Chapter 0374

For example, some guys muster up the courage to invite their goddess to watch a movie, only to be rejected with her saying she's tired and wants to rest early.

You fuss over her with endless concern, and all you get in return is a "Thanks," maybe topped off with a "Goodnight."

You sit there grinning at your phone, thinking she’s finally responding to your feelings.

But in reality, some rich second-generation heir is inviting her to a hotel—and she actually goes.

What you see as unattainable might just be casually within someone else’s reach.

So what you do doesn’t matter as much as who you’re with.

Is it really about money for the goddess?

Not necessarily. It’s probably because the other guy has more charm, takes action, and isn’t afraid to express himself.

Some spend half their life savings and still fail to marry the love of their life.

Others get to experience your "love of a lifetime" in a cheap hourly motel.

(If this hits too close to home, gather here for emotional support.)

"Wang Anjian’s surgery is tomorrow. Are you going?" Lin Ran suddenly asked, assuming Luo Yao wouldn’t bother—after all, she was the wife of a tycoon whose every second could mean missing out on billions.

"I’ll go."

Lin Ran looked at her in surprise.

"Didn’t expect that answer, did you?"

He nodded. "A little. I thought you didn’t care about anyone besides me."

"You’re not wrong. I don’t care about those people."

"Then why are you going…?"

Luo Yao flashed a cryptic smile.

"To do."

Lin Ran froze, imagining the scene—countless people facing life-and-death moments in the hospital, Wang Anjian undergoing surgery, while he and Luo Yao were outside… "exchanging life philosophies."

Just the thought sent a chill down his spine.

"Y-Yao… c-c-can we wait until after Anjian’s surgery? Give me some time to mentally prepare."

Luo Yao looked puzzled. "What are you thinking, A’Ran? I hadn’t even finished—I meant doing something important…"

Lin Ran sighed in relief. "You scared me. My heart almost stopped."

Her gaze turned suggestive.

"So A’Ran wants to do it at the hospital? I can arrange that."

Lin Ran’s face darkened. He had no such kinks.

"It’s too crowded there. Not appropriate."

"I’ll have a treatment room prepared. You can play the doctor, and I’ll be the nurse…"

Cough!

Lin Ran nearly choked on his own spit.

"So you’re still going through with it?! Fine, fine."

While the two were tangled up in the rooftop garden, the Lin family arrived at a shabby alley.

"Mom, are you sure the man you mentioned lives here?"

Liu Yuemei nodded, glancing at Lin Tianba, who looked utterly defeated.

"I’ve come here many times over the years. Your real father lives here."

Lin Tianba closed his eyes, muttering under his breath,

"Liu Yuemei, you’re one cruel woman."

The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with dyed blond hair who bore a resemblance to Lin Jian. He took one look at Liu Yuemei and smirked.

"Well, well. Look who’s here. Didn’t think you’d come crawling back to me after becoming internet-famous."

Liu Yuemei was now a household name, though not for flattering reasons.

"Renqi, I had no choice…" She pulled Lin Jian forward.

"Xiao Jian, this is your father—Lv Renqi."

Lin Jian studied the man, skeptical. This guy, with his unkempt appearance and bleached hair, didn’t inspire confidence.

"Mom, are you sure?"

"Of course! Don’t let his carefree attitude fool you. He’s got depth—no one understands him like I do."

Lv Renqi frowned, silent. He hadn’t expected to meet his son under these circumstances.

"Renqi, let us in first."

Lv Renqi hesitated.

"Why should I take in a woman like you? You think I don’t know what you’ve done? The whole internet’s laughing at you."

Liu Yuemei wasn’t fazed by his harsh words. She loved his blunt honesty—it was part of his charm.

Lin Tianba lay on the ground, shivering but miraculously fever-free, his immune system fighting hard.

"Ha. So this is the man you betrayed your family for."

Liu Yuemei shot him a disdainful look.

"You’ll never understand him."

Lin Tianba had no words. But Liu Yuemei had anticipated this. She knew Lv Renqi’s temperament—brutally straightforward.

She wasn’t unprepared, though. Time to play her trump card.

"I’ve given you so much money over the years. Since Lin Tianba and I aren’t divorced yet, if I sue, you’ll have to return every cent—at least eight million, if not ten."

Lin Tianba: "You’re one ruthless woman."

Lv Renqi knew the law well enough to realize she was right. He never thought Liu Yuemei would fall this far.

Lin Jian’s eyes darkened. He couldn’t believe his mother had spent millions on this man—probably more than she’d ever spent on him.

He took a deep breath. His mother was truly beyond comprehension.

"Fine, you can stay. But one rule: Don’t bully my ex-wife’s son."

Lin Jian frowned. Another son? Liu Yuemei quickly agreed.

"Of course! We’d never mistreat him."

Lv Renqi scoffed.

"I’ve heard how you treated Lin Ran in the Lin household. If you dare lay a finger on Lv Jian here, don’t expect mercy."

"Understood." Liu Yuemei nodded eagerly.

Lv Renqi glanced at Lin Tianba on the floor, his face twisting in disgust.

"Why are you dragging this trash along? Don’t stink up my place."

Lin Jian replied coldly,

"He still has to make money for me. He stays."

Lv Renqi paused, then laughed.

"Hah! You really are my son. That ruthless streak? Definitely mine."

Once inside, Liu Yuemei nearly wept at the warmth—something they hadn’t felt in ages. Even Lin Tianba seemed dazed, as if transported to another world.

"Renqi, where do we sleep?"

After letting them in, Lv Renqi dug out some clothes from the bedroom.

"Get Lin Tianba changed. He reeks."

Liu Yuemei sighed, dragging him to the bathroom. Without bothering to undress him or adjust the water, she turned on the icy shower, drenching him. Then, on a whim, she dumped laundry detergent over him.

Two birds, one stone—clean the man and his clothes.

Lin Tianba’s heart was colder than the freezing water.

"Liu Yuemei… you’re one cruel woman."