Chapter 176: Chen Ranni’s Sulking

While Lin Qingzhi was enjoying Wang Haoran’s warmth, suddenly, a “beep—” sounded.

The rice in the kitchen was done.

The sound wasn’t loud but it jolted Lin Qingzhi like a thunderclap.

She looked at the clock and realized she and Wang Haoran had been affectionate for nearly 40 minutes.

She was shocked, thinking it had only been seven or eight minutes!

Realizing this, she hurriedly got up and straightened her disheveled clothes.

“You bad guy!”

She finally remembered Chen Ranni.

“I’m serious, go find her!”

“But…”

“No buts, it’s just us now, so I’ll tell you straight!”

Before Wang Haoran could finish, Lin Qingzhi interrupted.

“Ranni doesn’t mind you having so many girls, I can tell she’s as simple-minded as Xinyao!”

“Just now at Xinyao’s place, before you came back, she was in a good mood!”

“So I guess she’s mad because you ignored her, so she got jealous and sulked!”

“Look at her message! ‘Qingzhi, I have an urgent matter, leaving now, not disturbing you.’ She mentioned not disturbing you, clearly showing jealousy!”

“If she was truly disappointed in you, she’d treat you like air, not mention you at all!”

“…Really?”

Seeing Lin Qingzhi turn into a relationship expert, Wang Haoran was skeptical.

He clearly saw Chen Ranni’s favorability dropping!

But Lin Qingzhi was confident.

“Absolutely genuine!”

“Haoran, I bet Ranni is still outside the shop even though she said she was leaving!”

“…Impossible… it’s been fifty minutes…”

“That’s why I said she’s a silly girl!”

Convinced by Lin Qingzhi’s confident tone, Wang Haoran used his X-ray vision to scan around.

“…!”

He really saw Chen Ranni squatting by the wall near the shop!

No way!

Wang Haoran was shocked.

Lin Qingzhi continued.

“You know, Ranni has been working hard on her looks and dressing up for you! She treats me like a sister, trying to please me for your sake!”

“Once, she even mentioned you in her sleep!”

“She’s trying so hard, just go find her!”

“If she gets heartbroken, Ranni will suffer severe psychological trauma, becoming more self-conscious and depressed!”

“Don’t say setbacks build character, Ranni is a good girl. I don’t want her to suffer!”

“Stop! Fine, I’ll go!”

Wang Haoran interrupted Lin Qingzhi’s nagging and went out.

***

Near the flower shop entrance.

“Ugh… still not out yet…”

Squatting against the wall in an ungraceful posture, Chen Ranni felt even more aggrieved under the curious gazes of passersby.

She thought Wang Haoran would come find her quickly, so she squatted by the wall, ignoring others’ looks.

She even chose a conspicuous spot to ensure Wang Haoran would find and comfort her!

But Wang Haoran didn’t come out!

She made her intentions clear; Wang Haoran couldn’t possibly misunderstand, right? So, he didn’t like her anymore?

At Xinyao’s house, she kept thinking—

You’re cozy with so many women but ignoring me, it’s normal for me to sulk!

Can’t you come soothe me?

Or was it all just in my head?

Thinking “he likes me” was her illusion, Chen Ranni felt heartbroken, her eyes reddening against her thighs.

Stubbornly wanting to leave, she still held a glimmer of hope.

Torn inside.

At that moment.

“Ranni, are you okay?”

“!”

Startled, Chen Ranni didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

Hearing the long-awaited voice, her heartache disappeared.

She couldn’t help but resume sulking.

“I’m fine!”

“I’m just resting here. If you’re fine, you can leave!”

“…Ranni, have you eaten? Join us!”

Wang Haoran still wasn’t sure what Chen Ranni’s situation was.

Her tone matched what Lin Qingzhi said—jealous.

But the system showed her favorability dropping to 70.

What’s going on in her head!

Without looking up, Chen Ranni’s stubborn voice came.

“Did Qingzhi ask you to come?”

She resented, thinking if Qingzhi didn’t call, he wouldn’t even talk to her!

“No, I wanted to find you!”

“Hmph, you came late, I don’t believe you!”

Though saying this, Chen Ranni felt happy hearing Wang Haoran coax her.

She tried to stand.

But having squatted too long, her legs were numb.

Seeing her wobble towards the wall, Wang Haoran quickly supported her.

Held by him, Chen Ranni intentionally leaned into his embrace.

“Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine!”

Feeling Wang Haoran holding her tighter, Chen Ranni blushed.

At that moment, all her negative emotions vanished!

This is it!

Seeing Wang Haoran comforting Qingzhi before by holding her, she squatted knowing he might embrace her later.

And he did!

Chen Ranni couldn’t help but ask, her voice expectant.

“Do you… like me?”

“…Yes…”

Saying this, Wang Haoran was stunned.

Her favorability jumped from 70 to 90? Why?

“System, I know you’re accurate, but can you explain Chen Ranni’s thoughts?”

[Host, a woman’s heart is a deep ocean. Don’t make it hard for the system…]

“…System, how about giving me mind-reading?”

[…Host, that’s impossible…]

“Stingy system, so petty!”

Wang Haoran was confused, but Chen Ranni was delighted.

She had feared Wang Haoran ignoring her meant he didn’t like her, making her self-conscious.

Now she knew her worries were unfounded!

Feeling relieved, Chen Ranni couldn’t help but complain.

“Then why didn’t you talk to me earlier?”