Chapter 0263

Lin Jian was instantly startled.

"Yes, yes, Ruxue and I are completely innocent. It's all my brother's doing—he fabricated that video to frame me. It's my fault for upsetting him, which is why he resorted to such methods against me."

Lin Tianba froze. "Is that so?"

Lin Jian: "Father, I know brother has never liked me, but Ruxue and I are completely innocent. I need to hire a PR team."

Lin Tianba fell silent, sensing that Lin Jian was becoming somewhat unhinged.

"Given our family's current situation, we need to think about a way out. I’ve been considering—after all, I was the former chairman of Suran Group. If I swallow my pride and beg Luo Yao for a position, it’s not too much to ask, is it?"

This time, not only Lin Jian but even Liu Yuemei widened her eyes in shock.

"Husband, you… Luo Yao would never agree to that, would she?"

Lin Tianba smirked confidently. "She’ll have to agree. I’m Lin Ran’s biological father. If she refuses, I’ll forbid Lin Ran from seeing her."

"And even if it fails, so what? She’s just a woman—would she really dare lay a hand on her father-in-law?"

Lin Jian thought it over carefully. This plan actually seemed worth a try.

Liu Yuemei, however, kept frowning.

"Husband, my concern isn’t her hitting you. If you confront Lin Ran, he might just beat you up. But if you go to Luo Yao, that madwoman might straight up kill you!"

Lin Tianba slammed the table in fury, sending dust flying across the cramped rental apartment.

"Impossible! I’m Lin Ran’s father—she has to treat me with respect!"

Lin Jian quickly stopped Liu Yuemei. After all, if Lin Tianba failed, the worst that could happen was some extra suffering. But if he succeeded…

Wouldn’t that give the Lin family a chance to catch their breath?

And if Lin Ran suddenly had a change of heart, realizing the importance of a father’s love, maybe things could go back to how they used to be.

"Mom, Dad makes sense. Don’t stop him."

Seeing the look in her son’s eyes, Liu Yuemei instantly understood his meaning.

"Husband, I’m sorry. I was being shortsighted. At the very least, Luo Yao should still call you ‘Father.’ We’re not asking for much—just for her to settle our debts and provide for us in our old age. If she does that, then letting Xiao Ran stay with her isn’t so bad!"

As she spoke, Liu Yuemei recalled the luxurious estate Lin Ran and Luo Yao had shown off during their livestream. It had driven her mad with envy.

"Besides, they’ve known each other since childhood. They’re actually quite well-matched. That boy Xiao Ran—he never even mentioned knowing Luo Yao all these years!"

Lin Tianba sank into deep thought.

"True. I used to think Lin Ran had become Luo Yao’s kept man. Who knew they’d known each other since they were kids? If that unfilial son had just told me, as his father, why would I have stood in their way? Hah! In the end, it’s their fault for keeping it a secret."

Lin Tianba seethed with hatred—hatred for Lin Ran hiding the truth from him, and even more hatred for Lin Ran’s sudden personality shift, which had caused all these troubles.

Now, here he was, living in a rundown rental even a dog wouldn’t stay in, while Lin Ran enjoyed luxury in a grand estate.

Just thinking about it made Lin Tianba feel like someone had force-fed him a mouthful of filth.

His own failure was painful enough, but his son’s success twisted the knife even deeper.

And his failure? All because of that unfilial brat Lin Ran.

"Ah—!"

Overcome with rage, Lin Tianba smashed the already rickety table to splinters with one furious slap.

Liu Yuemei and her son exchanged a glance but said nothing.

The angrier Lin Tianba grew, the more he would blame Lin Ran.

Meanwhile, at Skygarden Estate, Luo Yao had just returned to the main villa when Lin Ran arrived.

"Yao Yao, listen—what happened with Uncle Fu and Granny Wang is really quite tragic…"

Lin Ran recounted Uncle Fu’s story, but Luo Yao didn’t dwell on it. The only person she cared about was Lin Ran.

"Ah Ran, would you ever abandon your wife and child like Uncle Fu did?"

"I don’t have a child, and I’d never abandon my wife."

"Then… do you want a son?"

"No. It’s just fine with the two of us. Kids are cute, but they’d take away from our relationship. They’d steal your love, and mine too."

Luo Yao’s lips curled into a smile. She and Lin Ran were of the same mind—neither particularly wanted children.

But if Lin Ran ever changed his mind, she’d give him one.

After all, all these years, she’d given him everything he wanted. As long as Lin Ran never fell for another woman, he’d remain her husband forever.

But if he ever did… well, Lin Ran might just become a "late" husband.

And not just him—that woman would join him in the afterlife.

What was that saying again?

Loving a yandere isn’t scary. What’s scary is being loved by one.

But what if the person the yandere loves also loves you?

Or if the person the yandere loves is also a yandere who loves you back?

Now that’s a story—enough material for several novels.

Best to act rationally.

After all, people don’t actually love yanderes—they just crave being loved.

For example, if the yandere were hideous, would you still like them?

You’d be in for a world of suffering.

Thankfully, Luo Yao was a stunning beauty.

"Wait—do you like Wang Anjian?"

Lin Ran was baffled. How did Luo Yao know about Wang Anjian? He’d just met the kid and come straight back to see her. He hadn’t even mentioned Wang Anjian—only Uncle Fu and Granny Wang’s story.

But then again, Luo Yao undoubtedly had her ways.

"Eh, he’s alright. The kid’s cute. I don’t adore him, but I don’t dislike him either. If possible, we could help him out—he is Uncle Fu’s grandson, after all."

Luo Yao nodded. "I’ve already contacted the Yi Family’s specialist. Don’t worry."

Lin Ran was surprised Luo Yao had personally arranged medical care for Wang Anjian.

Who said his wife was heartless? She was full of compassion!

Just like him—she talked tough but never forgot those who’d been kind to her.

And just like him, she showed no mercy to her enemies.

"Yao Yao, I’ve noticed you’re becoming more and more like me."

"Or maybe you’re becoming more like me."

"Which is why we’re a true ‘matched’ pair."

As soon as he said this, Lin Ran saw a familiar glint in Luo Yao’s eyes—one only he could interpret.

When people have free time, they should… keep busy.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye. Afterward, the two lay entwined.

"President Luo, just now—"

Liu Meng froze, immediately covering her eyes.

Thankfully, Lin Ran and Luo Yao had already finished—otherwise, Liu Meng would’ve gotten an eyeful.

Still, Lin Ran was shirtless, and Luo Yao wore a semi-transparent nightgown.

Liu Meng shuddered at her own recklessness. Would she end up dead?

"If this isn’t important… you know the consequences."

Luo Yao’s icy tone made Liu Meng feel death was just one step away…