Chapter 0101

Lin Tianba: "You... Dad, no matter what, the Suran Group was an industry left behind by your mother. How can you bear to watch it decline?"

Lin Ran: "You dare mention my mother? What gives you the right?"

"If my mother’s spirit in heaven saw how you treated me before, do you think she’d grind your bones to dust?"

Lin Tianba: "I raised you for so many years. Do you really feel nothing for our father-son bond?"

Lin Ran pulled out the belt again.

"Dad! Dad! I won’t say another word. We’re not father and son."

Lin Ran’s expression was ice-cold as he stared at Lin Tianba. "Do you know why it’s called the Suran Group and not the Su Lin Group? Because 'Su' was my mother’s surname, and 'Ran' is my name. From the very beginning, the Suran Group was left to me by my mother."

"Now, under your leadership, the group is headed for ruin. Shouldn’t you atone for this with your death?"

Lin Tianba sighed helplessly. "It’s not my fault! Blame that school district—it was suddenly rezoned as a garbage transfer station."

"Tell me, what could I do when a prime school district property suddenly turns into a dump? Dad, you’re rich, aren’t you? You’ve beaten and scolded me today. Just save the Suran Group."

Lin Ran: "I can’t be bothered to waste words on you. I came here today just to whip you. As for them..." His gaze swept coldly over Lin Jian, his mother, and Liu Ruxue.

Lin Jian: "Brother, Dad is really struggling. Just kneel and apologize to him, help the Lin family!"

Liu Ruxue trembled, not daring to speak, her eyes flickering toward Luo Yao.

Had she known Luo Yao would be here today, she would never have come.

Liu Yuemei also mustered her courage. "Xiao Ran, please help your father."

"And you, Miss Luo—last time was my fault for clashing with you. Since you’ve taken Xiao Ran under your wing, you should pay to resolve the Lin family’s crisis. After all, he still carries the Lin name. It’s not much—just a billion. For you, that should be easy, right?"

Liu Yuemei already knew Luo Yao’s true identity. Her eyes sparkled as if the billion was already in her hands.

Lin Tianba suddenly remembered this too.

"Yes, yes! CEO Luo, since you’re keeping my son—no, my dad—you have to pay. Once you pay, he’s yours."

Even Luo Yao was stunned by the Lin family’s words. This was more outrageous than her grandfather’s antics.

A billion wasn’t much—she could produce it anytime.

If it were for Ah Ran, she wouldn’t hesitate even for ten or a hundred billion. But for the Lin family?

The same people who once bullied Ah Ran?

Lin Ran sighed at Luo Yao. "I told you they’d disgust you. Believe me now?"

Luo Yao: "A bit shocking." She then walked up to Liu Yuemei and the other two.

"Ah Ran, should I make them disappear?"

Lin Ran hesitated. He wanted to say yes, but compared to vanishing outright, he’d rather watch them suffer slowly in this world—descending into misery, becoming beggars, cripples—until they wished for death.

"Not yet. I haven’t had my fill of fun."

Luo Yao’s eerie smile sent chills down their spines.

"Good. If Ah Ran wants to play, they’ll be your toys until they die in agony."

Lin Tianba’s eyes widened. This wasn’t how he imagined things would go.

Luo Yao’s ruthlessness was infamous in their circles. Fear gripped him—maybe coming here today was a mistake.

"CEO Luo, you can’t do this!"

Luo Yao: "Oh? Why not?"

"You bullied Ah Ran, so of course he’d seek revenge. To me, your Lin family is worth less than dog shit—do you not understand? If not for Ah Ran’s sake, you’d have died countless times already."

"But now, I’m looking forward to watching Ah Ran torment you slowly. This thrill is exhilarating."

Luo Yao was genuinely pleased. She adored Lin Ran’s transformation—it felt familiar yet thrilling.

Perhaps Lin Ran was becoming like her.

But no matter what he became, she’d love him. If he turned to Buddha, she’d guard him; if he became a demon, she’d slay gods for him.

As long as Lin Ran was happy.

Lin Tianba collapsed to the floor, drained of all energy.

It was over. He’d thoroughly offended Luo Yao.

He realized now—Lin Ran wasn’t Luo Yao’s kept man. She was the one under his spell.

How did this unfilial son have such power?

His pride had always been his younger son, Lin Jian. How did Lin Ran tame a she-devil like Luo Yao?

Lin Ran frowned. Lin Tianba was giving up too easily. That wouldn’t do.

He needed resistance. He needed to keep digging his own grave. How could Luo Yao’s words alone shatter his will?

"Yao Yao, stay out of this." Lin Ran’s words suddenly shifted the momentum. Lin Tianba stared at him in disbelief.

Luo Yao: "Fine. I’ll listen to Ah Ran."

Luo Yao was sharp. She immediately understood—Lin Ran wanted to give the Lin family hope, then plunge them into despair, repeating the cycle until he grew bored before delivering the final blow.

This revenge was... entertaining.

Lin Ran sighed at Lin Tianba. "Old beast, take your people and get out. If you never come near me again, I might spare your life."

Lin Tianba’s eyes gradually cleared.

This unfilial son still had some familial feeling left.

Injured and unsteady, he tried to leave with his family—until his "excellent" son Lin Jian opened his mouth.

"Let’s go, Jian. Move!" Lin Tianba stared in confusion at his motionless son.

Lin Jian gazed shyly at Luo Yao.

"Yao Yao, let my brother go. I’m the Lin family’s heir—I can take his place. In the future, I can even help you..." His voice died as Luo Yao’s gaze turned terrifying, freezing his blood and nearly making him lose control.

"What did you call me?" Luo Yao’s voice was glacial.

Lin Jian’s heart pounded under the pressure. Swallowing hard, he forced out—

"Yao—"

A flash of steel. Luo Yao’s dagger plunged into Lin Jian’s mouth, twisting violently. His tongue was nearly shredded.

"You dare call me 'Yao Yao'?"

Lin Jian stumbled back, clutching his mouth. Blood gushed between his fingers as he howled in pain, tears streaming. No one could decipher his garbled cries, but his agony was unmistakable.

"Ah—! You crazy bitch! What did you do to my son? I’ll kill you!" Liu Yuemei shrieked in horror.