Chapter 0117

Returning to the estate late into the night, Luo Yao couldn’t bear to wake Lin Ran, who was fast asleep, so she stayed in the car with him until dawn.

"Ah Ran, you’ll always stay by my side like this, won’t you?"

Lin Ran didn’t answer—he was genuinely asleep—and Luo Yao simply watched him quietly.

When Lin Ran finally stirred awake, he was startled to see the faint light of dawn outside the car window.

Glancing beside him, he found Luo Yao peacefully asleep with her head resting on his lap. Gently, he took off his coat and draped it over her.

By the time Lin Ran’s legs had gone completely numb, Luo Yao shifted in her sleep.

"Ah Ran… you… can only… belong to me."

Was Luo Yao actually talking in her sleep?

"Don’t worry, even if my entire family dies, I won’t leave you."

Lin Ran made the promise, and Luo Yao seemed to hear it, sinking deeper into sleep.

But the peace didn’t last. Luo Yao had always struggled with insomnia, so the fact that she’d managed to sleep at all in such conditions was nothing short of a miracle.

Before long, she woke up.

Seeing Lin Ran quietly watching her, Luo Yao’s joy nearly spilled from her eyes.

Her voice was still hoarse from sleep as she asked, "Ah Ran, have you been with me this whole time?"

"Yes, just like you stayed with me," he replied.

Luo Yao naturally stretched out her arms, asking for a hug. Lin Ran leaned down, picked her up, and stepped out of the car—only to immediately drop to his knees.

Uncle Fu, who had been waiting outside, startled and quickly moved aside.

"Young Master Lin, I couldn’t possibly accept this!"

Lin Ran’s legs were still weak, so after Luo Yao slid out of his arms, she steadied him as they slowly made their way inside.

Lin Ran awkwardly said to Uncle Fu, "Just consider it us paying respects to you, the only elder at our wedding…"

Luo Yao’s steps faltered slightly, but she didn’t object, continuing to support Lin Ran.

Behind them, Uncle Fu stood frozen, his mind completely blank.

Lin Ran’s words had struck him deeply, leaving him in a state of utter confusion.

"Am… I worthy?"

After resting at the estate for another day, Luo Yao decided she wouldn’t wait any longer.

If Second Luo didn’t show up by the next morning, she would deal with the negative rumors surrounding Luo Corporation herself.

She couldn’t let that man delay the company’s profits any longer.

After all, she had a husband to support.

Right now, her husband didn’t spend much, but who knew? One day he might start splurging.

She needed to earn more—just in case. She couldn’t let him run short.

The next day, Luo Yao went to the company while Lin Ran headed to the media firm. There were things he wanted to set in motion.

He and Wu Zhishang began discussing plans to shoot short videos—a strategy they’d mapped out when first establishing the company.

This was a new market, one poised to become mainstream, and Lin Ran had no intention of missing out.

Luo Yao was wealthy, so he didn’t need to start a business himself. Everything he did now was just to earn some extra money to make her happy—and to help Wu Zhishang reach the peak of his life.

What did most entrepreneurs lack? Never skill or manpower, but money.

And Lin Ran? He happened to be the one with money.

Money could solve most of the world’s problems. If it didn’t, it just meant there wasn’t enough.

After finalizing the short video plans, Wu Zhishang asked a question that made Lin Ran pause.

"Brother Lin, have you thought about the paternity test?"

Lin Ran didn’t answer.

If Wu Zhishang hadn’t brought it up, he might have forgotten entirely.

"I’ll think about it. This isn’t something that needs to be rushed, right?"

Wu Zhishang nodded, then added indignantly,

"Liu Ruxue has been spreading nasty rumors about Luo Corporation at Capital University these past few days. What should we do?"

"Brother Lin, is it true that Sister-in-Law’s company has traitors?"

Lin Ran ignored the question and instead asked, "Where’s Shen Jingbing?"

"He’s resting at home. He should be here soon."

Speak of the devil—Shen Jingbing arrived at the office, beaming when he saw Lin Ran.

"Big Bro, you’re here!"

Lin Ran nodded. "Yeah. I have a task for you. Do you know the Foreign Languages Department at Capital University?"

Shen Jingbing shook his head.

"I don’t, but I can find out."

Lin Ran patted his shoulder.

"Xiao Shen, you know what? I really like how sharp and resourceful you are."

"Liu Ruxue is in that department. Find her and teach her a lesson. I don’t ever want to see her face without bruises."

Shen Jingbing thumped his chest.

"Don’t worry, Big Bro. Leave it to me."

Half an hour later, at the girls’ dormitory of Capital University—

A "woman" dressed flamboyantly, with a scarf wrapped around her head, walked in.

Another half hour later, a satisfied-looking man strolled out, leaving the dorm supervisor utterly baffled.

There was an unwritten rule in universities: girls could enter boys’ dorms, but boys couldn’t enter girls’ dorms.

She’d never seen this man enter—so how had he come out from inside?

The supervisor was completely stumped.

At the same time, Lin Ran received a video on his phone—one that was quite pleasing to watch.

[Video: Liu Ruxue, disheveled and frantic, shouting: "What are you doing?! You lunatic! How did you get in here?! Aaaah—!"]

Shen Jingbing: "Boss said her face can’t heal. Also said to keep following her and bring back some… souvenirs."

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Liu Yuemei finally cracked a smile.

"Hah! Heaven has eyes—Luo Corporation is in trouble!" she cheered, waving her phone excitedly.

To them, Lin Ran might be detestable, but Luo Yao was even worse.

"That little witch must be in a foul mood now. Maybe she’ll even take it out on Lin Ran. Hahaha— Oh… husband, you should go save Xiao Ran."

Realizing her outburst, Liu Yuemei quickly composed herself.

She’d been in the hospital all this time, unaware of outside events. Only now, with her arm finally mobile enough to check her phone, did she see the news.

Lin Tianba remained silent, having witnessed Liu Yuemei’s earlier reaction.

After a moment, he let it go. Given how Luo Yao had treated them, it was natural for Liu Yuemei to gloat over Luo Corporation’s misfortunes.

But asking him to save Lin Ran?

"Why are you still so naive and kind? Lin Ran doesn’t see us as family anymore. Why should I save him? Besides, I don’t even have the ability to."

Lin Jian, still struggling to speak, stayed quiet—but the look on his face showed he was in good spirits.