Chapter 61: Could It Be That This Man Covets My Wife?

Ye Fan-zhi smiled and greeted Lin Ran, while casting a sidelong glance at Lou Shi-shi, who was sitting in a chair, absorbed in playing with the sunlight. Lou Shi-shi had discovered that when sunlight passed through the gaps in the bamboo chair and shone onto her thighs, it created the illusion of lace stockings—an amusing effect, a gift from nature, unparalleled stockings.

"Fan-zhi, look at my legs—aren't they sexy..."

Lou Shi-shi was about to boast when she caught Ye Fan-zhi's look, the kind reserved for someone acting foolish. Immediately, Lou Shi-shi stopped playing, stood up gracefully beside Ye Fan-zhi, and looked at the approaching young man. "Is that your friend? Fan-zhi’s choices are always handsome."

"Don't flatter me. The wind's picking up—hold your skirt down."

Lou Shi-shi hurried to press her pleated skirt against her hips.

Ye Fan-zhi put on a gentle smile. "Xiao Lin, you even bought fruit—so thoughtful."

Lin Ran teased, "You’re Principal Ye, after all. I bought two durians as a bribe."

"I accept your bribe. At the opening ceremony, you can give an inspiring speech to the juniors."

"No, no, please."

Ye Fan-zhi chuckled, covering her mouth, and took the durians. She handed another bag containing safety shorts to Lou Shi-shi. "This is my best friend, Lou Shi-shi."

Lin Ran greeted politely, "Hello."

Lou Shi-shi replied, "Hello, handsome, thank you. How much were the safety shorts?"

Lin Ran said, "Twenty-nine yuan."

Helping out Ye Fan-zhi's friend, especially with such a personal item, Lin Ran wouldn't accept payment. Girls would find it odd unless a boyfriend bought it.

Lou Shi-shi picked up her phone to add him on WeChat and transfer the money. Suddenly, a gust of wind lifted her pleated skirt, threatening to expose her legs. "Ah~" she exclaimed, quickly pressing the skirt down and darting toward the restroom in embarrassment.

"Fan-zhi~ help me pay him!"

"..."

Ye Fan-zhi was speechless. She transferred twenty-nine yuan to Lin Ran. "Xiao Lin, have a seat. I'll go peel the durians."

"I can do it."

"No need, you rest."

Taking the durians, Ye Fan-zhi moved to the chopping board to peel them.

Lin Ran sat at the long table, taking in the dazzling array of barbecue ingredients.

"Fan-zhi, did you prepare all this yourself?"

"Yes."

"You’re amazing—beautiful, kind, able to host and cook, handling all the chores, and a graduate of MIT. Whoever marries you would surely spoil you to the heavens."

Yet, in another trajectory of life, I didn't spoil you. I spent three years away from home, obsessed only with work, choosing games over women without hesitation.

Ye Fan-zhi brought over the durian, smiling as she handed him the largest piece. "You're good at compliments. This biggest piece is your reward. Oh, I just remembered—I forgot to make the garlic lobster. Xiao Lin, take your time eating."

With that, Ye Fan-zhi returned to the temporary stove, heating oil for the lobster, entirely unmoved by the smoke. She was a very genuine woman.

"Fan-zhi, guess who I brought with me."

Just then, Lou Shi-shi, coming out from the restroom, ran into friends who’d arrived for Ye Fan-zhi's birthday celebration.

"Hi~ handsome guys and beautiful girls~"

While stirring her dish, Ye Fan-zhi waved with a bright smile.

A girl named Sasha walked over. "The garlic aroma is so rich—birthday girl cooking for us herself!"

A boy named Chen Bo approached. "Need any help?"

Ye Fan-zhi replied, "No need, just go sit and rest. We'll eat when everyone arrives. Go on, or you’ll smell like smoke. Shi-shi, help entertain everyone."

"Come on, let’s not distract the birthday girl while she cooks." Shi-shi led the group to the long table, where they noticed an unfamiliar face.

Shi-shi introduced, "This is Lin Ran, Fan-zhi’s friend."

Chen Bo, upon hearing he was Ye Fan-zhi's friend, grew wary. He smiled as he shook hands. "Hello, Lin Ran. Fan-zhi’s never mentioned you."

"We met in Sichuan. I’m here in Shanghai for work, happened to catch Fan-zhi’s birthday. Nice to meet you all."

Lin Ran greeted everyone warmly.

Learning he was a new acquaintance, met during a business trip, Chen Bo felt reassured.

Lou Shi-shi said, "Lin Ran, these are all classmates of Fan-zhi and me. Let me introduce you..."

Lou Shi-shi went around, introducing the six friends present. They were all classmates from elementary, middle, or high school, and shared one thing in common: after graduating from high school, they skipped the college entrance exam and went straight to study at top universities in the US.

Ye Fan-zhi’s parents, both professors, had charted her path early—finish high school in China, then study abroad. While other students prepared for the national exam, Ye Fan-zhi focused on SAT, ACT, IELTS, or TOEFL. The same applied to Lou Shi-shi and the other overseas students.

Their circle.

The prerequisite—wealth.

Chen Bo asked, "Lin Ran, where did you study abroad?"

Lin Ran replied, "Never studied abroad."

Chen Bo responded with a faintly dismissive "Oh~," the kind of attitude common among those who’ve attended prestigious American schools—they often consider Chinese universities inferior.

Lou Shi-shi asked, "Lin Ran, which university did you graduate from?"

Lin Ran answered proudly, "I studied at Zhejiang University."

Lou Shi-shi exclaimed, "Wow, that’s impressive—Zhejiang University! Wait, Bo, didn’t you want to apply there too? But your mock exam scores were way off, so you skipped the entrance exam and went straight to University of Chicago?"

Chen Bo: ...

Sasha and the others suppressed laughter.

They thought, Lou Shi-shi is always so naïve, always bringing up the most awkward topics.

At that moment, Ye Fan-zhi brought over the lobster and sat beside Lin Ran. "Getting into Zhejiang is generally harder than MIT. Both are world-class, but Zhejiang’s admissions are much larger and the competition fiercer."

Sasha asked, "Oh~ so Lin Ran, which high school did you attend?"

Ahem—Ye Fan-zhi sat upright, proud.

Lin Ran smiled. "I got into Zhejiang from the high school where Principal Ye served."

Principal Ye?

Sasha thought for a moment. "Oh, Fan-zhi, your high school—impressive!"

Ye Fan-zhi said proudly, "Old classmates, if any of your friends’ children want to get into top universities, send them to our school and help them achieve their dreams."

Sasha laughed, "Haha, recruiting from your old friends now? All right, when I have kids and they grow up, I'll send them to your school."

Ye Fan-zhi gave the OK sign. "No problem."

Just then, an evening breeze swept through. Ye Fan-zhi cried out as sand blew into her eyes.

"Fan—" Chen Bo started to rise, then stopped.

Because Lin Ran, sitting beside Ye Fan-zhi, had already reacted, swiftly handing her a wet wipe for her eyes.

His own wife—Lin Ran cherished her deeply!

Lin Ran asked, "Want me to blow it for you?"

"Just a wipe, it's much better now." Ye Fan-zhi blinked, relieved.

"Wait—there’s an eyelash." As he spoke, Lin Ran reached toward her.

"No need, I’ll do it myself."

"Don’t move!"

This!!!

Ye Fan-zhi dared not move, her large, watery eyes watching as Lin Ran gently plucked the stray eyelash.

She was stunned.

What’s up with Xiao Lin?

Ever since I asked him to call me Fan-zhi instead of Principal Ye, he’s been acting strange.

"!!!" The others stared in bewilderment.

Chen Bo frowned. Didn’t they just meet? Why was he so handsy with Fan-zhi?

Sasha, nibbling watermelon, whispered, "First time seeing a boy have physical contact with Fan-zhi. What’s their relationship?"

Shi-shi replied, "What are you thinking? He just plucked an eyelash. You know Fan-zhi’s personality—if they were a couple, she’d say so directly."

Lin Ran showed Ye Fan-zhi the eyelash, and she thanked him, hurriedly taking a bite of durian to calm herself.

This Xiao Lin was too forward.

Perhaps it was best to have him call her Principal Ye again.

"Fan-zhi~"

Just then, Ye Fan-zhi’s parents arrived.

"Mom, Dad~"

Ye Fan-zhi got up and ran to greet them.

Chen Bo straightened his jacket.

Lin Ran watched him.

Could he be coveting my wife?