Chapter 0240

Luo Yao felt enveloped by something called happiness when Lin Ran called her "Yao Yao."

She handed him the note in her hand, her fingers trembling slightly, her eyes burning with a desire so intense it seemed ready to consume Lin Ran whole.

"Then write 'A-Ran' on the back," Luo Yao said, her voice tinged with pleading. Her gaze locked onto him as if nothing else in the world mattered.

Lin Ran's right hand was injured, and his left hand couldn’t write. Only now did he realize what true awkwardness felt like.

But for Luo Yao, he’d do it even if it killed him.

The blood had dried, yet every movement sent sharp, needle-like pain shooting through him.

Seeing Lin Ran hesitate, Luo Yao’s temper flared again.

"You don’t want to write it? I don’t care—you have to. If you dare leave me, I’ll kill you, turn you into a specimen, and make sure you stay with me forever."

Damn, were you always this intense since childhood?

Luo Yao’s eyes suddenly turned fierce, a crazed glint flashing in them, sending a chill down Lin Ran’s spine.

Though he couldn’t clearly see her expression, his instincts screamed that refusing would mean death.

He could feel Luo Yao’s grip tightening around the dagger, its cold gleam in the darkness like a scythe ready to claim his life.

Her eyes turned blood-red, terrifying beyond reason. There was no trace of sanity left—only endless madness and fury.

"You promised you’d stay with me forever, ah—!"

Luo Yao’s scream was horrifying, sharp enough to pierce the sky, no longer human but a hellish roar echoing through the silent night, making one’s hair stand on end.

Lin Ran’s eyes widened, his heart sinking. He hadn’t expected Luo Yao to snap so suddenly, without hesitation.

He quickly grabbed her arm, staring at her intently.

"Who said I wouldn’t write it?"

His voice carried urgency, afraid that a second’s delay would leave him in pieces.

Lin Ran took the note and pen. Just as he was about to write his name, he paused, then simply wrote the character for "me."

Given his injury and Luo Yao’s impatience, fewer strokes were better.

"Marry me when we grow up. No substitutions allowed."

Lin Ran’s handwriting was usually elegant, but the pain forced him to press harder, each stroke demanding his full strength—yet somehow, it reached new heights.

The character "me" retained its usual grace but also carried an unshakable resolve, as if bearing the weight of all his emotions and promises.

"Luo Yao, there’s so much I wanted to tell you last time, but seeing you, I didn’t know where to start. All I can say is—you really did marry me when we grew up, and we loved each other deeply."

Lin Ran’s voice was soft, warm like a spring breeze, trying to dispel the shadows in Luo Yao’s heart.

Luo Yao blinked, the madness in her eyes fading, replaced by confusion and surprise.

"So… you came back from the future?"

Lin Ran hadn’t expected her to be so sharp, hitting the mark instantly.

Wait, did that mean the older Luo Yao always knew he’d time-traveled? Then…

His head spun as he fell deeper into the puzzle.

Turns out, Luo Yao never cared about what he truly was—only that he stayed by her side.

This pure, profound emotion left Lin Ran both moved and guilty.

If this wasn’t true love, what was?

"Here, take it. This is my promise to you."

Lin Ran handed her the note, then prepared to give her the gifts he’d brought.

"Huu—"

Just as Luo Yao reached out, an odd snoring sound shattered the silence.

After their long emotional exchange, Little Black, bored out of its mind, had fallen asleep in the backpack, its tiny body curled up, emitting soft snores.

The sound was jarring in the stillness.

Little Luo Yao startled, her instincts kicking in. In this dangerous world, even the slightest noise could mean death.

Her dagger shot toward Lin Ran’s backpack in a flash.

"Meow—!"

Little Black let out a shrill cry, leaping three feet in the air from the sudden stab.

Then, a strange light flashed—and Little Black vanished with Lin Ran in tow.

Luo Yao lunged, her fingers clawing at empty air, her eyes wide with terror and despair.

Watching Lin Ran disappear before her eyes felt like having her heart ripped out.

"I! WILL! FIND! YOU!"

Her roar was filled with fury and refusal to accept this.

Lin Ran realized coming back had been a mistake.

He’d only wanted to satisfy his curiosity, never imagining he’d cause Luo Yao such pain.

Guilt gnawed at him—he felt like an executioner, cruelly hurting the girl who loved him so deeply.

"Luo Yao, I’ll wait for you in the future. Stay strong."

His voice faded into the air, leaving only Luo Yao’s solitary figure behind.

She stood there like an abandoned island, the darkness threatening to swallow her whole. This loneliness was Lin Ran’s parting gift—a wound that would never heal, piercing her heart.

This time, Lin Ran didn’t return to reality but entered a strange space, like a fleeting time tunnel.

Hazy light shimmered around him, whispering of time’s mysteries.

"Little Black?" Only then did Lin Ran remember—Little Black was hurt.

Worry surged in his chest. If anything happened to it, little Luo Yao would grow up in utter solitude.

So, losing her companions and teammates before hadn’t been her loneliest or most desperate moments.

Staring at the note in his hand, Lin Ran fell deep into thought.

Had he created Luo Yao’s truest despair?

[Little Black: "Meow—! What did I do to deserve this, meow meow meow! Luo Yao’s too ruthless, meow meow meow!"]

Little Black’s voice echoed in Lin Ran’s mind, brimming with grievance, complaint, and a hint of pain.