Chapter 0172

Liu Yuemei noticed her son's unusual mood and asked with concern, "Son, are you in pain?"

Lin Jian shook his head, indicating he didn’t want to talk. Just as Liu Yuemei was about to say something else, a message popped up on her phone.

[Brother Dao: Another businessman will be arriving in the neighboring hospital room soon. Go handle it.]

Liu Yuemei…

She was utterly devastated. Sure, this kind of thing was thrilling, but wasn’t it like dancing on the edge of a knife?

[Liu Yuemei: My husband is hospitalized here. Can’t you send someone else?]

[Brother Dao: Who said you could negotiate? Get your ass over there, or I’ll spill all your dirty secrets to that idiot husband of yours.]

Brother Dao was never a good man. He treated Lin Ran with courtesy only because of his status, but to everyone else, he was ruthless and cruel.

There was nothing he wouldn’t touch—except drugs.

Liu Yuemei was terrified by Brother Dao’s threat and quickly replied, [Fine, I’ll go.]

"Yuemei, who are you messaging?"

"Huh? Oh… just my girlfriends. They keep insisting I join them for mahjong later. I told them I’m here with my husband and can’t go, but they said they’ll never invite me again. Honestly, how could friends compare to family?"

Lin Tianba felt a pang of guilt. "Yuemei, you’ve suffered enough. Skip the mahjong tonight. You’re still recovering, and it’s already late."

Liu Yuemei cursed inwardly—that excuse hadn’t worked.

"Husband, I’ll listen to you… Oh no, my stomach… it hurts so much! I’ll go downstairs to find a doctor. You rest first."

"Go ahead. If anything happens, Jian and I can call the nurse. Besides, I can walk now."

Liu Yuemei gave Lin Tianba a guilty look. "Then I’ll go, husband. I love you."

"Mm, go on."

Lin Jian lay silently in bed, sensing something was off but unable to pinpoint what.

An hour later, Liu Yuemei returned to the ward, exhausted…

Meanwhile, in a bustling mall in the capital, Liu Ritian’s family was indulging in a shopping spree.

After embezzling Liu Yuemei’s money, they had moved away—not out of fear, but to avoid her pestering.

Even if she found them now, they weren’t worried.

They doubted she’d dare call the police, and even if she did, it wouldn’t matter.

The money had come from Lin Tianba, framed as repayment of a debt—perfectly justified in their eyes.

Such was the confidence of these legally ignorant fools.

Liu Ritian was busy picking out luxury items with his parents, while Liu Ruxue was absent, still at school.

Suddenly, a group of intimidating men entered the store and swiftly began clearing the place.

Liu Ritian tried to leave with his family, only to be stopped.

"Mr. Liu, where do you think you’re going?"

Liu Ritian blinked at the burly man in confusion—he didn’t recognize him.

"How do you know me? Who are you?"

Faced with the overwhelming numbers, even the usually arrogant Liu Ritian turned polite.

"My name is Wei Xiang. You can call me Lord Wei—I’ve earned the title."

Liu Ritian shook his head. "Lord Wei? Never heard of you."

Wei Xiang grabbed Liu Ritian’s ear and snarled, "Do. You. Know. Me. Now?"

"Yes, yes! You’re Lord Wei!"

Releasing his grip, Wei Xiang signaled his men to surround the family.

"Liu Yuemei hired our boss, Brother Dao, to collect a debt from you. Come with us."

Liu’s mother instantly grew defensive. "What debt? We don’t owe anyone money!"

Wei Xiang gave a look, and the family was forcibly escorted out.

"This is illegal! You’re restricting our freedom!"

Wei Xiang smirked. "Talking law with me? In our line of work, we know the law best. Go ahead, call the cops. Worst case, we get a few days inside. But you? Over 50 million? You’ll be sewing prison uniforms for life."

As professional debt collectors, they never lacked legal knowledge.

They only took cases with solid footing—like Liu Yuemei’s. Even if they crossed a line, the consequences were minor compared to the Liu family’s fraud.

"You—what proof do you have? Liu Yuemei never gave us any money!"

Wei Xiang scoffed. "Not my problem. Lin Tianba’s transfers to you weren’t labeled as gifts, were they? The records alone are evidence."

The Liu family fell silent, unsure if Wei Xiang was bluffing.

"Relax, we don’t do violent collections. Let’s go."

They were shoved into a car and taken to the underground fight club beneath the Entertainment City.

There, they finally met the legendary underground kingpin.

Brother Dao spread his arms with a polite smile. "Welcome to Entertainment City, everyone…"

Meanwhile, at Skygarden Manor, Lin Ran had fully recovered, energetic and refreshed after yesterday’s weakness.

But his good mood didn’t last.

Luo Yao was about to cook again.

"One last try. I know I’ll succeed this time," she declared confidently.

Every servant in the manor rushed to dissuade her—even Uncle Fu, surprisingly, joined the chorus.

Only Granny Wang was puzzled.

Wasn’t it sweet for the young miss to cook for Master Lin? Why was everyone so tense?

But Luo Yao was unstoppable—she either succeeded or went down trying.

This time, however, she asked the chef for guidance.

When she finally presented a dish that looked and smelled perfect, everyone gaped.

Lin Ran: "Yao… you really made this?"

"Of course. Want to try?"

Lin Ran thought, Where there’s a will, there’s a way, but then hesitated, recalling his stomach’s past suffering.

His eyes flicked to Uncle Fu. Luo Yao caught on instantly.

"Yao, I have an idea."

"Funny, so do I."

Uncle Fu’s pupils trembled.

"Young miss, I—"

"Eat." Luo Yao’s command was a single word.

With no choice, Uncle Fu took a bite, chewing slowly as he commented,

"The flavor is balanced, seasoning perfect. Young miss, you’ve truly succeeded. As expected of you."

Lin Ran and Luo Yao said nothing, just watched him closely.

Ten minutes later, Uncle Fu doubled over in agony, sweat pouring down his face.

And so, the loyal old steward collapsed.