Chapter 24 The Teasing Yandere Boy 24

Chapter 24: The Teasing Yandere Boy 24

After hanging up the phone, Qiao Ling was lost in thought...

"System, do you think there's something seriously wrong with Jiang Ran?"

System: "???"

Jiang Ran could sometimes be unnervingly calm, having grown up quickly due to certain childhood experiences, so he tended to keep things close to his chest.

But the system didn't think Jiang Ran was ill at all!

"Host, why do you feel that way?"

"I've been messing with him for ages, yet he ended up liking me more and more? I think he's got Stockholm syndrome."

System: "..."

"Host, take my advice—don't say such things to Jiang Ran."

"Oh, really?"

No matter how rude he was, he wouldn't call Jiang Ran sick to his face—he wasn't stupid, right?

But with the system saying that, he got a bit curious: "What would happen if I did? Would he hit me?"

System: "...He'd have you bedridden for three days."

---

Little Sweetie found it hard to adjust after her first year abroad, so she came straight home for the summer.

She planned to crash at the Qiao house for a couple of days.

At noon, Qiao's mother told Qiao Ling to take her out for lunch and chat, and Qiao Ling agreed.

He randomly picked a restaurant and drove Little Sweetie over.

The girl seemed sweet and well-behaved, but was actually pretty cold, and her attitude toward Qiao Ling was quite detached, which put Qiao Ling at ease.

Since the family didn't need him to marry for status, and Qiao's mom was just half-heartedly trying to set them up, he figured he'd just go along with it on the surface and do his own thing.

"Xiao Ling-ge, can I go out and have some fun on my own after lunch?"

Qiao Ling blinked, mulling it over for a second. Since she'd grown up in this city her whole life, it should be fine.

"Okay, just stay safe."

Hearing this, a tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Xiao Ling-ge, you're so easygoing. I'll bring you another doll next time I'm back."

Qiao Ling: "..."

That's totally unnecessary!

Having lived abroad for a while, the girl didn't bother with manners when she found food she liked—she just ate in silence the whole time.

Qiao Ling took a sip of his drink and told her, "Make sure you come home early after you're done today. Don't stay out too long."

The girl was too busy eating to answer, so she just nodded, her cheeks stuffed like a little hamster's.

Qiao Ling spotted a message from Jiang Ran asking where he was.

He casually replied, "Got some stuff to do, heading home in a bit."

The girl watched Qiao Ling texting and looked up to ask, "Xiao Ling-ge, are you seeing anyone?"

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, I'm just wondering if your partner knows you're into dolls."

Qiao Ling: "..."

Did school fry this kid's brain?

Why was she so hung up on the dolls? What did the dolls ever do to her?!

No!

He was the one getting dragged—what did he do to get lumped in with dolls?

Qiao Ling tapped the table and said with all seriousness, "I'm a grown man. Grown men don't play with dolls. Don't bring me any next time you come back. Just eat your food and quit talking."

He scooped some food into her bowl, thinking she was way cuter when she was just eating and not talking.

The girl stared at Qiao Ling with big eyes, looking like her whole worldview had just shattered.

"That can't be!"

She thought Xiao Ling-ge, with his delicate, doll-like looks, was basically meant to be best friends with dolls!

Qiao Ling was about to clear his name when he felt a sudden heavy hand on his shoulder.

Startled, he turned to see a man standing beside him, smiling but with no warmth behind it.

Jiang Ran's frame was tall and lean, his presence looming over him was intimidating.

And at that moment, his gaze made Qiao Ling sense a hint of danger.

He seemed pissed.

But Qiao Ling had no clue why.

When they'd talked on the phone last night, Jiang Ran had been smiling, so it couldn't be something he'd done.

That thought put him at ease.

Jiang Ran looked at the young man before him, curling his lips into a smile. "Young master, fancy meeting you here."

The young man sat down on his own, acting like he owned the place.

"What are you doing here?" Qiao Ling's clear eyes were full of confusion.

"What do you do at a restaurant? Eat, obviously. What else would it be? It's not like I'm here to catch a cheater, right?"

Qiao Ling: "???"

Shouldn't you catch a cheater at a hotel? Who catches a cheater at a restaurant?

It was only then that it hit him—this was the restaurant Jiang Ran used to work at.

Back then, he could always find Jiang Ran here without fail. The owner was pretty good to broke students like Jiang Ran and would even feed him.

That was probably why Jiang Ran came here to eat.

Who knew they'd run into each other like this?

Jiang Ran's eyes landed on the girl next to him, and he asked, "Young master, aren't you gonna introduce me?"

Qiao Ling had no clue why Jiang Ran suddenly felt the need to show off.

Before, he'd stay quiet by his side, never making a peep even around his friends, but today he was actually asking to be introduced.

He'd just opened his mouth to say something when the girl cut in.

"Xiao Ling, I'm full. I gotta go. Bye."

With that, she grabbed her bag and hightailed it out of there.

That friend of Xiao Ling's looks scary as hell, like he's about to eat someone!

Why bother with introductions? Time to run!

Once she was gone, Jiang Ran felt like the air had cleared.

He'd spotted Qiao Ling the second he walked in, figuring he had something important going on, only to find him having lunch with some girl.

They'd been all smiles and laughter just now, honestly...

It was seriously pissing him off.

Qiao Ling rubbed his nose and asked, "You eaten? Wanna eat together?"

"You're asking me to eat your scraps? Real polite, young master."

Qiao Ling: "???" Did he really mean it like that?

"Then I'll order you something fresh?"

"Nah, I've lost my appetite." Jiang Ran dropped his gaze, grabbed the drink Qiao Ling had half-finished, and took a couple of sips.

Qiao Ling: "..."

He felt like Jiang Ran was the walking definition of 'contradiction.'

The silence dragged on until Qiao Ling finally caved and leaned in to ask, "Jiang Ran, you feeling a little off? You can tell me, I'll help you work through it."

Jiang Ran put the cup down, leaned in close, and said slowly.

"The guy I like is having lunch with another girl. You think I'd be happy?"

Qiao Ling: "!!"

Called it!

"Hear me out! I..." Qiao Ling started, then suddenly sat up straight.

Apologize? Explain? Was that his style as a spoiled rich brat? Was that his 'I don't give a damn' persona? Hell no.

He sat up straight, looking like he couldn't care less, spread his hands in defeat, and said, "If that's how you wanna see it, then I can't do anything about it.

What's the big deal about grabbing a meal? We're just friends. Don't overthink it.

And hey, you and I are friends too. Don't be so clingy!"