Chapter 0183

He still couldn’t understand why Luo Yao would rather support Lin Ran than spare him a single glance.

Was it just because Lin Ran was more handsome and taller than him?

Lin Ran was nothing but a motherless bastard, unloved by both parents in the Lin Family. What could he possibly offer Luo Yao?

He was the Lin Family heir—his status and position were leagues above Lin Ran’s. In the future, only he could walk hand-in-hand with Luo Yao.

The crowd erupted into chaotic murmurs once again.

"What the hell is Lin Jian talking about? Who’s Lin Ran’s lover?"

"He’s talking about Luo Yao, that heiress of the first financial conglomerate, Luo Yao of the Luo Corporation."

"Holy shit! Am I going crazy, or has the world lost its mind?"

"If Lin Ran is Luo Yao’s lover, then… well, good for him. Why can’t such outrageous fortune land on me?"

"You bastards, don’t you dare slander Senior Lin Ran. He’s not that kind of person."

"I don’t believe it either. If Lin Ran is Luo Yao’s lover, I’ll livestream eating shit upside down."

A student from Nuan Yao Media immediately pulled out his phone and pointed it at the idiot making the bet.

"Hey, say that again, will you?"

The student frowned. "What do you want?"

The Nuan Yao Media employee smirked. "What if I told you Lin Ran is Luo Yao’s husband? Would you believe me?"

"You’re full of crap."

"Fine, let’s make it official. Video evidence. I’ll bet against your earlier claim. You in?"

The guy scoffed, completely unfazed. "Husband? Hah! You’re killing me. Alright, I’ll take that bet. I, Shi Haoxiang, swear that if Lin Ran is Luo Yao’s lover, I’ll livestream eating shit upside down. If I don’t, I’m a turtle."

And just like that, the wager was sealed.

Lin Ran thought to himself, "That bastard Wang Bao, why isn’t he ready yet? After showing everyone what’s what, I still have to propose to Luo Yao."

But now, thanks to Lin Jian’s outburst, the cat was out of the bag.

Furious, Lin Ran pointed at Lin Jian. "Slander! I’ll sue you for slander! How could I possibly be Luo Yao’s lover—"

Down below, Luo Yao’s expression turned icy, her eyes flashing red.

Beside her, Uncle Fu’s pupils trembled as if the sky were collapsing.

Young Master Lin, what the hell are you saying? Do you have a death wish?

But Lin Ran didn’t even notice Uncle Fu’s frantic glare. He just kept talking on stage.

"—I’m obviously Luo Yao’s husband."

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire venue fell dead silent.

Luo Yao slowly sat back down, the hostility around her dissipating into warmth.

Lin Jian’s eyes bulged. Liu Yuemei collapsed onto the floor. On-screen, Lin Tianba’s face twisted in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Principal Tang shot to his feet, exhilarated.

It’s happening! The moment is finally here!

Let all you old fools see just how incredible my top student really is.

Everyone stared in shock, unable to process what they’d just heard.

Then, chaos erupted.

"Did Senior Lin Ran just admit it?"

"Wait, no—‘husband’ implies they’re married, right?"

"If you’re telling me Lin Ran and Luo Yao are married, I’d sooner believe he’s her lover. If they’re married, I’ll eat shit upside down."

"Hey, you still owe us the last bet. Trying to scam another free meal?"

"You people are clueless. I work at Nuan Yao Media. I’ve known about Senior Lin Ran and Miss Luo Yao for ages."

Lin Jian staggered back, his cane clattering to the ground.

"W-what did you say?"

Lin Ran smirked. "I said, I’m Luo Yao’s husband. The legal kind. If you think a legally married couple counts as ‘lovers,’ then your mind is as filthy as your mother’s."

Lin Jian had always assumed Lin Ran was just Luo Yao’s plaything. Now, he realized how wrong he’d been.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he muttered, "No way… No way… How could you be worthy of her?"

Suddenly, the giant screen at the center of the plaza lit up, displaying a marriage certificate for all to see.

Lin Ran exhaled in relief and turned back to the crowd.

"My earlier statement was interrupted by this so-called ‘little brother.’ What I meant to say was—not only am I devilishly handsome and successful, but I also have the wealthiest, most powerful, and most loving wife in the world: Luo Yao."

The details and photo on the marriage certificate confirmed everything.

The crowd exploded.

"Where’s that guy who swore to eat shit? I’ve been waiting."

"Lin Jian’s shameless, slandering his own brother like that?"

"Brother? They’re not even real brothers! Rumor has it Lin Ran already cut ties with them—his own father signed the papers!"

"What the hell? Then what’s Lin Jian and his mom even bitching about?"

Tears welled up in Luo Yao’s eyes.

She’d always thought a public announcement didn’t matter. But now, she finally understood what happiness felt like.

"So this… is happiness."

Beside her, Uncle Fu’s eyes reddened.

"Young Master Lin is truly remarkable, Miss. He’s changed for the better. I’ve watched him closely—he really does love you."

Luo Yao shot him a look. "Obviously."

Uncle Fu: "…???"

The school officials, alumni, media—everyone was stunned beyond words.

Only Principal Tang and Director Chen Xiao looked smug.

About damn time.

Many turned their shocked gazes toward Principal Tang.

"Old Tang, why does this student look so familiar?"

"Now that you mention it, he does… Wasn’t he in some celebrity gossip before?"

"I think I’ve seen him in the news. Holy shit, he’s—"

Principal Tang puffed out his chest proudly.

"That’s right. Standing before you is the greatest student of the 21st century—Lin Ran."

Chen Xiao added, "My grandson."

Principal Tang & Everyone: "…"

At that moment, not only was the live audience floored—the livestream viewers were too.

As for Lin Jian on stage, he couldn’t accept reality.

He’d been convinced Lin Ran was just Luo Yao’s kept man. Now, he realized how badly he’d misjudged the situation.

He was finished.

Lin Ran sneered. "What’s wrong, Lin Jian? Cat got your tongue?"

Lin Jian gulped.

Lin Ran pressed further. "Well? Aren’t you going to apologize for your mistake again?"

This time, the entire student body united in rare harmony.

"Apologize!"

"APOLOGIZE!"

"Disgusting bastard. If he doesn’t apologize, we won’t let him leave!"