Chapter 0158

Luo Yao hadn’t encountered something so far beyond her control in many years.

She dropped everything on the spot and rushed back without delay, desperate to see if Lin Ran was safe.

Even now, she was still shaken by the thought.

Lin Ran loved her, bringing her meals every day—but that very act was also a threat.

She had been too selfish, indulging in his care while disregarding his safety.

In the past, Luo Yao hadn’t feared death, nor had she feared Lin Ran’s.

But the Lin Ran of these past days had changed, and Luo Yao had come to cherish this life.

She wanted to spend the rest of her days clinging to him.

She couldn’t bear to see him hurt.

So this threat—she had to find a way to resolve it.

But what to do until then?

First, she had to ensure Lin Ran’s safety.

Where could she guarantee that? The secret room?

Lin Ran only felt the sharp strike of a hand chop before everything went black.

Lin Ran: ???

Before losing consciousness, one thought crossed his mind:

I’m still as weak as I was in Chapter One. In front of Luo Yao, I don’t even have the ability to fight back.

What a useless man.

Right now, he truly wished he could transform into one of those overpowered male protagonists from novels, defying all logic to become invincible.

When he woke again, he found himself in—the secret room?

A chill ran down Lin Ran’s spine. This place had left a deep impression on him in his past life.

Instinctively, he checked his hands and feet, letting out a small sigh of relief.

There were no torture devices like last time. Instead, the room was spotless,

and he wasn’t restrained.

“Luo Yao, Yao Yao, where are you?”

Luo Yao pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Lin Ran, I’m sorry. This is the only way I can keep you safe.”

“Why? Why?” Lin Ran couldn’t understand.

He loved her so much—how had things still come to this?

He was utterly speechless.

Was Luo Yao born with some kind of… predisposition? Had her kindness before just been because she wasn’t having an episode?

Now that she’s relapsed, is she just toying with me?

She can’t be that twisted, right?

Is this even the same woman I married?

“Because this is the only way I can protect you.”

“Lin Ran, trust me. This will be resolved soon, and you’ll be out before you know it.”

With that, Luo Yao turned to leave, leaving Lin Ran in a panic.

“Yao Yao, don’t go!”

He leapt up from the bed in desperation, his head smacking against the hanging lamp. Ignoring the pain, he reached out to grab her—

Just then, the aged ceiling lamp, weakened by years of wear, wobbled and plummeted straight toward Luo Yao.

Lin Ran’s eyes widened.

“Look out!”

He shoved her aside. Luo Yao narrowly dodged the falling lamp—but it struck him instead.

“Lin Ran—!”

The impact left a gash across his back.

Luo Yao abandoned all other concerns, immediately whisking him out of the secret room.

Yi Siyin swiftly treated and bandaged Lin Ran’s wound, gazing at him with pity.

In all his time at the estate, Lin Ran seemed to get injured every other day. What kind of karma did this poor boy have?

Seeing that Luo Yao hadn’t left but stayed to care for him, Lin Ran finally relaxed.

Once the private doctor was gone, he spoke up.

“Yao Yao, why won’t you tell me what’s really going on?”

Luo Yao lifted her eyes, and Lin Ran filled her vision.

Softly, he asked, “Am I still your husband?”

“Of course… Of course you are.”

“Then tell me. Whatever it is, shouldn’t we face it together?”

Luo Yao fell silent. After a long pause, she finally explained everything.

Lin Ran listened, then sank into his own silence.

“Lin Ran, I need to keep you in the secret room. Once I resolve this, you’ll be free. And don’t worry—I’ll have the lamp fixed and every potential hazard in that room checked.”

Even after revealing the truth, Luo Yao was determined to “protect” him by locking him away.

But Lin Ran had no intention of letting her.

“Yao Yao, listen to me. We’re husband and wife. They say ‘when couples unite, their strength can cut through metal.’ We should face this together. Besides, if those people are still watching me, it’s because they want to use me against you. That means the safest place for me is by your side.”

Luo Yao shook her head.

“Lin Ran, I admit there’s some truth to what you’re saying. But I can’t let you take this risk with me. I’m sorry—this is my bottom line.”

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow.

Bottom line?

Isn’t that meant to be broken?

Even if you’re Luo Yao, today, I’m going to test that theory.

“Lin Ran… Mmm—?!”

He silenced her with a kiss.

Despite knowing the danger they might face, Luo Yao surrendered completely, losing herself in his embrace.

All this time, her obsession with him had never faded.

If anything, it had only grown heavier—so heavy that their hearts held no one but each other.

……

“Yao Yao, do you still want to lock me up now? Remember, I’m willing to live and die with you. Any danger, we face it together. If we live, we live together. If we die, we die together.”

After Lin Ran’s relentless “persuasion,” something in Luo Yao’s heart finally shifted.

She had to admit—he had swayed her.

By her side was the safest place for him.

And if the worst happened… at least they’d die together, never alone.

Maybe they’d even share a bowl of Meng Po’s soup, ensuring they’d find each other again in the next life.

“Yao Yao?”

“Huh?”

“What’s on your mind?” Lin Ran tapped her forehead, scattering all her impractical fantasies.

“Nothing. Maybe you’re right. Stay with me, then. We’ll face this as husband and wife.”

Luo Yao raised a fist, flexing her determination—adorably so.

Hearing her agreement, Lin Ran finally smiled.

“That’s more like it, my little princess. And we don’t need to rush. Let the enemy make the first move while we investigate quietly. Then, when the time is right—we strike the fatal blow.”

Luo Yao stared at him, stunned.

She realized how much Lin Ran had changed.

In the past, she had faced every hardship alone, weathering countless crises on her path to growth.

Now, at last, someone stood beside her—the person she loved most.

“Lin Ran, I’ll follow your lead.”

A sense of triumph surged in Lin Ran’s heart—the thrill of having “broken through Luo Yao’s bottom line.”

“Weren’t you just saying you had principles?”

Luo Yao rolled her eyes, a hint of playful arrogance surfacing—a side of her that was unmistakably feminine.

“If you don’t like it, forget it.”

“Who said I don’t like it? I love it! Starting tomorrow, wherever you go, I’ll follow. Try shaking me off—I dare you.”

“I would never… ever… shake you off.”