Chapter 0170

Luo Yao instantly grew wary. Turning her head, she saw Lin Jian quickly revert to his harmless, pitiable demeanor, gazing affectionately at Luo Yao and Lin Ran.

"Brother, propeller, I..."

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "Uncle Fu."

Uncle Fu immediately stepped in front of Luo Yao, shielding her. Once Luo Yao and Lin Ran had left, Uncle Fu clenched his fists and strode inside.

He had wanted to beat up this family for ages, and now it was finally his turn.

Soon, Lin Jian's screams echoed from behind...

Lin Ran sent a bodyguard to fetch Granny Wang while he and Luo Yao returned to the manor first.

"Ran, are you sure you don’t want to stay in the hospital for observation for a couple more days?"

"Don’t worry, I know my own body. Besides, I’ve prepared a little show for Liu Yuemei, but I don’t want to watch it myself..."

By the time Lin Ran arrived at the manor, Uncle Fu had caught up with them.

"Young Master Lin, Miss, I’ve dealt with Lin Jian. He’s still alive, of course—since Young Master Lin hasn’t had his fill of fun yet."

Lin Ran gave Uncle Fu a thumbs-up. Just then, the bodyguard returned with Granny Wang.

"Granny Wang."

"Good day, Miss. Good day, Young Master Lin." Granny Wang greeted them naturally. Her first glance at Luo Yao left her stunned—such beauty! She couldn’t help but feel happy for Lin Ran.

Now that Lin Ran had broken free from the Lin family and found his own happiness, it was truly a good thing.

Lin Ran casually pointed to an elderly man nearby. "This is Uncle Fu. From now on, you’ll report to him."

Uncle Fu, however, stood frozen in place.

"Wang Dahua?"

"Zhang Laifu?"

The two stared at each other in disbelief. The other servants exchanged bewildered glances, while Lin Ran and Luo Yao shared a look of their own.

These two had history.

Uncle Fu quickly composed himself. The last time he had gone to the Lin residence with Lin Ran, he hadn’t entered the villa—otherwise, he would’ve recognized Granny Wang as Wang Dahua much sooner.

Clearing his throat, he said stiffly, "I’m the head butler here. Your duties will be assigned by me from now on."

"Oh... oh, alright, Butler Zhang." Granny Wang was equally shocked that the manor’s butler turned out to be Zhang Laifu.

"Everyone here calls me Uncle Fu. You can..." He paused, realizing it didn’t feel right.

Granny Wang was younger than him, but not by much. Most of the manor’s staff were in their thirties, so calling him "Uncle Fu" was fine. But Granny Wang was only a few years his junior—"Uncle Fu" felt off, and "Butler" sounded too distant.

"Just call me Uncle Fu too."

In the end, he settled on the same title. Granny Wang could only reply, "Good day, Uncle Fu."

Living under someone else’s roof, she had long stopped caring about such things.

But seeing him again after all these years sent waves of emotion crashing through her heart.

Back then, it wasn’t that she hadn’t loved this man, nor had she intentionally vanished. Circumstances had forced her hand.

For his sake, she had endured countless hardships, suffered greatly, and even nearly lost her life.

Lin Ran and Luo Yao quietly retreated to their room, while the servants wisely dispersed, leaving the two alone.

Uncle Fu, meanwhile, was lost in memories of the past, his face darkening with an uncharacteristic anger.

Wang Dahua... Wang Dahua. Who would’ve thought you’d end up like this?

Back then, you promised you’d run away with me. But you never showed up. Do you have any idea how long I searched for you? How many years it took me to move on?

Maybe... he still hadn’t moved on, even now.

"Since you’re working at the manor now, you’ll follow the rules here. Over the next few days, I’ll teach you what those rules are. Understood?"

"Y-yes, understood."

"When Young Master Lin or Miss give you an order, you respond with ‘Yes.’ When I give you one, you say ‘Acknowledged.’"

"Acknowledged... Uncle Fu." Granny Wang swallowed her grievances, forcing herself to comply. She couldn’t afford to lose this job—her grandson’s life depended on the money.

Uncle Fu’s expression softened for a fleeting moment when he saw the look in her eyes, but he quickly steeled himself again.

He didn’t go out of his way to make things difficult for her, but he remained stern.

By dinnertime, Lin Ran and Luo Yao finally emerged from their room.

"Granny Wang, settling in alright?"

"Young Master Lin, Madam." Having been briefed by Uncle Fu, Granny Wang now understood the manor’s rules—and many other things.

For instance, the first rule was that Lin Ran’s word was law. Unless he asked someone to help him leave the city, every other demand had to be obeyed without question.

Another example: Luo Yao was the lady of the manor and Lin Ran’s wife. Everyone was to address her as "Miss."

But Granny Wang, still new, had slipped up—in her previous jobs, "Madam" had been the norm.

She quickly bowed her head. "My apologies, Miss. I didn’t mean to misspeak."

To her surprise, Luo Yao wasn’t angry. Instead, the corners of her lips curled up.

"That was perfect. Keep calling me that from now on. Your bonus this month is doubled."

Everyone: ???

Uncle Fu stared at Granny Wang in disbelief. This woman really knew how to play the game—one well-placed word, and she’d just earned herself extra pay.

"Wang Dahua, since Miss is pleased, I’ll let it slide this time. But remember the rules next time."

"Acknowledged, Uncle Fu."

Uncle Fu felt an inexplicable irritation. If not for Lin Ran and Luo Yao’s presence, he might’ve lost his temper.

Lin Ran stepped in as peacemaker.

"Alright, Uncle Fu, let’s eat. What’s for dinner? Please don’t tell me Yao Yao cooked..."

Uncle Fu promptly signaled the chef to serve, then stood stiffly nearby like a statue, watching for any needs the masters might have.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Lin Tianba had regained consciousness.

Liu Yuemei and Lin Jian had stayed by his side the whole time, and Lin Tianba was deeply moved upon waking.

"Yuemei, Jian, you’ve both worked hard... Jian, what happened to you?"

Noticing the two extra temporary beds beside him, Lin Tianba frowned in confusion.

"Darling, what’s wrong? Why did you collapse at home?" Liu Yuemei asked, her concern only deepening Lin Tianba’s gratitude.

"I... I’m fine. But what happened to you two?" He chose to keep his condition to himself—no need to worry his family.

Besides, telling them wouldn’t change anything.

"Jian and I were beaten up by Lin Ran’s people. Jian got it worse—multiple minor fractures. He just had surgery, and since there weren’t enough beds, they set these up temporarily."

Lin Tianba’s rage flared. Even the most patient man had his limits.

Lin Ran kept causing trouble—did he have no respect for Lin Tianba at all?

And that Luo Yao—she was Lin Ran’s sugar mama, so by rights, she should be calling him "Father"! Yet now she was helping Lin Ran attack his other son?

"That little bastard! Where are they? Why did they attack Jian?"

Liu Yuemei avoided the heart of the matter, skirting the details.

"Husband, I saw Lin Ran. He doesn’t want you to stay in the hospital room. Lin Jian couldn’t stand it, so he spoke up, and Lin Ran had his men beat him for it."

"What? That ungrateful brat! How dare he? Where is he?" At the mention of Lin Ran, Lin Tianba’s eyes flashed with fury.