Chapter 16: Just a Kiss, Just One!

"Object?!" Lin Wei seemed pricked by the word, "What kind of object is she? Who knows what unsavory methods she used to lure you!"

"Look at her fox‑flirt look! At a glance she's not a good thing! Maybe she already…"

"Lin Wei!" Jiang Ran shouted abruptly, his temple veins bulging, his eyes ferocious, "You mother‑f***er, shut up! If you dare babble another word, don't blame me for being rude!"

He was truly angry.

He, who barely dares to speak a harsh word himself, how could he be smeared and insulted like this by Lin Wei?

Jiang Ran's fiery outburst was terrifying, that ruthless vigor slammed into the face.

Lin Wei, startled by his shout, instinctively stepped back, her eyes reddening instantly, both fearful and aggrieved, tears swirling in her sockets: "Jiang Ran! You… you scold me because of her? We've been brothers for so many years, and you scold me over a woman you've known for just a day?!"

"Brother?" Jiang Ran sneered, his tone cutting, "Who calls you brother? I once treated you as a buddy, was that a favor? So you now think you have the right to meddle in my affairs and berate me? Get out of the way! Don't be an eyesore!"

Those words were like a dagger, stabbing hard into Lin Wei's heart. She couldn't believe Jiang Ran would say such heart‑less words to her!

Shi Tou and Da Liu and a few others, seeing this, hurried forward to smooth things over.

"Grandpa Ran, calm down, Wei Ge is also concerned about you…"

"Yeah, yeah, Wei Ge, say a few less words…"

"Concern?" Jiang Ran showed no gratitude, his gaze sweeping over Lin Wei, full of disgust, "No need! I know perfectly well whether my wife is good or not! If I hear anyone say a word against her again, don't blame me for turning my back on people!"

His words were not only for Lin Wei but also for Shi Tou and the others.

This was a clear demarcation of boundaries, and a forceful proclamation of Su Ruan's status!

Su Ruan hid behind Jiang Ran, watching Lin Wei's crushed, wobbling demeanor, feeling no ripple in her heart.

This kind of "Man Tea", thinking that brandishing the banner of brotherhood grants impunity, once its true intent is exposed, only pitiful and sorrowful anger remains.

She gently tugged Jiang Ran's sleeve, her voice tiny, carrying just the right amount of fear and grievance: "Brother, don't be angry, let's go… I'm a little scared…"

That soft, mellow voice instantly soothed Jiang Ran's irritability.

He immediately lowered his head, his tone making a 180‑degree turn, gentle enough to squeeze water: "Alright, not scared, not scared, we'll leave right now, not getting angry at irrelevant people."

He glared fiercely at Lin Wei, lifted the big and small bags on the ground, carefully shielding Su Ruan, turned and left, never giving Lin Wei another glance.

Lin Wei stood dumbfounded in place, watching Jiang Ran's unhesitant retreating back and his devoted protection of that woman, hearing the surrounding whispers and companions' sympathetic yet awkward gazes, a massive sense of humiliation and despair instantly engulfed her.

Tears finally burst forth.

She lost, losing utterly.

As Jiang Ran stepped out of the alley, he still anxiously checked on Su Ruan: "Are you okay? Not scared? Lin Wei just has that dog‑temper, crazy and frantic, don't pay her any mind!"

Su Ruan shook her head, lifted her face and smiled at him, sunlight spilling over her face, soft and beautiful: "I'm fine. It's just… I'm a bit hungry, the xiaolongbao earlier hasn't been finished yet."

Jiang Ran was startled, then burst into hearty laughter, the lingering displeasure in his heart instantly vanished.

"Let's go! I'll take you to something even better! I know an old‑brand wonton place, so fresh it'll make your eyebrows fall off!"

The two wandered outside for a whole afternoon, Jiang Ran still carrying big and small bags in his hand, all items bought for Su Ruan.

Besides clothes, there were Snowflake Ointment, a hair tie, and even a cute Doll.

He wished he could make up for everything Su Ruan missed over the past decade in this one day.

The two, without noticing, shopped until dusk.

Jiang Ran looked at the gentle‑eyed Su Ruan beside him, the thought of not wanting to part growing stronger in his heart.

He halted his steps, hesitated a moment, then spoke, his gaze bearing hope and a barely perceptible tension: "RuanRuan, it's already dark, how about… not going back tonight."

"Come stay at my place, my sister's room is empty, or… sleeping with my grandma works too."

He was fairly polite, but those bright, blazing eyes almost gave away all his thoughts.

Su Ruan silently rolled her eyes in her mind.

Sure enough, this little wolf dog is a lecherous devil!

Just now, where does it end? Trying to lure someone home?

She showed a perfectly timed hint of shyness and difficulty on her face, slightly lowering her head, her voice faint: "Maybe we shouldn't. After all… we haven't gotten the marriage certificate yet. If I just move in, the neighbors will see and gossip. It wouldn't be good for you, for uncle and aunt either."

She lifted her eyes, her gaze clear yet with a hint of attachment as she looked at him: "Anyway, in a few days we'll get married, missing these few days doesn't matter."

"So I'll just go back home, otherwise later people will point fingers and say I'm… improper."

Her words were reasonable, placing herself in a vulnerable, sympathetic position, even hinting that moving in now might affect her reputation.

Upon hearing that, Jiang Ran's lingering romantic thoughts instantly gave way to concern and guilt.

"Yeah! How could he forget that layer!"

RuanRuan already finds that home difficult enough; if she moves into the groom's house before marriage and people gossip, how can she hold her head high later?

He only thought about his own reluctance, without fully considering her.

He immediately, annoyed, slapped his forehead: "Right, right! Look at me! I was only thinking… cough… it's my poor consideration! My fault, my fault! Then I'll escort you home!"

His hurried apology, fearing she'd be even slightly wronged, pleased Su Ruan.

She gave a soft "mm", the corner of her mouth curving in an almost unnoticed way.

The two walked side by side toward the Mechanical Factory Family Courtyard.

The nearer they got to the Su family home, the more dilapidated and dim the surroundings became, streetlights sparse, many spots shrouded in shadow.

When a short distance remained before the broken wooden door of the Su house, Jiang Ran watched Su Ruan's slender figure about to merge into the gloom, the previously suppressed reluctance and restlessness surged again, stronger than before.

Thinking of her returning to that suffocating home, facing those perfect parents, he felt utterly uneasy.

As they passed a narrow, deep alley with almost no light, Jiang Ran suddenly halted.

"RuanRuan." His voice low and hoarse called her.

"Hmm?"

Su Ruan turned, not having time to see his expression, when a huge force suddenly yanked her into the pitch‑black alley!

"Ugh!" she cried, her back lightly hitting the cold brick wall.

The next second, Jiang Ran's scorching body fell over, pinning her firmly between him and the wall.

A strong masculine aura instantly enveloped her.

In the darkness, his eyes shone startlingly, like a wolf staring at its prey, his heavy breathing sprayed onto her forehead.

"Brother… you…" Su Ruan's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively pressed her hand against his chest.

"Just a kiss, just one…"