Chapter 42Because he needed to take leave, Ji Ran, who didn’t want to hold everyone back, specially asked Director Zhong to advance his filming schedule. This also moved up the scenes for Yan Duo and Zeng Meng, who had roles opposite him. Therefore, on the day Ji Ran’s show was broadcast, both of them had time to sit in front of the television to watch.

The host of “Men’s World” was Jiang Yan, the leading male host of T City TV station. At the beginning of the show, Jiang Yan and his camera crew arrived at a high-end villa community. Without introducing the order of guest appearances, he deliberately let the audience guess who the first guest would be. After building suspense for a few minutes, he finally went forward and rang the doorbell.

While waiting for the door to open, Zeng Meng, eating potato chips, asked Yan Duo, “This isn’t your home with Teacher Ji, is it?”

Yan Duo nodded.

“Isn’t this too extravagant?”

Zeng Meng exclaimed. When this villa was first released, it started at twenty million, and now three years later, its value has multiplied several times. But then Zeng Meng thought again—Ji Ran not only came from an extremely wealthy family, but his personal net worth was also among the top in the industry. Not only was his salary higher than they could imagine, but his side businesses were also thriving. Living here was actually not excessive at all.

At that moment, the TV was showing the scene of Ji Ran opening the door. Ji Ran was wearing blue loungewear, his hair slightly damp, and his smile toward the camera was the epitome of a warm-hearted man.

Jiang Yan looked at Ji Ran, who seemed to have just showered, and asked with a smile: “Are you a clean freak? You shower right after waking up?”

Ji Ran shook his head, “No, I rushed back from the film set late last night and was too tired. I fell asleep without showering, and when I woke up this morning, I really couldn’t stand the smell on me.”

After saying this, Ji Ran seemed to be covered in dust, appearing more down-to-earth.

Seeing this, Zeng Meng couldn’t help but say, “Tsk, tsk, I think I’m starting to understand why you like him. His private self is really different from his usual cold and indifferent appearance. He’s actually quite warm.”

Although Zeng Meng admired Ji Ran as her male idol, she had never considered finding a boyfriend just like him. After all, having someone like that by her side would be like living in the dead of winter every day—why would she torture herself like that! So when she first learned that Yan Duo and Ji Ran were already married, Zeng Meng actually felt a bit sorry for her. But now, watching Ji Ran on TV politely inviting the host and camera crew into his home, personally pouring water and bringing snacks without any airs, Zeng Meng’s opinion of him began to change.

At this moment, Yan Duo was so absorbed in watching Ji Ran that she couldn’t hear what Zeng Meng was saying at all. Blushing, she was lost in Ji Ran’s stunning appearance, already starting to miss the man she hadn’t seen for just one night.

Jiang Yan laughed heartily at this, quite pleased with this contrasting side of Ji Ran. He could even imagine all the girls with hearts in their eyes squealing outside their television screens. He took the opportunity to ask, “What movie are you filming now? Can you reveal a little about it?”

Ji Ran’s movie hadn’t been officially announced, so Jiang Yan didn’t know what film he was making, nor was he sure if Ji Ran could reveal it privately, which was why he asked this way.

Ji Ran considered for a moment and said, “It’s a film about past and present lives, scheduled to be released around the end of the year.”

“Would it be convenient to reveal the female lead you’re collaborating with?”

Ji Ran said with a smile, “That is indeed inconvenient, but what I can say is that the lead actress is an actress I worked with before, and we had a very pleasant collaboration.”

Zeng Meng patted Yan Duo’s shoulder and said, “Is it really okay for your husband to force you into the spotlight like this? Are you planning to make your relationship public?”

Although Director Zhong hasn’t officially announced the lead actors for the movie, anyone who bothers to check can easily tell that Yan Duo is collaborating with Ji Ran. Ji Ran’s comment is clearly intended to support Yan Duo! Besides, when has Ji Ran ever worked with the same actress twice? And when has he ever mentioned in an interview that he enjoyed working with a particular actor? Tsk tsk, his intentions are clearly not pure.

Yan Duo stared at the television and answered, “No, we agreed not to go public for now.”

Zeng Meng nodded to show she understood. If they weren’t going public now, judging by Ji Ran’s预热操作 of building hype in advance, it would probably happen soon enough. With that thought, she went back to watching TV.

Although Jiang Yan was curious about the actress with whom Ji Ran had such a pleasant collaboration, he didn’t press further and changed the subject, saying: “I’m truly impressed by the classical atmosphere of your home on my first visit. Would you mind giving us a tour?”

Ji Ran didn’t hesitate, stood up and said, “No problem, follow me.”

Jiang Yan followed Ji Ran with a camera, filming from the first floor to the second. Although Ji Ran’s home decoration couldn’t be called luxurious, it was quite exquisite. There weren’t many decorations, but every piece that was hung or placed was extraordinary. Jiang Yan marveled all the way and asked, “I can tell that Mr. Ji is a collector with excellent taste. Could you show everyone your most precious collection?”

Ji Ran shook his head with a smile, “I wouldn’t call myself a collector. I just bought some things because I happened to like them. As for my most precious collection, I can show it to everyone as well.”

As he spoke, he walked toward the master bedroom, and Jiang Yan immediately followed behind him.

Ji Ran entered the bedroom, took out a key from the bedside table drawer, another from the small table drawer on the bay window, and a third from under the pillow, then walked toward the walk-in closet.

Following behind Ji Ran, Jiang Yan asked, “Teacher Ji, are you preparing to open something?”

Ji Ran: “Opening a safe.”

As they spoke, they had already reached the walk-in closet filled with frosted glass cabinets. The closet was very large, and except for the transparent glass display case in the middle containing various watches, the contents of the other cabinets were unclear.

Ji Ran walked up to a certain cabinet and stopped, reached out to open the cabinet door, inserted three keys into the lock, then turned on the display screen, ready to input the password.

At this point, the camera tactfully turned away.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yan seemed stunned, and couldn’t help but say to the camera: “Folks, forgive my ignorance. In my 25 years, I’ve never seen a safe that requires three keys plus a password to open. What kind of treasure could be inside? Is it priceless diamonds, or calligraphy and paintings by Li Bai and Du Fu? I’m extremely curious right now.”

Just as he said this, a “click” sound came from behind him. Jiang Yan immediately said to the camera: “Ah, it’s finally open! Let’s witness Teacher Ji’s most precious collection together. Everyone, don’t blink!”

The camera didn’t turn to Ji Ran, but stayed focused on Jiang Yan’s face. His face, full of curiosity, froze for a second upon seeing something, revealing an incredulous expression.

“Teacher Ji, are you sure this is your most precious collection?”

Ji Ran’s voice came from off-camera, his faint tone carrying a hint of warmth, “Yes, my most precious collection.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the camera turned from Jiang Yan’s face to Ji Ran, and the audience, whose curiosity had been thoroughly piqued, finally understood why Jiang Yan’s expression had been “inexplicable” moments before. They saw Ji Ran holding two red booklets with the words “Marriage Certificate” written on them.

After experiencing the huge emotional whiplash, Jiang Yan quickly realized that Ji Ran, who had never had any relationship rumors, suddenly holding a marriage certificate was much more sensational than taking a treasure out of a safe. So he smiled and asked Ji Ran, “Can we open it for a look?”

After opening it, Ji Ran’s wife would be self-evident.

Ji Ran helplessly shook his head, “No, my wife will get angry.”

His expression clearly read, “I actually really want to tell you who she is, but my wife’s status is higher than mine, so I don’t dare to say.” It was obvious that he really wanted to open it, but due to her “authority,” he didn’t dare to act recklessly.

Jiang Yan twitched the corner of his mouth and said, “It seems Teacher Ji quite respects your wife, so would you say she’s the head of the household?”

Ji Ran shook his head, “No, the head of the family is me.”

“Then what about your partner?” Jiang Yan was a bit speechless, thinking to himself that your actions don’t really seem like those of a head of the family!

Ji Ran replied lightly, “She’s just a little less than me.”

Jiang Yan: “What is that?”

Ji Ran: “King of the house.”

Jiang Yan: “……”

As the show reached this point, the production crew knew to quit while they were ahead and immediately ended Ji Ran’s segment. Before cutting to commercials, Jiang Yan announced that the next guest would feature the athletic heartthrob segment.

Zeng Meng, watching TV in City M, was starry-eyed. “Wow, Duoduo, you’re so lucky! Facing a master of cheesy pickup lines every day, your heart must be really strong!”

This show was a real eye-opener for Zeng Meng. She genuinely had no idea that the person who always kept a straight face while acting opposite her and never smiled could have such a side to him. He would secretly show off his affection, say cheesy love lines, and elevate Yan Duo’s status to the highest possible level—king of the house, my god, are there really men who dote on their wives like this? Get her one too!

But Yan Duo, sitting beside her, was thoroughly annoyed: He claimed his marriage certificate was missing, took hers to file for divorce, and then hid it in a safe and refused to return it! What’s more, he was the one who showed the marriage certificate, and he was also the one who said it couldn’t be opened. Was this really her instruction? Was she truly the king of the house?

This is infuriating!

Just when she was angry enough to call and curse someone out, Ji Ran’s phone call came through first.

“Did you watch the livestream?”

Yan Duo swallowed her anger, got up and walked to the bathroom, “Hmm.”

Ji Ran: “I kept my promise. I didn’t randomly open the cabinets in the walk-in closet, and I certainly didn’t expose you. Didn’t I behave excellently?”

Yan Duo: “Heh.”

Ji Ran: “So you can’t divorce me just because I exposed our marriage certificate. After all, I didn’t expose you, just the fact that I’m married.”

Yan Duo endured.

Ji Ran continued: “I didn’t mean to put the marriage certificate in the safe. Look, one key is under your pillow, one is by your nightstand, and the other is on the bay window where you often curl up. Even the password is your birthday, so you really can’t blame me.”

Yan Duo was so angry she didn’t want to speak at all.

So it’s my fault, then? Blame my curiosity for not being strong enough, for not thinking to take the key and open the safe to get the marriage certificate?

Ji Ran sighed on the other end of the line, “If you won’t speak, are you again thinking about how to persuade your mother to ask me for a divorce one more time?”

Yan Duo heard the softness in Ji Ran’s voice and felt a bit of give; following his lead she asked, “And what if I do?”

Ji Ran paused to think, then answered seriously, “Then I’ll fight fire with fire and go to my wife’s family to complain to your mother. 2023xs.com”

Yan Duo finally couldn’t help it and let out a snort of laughter. Her wife’s family? Whose family do you mean, exactly? If Ji Ran dared to complain to her mother, he was clearly counting on her mother’s tendency to grow fonder of a son-in-law the more she looks at him. If he complained to her father and brother, they might just approve the divorce immediately.

“I’ll settle this with you when you get back!”

Yan Duo suddenly didn’t feel angry anymore. She pretended to speak fiercely, hung up the phone immediately after finishing.

On the other side, Ji Ran smiled as he put away his phone. After agreeing with Jiang Yan on the next recording time, he hurried to the airport. All he wanted now was to get back quickly and see how the soft-hearted woman would “settle the score” with him.

Author’s note: Does anyone still remember who Jiang Yan is? Haha~

Classmate Ji coaxing his wife—I think he’s ready to graduate, totally impressive~ hahaha