Chapter 10 Ten Fires

Early the next morning, the group gathered in the hotel restaurant with their luggage, ready to eat breakfast before boarding the production crew’s bus to the airport.

Zeng Meng looked at Yan Duo’s radiant face and asked with a smile, “You seem to have slept well last night. Any good news?”
Yan Duo smiled and denied, “What happy occasion? I’m just happy to be going home. biquge2022.com”

Zeng Meng nodded in agreement, “I’ve had enough of that lousy hotel. I’m happy to go home too.”

Then Zeng Meng started complaining about how uncomfortable the bed was after sleeping on it for over two months and how terrible the restaurant food was. However, Zhou Yingmeng gave Yan Duo, who was drinking soy milk, a meaningful glance but didn’t say anything.

The three had booked their flight tickets together, so their seats were also selected together. The two-and-a-half-hour flight passed quickly as they chatted about various gossip.

The five of them, pushing their luggage, noticed crowds gathering in one direction as soon as they stepped out, seemingly drawn by some excitement. Fangfang went over to take a look and came back saying, “It seems like Ji Ran. Someone spotted him in the waiting lounge, so everyone’s rushing over for autographs and photos.”

Although Ji Ran appeared somewhat indifferent, he was actually quite kind to his fans. Even as people swarmed around him, he didn’t mind, only urging those who had gotten autographs and photos to leave quickly so as not to disrupt the airport’s normal operations.

Yan Duo was taken aback upon hearing this. Was Ji Ran waiting for her?

Zeng Meng exclaimed excitedly, “Oh, I want to go too! I also want to take a photo with the Film Emperor Ji!”

Zeng Meng had always regarded Ji Ran as her role model, and upon learning she could meet him in person, she instantly transformed into a devoted fangirl. Her assistant beside her also grew restless with excitement, only to be stopped by Fang Fang.

“If you ever become famous, squeezing through crowds to get autographs like a regular fan could turn into scandalous material. People might even accuse you of deliberately riding on Ji Ran’s coattails!”

With Fang Fang’s words, the “fangirl” Zeng Meng snapped back to reality. She cleared her throat and straightened her posture—after all, she was an actress who had played several leading roles. How could she chase after stars so recklessly? If she were to fangirl, she should do it with style!

“You’re right,” Zeng Meng said, slipping on her sunglasses and tossing her suitcase into her assistant’s arms. “Airports are crawling with paparazzi—they might actually turn this into scandalous footage! From now on, I’m treating this airport like a runway. Who knows? The paparazzi might capture me as the ‘Most Beautiful Star at the Airport’!”

After speaking, she waved very stylishly to Yan Duo and Zhou Yingmeng, said “Let’s meet again,” and left with her assistant.

Yan Duo and Zhou Yingmeng exchanged glances and both smiled.

“How are you getting home?” Yan Duo asked Zhou Yingmeng.

“My dad is picking me up.”

After saying goodbye to Zhou Yingmeng, Yan Duo was just thinking about how to dismiss Fang Fang when Fang Fang, perceptive as ever, spoke up first.

“Duo-jie, my boyfriend is here to pick me up. Do you mind if I leave first?”

Yan Duo smiled and replied, “Not at all. Be careful on your way.”

Once everyone around her had left one by one, Yan Duo didn’t dare to approach Ji Ran. Instead, she sent him a message and then, relying on her memory, headed toward a seldom-used stairwell in the airport.

Ten minutes later, a black business car emerged from the airport parking lot. After driving for a few minutes, it stopped by a quiet roadside. The driver got out and walked toward a girl pulling a suitcase, took her luggage, and placed it in the trunk. The girl then climbed into the back seat.

“Teacher Ji, I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

Making Ji Ran wait for so long and even having him take a detour to pick her up, Yan Duo felt a pang of guilt in her heart.

Ji Ran glanced at her but said nothing.

That glance made Yan Duo’s heart race, yet she couldn’t find the right words to say. Just then, the driver got into the car. As the vehicle started moving, silence settled over the compartment—so quiet it carried a faintly awkward atmosphere.

Yan Duo glanced sideways furtively in Ji Ran’s direction, only to see him gazing out the window. His captivating profile made her steal a few extra glances before she lowered her head and noticed his right hand resting casually on the sofa between them.

Ji Ran’s hands had a natural skin tone, with slender fingers and distinct knuckles, which stirred Yan Duo’s growing desire—touching his hand would signify taking the initiative to reconcile, right? No problem!

Under the cover of her bag, Yan Duo’s hand inched slowly to the left. To mask her actions, she casually brought up a topic, saying to Ji Ran, “Your new movie is really good. I think it’s bound to be a box office hit.”

Ji Ran responded with a faint “Hmm,” appearing uninterested in the subject.

Yan Duo continued to move slowly, casually shifting the topic to ask about the rumors between him and Xiaoyao: “The movie didn’t mention what happened between you and that nurse in the end. Did the script hint that you liked her?”

At this moment, Yanduo’s pinky had “accidentally” brushed against Jiran’s hand. Just as Yanduo was about to slowly “cover” it further, Jiran suddenly withdrew his hand and replied verbally, “I like it.”

Yan Duo’s heart instantly felt as if it had been pierced with holes and placed in a freezer—bleeding and icy cold. It was all for his confession of “liking” her, and for his unwillingness to touch her. She blinked, stiffening as she tried to comfort herself. But the next second, her right hand was grasped, fingers interlaced and placed on his thigh.

“But it’s not that I like it, it’s ‘Guo Huai’ who does.”

Yan Duo’s heart pounded like a drum, leaping from hell to heaven, her mind buzzing as if swarmed by countless bees. She turned to look at Ji Ran, who was also tilting his head to gaze at her, their eyes

Their gazes met, and the atmosphere was so perfect that Yan Duo felt it would be a shame not to do something.

Her free right hand fumbled for the partition button and pressed it, blocking the view ahead. Then, Yan Duo wrapped her arms around Ji Ran’s neck and pressed her lips against his cool ones.

One minute later.

After the partition inexplicably lowered and then raised again in a rather conspicuous manner, the driver cautiously glanced in the rearview mirror. He saw Yan Duo and Ji Ran suddenly separated by what seemed like the Pacific Ocean. Ji Ran remained as composed and unreadable as before, while Yan Duo had scooted far away from him, her face flushed as she huddled at the edge of the seat, giggling to herself like a fool.

The driver withdrew his gaze, thinking to himself that Mr. Ji and Miss Yan’s relationship is truly wonderful—even after marriage, they still act like they’re in the honeymoon phase!

Yan Duo was immersed in the joy of successfully stealing a kiss when the phone in her bag rang. Seeing the caller ID, she finally realized what had felt off yesterday!

“Hello, brother, I’m already in the car. Maybe you should head back first.”

Yan Yi: “Whose car are you in? Is it a ride-hailing service? Those can be dangerous. Tell me your current location, and I’ll come pick you up.”

Yan Duo glanced subtly in Ji Ran’s direction, “It’s not a rideshare, it’s Ji Ran’s car.”

Yan Yi: “……”

“That’s even more dangerous than a rideshare!”

Yan Duo: “……”

After hanging up the phone, Yan Duo said to Ji Ran, “I forgot to tell you, I’m going home for dinner today. You can just drop me off anywhere, my brother will come pick me up later.”

Ji Ran looked straight ahead: “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Mom and Dad. I’m going to visit them.”

Yan Duo took two seconds to realize that the “Mom and Dad” Ji Ran mentioned referred to her parents. After uttering an “Oh,” her face turned slightly red.

Yan Yi’s car arrived at the Yan family home a few minutes faster than Ji Ran’s. After closing the car door, Yan Yi wasn’t in a hurry to go inside. Instead, he leaned against the hood, arms crossed, watching the black business car approach from a distance.

After the car stopped at the front door, the driver got out and quickly walked to the trunk, retrieving four or five gift boxes and handing them to Ji Ran. None of them looked like cheap items.

Yan Yi chuckled inwardly, realizing they had come prepared.

Yan Duo, aware of her wrongdoing toward her brother, walked straight to him after getting out of the car. Tugging at his sleeve, she said, “Brother, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

When it came to Ji Ran, her sister had never shown rational thinking—she’d even help him count the money if he sold her out.

Yan Yi snorted. His anger had subsided halfway thanks to his sister’s rare act of coquetry, while the other half remained directed at Ji Ran.

Ji Ran walked up to Yan Yi with a gift box in hand and called out to him, “Brother.”

Two years younger than Ji Ran, Yan Yi, who was racking his brains trying to figure out how to make things difficult for Ji Ran: “…”

Since they’ve already called him “brother,” what else could he do? It wouldn’t be right to bully someone younger! Being the elder brother-in-law was truly frustrating!

Yan Duo watched her brother’s awkward expression and giggled behind her hand. After receiving a glare from Yan Yi, she happily linked arms with Ji Ran and walked home together.

Yan Xuenian and Xu Yarou were surprised to see their unexpected son-in-law at the door, but they warmly invited Ji Ran inside.

Ji Ran called out “Dad” and “Mom,” then placed the gift box in his hands on the coffee table.

Lunch wasn’t ready yet, and with an unexpected extra guest, Yan Xuenian and Xu Yarou hurried into the kitchen to prepare additional dishes. Yan Duo wanted to help but was turned down by Xu Yarou.

No need, you can take Ji Ran to the garden for a stroll.

This was Ji Ran’s second time visiting Yan Duo’s home. The first time, he had only sat in the living room on the first floor for an hour before leaving, never getting the chance to tour Yan Duo’s house.

Yan Duo was more than happy to have some alone time with Ji Ran, so she took him to the small garden meticulously crafted by Yan Xuenian, enthusiastically introducing every plant and flower in the garden.

“That jujube tree was planted by my dad the year I was born, as old as I am, but much taller than me, and its fruits are big and sweet.”

“That peony was Mom’s favorite. When my brother pulled it out like a weed as a kid, Dad gave him a good thrashing.”

“And those roses…”

Yan Duo rambled on endlessly by herself, then worried that Ji Ran might find it boring and added, “Let me take you inside for a tour.”

Ji Ran nodded without refusing.

After briefly introducing the layout of the first floor, Yan Duo took Ji Ran upstairs to the second floor, which served as the living quarters. She simply mentioned who lived there without showing him inside, and Ji Ran didn’t ask to see either. However, when they reached the innermost part, Ji Ran pointed to a room with a pink nameplate on the door and asked, “Is this your room?”

“Oh, yes.” For the first time, Yan Duo felt particularly embarrassed by the words written on the sign—Here lives a beautiful and adorable fairy.

“Can I go in and take a look?”

Yan Duo would never refuse Ji Ran’s requests, especially such a small one as just coming in to take a look. “Of course you can.”

Yan Duo opened the door without hesitation and let Ji Ran in She rushed in, but immediately regretted it when she thought of the posters covering an entire wall. In the end, she covered her face, wanting nothing more than to escape. “Take your time looking around. I’ll go get you some water.”

Without waiting for Ji Ran’s approval, she quickly fled downstairs.

In the kitchen, Xu Yarou, who was wearing gloves while washing vegetables, looked curiously at her daughter’s flushed face and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Yan Duo leaned against her mother’s shoulder and whined with a miserable expression, “Ji Ran is touring my room. I’m getting him some water.”

Xu Yarou and Yan Xuenian exchanged a glance, understanding their daughter’s shyness, and comforted her with a smile, “You’re already married, so it’s fine if he knows. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Yan Duo understood the logic, but when actually faced with the situation, she still found it hard to confront.

After hesitating downstairs for a few minutes, when Yan Duo returned to the room with a glass of warm water, she saw Ji Ran holding the photo frame from the bedside table. Instantly, she froze at the doorway.

Ji Ran turned to look at her and said, “So it’s true that you’ve been my fan for six years.”

In the photo, Ji Ran in his early twenties casually sat on the sofa, lazily gazing at the camera. To his left, a younger-looking Yan Duo rested her head on his shoulder, her raven-black hair cascading like a waterfall from his shoulder down to his arm, smiling more beautifully than a flower. The entire photo, whether in tone or composition, appeared effortlessly natural, with expressions so lifelike it seemed like a genuine snapshot of the two from years ago.

With her head lowered, not daring to look at Ji Ran, Yan Duo recalled her confession from a few months ago.

“I’m your fan. I’ve liked you for six years. Of course, this is just my own business. You don’t have to feel pressured or agree to anything. You…” Just knowing me is enough.

Before she could finish speaking, somehow, the two ended up kissing. In a daze, she gave away her first kiss and received his first kiss in return.

Author’s Note: Mini Theater——

Ji Ran: Do you know what the highest honor is for a fan?

Yan Duo: What?

Ji Ran: Sleeping with your idol over and over again, leaving him unable to resist.

Yan Duo covered her face and giggled foolishly.

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