Chapter 0144

There’s a path to heaven you refuse to take, yet you insist on barging into hell where no door exists.

Then don’t blame me, as your elder brother, for catching you red-handed.

Last time, Lin Ran saw Liu Ruxue in Lin Jian’s phone, but only the woman’s face was visible, not the man’s.

This time, well…

Unfortunately for them, there was surveillance.

This surveillance was originally set up for Zhao Miaomiao and Lv Jian.

Later, Luo Wuyou moved in—being more professional, she had the cameras removed from that room immediately.

Today, Wang Bao, ever the sharp-eyed one, reinstalled them.

And just like that, Lin Jian and his companion walked straight into the trap.

Though Lin Ran had guessed that Lin Jian’s date might be Liu Ruxue, seeing the two of them together still shocked him.

This Lin Jian wasn’t just skilled in orthopedics—he was also quite the surgeon in other ways.

“Maybe we should leave the cameras up. From now on, let’s not rent this room to ordinary people. Reserve it for scumbags and cheats—seems like this room has a special connection with them.”

“Understood, Young Master Lin.”

Lin Ran truly hadn’t expected Liu Ruxue to stoop this low.

Crying loudly, yet still putting in the effort.

He closed his eyes and handed the phone to Wang Bao.

“Download and save the rest. I’ll tell you when and where to release it.”

Wang Bao took the phone and began admiring the footage himself.

Meanwhile, in the room, Liu Ruxue was sobbing uncontrollably.

She admitted she had loved the wrong man.

Who would’ve thought that Lin Jian, usually so gentle, would torment her like this?

He even threatened her—if she didn’t comply, he’d expose their affair and drag them both down.

Their actions weren’t illegal, but they were certainly scandalous.

Liu Ruxue’s reputation was already in tatters. If this got out, she might as well jump off a building.

Helpless, she had no choice but to give in to Lin Jian’s demands.

An hour later, Lin Jian was the first to leave. On the first floor, he ran into Shi Nanci, who had just finished eating.

“Lin Jian? What are you doing here?”

Shi Nanci was baffled—wasn’t Liu Ruxue supposed to be with him?

Lin Jian was equally surprised to see Shi Nanci. Why was this annoying trash still around?

“None of your damn business.”

Shi Nanci: “Where’s Ruxue?”

Lin Jian: “I said, none of your damn business.”

Shi Nanci: “The hell’s wrong with you? Can’t you talk properly?”

Lin Jian: “I’m your damn father!”

Shi Nanci frowned. Why was Lin Jian here? Had Liu Ruxue really gone to meet him?

Just then, Liu Ruxue, having tidied herself up, came downstairs.

“Lin Jian, you’re so cruel! I…” She trailed off, finally noticing Shi Nanci standing in front of Lin Jian.

Hearing her words, Shi Nanci’s mind went blank.

“How could you bully Ruxue? I’ll kill you!”

Shi Nanci had dropped out of school because of fights in high school—and every single one of those fights had been over Liu Ruxue.

She was like the trigger for his rage. He’d even fought Lin Ran before.

Lin Jian took a punch straight to the face.

Though injured, Lin Jian wasn’t one to take a beating without fighting back.

The only reason he’d let Lin Ran “bully” him before was because he couldn’t retaliate.

Now, the two men in Liu Ruxue’s life were brawling right in front of her.

Watching them fight over her, the gloom of recent days suddenly lifted.

Lin Jian wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe she could have his love while stringing Shi Nanci along for financial support, all while training You Qingnan’s endurance.

At least until she won back Lin Ran’s affection—then she could cut ties with these men for good.

After all, no one could compare to Lin Ran.

Without realizing it, her “love” for Lin Ran had surpassed her feelings for Lin Jian.

If Lin Ran and Lin Jian stood before her now, she’d choose Lin Ran without hesitation.

Shi Nanci threw a front kick; Lin Jian countered with a rapid flurry of strikes.

Shi Nanci retaliated with a dragon-claw grab, forcing Lin Jian to hunch over like a shrimp.

Liu Ruxue watched anxiously. She didn’t want either of them hurt—she had loved them both.

So she stepped forward, tearfully pleading:

“Stop it! Stop fighting, please!”

Lin Ran sat in a corner of the first floor, thoroughly entertained.

In his mind, he added: Don’t stop. You’re not hitting hard enough to kill each other.

Finally, after Liu Ruxue’s relentless “mediation,” the two men stopped.

In the chaos, Shi Nanci accidentally knocked her over—she was still weak from earlier.

“Ruxue! Are you okay?”

“Get your hands off my sister!”

Lin Jian shoved Shi Nanci away but, seeing Liu Ruxue and Shi Nanci touching right in front of him, was too furious to help her up.

Liu Ruxue, hurt by Lin Jian’s coldness, wore a heartbroken expression.

Why is Lin Jian looking at me like that?

Shi Nanci, meanwhile, regretted his actions. He’d just fought Liu Ruxue’s cousin—what was he thinking?

But pride kept him from backing down.

Pointing at Lin Jian, he spat: “You just wait. I’ll be back!”

Normally, he’d never dare provoke Lin Jian—not just Liu Ruxue’s cousin, but a young master of the Lin family.

But no one got to bully Liu Ruxue on his watch.

Lin Jian scoffed. “Bring it on, then.”

With that, he stormed off, ignoring Liu Ruxue entirely.

As soon as Lin Jian left, Shi Nanci rushed to help Liu Ruxue up.

“Ruxue, are you hurt? Next time he messes with you, I’ll teach him another lesson.”

But Liu Ruxue, watching Lin Jian leave in anger, was convinced he was jealous.

He’s dealing with so much at home, yet he made time for me—and I hurt him by letting Shi Nanci touch me in front of him.

Suddenly, she glared at Shi Nanci.

“Get lost! Just get lost!”

Shi Nanci: ??? What did I do?

“Fine! I’m leaving! Waaah!”

Heartbroken, Shi Nanci walked away, leaving Liu Ruxue alone again.

She struggled to her feet, staggering toward the hotel exit—only for a bodyguard to block her path.

“Young Master Lin Ran wants to see you.”

Liu Ruxue’s eyes lit up.

Has Lin Ran finally seen my worth? Has he forgiven me?

Why else would he summon me?

She followed the guard to a room where Lin Ran sat at a central table.

“Lin—”

“Shut your mouth, or you’ll regret it.”

Lin Ran took great pleasure in seeing Liu Ruxue so disheveled.

Tears welled up in her eyes, ready for her signature performance—

But Lin Ran cut her off.

“Brother Wang, remember—if she sheds a single tear, break one of her fingers.”