At long last, the two girls finished checking their study materials, and Lin Ran could finally play games.

The moment he logged in, friends from his guild dragged him into the PvP arena for a fight. Lin Ran didn’t even know what to say. They all knew he was hopeless at games, and still they loved beating him up.

Lin Ran had been gaming for ages, but he was still terrible at it. He couldn’t beat anyone; winning took sheer luck, or he’d just end up feeding the other team points. Even so, he still had a great time playing.

While Lin Ran was gaming, Su Shijie came back to life again.

Su Shijie: Little Ran, come on. Do I have to spell it out for you before you show some appreciation? You made all that money and you’re not even gonna treat me to a meal?

Su Shijie: We’re brothers. No need to stand on ceremony. Some fancy hotel? That’s way too extravagant. Just buy some groceries tomorrow morning and cook lunch—I’ll come over and eat. Fair enough, right?

Lin Ran: I don’t mind, but don’t stand me up.

Su Shijie: Stand you up? The hell I would! Am I, Young Master Su, the kind of guy who stands people up? You’re kidding. As long as you cook a decent meal, I’ll definitely show. And if you ever need money later, I can, mm-hmm~

Lin Ran couldn’t help laughing at Su Shijie’s antics. Treating him to a meal was no big deal. They were good friends, after all, and Lin Ran had only made so much money this time because the rich kid Su Shijie had lent him the fifty thousand in starting capital. He wouldn’t have minded even if Su Shijie had asked him to splurge on a meal at the fanciest hotel in Ark City.

Lin Ran played until almost midnight, then hurried to wash up and go to bed.

The next day, he didn’t get up until after eight. When he went into the living room, he saw the breakfast Lin Ruixue had left for him on the table. He didn’t think much of it, ate, then headed out to buy groceries. As for the two girls, they’d probably gone out to have fun. He couldn’t be bothered to keep tabs on them.

Shopping was easy for Lin Ran. He didn’t need to ask what Su Shijie wanted to eat—the guy was a bottomless pit and would eat anything, no pickiness at all. He didn’t ask Lin Ruixue or Si Qing either. He still remembered his dad saying that Lin Ruixue liked sea bass and pork with potatoes.

Once he’d bought everything, Lin Ran went home.

He stayed home doing homework until almost noon. When Lin Ruixue and Si Qing came back, they’d brought Shen Qingyuan with them too. Lin Ran had no idea what to make of that.

“I asked my senior to help me with my studies. It’s not like you’d do it,” Si Qing said casually.

Lin Ran was speechless, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t dislike Shen Qingyuan that much, of course—the reason was that she was the person Su Shijie liked.

When it was about time, Lin Ran went into the kitchen to make lunch. Lord Su was on his way over.

A little after twelve, Lord Su arrived, just as Lin Ran finished cooking the last dish. There were five dishes and a soup—quite a feast.

Su Shijie sauntered in with his hands in his pockets, acting like he owned the place. But the moment he saw Shen Qingyuan, he turned into a well-behaved little boy. Lin Ran wanted to smack him.

Lin Ran clicked his tongue and chuckled to himself. “She’s helping Lin Ruixue and Si Qing with their studies, so she’s staying for lunch too.”

Lin Ran’s explanation left Shen Qingyuan a little puzzled. As for Su Shijie, a lightbulb popped over his head—and then burst into a brilliant flash. The guy immediately launched into a performance.

“Come on, sit, sit! It’s lunchtime already, so let’s eat. You can do your homework after lunch—there’s no rush. It’s only Saturday! Xiaoxue, Si Qing, stop studying and come sit down. Brother Ran, you’ve worked hard. Sit, sit! The rice isn’t served yet—I’ll get it!” Su Shijie was ridiculously enthusiastic. He even pushed Lin Ran down into a chair, rolled up his sleeves, and headed into the kitchen to dish out the rice.

“Rice is here! One bowl each. I’ll get you more if it’s not enough!”

“Here we go—pork and potatoes!”

“Toothpick meat~”

“Steamed sea bass~”

“Hot-and-sour shredded potatoes~~”

“Homestyle tofu~~”

“And last, a bowl of seaweed and egg-drop soup. Please enjoy, honored guests!”

Su Shijie was being absurdly attentive. The way he kept glancing at Shen Qingyuan—oh, goodness! His grin was practically stretching from ear to ear.

“Why’s he acting like he cooked all this?” Si Qing whispered to Lin Ruixue.

Her voice was quiet, but everyone heard her. Su Shijie glared at Si Qing, and she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Ahem. Come on, eat, eat! Don’t be shy—make yourselves at home. Let me tell you, you can’t just taste Brother Ran’s cooking whenever you like. Good thing I’m clever. I guessed we’d have an honored guest today, so I got Little Ran to show off his skills. Try everything!” Su Shijie plopped down beside Shen Qingyuan and started handing out chopsticks.

Then the guy kept clowning around. When he finally handed Shen Qingyuan her chopsticks, he suddenly went, “Ow!”

“Oh, sorry! I didn’t notice these chopsticks were a little dirty. I’ll wipe them for you!” Su Shijie said, pulling out a napkin and wiping the chopsticks up and down three times before handing them to Shen Qingyuan.

Lin Ran covered his face with one hand. This guy...

“Thanks,” Shen Qingyuan said evenly as she took the chopsticks.

To Su Shijie, those two words were like the greatest reward imaginable. His smile grew even brighter!

Su Shijie went all out trying to impress her. He kept licking the chopsticks before using them to put food in Shen Qingyuan’s bowl. Her expression grew more and more awkward. Should she eat it or not? It was getting pretty gross.

“Old Su, could you stop licking the chopsticks before using them to pick food for my senior? That’s disgusting! Are you trying to stop her from eating?” Si Qing called him out without a hint of hesitation.

“Shoo, shoo! Shut up and eat. This has nothing to do with you!” Su Shijie waved her away, frantically giving her meaningful looks.

“You’re so gross! Don’t eat that, Senior. I’ll get you another bowl!” Si Qing put down her chopsticks, ran to the kitchen, and brought Shen Qingyuan a fresh bowl of rice.

“Quit showing off. There’s only so much food—don’t let him ruin it all,” Lin Ran said bluntly to Su Shijie.

Su Shijie was furious.

No matter how much Su Shijie performed, all the praise went to Lin Ran.

“I had no idea you were such a good cook, Brother Lin Ran. I’m coming over for a free meal every week from now on!” Si Qing said.

“Brother Lin Ran’s cooking is delicious!” Lin Ruixue said.

“You’re a great cook!” Shen Qingyuan said.

“Thanks,” Lin Ran said.

Su Shijie: ......

After lunch, the unhappy Lord Su refused to wash the dishes, but Lin Ruixue and Si Qing volunteered to do it.

Lin Ran left Su Shijie and Shen Qingyuan to themselves and went back to his room to continue his homework. There was just too much weekend homework.

After Lin Ran went back to his room, Shen Qingyuan followed him in. Su Shijie stared wide-eyed and hurried after her.

“You transferred into Class S?” Shen Qingyuan asked.

“What about it?” Lin Ran asked, puzzled.

“Nothing. Congratulations,” Shen Qingyuan said.

Lin Ran shrugged. Congratulations? No thanks. The pressure in Class S was no joke.

“What do you think of Class S?” Shen Qingyuan asked.

“What’s he gonna think? He’s under a ton of pressure!” Su Shijie chimed in with a grin.

“All I can say is, no wonder Class S gets such good grades. The teachers’ methods and the learning environment are way better than in other classes. There’s some pressure, but once you get used to it, it’s not so bad,” Lin Ran answered seriously.

“Oh, right, Qingyuan, why don’t you go to class at school? Do you think the teachers aren’t any good? You can still get the top score even when you barely attend class—that’s amazing! If I ever have questions about my studies, don’t turn me away, okay?” Su Shijie kept butting in.

“If there’s something you don’t understand, you can ask me,” Shen Qingyuan said.

“Maybe sometime,” Lin Ran said.

“Great! Qingyuan, you’re so considerate! I actually have a question about my studies right now!” Su Shijie said.

“Could you leave first?” Shen Qingyuan asked.

Shen Qingyuan had finally said something to Su Shijie, but those words hit a little too hard...

Su Shijie’s smile froze on his face. His heart had been burning with warmth, but in an instant it turned ice-cold. “Could you leave first?”

At that moment, Su Shijie wanted to draw his sword and challenge Lin Ran to a duel atop Mount Hua. It was going to be one of them or the other!

“You should both head out first. Don’t distract me from my homework.” Lin Ran knew better than to risk his life. If anyone was leaving, Shen Qingyuan had to go with him, or Su Shijie would lose his mind. That idiot could do anything once he snapped.

Shen Qingyuan nodded and left. Su Shijie grabbed Lin Ran by the throat and threatened him. “Little Ran, I’m warning you. Don’t get any funny ideas about my Qingyuan, or I’ll kill you! I’ll cut your little thing off!”

Lin Ran had a headache. Bro, what else do I have to explain? I’m really not interested in women, and I’m even less interested in your Qingyuan! If you’re mad, why not take it up with her? Why threaten me?

“I’ve gotta make my move. Otherwise, who knows when a treacherous, ungrateful backstabber like you will steal Qingyuan from me!” Su Shijie said bitterly.

“Bro, I honestly don’t know what to say anymore.” Lin Ran gave a helpless smile and spread his hands.

“Qingyuan!” Su Shijie called, flashing a fawning smile as he opened the door and went out.

“I’m heading back. If there’s anything you still don’t understand, just take a photo and send it to me,” Shen Qingyuan told Lin Ruixue and Si Qing.

“Okay, Senior! Thanks!” Si Qing said with a smile.

“Thank you, Senior!” Lin Ruixue said.

“Mm.” Shen Qingyuan nodded, turned, and walked out the front door.

Su Shijie stood frozen in place, his heart shattered into pieces.

“Little Ran, from this day on, we’re done. Our friendship is over. You take your rickety little bridge, and I’ll take my broad, sunny road. The next time we meet, we’ll fight—one of us is going down!” Su Shijie ranted like a madman.

Lin Ran rubbed his temples.

“We’re through! Whoever talks to the other first is a loser!” Su Shijie spun around with a flourish.

“Then don’t come asking me about Shen Qingyuan anymore,” Lin Ran said.

“Dad Ran, I was joking! My happiness still depends on you, little bro!” Su Shijie immediately broke into a grin.

Lin Ran made up his mind: the next time he saw Su Shijie’s parents, he’d tell them what their son was up to. That idiot was bringing shame on the whole family.