The Sickly Beauty Can’t Escape the Obsessive Lover - Chapter 30.2

During the meal, the conversation mostly revolved around memories from their school days. Jing Yuan couldn’t contribute and was limited to eating greens, his expression growing increasingly resentful as his eating pace noticeably slowed.

“Yan Ge, we should visit our alma mater sometime. Ning High’s 56th anniversary celebration is coming up soon,” Ye Xingran suggested. “Let’s go together.”

Chen Bin teased, “A big celebrity like you attending the school festival—aren’t you afraid of causing a stampede?”

Ye Xingran smiled. “Stop making fun of me.”

Noticing Jing Yuan’s continued unhappiness, Ji Yan paid little attention to the school festival discussion.

He was just curious. Jing Yuan had been perfectly fine moments ago, so why did he suddenly look so wilted?

“Yuan Yuan, are you feeling unwell?”

Jing Yuan gripped his chopsticks. “No.”

Ji Yan’s question also drew the attention of the others.

Seeing everyone staring at him, Jing Yuan said in a soft, sticky voice, “Can I have one more crab?”

Realizing that this was the reason for Jing Yuan’s unhappiness, Ji Yan felt both helpless and amused. “You can, but you have to eat it with ginger sauce.”

“I don’t want ginger,” Jing Yuan protested, pursing his lips.

Ji Yan raised an eyebrow. “Then no crab for you.”

Xie Lie chuckled at this, watching Ji Yan and Jing Yuan as if enjoying a show. He had never seen Ji Yan act so flirtatiously before.

Chen Bin had previously heard that Ji Yan didn’t get along well with his fiancé. When he returned to the country with Ye Xingran, they had even discussed the matter. Now, it seemed the intel was wrong.

He instinctively glanced at Ye Xingran, a subtle look flashing in his eyes.

In the end, Jing Yuan didn’t get to eat the crab.

He resembled a white rose that had lost its moisture—edges curled, head drooping, wilted and pitiful, silently protesting Ji Yan’s tyranny.

It was getting late.

Chen Bin and Ye Xingran prepared to say their goodbyes.

Before leaving, Ye Xingran asked Ji Yan, “Are you going to the high school anniversary celebration?”

Ji Yan replied, “No time. Probably not.”

Ye Xingran nodded, then glanced at Jing Yuan, who was sulking on the sofa over not getting to eat the crab. “Brother Yan, I’d like to talk with you. Do you have time?”

Ji Yan’s expression remained calm. “Yes.”

Ye Xingran smiled happily. “Good.”

As the three of them left, they each glanced back at Ye Xingran, especially Chen Jifeng, who seemed to think the situation was a bit inappropriate.

Walking beside Xie Lie, Chen Jifeng casually slipped a hand into his pocket and asked Chen Bin, “Is Xingran planning to stay this time, or is he leaving again?”

Chen Bin shook his head. “He probably won’t leave.”

Chen Jifeng pressed further, “I heard he had a boyfriend abroad, almost engaged. Why did he suddenly decide to come back?”

Chen Bin paused. “That rich kid lied to Xingran. Only when they were about to get engaged did he admit he had a fiancé chosen by his family. So Xingran broke up with him.”

Chen Jifeng smirked. “So, he came back.”

Chen Bin replied, “Yeah.”

Chen Jifeng didn’t voice the harsh thoughts aloud, but among their close friends, they could all guess Ye Xingran’s intentions.

Back in their school days, everyone said Ji Yan and Ye Xingran were a perfect match, destined to be together. Unfortunately, Ye Xingran went abroad, and Ji Yan seemed to mope for a while afterward.

Ji Yan himself claimed his melancholy during that time was due to family matters, but no one believed him.

Those who truly knew Ji Yan speculated that Ye Xingran was his first love and that the two had been involved for a period.

—

Meanwhile, Ye Xingran stayed behind to talk with Ji Yan.

He glanced at Jing Yuan sitting on the sofa and said with a smile, “It’s a bit stuffy in here. Let’s go for a walk outside.”

“Alright.” Ji Yan casually threw on his jacket and walked over to Jing Yuan. “We’re going for a walk to help digest our meal. Want to join?”

Jing Yuan frowned, not wanting to engage with Ji Yan.

He had only eaten three crabs.

What was there to digest?

If he waited two more seconds, it would already be in his large intestine.

But he didn’t dare refuse Ji Yan outright, nor did he dare ignore him on purpose.

He could only reply in a pitiful tone, “I don’t have the energy.”

Ji Yan nodded and turned to walk toward Ye Xingran.

Jing Yuan glanced at the two of them. There was another reason he didn’t want to go. They had deliberately stayed behind to share some private words, so what was he doing there? Being a third wheel?

Before he could look away, Ji Yan wheeled the wheelchair over.

“Yuan Yuan, get on. I’ll push you.”

Jing Yuan stared at the wheelchair, his expression stiffening slightly.

If Ji Yan was pushing him, could it still be considered a stroll after the meal?

But since Ji Yan had already offered, he couldn’t refuse without causing embarrassment. He slowly sat down, bundled up in his long down coat, playing the part of a fragile and delicate porcelain doll.

Ye Xingran hadn’t expected Ji Yan to push Jing Yuan. His smile froze for a moment before he regained his composure.

“Let’s go. The night sky is beautiful.”

And so, Ji Yan pushed Jing Yuan as they strolled through the tranquil estate with Ye Xingran.

Ye Xingran didn’t say anything particularly special to Ji Yan, mostly sticking to topics similar to those discussed during dinner.

Ji Yan remained quiet, and the word Jing Yuan heard most often was “Mm.”

At that moment, Ye Xingran smiled and asked, “Yuan Yuan is so good-looking. Have you ever thought about becoming a celebrity?”

Jing Yuan, who had been feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles, was suddenly addressed. He looked up in confusion. “A celebrity…?”

Celebrities probably earn a lot of money, right?

But his physical condition might not allow it.

“Being a celebrity isn’t good,” Ji Yan said, lowering his head to adjust Jing Yuan’s scarf.

“Why isn’t it good?” Ye Xingran asked curiously.

“It’s quite exhausting, and the industry is complex—full of scheming, backstabbing, and constant comparisons,” Ji Yan replied seriously, looking at Ye Xingran.

This was the first time that night Ye Xingran had made direct eye contact with Ji Yan. He smiled faintly. “You seem to know a lot about the entertainment industry.”

Ji Yan said, “I’ve invested in a few entertainment companies, so I have some understanding.”

In five years, the domestic film industry would flourish. Investments of over a billion yuan would no longer be rare.

Ji Yan had already taken stakes in five promising small entertainment media companies, waiting for them to go public in five years.

“Actually, being a celebrity has its advantages. If Xiao Jing became a celebrity, he could definitely bring some attention to the group.”

“Ji Corporation doesn’t need that kind of attention to maintain its reputation,” Ji Yan replied bluntly, adjusting his glasses and smiling at Ye Xingran. “Yuan Yuan won’t be one.”

Ye Xingran shrugged helplessly. “Alright. But you should ask Xiao Jing himself.”

Ji Yan lowered his head and couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle Jing Yuan’s hair. “Do you want to be one?”

Jing Yuan’s carefully styled hair was instantly messed up.

“Oh,” he replied vaguely. “I don’t want to.”

Truthfully, he was quite interested. It was just that his health wouldn’t allow it.

Ji Yan smiled with satisfaction and reminded him, “Tuck your face into the scarf. Don’t let it get red from the cold.”

Jing Yuan obediently complied.

Watching the affectionate couple in front of him, Ye Xingran forced a smile. “I won’t disturb you two any longer. I’ll take my leave.”

Jing Yuan waved. “Bye-bye.”

Ye Xingran nodded, tightened his coat, and left.

It was cold outside, so Ji Yan quickly wheeled Jing Yuan back inside. Still unsatisfied with his dinner, Jing Yuan remained listless. After bidding Ji Yan goodnight, he sneaked into the kitchen to rummage through the fridge.

If he was lucky, there might be some crab inside.

However, the kitchen usually disposed of leftovers, rarely keeping them overnight.

Jing Yuan stood on his tiptoes, squinting as he searched carefully, completely unaware of the tall figure that had appeared behind him.

“Yuan Yuan, what are you looking for?”

Jing Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Oh no! Ji Yan was here!

He clutched his chest and turned around with an exaggerated, delicate expression. “I’m hungry. I can’t sleep.”

Ji Yan smiled slightly. “Didn’t you have enough for dinner? I remember there was sweet and sour lotus root ribs—your favorite—but you barely touched them.”

Her crystal-clear eyes shifted gently.

Who would choose ribs when there’s crab meat?

“I don’t want ribs. I only want seafood.”

In the past, Jing Yuan had a weak constitution and had to avoid all cold-natured foods. But now that his health had improved significantly, he could eat some in moderation.

Ji Yan hadn’t expected Jing Yuan to be so persistent. Looking down at those pitiful eyes, he opened the refrigerator and said, “If you want seafood, how about lobster? Lobster isn’t considered cold-natured seafood.”

Jing Yuan immediately leaned in. “Sure.”

“Lobster rice or lobster noodles?”

“Either is fine, Yan Yan, my dear.”

Hearing Jing Yuan call him “my dear” so naturally, Ji Yan felt a subtle sense of satisfaction welling up inside him.

“I’ll make lobster wontons for you.”

“Yes, please!”

Jing Yuan clapped his hands, almost whistling in excitement.

Just then, Chen Tian, hearing the commotion, came over. Seeing that Ji Yan had already started preparing the lobster, he quickly asked, “Should I wake the head chef?”

“No need,” Ji Yan replied softly without looking up.

Chen Tian had seen Ji Yan cook before, but only for barbecues. Watching Jing Yuan grab a bowl of flour as if he intended to do something, he couldn’t help but ask again, “If you need to knead the dough, I should probably call the chef.”

“I can handle it,” Ji Yan said, this time looking up and glancing at Chen Tian. “You can go. Don’t stay here.”

Chen Tian, feeling like a third wheel, sighed inwardly.

Jing Yuan sighed sympathetically for Chen Tian, then picked up an apron and eagerly wrapped it around Ji Yan’s waist, tying it for him.

His hands were soft, and as they brushed against Ji Yan’s waist, it felt like a cat’s paw, tickling him.

Ji Yan turned his head to look at Jing Yuan. “Not done yet?”

Jing Yuan, struggling with a stubborn knot, replied, “Oh, almost done.”

Chen Tian, about to leave, couldn’t bear to watch.

________________________________________

Ji Yan worked efficiently, kneading the dough and shaping a few small wontons for Jing Yuan. Jing Yuan drooled with anticipation while marveling at the fact that Ji Yan could cook.

A big-shot antagonist CEO actually knew how to make wontons. The novel’s author had really given him a contrasting cuteness character design.

Soon, steaming hot lobster wontons were ready.

Jing Yuan followed Ji Yan and sat on the carpet, blowing gently on the wontons to cool them down.

Noticing only one bowl in front of him, he curiously asked Ji Yan, “Aren’t you eating?”

Ji Yan sat beside him on the soft carpet and shook his head lightly. “I already had dinner.”

Jing Yuan pursed his lips, feeling that Ji Yan was subtly mocking him.

The savory aroma of the wontons wafted into Jing Yuan’s nostrils, and he didn’t have time to dwell on such thoughts. He picked up a spoon and first sipped some of the broth.

Ji Yan leaned against the edge of the sofa, his right knee bent, his gaze relaxed and casual as he slowly observed Jing Yuan.

“It’s hot!”

Jing Yuan eagerly bit into a wonton, but as soon as he broke the skin, the hot broth inside instantly filled his mouth, making him grimace in pain.

Ji Yan frowned and leaned closer. “Are you hurt?”

Jing Yuan shook his head and gave a thumbs-up. “The wontons you made are super delicious.”

Ji Yan clearly didn’t believe him and raised an eyebrow slightly. “You haven’t even eaten one properly.”

Jing Yuan continued showering him with praise. “Even though I only tasted a bit of the broth, I could already tell it’s a rare delicacy in this world.”

Ji Yan chuckled. “Really?”

Jing Yuan scooped up another wonton with his spoon, carefully blowing on it, licking it, and nibbling it to make sure it wasn’t too hot before cautiously putting it into his mouth.

He smiled, his eyes curving. “Ji Yan, this is the first time I’ve ever eaten wontons.”

Ji Yan gazed at him thoughtfully. “You’ve never had them before?”

“I’ve only ever read about it in books.” Before Jing Yuan transmigrated into the book, all his knowledge of delicious food came from written descriptions, which was why he had been so greedy for it ever since arriving at the Ji family.

Ji Yan raised his hand and gently touched Jing Yuan’s hair.

He wanted to say something but found it difficult to bring up.

“Do you think this place is good?”

“Of course, I really like it here.”

Ji Yan thought for a moment before reaching out again, this time pinching Jing Yuan’s ear.

Jing Yuan glanced at him.

“Do you want some wontons too?”

With all the hints and suggestions, Jing Yuan figured Ji Yan must have been tempted after watching him eat so eagerly.

Ji Yan neither confirmed nor denied it.

The question troubling his heart was something only he knew.

This time, Jing Yuan was clever. He quickly ran to the kitchen to fetch a new set of utensils for Ji Yan. Just as before, he scooped up a wonton, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Ji Yan’s lips.

“Open your mouth, I’ll feed you.”

Ji Yan stared at Jing Yuan as he took the wonton into his mouth.

Just as Jing Yuan was about to pull his hand back, Ji Yan grasped his slender wrist and tugged him closer.

“Yuan Yuan, are you really willing to marry me?”