I Married My Love Rival (GL) - Chapter 15

After walking August for half a day, the two were chatting easily at first, but later Luo Simo also seemed a bit tired from the running, and her replies gradually turned into single syllables: Mm, Oh…

Ji Ran, who was comfortably riding the balance scooter, wisely kept quiet.

Soon, the sun rose, and the sunlight gradually became a bit glaring, so the two headed back.

Back at home, August was uncharacteristically tired and sprawled out on the floor resting.

Luo Simo suddenly received a call and went outside to answer it. Ji Ran put the scooter away and, feeling a bit bored alone, sought out Luo Simo.

Luo Simo took the call inside the sunroom, walking back and forth around the flower racks, occasionally stopping to seemingly inspect the growth of the flowers.

It must have been a work call. Luo Simo’s tone was not as casual as usual. She looked like she was working seriously, her expression was grave, yet she also strangely radiated a sense of willfulness.

After all, who would be looking at flowers and plants while discussing important business, even reaching out to touch them!

Ji Ran didn’t enter the sunroom, only watching Luo Simo from the doorway.

This person was truly strange. Her tone was mature and steady, her commanding presence brooked no argument, yet her hand was stroking the leaves of a begonia plant, and then touching its petals, as if she were curious about the texture.

Was she really paying attention to the call?

Moreover, Luo Simo was wearing a sleeveless long tank top, styled in a “no pants” look that exposed her slender, straight long legs, paired with white athletic socks and sneakers. She looked exactly like a vibrant, beautiful college student.

Yet, on the phone, she was dictating policy with an air of authority.

Luo Simo turned and saw Ji Ran leaning against the doorway. She noticed Ji Ran was looking at her and smiling, causing her to momentarily freeze and miss what the person on the phone had just said.

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? I was momentarily distracted.”

“The manager sent by CEO Yan wants to invite you to dinner tonight. It seems he’s dissatisfied with our quote and wants to push for a lower price…”

Thinking about the matter she needed to handle, Luo Simo turned away, no longer looking at Ji Ran, to avoid distraction.

Ji Ran, who felt ignored: Such a grown person, she saw me but didn’t even say hello? That’s too cold! And I even smiled at her.

Forget it, I shouldn’t interrupt her work.

That was her thought, but Ji Ran turned and then couldn’t resist leaning against the doorway again.

No. The more she ignores me, the more I want to do something.

The less you acknowledge me, the more I’ll stare at you here!

So, when Luo Simo finished her slow walk along the flower racks and turned around, she saw Ji Ran still leaning against the doorway. This time, Ji Ran was not only smiling but also waving at her.

Luo Simo continued to ignore her and turned away again.

Ji Ran: She has time to touch flowers, but no time for me?

With another turn, Luo Simo saw Ji Ran still leaning against the doorway. This time, Luo Simo finally took action, looking at Ji Ran and then pointing to her left foot, which was slightly lifted.

The laces on her left sneaker had come undone.

Ji Ran: Is she asking me to come over and tie her shoelace?

Ji Ran rolled her eyes inwardly, tempted to just turn and leave, but dammit, her feet were uncontrollably walking into the sunroom.

Ji Ran couldn’t figure out why she was being so obedient.

Perhaps the idea of ‘nurturing’ their partnership has already taken root in her brain?

Walking over to Luo Simo, Ji Ran remained silent so as not to interrupt the call. She quietly crouched down and tied her shoelace, making sure to tie it tightly.

That’s for walking so much while on the phone!

Tie it tight. Let’s see if it comes undone again!

Luo Simo stared at Ji Ran, who was crouching in front of her tying her shoelace, and didn’t reply to the person on the phone for a long time. Sure enough, seeing Ji Ran had distracted her again.

She had only intended to test her, and she had never expected Ji Ran to actually come over.

“Let’s discuss this in detail tonight. Tell him I accept the invitation for six o’clock this evening, and have Assistant Xu wait for me at the company an hour beforehand.”

“Understood. And please don’t forget the call with the French partner, Boss.”

“OK.”

She had no choice but to quickly hang up the phone.

The look in Ji Ran’s eyes at the doorway was exactly like August when he was a puppy: lonely, pitiable, and looking up at her for company.

Who could ignore that multiple times?

“You hang up as soon as I show up. What’s the matter, afraid I’ll eavesdrop on commercial secrets?”

Standing up, Ji Ran dusted off imaginary dust from her hands.

“No. I have a dinner engagement tonight, so I won’t be able to eat with you.”

Looking at the new bow on her shoe, Luo Simo couldn’t help but feel a little happy.

“I heard that. Go ahead. I’ll order takeout tonight.”

“Mm.”

Luo Simo nodded, then brought up another matter.

“Right, I promised you a new job before. Have you thought about what position you’d like?”

Ji Ran had quit her previous job, and recently, Luo Simo noticed she was terribly idle at home, even digging out old games to play. Luo Simo felt compelled to find her something to do.

“Work?” Ji Ran frowned, her expression hard to describe after five years as a corporate drone.

Truthfully, with money, she had absolutely no desire to work anymore. She had completely forgotten about Luo Simo’s earlier promise.

Why work when you can have money deposited directly into your account?

But not working at all made her five-year-long corporate drone heart feel a little uneasy.

Besides, she was genuinely too idle, and she had no interest in being a socialite, learning flower arrangement, or socializing.

Staying cooped up at home all the time wasn’t good either.

“Um, can I not work? I wouldn’t earn much anyway, even if I did, and I’m useless at everything. How about I just be a couch potato at home and take care of August?”

After much deliberation, she still didn’t want to go back to work.

Her true nature as a “salted fish” was completely exposed.

Hearing Ji Ran’s desire to be a couch potato, Luo Simo frowned.

Ji Ran’s heart immediately sank. She’s already so rich. Does she still want me to go to work to help with expenses? Or is she… looking down on me for being a ‘salted fish’?

“I… don’t like ‘salted fish.'”

Luo Simo said this hesitantly.

Ji Ran’s expression froze. She felt as though an arrow had struck her knee.

“We only need one August in the house.”

The subtext: I don’t need to support another idle person.

Great, a second arrow.

“I think people need to have a sense of ambition.”

Well said. That stings.

I really lack ambition.

Ji Ran was so chastised that she didn’t dare to look up at Luo Simo.

Seeing Ji Ran’s lowered head, Luo Simo fell silent.

Is she really this sensitive to criticism now?

She used to be so proud and defiant.

Ji Ran could usually take criticism, but being criticized by Luo Simo, even gently, made her inexplicably sad.

Bastard. Shouldn’t she be nice to me?

Why is she suddenly looking down on me?

What about ‘nurturing the marriage’ like we agreed?

Her self-confidence was severely damaged!

After a moment, Luo Simo’s voice returned, this time with a hint of tenderness.

“I just don’t like you putting yourself down like that. You are not a useless ‘salted fish’ at all.”

Luo Simo’s thinking was somewhat old-fashioned in some areas, having been raised by the old lady. She didn’t quite grasp the self-deprecating humor of young people using “salted fish” to describe themselves. In her mind, “salted fish” was a deeply negative term.

“Your painting ability is amazing. Also, you really love jewelry design. In high school, you were shortlisted for the top ten in the provincial jewelry design competition and won some minor awards. With talent like that, why insist on calling yourself a ‘salted fish’?”

Hearing this, Ji Ran slowly looked up and blinked.

“How do you know I won an award in high school?”

Luo Simo paused, glancing at the flowers beside her.

“Our company has professional HR headhunters. They can look up your work experience and awards.”

“Oh, I see. That’s true. When I first graduated, I put all those miscellaneous awards on my resume to find a job.”

Ji Ran did not doubt her.

Luo Simo’s lips, however, barely twitched. She had almost hoped Ji Ran would realize something.

“So, are you planning to put me in the design department of the Luo Group?”

The Luo family’s main business over the years has been industry and real estate, with no connection to jewelry. The only professional match for her would be design.

It would probably be similar to her previous job.

Not interested.

“No, it has nothing to do with the Luo family. It’s my friend’s jewelry company—the domestic branch of a luxury brand.”

At this, Ji Ran’s eyes instantly lit up.

“What company? What brand? What can I do?”

After paying off her family’s debt, she had considered pursuing the work she truly wanted to do.

However, ordinary jewelry design companies rarely had original work, many had a history of mimicking big brands and plagiarism, and the salaries were low. She looked down on them.

But more high-end companies immediately dismissed her qualifications, often not even looking at her portfolio. They had plenty of applicants who were professionally qualified and returned from studying abroad. They wouldn’t consider her.

After trying a few times, she gave up and continued the work she had been doing, which at least paid well and gave her hope of buying a house.

At the crucial moment, Luo Simo decided to keep her in suspense.

“I can tell you in a few days.”

After all, the company was still being renovated. She had to wait until it was finished before taking her to see it.

Being kept in suspense made Ji Ran even more curious.

“How many days?”

“I’ll let you know when the time comes. For now, you can start thinking about what you want to do.”

Ji Ran was so excited that for a moment, she forgot to ask: How did Luo Simo know what I wanted to do? I didn’t write that on my resume.

All she could think about was the possibility of becoming a jewelry designer, with a wealthy investor backing her.

Seeing Ji Ran’s obvious joy, Luo Simo also curved her lips into a shallow, approving smile.

However, she didn’t forget that she still had work to deal with.

“I have another phone call to make. Why don’t you go keep August company for now?”

“Are you really afraid I’ll eavesdrop on commercial secrets?”

Luo Simo smiled helplessly: “I’m just worried you’ll be bored. If you want, you can stay here with me.”

Given that Luo Simo had found her a good “job,” Ji Ran decided to stay and keep her company affectionately.

“I’m not bored at all! If I stay here, I can help you if your shoelace comes undone.”

Ji Ran’s words, behavior, and smile made her look exactly like a toady who had just received a favor—fawning, but also a little cute. Luo Simo couldn’t resist reaching out and rubbing her head.

“Fine. Just be quiet.”

Normally, Ji Ran would have dodged and given her an angry glare. But now, Ji Ran didn’t mind at all.

Go ahead, pet me. Limited time offer today. Pet all you want.

Luo Simo quickly returned to business matters and made the call. This time, she didn’t walk around but sat with Ji Ran at the small round table in the sunroom.

Ji Ran was sensible and brought in tea for Luo Simo.

When she returned carrying the teapot, Luo Simo’s call had already connected, and Ji Ran heard a string of words she couldn’t understand at all.

It sounded like French?

Ji Ran quietly sat down and poured the tea, careful not to disturb Luo Simo.

She knew Luo Simo had studied and lived in France, but hearing her speak French still made her feel that she was impressive and that the language was beautiful.

Ji Ran herself had once wanted to study abroad in France.

She had even self-studied French for a while, but eventually gave up.

Now, listening to Luo Simo speak, she couldn’t even pick out familiar words.

She involuntarily started to compare herself. Luo Simo in front of her seemed to glow—excellent, beautiful, and rich. Why would she agree to get married to me?

Does she have some quality I’m not even aware of?

Or, is it simply because Luo Simo is traditional and responsible, and if it had been anyone else that day, she would have done the same?

Thinking of this last reason, Ji Ran felt a strange sense of dejection.