Chapter 0226

Lin Ran's lips curled slightly into a mocking smile.

Lin Tianba stood up, about to leave, when Lin Ran stopped him. "I'm not done yet. Who said you could go?" His eyes carried an air of authority, leaving no room for defiance.

Lin Tianba: "Huh? But you’ve been at it for a while now?"

He stared at Lin Ran in fear, unsure of what else he had in store.

Lin Ran signaled for his men to hold Lin Tianba down, continuing his violent display without a hint of emotion. Even the battle-hardened bodyguards around him began to lower their heads.

Watching Lin Ran’s actions, they couldn’t help but feel startled. It seemed like Young Master Lin had been changing more and more lately. At this rate, wouldn’t he soon become a little demon everyone feared?

Only after Lin Ran finished did he let Lin Tianba scram. At that moment, Qu Te Niang asked Lin Ran,

"Young Master Lin, what about the things Lin Tianba posted online?" His voice carried a trace of concern as he looked at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran replied indifferently, "Don’t bother. Just issue a statement telling everyone that Su Ran Real Estate’s properties are flawless. If they don’t believe it, they shouldn’t buy. And if they do, they shouldn’t regret it." His tone was calm, as if the matter meant nothing to him.

Qu Te Niang couldn’t make sense of Lin Ran’s attitude. Why was the young master so indifferent to such a lucrative opportunity?

Though puzzled, he still answered, "Understood."

In a shabby house on the outskirts of the capital, the walls bore the marks of time, their peeling paint telling stories of years gone by.

Lin Tianba staggered back, covered in wounds. A belt might not be deadly, but the pain was excruciating—each lash leaving a deep, burning imprint.

At his age, this was practically a severe injury.

He dragged his battered and aching body forward, step by agonizing step.

The apartment he had rented had already been forcibly taken back by the landlord. His money had been seized by the bank, and the debt remained unpaid. Now, Lin Tianba was truly at the end of his rope.

His world had collapsed overnight. The wealth and glory he once knew were gone, leaving only endless pain and despair.

With no money left for the hospital, he had no choice but to endure the pain and return to this miserable shelter. He had hoped to lure Lin Ran out today and squeeze some benefits from him.

Who would’ve thought he’d end up getting beaten by that unfilial brat instead?

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Lin Jian lying on the bed, his eyes vacant and lifeless.

Lin Jian wasn’t doing well either.

He had been expelled from Jingda University—once his pride, his bragging right. Now, it was all gone.

Even if he hadn’t been expelled, Lin Jian wouldn’t dare go back.

The scandal with Liu Ruxue had spread nationwide, turning him into a laughingstock. Netizens had crowned him "The Nation’s Top Orthopedic Expert," a title that weighed on him like a suffocating burden.

Wherever he went, people pointed and whispered. Their judgmental stares felt like knives stabbing into his heart. Lin Jian hated it, so he stayed home, pretending nothing was wrong.

"Xiao Jian, go out for a walk. Life must go on. At least our family is still together, isn’t that enough?"

Lin Tianba’s heart ached seeing his son so broken. He wanted Lin Jian to pull himself together.

Lin Jian stood up listlessly, walked out the door, and returned ten seconds later to collapse back onto the bed.

"Done walking."

His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion, as if he had already given up on the world.

Seeing his son’s apathy, Lin Tianba finally snapped. With a loud smack, he slapped Lin Jian across the face.

"You ungrateful brat! Are you trying to kill me? You and Liu Ruxue brought this on yourselves. Stop acting like the victim!"

His eyes burned with fury—he couldn’t take Lin Jian’s attitude any longer.

Lin Jian stared at his father in disbelief. This was the first time Lin Tianba had ever hit him.

Shock and hurt flashed in his eyes. He couldn’t believe his father would raise a hand against him.

"Dad… you hit me?"

His voice trembled, tears welling up.

Lin Tianba was stunned too, staring at his own hand. He had struck his beloved son—even cursed at him?

Regret flooded his heart.

"Xiao Jian, I…" He wanted to apologize, but as the head of the family, he couldn’t bring himself to lose face.

Lin Jian sobbed and ran out, unable to stay a second longer. Pain and anger consumed him—he felt abandoned by the world.

Once outside, he called Liu Yuemei. The voice on the other end sounded… different.

The background noise was chaotic, as if she were somewhere lively.

Lin Jian wasn’t naive. He knew exactly what it meant.

"Mom? Where are you?" His voice was urgent, desperate for comfort.

"Xiao Jian… I’m… busy."

Liu Yuemei’s voice was flustered, as if she didn’t want him to know.

Lin Jian silently hung up, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He couldn’t accept it. His mother was out there fooling around—with multiple people?

Some time later, Liu Yuemei finally found him.

"Xiao Jian, what’s wrong?" She looked at him, puzzled.

Lin Jian’s heart twisted at the sight of her.

"What were you doing earlier?"

His voice was low, heavy.

"I… went to get my hair done."

She avoided his gaze, her answer unnatural.

Lin Jian closed his eyes, struggling to steady himself.

At a time like this, his mother had left him and his father behind to go out and enjoy herself?

Disappointment and anguish overwhelmed him. His family had shattered beyond repair.

"Xiao Jian, what’s gotten into you? You’re scaring me." Liu Yuemei grew nervous, sensing his turmoil.

Lin Jian: "Dad hit me."

His voice cracked, tears threatening to spill.

"What? He dared lay a hand on you? Let’s go—I’ll give him a piece of my mind!"

Anger flashed in her eyes as she grabbed Lin Jian’s arm.

He stopped her. "Mom… is there nothing you want to tell me?"

His gaze was pleading, begging for an explanation.

Liu Yuemei frowned. "What do you mean?"