Chapter 83 - 82: I Have Someone I Like

Chapter 83: Chapter 82: I Have Someone I Like

She blinked and asked nonchalantly, "By the way, Teacher Xiao, has anyone tried to set you up with a girlfriend lately?"

’Based on my observations, it doesn’t seem like Xiao Ran has a girlfriend, but I can’t be sure.’

’I need to ask to be sure.’

’After all, if he already has a girlfriend, I won’t waste my time.’

Xiao Ran said with a self-deprecating laugh, "No, not really. It’s not easy for a guy who’s been married before."

’To be honest, it’s better that way. I don’t want a girlfriend at all!’

Liu Min’s brows twitched. She pressed on, "Well, Teacher Xiao... is there someone you like?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ran paused.

’Is there someone I like?’

’Yes, there is. She’s probably waiting for me at home right now.’

’Even though we can’t be together, that doesn’t stop me from loving her.’

Once you have someone you love, even if they’re completely ordinary, you’ll see them as unique and special—the most perfect person in the world.

If that person never leaves your heart, it’s truly difficult to fall for someone else.

At this thought, Xiao Ran nodded, replying with absolute certainty, "Yes."

As he spoke, Yan Xici’s innocent, radiant little face appeared in his mind, and he couldn’t help but smile blissfully. "She’s very cute..."

Hearing this, Liu Min froze.

Her delicate face was a mask of pure shock.

"You actually have someone you like already!"

Her expression immediately turned to one of visible disappointment.

’I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.’

’I finally find someone I like, and it turns out he’s already in love with someone else.’

’I must have used up three lifetimes of good karma just to be hit with eight lifetimes of bad luck!’

Her reaction made Xiao Ran chuckle. "What, am I not allowed to like someone?"

Liu Min sniffled and shook her head slightly.

"That’s not what I meant. I’m just a little surprised. She must be a wonderful girl."

’Since he already likes someone, I’ll just have to pretend this never happened.’

’I can’t just force a confession, can I? Only a fool would do something like that!’

After all, she and Teacher Xiao still had to interact for work, and she didn’t want to make things awkward.

But then again, for a man with as much going for him as Xiao Ran, it would have to be an outstanding woman to be worthy of him.

At her words, Xiao Ran just smiled.

"Yeah, she’s wonderful. Sometimes she’s a bit scatterbrained, but other times she’s incredibly serious. And sometimes she loves to sleep in and laze around in bed."

’Thinking about it, is she really that outstanding?’

’She doesn’t seem particularly exceptional... so why exactly do I like her so much?’

In truth, Xiao Ran couldn’t quite explain it either.

Maybe it was because she was cute when she lazed in bed, adorably dorky when she was scatterbrained, and beautiful when she was serious.

The designated driver was excellent. Not only were they not late, but the car was pulling into the underground garage of Liu Min’s building in just twenty minutes.

He parked the car neatly before turning to the two in the back. "Hello, we’ve arrived."

Liu Min, of course, knew they had arrived. She got out of the car, looking dejected.

After paying, the three of them went upstairs together.

The two of them didn’t say another word on the way up.

After saying goodbye to Liu Min, the driver walked with Xiao Ran toward the community gate.

The moon was beautiful tonight, and the sky was full of stars. It looked like tomorrow would be a fine day.

The evening breeze was gentle and cool, feeling wonderfully comfortable against his skin.

Comfortable as it was, it also made Xiao Ran’s head start to ache a little.

But he couldn’t blame the wind for that.

After all, Xiao Ran had drunk quite a bit that night.

But there was nothing he could do about it. Sometimes, you don’t get a choice in whether you drink or not.

Looking at Xiao Ran, the driver couldn’t help but ask, "Buddy, did you seriously not notice that beauty was into you?"

’Don’t think I didn’t see everything just because I was driving. I know exactly what was going on back there.’

’A gorgeous woman like that, with a car and a house, and she was even making the first move. I couldn’t help but be jealous watching it.’

’But this guy’s classic clueless-dude routine just completely baffled me.’

He really couldn’t understand it.

Hearing this, Xiao Ran smiled calmly. "Some things are better left unsaid."

He wasn’t some dense guy; of course he’d noticed.

He and Liu Min were friends, after a fashion. She was a good person. They were both adults, and some things didn’t need to be spelled out so bluntly. Being too direct would just hurt feelings; it was enough that the meaning was understood.

Liu Min was a great catch. He was sure she would find a wonderful boyfriend.

But that person definitely wouldn’t be him.

The driver looked at Xiao Ran, completely baffled. "No, seriously, what are you thinking? You’re turning down a girl that great?"

’Even if you’ve got someone in your heart, what’s wrong with keeping her as a backup? Wouldn’t that be great?’

’Why reject her so directly?!’

"The person I love is even better," Xiao Ran said without a moment’s hesitation.

Hearing this, the young driver fell silent.

’I can’t believe a man this devoted actually exists in the world!’

Compared to him, he felt a little ashamed of himself.

He was the type who could never turn anyone down, the kind who was incredibly easy to get.

And yet, despite being like that, no girl ever chased him. Instead, it was this guy—the one who rejected women so decisively—who seemed to have no shortage of female attention.

’Looks like I need to change my way of thinking!’

Liu Min’s place was very close to the community gate. Once they reached it, the driver and Xiao Ran parted ways.

Xiao Ran hailed a taxi by the roadside and headed for home.

Perhaps because the taxi driver was going a bit fast, Xiao Ran’s head began to hurt more and more, and he started to feel lightheaded.

He closed his eyes to rest for a moment.

He tried to make himself a little more comfortable.

Meanwhile, a girl sat in the hanging chair, wearing the white silk slip dress she had bought during the day. Her long, silky black hair was draped casually over her shoulders.

Because she had just washed her face, her eyelashes were still glistening with a bit of moisture, looking damp and incredibly beautiful.

Her long, beautiful legs dangled casually, her delicate, snow-white feet swinging back and forth.

She clutched her phone, her heart filled with joy as she watched Sister Mi’s video again and again.

It was as if she could never get enough of watching it.

Xiao Ran had now reached the front door. He keyed in the passcode, opened the door, and went inside.

To be honest, he could feel the alcohol starting to hit him now. Not only was his head fuzzy, but his stomach was also beginning to feel unsettled.

On top of that, it was already midnight. It was truly late, so he wasn’t in the best of shape.

As he entered, Xiao Ran subconsciously glanced toward his mother’s room.

The lights were off. ’She’s probably asleep since it’s so late,’ he thought.

With that thought, he began to slowly change his shoes.