Chapter 0145

"Understood, Young Master Lin."

Liu Ruxue's spellcasting was abruptly interrupted, and Lin Ran laughed—a laugh so cheerful it sent chills down her spine.

"Liu Ruxue, look at yourself now. How pathetic."

Liu Ruxue knew Lin Ran must have witnessed everything that just happened. She opened her mouth, then closed it, hesitating before speaking again.

"Lin Ran... I never really loved any of them—"

Lin Ran cut her off. "Remember what I once told you? If you're going to love two men, you'd better hide it well. But now I realize—two is far too modest for someone like you."

Liu Ruxue didn’t understand why he was speaking to her like this.

"What do you mean?"

Lin Ran smirked. "Let me count them for you. First, Lin Jian. Then, You Qingnan. And recently, Shi Nanci. Liu Ruxue, oh Liu Ruxue, just how shameless can you be?"

Liu Ruxue lowered her head.

"Stop lying... My relationships with them were all innocent."

"Whether I’m lying or not, you know the truth. Let me make this clear—I have all the evidence. Including your little 'game' with Lin Jian just now. Would you like to see?"

Liu Ruxue’s eyes widened, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.

"No... please, Lin Ran, spare me!"

She was terrified. She didn’t doubt Lin Ran’s words—he never lied. At least, he never used to.

Lin Ran’s lips curled into a sinister smile, one that Liu Ruxue found both dangerous and alluring.

"If you want me to stay silent, you have two options. First—kill me. But I doubt you’re capable of that in this lifetime."

Seeing Liu Ruxue lost in thought, Lin Ran cursed inwardly. You really have the nerve to consider it, huh?

"Second—do something for me. If you cooperate, I won’t expose you. I’ll even arrange a comfortable place for you to disappear afterward. Otherwise, I’ll make sure your reputation is ruined beyond repair."

A glimmer of hope flickered in Liu Ruxue’s eyes. She had been genuinely terrified moments ago.

This Lin Ran… he wasn’t the same person she once knew.

His past actions had already driven her to despair.

But if he was willing to give her a chance… did that mean he still cared for her?

Maybe… just maybe, that was possible.

"Alright! Lin Ran, I’ll help you. What do you need?"

Lin Ran grinned—the smile of a man whose scheme had succeeded.

"Leave for now. Wait for my instructions. And remember—this is Wang Bao. He’ll be the one delivering your tasks. Understood?"

Liu Ruxue nodded. She didn’t dare defy Lin Ran now.

She had heard the rumors—how he had forced Lin Tianba out of power, how he had thrown Lin Jian and his mother out of the building. This Lin Ran… he was terrifying.

"Lin Ran, I’ll do whatever you say."

The sight of her groveling made Lin Ran’s stomach churn with disgust.

That mouth of hers… who knows what filth it’s been tasting just moments ago.

"Remember this—you’re worth less than a dog in my eyes. Call me 'brother' again, and I’ll have you beaten to death."

Liu Ruxue didn’t dare speak another word.

She wasn’t stupid. She could guess Lin Ran’s real target was the Lin family.

Lately, her father, Liu Ritian, and her grandmother had been desperately searching for Lin Tianba and the others.

But Lin Tianba seemed to be deliberately avoiding the Liu family.

Even her aunt, Liu Yuemei, was unreachable.

The only one who could still contact them… was her. But with her scandalous reputation, she had been avoiding Lin Jian too—afraid that Shen Jingbing, that lunatic, might find out.

That’s why, today, she had taken the risk to meet Lin Jian in secret, hoping to ease their longing for each other.

And now… Lin Ran had caught her.

Liu Ruxue’s thoughts: My only choice is to help Lin Ran, win back his affection, become his woman, and cut ties with all other men…

A foolish, lovesick smile crept onto her face. Lin Ran shot Wang Bao a look.

Damn it, she’s probably calling me 'brother' in her head again. Beat her.

Without hesitation, Wang Bao advanced toward Liu Ruxue, giving her the same treatment Lin Jian and his mother had once received.

Only then did Lin Ran feel slightly better. As Liu Ruxue’s screams filled the air, his mind buzzed with dark inspiration.

A vicious plan began to take shape—one that would drag his enemies into an abyss of suffering.

From the very beginning, Lin Ran had never intended to let anyone escape unscathed.

In his past life, Lin Tianba hadn’t directly caused his death, but he was the most despicable of them all.

If not for his negligence, his favoritism, his indulgence toward Liu Yuemei and her son… Lin Ran would never have met such a gruesome end.

But for now, Lin Ran would start with Liu Yuemei.

Lin Tianba was the most hateful, but Liu Yuemei, the woman who had shared his bed, was just as guilty.

For over a decade, she had subjected him to psychological manipulation.

If I don’t make you suffer a fate worse than death, my name isn’t Lin Ran.

Hehehe… this was going to be a spectacular show.

His heart was growing darker by the minute.

Soon enough, even Luo Yao might kneel before him and call him "Master."

Bored by Liu Ruxue’s cries, Lin Ran eventually walked away.

When he reached the parking lot, he spotted another figure preparing to leave—Chen Qingtian, who had just attended a banquet.

Chen Qingtian noticed Lin Ran too. Her eyes darted between his luxury car and her own modest vehicle, a wave of inferiority washing over her.

"Cousin, your car is amazing."

"My wife bought it for me."

"Holy—! I… I need to make money. I need to work harder, I need to—"

Pei Qianqian, sitting in the driver’s seat, had heard enough.

"You’re drunk. Let’s just go home."

Chen Qingtian narrowed her eyes. This manager of hers was getting way too bold.

I’ll fire her sooner or later.

"Cousin, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"What’s it like being supported by your wife? No offense—I just want to know what it’s like to live as a wealthy woman."

"But you are a wealthy woman."

"It’s not the same. I want to be like your wife."

Lin Ran was speechless. He’d never noticed this side of Chen Qingtian before.

Besides, Luo Yao and Chen Qingtian were nothing alike.

"You and my wife are different. My wife earns money just for me. You earn money to spend on countless men. Cousin, that’s a pretty toxic mindset."

Chen Qingtian shrugged. "What can I say? If women don’t play the field, men will."

Lin Ran sighed.

"Well… having money isn’t as fun as you think."

Chen Qingtian shot back, "But you seem pretty happy living off your wife’s wealth."