Chapter 27: Passing By Your Ex-Wife

"Hey, Shuyao!"
Jiang Shuyao looked up to see Lin Ran walking toward her.
She stuck out her tongue at him playfully, then with a graceful leap, dove into the water, splashing down with a lively arc, and dog-paddled over to Lu Man and the others.
"Hey, Fu’s here!"
Lu Man waved from the pool.
Lin Ran glanced around. "Just the four of you? Where’s Brother Zeng?"
"He’s off making money for his old lady," Lu Man laughed.
Lin Ran chuckled. "Did you call him about dinner tonight?"
"Of course, who wouldn’t be eager for a free feast? He’ll come after he’s done. Come on, jump in and swim."
"You’re all my girlfriend’s best friends. My girlfriend isn’t here—wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to go swimming with you?"
"Ooh, not bad, you know how to avoid suspicion. Good man," Lu Man gave him a thumbs-up.
Jiang Shuyao gritted her teeth.
Now you know how to keep your distance? But when you’re alone with me, you forget all about it, don’t you?
She wished she could turn into a Super Saiyan and teach this double-standard Lin Ran a lesson.
"Stop dawdling, get in here," Lu Man urged.
"Alright," Lin Ran replied, diving into the pool. He swam over in a strong breaststroke, surfaced, and slicked back his wet hair. Water ran down his shoulders, his body dripping—a far cry from a muscleman, but his lines were sleek and smooth.
He stood there, confidently, in front of the four girls.
Susu, Kexin, and Shuwan blushed and shyly avoided looking.
Lu Man, bold as ever, raised her thumb. "Not bad, good physique."
"For that compliment, I’ll add lobster to dinner tonight!"
"So generous! Come on, girls," Lu Man beckoned her friends. "Don’t be shy, heap on the praise—let’s eat him out of house and home tonight!"
Lu Man was the liveliest of them all, always making sure the atmosphere never went cold.
Lin Ran glanced at the four women. Only Lu Man wore a bikini, the others were in one-piece swimsuits.
Susu and Kexin had good figures too, but compared to Jiang Shuyao, they were a cup size short.
That’s why Lin Ran liked playing with Shuyao.
He swam over to her.
Jiang Shuyao slipped behind Lu Man in the water, clinging to her back like a monkey hiding from Lin Ran, wary of his tricks.
"Come on, get off my back," Lu Man laughed, pulling her off and grabbing a water gun, splattering a stream at Shuyao’s chest.
"Hey! What are you doing, shooting at my chest?"
"Mine’s small, so I envy yours. Who else should I spray?"
"Don’t take me for Hello Kitty just because I’m quiet!"
Jiang Shuyao grabbed a water gun and fired back.
"Oh, you dare fight back? Girls, get her!"
Lu Man called for Susu and Kexin, and together they ganged up on Shuyao, splashing her from all sides, just as close friends do when they’re horsing around in private.

Was Lin Ran out of place?
Not at all!
As long as you’ve got thick skin, there’s nowhere you can’t fit in.
"Don’t be afraid, Shuyao, your big brother’s here to protect you!"
He spotted a Gatling-style water gun by the pool, commandeering it.
After filling it with water, he returned to the fray, standing between Shuyao and the others, unleashing a torrent of water at Lu Man and her friends.
Shuyao joined in the counterattack.
"What is this thing? It’s too powerful!"
"Stop, Lin Ran, you got water all over my face!"
"Enough, enough, we surrender!"
On the poolside—
"My Gatling! Boohoo!"
A little boy sat there crying, pointing at Lin Ran in the pool.
"Hey, kid," Lin Ran called back, "I’ll borrow it just a bit, otherwise I can’t win against these three ladies. After I win, I’ll buy you ice cream, deal?"
"Okay!" The boy clapped his hands. "Go, big brother, go!"
Laughter and splashing, the joys of summer, friendships deepening in the midst of a water battle.
After an hour of play, exhausted, they dragged themselves out onto the poolside.
Lin Ran returned the water gun to the boy, bought several ice creams, gave one to him, and shared the rest with the girls.
Lu Man stretched. "I’m beat. Let’s go back to the room and rest till Vivian gets off work."
"Why go back to the room? The hotel has a spa area," Lin Ran waved at a staff member. "I’m in room 903. Please take these four ladies to the best spa, put it on my bill."
"Right this way, ladies," the staff member replied.
"Lin Ran, you’re amazing," Lu Man said, wrapped in her towel, and left.
"Lin Ran, you’re a prince," Susu chimed in, following after.
"Lin Ran, you’re truly handsome," Kexin added, trailing behind.
Jiang Shuyao, toweling her wet hair, was about to leave when—
"Hold it!" Lin Ran stopped her.
"What is it?"
"Praise me."
"They already did. I don’t know what else to say."
"You can’t leave until you do."
Shuyao covered her mouth, laughing, her laughter making her body tremble, her chest quivering.
"Alright, let me think… Lin Ran, you’re the best male friend I’ve met in Shu City."
With that, she left.
A high compliment indeed.
Jiang Shuyao wasn’t from Shu City; she was from Wuhan.
Best male friend—well, if only it weren’t for the ‘male’ part.
Bah! The ‘male’ part is the best.
Humming a tune, Lin Ran sauntered back to his room.

Half an hour later, knock, knock, knock—
Lin Ran opened the door to find Zeng Wei, Lu Man’s boyfriend.
"Brother Zeng, come in! Lu Man and the others are in the room across."
"Let those wild girls amuse themselves."
Zeng Wei entered, grinning. "You know, Lin Ran, you’ve really surprised me. Vivian, that beauty, is your girlfriend now. So many suitors must be crying their eyes out."
Lin Ran laughed. "I’m pretty proud of myself, to be honest."
No more pretending—who wouldn’t be proud if the goddess everyone admires becomes your girlfriend?
"Lu Man said you were doing business today. How did it go?"
"My little business is nothing compared to you buying watches. Not worth mentioning."
Ever since he learned Lin Ran was the son of a wealthy family, Zeng Wei knew his own ventures couldn’t compare.
"Come on, Brother Zeng, business is business, big or small. If you ever need a partner, call me."
Lin Ran meant it.
Who knew when the system might realize it was bound to the wrong person and unbind itself?
If there was any business to be had, Lin Ran wanted to be involved—planning for the future, just in case.
You need to think ahead, or trouble will come soon enough.
The system’s money could be milked, but real business needed to grow.
That was his plan: always be prepared.
Zeng Wei, though, saw things differently.
A rich kid with more than three million in pocket money, speaking so humbly, asking to be brought into his small deals?
No—he’s just being considerate of my self-esteem!
Such humility in a rich man, afraid of hurting my pride.
Zeng Wei was deeply touched.

Just then, Vivian called.
"I’m off work and on my way."
"Great, I’ll wait for you at the door."