Chapter 0109

Lin Ran's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Lin Ran, why don't you take a blood relation test with my grandparents? You might really be my younger brother!"

Lin Ran fell silent.

Ever since his rebirth, he had always believed himself to be nothing more than an orphan, with Luo Yao as his only love in this world.

Could this really be possible?

Faced with the prospect of family, Lin Ran admitted he longed for it.

But if the Lin family couldn’t give him that warmth, could the Chen family?

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. What if the results weren’t as Chen Qingtian claimed? Wouldn’t he lose everything just as he began to hope?

And even if it turned out to be true, what if the Chen family treated him with the same disregard as the Lin family? Wouldn’t that be losing everything in a fantasy?

Maybe it was better to do nothing at all.

If he never had it, he’d never lose it.

"Let me think about it."

Chen Qingtian didn’t understand his hesitation and quickly explained, "Lin Ran, it’s just a test. I’m not pressuring you—no need to feel stressed. Even if the results aren’t what we hope, we can still be friends!"

"Besides, my grandfather really likes you, you know? I was shocked when I found out you went to see him."

Lin Ran: "Does Commissioner Chen know?"

Chen Qingtian shook her head.

"That idiot is as clueless as a pig—how would he know? The other day, he told me about a young man named Lin Ran and his family tragedy, and only then did I realize it was you. Because I’d heard parts of your story from that... damn scumbag." Her expression softened with sympathy as she looked at Lin Ran.

Whether or not they were cousins, she pitied him for what he’d been through.

If Lin Ran really was her cousin, she’d start to wonder if her aunt had been brainwashed back then to marry such a man.

Lin Ran glanced at Wu Zhishang in confusion, unsure why Chen Qingtian kept calling him a "damn scumbag."

Had Wu Zhishang played her?

Wu Zhishang: "Lin, what’s with that look? You think I’m a scumbag?"

Lin Ran chuckled but didn’t elaborate, turning back to Chen Qingtian instead.

"Thanks for not telling Commissioner Chen. Let me consider this. If I decide to take the test, I’ll have Old Wu contact you."

Chen Qingtian sighed. She couldn’t fathom why he was so reluctant.

"Fine, I won’t mention it to the family for now. Grandpa’s getting old—I don’t want him getting too excited."

Lin Ran: "You said your family opposed your aunt’s business ventures back then. So they were okay with you becoming a celebrity?"

Chen Qingtian smirked. "If Grandpa had disagreed, I’d have plucked his beard clean off."

Lin Ran was stunned. He never expected Chen Qingtian to have such a playful side.

She laughed. "Just kidding! Grandpa really has mellowed out. Maybe because of what happened with Auntie, he’s not as strict with us anymore. Plus, it’s a different era now—we have the freedom to choose."

Lin Ran nodded. Regardless of whether they were related, just based on the stories Chen Qingtian had shared today, he owed her a meal.

You can’t just take the gossip and not pay up, right?

"Old Wu, aren’t you treating us to lunch?"

Wu Zhishang: ???

Lin Ran: Are you stupid?

Wu Zhishang: Yeah, you just realized?

Lin Ran: "..."

Wu Zhishang finally caught on, putting down the melon seeds he’d been snacking on. "Alright, my treat."

Chen Qingtian grinned. "Your eyes can talk."

At noon, the three arrived at a private kitchen. Wu Zhishang, still brooding over the morning’s misunderstanding, wasn’t in high spirits.

He was just a loser who’d lucked into becoming a CEO thanks to Lin Ran’s connections.

But no matter how high his status climbed, that loser mentality never left him.

How could a loser like him dare to covet a woman like Chen Qingtian?

He’d always doubted her motives, and now it was clear—he was never her target.

That drunken care she’d shown him, that comforting moment by the bridge—it was all calculated.

What did he have to offer?

Even Zhao Miaomiao had looked down on him, let alone Chen Qingtian.

This was fine. It was better this way.

Two people from such different worlds should never have crossed paths. Just knowing her was already a stroke of luck—what more could he ask for?

Ah, the struggles of a loser.

Then Chen Qingtian placed an abalone in his bowl.

"What’s on your mind, my friend?" she asked.

Wu Zhishang froze, then grinned and ate it with relish.

Lin Ran’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

Was this a hint?

But Wu Zhishang kept eating obliviously, and Chen Qingtian showed no unusual reaction.

Lin Ran: Maybe I’m overthinking it.

Chen Qingtian: "Wu Zhishang, don’t you owe me an apology?"

"Sorry for misunderstanding you earlier. Isn’t this lunch my way of making it up to you?" Wu Zhishang scratched his head, his face reddening at the memory.

Chen Qingtian: "So, am I a homewrecker?"

"No."

"Am I shameless?"

"No."

"Then who are you?"

Wu Zhishang: ???

Through gritted teeth, he answered, "A damn scumbag."

Chen Qingtian beamed, satisfied.

Lin Ran: These two… something’s up.

If there wasn’t, he’d eat his hat.

"Uh, I’m full. I’ll head out first—you two take your time." Lin Ran had no intention of playing third wheel.

Chen Qingtian blinked in surprise. "In such a hurry?"

Lin Ran: "I’ve got food at home—no need to waste this." He stood and left before she could protest. Wu Zhishang, however, didn’t move.

Then he suddenly remembered something. "Lin, Zhang Xiaonuan wants to work part-time at the company. What do you think?"

Lin Ran, already halfway out the door, called back, "You handle the small stuff. Unless it’s about money, don’t bother me—I’m busy."

Wu Zhishang: "Ojbk."

Chen Qingtian shouted after him, "Let me know when you’ve decided!"

Lin Ran, now far away, waved without turning around. "Got it."

Leaving the restaurant, Lin Ran got straight into his car.

"Take me to Yao Yao’s company."

Wang Bao started the Maybach and drove off smoothly.

Meanwhile, Luo Yao sat in her office, tapping a finger thoughtfully on her desk.

"Ah Ran… could he really be part of the Chen family?"

If he was, would he return to them?

Would he gain a family—people who might steal his love away from her?

No. Ah Ran was hers alone. He could only love her—no one else was allowed a piece of his heart.

But… was she being too selfish?

Selfish or not, the real question was—would Ah Ran resent her for it?

For now, she’d wait and see what he decided.

If he chose to return to the Chen family for the sake of kinship, she wouldn’t hesitate to drag him back.

And if the Chens dared stand in her way?

She wouldn’t mind wiping them off the map.

There was no room for negotiation.

Ah Ran belonged to her.

Just as Luo Yao was lost in her thoughts, Lin Ran arrived.