Chapter 0370

Because they were truly at the end of their rope.

"Where to?"

"Your biological father's place."

...

Inside the luxury car, Lin Ran exhaled, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

"Mr. Lin, where are we heading?"

"Let's go home."

Just then, his phone rang.

Lin Ran answered.

"Mr. Lin, are you busy? I’ve missed you so much—it’s been ages!"

"Damn it, Principal Tang, can you speak normally?"

"Well, it’s almost vacation time. Could you come back to campus and check in?"

Lin Ran was baffled.

"I... I’m still a student?"

He had completely forgotten he was still an undergrad.

Principal Tang on the other end was equally stunned.

Had Lin Ran been so caught up in his fun this semester that he forgot his student status?

Lin Ran: "Alright, got it. But cut the nonsense and get to the point."

Principal Tang: "Nothing escapes you, does it? Here’s the thing—we’re gearing up for the next semester’s admissions, and we’d like you to be our spokesperson."

Lin Ran was floored.

"Our school is short on students?"

Principal Tang: "Not students—but top-tier talent. Sure, we offer the highest scholarships, but we’re still a step behind the elite universities. Some people just don’t care about money, and I don’t get what’s so great about Tsinghua or Peking University. Our faculty is just as strong."

"If they don’t care about money, what can I do? All I’ve got is cash."

Principal Tang chuckled.

"Some may not need money, but celebrity influence? That’s another story."

"Me? A celebrity? I’m just a name."

Principal Tang grew frantic. "Who says you’re not a celebrity? Do you know how many followers you have? Over 20 million on Douyin! That’s serious clout. We’ve lined up influencers for the campaign, but you’re the only choice for spokesperson."

Lin Ran couldn’t help but laugh.

"Fine. Since you didn’t hassle me all semester, I’ll do it. Just tell me what you need."

Principal Tang: "You’re the best, Mr. Lin! We’d like you to record a video promoting the school. These days, universities start scouting talent six months in advance."

"You can include some extras—campus posters, certificates, scholarship details, Luo Yao, that kind of thing."

"Got it... Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up."

"Wait!" Principal Tang hurriedly stopped him.

"Mr. Lin, one more thing. About your promise to create more job openings..."

Now Lin Ran understood—this was Principal Tang’s real headache.

Next semester was graduation season, and many students hadn’t even interned yet.

You’d think graduates from a top school like Jingda wouldn’t struggle to find jobs, right?

Yeah, well... not so simple.

Even elite grads face challenges.

What do employers want these days? Just a degree?

A degree matters, but experience counts for more.

But who the hell is born with work experience?

So, start a business then.

Most entrepreneurs barely scrape by, and only a handful make it. The average lifespan of a company in China? Just over two years.

The market’s saturated. No matter the industry, breaking in is tough. Overtaking the giants? Good luck.

As for those who keep studying for grad school... well, let’s not go there.

It looks ambitious, but the struggle is real.

"Wang, turn around. We’re heading to Jingda University."

This time, when Lin Ran returned to campus, the students were excited but not as frenzied as before.

First, the school had implemented new rules—specifically to protect popular students like Lin Ran.

Let’s be honest: these rules existed because of him.

Principal Tang had also received orders from Luo Yao: no mobbing Lin Ran, especially by female students.

The second reason for the restraint? Luo Yao herself.

By now, everyone knew how fiercely possessive she was of Lin Ran.

At first, it wasn’t obvious. But after her return from Shanghai, the chilling stories made many back off.

Especially the fangirls.

If Luo Yao could take down three major families, what chance did ordinary students have?

They weren’t about to test her.

"Senior Lin Ran, long time no see."

Lin Ran turned and saw Zhang Xiaonuan.

He wasn’t oblivious. Since getting with Luo Yao, he’d become hyper-aware of romantic undercurrents.

Luo Yao had once claimed Zhang Xiaonuan had feelings for him. Back then, Lin Ran had brushed it off: "I’m not cash—not every girl is into me."

Luo Yao said it was intuition. Lin Ran had joked, "Your intuition might be off."

Now? Turns out women’s intuition is scarily accurate.

"Let’s talk."

Meanwhile, in Luo Corporation’s office, Luo Yao’s expression darkened.

Her grip on her phone tightened dangerously.

A defining trait of yanderes? When they sense a threat—when their lover might slip away—their obsessive possessiveness flares.

"Ah Ran... you dare go on a date with Zhang Xiaonuan?"

Lin Ran knew Luo Yao had planted a tracker on him. What he didn’t know? There was also a microphone.

Zhang Xiaonuan: "Sure."

Lin Ran didn’t seek privacy. They sat on a cold, open bench on campus. The icy seat felt like it froze his skin.

Glancing at Zhang Xiaonuan shivering beside him, he felt no sympathy. No offer of warmth or comfort.

"Do you like me?"

Lin Ran cut straight to the chase.

The question stunned not just him but also Luo Yao, who was already rushing over, waiting for Zhang Xiaonuan’s answer.

"Huh? I..."

Lin Ran: "Speak your mind. No need to hide it."

Zhang Xiaonuan: "I... don’t have feelings for you, Senior Lin Ran. I’m just grateful you saved me once."

Her answer surprised him. Was it genuine? If so, Luo Yao had overreacted.

If not, then Zhang Xiaonuan was a good person—lying to spare him guilt.

A girl like her, wasting affection on someone who could never return it? That wasn’t fair to her.

"I see. You don’t need to thank me, though. Saving you was just a coincidence. You should thank your brother instead."