After the Young Master’s Death, He was Kissed by His Mortal Enemy! (BL) - Chapter 39

“Ranran, even if you don’t like me anymore, shouldn’t we at least talk it through? You’ll hear me out, won’t you?”

“Sure, go ahead. I’m listening.”

Shen Ran made a gesture with his hand as if inviting him to speak. “But do me a favor and make it quick. I’ve got lunch plans soon.”

Chen Xu’s brow twitched uncontrollably. His gentle expression cracked for just a moment.

Seeing Shen Ran’s impatient, lofty attitude, Chen Xu felt a strong urge to slam the table and storm off.

But he swallowed that impulse.

Because Chen Xu still hoped to get something out of Shen Ran. Their relationship hadn’t lasted long, and he hadn’t yet gotten what he wanted.

If he really walked away now, wouldn’t all his efforts go to waste?

From the start, Chen Xu had been playing a fishing game with Shen Ran.

He had initiated conversation, confessed his feelings first, but when the relationship should’ve been growing more intimate, he kept his distance.

He dangled the bait—ignoring messages, showing up occasionally, but acting cold even when they met.

That kind of hot-and-cold behavior was bound to get under someone’s skin.

Most people can’t handle emotional whiplash—especially someone as impatient as Shen Ran.

But Chen Xu hadn’t expected his game to backfire so spectacularly.

Just a short while ago, Shen Ran had even started taking the initiative. He’d only ignored him for another week—how had it escalated to a breakup?

He couldn’t, absolutely wouldn’t, let this happen.

Chen Xu had no idea that Shen Ran had already seen right through him. He still thought Shen Ran was someone easy to manipulate.

A few more sweet words, a stroll down memory lane—that would be enough to sway him.

This whole “breakup” was probably just a tantrum—some way for Shen Ran to demand attention and affection.

So, facing Shen Ran’s growing indifference, Chen Xu did his best to mask his frustration and slipped back into his usual gentle, “senior-like” persona:

“Ranran, do you remember? Back in college, you skipped class, and the professor lost his mind. But I…”

But Shen Ran, dealing with someone whose intentions were this transparent, couldn’t bring himself to care in the slightest.

While Chen Xu waxed poetic about the past, Shen Ran casually picked up his phone and sent a message to Cheng Yi:

[How about Hunan cuisine for lunch? It’s freezing out—let’s eat something spicy and warm.]

Cheng Yi replied in an instant:
[Sounds good. If you’re buying, I’m in.]

Shen Ran couldn’t help but laugh:
[What’s this? Has President Cheng fallen so far that you’ll only eat with me if I pay?]

Cheng Yi:
[Not exactly. I just enjoy milking Boss Shen for all he’s worth.]

Tch. So stubborn.

Shen Ran set down his phone, rested his chin on one hand, and glanced casually toward the office building across the street.

Sure enough, he spotted a tall figure standing near the window on Cheng Yi’s floor.

Who else could it be but Cheng Yi?

He had suspected as much—after all, with all the noise Chen Xu had made earlier, it would’ve been hard not to catch Cheng Yi’s attention.

Another message came in from Cheng Yi:
[What are you doing?]

Shen Ran nearly burst out laughing as he watched the figure shift behind the window.

Oh ho—President Cheng was asking questions he already knew the answers to, huh?

Clearly staring at him through the glass, yet still texting to ask what he was up to.

What’s the matter, afraid I’ll lie?

Shen Ran replied:
[Nothing much. Just shaking off a clingy piece of toffee.]

Cheng Yi:
[Oh.]
[Toffee’s not very tasty. Hunan food sounds better.]
[Suddenly I’m starving. Boss Shen, can we start lunch early?]

Watching the messages pop up one after another, Shen Ran couldn’t stop himself from grinning.

Look at that tone. That subtle shade. That jealous undertone.

Was this really the same Cheng Yi who never let a day pass without getting in a few snide remarks?

They weren’t even officially together yet, and the man was already getting competitive!

“…Ranran? Are you still listening?”

Chen Xu’s nostalgic monologue came to a halt as he cautiously called out to him.

“I’m listening, I’m listening.”

Shen Ran replied absentmindedly while continuing to type his response to Cheng Yi:

[My car keys are on my office desk. Why don’t you take my car and wait for me downstairs, President Cheng?]

Cheng Yi:
[OK!]

Oh? He even used an exclamation point? Looked like Cheng Yi was really in a hurry.

Whenever he chatted with Cheng Yi, Shen Ran’s mood would naturally lift, and the smile on his face was impossible to hide.

But to Chen Xu, that smile meant something entirely different.

He thought Shen Ran was finally touched, that he was reminiscing about their past—hence the soft expression on his face.

Relieved, Chen Xu quietly exhaled. Great, he thought, Shen Ran must not want to break up with me anymore.

Now, all he had to do was offer Shen Ran a little sweetness at the right time, and Shen Ran would fall for him all over again—just like before.

Truth be told, Chen Xu had never wanted to be physically close to Shen Ran.

Because Chen Xu actually preferred women.

Before he met Shen Ran, he’d had plenty of girlfriends—maybe even…

So ever since they got to know each other, Chen Xu had never so much as kissed Shen Ran. At most, he had given him a hug when he confessed.

Even that hug had been brief and half-hearted, because Chen Xu couldn’t bring himself to embrace someone he didn’t genuinely like.

Now, he lowered himself to reach out and pat Shen Ran on the head.

That should be enough. Shen Ran was easy to pacify, after all.

But just as his hand hovered in the air, before it could even graze Shen Ran’s hair, Shen Ran dodged to the side with a guarded expression.

“Hey! We’re just talking—what do you think you’re doing?”

Shen Ran jumped a whole step away, silently grateful for his quick reflexes.

He didn’t even know what Chen Xu had intended to do. It was just instinct—his body recoiled automatically, the very idea of being touched felt dirty.

He turned to glance at the building next door.

Sure enough, the figure by the window was pacing back and forth—looking agitated.

Then suddenly, that anxious silhouette vanished from the window.

He couldn’t hold back anymore, Shen Ran thought.

Despite Chen Xu’s irritating presence, Shen Ran’s good mood was gradually returning.

As annoying as Chen Xu was, in a strange way, he had played the role of a helpful catalyst.

Helping push him and Cheng Yi one step closer together.

Chen Xu, for his part, hadn’t expected Shen Ran to pull away like that. He froze, hand still awkwardly suspended in midair.

“Ranran…?”

“Senior,” Shen Ran said calmly, “talking is one thing, but getting handsy is another. We’ve already broken up. Let’s try to maintain some boundaries, shall we?”

Chen Xu’s face twisted with grief. “So… you really want to break up?”

“Senior, we already broke up. That’s in the past tense. I think it’s best we end things cleanly—no drama.”

But Chen Xu wasn’t ready to give up. “But what about everything we had…?!”

“That was in the past. It’s long over. There’s no point dragging it out now.”

God, Shen Ran thought, he really doesn’t know when to quit.

Just then, a familiar car pulled up along the curb outside.

It was his car.

And the hungry-for-lunch President Cheng had officially arrived on the battlefield.