I Married My Love Rival (GL) - Chapter 18

Ji Ran hesitated and asked, “Is there only one bathrobe in the house?”

Luo Simo understood immediately that Ji Ran had finally realized she wore the wrong one that day.

“There’s only one downstairs. The spare one should be upstairs, just not taken out.”

Ji Ran froze. Was the cleaning lady that meticulous with the laundry?

The washed bathrobe even had a small seal on it, indicating it was clean, and I thought it was brand new!

No wonder Luo Simo looked at me that way that day, and I was completely oblivious.

Public social death.

Seeing Ji Ran speechless, Luo Simo happily rattled the wine bottle.

“Some sweet wine?”

“Sure, I’ll take it iced.”

Sighing lightly, Ji Ran comforted herself: It’s fine. Who are we to each other? It’s just wearing the wrong clothes. Don’t worry about it.

Luo Simo reassured her in the same way while mixing the drink.

“My clothes, anything you like, feel free to wear.”

Ji Ran knew she could wear them now, but they hadn’t been close then. That act might have suggested she had other intentions.

“My assistant just messaged me. I have to go on a business trip to A-City tomorrow. I’ll be back in about three days.”

Clinking the ice, Luo Simo voluntarily reported her schedule.

Ji Ran nodded, indicating she understood.

This was Luo Simo’s first business trip after they got married.

Should I offer to do something?

“Do you need me to help you pack your luggage?”

That’s how it’s done in TV dramas, right?

Luo Simo looked up at Ji Ran, a bit surprised. Why is she suddenly being so attentive?

“That’s alright. I can do it myself.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ji Ran, whose offer was rejected, pursed her lips, glancing elsewhere while awkwardly smoothing her nightgown.

Her goodwill gesture was ruthlessly shot down just like that.

Luo Simo is really annoying.

But the next moment, Luo Simo asked with a smile.

“Could you drive me to the airport tomorrow morning?”

Almost immediately, Ji Ran heard her voice reply, “Of course I can!”

After answering, Ji Ran shrank her neck a little. Did I sound too excited?

Damn it, what’s wrong with me?

Luo Simo chuckled, looking down.

Ji Ran’s thoughts are so easy to read.

“I added milk. The wine flavor isn’t as strong. It’s suitable for drinking before bed.”

Handing the mixed drink to Ji Ran, Luo Simo also placed the small bottle of sweet wine in front of her.

“Pour more if you want. The alcohol content isn’t high, but I still don’t recommend drinking too much.”

“Aren’t you drinking… oh right, you can’t drink.”

Mid-sentence, Ji Ran instantly remembered the drunk Luo Simo. This person is a two-drink lightweight.

“Please, you absolutely mustn’t drink when you’re out on business!”

If she gets drunk, she might get taken advantage of.

Luo Simo was also aware of her low tolerance. Stronger alcohol almost always led to a blackout after two drinks, though she woke up quickly.

“I know. I don’t like drinking anyway.”

“Then why were you drinking alone in the dark here last time?”

“I was in a good mood, so I had two drinks.”

Luo Simo also recalled the last time. She had won a battle against the old lady. After years of enduring, she finally had a successful act of defiance. She was very happy. Coming home and seeing Ji Ran made her even happier.

Success in both career and love. How could I not have a drink?

“You can’t drink too much in the future, even when you’re in a good mood, okay? Unless you’re with me, and I’m watching over you.”

“Okay.”

“Also, when staying in a hotel while traveling, hang up on strange room service calls, and don’t look at the strange small cards under the door or in the elevator.”

“Uh…”

Luo Simo was silent for a moment.

“Assistant Li’s booked hotel shouldn’t have those things.”

“I also think a hotel of your caliber shouldn’t have those, but, ahem.” Ji Ran cleared her throat and continued, “You should understand my real meaning, right? No that thing outside!”

Luo Simo laughed, “No what?”

Ji Ran seemed easily embarrassed by these topics, always using substitute words. Last time, when she heard Luo Simo say the word “s3x life,” her eyes instantly widened.

But the more Ji Ran acted like this, the more Luo Simo wanted to tease her.

“Just that. No picking wild flowers!”

“What are wild flowers?”

Ji Ran finally understood Luo Simo’s dark sense of humor, glaring at her and huffing twice in frustration.

“Anyway, you know what I mean. If that happens, we’ll meet at the Civil Affairs Bureau! Divorce!”

Luo Simo stopped laughing.

“Don’t say those two words carelessly. It’s impossible. I would never look for another woman, and we won’t get a divorce.”

Seeing Luo Simo’s expression turn serious, Ji Ran didn’t press the issue further. Luo Simo seemed to have a strong reaction to the word “divorce.”

“Fine. I’ll trust you. After all, you said you’re a traditional and conservative person. You wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Mm, I said that.”

“Then let’s talk about something else. Let me check the weather forecast for A-City for the next three days… Hmm, the weather is similar to Jiang City. It will get colder with rain on the third day. Remember to bring a jacket and an umbrella.”

Sipping the smooth, sweet wine, Ji Ran began her extensive parting advice, rambling on about various business trip precautions.

In reality, Luo Simo’s assistant would arrange all of this, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop Ji Ran.

She listened intently, nodding in agreement.

Because Ji Ran’s every instruction made her feel that their relationship was increasingly feeling like a home.

The next morning, Ji Ran indeed got up early as promised to drive Luo Simo to the airport.

August sat in the back seat, Luo Simo in the passenger seat, and Ji Ran drove.

“I’m a very steady driver. You can take this opportunity to rest.”

Even a high-and-mighty CEO like Luo had to rush for her flight. She woke up at around five, before dawn, to catch the 7:15 am flight.

“Mm.”

Luo Simo replied affirmatively but had no intention of closing her eyes. She leaned against the passenger seat, watching Ji Ran.

“Don’t keep staring at me. You might make me nervous, and then all three of us—two people and one dog—will lose our lives.”

Ji Ran was slightly embarrassed by the constant gaze.

Luo Simo’s eyes had been glued to her since she woke up this morning.

Her original morning drowsiness had been scared away by that gaze.

Then, the next moment, Luo Simo asked her with expectant eyes if she should get a good morning kiss.

Thinking about their gradually deepening relationship, Ji Ran nodded, but citing unbrushed teeth, she only allowed a light kiss on the forehead.

“We won’t be able to see each other for the next three days.”

Luo Simo continued to watch Ji Ran, her words sounding like an explanation for why she was staring.

Ji Ran’s face flushed. How old are they? Behaving like a young couple and saying such sappy things.

The eternal loner felt a bit shy and drove in silence, trying to stay calm.

To be honest, this was their first separation since getting married. Ji Ran hadn’t felt anything special yesterday or even this morning, but once they were on the road, and the navigation showed they were getting closer to the airport, a faint feeling of melancholy and reluctance arose in Ji Ran’s heart.

Luo Simo must feel the same way, right?

Ji Ran turned her head to look at her at a traffic light. She hasn’t said a word for a while.

But to her surprise, the person who had just been hinting at parting sweet-nothings was now sleeping very peacefully with her eyes closed.

And August in the back was doing the same as his owner.

This…

I must be too steady a driver.

I lulled them straight to dreamland.

Outside the airport, Ji Ran pulled over. Luo Simo woke up, surprised that she had fallen asleep.

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Isn’t it good to rest? You’ll have to start working once you get there.”

“I apologize. Thank you for driving.”

Luo Simo rubbed her forehead, feeling guilty that she had accidentally fallen asleep. Ji Ran endured the one-hour drive all by herself, without anyone to talk to. I completely treated her like a chauffeur.

Ji Ran looked confused. Why the sudden apology?

That’s too polite.

“It’s fine. It wasn’t hard. Do you need me to walk you inside?”

Oh no, I’m getting polite too.

“Thank you, but no need. Assistant Li and the others are already there.”

“Oh, okay. Safe travels then.”

With all the formality, the atmosphere became a bit awkward. Unbuckling their seatbelts, they looked at each other and simultaneously smiled through the uncomfortable air.

Luo Simo, who was about to open the car door, released the handle and leaned back against the seat, turning her head to Ji Ran.

“Aren’t you going to say anything else?”

“Say what?”

“Are you sure you don’t want to walk me in?”

“Your subordinates are all there. Let’s just skip it.”

“Then, see you in three days?”

“Mm-hm, see you in three days.”

After saying goodbye, Luo Simo finally got out of the car. Ji Ran also got out to help her with her suitcase from the trunk. She waved and got back into the car.

“Have a safe trip.”

Back in the car, Ji Ran didn’t look at Luo Simo’s retreating figure again. She took a deep breath, ignored the slight discomfort in her heart, and buckled her seatbelt.

Just then, the car window was gently tapped.

Ji Ran turned her head. For some reason, Luo Simo hadn’t left yet. She was standing in front of the car, bending down.

“What is it?”

Ji Ran quickly rolled down the window, thinking Luo Simo had forgotten something.

“There’s one thing I haven’t done.”

“What thing?”

Ji Ran was puzzled. There shouldn’t be anything else. I already told her about taking care of August. What could it be?

Luo Simo said seriously, “Kiss you.”

Ji Ran: ?!

What are you saying in broad daylight!

Ji Ran’s face instantly flushed with heat.

“I’m leaving right away, and we won’t see each other for three days.” Luo Simo blinked, her expression completely matter-of-fact.

Looking at that face, Ji Ran suddenly felt that the request was perfectly normal.

Isn’t that how they always act in TV dramas?

A kiss before a long journey.

“Fine, all right.”

Ji Ran slowly leaned toward Luo Simo at the car window and closed her eyes.

However, the soft touch from yesterday didn’t land on her lips.

Instead, her nose was gently flicked by a hand.

Ji Ran opened her eyes in confusion, only to see Luo Simo smiling.

Luo Simo then reached out and rubbed her head again.

“Wait for me obediently until I come home.”

Before Ji Ran could fully process what was happening, a light kiss landed on the corner of her lips, gentle and quick, like a petal drifting by.

In the blink of an eye, Luo Simo had already pulled back.

“Be careful on your way back. Call me anytime if anything happens.”

“Okay. You remember to let me know when you arrive safely.”

“Mm-hm.”

This time, Luo Simo truly left. Ji Ran watched her back, then looked at the surrounding crowd. The traffic outside the airport was heavy.

Thinking about what had just happened in broad daylight, in front of so many people, Ji Ran covered her face.

Even though no one probably saw it, it’s still so embarrassing.

However, for some inexplicable reason, the small sense of melancholy and loss in her heart had been completely swept away.