I Confessed to the Wrong Enigma, Then Got Pregnant as a Top Alpha [Transmigration] - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Having eaten a bit too much, Qi Ran rubbed his stomach and said, “No, I have to go out for a walk, or I probably won’t sleep well tonight.”

Jiang Siheng looked up. “Do you want to take a digestive tablet?”

“No need, I’ll be fine just walking around.”

“Then go ahead. Don’t be too late.”

“Got it.”

After Qi Ran put on his shoes and pushed the door open to leave, Jiang Siheng finished cleaning up the dining room and prepared to return to his room. Passing through the living room, he saw the gift the youth had casually tossed aside.

Thinking that this was a gift from that popular female celebrity, Jiang Siheng walked over and picked it up. Opening it, he looked at the silver tie clip inside and pursed his lips. He packed the item back up, set it down, and silently returned to his room.

…

Qi Ran had originally intended to stroll for a while, but once he finished eating, laziness set in and he didn’t want to move. He simply sat down on a long bench in the garden to catch the evening breeze.

He was enjoying a moment of peace, but in the next second, the Little White Bird suddenly jumped up: [Issuing mission. Main Mission: Please increase the lead couple’s affection value to 5,000 within 10 days and successfully pass the 1/10 affection line challenge to receive a 3-month life reward. Side Mission: Gain 1,000 favorability points from the Protagonist Shou (Shou) and 1,000 from the Protagonist Gong (Gong) within 10 days to receive a 2-month life reward. If the main and side missions are completed simultaneously, an extra 3-month life reward and 2 big lucky draws will be granted. Good luck, Host~]

Three months for the main, two for the side, and an extra three if both are done that’s eight months in total. Plus his current balance of nearly four months, if he succeeded, he’d have almost a year. He found that this accumulation of life time was becoming more and more attractive to him.

As for the lucky draw? Sorry, he had no love left for that.

Qi Ran: “Can the lucky draw rewards be converted into life time?” He really didn’t need the draws, thanks.

The Little White Bird waved its wings: [Cannot! Lucky draws are extra benefits sent by this baby system! Please cherish this rare opportunity!]

Qi Ran: “…” He really could do without this “opportunity.”

Since a new mission had arrived, he’d find time tomorrow to contact Lu Ling and see how his cohabitation with Jiang Sen was going. Just as he thought this, his phone rang. Seeing the name “Lu Ling” flashing on the screen, Qi Ran was a bit surprised.

Upon answering, Lu Ling said, “Qi Ran, calling you so late—I hope it didn’t disturb your rest?”

How could it be a disturbance? I’m practically begging for this right now!

“I’m not resting yet, just sitting outside catching the breeze. Brother Lu, is something up? If there is, just say the word.” He was just worrying about having no excuse to farm the Protagonist Shou’s favorability.

Lu Ling gave a shy laugh. “There is something I wanted to consult you about. Uncle Jiang’s birthday is coming up, isn’t it? I wanted to ask if you’ve prepared a gift so I can use it as a reference. I really don’t have much experience in this area.”

The question Lu Ling raised was exactly what Qi Ran didn’t know. He had only just learned from Lu Ling that Jiang Siheng and Jiang Sen’s father was having a birthday. He could only blame Jiang Siheng for not showing a single trace of it.

Now that Lu Ling had come to ask for ideas hoping to “copy his answers” he had neither ideas nor answers.

“Brother Lu, are you worrying about this too? To be honest, I’ve been considering it these past two days and I’ve practically gone bald from it. I’m too embarrassed to ask Jiang Siheng directly since it would seem insincere. The key is that I haven’t had much contact with Uncle. If I send something too expensive, I’m afraid he won’t accept it; too cheap isn’t good either. The key is the sentiment.”

“You are so right! I haven’t slept well for several days because of this.” Lu Ling spoke in a tone that suggested he had finally found his people.

Favorability immediately rose by 10 points.

Qi Ran suppressed the joy in his heart. “Brother Lu, how about this? When do you have time, let’s go browse together?”

“That’s exactly what I meant! When are you free?”

“How about tomorrow night?”

“Great! Let’s get this settled quickly, otherwise I’ll always be dwelling on it. See you after work tomorrow, Qi Ran?”

“Okay, I’ll contact you then.”

Having set the time with Lu Ling, Qi Ran put down his phone and looked at the villa nearby. It seemed necessary to chat with Jiang Siheng about what his father liked. Thinking this, he didn’t waste time and headed straight home.

…

When he got back, Jiang Siheng was no longer in the dining room, having clearly finished cleaning and returned to his room to rest. Qi Ran went straight upstairs and pushed open Jiang Siheng’s door. Hearing the splashing from the bathroom, he knew the man was showering, so he laid out his bedding on the floor first.

He sat on the floor waiting for Jiang Siheng to come out.

When Jiang Siheng emerged, he met the youth’s dark eyes filled with excitement and expectation. His heart trembled slightly, but he acted naturally. “Something wrong?”

Qi Ran had been mentally preparing for a long time, but he hadn’t actually figured out how to ask naturally. After all, asking what someone’s father likes the moment you open your mouth makes it look like you’re trying to curry favor. But if he didn’t bring it up, how could he get Jiang Siheng to talk?

“There is something,” Qi Ran said tentatively, his gaze following Jiang Siheng as he moved. When Jiang Siheng sat on the edge of the bed, Qi Ran simply knelt up, pressing his hands on the mattress and looking at him. “I heard… that Uncle’s birthday is coming up?”

Surprised by the question, Jiang Siheng looked back at him. “Mm, next week. You don’t need to prepare a gift; he doesn’t lack anything.”

He didn’t want to prepare one, and he knew that with the Jiang family’s status, they couldn’t lack anything. But the point wasn’t that he needed to farm Lu Ling’s favorability! That “Acute Sense of Smell” reward was constantly tempting him.

“I know Uncle doesn’t lack things, but I should show some respect. I just don’t know what Uncle usually likes?” Qi Ran felt his hint was clear enough; it would be unreasonable if Jiang Siheng didn’t take the bait.

A sense of playfulness appeared in the man’s eyes because of his words.

Qi Ran gave a fake cough. “Don’t misunderstand, it’s just that Uncle has looked after me in the past. Now that it’s his birthday, I’m just showing some appreciation. There’s no other reason.”

“I wasn’t aware he gave you extra care?”

Well, in the past when Qi Ran caused chaos following Jiang Sen around, the fact that Jiang Ren hadn’t kicked him out really was care. But there was no need to tell Jiang Siheng that.

“Well, the two families know each other. If my dad finds out I didn’t send a gift, he’ll definitely scold me. Why are you asking so much? Just tell me, won’t you?”

Looking at the youth’s “hurry up and tell me” expression, Jiang Siheng pursed his lips. “He likes collecting blue and white porcelain vases.”

Blue and white porcelain vases. That kind of thing sounded expensive just hearing about it. Qi Ran thought that wealthy people indeed had expensive hobbies. “Anything else?”

“Actually, if you want to give something, anything is fine. He won’t be picky,” Jiang Siheng suggested seriously.

Qi Ran thought that he personally didn’t care what he gave, but the key was that Lu Ling cared. “I know Uncle isn’t picky, but I can’t just slap something together. Do you actually know or not?” Qi Ran looked at Jiang Siheng suspiciously, as if implying he was incompetent.

Jiang Siheng: “…He also likes eating peach crisps (Tao Su).”

“Peach crisps?” He hadn’t expected that. Qi Ran’s eyes lit up. “From which shop?” This, even if expensive, couldn’t be that expensive.

“The ones I make.”

Qi Ran: “…” Is it fun to play with me?

But thinking carefully about Jiang Siheng’s culinary skills, it wasn’t impossible for him to know how to make peach crisps. Seeing Qi Ran go silent, Jiang Siheng didn’t speak either, patiently waiting for a reaction.

Unwilling to give up, Qi Ran asked, “Besides blue and white porcelain and your peach crisps, is there nothing else?”

Having not received the desired answer, Jiang Siheng rolled over, back toward Qi Ran. “If you want to know, you can call and ask him yourself.”

Qi Ran: “…” If I could ask directly, why would I be asking you here!

Shrinking back into his floor bed, Qi Ran muttered softly, “Useless.”

The sharp-eared Jiang Siheng heard him and was almost moved to angry laughter. Is it that hard to just beg me once?

…

The two were silent all night. When Qi Ran woke up the next morning, he found himself—without surprise—on the bed again. Looking at the rolled-up bedding on the floor, Qi Ran: “…” Could it be that I’m sleepwalking at night?

For breakfast, Jiang Siheng made pumpkin porridge. Qi Ran had one bowl and couldn’t resist a second; the sweet, sticky texture hit his taste buds perfectly.

After eating, Qi Ran stood up. “Don’t wait for me for dinner tonight. I have an appointment… with Lu Ling.” Fearing a repeat of the previous “face-slapping” incident, Qi Ran proactively said Lu Ling’s name.

Jiang Siheng glanced at him. “What are you meeting him for again?”

“Picking gifts. You’re no help, so can’t I find some outside assistance? Gotta go, I’ll be late.”

Watching the youth leave in a hurry, Jiang Siheng decided that today’s post-meal dessert would be peach crisps.

…

Qi Ran spent the whole day thinking about the gift. When he met Lu Ling outside the mall that evening, Qi Ran walked over with a smile. “Brother Lu.”

Lu Ling smiled back. “Let’s go eat first and chat.”

Qi Ran quickly said, “Then this meal is on me today, Brother Lu.” Seeing his insistence, Lu Ling didn’t stand during the ceremony.

Once they reached the dining area, Qi Ran asked curiously, “Brother Lu, how have you and Brother Jiang (Sen) been getting along lately? How is cohabitation?”

Meeting Qi Ran’s smiling and expectant gaze, Lu Ling nodded with a smile. “It was right to listen to your advice back then. It’s not enough for two people to just love each other; they have to be able to live together. I used to feel a sense of distance from him, but that feeling is gone now. Plus, I’ve discovered we have many shared hobbies.”

Though Lu Ling looked embarrassed saying it, the sense of happiness in his eyes couldn’t be ignored. Qi Ran breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the lead couple’s relationship was stable, it could keep growing. Just as he thought this, a notification came from the Little White Bird: [Lead couple’s affection value increased by 100 points.]

Qi Ran: “…Whoa~” It seemed the cohabitation was truly happy. Just thinking about it moved the value.

Qi Ran’s eyes were full of excitement. “Seeing you like this, I know you’re doing well. Congratulations.”

Lu Ling nodded. “Don’t just talk about me. How are you and Jiang Siheng?”

Suddenly put on the spot, Qi Ran had to pretend to be happy too. “Mm, we’re doing pretty well. You know, he’s great at cooking. I didn’t realize he could cook before; I was really shocked the first time I saw it.”

Lu Ling was also surprised. “Does he actually know how to cook? I didn’t expect that.”

“Right? It feels incredible, but his skills are truly top-notch.”

As the two spoke, they looked like best friends sharing happy moments. After a while, the focus returned to the gift. Qi Ran propped up his chin. “I asked Jiang Siheng yesterday, trying to fish for info, but he didn’t say anything useful. So I think we have to rely on ourselves for the gift. Brother Lu, Uncle Jiang really don’t lack anything, so we have to think about the sentiment. Do you have any skills you’re good at?”

“Skills?” Promoted by Qi Ran, Lu Ling thought seriously. “I know jewelry design. I could design a brooch or cufflinks for Uncle.”

Qi Ran immediately said, “Exactly! Design something unique; Uncle Jiang will definitely love it.”

“Why didn’t I think of that sooner? Thank you, Qi Ran.”

“Hey, don’t mention it. You didn’t ‘not think of it,’ you were just too close to the situation.”

Consoled by these words, Lu Ling’s favorability rose by another 10 points.

…

After dinner, Qi Ran accompanied Lu Ling to buy some design materials. Afterward, Lu Ling looked at Qi Ran’s empty hands. “You’ve just been accompanying me; I forgot your gift isn’t ready yet.”

Qi Ran hadn’t planned on buying his yet. “I haven’t decided what to buy, but today wasn’t a waste solving one is better than none.”

Lu Ling laughed. “Then how about this: when you’ve decided, call me and I’ll come out to buy it with you.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Lu, I won’t let you off the hook.” Qi Ran suddenly thought of something and pulled Lu Ling’s sleeve. “But Brother Lu, you actually do need to accompany me to buy something now. I just remembered, I should prepare a gift for Jiang Siheng. It’s not good to go back empty-handed. Do you want to bring something back for Brother Jiang too?”

Meeting Qi Ran’s suggestive look, Lu Ling understood instantly and gratefully gave Qi Ran another 30 points of favorability.

Qi Ran thought that earning favorability was truly not easy, but fortunately, he had found the pattern: as long as Lu Ling felt he was helping his relationship with Jiang Sen, favorability would grow.

He pulled Lu Ling to the personal care section. Lu Ling asked suspiciously, “Are you picking a gift here?”

Qi Ran smiled and pulled him to the body wash counter. “Brother Lu, think about it: a fragrant body wash. It’s simple, but it can make you two smell the same. Isn’t that… hehe…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but the hint was sufficient. He believed that as long as Lu Ling wasn’t stupid, a picture had already formed in his head.

Sure enough, Lu Ling’s ears turned red. Qi Ran picked up a peach-scented bottle and handed it to him. “This scent is sweet and fragrant; it smells great.”

Lu Ling took it and said thanks. Qi Ran acted like it was no big deal and picked an orange-scented one for himself.

As they checked out, Lu Ling received a call from Jiang Sen asking when he’d be back and if he needed a ride. Lu Ling couldn’t act too happy in front of Qi Ran, reservedly saying it wasn’t necessary.

Qi Ran listened to the Little White Bird reporting a 500-point increase in the happiness index for the affection line. He felt today’s outing was quite productive. After parting with Lu Ling in the parking lot, Qi Ran drove straight home.

…

When he pushed the door open carrying the bag, he smelled a caramel and nut aroma in the house. He sniffed hard and couldn’t help but head straight for the dining room. Seeing a plate of golden-brown peach crisps on the table, Qi Ran’s eyes filled with surprise. Jiang Siheng really could make them.

He instinctively reached out, took a piece, and put it in his mouth. “Mmm, delicious!” Not to mention the crispiness and crunch, the key was the texture—perfect sweetness and a rich walnut aroma.

Even though he’d had dinner, Qi Ran couldn’t resist holding one piece in his mouth and taking one in each hand to go upstairs.

Hearing the noise, Jiang Siheng opened his door and happened to see the youth in this state. He raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t eat?”

Qi Ran, with a peach crisp in his mouth, didn’t expect to be caught. He immediately took the piece out of his mouth. “I ate. Your peach crisps are really good! Can I bring the rest as a gift for Uncle?”

Jiang Siheng looked at the expectation in Qi Ran’s eyes, then shifted his gaze to the bag in his hand. “What did you buy?”

Being asked, Qi Ran immediately stretched his arm out. “For you. Orange-scented body wash, it smells great.”

Jiang Siheng reached out, took it, and looked down at the large orange bottle. “Do as you wish with the rest.”

Qi Ran gave a “hehe” grin. “Thanks! I’m going to shower first.”

Jiang Siheng watched him enter, his lips curling slightly, then he put the body wash in the bathroom.

…

Qi Ran soaked in the bathtub, listening to the Little White Bird reporting the lead couple’s affection values, judging that Lu Ling must have returned home to see Jiang Sen. He wondered if the 500-point increase was due to the body wash taking effect.

In one night, he’d gained 1,000 points in lead couple affection, over 100 points in Protagonist Shou favorability, and even the Protagonist Gong’s favorability increased by 50. Qi Ran figured those 50 points were likely due to Jiang Sen hearing Lu Ling talk about him and feeling grateful.

However, there was still a gap before the mission was complete. He’d have to think of more ways later.

After soaking for a while, Qi Ran changed into his clothes, feeling the cotton fabric. “Have you noticed? Jiang Siheng’s pajamas have become more conservative lately.” They were all long-sleeved cotton sets.

The Little White Bird hummed: [Wasted your body. Evil~]

Qi Ran grinned. “This gives me a sense of security.” To hell with “Pure Lust.”

After drying his hair, Qi Ran went to Jiang Siheng’s room. This time, Jiang Siheng wasn’t in the bathroom but on the bed. Qi Ran glanced at him awkwardly, sniffed, and said instinctively, “You showered? You used the body wash, didn’t you? This orange scent really smells good.”

Jiang Siheng looked down at the documents on his lap. “It’s okay.”

Those slightly reluctant three words made Qi Ran curl his lip. “If you don’t like it, you can give it back to me.”

Jiang Siheng looked up. “Can you spit out what you’ve already eaten?”

Qi Ran raised an eyebrow. “You really want me to spit it out? I can! Here, catch.”

Trying to be a rogue with me, are you!

Jiang Siheng didn’t move. Watching the mischievously leaning Qi Ran, he reached out his hand. “Spit then. I’ll catch it.”

“…” Qi Ran was shocked by his shamelessness. He pushed the hand away. “Disgusting! Why do you like playing dirty? If I spit just because you told me to, wouldn’t I lose face?”

Qi Ran climbed down from the bed to lay out his floor bed.

Seeing this, Jiang Siheng said, “You can sleep on the bed.”

“Better not. I don’t want to wake up as a blanket tomorrow morning.”

“Have you woken up as a blanket roll these past few days?”

Promoted by Jiang Siheng, Qi Ran remembered waking up in the bed these past few mornings. He frowned suspiciously. “Did I really crawl into bed in the middle of the night?”

Jiang Siheng looked at him calmly. “Otherwise? Could I have carried you up?”

Qi Ran blinked. “Who knows.” Then he muttered to himself, “Is it really sleepwalking?” If it was sleepwalking, did he need to go to the hospital? What kind of illness was that? Would it get so bad he’d run out into the street in the middle of the night?

Qi Ran lifted his blanket and lay down, worrying. With things on his mind, he couldn’t sleep. The person who usually fell asleep as soon as he lay down was now suffering from insomnia.

…

In the middle of the night, Qi Ran felt the person on the bed move, thinking Jiang Siheng was going to the bathroom. Instead, the man climbed down, circled around, and stood next to him, looking down. It was as scary as could be.

Qi Ran didn’t dare make a sound, pretending to sleep while warily wondering why this guy was standing next to him instead of sleeping. In the next second, Jiang Siheng suddenly bent down, reached out, scooped him up, and placed him on the bed.

Qi Ran: “…” So! I really wasn’t the one getting into bed!

After placing him on the bed, Jiang Siheng moved to get up and leave as he usually did. But this time, before he could stand, the person who was supposed to be fast asleep suddenly reached out, grabbed his arm, and pulled hard: “And you said I came up myself! I caught you!”

Pulled by him, Jiang Siheng lost his center of gravity and lunged forward. To maintain balance, he had to use his other hand to prop himself on the bed. This resulted in a posture where he was looming directly over Qi Ran.

The bedside lamp was knocked and turned on. Both of them instinctively turned their heads away to avoid the sudden burst of light. As a result, their lips brushed against each other.

The soft, delicate, warm touch caused them both to freeze instantly. The air seemed to solidify in that moment.

When they realized what had happened, they separated quickly as if struck by lightning. Jiang Siheng sat on the floor while Qi Ran rolled over with his back to him. Both of their breathing was erratic.

Qi Ran’s brain was a bit dazed. He couldn’t understand how they ended up kissing. Was it Jiang Siheng’s accident or his? It must be Jiang Siheng, so clumsy…

Jiang Siheng pursed his lips, looked sideways at the youth lying there with his back turned, blinked hard, then reached out to turn off the lamp. He got up and went into the bathroom.

Only when he heard the bathroom door close did Qi Ran relax his body. He buried his head in the blanket and touched his lips. This Jiang Siheng guy looks so cold and aloof, but his lips are actually quite soft.

When the bathroom door opened again and he heard Jiang Siheng’s returning footsteps, Qi Ran quickly withdrew his hand and blinked. “The matter isn’t settled yet!”

Jiang Siheng sat by the bed, his voice slightly husky. “Then how do you want to solve it?”

Qi Ran looked at him. Even in the dark, his Alpha senses allowed him to see Jiang Siheng’s expression clearly. “You clearly moved me onto the bed, yet you lied and said it was me. How can you be like this?”

Hearing the youth’s ambiguous words, Jiang Siheng’s lips curled. “Then you can go back down. I promise I won’t put you ‘on the bed’ again.”

“…Why should I?” He was already up here; there was no reason to go back down. “How about this: when it’s Uncle’s birthday, you make a fresh batch of peach crisps for me. I’ll take today’s leftovers to the company tomorrow to eat when I’m hungry. It’s a deal, okay?”

Jiang Siheng couldn’t help but smile, suddenly rolling over to face Qi Ran’s direction. The sudden move startled Qi Ran, and he instinctively scooted back. “Why did you suddenly turn over?”

“If you don’t have a guilty conscience, what are you afraid of?”

“What guilty conscience could I have? You’re the one who should be afraid.”

Jiang Siheng gave a soft “mm.” “Right. You’re correct. I do have a ‘guilty conscience’ (hidden intent).”

Qi Ran: “…” Does this guy have any shame? I’m insulting him!