Over the next few days, Lin Ran finally got some peace and quiet. Aside from Su Shijie howling at him every day, nobody bothered him. Lin Ran stuck to his usual routine: a morning run, reading, homework, lunch, working out, gaming, dinner, then bed. Every day followed the same pattern.

On the third day after he’d snapped at Ye Qingqian, Shen Qingyuan said goodbye to Lin Ran and left. From then on, Lin Ran had one more task to add to his daily routine: feeding the four little ones three meals a day. After Shen Qingyuan went out of town, Su Shijie went back to hitting the clubs. Every night, he either didn’t come home at all or stumbled in around three or four in the morning, dead drunk. If they weren’t best friends, Lin Ran would’ve loved to beat the guy to death—especially when he was drunk and belting out “The One I Love.” It might’ve been forgivable if he could sing, but Su Shijie was absolutely terrible.

Luckily, it wasn’t long before Lin Ran’s dad was finally coming home. So Lin Ran used the excuse that his dad would be bringing a guest back to kick Su Shijie out and send him back to Forest Creek Valley. Su Shijie packed his things and left in a sorrowful mood, singing all the way. Before he went, he gave Lin Ran a mournful look. “Bro, wait for me to come back!”

Lin Ran clenched his fists. He swore that if Su Shijie dared to run his mouth again, he’d make him find out what a fist felt like.

“The one I lo~￥ve isn’t #￥# the one who @￥loves me~” Su Shijie wailed as he walked away with his luggage.

Lin Ran rubbed his temples, grabbed two cartons of milk and a few sausages, then went downstairs to feed the kittens.

After lunch, his dad called and told Lin Ran to meet him for a meal at Juxian Pavilion on North Mingshan Road. Lin Ran suspected his dad had gone crazy. Forget everything else—Juxian Pavilion? Was he sure he wanted to spend money there? Had he gotten so rich it had gone to his head? That lousy restaurant served terrible food and charged a fortune. After going there once with Su Shijie, Lin Ran had blacklisted the place.

Lin Ran had planned to tell his dad he’d already eaten, but his dad ‘warmly’ threatened him: “You’d better show up, or I’ll beat you up!”

Lin Ran grimaced, gathered his things with great reluctance, then slowly made his way to Juxian Pavilion.

The walk should’ve taken about ten minutes, but Lin Ran dragged it out to twenty. In those twenty minutes, his dad called him four times. That’s right—four. Once every five minutes, nagging him until his head hurt.

After overcoming countless hardships, Lin Ran finally reached Juxian Pavilion. He asked a server for directions, then went upstairs to the “Flowers Blooming in Prosperity” private room. He still had to complain about the room names there. “Flowers Blooming in Prosperity”? “Flowers Across the Land”? Come on. When Lin Ran saw them, he felt like he’d traveled back several decades.

When Lin Ran reached the “Flowers Blooming in Prosperity” room, a server was waiting outside. After he explained who he was, the server opened the door and ushered him in. He had to admit, Juxian Pavilion’s service was the one thing it did well.

As soon as Lin Ran entered, he saw his dad wearing a suit he’d ‘stolen’ from who-knows-where, chatting and laughing with a woman. Beside her sat a petite girl—one of the two girls who’d come knocking on his door that day.

“That little rascal finally made it! Come on, sit, sit. Oh, and could you bring out the food now, please?” Lin Ran’s dad stood up, laughing as he pulled Lin Ran over, then pressed him into the seat beside the girl. “Sorry to keep you waiting! Hahaha!”

Lin Ran glanced at the girl, who looked nervous every second, then at the woman, who was smiling at him. He didn’t exactly put on a friendly face, but he didn’t let his disgust show, either.

“Xiao Ran, this all happened so suddenly that I didn’t get a chance to explain. Since we’re all here for a meal, let me introduce you. This is your Auntie Liu. She’ll be your stepmother from now on. I met her through work. How do I put it? Your stepmother and I have both had it rough, and we looked out for each other at work. Then we ended up together. Hahaha! Come on, son, call her Mom!” His dad introduced her with a hearty laugh, then patted Lin Ran on the shoulder and teased him. “What’s gotten into you, boy? How’d you get so skinny? Though you’re pretty handsome now that you’ve slimmed down. Guess your old man’s got good genes!”

His dad’s words left the woman both amused and exasperated. “Xiao Ran, I know this might have come as a shock. You’ll need time to get used to it, and that’s all right. You can call me Auntie Liu for now. My name is Liu Wenjun. And this is my daughter. She’s a year younger than you and just finished her first year of high school. She used to be called Liu Ruixue, but she’s changed her name to Lin Ruixue now. I hope you’ll look out for her. How can I put it? She’s a rather shy girl.”

“Snow, if you don’t mind, why not call him ‘big brother’?” his dad said with a smile.

Lin Ruixue lowered her head and murmured, “Brother Lin Ran.”

“Good. Snow will be going to No. 5 High School next semester, and you’re there too. Look after your little sister. If anyone picks on her, beat him up—you’re her big brother,” his dad said.

“Xiao Ran, why aren’t you saying anything?” Auntie Liu asked, puzzled.

“What’s wrong with you, boy?” His dad was puzzled too.

They both looked at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran let out a breath. “Go ahead and eat. I’ve already eaten.”

With that, Lin Ran turned and walked straight out of the private room.

“Stop right there!” His dad flew into a rage.

But Lin Ran didn’t listen. He just kept walking.

His dad was so angry he didn’t know what to do. Liu Wenjun took his arm and tried to comfort him. “Don’t be angry. This was probably too sudden for him, and he can’t accept it right away. You have to give Xiao Ran time to get used to it.”

“What’s gotten into that boy today? He’s acting so strange,” his dad said with a frown.

“Anyone would react that way in his shoes. Don’t be angry. I’ll go talk to Xiao Ran.” Liu Wenjun stood up and went after Lin Ran.

Outside Juxian Pavilion, Liu Wenjun caught up and grabbed Lin Ran. But he gave her no warmth at all. After only a few words, he shook off her hand and walked away.

Liu Wenjun watched Lin Ran’s retreating figure helplessly. She wasn’t angry with him. Even though he’d been so rude, she didn’t hold it against him. Lin Zihao had told her a little about Lin Ran. After Lin Ran’s mother abandoned him and his father when he was eight, he’d faced all kinds of ridicule and taunts. Now, with a stepmother suddenly in his life, of course he couldn’t accept it.

Lin Ran was unbearably restless. He didn’t go home. Instead, he went to the banks of the White River and stared at the water for a long time. Then, as if he’d suddenly lost his mind, he punched a nearby tree trunk several times. He hit it hard enough that his knuckles began to bleed. The pain in his fist helped clear his head. Finally, he kicked the trunk once and headed home.

Lin Ran was sorting through his things at home when his dad returned with Liu Wenjun and Lin Ruixue. They’d brought back the food they hadn’t finished, packed to go. His dad sat down on the couch and called Lin Ran over to talk.

But Liu Wenjun noticed the wound on the back of Lin Ran’s right hand. “Xiao Ran, what happened to your hand? Let’s take care of that first. Snow, get your little medicine box and put some ointment on your brother.”

Lin Ruixue nodded and went downstairs to fetch the first-aid kit. But in the end, she didn’t dare step forward to treat Lin Ran’s wound. Liu Wenjun opened the kit and got ready to apply the ointment herself, teasing Lin Ruixue with a smile. “Snow’s so clumsy. She’s always falling over and bumping into things, so we keep plenty of medicine around.”

Liu Wenjun took Lin Ran’s hand to treat his wound, but he irritably shook her off.

Liu Wenjun looked a little awkward.

His dad’s expression darkened. Even if the boy wanted to make a fuss, there had to be a limit. He needed to know when to stop.

When Lin Ran looked at Liu Wenjun with open disgust, his dad stood up, grabbed him, and took him back to his room. Then he shut the door behind them.

His dad turned to Lin Ran, his face tense with anger.

“Tell me what the hell you think you’re doing. Hm? Have I spoiled you too much? What happened to the manners I taught you as a kid? Yes, I know you can’t accept having a stepmother and sister all of a sudden. But could you at least show your old man some respect? When I was working myself to the bone, Auntie Liu was there for me. When I drank with clients to earn more money and could barely walk, she came out in the middle of the night to help me home. You want to make a scene? I won’t stop you. I understand how you feel. But couldn’t you at least save me some face? If you have a problem, talk to me in private,” his dad said angrily.

Lin Ran kept his mouth shut. Liu Wenjun tried to talk them down from outside, but neither father nor son would listen.

After Lin Ran stayed silent for a long time, his dad finally snapped. “Fine, Lin Ran. Tell me right now: say you don’t like Auntie Liu, and you don’t like Snow. Say it, and I’ll throw them out this instant. Go on, say it. I’m listening.”

Lin Ran opened his mouth, but when he looked at his dad’s slightly weathered face, he couldn’t bring himself to speak. He knew that if he said those two things, his dad really would throw Liu Wenjun and Lin Ruixue out. But could he say them? He still hadn’t repaid his dad for everything he’d owed him in his previous life. Now that he’d been given another chance, was he really going to cause his dad more trouble instead of making it up to him?

His dad having someone by his side was, strictly speaking, a good thing. But Lin Ran still couldn’t help feeling awkward and uncomfortable about it.

“Go on, Lin Ran. Say it. What are you afraid of? You can’t even speak honestly to your own dad?” His dad pulled a pack of Furongwang cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, lit it, and started smoking.

“You can afford 25-yuan cigarettes now?” Lin Ran blurted out without thinking.

His dad was so caught off guard by the question that he choked and froze for a long moment. After all that, that was what the kid came out with?

Lin Ran smiled and rubbed his nose. “Sorry, old man. I had a really bad attitude today. I honestly can’t accept this yet. You taught me to be polite to guests, and I didn’t manage that today. It was my fault. You’ve worked hard for so many years, and it’s a good thing you’ve finally got someone by your side. I shouldn’t have treated you or Auntie Liu like that. I’ll apologize to her in a bit.”

His dad’s old face went completely stiff. The cigarette slipped from his mouth and fell to the floor. “What the hell’s gotten into you today? Did you take the wrong medicine this morning?”

“It’s nothing. It really was my fault.” Lin Ran smiled.

If this was what his dad wanted, then Lin Ran could put up with it. If Liu Wenjun truly wanted to build a life with his dad, he could accept her. But if she had some ulterior motive, he wouldn’t hesitate to do something about it.

His dad couldn’t make heads or tails of it. He seriously suspected something was wrong with Lin Ran today.

Lin Ran had gone from hostile to friendly and back again so many times that even his dad was baffled. Liu Wenjun was just as confused. Still, she’d picked up on something: whenever Lin Ran smiled at her, his smile was fake. She’d dealt with plenty of people over the years and knew how to read a polite front. Lin Ran hadn’t accepted them. He was only putting on an act for Lin Zihao’s sake.

Even so, Lin Ran’s behavior made Liu Wenjun admire him. At such a young age, he already knew how to be considerate of his father. Most kids his age were in their rebellious phase, yet Lin Ran was willing to make a temporary effort to accept a stepmother and sister who’d suddenly appeared in his life—all for his dad’s sake. What a good kid!

Lin Ran kept up appearances very well, giving his dad all the respect he could ask for.

“Auntie Liu, you probably didn’t get to enjoy lunch, either. I’m sorry I spoiled the mood. I’ll make something for you to eat now,” Lin Ran said with a smile.

His dad’s face lit up. Now that was more like it! “No need. There’s still plenty of food left. Don’t bother cooking.”

“I’ll make something anyway. Didn’t you notice how awful the food at Juxian Pavilion was?” Lin Ran said, shaking his head.

His dad and Liu Wenjun looked a little embarrassed. That was true—the food had been pretty bad, especially for the price.

His dad didn’t argue and let Lin Ran cook, though he was a little doubtful about his son’s skills.

There wasn’t much food left at home, so Lin Ran steamed the last sea bass. Then he made home-style tofu and pork stir-fried with potatoes, and finished by cooking some congee.

When the dishes were ready, his dad—who’d already eaten—smelled the food and felt his stomach growl.

“Not bad, kid. You’ve got some skills, though you’re still not as good as your old man. We shouldn’t have gone to Juxian Pavilion. What a waste of money! We should’ve just had you cook a whole meal. Hmm, did you secretly follow Snow around? These are all three of her favorite dishes!” His dad joked with a laugh.

Liu Wenjun looked a little helpless.

Lin Ran’s cooking earned nothing but praise from his dad and Liu Wenjun. Even Lin Ruixue, who’d been too shy to look at him, smiled and said his food was delicious.

Lin Ran just smiled, rubbed his nose, and gave Lin Ruixue a strange look.

Lin Ruixue was startled by Lin Ran’s look. She hugged her little bowl and lowered her head.

After dinner, Dad pulled Lin Ran into the bedroom for another talk. This time, it was about Lin Ruixue.

“Xiao Ran, Xiaoxue went through some things when she was little that left her with emotional scars. She’s terrified of boys. Your Aunt Liu had no choice but to send her to an all-girls school for middle school, but that only went up through middle school. So we talked it over and decided to send Xiaoxue to No. 5 High School. Since you go there, you can look out for her. Promise me you won’t pick on the girl. To be honest, your Aunt Liu and Xiaoxue haven’t had it much easier than you and me. We’re two grown men, so we can manage. But the two of them are women. It hasn’t been easy for them.” Dad sighed as he spoke to Lin Ran, though he sounded more like he was asking than telling.

Lin Ran felt uncomfortable hearing the way Dad was talking. Since when did Dad have to watch his mood before doing anything?

“I get it, old man. Don’t worry. I won’t pick on her. If someone else bullies her, I… I’ll help her get even.” In the end, Lin Ran said it anyway, even though he really didn’t want to. He didn’t even want anything to do with this Lin Ruixue.

“If you’re okay with it, then I’m relieved. To be honest, your Aunt Liu and I might have to go back before you start school. Work’s been busy lately, and we probably won’t be back for at least three months. Sigh… I don’t want to leave either, but we still have to make a living. Your old man… ah, never mind. Xiaoxue will be living with us from now on, so look after her, okay?” Dad gave a helpless smile.

Lin Ran nodded, but he was still confused. Something didn’t add up. In his memories of his previous life, Dad came back during the summer break of his first year of high school and never left again. What was going on? Either way, he couldn’t let Dad worry about one more thing.

No matter how unwilling he was, Lin Ran had no choice but to accept it. He’d decided that he wouldn’t go out of his way to interact with Lin Ruixue. If she really got bullied, he’d help her out, but if she tried to pull anything on him, she couldn’t blame him for showing no mercy.