Watching Mu Bingxuan seriously introduce each gift, Li Ran started to panic.
According to the original plotline, he was supposed to be a brainless, blindly confident wastrel young master. With the Li Family’s wealth and status, if he truly wanted to pursue Mu Bingxuan, all it would take was a word from Li Lijian to the Mu Family, and they would gladly arrange their marriage.
But Li Ran had personally stopped that from happening.
He had told Li Lijian not to interfere in his relationship with Mu Bingxuan. He wanted to rely on his own “ability” to make her genuinely fall in love with him. He even said he wanted her to love him as a person, not for his wealth or status.
What ability did a useless wastrel like him even have?
Did he have no self-awareness at all?
Originally, Li Ran had been very pleased with this setup. With how terrible he was, there was no way Mu Bingxuan, no matter how blind, would fall for him.
But now, looking at the gifts she brought, he felt like he had celebrated far too early.
This woman had even figured out his parents’ preferences.
Could she really like him?
Li Ran’s eyes filled with doubt.
Did I flatter her too well? Did she actually get moved?
No, this can’t go on.
If this continues, how am I supposed to act in the next scenes?
He had to fix this female lead, force her back onto the proper path!
Rely on the system? Impossible.
That useless thing had never been reliable even once.
He had to figure something out himself.
His mind raced rapidly.
Then suddenly, an idea struck.
Making someone like you is difficult.
But making someone dislike you? That’s easy.
Just do things that disgust them.
As Mu Bingxuan’s devoted licking dog, Li Ran knew some of her preferences.
This woman had a slight obsession with cleanliness. Her favorite color was pure white, not just physically, but mentally as well.
She disliked people touching her the most.
Li Ran remembered that in his previous life, until his death, Lin Ming had never even touched Mu Bingxuan’s hand.
That was the protagonist, someone blessed with plot armor, yet even he hadn’t managed it.
Of course, it might also be because the author of Urban Freedom of the Soldier King didn’t dare to write it.
In any case, according to her character setting, Mu Bingxuan was quite conservative at heart.
Perfect.
In Li Ran’s view, Mu Bingxuan had only slightly improved her impression of him. She should still be in the stage of curiosity, testing, and observation.
If he directly crossed the line, there was no way she wouldn’t get angry.
No way she wouldn’t be disgusted.
“You brought so many things, that must’ve been tiring. Thanks for your hard work,” Li Ran said as he suddenly grabbed Mu Bingxuan’s hand. “Here, let me massage it for you.”
Holding her soft, boneless hand, he began rubbing it deliberately.
Just moments ago, some red wine had spilled onto his hand. As he rubbed, the sticky residue transferred onto her skin.
Li Ran could already imagine her furious reaction.
Yes.
Get angry. Hurry up and curse at me.
Everything he did was to force this female lead back onto the correct path and restore the plot.
While rubbing her hand, he secretly observed her expression.
Mu Bingxuan’s crystal-like earlobes suddenly turned bright red.
Then she said softly, “It’s fine, my hand isn’t sore at all.”
Just like in her previous life, Li Ran was always so gentle and considerate toward her.
A wave of sweetness surged through Mu Bingxuan’s heart.
She felt as if she had been placed inside a jar of honey, slowly melting under his warmth and care.
Li Ran was stunned.
What?
She’s not resisting?
Why are you being so gentle?
Shake your hand away!
Scold me!
Do you even know how to scold people?!
Nearby, Uncle Fu and the two servants revealed relieved smiles.
The young master had grown up.
He knew how to care for others now.
Uncle Fu mentally gave this performance a solid 90 points.
Meanwhile, Li Ran was completely dumbfounded.
Damn it, was that not enough stimulation?
After thinking for a moment, he decided to go further.
“Bingxuan, look at you, you’re sweating so much,” Li Ran said with a pained expression. “Let me wipe it for you.”
He placed his hand on her face, touching her fair, delicate skin.
Hmm… why does it feel a bit warm?
Wait, why am I even caring about that… you should be dodging, not blushing like this!
Mu Bingxuan didn’t dodge, didn’t scold him.
There was even a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Li Ran couldn’t take it anymore.
If the tiger doesn’t show its might, you think I’m a sick cat?
If you don’t get angry today, I’ll lose!
As he continued, he used both hands, pressing and squeezing her cheeks.
Sometimes into a round shape, sometimes into an oval.
Let’s see you not get angry now!
“Li Ran!”
Mu Bingxuan’s beautiful flowing hair instantly turned into a mess.
Her carefully styled fairy-like appearance was completely ruined, turning her into something like a beggar.
She was finally upset.
Finally angry!
Li Ran withdrew his hands with satisfaction.
Mu Bingxuan angrily fixed her hair.
She had spent two whole hours preparing her look today.
Yet in less than five minutes after meeting him, it was completely ruined.
But compared to her appearance, what concerned her more was Li Ran himself.
What’s wrong with him?
Uncle Fu and the two servants stood there in shock.
Uncle Fu quickly coughed twice and said apologetically, “Miss Mu, please forgive him. My young master has never served anyone before, so his hands are a bit rough.”
Li Ran looked at Uncle Fu.
Did I ask you to speak for me?
Since when can you represent me?
Uncle Fu, just wait until I dock your salary!
Coming back to her senses, Mu Bingxuan said, “It’s fine.”
She looked at Li Ran.
He had already returned to smiling as if nothing had happened, making it impossible for her to read his thoughts.
“Bingxuan, thank you for the gifts. I’ve received your kindness,” Li Ran said, then suddenly slapped his forehead. “Ah, I just remembered, I have a basketball game with Chen Hao. I won’t keep you any longer.”
“Uncle Fu, escort Bingxuan back.”
“It’s so hot outside. What if my Bingxuan gets tanned?”
“Oh right, remember to buy her a cup of Mixue Bingcheng milk tea on the way, to cool her down.”
Even though Mu Bingxuan preferred herbal jelly drinks, Li Ran deliberately chose Mixue Bingcheng.
Because he had realized that he couldn’t keep treating her so well.
It was precisely because he kept flattering her that her character setting had started to collapse.
Meanwhile, Mu Bingxuan was still lost in thoughts about Li Ran touching her face.
“Oh… okay… you should rest well. I won’t disturb you any longer,” she replied absentmindedly, following Uncle Fu out.
Li Ran didn’t bother with her anymore. Carrying the pile of gifts, he went straight back inside.
In the living room, Zhang Juan had just come out and saw him.
“Ran, why are you carrying so many things? Who gave them to you?”
Li Ran replied casually, “No idea. I just saw them at the door when I got back, so I brought them in.”
He couldn’t let his mother know these were from Mu Bingxuan.
If she found out, she’d probably go to the Mu Family tomorrow to propose marriage.
Zhang Juan didn’t suspect anything.
“Oh, then it’s probably CEO Wang from Wancheng Real Estate.”
“CEO Wang?”
“That man has been pestering your father nonstop lately, trying to get the riverside land project. He’s sent quite a few gifts already.”
“Did my dad agree?”
“No,” Zhang Juan shook her head. “Still, don’t accept gifts from just anyone.”
“If it’s free, why not take it?” Li Ran said matter-of-factly. He picked up the cosmetics and handed them to her with a grin.
After all, his persona was that of a brainless wastrel.
And besides, these weren’t even from CEO Wang.
“And this tea is for Dad.”
Zhang Juan shook her head helplessly but accepted them.
Returning to his room, Li Ran began preparing for the upcoming Mu Family birthday banquet.
The first thing he needed to do… was buy a gift.