However, Shen Qian was conflicted. Did Old Zhang have such good taste to choose this style specifically for her? Did he often glance at her chest? Did he think the flower rolls were too unsightly? Did he occasionally think of her when seeing lingerie? This… this… this lingerie had become a hot potato, too awkward to accept. After much thought, Shen Qian decided it was best not to accept it. She left her bedroom and knocked on Yu Ran’s door. After a couple of knocks, the door opened. Previously, it would take five knocks, if not more. Yu Ran, now in a bathrobe with water still dripping from his hair, looked particularly refreshed. He smiled, “What’s the matter?” Shen Qian cleared her throat softly, “I’ve thought it over, and I feel I can’t accept this lingerie. Please tell Old Zhang thank you for his kindness.” Shen Qian couldn’t look at him, knowing he couldn’t see her embarrassed expression, but this matter made her particularly uneasy. Yu Ran burst into laughter, “I bought this for you; he was just my eyes. And I’m giving this to you merely because…” He stuffed the lingerie back into her arms, laughing, “Standing tall is healthier.” “Cough…” Shen Qian choked on her saliva, looking at Yu Ran with a shiver, only to see him continue nonchalantly, “Anything else?” “No.” “Then, see you tomorrow, good night.” Yu Ran nodded, promptly closing the door, leaving Shen Qian facing a cold door. She glanced down at the lingerie back in her hands, laughing and crying at the same time, muttering Yu Ran’s altered advertising slogan, “Standing tall is healthier, huh, standing tall is healthier.” He was mocking her sagging breasts!! Shen Qian slammed her bedroom door with a “bang” in indignation, then immediately put on… the full-cup bra, because wearing one was healthier -_-|||
***The next day, not having to work, Shen Qian planned to sleep until the sun hit her butt before getting up. So, she deliberately left the curtains open to let the morning sun in. Sure enough, when the sun did hit her butt, Shen Qian kept her word and got up, but when she saw the clock on her bedside table, she felt like crying. It was only 7 AM, why was the sun already on her butt? The answer was that it was the beginning of summer.
With a laugh, Shen Qian shuffled out of her bedroom in slippers, thinking she was up early, but when she looked down from the second-floor railing, she realized she wasn’t the early bird. Yu Ran, wearing a clean white cotton T-shirt and black flip-flops, was squatting at the entrance, feeding the mixed-breed dog and occasionally petting the lazy Shallow. There was a kind of radiant glow about him, the morning light highlighting his high-bridged nose, flowing along his well-defined features, his jawline elegantly curved, beyond just handsome. Shen Qian’s mind suddenly flashed to Qin Hao’s profile; when she first met him, she was struck by his visually striking appearance, falling in love at first sight. But she always seemed to overlay another person’s features onto Qin Hao’s, feeling that was the person she was looking for. Today, seeing Yu Ran, she realized his profile matched even better, a feeling of heart-to-heart connection, inexplicably, out of nowhere.
Shen Qian was momentarily melancholy with her bright sadness, still lost in thought when her dog suddenly stood up and rushed over. Unfortunately, like its owner, it didn’t realize there was a transparent glass door in front, crashing into it, its face contorting, barking incessantly. Yu Ran paused, looking through the glass at Shen Qian on the railing, offering a smile more dazzling than the morning sun. Shen Qian was taken aback; his smile was too captivating. Suddenly, a phone rang, and as Yu Ran got up to answer it, Shen Qian’s compassionate heart fluttered again. She wanted to rush downstairs to answer the phone for him, but in her haste, still mesmerized by his captivating smile, she twisted her ankle on the last step of the stairs.
Shen Qian suddenly twisted her ankle and couldn’t support herself anymore, collapsing to the ground as if she had lost a leg, letting out a painful groan. Seeing this, You Ran immediately ran over, squatted beside her, and asked with concern, “Where does it hurt?” Shen Qian, grimacing in pain, still tried to act tough, “It’s nothing, really, go answer the phone.” You Ran didn’t move, looking up at Shen Qian. Shen Qian wanted to give a reassuring smile to show she was fine, but then remembered You Ran’s visual impairment, so she just silently endured, saying, “Really, it’s nothing, go answer the phone.” The phone kept ringing incessantly. You Ran gritted his teeth, walked over, and answered with a less than pleasant tone, “Hello? Why are you calling? Oh, congratulations.” He paused, then his tone softened, “You’re really well-informed.” As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Shen Qian, his eyes filled with a tender warmth, “Hmm? Pfft, you’re still the same, calling without any notice. Alright, I’ll wait for you, bye.” After hanging up, he returned to Shen Qian, squatted down, and scooped her up in his arms. Shen Qian exclaimed in surprise, “What are you doing?” “I’m not doing anything, just taking you to bed,” Mr. You, once again, twisted the meaning of ‘doing’. Shen Qian could only stare as You Ran carried her upstairs, his eyes, though devoid of affection, held a rare light. Shen Qian thought, even without sight, he has such steadiness, which is truly rare. “Mr. You, how long have you lived here?” You Ran paused, his bright eyes dimming slightly, forcing a smile, “This is where I was born.” Shen Qian’s eyes widened in surprise, “Wow, this house looks so modern, doesn’t seem old at all.” “It was renovated, but the layout remains the same.” Shen Qian’s curiosity deepened; it was well-known that Commander You lived in an old house left from the French concession, and he had lived there since arriving in the city. Why was there another old house here? And Jiangxia Community was newly developed, how could this house still exist? With all these questions, Shen Qian couldn’t help but stare at You Ran intently. After all, he couldn’t see, so he wouldn’t know she was staring.
You Ran suddenly chuckled, “Miss Shen, you must be around 25 years old, right?” “Uh, yes.” Shen Qian was taken aback by the sudden question. You Ran continued with a laugh, “I’m actually 26, but my ID says I’m 28. I was quite slow when I was young, studied with older kids, and couldn’t keep up. Eventually, I managed to stay back a grade.” “Ah?” “I just wanted to be in the same class as a girl.” You Ran suddenly gave a bitter smile, tinged with a hint of sadness, “I was very willful back then, and I hurt my mother deeply.” By now, they had reached the bedroom door, and You Ran changed the subject, “Open the door.” Shen Qian did as instructed. After opening the door, You Ran placed Shen Qian on the bed and sat at the other end, asking with concern, “Move your ankle, see if it hurts.” Shen Qian nodded, the movement causing a pain that almost made her bite her tongue. Seeing her expression, You Ran didn’t comment but took out his phone to call someone, “When will you arrive? If you haven’t left yet, bring some liniment, please. No need for thanks.” He hung up with a light laugh. Shen Qian wanted to ask who it was but felt it might seem intrusive, so she remained silent, rubbing her thigh.
