I Married My Love Rival (GL) - Chapter 9

Luo Simo maintained her excellent routine and woke up early. After checking the kitchen ingredients, she messaged someone to deliver the missing items, then prepared to make breakfast.

However, she had to wake Ji Ran up beforehand. After all, she wasn’t making sandwiches this time, and it wouldn’t taste good cold.

Ji Ran didn’t have an intense morning temper, but she was completely bewildered when shaken awake.

Where was she?

Who was this beauty in front of her?

“Wash up, I’m going to make breakfast now.”

“Okay.”

She replied “Okay,” but as soon as Luo Simo turned around, Ji Ran lay back down. Luo Simo heard the sound, turned back, reluctantly rolled up her sleeves, and walked back.

“Get up. The sun is out. Stop sleeping.”

“Okay.”

Just like before, she sat up and replied “Okay,” but showed no intention of getting out of bed.

Luo Simo couldn’t stand it anymore and threatened.

“If you don’t get up, I’m going to yank your blanket off!”

“You don’t need to. I’ll do it myself.”

Yawning, Ji Ran yanked the blanket off herself. Then, she lay back down, her legs curled up inside the long dress.

Luo Simo was at her wit’s end with this person.

Luo Simo sighed.

“Shall I turn off your air conditioning then?”

“Okay.”

Ji Ran didn’t even lift her eyelids. She was so sleepy; she just wanted to sleep.

Luo Simo followed through, turned off the air conditioning, and went downstairs to make breakfast.

Before long, she heard Ji Ran coming downstairs.

By this time, Ji Ran was fully conscious. She was no longer yawning, looked refreshed, and seemed like a completely different person from the one who was just lingering in bed.

“Smells so good! What is it?”

Following the scent, Ji Ran darted into the kitchen.

Luo Simo didn’t turn around: “Finally awake?”

“It got too hot sleeping, so I got up.”

In September in Jiangcheng, without air conditioning, you could sweat through your clothes while sleeping.

“I groggily looked for the remote, couldn’t find it, but it woke me up in the process, hehehe.”

Ji Ran laughed sheepishly. She vaguely remembered Luo Simo trying to wake her up earlier.

“Lying in bed is an old habit. Next time you wake me up, just play music right next to my ear. Don’t mind what I say; just make sure I’m fully awake.”

The first thing she did when she woke up was either play music or watch videos to wake herself up, otherwise, she would just keep sleeping.

“The way you were just now, if a robber came, you’d probably just reply ‘Okay’ to them too.”

Luo Simo complained while putting seasoning into the pot. Then, remembering Ji Ran’s half-asleep appearance, she found it hilarious.

“No way! If it was a robber, I’d be scared awake, okay?”

She wasn’t that bad at getting out of bed.

“Is this… wontons?”

“Yes.”

Ji Ran stood next to Luo Simo, watching her confident and practiced movements. She had to admit, Luo Simo’s skills were definitely better than her own.

She just didn’t know about the taste yet.

Soon, Luo Simo scooped the first bowl of wontons for Ji Ran.

“I know you like strong flavors, so I made you a red broth base.”

“Thank you.”

A red broth base meant spicy. Just by looking at it, Ji Ran concluded it would definitely taste good.

The presentation alone was appetizing, not to mention the aroma.

Luo Simo stuck to her own low-oil, light flavor preference, making herself a clear-broth wonton.

Looking at the two completely different bowls of wontons, Ji Ran asked a question.

“How did you make two different kinds in one pot?”

“Because the seasoning is added in the bowl.”

Truly a kitchen novice to ask a question like that.

“Ah, I see.”

Ji Ran had a sudden realization.

After breakfast, Ji Ran thought about it. Luo Simo was so serious about their marriage, even making her breakfast, so she definitely had to show her appreciation. She consciously collected the bowls and placed them in the dishwasher.

Even though it was an extremely easy task, Luo Simo nodded approvingly. Yes, she has a conscience.

“It’s almost nine o’clock. Why aren’t you going to work?” After cleaning up, Ji Ran was surprised to find Luo Simo still in the living room.

Luo Simo lazily looked up at her without speaking. Ji Ran immediately understood.

She was the boss. It was different for her.

She was completely free.

“I don’t need to go to the company today. Do you have any plans for today?” Luo Simo asked Ji Ran.

“No plans. I finished everything I needed to do yesterday.”

Ji Ran hadn’t planned anything. She just wanted to rest today and explore the house and the surrounding area at her leisure.

“Alright, if that’s the case, then follow my plan for today.”

Luo Simo specifically cleared her schedule to spend time with Ji Ran.

Ji Ran: “What’s the plan?”

If it’s too much hassle, I’m not going. If it’s too tiring, I’m not going either.

Luo Simo: “This villa is our new home, and I haven’t moved in long myself. There are many things we haven’t prepared yet. Let’s go shopping for home decor today.”

“Huh?” Ji Ran looked around. “I think everything is quite complete.”

“I disagree.”

“Why?”

“Since this is a home for both of us, we need to have some things that you personally picked out.”

Luo Simo’s answer was matter-of-fact.

Our home? Things you personally picked out?

Hearing these words, Ji Ran looked calm on the surface, but her heart fluttered slightly.

This person is too good at this!

She was genuinely serious about nurturing their marriage!

“Okay, let’s go shopping together.”

Ji Ran nodded and agreed to the suggestion.

The two of them then drove to Jiangcheng’s largest home furnishing mall.

Most people shopping in the home furnishing market were young couples preparing to decorate a new house. They, however, were preparing to re-decorate a new house.

“What should we look at first? What does the house lack?”

“Let’s look at doors? The wooden gate in the garden has rotted and hasn’t been replaced with a new one since it was removed.”

This was the one thing Luo Simo had managed to think of that the house was missing.

“But I think not having a door, just the wooden fence, looks quite nice.”

“Then let’s just wander and follow the signs.”

Since the house really lacked nothing, Ji Ran and Luo Simo spent the entire morning shopping, and in the end, only selected a few items.

New bed linen sets—they bought two. Both were the kind Ji Ran had always wanted for her own dream home, with slightly vibrant, fresh, and lively colors that didn’t quite match Luo Simo’s room style.

So, Luo Simo also had her pick out new curtains, rugs, wall art, and other items that were more in keeping with the room.

“Then we’ll have two styles to switch between.”

Then, Ji Ran selected a new desk, sofa, and display shelves for her own studio.

She even got a new set of bowls and dishes for the kitchen…

Finally, they were almost done shopping. Luo Simo was satisfied seeing Ji Ran pick so many things and took her to the checkout.

The items would be delivered to their home by the seller; they only needed to check the shopping list.

While reviewing the list, Ji Ran suddenly noticed an extra pair of cups. She asked the sales assistant to pull up the details, and a pair of matching couple water cups appeared on the screen.

“I didn’t choose this.” Let’s delete it.

Before she could finish the sentence, Luo Simo beside her admitted, “I chose it.”

When did this person sneak that in without me noticing?

Ji Ran looked at Luo Simo, then at the cups, and said nothing more. She was paying; she was the boss. She could add whatever she wanted.

Next, two pairs of matching couple slippers appeared on the shopping list.

Ji Ran subconsciously looked at Luo Simo, who remained calm and nodded to the sales assistant.

“Next.”

Then, a couple’s throw pillow also appeared.

Ji Ran couldn’t even be bothered to look at Luo Simo anymore. This person seemed unable to resist anything couple-themed.

The sales assistant checking their list couldn’t help but smile.

“You two have such a good relationship.”

Luo Simo smiled back: “Thank you.”

After checking out, the two had lunch at a nearby restaurant. Ji Ran could only accept Luo Simo buying several couple-themed items under the guise of “seriously nurturing their marriage.”

“We can go to the flower market later. There aren’t many flowers in the sunroom.”

“But honestly, I’ve never kept flowers. I don’t know how. What if I kill them?”

This point made Luo Simo fall into thought, but she quickly resolved it.

“Then you don’t have to raise them. I’ll hire an experienced florist to help. You just need to look at the flowers. Coincidentally, we can replant the garden flowers with the ones you like.”

This is the extravagance of the wealthy.

So, the two set off for the flower market to order flowers and plants and to look for a gardener.

Jiangcheng’s flower market was made up of bustling, winding streets, full of youthful energy and many young couples.

The scene was captivating, and the atmosphere made Ji Ran’s heart feel a little fluttery.

She had passed by the flower market several times but had never stepped inside.

Because there was no one to send her flowers, and no one she wanted to send flowers to.

Today was her first time walking into these small alleys full of fresh flowers. The flowers were quiet and beautiful, while the shouts of the vendors and the customers’ inquiries created a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere.

The crowd was dense; it was easy to get separated, but Luo Simo was focused and stayed close to Ji Ran.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the flowers and shops. She just followed Ji Ran. When Ji Ran stopped, she stopped. If Ji Ran was interested, she would lean down to ask about it.

The two followed the crowd. Finally, after experiencing the hustle and bustle of the flower market, they reached the quieter outskirts. The vendors here usually had a small storefront in the front and supplied in the back. The front was the fresh-cut flower market, while this area had mostly potted plants, so not many people wandered here.

However, it was perfect for them, as they were buying in bulk.

After Ji Ran selected the flowers, Luo Simo waved her hand and placed an order for two hundred pots.

“I wonder if two flower stands will be enough.”

Luo Simo still felt it wasn’t enough. She would arrange for someone to buy more from the flower base later.

And she couldn’t find a gardener at the flower market. She would have to find one at the flower base.

Ji Ran was overwhelmed. Her first time at the flower market, and she bought a whole carload.

But…

While everyone else was holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, she was just watching the staff load pots onto the truck, her own hands empty.

Just as she was thinking this, Luo Simo produced a bouquet from nowhere. Blue and white wrapping paper contained twelve white roses delicately dyed blue, layered with lush eucalyptus leaves, as if protecting the roses within.

“When did you buy this?”

Taking the bouquet, Ji Ran felt a momentary shyness. It was as if Luo Simo had seen right through her thoughts. Maybe Luo Simo had noticed when she glanced at other people’s flowers.

“I picked it out while you were selecting the flowers.”

She didn’t know what flowers Ji Ran liked, but she noticed Ji Ran had looked twice at a girl holding this exact bouquet.

“Didn’t you already give me a gift last night?”

“That was yesterday. Besides, how can you leave the flower market empty-handed?”

“But didn’t we already buy a carload of flowers?”

“That’s different.”

“How is it different?”

Luo Simo didn’t answer. She turned and confirmed the address with the vendor again, then led Ji Ran away.

“Let’s go. We still have to pick up August.”

This time, the two walked out of the flower market against the flow of people.

Luo Simo was still the same, protecting Ji Ran, keeping a proper distance.

Just as Ji Ran’s gaze had fallen on the bouquets in other people’s arms when they entered, now, people were looking at the flowers in Ji Ran’s arms.

What others have, you must have too.

Leaving the crowded flower market, they drove to the pet clinic.

“The clinic isn’t very close to home, but I can’t help it. August has always been treated at this clinic, and he’s used to it. If something happens to him when I’m not around and you’re looking after him, bring him here.”

“Okay.”

From Luo Simo’s tone, she seemed very attached to the dog.

“Is he called August because he was adopted in August?”

“No, he was adopted in January.”

“Then why is he called August?”

That’s strange. Question marks popped up in Ji Ran’s head as she looked at Luo Simo.

Luo Simo, for some reason, just glanced at her sideways and didn’t answer.

Another question mark appeared above Ji Ran’s head. I only asked a question. Why is her look so accusatory?

Adopted in January but named August. Anyone would ask why, right?

Ji Ran’s question remained unanswered. Luo Simo walked into the pet clinic without a word.

The two-year-old Golden Retriever was lying lazily in his cage, but the moment Luo Simo walked in, he immediately perked up. He leaped up, ran two circles on the spot in excitement, and barked at the cage door.

It was as if he was saying, My owner is here, let me out quickly!

The staff member looking after him chuckled: “He was listless and sickly this morning. Now he’s all excited the moment he sees Miss Luo.”

Saying this, the young lady opened the cage door. August immediately jumped out and rushed to Luo Simo, circling her twice, then stopping in front of her, panting with his tongue out, his tail wagging excitedly.

Seeing her pet, Luo Simo was naturally very happy. She squatted down to maintain eye level with August and stroked his large head.

“You won’t dare to eat anything you shouldn’t again, will you?”

Ji Ran arrived a moment later, watching the harmonious scene between the dog and the person. Luo Simo, in front of August, was so gentle.

She couldn’t resist bending down to try and pet the beautiful Golden Retriever.

Then, August nimbly dodged, moving to Luo Simo’s other side and pressing close to her.

Seeing Ji Ran’s missed attempt to pet him, Luo Simo looked up at her and mocked her silently, without mercy.

That’s what you get for not remembering the significance of “August.” Now August is rejecting you.

August was the month they first met.

Ji Ran, who failed to pet the dog: Why does the dog owner’s smiling face look so smug?

So, Ji Ran placed her empty hand on Luo Simo’s head, gently stroking it.

“Good girl.”

If I can’t pet the dog, can’t I pet the dog owner?