Ji Ran's expression changed in an instant.
He bit his lip and frowned instinctively.
If Zhao Pingchuan were going home or had something he needed to do, Ji Ran would of course be willing to let him leave.
But he knew that wasn't the case.
Zhao Pingchuan simply didn't want to stay here.
He had already given up on himself and didn't want to trouble anyone else.
But if he left, where could he go?
Find another place to wait for death?
"No."
Ji Ran spoke firmly.
He looked up into the eyes of the man, who was a head taller than him, and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "I won't allow it."
Zhao Pingchuan's impression of him was that of a softhearted, good-tempered kid. He hadn't expected him to have such a domineering side.
He tried to explain patiently, "I can't stay here forever."
"Why not?"
Ji Ran cut him off. "I told you, I'll take good care of you. You can stay here as long as you want."
He stared stubbornly at Zhao Pingchuan.
Ji Ran had said the same thing yesterday, but hearing it again still stirred something in Zhao Pingchuan's heart.
Even though he knew this was Ji Ran's stopgap measure, he was still grateful to him.
But Ji Ran was still young and had no idea what he was doing.
"You don't know what kind of person I am, yet you brought me home just like that." Zhao Pingchuan felt somewhat helpless.
Ji Ran countered, "Of course I know. You're Zhao Pingchuan, the boss of Pingchuan Technology."
A trace of sorrow flashed in Zhao Pingchuan's eyes. "Not anymore. There's no Pingchuan Technology anymore."
Ji Ran said, "But you're still Zhao Pingchuan."
He said earnestly, "I know that Zhao Pingchuan is the best businessman, the most understanding boss, and the gentlest big brother. He's a very, very good person."
Zhao Pingchuan was a little moved. He hadn't expected anyone to describe him that way in his current circumstances.
He had climbed all the way from the bottom to the top, seen every sight and met all kinds of people. When you were riding high, everyone fawned over you; when you fell from power, they could trample you into the mud without hesitation.
But Ji Ran was different from all of them.
If only he had met him sooner.
Now it was all too late.
"Having me stay won't do you any good." Zhao Pingchuan's voice was calm and utterly devoid of emotion.
"I don't want anything out of it," Ji Ran said without hesitation. "I just want to see you doing well."
"Why?"
Zhao Pingchuan was genuinely puzzled. Would anyone in this world treat another person well for no reason?
Ji Ran grinned. "Just think of me as your fan. I couldn't ask for anything better than living with my idol."
A fan?
An idol?
Zhao Pingchuan found it ridiculous.
Perhaps he had been one once.
But what was there left to like about him now?
Ji Ran studied his expression and knew he hadn't convinced him. After a moment's thought, he said, "Mr. Zhao, I'm an orphan, and I'd really like to have family to keep me company. Since you don't know where to go right now, could you be my family?"
His expression was utterly serious, because that was how he truly felt.
He had never known the love of parents and had no brothers or sisters. For as long as he could remember, he had always been alone.
Zhao Pingchuan froze. Ji Ran was an orphan?
He was so cheerful that he looked every bit like a kid from a happy family. Zhao Pingchuan hadn't expected him to be even more pitiful than himself.
At least he and his sister had had each other for twenty years.
Zhao Pingchuan was twenty-six this year. His younger sister, Zhao Xiaoran, was twenty this year, and she would remain twenty forever.
Looking at the boy, who was about the same age as his sister, Zhao Pingchuan found himself somewhat reluctant to refuse.
Why not give it a try?
Before long, Ji Ran would discover what a mistake it was to keep a burden like him at home.
Ji Ran would soon regret it.
He wanted to leave, but there was no need to rush.
Having made up his mind, Zhao Pingchuan said no more about leaving.
Ji Ran was overjoyed. He pushed him onto the sofa and sat him down, beaming. "Then it's settled."
He hesitated, then added, "Actually, you're not that much older than me, and calling you Mr. Zhao is too formal. From now on, can I call you big brother?"
Zhao Pingchuan nodded very slowly.
Ji Ran hugged him happily and called out loud and clear, "Big brother!"
"Mm."
Zhao Pingchuan responded softly.
Having successfully gotten him to stay, Ji Ran was full of energy and resolved to live well and improve every day from now on!
He asked Zhao Pingchuan, "Big brother, shall we go buy you some daily necessities first?"
Zhao Pingchuan shook his head. He didn't want to go out.
The lively people and sights outside, and the smiles on people's faces, were all a painful reminder to him.
He was especially afraid of seeing young women the same age as his sister, because he couldn't help thinking that if Xiaoran were still here, she would have such a radiant smile too. She could go shopping hand in hand with her best friend, and one day she would find a boyfriend who loved her. Later, she would have one or two adorable children who would call him uncle.
All of that was gone.
Ji Ran was a little disappointed, but he didn't want to push him either. Pretending not to mind, he said, "All right, then. Wait for me at home, and I'll be back soon!"
He asked Zhao Pingchuan for his clothing and shoe sizes, carried the trash to the door, then poked his head back in and reminded him, "Big brother, make sure you wait for me at home."
He was terrified the man would sneak away.
Zhao Pingchuan still didn't answer.
Ji Ran rode his little electric scooter to the nearest mall, checked the balance on his phone, and, after some thought, went into a store and picked out several outfits for Zhao Pingchuan.
Zhao Pingchuan was used to wearing shirts, but he should wear something more comfortable at home, so Ji Ran also bought him a basic set of loungewear.
After picking those out, he went to the supermarket near his home and bought all the personal items Zhao Pingchuan would need before hurrying home.
Holding his breath, he opened the door. Only when he saw that Zhao Pingchuan was still there, sitting just as he had been when Ji Ran left, did Ji Ran breathe a sigh of relief.
He proudly showed Zhao Pingchuan his haul. "Ta-da! Big brother, see if you like them."
T-shirts, shirts, trousers, jackets, pajamas, slippers...
Ji Ran had bought everything he could think of.
Looking at the bags of all sizes Ji Ran had brought back, Zhao Pingchuan was somewhat stunned. Ji Ran really did seem prepared to let him stay here for a long time.
The clothes weren't designer brands, and they were a far cry from what Zhao Pingchuan used to wear. But he wasn't out of touch with everyday life; he knew these things were beyond what Ji Ran could currently afford.
The clothes Ji Ran wore were all the most ordinary kind.
Yet he had bought the best for him.
Zhao Pingchuan didn't know what to feel.
Ji Ran looked at Zhao Pingchuan anxiously, worried that he would look down on the things, and spoke up first. "Big brother, I haven't started working officially yet, so I don't have much money. But don't worry, before long, I'll definitely buy you better things!"
Zhao Pingchuan shook his head. "Thank you."
Seeing no sign that he looked down on them, Ji Ran smiled. "Then I'll wash the clothes for you first. It's hot today, so they'll dry quickly."
Zhao Pingchuan was still wearing the same clothes he had worn to the bar yesterday. Ji Ran handed him the slippers and found the set of loungewear for him to change into first.
Looking at the things handed to him, Zhao Pingchuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'd like to take a shower first."
Ji Ran said in delight, "Okay, okay, okay."
As though he were about to do something extraordinary.
A shower is good! Wanting to shower means he cares about whether he's comfortable. That's a good sign!
Zhao Pingchuan soon came out of the shower. He had put on the loungewear Ji Ran bought him, his wet hair lay across his forehead, and he had shaved his beard. He looked much more spirited overall.
"Wow," Ji Ran said. "Big brother, you're so handsome!"
As a naturally gifted big-shot villain whose every stat was maxed out, Zhao Pingchuan's looks were top-tier too. Even in his sloppy state yesterday, he had possessed a kind of decadent beauty. Now that he had tidied himself up a little, his handsome features were on full display.
He didn't have the icy, domineering-CEO looks of a traditional novel. On the contrary, he had a down-to-earth air of calm. He was the kind of handsome man you might catch a fleeting glimpse of on some street, not a product packaged in suits and camera flashes.
Even ordinary loungewear looked like something a model would wear on him.
Zhao Pingchuan was unmoved by his praise.
Ji Ran didn't mind. He thought happily to himself, What a beauty I've brought home! Just looking at him at home makes me happy!
If the balance on his card hadn't run dry, he would have loved to buy Zhao Pingchuan a few more outfits.
Make money!
The most urgent thing is to make money!