Fell Deeply In Love With My Ex-Husband's Fiancé - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: You’re Married

Lance looked at Lu Feiran’s empty ten fingers…

Lu Xingli was wearing an oversized white shirt, swinging his bare legs as he sprawled on the spacious bed.

He swung his legs, fiddling with a phone in his hand. After a moment, Lu Feiran’s phone rang again.

Caller ID—Zhai Qiance.

Lu Feiran gave a cold smile, answered the call, and continued to stare at the surveillance footage.

Neither party spoke on the phone, only the faint rustling sound could be heard.

Lu Xingli rolled lazily on the bed twice before realizing Lu Feiran had already answered. He paused, a smug smile spreading across his face. He pursed his lips and covered his mouth, deliberately letting out a soft chuckle.

Lu Feiran watched expressionlessly as he messed around in his master bedroom.

Is this bed really that comfortable to sleep in? Is it the mattress or the soft duvet? Neither. It was because this was the bed he and Zhai Qiance shared.

Lu Feiran’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He calmly spoke: “Why aren’t you saying anything? A-Ce.”

The muffled, unclear laughter on the phone stopped. Lu Feiran saw Lu Xingli’s leisurely movements cease, knowing that he was uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable already?

Lu Feiran raised his voice slightly and asked again.

Another figure appeared in the frame. He walked quickly, took the phone Lu Xingli was holding, glanced at the call log, gave Lu Xingli a light look of reproach, and spoke into the phone: “Hello, Ranran.”

“Hmm? What happened just now?”

“Maybe the signal was bad.”

The excuse was ridiculous.

Lu Feiran leaned lazily against the sofa, with a soft carpet underneath him. The floor heating had been turned on, radiating a constant warm heat that made him so comfortable he wanted to sleep.

“The manager called me today to pick someone up at Aurora. I thought you might be there too,” Lu Feiran casually remarked.

Zhai Qiance glanced at Lu Xingli. Lu Xingli immediately crawled over from the bed to hug Zhai Qiance’s waist. The shirt rode up, exposing a section of his thigh.

Lu Xingli clung to him, insisting on company, saying it was a rare chance for them to fully enjoy their time together since Lu Feiran was away. If not for this, Zhai Qiance would have gone to Aurora.

He felt a sense of relief. He usually played wild at Aurora. If Lu Feiran had bumped into him, it would have been difficult to handle.

“Who did you pick up?” Zhai Qiance asked, stroking Lu Xingli’s head.

“I picked up Devel,” Lu Feiran’s indifferent tone softened when he mentioned the name. “He was a bit too drunk, so I took him home.”

Zhai Qiance’s hand lost its strength, painfully gripping Lu Xingli’s hair.

“Hiss—”

Lu Feiran asked: “What was that sound?”

“Nothing,” Zhai Qiance replied distractedly, pulling his hand away from Lu Xingli’s hair. “Did you go back home now?”

Lu Feiran was getting closer and closer to Noah; this wasn’t good news.

A sense of crisis welled up, making Zhai Qiance anxious. He always trusted his sixth sense, which had been remarkably accurate, helping him avoid countless hidden dangers.

He spoke with an edge, in a tone that allowed no refusal: “Ranran, having learned more about your situation recently, the company isn’t suitable for you. Why don’t you rest at home? You can do whatever you like every day.”

Lu Feiran sneered: “I think the current job is quite good. I won’t come back. What could I possibly do at home?”

“What’s so good about serving tea and pouring water every day? When did I ever ask you to do such a thing?”

When Lu Xingli heard Zhai Qiance say this, his expression immediately soured. He glared resentfully at Zhai Qiance, patted his hand, and motioned for him to hang up.

Zhai Qiance knew his tone was bad but didn’t want to placate Lu Feiran: “Do whatever you want—gardening, keeping pets, or playing your violin.”

“Playing the violin…” Emotion finally flickered in Lu Feiran’s cold eyes. “Before we got married, you said you would help me buy a ‘Stradivarius.’ How about giving it to me as a birthday gift this time?”

Zhai Qiance’s face subtly changed. A violin of that caliber is priceless. Its market value increases over time, sometimes fetching prices as high as 100 million RMB.

He had checked the price of the violin and never intended to buy it for Lu Feiran, fobbing him off several times. Fortunately, Lu Feiran hadn’t pressed him.

Why suddenly…?

Lu Feiran’s eyes turned red without him realizing it. He bit his lower lip, looked at the distorted, jealous expression on Lu Xingli’s face in the surveillance footage, cleared his throat, and said: “That’s all for now. Thank you, husband!”

Hanging up the phone, Lu Xingli erupted: “Lu Feiran is ridiculous! The first thing he asks for is a violin! All his things are outrageously luxurious. They should all be smashed!”

Zhai Qiance frowned silently. He could sense that Lu Feiran was somewhat different from before, but where exactly the difference lay, he couldn’t pinpoint.

He scoffed, dismissed the thought of the violin, took off his bathrobe, and pounced on Lu Xingli. The two entangled on the spacious bed.

“He’s not as sensible as you are. He doesn’t deserve nice things.”

Lu Feiran exited the surveillance screen.

“Who were you talking to?”

A soft voice came from behind. Lu Feiran turned back in surprise, seeing Lance standing behind him in a bathrobe.

For some reason, he felt a little guilty. His palms were sweating slightly. He looked down several times; the surveillance screen and the call had already been turned off.

“Feiran, do you have a lover?” Lance pressed.

Looking at the other person’s eyes, which still seemed somewhat hazy from the lingering effects of alcohol, Lu Feiran felt an urge to lie.

“You said ‘husband’?” Lance asked. “Are you married?”

Lu Feiran’s heart sank. He lowered his head and looked away, missing the sparkle in Lance’s eyes.

Lance looked at Lu Feiran’s ten fingers, which were bare: “Why aren’t you wearing a wedding ring?”

Lu Feiran hedged: “I don’t like wearing accessories.”

“Is that so?”

Lance’s gaze shifted to the pile of wet clothes beside Lu Feiran. They were originally festooned with various accessories—necklaces, waist chains, bracelets—nothing was missing.

Lu Feiran felt a little self-conscious, turned his body slightly, and blocked the clothes from view.

Lance quickly smiled again, no longer bringing up the topic of marriage.

He took out a hairdryer, stood behind Lu Feiran, gently touched Lu Feiran’s wet hair, and asked: “Feiran, can’t you find the hairdryer? I’ll dry it for you.”

Lu Feiran sat still, stunned, not refusing Lance’s help.

He could feel the other person’s well-defined fingers constantly weaving through his short hair. Soon, his hair was dry.

Good. He didn’t ask who my husband is.

For some reason, Lu Feiran felt somewhat afraid of Lance asking him questions. He was always worried those questions would expose his true self.

However, wasn’t it only right for Lance to know his identity?

Lance put the hairdryer away, lowering his eyelashes, seeming a bit reluctant: “Is your husband waiting for you to go back? I’ll ask the driver to make another trip. I’m sorry, today was all my fault for wasting your time.”

“No!” Lu Feiran denied it immediately, his heart pounding quickly. “He’s not waiting for me.”

He lowered his head, looking seemingly disappointed. His now fluffy, dry hair made him look soft and easily bullied.

“Is that so?” Lance saw a hint of sadness on Lu Feiran’s face. He wanted to dig his fingers into Lu Feiran’s wound, making him hurt more. “Then, Feiran, why don’t you stay tonight?”

Lance’s home was large, with many rooms, but only one guest room had a bed.

…

That night, Zhou Zihua received a text message from Lu Feiran saying he wouldn’t be returning home and sent a reply: [Don’t forget we’re going to Qiongzhu Gallery tomorrow.]

Lu Feiran had indeed almost forgotten his weekend plan.

Zhou Zihua had helped him investigate the art academy student Zhai Qiance had previously kept—his name was Jin Zhan.

A few months ago, Jin Zhan had just graduated. He came from an ordinary family in a small city with no wealth. His painting skills were excellent, but right after graduation, he took over the management of an art gallery.

Qiongzhu Gallery had been operating for over two years. Although the time was short, it had an excellent reputation in the industry.

It not only exhibited world-famous works but also represented many contemporary artists in selling their paintings. Jin Zhan’s own works were also on the sales list.

Lu Feiran suspected there was something fishy about Qiongzhu Gallery. There were too many cases of illegal transactions carried out under the guise of art exchange.

Lu Feiran replied to Zhou Zihua, assuring him he wouldn’t forget, then saw a new message from Zhou Zihua.

[I heard Zhai Qiance and Devel are making good progress? Does he have no shame? He’s a married man!]

Lu Feiran froze, remembering what Lance had told him—that Zhai Qiance was only a business partner.

What does ‘making good progress’ mean? Is he really going to become Zhai Qiance’s fiancé?

Suspicion arose in Lu Feiran’s heart. He sat up from the bed, then realized with a start that he was currently at Lance’s house.

Would such a sincere and kind person lie to him?

Lu Feiran replied: [He must have done many shameless things. Could you help me ask about this again?]

Zhou Zihua: [Willing to serve you! I’ll keep an eye on this. If necessary, I’ll go test the waters with the young master Devel. Just kidding, we can’t let Zhai Qiance succeed!]

Lu Feiran quickly stopped him: [Don’t alert Devel! Be discreet!]

Perhaps the family and Zhai Qiance have reached an agreement, and the person involved is still in the dark.

Lu Feiran chatted with Zhou Zihua for a few more sentences and eventually fell asleep without realizing it.

…

Waking up the next morning, Lu Feiran cursed under his breath. His head ached, and he felt unwell all over. Getting soaked yesterday had resulted in him catching a cold today.

He forced his weak body up and slowly left the room.

It was already ten in the morning. A sweet aroma wafted into Lu Feiran’s nostrils, clearing his groggy mind somewhat.

Lu Feiran followed the source of the scent and saw Lance busy in the kitchen, wearing a long-sleeved loungewear top.

It was the first time Lu Feiran had seen Lance like this—without elegant, exquisite bespoke suits, his hair not surprisingly styled, just fluffy and soft, hanging over his forehead.

The high-hanging moon felt almost within reach.

Lance turned around and discovered Lu Feiran standing alone not far away, his eyes glazed, cheeks flushed, swaying as if he might fall over at any moment.

He immediately wiped his hands clean and walked out, gripping Lu Feiran’s shoulders to help him sit down.

Lance’s slightly cool palm gently pressed against Lu Feiran’s hot forehead. He crouched down, saying with annoyance, “I’m sorry. I caused you to catch a fever.”

Lu Feiran’s gaze followed Lance’s movements. The fever prevented him from thinking clearly. He tilted his head in confusion: “Sorry?”

“You had to take care of me yesterday, and you got soaked in the rain, which is why you’re sick.” Lance was full of remorse. “It’s my fault.”

Lu Feiran looked at Lance, feeling a sense of melancholy.

He had been taken for granted and hurt by many people, none of whom ever showed him the slightest hint of apology.

He had never felt Lance needed to apologize to him, yet he constantly received Lance’s apologies.

Even during their first meeting, Lance had said he volunteered to help him, that he was willing.

“Willing” was a rare word. Lu Feiran didn’t believe anyone would be willing to be so meticulous towards another person.

Lance gently smoothed the collar of Lu Feiran’s pajamas that had been rumpled during sleep and said: “Would you go back to sleep for a while? I’ll go look for medicine for you.”

Lu Feiran slowly shook his head: “I have an appointment this afternoon. I have to leave.”

Lance’s hand movements slowed down. He didn’t say anything to stop him, but instead brought out the finished pastries and placed them in front of Lu Feiran.

“Feiran, try my cooking.”

The freshly baked pastries were warm, fluffy, and soft. Taking a bite felt like sinking into a cloud.

Lu Feiran was indeed hungry and finished one piece in no time.

Lance put his phone away and started searching for medicine in the house but found that he didn’t have any.

He felt inexplicably frustrated and called a familiar number.

Lu Feiran came out wearing a fluffy ash-grey sweater. After washing up, he was much more alert, but his head was still heavy and muddled.

In the past, his clothes were always arranged by Zhai Qiance’s assistant. Since he rarely went out, he wore whatever was given to him.

But now, he clearly realized that he really disliked wearing restrictive clothes like shirts and suits.

They made him feel like he was still under someone’s surveillance.

The sweater and casual pants Lance prepared for him felt very comfortable.

Lu Feiran knew he should rest more, but he was afraid Lance would assume his illness was serious and would personally come to care for him, so he forced himself to sit at the dining table, pretending to be fine.

He was unwilling to admit that sitting within Lance’s line of sight actually made him feel safe.

The doorbell rang. Lu Feiran looked up at Lance. He called out in a raspy voice twice, but Lance didn’t hear him.

Raising his voice would make his head hurt, so Lu Feiran simply got up and went to open the door.

Outside the door stood a refined man wearing glasses. He clearly froze when he saw Lu Feiran, stepped back to confirm the door number, and then hesitantly stepped inside.