Chapter 0169

The head nurse was quick-witted and aware of Lin Ran’s status, so she chimed in to mediate.

"Ma'am, let it go. Young Master Lin’s bid is too high—you can’t outbid him without losing face."

Liu Yuemei took a deep breath, thinking, Losing face? Damn right, it’s humiliating. She gritted her teeth and said, "I’ll offer 305,000."

Lin Ran knew this was her limit. If he raised it further, she might not follow. After all, she was a woman who had suffered losses at the gambling table before—she wouldn’t recklessly escalate things again.

"Fine, I’ll let you have it then."

Lin Ran smirked and returned to his hospital room, leaving Liu Yuemei stunned. Suddenly, it dawned on her—Lin Ran had been toying with her all along.

"You little bastard! Stop right there!" Liu Yuemei tried to chase after him, but several bodyguards immediately rushed out from the room, freezing her in place.

Uncle Fu stood in front of the bodyguards and said, "Head Nurse, they can stay if they can pay. Young Master Lin isn’t unreasonable—he just prefers peace and quiet. No loud disturbances."

The head nurse nodded hastily. "Understood."

Uncle Fu then turned to the bodyguards.

"Remember, if any of their family members come within ten meters of this door, make sure they stay here permanently."

"Yes, sir!" The bodyguards responded in unison.

Liu Yuemei quickly retreated, pulling Lin Jian along as they followed the nurse into the room.

Back in his room, Lin Ran’s eyes were unreadable. He called Brother Dao and then waited for Luo Yao.

Soon, Luo Yao arrived with a carefully prepared bowl of plain congee, feeding him spoonful by spoonful. Lin Ran savored the rare feeling of being cared for.

"Yao, let’s check out soon."

Luo Yao knew the Lin family was here, but she didn’t intervene or have them removed. If Lin Ran enjoyed tormenting them, she’d give him the space to do so.

"Alright."

Just then, Liu Yuemei’s shrill voice erupted outside again.

After settling Lin Tianba’s hospitalization, Liu Yuemei had stewed in fury, growing more resentful by the minute.

How dare that abandoned stray, Lin Ran, flaunt his power in front of me?

And to think—his success was built on the Lin family’s foundation. Without them, he’d be nothing.

"Lin Ran! You ungrateful brat! You drove your own father to the hospital—don’t you feel any remorse?"

Too afraid to approach the room, she screamed from a distance, her voice echoing through the entire floor.

Lin Jian wasn’t by her side—he was too embarrassed.

Luo Yao’s expression turned icy, but Lin Ran gently stroked her cheek. "Don’t be angry. I’ll handle it."

With Uncle Fu’s support, Lin Ran stepped out and immediately spotted the hysterical Liu Yuemei.

"Old hag, what nonsense are you spouting now?"

Seeing Lin Ran finally emerge, Liu Yuemei’s hope flared.

"Ran, you’re still a Lin at heart. You took billions from the family, stole the company your father built from scratch, and even pushed him into the hospital. Don’t you feel the slightest urge to kneel and beg for forgiveness?"

Her words were as explosive as ever.

"And? What do you want me to do?"

Liu Yuemei glared at him.

"Return the billions you stole, hand over that necklace you auctioned, kneel and apologize to your father, and give back his shares. Then, maybe, I’ll acknowledge you as part of the family again."

Lin Ran nearly laughed. "Do all you mutts have some weird obsession with kneeling? You love it that much, huh? Wang Bao."

Without hesitation, Wang Bao strode forward. Liu Yuemei paled—she remembered his methods all too well.

"Stay—stay away! Or I’ll call the cops!"

Wang Bao grinned. "Relax. Call them if you want. But first, you’re going to kneel and kowtow a thousand times to apologize to Young Master Lin. If you don’t finish, I’ll treat you—and your family—just like last time."

A chill ran down Liu Yuemei’s spine. She was terrified.

Under Wang Bao’s "guidance," she began kowtowing, each thud audible to every nurse on the floor.

At first, she cursed wildly, but the pain soon reduced her to sobs.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Lin Ran eventually walked up to her. "Say it. ‘I’m a homewrecker, a bitch, a worthless animal.’"

Dazed from the pain, Liu Yuemei barely registered her surroundings, her mind foggy as if she were with some "client."

"I—am—a—slut! A—disgrace! A—whore!"

It wasn’t her first time. The words came easily.

Lin Jian watched from the doorway, stunned by her lack of spine—but he didn’t dare interfere. He was just as scared.

Lin Ran hadn’t expected her to break so easily. A smirk curled his lips.

"Drag the other one out too."

Two more bodyguards marched toward Lin Tianba’s room.

Lin Ran had his phone ready, recording everything.

Lin Jian screamed and swore, but he was shoved out anyway. A kick from a guard sent him crashing to his knees.

"You’re next. Kowtow and chant, ‘I’m the bastard son of a homewrecker, a shameless little mongrel.’"

Watching Wang Bao force Liu Yuemei to keep kowtowing and shouting, Lin Jian’s heart turned to ice.

He knew Lin Ran wasn’t joking. The Lin Ran of late was terrifying.

"G-gege, f-forgive me..."

Lin Ran backhanded him so hard he collapsed.

"Playing dead? Wake him up."

Lin Jian scrambled upright. "N-no! I’m awake!"

"Then get to work. You’re the ones who had the bad luck to cross me. Picking a fight? You kicked a steel beam this time."

Soon, with a bodyguard’s "help," Lin Jian was kowtowing and chanting:

"I’m—the—bastard—son—of—a—homewrecker… a—mongrel..."

Once Lin Ran had enough footage, he returned to his room.

"They don’t leave until they hit a thousand."

Damn idiots. Talking trash and demanding money? Might as well wish for the moon.

Hours later, Liu Yuemei and Lin Jian collapsed unconscious. The doctors diagnosed them with concussions and added two more beds beside Lin Tianba.

After a final checkup confirming he was fine, Lin Ran left the hospital with Luo Yao—no discharge formalities needed.

As they passed Lin Tianba’s room, a pair of venomous eyes locked onto them.

Lin Jian, freshly awake, glared in silent fury.