Chapter 19: The Rival Always Wants to Taste Him Again [19]

Chapter 19: The Nemesis Keeps Coming Back for Another Taste of Him "19"

Lin Ran was genuinely livid. Just as he turned around to strike back, Shi Mo's airy voice drifted over from behind:

"Alright, she didn't do it on purpose. Why make such a big deal out of it?"

Lin Ran turned back to look at Shi Mo, a wounded expression on his face: "But A Mo, she just threw an apple at me!"

Yun Mujin: "I already told you, my hand slipped."

Shi Mo: "She said her hand slipped."

Lin Ran: "..."

447: [Pfft! Hahaha!!!]

[Xiao Momo! Look! Lin Ran is steaming!]

447 tumbled through the air laughing, nearly choking for breath:

[I always thought "steaming mad" was just an exaggeration, but I never thought someone could actually get that angry!]

[Hahaha!! This guy's hilarious!]

Lin Ran simply couldn't believe that Shi Mo, who liked him so much, would actually side with someone else.

He gritted his teeth and shot Yun Mujin a venomous glare. It was all this woman's fault! If not for her, Shi Mo wouldn't be acting this way toward him!

Lin Ran had been a bit confused at first—Yun Mujin hadn't appeared in his past life at all, so why had she suddenly come back this time?

But now he no longer cared why Yun Mujin was different from before. He cast his eyes down, hiding the dark gleam within.

Even the hand at his side had clenched into a fist, veins faintly bulging on the back.

He had no dealings with Yun Mujin in his past life, so naturally there was no bad blood between them.

But now Yun Mujin was going after him at every turn, even trying to steal Shi Mo away—then she had no one to blame but herself when he struck first!

A plan took shape in Lin Ran's mind, and he couldn't help but sneer coldly.

But you couldn't fault him for being cold-hearted.

After all, Yun Mujin shouldn't have been here in the first place. He was just setting things back on the right track!

Lin Ran trailed after Shi Mo to the study, while downstairs, Yun Mujin kept sneezing several times in a row.

Yun Mujin rubbed her nose and muttered under her breath:

"That jerk Lin Ran isn't plotting against me, is he..."

Meanwhile, Lin Ran stood in front of Shi's father, speaking very earnestly:

"Uncle Shi, I truly love A Mo, and I hope you'll give us your blessing."

Shi's father didn't respond to what he said. Instead, he set down the documents in his hand and shifted his gaze to Shi Mo:

"A Mo, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

"He said that as long as you're willing to be with him, he can give you 10% of Lin Corp's shares, and he can also land those projects you had your eye on and hand them to you."

With each word from Shi's father, the smugness and glee in Lin Ran's eyes grew.

Although he didn't think Shi Mo would reject him after he'd already gone this far, he was still willing to save face for Shi Mo and give him the best of everything, since Shi Mo was the one he loved.

After all, once they were family, there'd be no yours or mine anyway.

Shi's father's gaze swept over the two, laced with curiosity.

Because he simply couldn't wrap his head around when Shi Mo and Lin Ran's relationship had become so close.

After all, everyone knew that Lin Ran used to chase Ye Qi around all day.

Now suddenly doing a 180 to pursue Shi Mo, and jumping straight to marriage—

Honestly, that would make anyone's alarm bells go off.

But Lin Ran was really planning to transfer shares, and it didn't look like he was kidding around.

His first instinct had been to call Lin's father, and Lin's father had laughed it off, saying he just hoped the two kids would be happy.

It seemed he was in the know and supported this.

Shi's father nudged his glasses up with a fingertip, hiding the shrewd glint in his eyes.

For a businessman, Lin Ran's offer was undeniably tempting.

But he wasn't just a businessman—he was also a father, and the Shi family was doing just fine.

Rather than a marriage of convenience tied to business interests, he'd rather Shi Mo find someone he truly loved.

But from what he'd observed and knew.

His son seemed to love nothing but money.

So since Lin Ran's terms were generous enough, and he didn't know when the two had gotten so close, he didn't flat-out turn Lin Ran down.

Instead, he called Shi Mo back and had the two of them talk it out face to face.

Under Lin Ran's expectant, certain gaze, Shi Mo smiled lightly.

"Sorry, I'm open to cooperation, but as for marriage, forget it. I'm not about to sell myself out for the family just yet."

"Then we'll go get the license the day after—What? You don't want to?"

Lin Ran declared with absolute confidence, but it only hit him halfway through that Shi Mo had turned him down.

He stared at Shi Mo in disbelief, his eyes full of confusion:

"Why? A Mo, are you still mad at me over Ye Qi?"

"But I already said I don't like him. You've been quietly watching over me from the shadows for so long—why can't you just give me a chance?!"

Lin Ran had been all smug a second ago, and now his eyes went red in an instant. His face changed so fast that even Shi's father couldn't help but sigh in amazement.

Wait, quietly watching over him? A secret crush?

Shi's father's smile dropped. He shot Shi Mo a complicated look, one laced with a subtle, hidden appraisal.

Tsk...

His son has such a handsome face, and yet he's been secretly pining all this time?

Wait, how come he never knew Shi Mo had liked Lin Ran at some point?

Shi's dad got lost in thought.

Was he just a crappy dad, or had Lin Ran straight-up lost his mind?

After thinking it over for a second, Shi's dad chose to believe the latter!

Shi Mo noticed his father's gaze, and the hint of a smile in his eyes dimmed a little:

"Don't put words in my mouth, Lin Ran. I've never said I like you."

Lin Ran gave a bitter smile: "No way! You definitely like me!"

"Otherwise, why would you always show up whenever I confessed to Ye Qi, and after I got rejected, why would you go pick a fight with him? Isn't that because of me?"

"You've been beefing with Ye Qi since we were kids, always going after him—isn't that because I like him?"

"Otherwise, why would you only see him as your rival and not me?"

Shi's dad: "Tsk..."

This kid actually has a point, doesn't he?

Shi's dad watched Shi Mo like he was watching a show, not the least bit bothered that he was laughing at his own son's expense.

Lin Ran looked up, tears welling up in his eyes as he gazed at Shi Mo, speaking with determination:

"Shi Mo, if you really don't like me, then look me in the eye and tell me to my face that you have zero feelings for me."

Shi Mo: "Yeah, I have zero feelings for you."

"I don't buy it."

Lin Ran's smile was getting forced, but he still pushed through:

"You're just mad at me for wasting all those years of your feelings."

"I know they don't believe I like you, and neither do you. They all think I'm playing you, and you think so too..."

"But that's fine. I'll prove it to you—I really do like you!"

Shi's dad, loving the drama, chimed in: "So devoted."

Shi Mo said nothing, merely lowering his gaze to glance at his phone.

Well, Ye Qi had already handed him the Rose Manor a few days ago.

Along with several seaside villas, another estate, and a club he used to frequent—all transferred directly into his name. And these past few days, he'd been quietly setting up a share transfer...

"Lin Ran, didn't you say you were planning to give me your shares? Is the contract ready? Let's sign it right now."

Shi Mo said with a smile, but Lin Ran's face showed a hint of hesitation:

"A Mo, of course I'm willing to give them to you, but you know, I can't make such a big decision on my own right now..."

Meeting Shi Mo's half-smiling eyes, he added urgently:

"But! As long as you agree to marry me, none of this will be a problem!"