Chapter 0348

"Besides, we barely have any connection. That distant relative relationship is practically nonexistent in my eyes—so distant it might as well be non-existent. And yet you have the nerve to lecture me? Why don’t you just fly off into the sky?"

Though Chen Buhui was old, her reflexes were sharp. She immediately raised her voice.

"Distant? I’m your grandfather’s own sister. How is that distant?"

Lin Ran shrugged. "The only family I recognize is my wife. I suggest you tread carefully. If I really lose my temper, your heart might not be able to handle it."

Hearing Lin Ran’s words, Luo Yao’s eyes sparkled. She had stayed quiet ever since Chen Buhui entered the living room. But now, hearing Lin Ran declare that she was his only family, Luo Yao felt a wave of happiness.

"Arrogant! Is this how Chen Xiao raised you? You’re just as rebellious as your mother."

Lin Ran’s expression instantly turned icy as he fixed his gaze on Chen Buhui.

"What are you looking at? Am I wrong? Your mother, Chen Yanyan, defied her family to elope with some no-good man. And look how that turned out. Hmph."

Lin Ran narrowed his eyes.

"I won’t argue if you call Lin Tianba trash, but if you insult my mother—no. Right or wrong, she loved me. But you? You stand here pretending to be some elder, spewing venom. Out of respect for your past contributions to the nation, I’ll let it slide this time."

"But if you say one more word, I won’t care if you’re old or a woman—I’ll hit you."

Lin Ran’s glare was terrifying. Even Chen Buhui felt a chill, hesitating.

Would this brat really hit an old woman?

Liu, the assistant, quickly stepped in to mediate.

"Ah, Elder Chen, didn’t you say you were just here to visit family? Why is everyone so tense? Young Master Lin, please don’t take it to heart. Elder Chen was just upset after being stopped by security earlier. We’re all family—no need for this."

She had only just learned about the connection between Chen Buhui and Lin Ran. No wonder the old woman had come.

Luo Yao, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Her cold gaze swept over Chen Buhui.

"I don’t care if you’re from the Chen family or the Academy of Sciences. If you dare bully my husband in my home, do you think I’m just a decoration?"

Chen Buhui had crossed paths with Luo Yao before and knew about Luo Corporation’s collaborations with the government.

"Regardless, I’m Lin Ran’s elder, and as his wife, you’re my junior too. Isn’t it inappropriate to speak to me like this? Don’t think your little achievements and government ties give you the right to act however you want."

Luo Yao smirked dismissively.

"Oh? ‘Little achievements’? Do you know which company holds the highest honor in the scientific community? Do you know how many of your Academy’s projects are funded by me? Talk to me about achievements? You’re not even qualified."

"Don’t flatter yourself just because you’ve done a few things. Let me be blunt—your so-called ‘achievements’ are nothing in Luo Corporation’s eyes. And we both know how you got them."

Chen Buhui’s eyes widened in shock. The woman before her felt like an unfathomable abyss.

Just then—

"Miss, Young Master Lin, Chen Qingtian is here. Should we let her in?"

Lin Ran and Luo Yao exchanged glances.

"Why is she here?"

Lin Ran knew Chen Qingtian was filming in the city, but he hadn’t invited her.

"No idea."

Luo Yao: "Let her in."

Chen Buhui, still reeling from Luo Yao’s words, grew even angrier when she saw Chen Qingtian waltz in effortlessly while she had been stopped at the door.

Cough. "It’s been a while since I’ve seen this girl. A perfectly decent young woman, and she chooses to become an actress. Who knows what kind of future she’ll have."

Lin Ran side-eyed Chen Buhui. Maybe it was time to show her the door.

"What era are you living in, calling her an ‘actress’ like it’s an insult? Stop pretending to be high and mighty."

"You—!"

Fine. She’d hold back. The situation wasn’t in her favor.

Soon, Chen Qingtian arrived. She ignored everyone else and went straight to Luo Yao.

"Little sister-in-law! I’m here! Did you miss me?"

Luo Yao: "No. Come or don’t come—I’d prefer if you didn’t."

Chen Qingtian: "..."

But embarrassment was a foreign concept to her.

"I heard you and my cousin were in town. I’ve been wanting to visit, but the crew wouldn’t give me time off. Today, my scenes wrapped up early, so here I am!"

She gave Luo Yao a pitiful look. "Little sister-in-law… do I still have a chance to get rich?"

Luo Yao: "Yes."

"How?"

"Go outside, find a luxury car, and crash into it. Then you’ll be rich."

Chen Qingtian: "Haha, since when did you learn to joke?"

Lin Ran chimed in.

"Maybe she’s serious. And you ignored me the second you walked in—went straight to my wife. Are you a lesbian or something?"

"Yao, stay away from her."

Luo Yao obediently took three steps back, eyeing Chen Qingtian thoughtfully.

Was she really a lesbian?

That’s disgusting.

Watching the younger generation banter so casually, Chen Buhui’s temper flared again.

"You’re all going too far! Have you forgotten I’m still here?"

Chen Qingtian turned, frowning in confusion.

"You are… Great-Aunt?"

"Obviously! Shouldn’t juniors greet their elders first when they arrive?"

Chen Qingtian rolled her eyes.

"Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you. My eyes only notice people I care about."

Chen Qingtian was infamous for her sharp tongue. Even if Chen Xiao himself were here, she wouldn’t hold back.

Truthfully, she had noticed Chen Buhui the moment she walked in—she just didn’t want to acknowledge her. Ugh, what terrible luck.

Back in their school days, Chen Buhui had been the most despised elder in the Chen family because of her endless lecturing.

Naturally, Chen Qingtian couldn’t stand her either.

"Didn’t see me? Young people these days pretend not to see their elders? Is this how your grandfather taught you to behave? Look at you—flaunting yourself on screen like some cheap—"

Chen Qingtian cut her off.

"Watch your mouth, or I’ll fire back. If you drop dead from anger on the way to the hospital, don’t blame me."

"If I’d known you were here, I wouldn’t have come. I’ve hated you since I was a kid. Running into you is the worst luck."

Chen Buhui pointed a trembling finger. "You—you insolent—!"

Chen Qingtian shrugged. "Old hag, say one more word, and I’ll pluck out every last one of your white hairs."

Liu, the assistant, nearly laughed out loud. Who knew the A-list actress had such savage comebacks?