had over a million in his account, they’d definitely be suspicious—especially since he was broke just a few days ago. He’d have to find a foolproof way to make his newfound wealth believable.

He stretched lazily. Another two thousand yuan had arrived in his account for the day—another energetic start. Fantastic!

After getting up to wash, he noticed he looked even more handsome in the mirror. Even his posture had changed. Where he used to slouch and constantly look at his phone, neck craned forward, now everything had corrected itself.

His posture, whether standing or sitting, was upright—not stiff, but carrying an air of poise.

The self-discipline of a male lead really worked wonders.

After breakfast, Lin Ran put on his headphones, listening to music as he took the dog out for a walk.

Passing the bus stop, he spotted a girl in pink waiting for the bus. Dressed in a white dress with a cute pink backpack, her skin was fair and her figure voluptuous.

Wasn't that Jiang Shuyao?

"Shuyao, is that you?" Lin Ran greeted her with a grin. "Where are you off to?"

"I’m going to hang out with Lu Man," she replied, then turned away with a huff. "Hmph, I don’t want to talk to you."

"What’s wrong?"

"I..." Jiang Shuyao bit her lip, unable to hold back any longer. "Did you see anything last night?"

"No, not at all. I didn’t see a thing."

"Really?"

"Really. Not even a hair."

"Ahhhhhhh!" Jiang Shuyao was beside herself.

"You're terrible, Lin Ran!"

Pfft—

Lin Ran almost coughed up blood from laughter.

Well, that's as good as a confession.

"Sigh... You two are dating, and I help you walk dogs, carry things, get dog food all over myself. After your date, I end up getting an eyeful too. My life is so hard."

Jiang Shuyao looked adorably aggrieved.

Lin Ran patted her on the shoulder. "Shuyao, as long as you help me win over Jian Wei'an, I’ll reward you handsomely. Your fate will change."

"You want me to betray my best friend?"

"A thousand if you succeed!"

"I’m not that kind of person."

"Two thousand!"

"Lin Ran, what do you take me for?"

"Three thousand!"

"I hate guys like you who think money solves everything. Tell me, what do you want to know about Wei'an?"

Lin Ran liked how quick-witted Jiang Shuyao was.

"You and Wei'an are close. Tell me what she likes to eat, what she's interested in. I need these to win her over."

"She likes Baibai."

"Speaking of Baibai, why is she so attached to that dog?"

"It was her grandmother’s pet. Her grandmother raised Baibai for half a year, adored her, but passed away recently. The rest of the family does business out of town and wanted to give Baibai away, but Wei'an wouldn’t have it. She kept Baibai by her side as a way to remember her grandmother. Baibai is adorable—I love her, too."

"So that’s it. Quick, tell me, how do I win Wei'an over?"

"What if you can’t?"

"If I can’t, I’ll chase after you."

"Dog."

The bus arrived, and Jiang Shuyao boarded.

"Hey, hey, you haven’t told me what Wei'an likes!"

She sat by the window, slid it open, and called out, "Wei'an’s never dated before, so I don’t know what kind of guy she likes. But... she used to love reading those overbearing CEO romance novels—so probably someone domineering but super doting. Like, the kind who pins her against the wall for no reason or dries her hair for her. Oh, and she loves snail noodles. Good luck, I’m rooting for you!"

The bus drove off.

"Overbearing CEO? Snail noodles? What kind of combination is that?"

Lin Ran despised snail noodles. There were some at home because his dad tolerated them, but every time Lin Ran was home for the holidays, his mom wouldn't eat them since he couldn't stand the smell.

Do girls really like those overbearing CEO types?

For the sake of seventy affection points, he’d trust Jiang Shuyao this once—go all in.

He booked a candlelit dinner at a nearby Western restaurant.

To make things formal and play the part of the overbearing CEO from those novels, he took out his custom-tailored suit—the one his dad had taken him to buy for job interviews at top gaming companies.

Now it was being used for flirting?

Well, either way, it was about making money.

At two in the afternoon, Wei'an messaged: [Lin Ran, the studio gave me a demo to edit today—they want to see how I do before deciding if they’ll hire me. I might not be able to hang out this afternoon.]

Lin Ran replied: [Finding a job is important, no worries. I’ve booked dinner. Once you’re done, we’ll go eat.]

He’d hoped to stroll around together and build rapport, but that plan was scrapped. He wasn’t her boyfriend yet, so he had no right to comment on her job hunt.

Besides, he needed to score affection points, and getting in the way of her career would only backfire.

Wei'an: [Okay, I’ll get to work now.]

Lin Ran: [Good luck! I believe in you.]

At that moment, her affection rating: 54.

Being understanding actually bumped it up by one point.

With the rest of the afternoon free, Lin Ran lay on his bed, studying the 'Overbearing CEO Falls for Me' series of novels.

Each plot twist left him dumbfounded, for instance—

["Boss, madam has an ectopic pregnancy—it's dangerous."
"Then move it to the uterus. My woman can’t be in danger."]

[His girlfriend liked to nap at KFC, but the sunlight was harsh. The boss found out and had every KFC in the city fitted with blackout curtains.]

["I've never known what it feels like to be rejected. Good, you’ve caught my attention."]

What the—!

Lin Ran was speechless.

What on earth were these stories?

He couldn’t imitate that, not in a million years.

At six thirty, Wei'an messaged: [I’m off work, just got to the apartment complex. I’ll run home first.]

Lin Ran: [Okay, I’ll wait for you at the gate.]

Wei'an: [Mhm.]

Lin Ran put on his suit and tie, checking his reflection. He almost looked the part of the domineering CEO; as the novels would say, "His eyes held three parts mockery, three parts cool indifference, and four parts casual disregard."

Ugh, what nonsense!

He shook off the ridiculous CEO lines.

The weather turned gloomy—it started to rain.

He grabbed an umbrella and headed for Wei'an’s apartment building—only about three hundred meters away.

Just then—

Wei'an called. "Lin Ran, something’s wrong with Baibai."

"What happened?"

"I found her unable to stand when I got home. Her food bowl’s still full—she hasn’t eaten all day. I’m taking her to the animal hospital."

Jiang Shuyao had mentioned that Baibai was Wei'an’s grandmother’s beloved dog. Wei'an cared a lot.

"I’m at the gate. I’ll go with you."

"Okay."

Soon, Wei'an appeared, clutching Baibai and running through the rain.

Lin Ran glanced at Baibai—she looked listless.

"Has she been vaccinated against parvo?"

"She has."

"Where’s Shuyao?"

"She’s out with Susu and the others, not back yet. Let’s go to the vet first."

Lin Ran held the umbrella.

Wei'an, too worried to care about getting wet, dashed ahead to the clinic, Baibai in her arms.

At the animal hospital—

"Doctor, please take a look at my Baibai. I think she’s sick," Wei'an fretted, brushing her wet bangs aside, worry etched across her face.

Her clothes were soaked; Lin Ran slipped off his jacket and draped it around her.

Wei'an didn’t notice—her only thought was for Baibai’s well-being.

The vet examined Baibai as he asked, "When did this start?"

"Two days ago."

"Did she eat anything unusual?"

"No, nothing out of the ordinary. The day before yesterday she played with my friend’s husky, they… mated once, and after coming home, she’s been like this. Today she’s completely listless, can’t even stand."

"I see. Let me check."

Lin Ran watched anxiously from the side. What Wei'an said was true—Baibai had mated with his husky two days ago and had been like this since.

Huskies in Jinjiang District were notorious for being flirts, siring puppies everywhere, but surely his dog couldn’t have given Baibai some disease?

Impossible—his husky was healthy.

Not good.

This was Wei'an’s grandmother’s cherished pet.

And tonight, he was hoping to raise her affection points.

If anything happened to Baibai, all his hopes were dashed.

Lin Ran quickly said, "Doctor, whatever it takes, please save Baibai. I’ll pay whatever it costs."

The vet drew blood and did some tests. "She’s perfectly healthy, not sick at all."

Whew—

Lin Ran let out a long breath, his heart finally at ease.

I knew my husky was clean—not every female dog would do, he only played with respectable ones.

Wei'an pressed, "If she’s not sick, then why can’t she stand up?"

The vet replied, "She hasn’t eaten. Did you change her dog food? Maybe she doesn’t like it?"

"No," said Wei'an.

"That’s odd, let me think..." The vet mused for a moment. "It’s probably psychological."

Lin Ran was bewildered. "Dogs can get mental illnesses? Depression?"

The vet nodded. "Animals can too. Has this Samoyed refused food and water all this time?"

Wei'an shook her head. "Not exactly. She’ll eat a little when my friend visits."

Lin Ran added, "Right. She gets really excited when I’m around, but today she’s just down."

The vet asked, "You’re the owner of the husky?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any videos of your husky? If so, let me see."

"I do, let me find one." Lin Ran found a video of his husky running on the grass and handed it over. The vet played it for Baibai.

Baibai’s drooping head perked up, her tail wagging.

The vet smiled. "That’s it. Lovesickness."

"What? Dogs can get lovesick?" Lin Ran and Wei'an were stunned.

"Absolutely. Search online and you’ll find plenty of cases. Dogs can get lovesick just like people."

"So what do we do?"

The vet shrugged. "A heart ailment needs a heart remedy. Let her see your handsome husky—once they meet, she’ll be cured."

Lin Ran stifled a laugh.

Good job, Husky—coming through as the ultimate wingman. I’ll make sure you get an extra chicken leg tomorrow.

Wei'an asked, "Lin Ran, can you bring your husky out so they can meet?"

"I could, but it’s pouring outside. Should I really bring him out in the rain?"

Wei'an glanced at the downpour. "Then what do we do?"

Lin Ran suggested, "Either I bring my husky to your place, or you bring Baibai to mine."

"???"

Wei'an looked up at Lin Ran’s so-called “righteous” face.

Was he doing this for the dog, or for himself?

"Or... we could get a hotel room and let them meet there."

What kind of suggestion was that?

A hotel?

Wei'an’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Why did it have to rain today of all days?

But honestly, indoors was the only option.

Still, she lived with Jiang Shuyao and wasn’t at the stage where she’d bring Lin Ran home—especially with roommates.

Rent a hotel room for the dogs?

As dog owners, they’d both have to be present.

What did that even mean? Was she and Lin Ran getting a room together?

No way.

Go to his place?

Even more impossible. What would people think?

Seeing her caught in deep indecision, Lin Ran said, "Wei'an, you don’t want anything to happen to Baibai, do you?"

That stunned her.

True—if Baibai’s lovesickness dragged on, it wouldn’t just be a broken heart, it could turn into something serious.

For Baibai’s sake, she had to make a tough choice.

"Alright."

"Alright as in? Are we going to your place, mine, or a hotel?"

"You’re awful!"

Wei'an’s ears turned scarlet as she scooped up Baibai and made for the door, flustered.

"Which way to your place?"