Chapter 67 Substitute

lightning, her face turning red as she glared at him furiously: "You... you..." She was so angry that she couldn’t even speak."Don't be angry. If three times isn’t good enough, then let’s make it two...Chapter 67: Alternatives

Yan Luoxi was a bit startled by the ambiguous room and swallowed slightly.

Ran Xu noticed her surprise and unease, smiled at her, and explained, "When we get busy, there's no telling when we'll be done. Sometimes we come here in the middle of the night for meals and don't have time to go home to sleep, so we can stay overnight here."

"Ah, the service industry nowadays really does everything!" Yan Luoxi laughed foolishly.

Ran Xu smiled at her, with a hint of indulgence and tenderness in his eyes, which made Yan Luoxi feel a chill run down her spine.

After placing their order, Yan Luoxi felt she should have an honest talk with Ran Xu.

The overly enthusiastic behavior he showed towards her at the press conference and this unexpected care made her very uneasy. Consequently, she naturally began to repel him and set up defenses against him.

Yan Luoxi held the teacup in her hand, hesitating about how to bring it up.

If she bluntly told Ran Xu that she had a boyfriend, would he laugh at her for imagining things If she asked what his purpose was in getting close to her, would it make him think she was petty

Her thoughts, which were lingering in this struggle, were suddenly shaken by one of Ran Xu's sentences, "Ms. Yan, do you feel that I am intentionally getting closer to you Do you think I have a purpose in approaching you"

Yan Luoxi was exposed by Ran Xu's insight, and she couldn't help but look at him in a flustered manner, uttering an awkward "Ah."

Ran Xu seemed to read her thoughts as he admitted candidly, "Miss Yan, I did indeed intend to get close to you."

"Huh" Yan Luoxi was stunned; she didn't expect Ran Xu to be so straightforward. She was so surprised that she even forgot about the pain from where Li An had beaten her earlier. She looked at him warily, "Why... Why would you want to get close to me"

She wasn’t a wealthy young lady with vast fortunes for her husband-to-be to inherit; she didn’t have a mafia boss father who could offer the handsome detective an opportunity to infiltrate his organization; and she certainly didn't possess stunning beauty...

Ran Xu's expression turned nostalgic, his voice as soft and delicate as falling snow. "If I were to say that you resemble someone, so much that it compels me to get close to you, would you think the story sounds cliché"

"A bit cliché," Yan Luoxi’s pale lips twitched slightly, still somewhat curious she asked, "Who do I look like then"

"You resemble my...my sister." Ran Xu lowered his head slightly, his tone tinged with a hint of melancholy, the pain evident in his eyes.

"Ah!" Yan Luoxi was somewhat surprised. Usually on TV dramas, the male lead would say he resembles his ex-girlfriend. She widened her eyes and pointed at her own nose, "Me... I look like your sister"

"Yes." Ran Xu smiled faintly.

Yan Luoxi was at a loss for words but also felt a part of her heart gradually ease up.

"Then where is your sister now" After asking, Yan Luoxi felt a bit regretful. If his sister was still around, he wouldn't have to go through so much trouble to get close to her and find an alternative!

"She... has passed away." Ran Xu clenched his teeth and spoke in a low voice. The sorrow emanating from him made Yan Luoxi feel as if her heart was being squeezed by an unseen hand, causing an indescribable ache.

"I had a very close relationship with my sister; we grew up together since childhood, playing every day. She promised to take care of me for the rest of her life... But four years ago, she passed away unexpectedly..."

When Ran Xu talked about his sister, he seemed lost in a heavy and sorrowful mental state, as if iron had turned into a melancholic softness that couldn't be disguised or faked. His appearance was truly heart-wrenching; Yan Luoxi felt sad for him too. He probably saw her as an emotional replacement.

This version of Ran Xu made Yan Luoxi feel boundless compassion and sympathy. At this moment, she was bewitched by his words, like a saint had taken over her body.

She read the sorrow in Ran Xu's pained eyes—he was still stuck in the fact that his sister died tragically, unable to move on.

Ran Xu lowered his gaze and quietly fell silent for a moment. Only his long eyelashes slightly twitched like an insect flapping its transparent wings. Bright lights shone down from above him, casting beautiful shadows around his eyes.

"Miss Yan, when I saw you for the first time, I felt an inexplicable closeness. My sister passed away at your age; your way of speaking and smiling is really similar to hers..."

When Ran Xu finished speaking, his voice was trembling slightly. For a moment, Yan Luoxi thought he might start crying.

Surely, she knew that any words of comfort she offered now would be ineffective; all she could do was say helplessly, "Please don't be sad. If your sister is watching from above, she must hope you can live happily."

"Miss Yan, when I saw you that day, I instinctively wanted to get closer to you. If there was anything abrupt that caused you unease or inconvenience, please forgive me."

Ran Xu's trademark warm smile still carried a heavy sorrow. Yan Luoxi suddenly felt reluctant and blurted out, "It's an honor for me to resemble your sister. I don't have many friends in this city. If you're free sometime, we could chat or drink tea together."

She knew the suggestion was foolish and somewhat impulsive, but under Ran Xu's profound grief, she felt compelled to make it.

"Then from now on, I won't call you Miss Yan anymore. I lost a sister before, and now I've gained a younger sister." Ran Xu gently stroked Yan Luoxi’s hair with a smile like springtime.

Upon understanding Ran Xu's intentions, Yan Luoxi felt relieved. She even found comfort in his broad smile, as if seeing an acquaintance when she was alone and fearful.

The truth had been uncovered, and both Ran Xu and Yan Luoxi seemed to feel a sense of relief. Various delicacies from Haidilao were placed before them, and they began chatting while eating.

Ran Xu ordered the yin-yang pot since he was attending an evening event tomorrow where he had to sing; hence, he couldn’t eat spicy food. Yan Luoxi ate from the spicy side of the pot, breaking into a sweat shortly after, feeling much more relaxed and her cold symptoms improving.

"There will be many big stars at tomorrow's gala. Would you like to go" Ran Xu didn't eat much but drank juice with interest as he watched Yan Luoxi eat; his clear eyes showed a faraway look, and it was unclear whose reflection they held.

Yan Luoxi suddenly thought of Zhou Guangtao, her enthusiasm dampened by the mention of food, and she lowered her head: "I won't go. I have to return home tomorrow night."

Ran Xu's eyes narrowed slightly as if understanding something; he then casually asked, “Do you already have a boyfriend”as we have invested heavily in wind energy projects in Inner Mongolia—more than 20 billion yuan worth of investment. I've decided to entrust this project to you. This time, focus on the task at hand a...