My Perfect Enemy is Finally Broke Novel - Chap 22
The contract was finalised in less than a week.
The lawyer sent it over to Ji Ran. “See if there’s anything you’d like to add.”
Ji Ran hurriedly looked over it and closed it. “It’s enough.”
Once he returned home, he tossed the contract onto the coffee table, causing the person watching TV from the sofa to look up.
“What’s this?”
“The contract.” Ji Ran threw himself onto another couch. “See if there’s anything you want to change, otherwise you can sign it.”
Qin Man received it and slowly flipped it open. He swept a glance over the first party’s name column and asked humorously. “…The employer is you?”
“If not?”
“Shouldn’t it be Yong Shi?”
“No.” Recalling the terrible quality of sleep he had been experiencing recently, Ji Ran grew impatient. “Are you signing it or not?”
If he wanted to help Yong Shi sign Qin Man, why the hell would he run over to snatch this person for no reason? To help him pave the road and smoothly take over Yong Shi?
Qin Man spent nearly ten minutes looking over the documents, and Ji Ran was growing impatient. “You’re looking so intently… afraid I’ll set you up?”
Without waiting for his answer, Ji Ran continued, “Then, you had better read carefully. I’ve added a ton of unreasonable clauses. If you don’t change it now, it’ll be too late once you’ve signed it.”
Qin Man’s lips hooked up, just in time as he flipped to the last page.
Ji Ran’s name was messily scrawled on the first party’s name column, but it wasn’t ugly.
Qin Man slowly took out a fountain pen from his suit pocket and right before he signed, he seemed to recall something. “The conditions we discussed before aren’t written here. You won’t go against our agreement after I sign, right?”
“Do you think I’m the same as you, unscrupulous businessmen? Laozi is a man of my words.”
Qin Man no longer refuted and directly signed his name before passing the contract back. “Happy cooperation.”
It would be strange if it could be happy.
Keeping the contract, Ji Ran stood up to leave. He headed for the garage but just before he opened the door, he turned around. “Why are you following me?”
“Are you going against our agreement already?”
“… You’re a big man, don’t you have other things to do?” Ji Ran sat in the car. “You already received the money, did you even read the information on Yong Shi? How much do you know about the company? I don’t wish to hire useless trash after spending so much money.”
“Don’t worry, I’m more aware of Yong Shi’s situation than you are. The head of the company is your father and although he hinted at giving Ji Wei power in a meeting last year, the amount of projects he has received isn’t much. There are some elders in the company, two of whom are close to Ji Wei, so once you enter the company, they’ll definitely make things difficult for you…”
Qin Man took his time to explain. He talked for nearly ten minutes then looked towards Ji Ran, who had become engrossed, and smiled. “…I’ll explain more in detail about these matters in the future. Our current location isn’t suitable for this conversation.”
In the past, Ji Ran had promised Old Madam Ji that he wouldn’t fight with Ji Wei over Yong Shi so he never tried to understand the company.
He’d only begun to investigate Yong Shi in the last two years for various reasons. Although he’d found a lot of information, it couldn’t be compared to Qin Man’s meticulous findings that even contained information on those stubborn old geezers’ wives and daughters.
He suppressed a look of surprise and unlocked the door.
“…Get in.”
Ji Ran drove down to the mechanic.
Qin Man wasn’t an expert when it came to cars. Usually, if there was a problem with his car, his assistant would take it to be repaired so he rarely came to such places.
He scanned their area, noticing the workshop they were in was unlike those he usually saw. There were many expensive sports cars, with the most eye-catching one being a dark-gray sports car in the middle with several yellow stripes across.
Yu Wen Wen and Cheng Peng, who’d arrived earlier, were sitting beside that car. There was no need to ask who was its owner.
Without turning off the engine, he had already gotten off and deliberately left an order. “Help me find a lot to park this car in.”
Qin Man’s eyebrows rose. “Alright.”
As Ji Ran walked to the car and touched its rear, his expression softened.
“Is it repaired? Has it been properly inspected?”
The mechanic walked over. Since the two were old acquaintances, his words were very casual. “It’s all fixed, I’ve checked it over. Perfect.”
He took off his gloves and patted Ji Ran on the shoulders. “You seem to not have raced for a while, good luck. Remember to advertise our workshop when the time comes.”
Although he wore gloves, there was still some dirt on his fingers when he touched Ji Ran’s expensive limited edition clothes.
Unexpectedly, Ji Ran didn’t mind. He simply nodded, “Thanks.”
“Little Ran Ran, you came too late.” Yu Wen Wen paused the talent show on his phone and complained, “We’ve waited for half an hour.”
“I already told you not to come. I got held up, so I’ll treat you guys later.”
“I didn’t come for you,” Cheng Peng told him, causing Ji Ran to mock him.
“Then, did you come to watch the scenery?”
“I came to order a car for Chen An.”
Ji Ran, “…”
Although this was a workshop, the boss was someone with a background and connections to other dealerships. Buying a car here would be much faster than picking one up from a store.
Cheng Peng was humoured. “Why’re you looking at me like that? Isn’t it normal to buy a car for your lover?”
The mechanic told them the car needed to be washed so Ji Ran found a chair to rest. “Which one did you pick?”
Cheng Peng told him the model. It wasn’t a luxury car, but still cost at least a million.
“How long have you been with that young boy? You’re already giving him a car?” Yu Wen Wen muttered, “You’re really generous.”
“I like it, so I just want to buy it for him.” Cheng Peng seemed to remember something. “Right, they’re having a sale now. If you need one, you should quickly buy it during this time.”
Ji Ran said, “Not buying. I’m not lacking a few tens of thousands. There’s no more space in my garage.”
By that time, Qin Man had parked the car and was walking towards them.
Meeting his gaze, Cheng Peng nodded at him in greeting before using a voice that only Ji Ran could hear, “You can buy one for Qin Man.”
“… Why should I? It’s not like I’m sick.”
“Little Man Man,” Seeing him approach, Yu Wen Wen smiled and waved at him, “You’re here too?”
“Hello.” Qin Man smiled, “It was my bad the previous time. Does your arm still hurt?”
These words of concern directly stabbed Yu Wen Wen’s heart. “…It doesn’t.” He pulled an empty chair over and enthusiastically said, “Come, sit here.”
This fake smile fooled Yu Wen Wen.
Ji Ran looked away in annoyance.
“Thank you.” Qin Man sat down and asked despite already knowing the answer, “You came to fix your car?”
Yu Wen Wen was stunned for a second. “Ah, it’s not me. Isn’t it because Ji Ran’s race is happening soon? So we came to do a check. He didn’t tell you?”
“Race?”
Cheng Peng smiled, “Yeah, it’s being hosted by Gu Zhe at the start of next month.”
“Why are you telling him so much?” Ji Ran stood up. “I’m going to the washroom.”
After Ji Ran left, Qin Man dared to ask, “What race? Is it a private event?”
“It can’t be considered so. Gu Zhe has some connections, so this race needs to have some value. It’s a regular competition,” Cheng Peng told him.
Hearing this name, Qin Man lightly tapped a finger against his leg and suddenly asked, “How long has Ji Ran been racing for?”
“He has always been racing.” Yu Wen Wen looked up from his screen and gave Qin Man a look, “Don’t tell me you haven’t seen Little Ran Ran driving a racecar?”
He really hadn’t.
Qin Man began to grow curious and couldn’t resist glancing at the sports car in the middle of the workshop.
“Is he good?”
“Of course! You have no idea how many teams tried to poach him but it seems that Ran Ran isn’t interested in becoming a racer, so he rejected them all. Later on, he even stopped racing. If it wasn’t for the prize this time, he definitely wouldn’t have taken part.”
“What prize?” Qin Man asked.
“Chester Kennelly’s autographed gloves.” Yue Wenwen blinked, “That’s Ran Ran’s idol.”
Very soon, Qin Man got the chance to see Ji Ran in action.
Right before the competition, Ji Ran took his car and rented a lane to practise.
After Ji Ran changed into his racing gear, Qin Man found himself unable to tear his gaze away for half a day.
His uniform was an alternate between black and red without any brands’ logo on it. Compared to the design of his car, it was much simpler with the only pattern being the flame on his back. This uniform accentuated his tall figure, slim waist, and broad shoulders; he looked very pleasing to the eye.
He was currently holding onto a helmet while talking to a manager.
It didn’t take long for Qin Man’s stare to be noticed. Ji Ran glanced over and asked warily, “…What are you looking at?”
Qin Man laughed, “Looking at how handsome you are.”
“…”
Bootlicker!
The manager was extremely tactful. “I’ll go adjust the CCTVs.”
Ji Ran said, “I don’t know how long I’ll be staying for today. You can just leave if you’re bored of waiting since no one is forcing you to sit here.”
“Alright, I won’t leave. Take note of your safety.”
Ji Ran found it funny. “Are you going to tell me to drive slower?”
Just as Qin Man was about to reply, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned lightly.
“Ran Ran!” On the other side, Yu Wen Wen was holding a racing flag1 and urging him, “The cameras are ready! You can start now!”
Ji Ran didn’t waste any more time with Qin Man, directly getting into the car and putting on his helmet with well-practised ease.
Qin Man put away his phone without any intention of picking up. He didn’t expect that just as one call ended, another one would come.
The corners of his lips pulled down but he still picked up the call and walked away.
The one who called was none other than Ji Tang. God only knew where she’d gotten his number from and now constantly tried to ask him out, even asking him various silly questions. No matter how many times he rejected her, she continued to persist.
“Qin Man Gege.” The girl’s voice was timid and carried a hint of anticipation. “Are you free? There’s a blockbuster that has recently been released, are you interested?”
“Apologies, I have matters to tend to today.” Qin Man’s voice was faint.
“Ah, is that so…” Ji Tang summoned her courage, “Can I ask, what is it?”
Qin Man watched the car some distance away from him and simply said, “Accompanying my partner.”
There was silence for a full 30 seconds.
“You have a girlfriend?” Ji Tang was stunned. “But my brother didn’t say…”
Qin Man interrupted her, “Ji Wei and I rarely contacted each other after graduation. He probably doesn’t know.”
His implication was he and Ji Wei weren’t close.
Ji Tang’s face reddened and her heart was filled with indignation. “I-It’s okay. I can reserve another ticket if she wants to come.”
“No need.” Qin Man recalled Ji Ran’s warning gaze earlier and laughed softly, “He doesn’t like me getting too close to others. In the future, if you have any emergency or questions…”
Ji Tang thought he would say ‘feel free to contact me’. Unexpectedly, the other person paused for a second before lightly continuing, “I recommend that you look for Ji Wei. He’ll help you.”
After settling matters on this side, Qin Man hung up and returned to the rest area.
“You’re back? Just in time, the car’s camera has been set up.” Cheng Peng sat on the sofa and pulled out a box of cigarettes. “Want a smoke?”
“No, thanks.”
He glanced at the screen on the side and instantly found himself unable to look away.
Among the screens, there was one placed near the steering wheel. It captured the situation in the driver’s seat clearly and displayed it for all to see.
Ji Ran had already worn his helmet, shielding his face completely so Qin Man could only see a pair of eyes.
He had long lashes and when those deep amber eyes glanced casually into the camera, he appeared careless and uninhibited.
Cheng Peng exhaled a smoke ring and suddenly said, “Looking at him like that, Ji Ran looks quite good.”
Qin Man retracted his gaze and turned to look back coldly.
His eyes were cold and cautious, just like a tiger whose territory had been invaded. Compared to the gentle and obedient lover who followed behind Ji Ran, he was a completely different person.
Cheng Peng’s grip on his cigarette suddenly tightened and his scalp went numb. Just as he was about to say something to alleviate the tense atmosphere, Yu Wen Wen waved the flag from a distance. Following that, an engine roared as the car shot out.
When he turned back, Qin Man’s expression had returned to normal. He was sitting on the sofa, watching the race calmly as if everything that happened earlier had just been Cheng Peng’s imagination.
“…”
Cheng Pen took a deep drag and suddenly began to worry for his good friend’s future.
