After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 20

Just one sentence from Luo Mu left Shen Ran completely dumbfounded.

“…What do you mean?” Shen Ran asked cautiously. “President Luo, y-you know me?”

That couldn’t be right—how could Luo Mu know him?

This was clearly a cold and powerful CEO, the type who dominated the business world and moonlighted as a philanthropic expert. Shen Ran was just a small-time gallery owner—they couldn’t possibly have crossed paths.

Shen Ran was certain he’d never had any dealings with this President Luo.

Today should’ve been their first meeting, so why had Luo Mu said “so it is you” and “long time no see”?

Even Cheng Yi looked surprised. “You two know each other?”

Luo Mu, clearly not the talkative type, ignored their questions entirely and went straight to the point.

“Cheng Yi told me about your situation. I’m already up to speed.”

He raised his hand, and a secretary standing nearby immediately stepped forward, respectfully handing over a paper file to them.

“Take a look at this.”

It was a copy of personal records and an adoption agreement. In the attached photo, a little boy, only about four or five years old, stared nervously at the camera.

His facial features were tender and childlike, his gaze timid—it was obvious he’d been anxious when the picture was taken.

Shen Ran murmured, “…That’s me.”

Even though the photo was black-and-white and a bit blurry, Shen Ran recognized it at a glance. It was him.

He looked exactly like his five-year-old self in other childhood photos—uncannily so.

“Shen Ran, you were adopted by a couple when you were four years old. Before that, you lived in F City, at Qingshan Orphanage. Do you remember it?”

Four years old? How could that be? He thought it was when he was five?

And F City? Qingshan Orphanage?

Staring at the child version of himself in the black-and-white photo, Shen Ran tried to recall something—anything—but his mind was completely blank.

Everything Luo Mu mentioned… he couldn’t remember any of it, not even whether it truly happened.

“Nothing’s coming back?” Cheng Yi rested his chin on his hand, long fingers brushing his jaw. “That’s normal. Back then, you weren’t even as tall as a nostril.”

Not even as tall as a nostril…

Shen Ran couldn’t help but laugh at the bizarre comparison. The heavy atmosphere instantly lightened.

“Luo Mu,” Cheng Yi suddenly asked, “since you found this information so easily, I’m guessing that orphanage still exists?”

“Yes.” Luo Mu nodded.

Qingshan Orphanage not only still existed—it was being run exceptionally well.

In fact, the current director of the orphanage had deep ties to Shen Ran…

“It’s still there? That’s good.”

Cheng Yi picked up the file, patted Shen Ran lightly on the head.

“Let’s go home and pack up—we’re going to Qingshan Orphanage. Maybe once we’re there, you’ll start remembering things.”

Shen Ran nodded. That was exactly what he wanted to do.

As he followed Cheng Yi in standing up, Shen Ran didn’t forget to thank Luo Mu politely.

“Thank you, President Luo.” Shen Ran bowed. “We’ll be leaving now.”

Just as they were about to walk out, Luo Mu called after them.

“Wait. When are you going to Qingshan Orphanage?”

“Hmm…” Shen Ran thought for a moment. “Probably tomorrow?”

“Good.” Luo Mu nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

Even after returning to the apartment, Shen Ran was still utterly confused.

“Why does Luo Mu want to go with us?” Shen Ran asked, completely baffled.

“How would I know? Aren’t you two already acquainted?” Cheng Yi replied, seemingly calm—but on closer inspection, a subtle trace of jealousy could be heard beneath his words.

“I really don’t know President Luo. I’d never seen him before today, and I have no idea why he said ‘long time no see.’”

“Hmph.” Cheng Yi narrowed his eyes, then said without warning, “By the way, from now on, if you want to ask someone for help, you’re not allowed to call anyone else Daddy, got it?”

“Huh? Call someone Daddy? Why would I call anyone Daddy?”

Shen Ran had no idea that Cheng Yi was jealous for no reason, and instead thought his character was being insulted and questioned. He jumped up and began slapping his own chest indignantly.

“Cheng Yi, don’t you dare think I’m that kind of spineless person! Calling someone Daddy is an insult! How could I let anyone insult me?!”

Calling someone else Daddy is an insult… but he sure was yelling it happily earlier…

Cheng Yi’s expression shifted from dark to pleased, clearly satisfied with Shen Ran’s response. He nodded approvingly.

“Good. You deserve praise for that. And if you really need help, just come to me. I’m more useful than anyone.”

Shen Ran’s thoughts immediately went astray.

More useful than anyone? In what way exactly?

Hmm… Though he hadn’t seen it personally, Shen Ran couldn’t shake the feeling that Cheng Yi’s size must be… quite impressive.

One day, I need to compare sizes with Cheng Yi… for research purposes.

Cheng Yi noticed the blatant stare Shen Ran was aiming between his legs, and casually reached out to block his line of sight, scowling.

“Hey hey hey, Shen Ran, what’s with that look? Keep it normal! You’re staring like a starving tiger—I’m worried for my virtue here!”

Worried that Shen Ran’s stare might make something happen, Cheng Yi resorted to verbal jabs to diffuse the tension.

Shen Ran reflexively shot back, “What’s wrong with my look? My eyes are pure and wholesome! Who’s trying to pounce on you? I’m not interested! In my eyes, you’re just a cutting board—completely average!”

“Sure, sure. Young Master Shen obviously isn’t interested in me. You’d rather fawn over someone like Chen Xu and wouldn’t even glance my way. I totally believe that.”

“Pfft, don’t slander me! I’ll smack you, and Chen Xu will hit you with the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!”

As Shen Ran lunged at Cheng Yi, the two wrestled like usual—but this time, Cheng Yi’s thoughts were elsewhere.

Even though he had posed as Shen Ran’s boyfriend in front of the Shen couple…

He was the only one who knew that the person Shen Ran truly cared for—his real “boyfriend”—was someone else.

There was no way Shen Ran liked him.

Ring ring ring—

Cheng Yi’s phone started ringing. It was a call from Wei Hailan.

He came with explosive news.

“Old Cheng! Hey, Old Cheng! Shen Ran’s with you, right?”

“Of course he is.” Cheng Yi’s voice was lazy. “We live together. How could he not be next to me?”

“Living together?! Whoa, you two are shacked up! So are you guys—wait no, never mind that. Cheng, put me on speaker. I’ve got something to say!”

“Already done.” Cheng Yi tossed the phone between himself and Shen Ran. “Talk.”

“Alright, listen up: The Shen couple—you know how they had a child 23 years ago? That child died the day after he was born!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ran wasn’t shocked—if anything, he felt a sense of clarity.

No wonder there were no photos or records of him in the Shen household before the age of five.

No wonder the adoption records Luo Mu gave him showed he was adopted at four years old.

The Shen couple must have wanted to match their biological son’s age, so they claimed the four-year-old him was five, and brought him home.