Chapter 294: I Thought We Were Brothers, and You’re After My Sister?
“Why didn’t Jin Ran contact you if he’s in Eagle Country?” Gu Shengsheng found it a little strange.
Then, Lu Shijing cleared his throat. “He probably didn’t know I was in Eagle Country.”
After all, back in their home country, Lu Shijing had talked a big game, saying he wasn’t going to follow Gu Shengsheng around anymore.
He was going to find a new way to win his wife back.
But who would have thought that just a few days later, Lu Shijing would come scampering right after her all by himself.
At that speed, nothing in heaven or earth could have stopped him.
Although Gu Shengsheng felt like something was off, everything he said was plausible enough.
‘Is it too much of a coincidence that Lu Linlin and Jin Ran are both here? Or am I just overthinking things?’
In the end, Gu Shengsheng decided she was just overthinking things.
‘Linnin is a very sweet and well-behaved girl,’ she thought, ‘so there’s no need to worry so much.’
Then, Gu Shengsheng said to Lu Shijing, “So, should we head to the hotel? And go to dinner with those two?”
“Yeah,” Lu Shijing nodded.
When they returned to the hotel, Gu Shengsheng saw Lu Linlin sitting in her room, red-faced and staring into space.
She barely registered Gu Shengsheng coming in, offering a quick greeting before her mind seemed to wander off again.
For someone like Lu Linlin, who was always bursting with energy, Gu Shengsheng knew right away that something was off.
She asked, “Linnin, is something wrong?”
“You don’t seem like yourself today.”
Lu Linlin finally looked at Gu Shengsheng, a little embarrassed. “I got a bit airsick on the flight, so I’m still a little out of it. I’m much better now, Shengsheng.”
“Did you and my brother get back together?” Lu Linlin asked, her face full of anticipation.
“Yes, he’s my boyfriend now.” Gu Shengsheng didn’t hide it.
She added, “I’ve thought about it, and if there’s anyone I want to spend the rest of my life with, it’s probably Lu Shijing.”
Lu Linlin was so excited she immediately sent a text to her grandmother.
“Wow! Our whole family has been trying to figure out a way to get you two back together! We were just worried my brother would stick his foot in his mouth and say something awful to scare you off. In any case, we all really like you.”
“Shengsheng, you’ll always be my sister-in-law.”
Seeing her so happy, Gu Shengsheng smiled warmly. “What brings you to Eagle Country this time?”
“You came in such a rush, I doubt it’s just for a vacation!”
Lu Linlin said, “What else is there to my life besides helping our family spend money and just bumming around waiting to die, Shengsheng?”
“Anyway, don’t worry about me. I’m just out of sorts. I can’t figure out my own messy problems, so you just focus on yourself. I’m fine.”
Gu Shengsheng stated, “You’re in love with someone. You came to Eagle Country to find him.”
“…” Lu Linlin suppressed the flutter in her heart, forcing herself to sound calm. “No, I’m not, Shengsheng.”
This only made Gu Shengsheng more certain. She continued, “And that man is Jin Ran.”
Lu Linlin lunged forward and covered her mouth. ‘She can’t say any more. If she keeps talking, it’s all over. No one will be able to save me then, I’ll be done for!’
“SHH SHH SHH!” she hissed. “Shengsheng! Don’t say another word!”
She frantically glanced around the hotel room. “If my brother hears, I’m done for!”
“Is the soundproofing in here any good? Can my brother hear us from across the hall?”
Seeing how nervous she was, Gu Shengsheng gently pulled her hand away.
“Relax,” she said, “he can’t hear us.”
“But you’re really daring, getting together with Jin Ran. There were absolutely no signs.”
“Besides, the only reason your brother overlooked your connection to Jin Ran today is because Jin Ran has some leverage over him. If he finds out for real… I don’t even know how he’ll react.”
His own sister, with one of his best friends. And to make matters worse, that so-called friend is a total playboy.
No sane person would ever agree to that.
Gu Shengsheng’s tone turned serious. “Jin Ran is a good guy, but he’s not good husband material.”
“Yeah, I know, Shengsheng. But it’s too late.”
Gu Shengsheng was stunned. “You’re pregnant?”
“No, no, no!” she denied immediately. “It’s just… I think I really like Jin Ran. At first, I thought it was nothing… we just accidentally slept together at a bar one time.”
Gu Shengsheng: “…” ‘I figured as much.’
Then she asked, “And then what?”
“Afterward, I tried to tell myself it was just physical, right? That it was nothing. But then, the more I saw him, the more I started to care. I even started remembering all the little things he likes. I’m doomed, Shengsheng.”
“I feel like… maybe I’m just one of those people who gets hopelessly lovesick. It’s so weird. I don’t know what to do with myself all day.”
“When he came to Eagle Country this time, his parents told my family that he was probably coming here to find a girlfriend. Said he’s been completely distracted. So I started wondering if he has a bunch of flings over here. But it’s not like I have any right to tell him what to do.”
“So I used visiting you guys as an excuse to follow him over.” Lu Linlin was genuinely frustrated. “I thought I was the cool, carefree type who wouldn’t care about this stuff.”
“Turns out, I care a lot!” Lu Linlin lamented.
Gu Shengsheng said, “It’s hard to say how this will turn out. For now, just wait and see. See what his attitude is. If he likes you, and you both like each other, there’s no harm in giving it a try.”
“But if it’s one-sided and he’s still acting like a playboy, then it just means he’s not the one for you.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah!”
Gu Shengsheng thought for a moment before adding, “Your brother is very sharp. Your terrible acting will probably give you away soon.”
“For all we know, he might have already figured it out.”
Sure enough, in another hotel room, Lu Shijing was sitting while Jin Ran stood.
Lu Shijing said nonchalantly, “It’s not like Shengsheng has no one to call. Why would she call you?”
“I didn’t even know you were in Eagle Country. How did she?”
Jin Ran said, “Social media is a wonderful thing. You should check it more often.”
He quickly changed the subject. “Enough about me. You came all this way, going back on your word completely. So, did you win your wife back?”
“Yeah.” He nodded, though this time he showed no intention of gloating to his friend. Instead, he just kept his eyes fixed on Jin Ran.
“I get the feeling you’re up to something.”
Jin Ran looked guiltily at the ceiling. “What do you mean?”
“Why are you being so passive-aggressive today? You in a bad mood? Come on, let’s go grab a drink, man.”
Lu Shijing asked, “Are you trying to become my brother-in-law?”
Jin Ran immediately clammed up.
“Never. Don’t say things like that. I wouldn’t want to ruin Linnin’s reputation. Me and her… it’s impossible.”
Lu Shijing sneered. “So you’re saying you wish it *were* possible?”
“Jin Ran, tell me the truth. When did you two get together? Was it at a club? Or at my house? Did you hit on her while you were over talking business with me?”
“Do you have any idea how naive she is?” As he spoke, he threw a punch straight at Jin Ran.
He knew what kind of person Jin Ran was better than Jin Ran’s own father.