Chapter 0173

"Thank goodness Ah Ran didn't eat it," Luo Yao said with relief.

Lin Ran swallowed hard, unable to understand why people had gotten sick despite Luo Yao cooking under the chef's supervision.

The head chef sighed. "This is too difficult."

Fortunately, Uncle Fu hadn’t eaten much, and with the remaining doses of medicine Lin Ran had brought back, Uncle Fu revived after taking one dose.

He felt miserable, but Lin Ran’s single sentence lifted his spirits.

"Uncle Fu, your bonus is doubled."

Uncle Fu’s eyes widened—this was sweeter than honey to him. He didn’t need money, but he loved it.

He had a dream: to save as much as possible before retirement, then spend every last penny afterward, enjoying the most beautiful twilight years of his life.

"Thank you, Young Master Lin. Thank you, Miss."

His bonus wasn’t just any bonus—it was a substantial sum.

Luo Yao had proven through action that even the most capable people have their weaknesses—like cooking.

She finally gave up, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The estate’s chef immediately resumed his duties.

After dinner, Lin Ran and Luo Yao returned to Luo Corporation.

Upon hearing the news, the company’s executives and assistants immediately went on high alert, preparing for battle.

Some saved videos of dismemberment cases, others stored clips of emotional detachment, some set their loved ones as phone wallpapers, and a few even pulled their miserable exes out of the blacklist…

Of course, the simplest solution was to avoid them altogether.

But there was one person who couldn’t escape—Liu Meng.

She had endured one office romance moment after another, nearly reaching her limit, when she received a message.

"President Luo, Young Master Lin, Wang Bao says the enemy has taken the bait."

"Oh?" Luo Yao’s eyes lit up.

"Finally, they’ve made their move? Bring Wang Bao in."

Ten minutes earlier, in a high-end office building in downtown Kyoto, Little Tong warily scanned his surroundings until a black-clad figure appeared.

The person wore a hood, obscuring their face.

"Who are you? Why are you helping me hide?" Little Tong asked.

"Then why did you betray the Luo family?" the figure countered.

Little Tong stayed silent. As a professional bodyguard, he knew the importance of holding back—revealing information only at the right moment.

Psychologically, this was a tactic to lower the enemy’s guard.

The black-clad figure spoke again: "Don’t want to talk? Fine. Think it over. If you still refuse next time I ask, I’ll have no choice but to deliver you to Luo Corporation."

Little Tong narrowed his eyes. "Are you from the Luo family?"

The man neither confirmed nor denied it.

"Some things are better observed than dwelled upon. Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that I might be able to help you—if you trust me."

"My business is none of yours. I don’t need your help."

Little Tong made his refusal clear. He wasn’t interested in engaging further with this stranger.

"As expected of a bodyguard trained by Luo Yao. Your vigilance is commendable. I’ll leave you to think it over."

The figure left, and Little Tong remained silent. Once alone, he began mentally profiling the man.

Male, Chinese, aged 42–50, 178 cm tall, composed demeanor, at least special forces-level combat skills. 75% hostility toward Luo Yao, 24% toward the Luo family, 1% toward Lin Ran. His gait was slightly off—likely an old injury to his left leg. Though he spoke standard Mandarin, there was a faint trace of a Kyoto accent.

These were all the details Little Tong could gather.

Glancing around, he noticed surveillance cameras. Clearly, the black-clad man didn’t fully trust him either.

But the fact that he’d been hidden meant the Luo family must already know. After all, this was all part of the act. His only task now was to find a way to relay the information.

Back in Luo Corporation’s office, Wang Bao arrived to brief Lin Ran and Luo Yao.

Luo Yao: "Report."

Wang Bao: "Little Tong was found. Based on observation, the other party likely wants to recruit him. Given his experience, he should complete the mission flawlessly. When should we contact him, Miss?"

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes. "Do we know who’s behind this?"

Wang Bao shook his head. "Not yet."

"Good. Don’t alert them. For now, treat Little Tong as if he’s truly defected—no contact."

Little Tong was the bodyguard whose odd behavior had led Wang Bao to detain him before he "escaped."

Luo Yao had deliberately ordered a search, ensuring those watching would take notice.

Now, with the message received, she knew the enemy had finally made their move.

Luo Yao’s security team was utterly loyal to Lin Ran. When the team was first formed, the primary rule was that Lin Ran’s safety took precedence—even over Luo Yao’s.

"Understood, Miss."

After Wang Bao left, Lin Ran and Luo Yao slipped back into their usual affectionate dynamic, as if unconcerned about the looming threat.

But both knew—sooner or later, this would come to a head.

Why worry about the future when they could cherish the present?

Ding.

A notification chimed. Lin Ran checked his phone, his expression brightening.

"Ah Ran, what is it?"

Lin Ran smiled. "Yao Yao, it’s an update from the team handling the Liu family. But my plan is… ruthless. I’m afraid you’d dislike that side of me, so I won’t share the details."

Luo Yao’s heart swelled, though her face remained impassive. "Then why mention it at all?"

"Because if I don’t explain the process, you won’t see how cruel I can be. And we promised complete honesty. I won’t lie to you—I just don’t want you to misunderstand me."

His candor delighted her. She could see how much he’d changed.

Luo Yao stepped closer, locking eyes with him until he squirmed.

"Yao Yao, what—?"

"Ah Ran, remember this: No matter what you’re like, I’ll only love you more…"