Chapter 0149

"Yao Yao, let's go."

Luo Yao's eyes sparkled as she took Lin Ran's hand and followed him out.

"Ah Ran, thank you for standing up for me earlier. I was so scared!"

Lin Ran thought to himself, How can you still sound so aggrieved? You're just too adorable.

"It's my fault for being late and letting you suffer like that."

Meanwhile, Liu Meng stayed behind to deal with the stunned bodyguards.

Still have to work overtime tonight to make the Wang Family disappear. Another exhausting day for a working stiff.

Lin Ran and Luo Yao got into the car, where Uncle Fu and Luo Yao's personal driver—a woman in her thirties—sat in the front.

"Ah Ran, are you really my Ah Ran?"

"Of course I am. I'm your Ah Ran, and I'm also your husband."

"Do you still love me?"

"Always!"

"What do you love about me?"

"I love you... in the heat of passion."

The driver and Uncle Fu flushed crimson, silently thinking: Sooner or later, you're gonna end up in jail.

The partition slowly rose as the car sped through the city streets.

After all, there are countless positions, but safety comes first.

Back at the estate villa, Luo Yao clung to Lin Ran, unwilling to let go, directing him straight to their room.

Uncle Fu watched the young couple's affectionate display with a knowing smile.

I wasn't wrong—Young Master Lin dotes on our Miss Luo completely now.

I just hope this happiness lasts forever. She's suffered too much these years.

Mentally patting himself on the back, he walked away.

In the bedroom, Lin Ran turned off the bedside lamp.

Neither could sleep. Luo Yao replayed the memory of Lin Ran fiercely defending her earlier, her heart melting all over again.

That line—"No one gets to bully my Luo Yao"—was absolutely legendary.

So not only does Ah Ran belong to me... I belong to him too.

"Ah Ran, I..."

"Shh. I know what you want to ask. I love you..."

Darkness falls. Close your eyes.

The next morning after breakfast, Lin Ran replenished his energy and contacted Wei Xiang.

Some might’ve forgotten who Wei Xiang is—he’s Wu Zhishang’s cousin and one of Brother Dao’s men.

Soon, Lin Ran returned to the underground entertainment den.

This time, Brother Dao personally greeted him.

"Ah, Brother Lin! My apologies for not welcoming you properly earlier."

Lin Ran waved it off casually.

"No need for formalities, Brother Dao."

Brother Dao quickly corrected him. "Just call me Daozi."

"Why? Everyone else calls you Brother Dao."

"That’s for my subordinates. Clients are gods—they all call me Daozi or Little Dao. No one calls me Brother Dao."

Lin Ran found the rule amusing.

Not a gangster myself, and I don’t get all these underworld nuances, but Brother Dao seems like a decent guy.

"In that case, I’ll call you Daozi?"

Lin Ran wasn’t completely socially inept—refusing would’ve been rude.

Beside them, Wei Xiang glanced between Brother Dao and Lin Ran, confused. Brother Dao shot him a sharp look to shut him up.

No choice. This man belongs to Boss Luo.

But Brother Dao dared not reveal his ties to Luo Yao. His business was shady, and if Lin Ran found out, he might turn against her.

And then I’d be dead. Literally.

"Young Master Lin, what brings you here today?"

Lin Ran smirked, feigning curiosity.

"What if I said I wanted to check out the first floor?"

Brother Dao gulped, unsure how to respond.

Lin Ran found it odd. Everyone knows what Daozi does—illegal gambling, underground fights, no drugs. So what’s the big secret about the last vice?

"Just kidding. I’m here for business."

Brother Dao wiped his forehead, laughing nervously.

"Business is good! Very good!"

Thank god he’s not here to party. Or worse—get wasted on the first floor.

Back in the underground room, Lin Ran cut to the chase.

"How’d that deal I referred to you go?"

"Young Master Lin, that deal netted me over 30 million effortlessly! And that Liu Ruxue woman? Basically handed me free money. I owe you one."

Lin Ran chuckled.

"No need. You earned it fair and square. Today, I’m here with another big opportunity."

"What kind?"

Brother Dao motioned for Wei Xiang to clear the room.

Lin Ran leaned in. "Another Lin Family deal. I want to [redacted]..."

Brother Dao’s eyes widened.

"Young Master Lin... how did you know about my—"

"Lucky guess."

"Alright, my bad for not being upfront. But Young Master Lin, lust is a dangerous game. As an older brother, I gotta warn you—men shouldn’t fool around outside."

Lin Ran gave him a deadpan look. Really? Says the guy running an underground empire?

But he kept his tone professional.

"I’m married, and I love my wife. Let’s stick to business."

Brother Dao shuddered, recalling Lin Ran’s proposal.

Last time, he seemed harmless, even a bit green. Now he’s coldly plotting someone’s ruin. What happened to him?

"Young Master Lin, this isn’t business—it’s a setup! Even for a gangster like me, this is morally bankrupt. Shortens your lifespan."

He played along carefully to avoid suspicion.

Lin Ran raised a brow. "Since when do you care about morality?"

"Not what I meant. I’m saying... morally bankrupt schemes shorten your lifespan—so pay me more."

"How much?"

"You name it."

Lin Ran held up five fingers.

"Deal. I’m in."

After finalizing terms, Lin Ran left. Passing the fight club, he paused.

"Who are these fighters?"

Brother Dao shrugged. "Mostly pros, some amateurs. Sometimes we stage... special performances for the audience."

"Professionals fight in underground rings?"

"Gotta make a living. No shame in that."

"Ever have pros fight regular people?"

"You mean pure spectacle for the twisted crowd?"

Lin Ran nodded, saying nothing. Might need to get Lin Jian a boxing license someday.