【35】 Can I Kiss You?
The keyboard Jiang Yan sent had a white base and a flame theme, with crimson flame patterns coiled over it—likely to match his name.
In the top right corner of the keyboard, “Dawn” was engraved in gold. Wen Ran had never used such a good keyboard.
Even his computer was scavenged from the second-hand market; he had played like that for four years.
To be able to resume the dream he hadn’t finished and stand on the professional stage—Wen Ran also wanted to be able to share his joy with someone, but he didn’t even have a single friend.
In the past, when Wen Ran won a match, he would excitedly share it with Li Hao, but the other party only cared about how much prize money he took and how many things he could buy, without even a single word of praise.
He would even turn around and lecture him, saying, “Find a proper job, don’t play games all day and ignore your proper business.”
Jiang Yan was the first person to give him a gift.
And it was custom-made, which meant it wasn’t a spontaneous whim; he had truly put effort into it.
Wen Ran felt his heart rate accelerating.
After thinking back and forth, he still messaged Song Zixuan.
Wen Ran: [Um, what kind of people does your brother like?]
After sending it, he felt he was incredibly stupid, so he long-pressed and retracted it.
He had never specifically inquired about someone’s preferences before.
Jiang Yan was the first.
As a result, the message notification flashed:
Song Zixuan: [Why retract it? I saw it.]
Wen Ran grabbed his hair irritably. He was never one to beat around the bush; asking Song Zixuan like this—it would be strange if he didn’t overthink it, right?
What if he told Jiang Yan?
Facing a serious confession but not daring to respond, and instead secretly inquiring about what type of person he likes?
Wen Ran racked his brain to type, attempting to find an excuse to brush it off, when Song Zixuan’s next message came through.
Song Zixuan: [You’re thinking of setting my brother up with someone, right?]
Wen Ran: “…”
He guiltily deleted the content in the chat box.
Wen Ran: [Yeah.]
Song Zixuan: [I can’t tell, huh? You’re still a single dog yourself, yet you’re actually thinking of helping my brother find a partner first.]
To make it look more convincing, Wen Ran wrote:
[Should I set you up too?]
Song Zixuan: [No, no. Love will only affect the speed at which I draw my sword. I’m still a child; I can’t have a puppy love.]
Wen Ran: “…”
Song Zixuan: [I’ll still tell you about my brother.]
Song Zixuan: [Him? He likes the well-behaved type—doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink, doesn’t dye their hair, speaks gently and softly, and ideally is a bit cute and knows how to act spoiled.]
Wen Ran: [?]
He stared at that message and read it three times.
Then he opened the chat logs between himself and Jiang Yan—that “I like you” was glaringly obvious.
Damn it, where did he fit any of that?
Wen Ran tried very hard to find those traits in himself: very fierce, can smoke and drink, speaks like a firecracker—cute and acting spoiled were even more impossible.
The only point was that he didn’t have dyed hair right now?
Song Zixuan: [You think it’s pretty outrageous too, right?]
Song Zixuan: [But there really is such a person. That childhood sweetheart of his is exactly like that.]
Childhood sweetheart…
Wen Ran didn’t continue asking; he didn’t dare.
It seemed his guess wasn’t wrong—it was just novelty at play.
Cunning man. Fortunately, he hadn’t fallen for his tricks.
Wen Ran suppressed his slightly sour mood and walked into a hair salon.
Today he would dye his hair too. Let’s see how that Jiang Yan could say those nonsense words again. It just so happened he had been displeased with this head of black hair for a long time anyway.
Tony came over with scissors, smiling: “Handsome guy, what do you need?”
“Dyeing.”
“What color would you like?”
Wen Ran said almost spitefully, “Whatever. Just not something common.”
Tony gave an “Oh” as if suddenly enlightened: “You want something unique, right?”
“It just so happens I recently mixed a rose-gold pink. Do you want to try this?”
“Do whatever you want,” Wen Ran said directly without even looking.
“Oh… alright.”
Tony had been in the business for ten years and had never seen such a casual and carefree customer. Others would be picky about colors for half an hour, making all sorts of comparisons, and thirty minutes was considered fast. Yet this one didn’t care at all.
However, Tony soon understood the reason why the guy dared to be so casual—it was because he was simply too handsome.
When the dyeing was finished, not only Tony, but the other customers in the salon were also stunned.
Rose pink was naturally picky about people, but Wen Ran’s fair skin and this color were simply complementary, making his face look even more exquisite. Tony had also done some processing; it wasn’t a pure dusty rose pink—the bangs had some light gold highlights.
Perfect, too perfect!
He could be pulled straight out onto a stage or for a magazine shoot without any problem.
Wen Ran finished his hair when the sky was starting to get dark. He intentionally made a trip back home.
Jiang Yan had been in his room all afternoon, presumably busy with something.
As expected, as soon as Wen Ran entered, he saw Jiang Yan holding a water cup.
The cuffs of his shirt wrapped around his wrists, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose.
Wen Ran had never seen him wear glasses.
The button fastened at the very top sat just below his Adam’s apple; the more restrained, the more desirable he looked—like a “refined scumbag.”
“Where did you go?”
Wen Ran stood there with a head of pink hair: “Dyeing my hair. Can’t you tell?”
Tilting his head slightly, he looked more like a proud little peacock.
He intentionally asked Jiang Yan: “Does it look good?”
Now he had completely diverged from Jiang Yan’s ideal type. He wanted to see what else this person would say.
“It looks good.” Jiang Yan smiled faintly and reached out to pat his head: “You look good no matter what.”
Wen Ran: “???”
How is this different from what I thought?!
“Like a little rose.”
I really want to give you a kiss.
Wen Ran was once again made a bit shy by this ambiguous nickname.
“Aren’t you…”
“Aren’t I what?”
Jiang Yan didn’t know what he wanted to say and continued: “I bought tickets for the amusement park. I’m treating you.”
“It’ll be cooler at night. Once the summer break ends, you won’t have as much time.”
Being a professional player wasn’t that easy. Training for over ten hours a day was the most basic requirement.
To maintain hand speed, plus training matches and practicing new systems, the five-man team still needed to build synergy and do reviews. They also had to play Peak Tournament matches, and some professional players would fixedly grind for National Server rankings.
Wen Ran hadn’t been to an amusement park to play before. Most people went to these places in groups, and since he had no friends, naturally no one went with him.
Furthermore, his usual entertainment activities were basically just playing games.
“Oh…”
Wen Ran, who had originally planned to refuse righteously, ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation and gave in.
There were many people at the amusement park at night, not at all fewer than during the day—bustling with activity.
There were also many small street vendors here, selling various kinds of small items.
Jiang Yan walked up to a flower vendor. Seeing customers, the little girl immediately greeted them warmly: “Do you want to buy a bouquet, Brother?”
Wen Ran originally thought he was just casually looking around, but who would have thought he actually started picking out flowers.
Jiang Yan picked out a light pink rose: “This one then.”
Wen Ran gave him a disdainful look—pink and tender. What kind of taste is this!
The little girl smiled: “Are you going to send it to the person you like, Brother?”
“Yeah.”
“Then she will definitely be happy when she receives it!”
Jiang Yan smiled, and then very naturally handed the rose to Wen Ran: “Here.”
He pointed to the color of the petals: “Look, doesn’t it look like you?”
“Both are beautiful little roses.”
Wen Ran remembered clearly that he just said he was going to send it to the person he liked. Truly annoying—teasing him again.
But he awkwardly accepted the rose. A faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.
Fine, it seemed his taste wasn’t that bad after all.
Suddenly, Wen Ran felt his hand being held. He had just wanted to break free when Jiang Yan righteously grabbed it tighter: “Well, there are so many people now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to find you in a bit.”
Jiang Yan’s hand was a size larger than Wen Ran’s; he could easily wrap it in his palm.
This feeling was too strange. Wen Ran felt his heart thumping—he didn’t understand why it was just holding hands.
Jiang Yan’s palm was so warm. The warmth coming from where their skin touched made Wen Ran unable to resist being a bit greedy for it.
The most popular attraction at night was the Ferris wheel because one could overlook the entire amusement park.
Reason told Wen Ran he shouldn’t follow him up, but as if possessed, by the time he reacted, he was already sitting side-by-side with Jiang Yan.
The other party had no intention of letting go of his hand; instead, he intensified the gesture by interlocking their fingers.
The Ferris wheel rose higher and higher, until the beautiful lights under the night sky were visible.
“I didn’t finish what I said last time,” Jiang Yan opened his mouth: “I haven’t dated before, nor have I liked anyone. You are the first.”
“The first person to make my heart skip a beat, the person I want to protect.”
“Wen Ran, I like you. I want to date you.”
While he was speaking, Wen Ran intentionally tried to dodge, but he was held firmly by the hand and couldn’t move.
“Besides, we’ve already ‘gotten on the bus.’ Can you give me a chance to buy the ticket? Hmm?”
Jiang Yan’s voice was lazy and sexy. In this kind of cramped environment, it carried a few more degrees of erotic meaning, making Wen Ran’s ear tips turn red.
Self-identifying as fierce, he said: “You’re noisy to death.”
But because he lacked confidence, it sounded more like he was softly acting spoiled.
“Don’t change the subject.” Jiang Yan turned slightly, straightening the other’s face to look directly into Wen Ran’s eyes.
Round and wet—exquisite beyond words.
There was only a weak light inside the Ferris wheel. The dim environment caused one’s senses to be infinitely magnified.
Jiang Yan was originally a person with a strong sense of contour; this made him look even more handsome and sexy.
His rolling Adam’s apple caused some memories to surge in Wen Ran’s heart, and he couldn’t help but swallow.
He lowered his head in a flustered manner.
Such a small movement, in Jiang Yan’s eyes, was him being shy.
How could he be so cute.
Jiang Yan’s voice even became a bit raspy: “Ran Ran, can I kiss you?”
“If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as you agreeing.”
Jiang Yan used one hand to tilt up Wen Ran’s chin and gently took his lips into his mouth.
Wen Ran’s lips were very soft, with a faint sweetness—like jelly.
They were kissed thoroughly.
Until Wen Ran couldn’t catch his breath, Jiang Yan reluctantly let him go.
He used his thumb to wipe across the other’s lips: “Why are our Ran Ran so sweet?”
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