From that day on, they talked more, and Zhao Pingchuan would give Ji Ran some answers to his questions.
Sometimes, after dinner, they would sit on the sofa and chat. Ji Ran usually spoke ten sentences for every one of Zhao Pingchuan's, but the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.
Later, Zhao Pingchuan took over the housework and cooking.
At first, Ji Ran wouldn't let him. Zhao Pingchuan was the immortal man in his heart, someone to be cherished and waited on. How could he let him do such things?
But Zhao Pingchuan insisted. "I can't just live and eat at your place for free."
Ji Ran corrected him. "This is your home too."
Zhao Pingchuan smiled faintly. "I have to find something to do."
That convinced Ji Ran. It really wasn't good for someone to sit around all day. Too much idleness made it easy to overthink, and too much overthinking could lead to problems.
And so, from then on, he lived a happy life, coming home to hot meals and someone waiting for him.
One weekend, as they sat together preparing vegetables, Zhao Pingchuan brought up his past of his own accord for the first time. He spoke of how he had lost both parents as a child and depended on his younger sister, of the hardships of building a business from scratch, and of his despair when she died.
Ji Ran listened quietly and told him that he would be there for him from now on, and he would never be alone again.
They became a real family, eating at the same table, sleeping in the same bed, and opening their hearts to each other.
Gradually, Zhao Pingchuan became able to go out by himself to places that weren't too far away. The first time he bought vegetables at the market alongside a group of older men and women, he felt a subtle sense of incongruity.
The once lofty President Zhao, whose contracts had started at ten million, was now haggling with a vendor over a few yuan.
But he didn't dislike the feeling, nor did he find it embarrassing.
Every cent he had was money Ji Ran had worked hard to earn, so of course he couldn't spend it recklessly.
Ji Ran was delighted that he was starting to interact with the world again. After hearing that he was going out to buy groceries, he linked his own bank card for Zhao Pingchuan to use and waved a hand grandly. "Ge, spend as much of the money in there as you like."
It seems Ji Ran is keeping me, Zhao Pingchuan thought.
Before long, Ji Ran graduated. He took Zhao Pingchuan back to school for the graduation ceremony, so Zhao Pingchuan could witness this important moment in person.
In his graduation gown, Ji Ran was full of confidence and the vibrant energy unique to his age.
Zhao Pingchuan took many photos of him, and the two of them also took quite a few together.
How lucky he was to be part of Ji Ran's youth.
If Xiaoran were still alive, he too would have had the chance to see his sister in a graduation gown.
Ji Ran saw Zhao Pingchuan standing there with the camera, looking despondent, and understood that he was thinking of his deceased sister. He walked over and said with a smile, "All right, ge, let's go home."
As they walked along the plane tree-lined avenue on campus, Ji Ran suddenly asked, "Ge, I still don't know what university you graduated from, do I?"
In fact, he knew; he was just making conversation.
Zhao Pingchuan smiled faintly and gave him a name. "My university was a very ordinary one. It wasn't as well known as this one."
In fact, his grades had been outstanding, but he had chosen an ordinary university to stay closer to home and take care of his sister, and also for the scholarship it offered.
Even at an ordinary university, in an ordinary major, Zhao Pingchuan's talent had not gone unnoticed. He had started a business while still in school, and as it grew, he became the youngest well-known entrepreneur in the area.
The university had treasured its outstanding alumnus, putting his photo on the alumni wall and inviting him back to speak several times. Zhao Pingchuan had also donated a considerable amount of money to his alma mater to build teaching buildings.
Now, Zhao Pingchuan thought with a smile, they had probably taken his photo down.
Ji Ran's voice rang out, as lively as ever. "When I first started here, I heard a teacher say something: don't ask what your alma mater can do for you; ask what you can do for your alma mater."
He smiled and said, "Ge, you did the latter."
Knowing that he was trying to comfort him, Zhao Pingchuan obligingly smiled and gave a soft "Mm."
After graduation, Ji Ran officially started his job.
Yusheng Technology paid him a good salary, more than enough to cover their daily expenses, with some left over to save.
Zhao Pingchuan noticed that Ji Ran was very enthusiastic about dressing him up. When buying things for himself, Ji Ran was content with anything wearable, but he was particular about Zhao Pingchuan's food, clothes, and daily necessities, always buying the most expensive things he could afford.
Zhao Pingchuan tried helplessly to put a stop to it. "Ranran, I'm not particular about these things."
"I know," Ji Ran said carelessly, "but I just want to buy you the best, ge."
With Ji Ran by his side, Zhao Pingchuan was no longer so guarded about the past. When Ji Ran talked about work, he would join in with a few comments.
When Ji Ran ran into a problem, he would quietly offer advice-even though he had nothing at the moment, the talent and foresight ingrained in him still could not be concealed.
Ji Ran marveled at his talent. He had no doubt that, as long as Zhao Pingchuan wanted to, he could start over at any time.
For most people, success took more than a decade or even several decades, but that wasn't the case for a genius like Zhao Pingchuan.
Still, as long as Zhao Pingchuan didn't bring it up himself, he would never mention it.
He could support Zhao Pingchuan for the rest of his life.
One evening, the two of them were leaning against the headboard watching a show, their arms brushing together, when Ji Ran suddenly said, "Ge, do you think we should move to a bigger place?"
Zhao Pingchuan betrayed no reaction. "You don't like living here?"
Ji Ran scratched his head. "It's not that. I actually quite like this place. I've gotten attached to it. But I was thinking, you don't even have a room of your own. Isn't that inconvenient for you?"
Zhao Pingchuan's gaze swept quickly over his face. "No," he said calmly. "You've only just started working. Don't waste your money."
Ji Ran grinned. "Then we won't move for now. When we've saved enough money, we can pick out a place we both like and buy it together."
"Okay."
Ji Ran was very busy at work and often got off late, but whenever he thought of someone waiting for him at home, he was immediately full of energy.
The company was right by a subway entrance, but the residential complex where he lived was some distance from the station.
Worried that it would be inconvenient for Zhao Pingchuan to go out, Ji Ran left him the electric scooter.
Zhao Pingchuan offered to take him to the subway entrance and ride the scooter back himself.
Ji Ran nodded vigorously. "Sure, sure! Thanks, ge."
Zhao Pingchuan chuckled. He really was a silly child who was easy to please.
When the weather was good, Zhao Pingchuan would ride over to the subway entrance and wait for him ahead of time. Ji Ran would sit on the back, his arms around Zhao Pingchuan's waist, smiling as they rode through the neighborhood.
He took a deep breath, finding this everyday bustle deeply moving. Then he rested his face against Zhao Pingchuan's back and sighed, "Ge, I really love the life we have now."
Zhao Pingchuan chuckled softly. "Me too."
When it rained, Zhao Pingchuan would also wait for him at the subway entrance, and the two would share an umbrella and walk slowly home, treating it as a stroll.
The rain would dampen their pant legs and dirty their shoes, but that was all right. They could just wash them when they got home.
While they were eating, Ji Ran asked curiously, "Ge, what do you do at home when I'm at work? Don't you get bored?"
Zhao Pingchuan was a homebody, so he definitely wouldn't go out for fun. Ji Ran worried that he would get too cooped up.
Zhao Pingchuan picked out the best-looking piece of spare rib for him and answered, "No, you don't have to worry about me."
Ji Ran nodded, convincing himself. "Ge, you worked so hard before. Now you should just get some good rest."
Zhao Pingchuan looked at him quietly. He was twenty-six, almost twenty-seven, and now he was being supported by a boy four years younger, who provided his food and clothes, let him spend as much money as he liked, and told him he only needed to rest.
What good deeds had he done in his past life to meet Ji Ran?