Chapter 18: A Man and a Woman Alone in a Room

Lin Ran hid Vivian’s high heels in the shoe cabinet and, having composed himself, opened the door.

“Mom, Dad, why are you back so soon?”

His mother answered, “We were supposed to stay the night, but your father got a call from a client and came back to organize some insurance documents.”

“Where are my keys?” His father changed his shoes and began searching for them as he entered.

Lin Ran’s father worked at an insurance company and, thanks to his years of experience, most of his clients were referred by friends. Lin Ran, having grown up around the business, understood insurance well enough that, whenever his father was too busy, he would deliver documents to clients himself.

Woof woof~

At that moment, Baibai barked.

“Huh? Since when do we have a Samoyed?”

His parents spotted the snow-white Samoyed next to their husky in the dog bed. Both dogs rested their heads on the edge of the bed, gazing at the family.

“My friend is on a business trip to Chongqing and asked me to take care of her dog for a day. Baibai, come here.”

Baibai crawled out of the bed and sat obediently in front of Lin Ran, tail wagging.

His mother stroked Baibai. “So cute.”

Baibai turned and ran to Lin Ran’s bedroom door, barking nonstop.

His mother frowned. “What’s in there? She keeps barking at the door.”

“Uh… well…” Lin Ran hesitated. “Nothing, she just misses her home.”

His mother didn’t think much of it, fetched her pajamas from the master bedroom, and went to shower.

The Lin family’s apartment had three bedrooms, one of which was used as a study. Lin Ran’s father emerged from the study and headed straight for Lin Ran’s room.

“Son, my computer froze. I’m going to use your computer to finish a quote.”

“No!” Lin Ran rushed to block the doorway.

“No?” His father eyed his flustered son, immediately understanding—there must be something on his son’s computer he shouldn’t see.

“Clean up whatever you need to and bring it to me.”

With that, his father returned to the study.

Lin Ran knocked softly. “I’m coming in.”

Creak—the door opened and Vivian let him slip inside.

“Lin Ran, what do we do now?” Vivian was anxious.

“Don’t panic. My mom’s in the shower, my dad’s in the study. I’ll take my laptop to him, and you slip out while he’s distracted, got it?”

Vivian nodded vigorously. Though Lin Ran wasn’t the most reliable, she had no choice but to trust him now.

Lin Ran grabbed his laptop and stepped into the hallway. “Follow me.”

Vivian threw on his jacket, tiptoeing behind him like a thief, Baibai at her heels, and the husky joining in. Two people and two dogs formed a line.

To reach the door, they had to pass the study and then the bathroom.

“Dad, here you go.” Lin Ran entered the study, blocking the view of the corridor behind him.

This was Vivian’s chance for freedom. She darted forward.

Just as she took two steps, the bathroom door swung open. Squeak—

Vivian skidded to a halt, spun around, and dashed back into Lin Ran’s room.

Hmm?

His father noticed a shadow flicker across the wall and the door.

“What just ran by?” he asked.

Lin Ran smiled. “The dog!”

“Oh,” his father replied, returning to his work.

“Dad, take your time with the quote. I’ll be in my room.” Lin Ran excused himself and went back.

Inside, Vivian was crouched on the floor, drawing circles in despair. On either side, the husky and Baibai lay watching her.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“I’d barely reached the bathroom when your mom opened the door.”

“Don’t worry. Once they’re both asleep, you can leave.”

“Okay.”

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Lin Ran’s mother was staring intently at a dress in the washing machine, lost in thought.

She was certain it wasn’t hers.

Whose, then?

There were no other women in the house, and the dress had clearly been worn.

Her son had been home alone all day.

She dared not think further. She hurried to Lin Ran’s door and knocked sharply.

“Son, open the door. I need to talk to you.”

Vivian jumped in fright, shaking her head desperately, begging him not to open up.

Lin Ran gestured for silence, then cracked the door open, feigning drowsiness. “Mom? What is it?”

“Did you have a girl over today?”

“No, definitely not.”

“What did you do at home today?”

“Nothing at all.”

His mother watched his shifty eyes and panicked expression. It was obvious he was hiding something.

“Son, some interests aren’t suitable for boys, and some things are best left untried. Otherwise, you may never turn back.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She raised the dress.

“Mom, you’re overthinking it. Why would I wear a dress?”

From inside the room came a barely suppressed giggle.

“What’s that noise?” his mother asked.

“Baibai and the husky are sneezing. Mom, it’s not what you think. The dress belongs to Baibai’s owner.”

At that, her eyes lit up. “Baibai’s owner is a girl?”

Lin Ran nodded. “Yes, she’s a girl. She was waiting for me outside the complex. It started raining, and her clothes got soaked, so she bought something new at a shop and left the wet set with me to wash. She was in a hurry to the airport.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“Almost.”

Behind the door, Vivian blushed.

“What does she look like? Is she pretty?”

Leaning on the door, Lin Ran looked at the shy Vivian behind it.

“She’s beautiful. About 170 centimeters, fair-skinned, long legs—a real stunner, like a fairy.”

Vivian smiled bashfully.

“Especially when she smiles—absolutely enchanting.”

[Jane Vivian’s affection: 57]

Praise from her future boyfriend.

His mother beamed. “When will she be back? Bring her to meet me.”

“I haven’t even won her over yet; what’s the rush?”

“Then hurry up and pursue her.”

“I’d love to, but who knows if she’ll agree to be my girlfriend~”

Vivian stuck out her tongue playfully—as if to say, Guess.

His mother wanted to ask more, but Lin Ran said, “Mom, let’s talk tomorrow. It’s late, I’m going to bed. Good night.”

He closed the door, and together he and Vivian pressed their ears to listen for any sounds outside.

Soon, they heard the master bedroom door close.

“My mom’s asleep. Let’s go.”

He opened the door in a flash, then quickly closed it again.

Vivian whispered, “What now?”

“My dad just left the study.”

Vivian was speechless.

She glanced at Baibai and the husky, the pair excited to be reunited.

Just wait a little longer, and she could finally leave.

That’s what Vivian told herself.

But from the living room came the sound of the TV: “Second Battalion Commander, where the hell is your Italian cannon?”

Vivian was astonished. “Uncle isn’t going to bed? He’s watching TV this late?”

“My dad watches TV every night, don’t worry. He won’t be long before he heads back to bed.”

“Good.”

Vivian plopped onto the bed.

Her stomach growled.

She was supposed to go out for a Western dinner, but after all the chaos, she hadn’t eaten yet. Now her stomach was loudly protesting.

She lifted her head, her bright eyes blinking at Lin Ran.

“Lin Ran, I’m hungry.”