Chapter 0176

Brother Dao laid out their work arrangements in a few clear sentences.

From that day on, everyone in the Liu family began "working" to repay their debts. As for whether things would get worse in the future—the answer was undoubtedly yes.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Liu Yuemei returned after yet another exhausting shift, feeling even more crushed.

When would this nightmare ever end?

"Yuemei, go talk to that ungrateful son Lin Ran again. I can’t take this anymore."

Liu Yuemei replied, "Xiao Ran has already been discharged. He doesn’t want to see you, so he’s avoiding you."

"What? That little brat left the hospital without even telling me?"

"Nurse! Nurse!"

Just as Lin Tianba was about to call for a nurse, Liu Yuemei stopped him.

"Husband, what should we do now?"

Lin Tianba was seething with rage, his face turning red with fury.

At that moment, a nurse walked in with a polite smile. "Esteemed patient in Bed 2, today’s payment is due."

"What? The money’s already gone?" Liu Yuemei looked shocked.

"Yes. You’re staying in a premium ward and using imported medication—none of which is covered by insurance. You currently owe over 10,000 yuan, so the billing department sent me to collect payment."

Lin Tianba waved his hand dismissively and pulled out his bank card. "Yuemei, go pay with this."

But when Liu Yuemei tried to use the card, it was declined.

Liu Yuemei froze. Lin Tianba froze. Lin Jian froze even harder.

After calling the bank, Lin Tianba learned that his assets had been frozen by the court.

"You said I had a month! Why freeze them now?"

The bank representative replied, "We applied for early enforcement, and the court approved it."

This wasn’t just supervision—it meant Lin Tianba couldn’t touch a single cent. Every penny would go toward repaying the bank.

If there was anything left, it would be his—but unfortunately, not a dime would remain.

"This is outrageous!" Lin Tianba was so angry he could barely breathe.

"Do you have the money or not? If not, move to a standard ward or figure out another way to pay. There are other patients waiting," the billing clerk urged, while the head nurse beside her shot them a mocking look.

The entire Lin family burned with shame.

This was the first time they’d ever felt the humiliation of being broke.

Even when Lin Ran had them kicked out of Suran Group, it hadn’t hurt this much.

"Who said we’re broke? We’re the owners of Suran Group!" Liu Yuemei argued. She couldn’t stand being called poor—that word had no place in her life.

"The owners of Suran Group can’t even pay their hospital bills?"

"You—!" Liu Yuemei pointed at the head nurse, nearly exploding with rage. But she knew this wasn’t the time for pride.

Lin Jian tugged at her sleeve, and when she turned, she saw Lin Tianba’s face dark with fury.

Lin Tianba scoffed. "This dump isn’t worth staying in anyway."

Liu Yuemei quickly agreed. "Exactly! My husband’s almost fully recovered. Let’s go."

Lin Jian, still in a cast, rolled his eyes. A flurry of question marks filled his mind.

So no one cares about me?

The head nurse interjected, "Even if you’re discharging yourselves, you still have to settle the outstanding balance."

Fuming, Lin Tianba pulled out his phone.

Thankfully, he still had a few thousand in his digital wallet—but when he checked, it was frozen too.

Same with his other accounts.

"Damn it!" He nearly hurled his phone, forcing Lin Jian to duck.

In the end, Lin Jian and Liu Yuemei had to scrape together every last bit of cash they had to cover the bill.

Lin Tianba growled, "Fine. I’ll remember this hospital. I’ll make sure everyone knows how you treat patients."

"Security, escort them out. Don’t let them disturb other patients."

The family was unceremoniously thrown out.

They slumped onto the sidewalk outside the hospital, defeated.

"Husband, what do we do now?"

"It’s all Lin Ran’s fault! Why did he get discharged? Wait—why was he even hospitalized?"

Liu Yuemei: "I don’t know."

Lin Jian: "The crow doesn’t boast." (I don’t know either.)

Lin Tianba froze.

A flicker of guilt—one he barely noticed—stirred in his heart.

Had he ever really cared about Lin Ran?

"Find that ungrateful son. I need to talk to him."

With no other choice, Lin Tianba led his family back to their rented apartment. Lin Jian stayed silent the whole way.

He’d made up his mind. He’d give his trashy older brother one last chance. If Lin Ran refused to hand over the money, he’d make sure Lin Ran became infamous at the school festival.

He’d expose Lin Ran to the world as a gold-digging pretty boy—one who even flirted with his own cousin.

Let’s see how you handle that.

Meanwhile, the mastermind behind it all, Lin Ran, was comfortably nestled in his villa, enjoying life with his beloved wife.

The night was mysterious, full of allure and adventure. When the heavens turned off the world’s lights, it became the perfect time for exploration.

Lin Ran was no exception. Only two people knew just how hard he worked.

In the quiet darkness, the couple whispered sweet nothings, their love palpable.

"Ah Ran, you’ll stay with me forever, right?"

Lin Ran smiled. "I’m wild and untamed, yet I’d gladly fall head over heels for you. Isn’t that proof enough of my love?"

He understood Luo Yao’s insecurities but knew there was no quick fix. He’d patiently chip away at her walls, continuing even if her affection maxed out.

"Ah Ran, I can’t sleep. Talk to me."

"Sure, I’m awake too. What do you want to hear?"

Luo Yao traced her fingers lightly over his face. "Anything, as long as it’s from you."

Lin Ran grinned. "Then I’ll tell you ‘I love you’ ten thousand times."

Her lips curled slightly. "Love isn’t about words."

Lin Ran stiffened. Oh no. He forgot to prepare the soup tonight.

"Then should we…?"

Luo Yao shook her head. "I don’t want to tire you. Let’s talk about something else. Like—who do you like most besides me?"

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. "Are you playing ‘Yama’s Death Note’ with me?"

Luo Yao stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Caught me. So? Are you going to answer?"

Lin Ran was utterly charmed.

His little devil was usually ice-cold or exuded a strict, CEO-like aura. Only with him did she melt into a pool of warmth.

But even then, he rarely saw her make such an adorable face. The contrast was overwhelming.