Chapter 10²

Soon, Liu Ruxue led the Lin family to Lin Ran's real estate company. Finding no one there, they proceeded to his media company, but Lin Ran was nowhere to be seen—only Wu Zhishang was present.

Wu Zhishang despised the Lin family, especially Liu Ruxue. Seeing her now disgusted him even more than seeing Zhao Miaomiao.

"I don't know where Brother Lin is. He disappears for weeks at a time. You're welcome to wait, but I’m warning you—don’t cause trouble. The security at 'Nuan Yao Media' isn’t here for decoration."

With that, he had security escort them to the lounge.

Lin Tianba was so furious his nose practically twisted. How dare this little punk talk to him like that?

"I’m your boss’s father! How dare you treat me this way? When I see Lin Ran, I’ll have him fire you!"

Wu Zhishang shrugged. "Go ahead. If Brother Lin fires me because of you, I’ll walk away without hesitation. But too bad—you’re nothing to him. His father? More like he should be yours."

Lin Tianba nearly choked on his rage, ready to explode, but Liu Yuemei stopped him.

Now wasn’t the time for this.

"Xiao Wu, could you help us contact our son? Tell him his parents and younger brother are here to see him."

Wu Zhishang felt sick to his stomach. Rolling his eyes, he ignored them but still sent Lin Ran a message explaining the situation.

Unfortunately, Lin Ran didn’t see it—he was still lost in a dreamland.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Lin Ran finally woke up and saw the message. A sly grin spread across his face.

"Ran, that smile looks devious. What’s going on?"

Lin Ran kissed Luo Yao and said, "Yeah, I’ve got something fun to take care of. Wanna come?"

Halfway through, he reconsidered. "Actually… maybe you shouldn’t. I don’t want them to disgust you."

Luo Yao: "The Lin family?"

Lin Ran nodded.

Luo Yao: "I’m coming with you."

After a brief hesitation, Lin Ran agreed.

The real show was about to begin.

After an agonizing wait, just as Lin Tianba was about to lose his temper, Lin Ran finally appeared.

Several bodyguards followed him, with Wang Bao standing second closest. Luo Yao clung tightly to Lin Ran’s arm.

The moment Wu Zhishang saw Lin Ran, he rushed out of his office.

"All staff—drop whatever you’re doing. You’re on leave for the rest of the afternoon."

The employees were stunned but obeyed immediately. Within a minute, the entire floor—streamers, video creators, editors, even the cleaning lady—was completely empty.

The only ones left were Zhang Xiaolong and his sister, Zhang Xiaonuan.

Zhang Xiaolong’s livestream was gaining traction, so Wu Zhishang didn’t interrupt him. Zhang Xiaonuan was only there because it was the weekend—media companies don’t get days off.

Luckily, Zhang Xiaolong’s streaming room was soundproof, so it didn’t affect anything.

Luo Yao gave Wu Zhishang an approving glance. This kid knew how things worked.

"Brother Lin! Sister-in-law!"

Wu Zhishang greeted them politely. Luo Yao responded flatly, "Reward him."

Holy shit! Wu Zhishang couldn’t believe his luck.

Uncle Fu stepped forward and handed him a check. "You know the rules?"

Wu Zhishang nodded. "I’m a pro at this."

Internally, he was ecstatic. All his hard work paled in comparison to a simple "Sister-in-law." Truly, choices mattered more than effort.

Lin Ran chuckled and nudged the grinning Wu Zhishang, exchanging a silent conversation through glances.

Wu Zhishang’s eyes: Bro, they’re shameless. I already cursed them out.

Lin Ran’s eyes: Nice. What’d you say?

Wu Zhishang’s eyes: Told them they’re nothing to you. Also said you’re your dad’s dad.

Lin Ran’s eyes: Weak. Next time, curse their mothers.

Wu Zhishang’s eyes: Got it.

Entering the lounge, Lin Ran opened with a verbal nuke.

"Well, well! The old bastard came crawling to his living daddy!"

Lin Tianba: "You little brat! What did you just say? You asking for a beating? Shouldn’t you be kneeling and begging for forgiveness?"

Lin Tianba was livid. Liu Yuemei looked at him with disappointment, while Lin Jian stole glances at Luo Yao, putting on a shy act and preening like a peacock.

As for Liu Ruxue, the sight of Luo Yao sent chills down her spine. Every encounter with Luo Yao ended with her getting slapped—she was practically traumatized.

During the last school event, she’d tried to fake fainting, only for Luo Yao to slap her unconscious for real. The school never mentioned it afterward, and when she complained, they warned her instead. Ridiculous.

Faced with Lin Tianba’s arrogance, Lin Ran narrowed his eyes.

"Restrain him."

The bodyguards moved without hesitation, reviving Lin Tianba’s worst memories.

"You unfilial son! What are you—AH! Let me go!"

Lin Ran: "Kneel."

"What did you say?! How dare you treat your father like this?!" Lin Tianba’s eyes bulged.

Lin Ran kicked him, then yanked his hair forward.

"Old man, didn’t I tell you to never call yourself my dad again? And to kneel and kowtow every time you see me? Or else I’d beat the shit out of you?"

"You thought I was joking?"

With that, Lin Ran pulled out his belt and started whipping Lin Tianba.

"AH—Damn you! You dare hit your own father?!"

Lin Ran showed no mercy. Hell yeah, he was beating this idiot senseless.

"Keep screaming! The louder you are, the happier I get. Just hit the bestseller list—got energy to burn. Your cries sound like congratulations to me."

The sheer audacity left everyone in the room frozen—even Lin Jian and his mother.

None of them expected Lin Ran to be this unhinged now, capable of anything.

"AH! STOP! PLEASE!"

Lin Ran lashed him again. "Where’s your pride now? Don’t scream if you’ve got guts!"

"Dad was wrong! Spare me!"

Lin Ran: "Wrong about what?"

"Wrong for coming here!"

"Try again."

Lin Tianba struggled, but the bodyguards held him firm. Finally, he broke.

"DADDY! I WAS WRONG! DADDY! HAVE MERCY!" Crocodile tears streamed down his face, filled with hatred.

Lin Ran, satisfied, finally put his belt away.

"That’s more like it. Now, why’d you come crawling to your living daddy?"

The bodyguards didn’t let go—Lin Ran hadn’t ordered it.

Luo Yao watched everything, pleased with how Lin Ran handled it.

No one got to bully her man. Not even his so-called father.

Lin Tianba trembled. "I—Suran Group is in crisis. You need to bail us out."

Lin Ran smirked. "Suran Group’s crisis has nothing to do with me."