Everyone I Flirted With Says They Won’t Let Me Go (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 11

Revisiting the past and clearing up misunderstandings had led to a qualitative leap in Xia Chengxi’s attitude toward Chu Ran.

The bodyguards in the villa had all been dismissed by Chu Ran, leaving the spacious house with a rare sense of desolate loneliness.

Since Xia Chengxi had promised the system to earn Chu Ran’s genuine affection as soon as possible, he naturally wouldn’t continue to oppose him. Moreover, the two had already clarified their past misunderstandings. Rationally speaking, it was the thought of Chu Ran that had kept Xia Chengxi going for those fifteen years.

Thus, whether or not to forgive Chu Ran was the most tangled issue for Xia Chengxi at the moment.

“What are you thinking about?”

Chu Ran placed a plate of freshly stir-fried shredded potatoes in front of Xia Chengxi. Shedding his usual neatly pressed suit for casual homewear, the man who once wore a perpetual frown and carried an air of gloom now beamed with the radiance of a spring breeze, looking like a dazzlingly handsome and sunny young man.

Xia Chengxi glanced at him briefly before quickly averting his gaze, his tone indifferent. “I was thinking about how you finally decided to let me out.”

Chu Ran paid no mind to the coldness in Xia Chengxi’s tone. The fact that Xia Chengxi was willing to sit down and speak calmly with him was already progress, wasn’t it?

“I remember you loved shredded potatoes when you were little. You could eat them for days without getting tired of them. Try it and see if my cooking has improved.”

Xia Chengxi looked surprised. “You know how to cook?”

Chu Ran grinned proudly. “Give it a taste.”

Pursing his lips, Xia Chengxi stared at the perfectly cooked shredded potatoes before finally picking up his chopsticks. He took a small bite, chewing slowly. He wasn’t particularly fond of stir-fried potatoes, but he had to admit the seasoning was just right. Reluctantly, he nodded. “It’s okay.”

“I made a few other dishes too. If you’re hungry, you can start eating. If not, we can wait a bit longer.”

With that, Chu Ran turned and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Through the glass door of the kitchen, Xia Chengxi watched Chu Ran’s busy figure, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes filled with an indescribable melancholy.

[Host, I think Chu Ran is quite devoted. Whether it’s status, position, wealth, or determination, he’s no worse than Gu Chengxi. Besides, Gu Chengxi hasn’t seen through that impostor’s identity and is treating him as you. Even if you go back, how will you face Gu Chengxi?]

[Stop it. I believe in him.]

[Come on, if men were reliable, pigs could climb trees. But honestly, you don’t need to worry so much. After all, you’ll be leaving this world in three months, cutting all ties and starting anew.]

Xia Chengxi knew the system made sense, but deep down, he refused to believe it.

How could Gu Chengxi, who had doted on him, loved him, and spent every day with him for six months, fail to recognize him?

With his intelligence and insight, that video must have been a deliberate act to deceive Chu Ran!

Xia Chengxi silently cheered himself on. One day, Gu Chengxi would appear in a spectacular moment, riding on colorful clouds to take him home. Hang in there, Xia Chengxi. Don’t lose hope. Trust him.

Lost in thought, Xia Chengxi was startled when Chu Ran brought out the rest of the dishes. “So fast!”

“Fast?” Chu Ran sat down beside him, pulling out a tissue to wipe the water from his hands. “It’s been over half an hour. You must be starving after waiting so long for me.”

…Xia Chengxi naturally fell silent, picking up his chopsticks to take bites of food, chewing and swallowing slowly.

There was no trace of petulance or reluctance in his demeanor; he ate with a measured pace, unlike an orphan who had endured hardship since childhood, but rather like a young master raised in the lap of luxury.

Following the rule of not speaking during meals or before sleep, Xia Chengxi didn’t exchange a single word with Chu Ran throughout the meal. Having eaten very little since waking up early, he was genuinely hungry by now and finished every last grain of rice in his bowl. Setting down his chopsticks, he still seemed unsatisfied and instinctively ran the tip of his tongue lightly over the corner of his lips, catching a stray grain of rice. His lips flushed a delicate pink.

Xia Chengxi glanced at Chu Ran and noticed him staring with a strange expression. He flicked his tongue out again, nimbly tracing the edges of his lips but found nothing there.

Chu Ran snapped out of his daze, his voice low and slightly hoarse, and asked, “Are you full?”

Xia Chengxi nodded, pressing his lips together. “The rice was delicious. Thank you.”

Chu Ran, who had stood up to clear the dishes, paused briefly, a smile quickly spreading across his face, reaching all the way to his ears. “Let’s go for a walk later to help digest, alright?”

Xia Chengxi looked at him in disbelief. A walk? Was this some kind of imperial favor?

“What’s wrong? Don’t want to go?”

How could he not want to!

“We can go out?”

“I’ll take you to see the scenery of Panshan City later. I remember you’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

Xia Chengxi almost refuted this instinctively, but upon reflection, the real Xia Chengxi indeed didn’t seem to have a fear of heights.

Chu Ran, being the young master he was, knew how to cook but never washed dishes. He left the bowls in the sink, drove a silver-white supercar out from the garage, and set off with Xia Chengxi along the winding mountain road at a steady pace.

The scenery here was uniquely beautiful, the mountain air crisp and refreshing. Xia Chengxi cracked the car window open slightly, and a chilly breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees rushed in. Chu Ran glanced over and promptly rolled the window back up.

Xia Chengxi paid him no mind, resting his head against the window and closing his eyes. He had only intended to rest for a while, but Chu Ran was an exceptionally smooth and steady driver. His eyelids grew heavy, and by the time he opened them again, dusk had already fallen.

The driver’s seat was empty. Looking out the window, he saw Chu Ran sitting on a large rock not far away, smoking as he gazed at the orange sunset hanging in the sky, a look of pure contentment on his face.

Xia Chengxi got out of the car, stretched, and looked out into the distance, taking in the entire expanse of Panshan Mountain. Only then did he realize they had reached the summit.

Noticing Xia Chengxi was awake, Chu Ran put out his cigarette. Xia Chengxi asked him, “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, look—the sunset now is just perfect, isn’t it?”

The sunset was beautiful, but it would have been even more so if the person beside him were Gu Chengxi.

System: [Such a beautiful place is perfect for a wild romp.]

[Do you believe I’d kill you?]

Though if it were Gu Chengxi, he’d be more than willing.

“I said I’d show you the scenery of Panshan City. Let’s go.”

Xia Chengxi silently followed Chu Ran, walking past a neatly built wooden fence until the view opened up before them.

It was a patch of artificially cultivated grassland, though by early winter, the lush green had long faded. Not far away stood a helicopter, with several people in suits waiting beside it. They had probably been there for quite some time.

The assistants fitted Xia Chengxi with a specialized headset, had him sit in the co-pilot’s seat, and fastened his seatbelt. When Xia Chengxi turned his head, he saw Chu Ran already seated in the pilot’s chair, casually checking the cockpit instruments. With a smile, Chu Ran said, “When we were kids, you always said you wanted to fly up to the sky. Today, Brother Chu will take you to see it.”

Xia Chengxi swallowed hard, his legs trembling, but he couldn’t let Chu Ran notice anything. Flying up to the sky—this was it.

Chu Ran closed the cabin door, checked Xia Chengxi’s safety equipment, and waited until the ground crew had retreated beyond the safety line. The rotors spun rapidly, the noise deafening. Xia Chengxi’s heart leaped into his throat, his hands gripping the seat tightly as he stared rigidly ahead.

The way these big shots played at romance wasn’t something everyone could handle. Gu Chengxi had already put him through the wringer, and now here was Chu Ran.

As they soared into the air, Xia Chengxi trembled uncontrollably.

Chu Ran clearly noticed Xia Chengxi’s rigid posture and frowned. “Are you scared?”

Xia Chengxi jolted—he couldn’t let it show!

“N-no… I just didn’t expect,” Xia Chengxi said, his face pale, “I didn’t expect you to remember.”

[Host, you coward!]

[I am a coward, I admit it. Just get him to take me down, and I won’t be scared anymore.]

“I remember every word you’ve ever said. What you like, what you want, what you care about—to me, it’s all the most important. The time we spent in the orphanage fifteen years ago is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. I made mistakes, and it’s only right that you hate me. But I just want to make it up to you, to make up for the fifteen years I lost. Everything I’ve done is in the hope that one day you’ll willingly call me ‘Brother Chu’ again.”

The helicopter banked sharply, sweeping vast stretches of the ground into view.

Tears streamed down Xia Chengxi’s face, but he covered his mouth, trying not to let the sobs escape. His entire body shook with suppressed cries. “Stop, stop talking. I understand. I don’t blame you.”

So, could you please take me down now?

“Xiao Xi…”

Xia Chengxi wiped his tears and forced a smile. “Brother Chu, I don’t blame you anymore, really!”

Chu Ran chuckled softly, releasing one hand from the controls to grasp Xia Chengxi’s tightly.

Holy crap!!!

He’s flying with one hand! Are we going to heaven or straight to hell?!

I’m going to die, I’m going to die! I’m going to crash and die!

Chu Ran gazed down at the ground, where the winding mountain road was lined with streetlights that formed a glittering dragon against the night sky. The stars twinkled above, and the lights of countless homes shone below. Though the early winter air was chilly, warmth blossomed in his heart.

The words slipped out effortlessly, “Xiao Xi, I love you.”

[Congratulations, Host. Chu Ran’s sincerity level has reached 96%.]

Xia Chengxi’s fear was instantly overshadowed by joy. He blinked innocently, his eyes fixed on Chu Ran, and choked out, “What did you say?”

“I love you.” Each word was offered with both hands, as if presenting a gift.

[Congratulations, Host. Chu Ran’s sincerity level has reached 97%.]

“I didn’t hear you clearly.”

“Xiao Xi, I love you. I want to be with you forever.”

[Congratulations, Host. Chu Ran’s sincerity level has reached 98%.]

“And you?”

Xia Chengxi smiled. “I’ll tell you after we land.”

—Because I’m about to be scared out of my wits!

However, in the Jiang Cheng City five hundred kilometers away from Panshan City, inside the Gu family villa, Gu Chengxi was flipping through the photos sent to his phone. Even in the deep night and despite the great distance, he could still make out from the blurry images the figure of Xia Chengxi descending from the helicopter and nestling in Chu Ran’s embrace.

He clicked a cigarette to life, the smoke curling upward slowly.

—Tsk, so disobedient.