Chapter 28: IV Drip

After hanging up the phone, Jian Xi turned to Lu Hanxiao and asked for the car keys.

“I’m not giving them to you. You’ve been drinking; I’ll have someone drive you back,” Lu Hanxiao firmly stated his position.

Jian Xi was anxious. “What you gave me was juice, okay? Give it to me quickly.”

“No, no, and no.” Lu Hanxiao crossed his arms behind his back, smirking mischievously.

“You won’t give it to me, huh?” Jian Xi wasn’t afraid either, reaching out to tickle him.

“Damn! That tickles!” Lu Hanxiao bent over, twisted his shoulders, and his legs trembled, presenting a posture akin to infantile paralysis.

Jian Xi tickled him into a corner and found the keys in his pocket.

Lu Hanxiao’s fear of being tickled was a hidden flaw in his otherwise handsome life. “Damn, my pure body has been ruined by you.”

Jian Xi didn’t want to wait for the elevator and took the stairs instead.

Lu Hanxiao shouted after her, “Hey, drive slowly! I just bought that car three days ago!”

Jian Xi was in such a hurry that she completed a half-hour drive in just twenty minutes. From afar, she saw He Ran standing silhouetted in the dim night light, enveloped by the community streetlamp, looking like slow-motion frames from a movie.

He Ran was smoking in place. When he saw the headlights, he turned around. Upon confirming who it was, he quickly approached.

Jian Xi hurriedly got out of the car and was embraced tightly by He Ran after just a few steps.

“Did your mom scold you? Are you feeling down? Don’t argue with your parents. Just listen to whatever they say. If you feel wronged, come back and beat me up. I’ll let you vent.”

He Ran spoke rapidly, holding her tightly.

Jian Xi buried her head in his chest. Hearing this, she looked up, about to smile but froze.

“What happened to your face?”

It was only now, under the close light, that she noticed many small cuts on He Ran’s face.

“It’s nothing.” He turned his face away, touching his nose with his hand.

“Did you get into a fight?” Jian Xi asked.

He Ran nodded emphatically, his expression brightening. “Yes, yes, I got into a fight.”

Jian Xi sneered softly, “With Ultraman or Gray Wolf?”

He Ran couldn’t help but laugh and told the truth, “I got it from climbing a tree. The big locust tree in your community looks bare, but once you climb up, there are branches everywhere that scratched my whole face.”

His tone was relaxed, but Jian Xi didn’t feel good hearing it. She fell silent, lowered her head, and gradually felt a pang in her nose.

Realizing something was off, He Ran said, “What’s wrong? Are you crying because you’re moved by my tree-climbing skills?”

Jian Xi hoarsely called, “...Big Brother He.”

“Oh my!” He Ran sighed deeply and quickly pulled her back into his embrace. “Alright, alright, isn’t Big Brother here?”

Feeling her heart full of sweetness, Jian Xi coquettishly said, “I’m hungry.”

“You didn’t eat dinner tonight?”

“I ate at my dad’s place—carrots stir-fried with meat. I don’t like it.”

He Ran responded readily, “Alright, I’ll make noodles when we get home.”

Jian Xi grumbled, “I want two bowls.”

After returning to the apartment, He Ran went straight to the point. Opening the fridge, he found that there were quite a few ingredients.

“How about tomato and egg noodles?”

Jian Xi was changing clothes in the bedroom, “Sure, add two eggs.”

He Ran chuckled, “You sure can eat.”

Jian Xi walked out, all her frustrations of the evening turning childish in front of him. “I got pretty hurt tonight. If I don’t eat more, I won’t recover.”

This time, He Ran didn’t laugh. He stirred the eggs with his head down, lightly tapping the chopsticks against the bowl.

“Jian Xi, I made you suffer.”

“Not at all.” Jian Xi quickly answered, jumping in front of He Ran and formally placing both hands on his shoulders. “Being with you doesn’t make me suffer! Really! I promise!”

He Ran’s lips curved, his eyes filled with her vibrant spirit—pure, fervent, and heartwarming.

Holding the bowl and chopsticks, his hands busy, he said, “What kind of promise is that? I believe everything you say.”

“Really?” Jian Xi suddenly brought her face closer, their noses almost touching. “You’ll believe anything I say?”

“Really.” He Ran continued stirring the eggs, the egg liquid swishing.

“I think you look pretty ugly.” Jian Xi suddenly said seriously.

He Ran glanced at her, not angry at all. “Oh, ugly is fine.”

Jian Xi: “...”

He Ran suppressed a smile, whispering breezily in her ear, “As long as it works. I saw how excited you were with my body last night.”

Jian Xi’s body tingled as if electrified. She lightly pinched his side, “How did you train these abs? They hurt my hand.”

He Ran laughed, “When I was young, I liked exercising. I hired a personal trainer and went several times a week. With money piled up, how could it not be hard?”

Jian Xi watched as he set up the pot, poured oil, heated it, and neatly chopped tomatoes.

“What business did you do before?”

“A bit of everything. Luckily, those two years coincided with policy support. I made a fortune in real estate and later also dealt with company acquisitions abroad. Some companies’ market value could multiply overnight. We bought shares at low prices and profited from trading.”

As He Ran spoke, the water boiled, and he lifted the lid, the steam rushing toward the range hood.

He evenly added the prepared noodles into the pot, his emotions calm and unruffled.

Jian Xi opened her mouth, wanting to ask something but hesitating.

And then what? Why did things go downhill?

He Ran seemed to see through her thoughts and continued narrating calmly, “The failure of my company had nothing to do with management or capital chains. A cousin who returned from abroad was introduced to the company. He was talented and decent enough, so I gradually handed over some authority to him. The outcome was that he betrayed us, causing a huge loss in one deal, for which I was held responsible and ousted at the board meeting.”

As he spoke, he gently stirred the noodles with chopsticks, his tone indifferent, without a trace of sorrow from setbacks.

He Ran felt the soft hands around his waist tighten, so he turned his head and smiled, “Feel sorry for your husband?”

Jian Xi bit her lip slightly, “Who’s your wife, shameless.”

Though facing away, she could feel his smile widening.

“Oh, you’re heartless. Haven’t you read romance novels? I’m the standard male lead. Why aren’t you feeling sorry for me?”

Jian Xi frowned, but her lips curved, “Who allowed you to be the novel’s male protagonist? You’re mine alone.”

He Ran felt sweet inside. The tightening sensation around his waist climbed all the way up, making his heart thump loudly.

“Jian Xi.” He hoarsely asked, “Do you really like me this much?”

“I like you.”

“I can’t give you a good life right now.”

“Before this ‘temporary’ ends, I can take care of myself.”

He Ran’s hand holding the noodles trembled uncontrollably from fingertips to wrist.

Without hesitation, Jian Xi placed her hand over his, “Big Brother He, stop moving the noodles or they’ll spill.”

The two intertwined, rhythmically transferring noodles into the bowl together.

Jian Xi looked up and smiled at him, “Smells so good!”

That night, He Ran didn’t stay at her place, using an excuse to leave after she fell asleep.

Returning to Yati Road, He Ran lit a cigarette at the entrance. The weather had warmed up these past two days, with daylight and moonlight equally bright. Elders said this was called “opening snow eyes,” signaling the imminent arrival of the season’s first snow.

He Ran smoked only halfway when the door creaked open. His grandmother’s voice echoed as usual.

“I knew it was you hiding outside smoking as soon as I smelled it. Are you trying to smoke mosquitoes in this cold weather?”

He Ran leaned against the doorframe, laughing. “No mosquitoes, but I smoked out an old lady.”

“Just keep talking.” The grandmother tugged at his arm, dragging him inside. “Get in the house. If you catch a cold, I’ll have to make ginger soup for you. Don’t cause trouble!”

He Ran squatted down, stubbed out the cigarette on the ground, and threw it into the trash bin at the entrance. “Wow, Grandma, you’re strong. Did square dancing do that?”

The grandmother went to the kitchen to bring out sweet wine. Coming out, she saw He Ran rummaging through drawers.

“Oh, you’re messing around again. Move aside, let me find it for you.”

He Ran rolled up his sleeves halfway, calmly saying, “Grandma, where’s my suit?”

The grandmother paused, her wrinkled eyes fixed on his face.

After a while, she said, “In the cabinet.”

The suit had been well-maintained, neatly folded with sharp edges. The grandmother retrieved it from the bottom of the pile, and it looked as good as new. It had been three years since He Ran’s business collapsed, and he hadn’t worn formal attire since.

“Alright, go to bed early,” He Ran took the clothes with a smile, telling the grandmother, “Tomorrow I’ll go job hunting. Don’t save meals for me at noon.”

The grandmother said, “Always not coming home, I’m too lazy to save any.”

But the traces of age on her aging face couldn’t hide the emotion stirred by the moment.

The next day, He Ran followed up on previously accumulated job postings, starting with the one with the best conditions.

The end of the year wasn’t a peak recruitment period, but he was well-prepared. After initially getting confirmation via phone with HR personnel, he brought his resume to apply in person.

“Your degree is a bachelor’s. Sorry, our management positions require at least a master’s.”

“You have ten years of management experience. Sorry, we currently don’t have suitable positions.”

“Sorry, we need corresponding business certificates.”

He visited a few places in the morning, and the excuses were almost identical.

He Ran wore a sharp suit, neatly trimmed, fully showcasing his demeanor.

Three years later, He Ran embarked again on reclaiming the life he had lost, ready to face the sharp realities.

A turning point came in the afternoon when, just as he was about to return empty-handed to try again tomorrow, an electric vehicle company called him.

The person in charge sounded very commanding, notifying He Ran of his acceptance with an authoritative tone and giving him an address to rush to immediately.

He Ran knew the place—it wasn’t far from where he was staying. It was a mid-range restaurant.

Upon meeting the caller, who introduced himself as Director Wang, his appearance matched his thunderous voice.

“You, you, enter our probationary period now. Tomorrow, I’ll inform those below to process your employment procedures.” Director Wang was obese, his large belly rarely covered by a jacket.

He led He Ran to a private room in the restaurant and briefly instructed him, “Today is a meal with government departments. Observe and learn. During the toasts, watch for cues.”

He Ran roughly understood his role for the day.

Businesses dread dealing with government departments, especially grassroots-level agencies. Even minor officials carry themselves with immense airs.

“Come, come, let’s raise our glasses to Director! Hey, fill everyone’s glasses.”

Having navigated these waters for years, He Ran was well-versed in these tactics. He knew how to cater to preferences and was deeply familiar with the culture of banquets.

Before pouring drinks, one must offer a toast. Leaders’ words are decrees, and they love seeing others flatter and fawn.

He Ran was knowledgeable about these ways. By the time he finished entertaining various leaders, he’d already exceeded a jin of baijiu.

He still managed to hold on, visiting the restroom twice to “pay water fees” and continuing to energetically perform.

Director Wang praised him endlessly, complimenting his perceptiveness. “Called He Ran, right? Take good care of the tax leader. Our company needs talent like you in reserve.”

He Ran was courteous and enthusiastic, raising his glass and draining it. “I still rely heavily on Director Wang’s concern.”

Director Wang felt particularly proud, laughing heartily as he patted He Ran’s shoulder. “Good, good, good. Later, when we go singing, make sure Director Li drinks well.”

Without a word, He Ran refilled his glass, raised it to the director seated above, and said, “Rare opportunity to learn from someone like you. I’ll drain mine; you drink as you please.”

With that, he tilted his head back, the over-50-degree alcohol burning his throat.

He Ran discreetly gripped the edge of the table to suppress the nausea rising in his stomach.

The chaotic banquet lasted until nearly eight o’clock. Afterwards, a group escorted the drunken VIP Director upstairs to the KTV. Having consumed baijiu during dinner, they switched to beer.

He Ran held on, refusing to collapse on the spot.

Finally, after helping load the tipsy VIP Director into the car, drenched in sweat, he realized there weren’t enough seats.

Director Wang feigned apology, “Little He, I apologize, but would it inconvenience you to take a taxi? Reimburse the fare with finance later.”

He Ran smiled politely, “Leader, you attend to your matters; I’ll handle myself.”

“Such understanding!” Director Wang’s crow’s feet angled upwards as his chubby body squeezed into the car. “I’ll definitely reimburse you!”

He Ran kept nodding, helping to close the car door until the taillights disappeared around the corner. Only then did he finally collapse onto the ground.

The delayed effects of alcohol kicked in. His head spun, and his stomach felt weighed down by a thousand pounds.

Struggling, He Ran fished out his phone and called Lu Hanxiao.

The other end quickly picked up, his tone bombastic. “Yo, my Ran. I’m at the city library reading books. Want to join and get cultured, haha.”

He Ran’s trembling voice, pale-faced, responded, “Brother, I can’t hold on anymore. Get me out of here quickly.”

That was the limit of his strength. Kneeling on the ground, he vomited violently, dizzy and disoriented.

Lu Hanxiao was in the eastern part of the city and couldn’t arrive immediately. He directly contacted a nearby acquaintance to rush and pick up He Ran.

After eleven o’clock, He Ran was receiving IV fluids in the hospital, and his vomiting symptoms began to subside by the second bag.

Lu Hanxiao thought this guy was too surreal. “Are you fucking insane? Getting drunk late at night—I was almost scared to death when I saw you. Do you think you’re still fresh and tender? What melodrama are you acting out?”

He Ran was still drunk, his physical discomfort causing his brows to furrow tightly.

Lu Hanxiao picked up the diagnosis sheet again and exclaimed, “Damn, acute gastric perforation. Impressive, Ran-ran.”

If He Ran had a bit of strength at that moment, he would have jumped up and shoved the IV bottle into his mouth.

Lu Hanxiao clicked his tongue twice. There was a commotion at the doorway.

Jian Xi rushed down from the obstetrics and gynecology department, still wearing her surgical gown, not yet changed. Upon opening the door and seeing He Ran curled up on the hospital bed, she nearly fainted.

Lu Hanxiao had been driven mad by these two all evening. “Where did you pop out from?!”

Jian Xi swallowed, her voice hoarse. “My colleague told me. How did he end up drinking so much?”

“I don’t know.” Lu Hanxiao reassured her, “Don’t worry. He’s on an IV drip; he’ll be fine.”

Jian Xi walked up to He Ran, crouched down, carefully examined his face, and softly called, “…Big Brother He…”

The closed-eyed man seemed to respond, his brows twitching as he slowly opened his eyes.

“Jian Xi.”

“Mm.” Jian Xi responded hoarsely.

With great effort, he forced a smile. “In the future, when you go out, you don’t have to introduce your husband as a thug.”

Jian Xi paused.

He Ran’s smile deepened. “I found a job. In the future, whatever you like, I will buy it for you...”