Chapter 0291

Lin Tianba's mind exploded in an instant as a surge of clarity washed over him, making him feel suddenly awake.

Even the smug expression on Liu Yuemei's face before he went to find Lin Ran was vividly replaying in his head.

"You all... went too far! Ah—it's all my fault! I wronged that ungrateful son of mine!"

Lin Tianba truly regretted it now. He felt he had failed Lin Ran in too many ways.

"Lin Tianba, quit your damn wailing already."

Lin Jian cut him off sharply.

"Not only did you cheat on your wife, but after she died, you moved us in and let us bully Lin Ran. We were just the ones carrying it out, but the one who allowed it to happen was you—his own father."

Lin Tianba: "Nonsense! When did I ever allow it? I didn’t even know about these things!"

Ugly people always attract even uglier company.

"Back when Lin Ran refused to move into the storage room, didn’t you whip him in with your belt? Or have you suddenly 'forgotten' that?"

"If you hadn’t kept silently letting us exploit Lin Ran, none of this would’ve happened today. You’re the root of all this."

"None of us three are good people, so let’s not pretend to be victims here." Lin Jian spat out a torrent of words, his already-healed tongue aching from the effort.

Lin Tianba froze. Liu Yuemei froze.

Only Lin Jian wore a look of disdain.

"We’re all old foxes here—no need to play innocent. Why not just show our true colors?"

With a cold snort, he added,

"From now on, both of you listen to me. Or else, I’ll make you regret it."

With that, Lin Jian stormed out and went to the front desk to book a single room.

At this point, there was no need to keep up pretenses.

"Where’s the boss?"

"I’m the front desk clerk. The boss went home. If you need something, talk to me."

Lin Jian didn’t think much of the unfamiliar man behind the counter. Right now, any place willing to take him in was a blessing.

"Give me a single room."

The clerk tapped away before sliding over a QR code and a keycard.

"One hundred a day."

Lin Jian scanned and sent over three thousand yuan.

"I’ve got money. I’ll take it for a month."

Lin Jian did have money—not much, just a few thousand. A small sum he’d scammed from Lin Ran earlier.

SMACK!

The clerk slapped Lin Jian across the face.

"The hell you showing off for? Think money makes you special? Who the hell you calling 'old man' like you’re hot shit?"

The clerk stood up, his towering frame instantly cowing Lin Jian.

"B-brother, my bad! I wasn’t talking about you! I was just... happy."

The clerk vaulted over the counter, grabbing Lin Jian by the collar.

"Your happiness means jack to me! Say it—who’s whose 'old man'?"

"Brother, I was wrong! I won’t do it again! You’re my old man!"

SMACK! Another slap. The clerk pointed at a stray dog by the door.

"You insulting me now? That damn mutt outside is your 'old man,' got it?"

Lin Jian was dazed. He couldn’t believe a hotel clerk could be this violent.

But he didn’t dare fight back or call the cops—this was the only place that would take him.

"Y-yes, yes! It’s my old man, it’s my old man!"

SMACK! Another slap.

"Who is it?"

Lin Jian couldn’t take it anymore. Tearfully, he whimpered, "That stray dog is my old man."

The clerk finally released him with a satisfied grunt. "Now get lost!"

Lin Jian bolted, terrified of another slap.

This clerk is terrifying... Wuwuwu...

---

At Skygarden Manor, Luo Yao was fast asleep.

Lin Ran finally understood why Uncle Fu had said Luo Yao had sleep issues—yet she slept soundly beside him.

Who could stay awake after that kind of 'exercise' anyway?

Watching her delicate eyelashes and listening to her steady breathing, Lin Ran thought this was the most beautiful sight in the world.

Time stood still, peaceful and sweet, with the one he loved right beside him.

"Meow—"

A cat’s cry shattered the silence.

[Luo Yao’s too ruthless, meow meow meow.]

Lin Ran immediately scolded.

[Lin Ran: "Shut the hell up, you furball. Wake my wife, and I’ll neuter you again."]

[Little Black: "Like I haven’t been neutered before. Luo Yao’s too ruthless, meow meow meow."]

Lin Ran rose carefully, moving like a whisper to avoid disturbing Luo Yao.

He tiptoed to the balcony and sat by the window, eyeing Little Black outside.

[Little Black: "It’s freezing out here. Not gonna let me in?"]

[Lin Ran: "Opening the window would let cold air in. I don’t want my wife getting chilled. If you want in, go through the living room downstairs. I’ll meet you there."]

[Little Black: "You heartless bastard. Fine, wait there. This cat’s coming down."]

Lin Ran glanced at Luo Yao one last time before slipping out of the bedroom.

As the door clicked shut, Luo Yao’s eyes fluttered open. She stared at the door, calm but curious.

Where’s A-Ran going?

And that voice... why does it sound familiar?

Her curiosity got the better of her. She crept to the door and peered through the crack.

Downstairs in the hall, Lin Ran lounged on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. At his feet was a shadowy black mass—

Something familiar. Something she might have killed before.

Or maybe just seen somewhere...

[Lin Ran: "Well? What brings you here so late?"]

[Little Black: "Nothing much. Just came to say I’ll be gone for a while."]

Lin Ran frowned, mildly concerned. [Where to? How long?]

[Little Black: "Home. Probably back after the New Year."]

[Lin Ran: "You have a home?"]

Little Black rolled its eyes, looking thoroughly unimpressed. ["What, only you get a home? I can’t have one?"]

Lin Ran quickly backtracked. ["No, I meant—where is it? Not mocking you."]

[Little Black: "Secret. Can’t tell."]

At that, Lin Ran knew not to pry further.

Everyone had their own business. Everyone had secrets—even if Little Black wasn’t exactly 'everyone.'

The smartest conversations knew when to stop. Pushing too hard only drove people apart—whether friends, lovers, or family.

If they wanted you to know, they’d tell you. If not, digging only created distance.

[Lin Ran: "Fine. See you after New Year’s, then. But before you go, I wanted to ask—"]

Before he could finish, Little Black suddenly stiffened.

Its blue eyes darted to the dark crack of the door upstairs—and its fur stood on end.

[Little Black: "Oh crap oh crap! Luo Yao spotted me! She’s gonna neuter me again! Gotta bounce, meow meow meow! Luo Yao’s too ruthless, meow meow meow!"]

[Lin Ran: "Wait! I still wanna ask about Wang Anjian! Why were you there last time?"]

But the black shadow was already vanishing into the night.

["Later! I’m out! Luo Yao’s too ruthless, meow meow meow!"]

Little Black leaped away in a few bounds and vanished from the villa, leaving Lin Ran utterly bewildered. He then glanced at the tightly shut bedroom door.