Lin Ran looked puzzled.
"What's going on outside?"
Luo Yao replied calmly.
"New Year's Eve celebration."
Lin Ran was surprised as he stared at Luo Yao. He never expected her to invite others to the manor.
Shouldn't New Year's Eve be spent with the one you love? Why invite so many people?
"This doesn’t seem like you."
Luo Yao remained composed.
"It's just a small perk for the employees. I invited some celebrities for the occasion."
Hearing this explanation, Lin Ran felt relieved.
"Who said my wife is ruthless? She’s amazing, giving the employees such a treat."
Luo Yao said calmly, "It wasn’t prepared for them. It was for you."
Lin Ran: ???
"Yesterday, didn’t you say you wanted to watch the New Year’s Eve show while snacking?"
"I not only prepared the show, but I also hired chefs from the state banquet. They’ll be here soon—order whatever you want."
Lin Ran was speechless. He had only mentioned it casually.
What he meant was cuddling with Luo Yao, watching TV, and eating snacks—not this grand arrangement.
But now that things were set, he had no choice but to accept.
"Yao Yao, you’re the best. Having you is my greatest blessing."
"Aran, remember this—if you want something, even the stars in the sky, I’ll pluck them for you."
Lin Ran believed every word Luo Yao said.
This woman had already proven, through her actions, how deeply she loved him.
"Sister-in-law—" Chen Qingtian’s voice rang out before she appeared.
Lin Ran turned around, still dazed.
"Cousin? When did you get back?"
"Didn’t Sister-in-law invite me for New Year’s Eve? I rode eight horses to death—no, I mean, I took eight connecting flights just to make it in time for this grand celebration."
Lin Ran was genuinely confused. Chen Qingtian frowned at his reaction.
"Wait, don’t tell me you didn’t know? Sister-in-law invited a bunch of A-list celebrities for the party. It’s even trending online."
Lin Ran: "So you were invited to perform?"
Chen Qingtian froze, unsure how to respond.
Luo Yao glanced at her.
"I also invited the Chen family. They’ll be here soon."
Chen Qingtian’s eyes widened. "Huh? I-I won’t get beaten up, right?"
"I’m an adult now. Grandma should at least consider my dignity… She won’t hit me, right? Right, cousin? Say something! Why are you looking at me like that? It’s creeping me out."
She knew that after the incident at the Lu Family in Shanghai, the Chen family had been furious.
A young woman like her, putting herself in such danger.
Lin Ran was also surprised as he looked at Luo Yao. He was genuinely shocked.
Who was Luo Yao? The epitome of independence.
Cold and ruthless—emotionless.
Of course, that emotionlessness referred to familial bonds, not love.
But now, she had invited the Chen family. Lin Ran couldn’t help but be moved.
So, Yao Yao always understood me.
But she only knew I yearned for family—not that I had already let go of it.
How could family compare to love?
"Yao Yao, you didn’t have to do this… but thank you."
Luo Yao: "You once said, between husband and wife, there’s no need for thanks."
Speak of the devil.
"Miss, the Chen family has arrived."
Luo Yao nodded. Chen Xiao entered with his family, Chen Zhima pushing his mother’s wheelchair.
"Haha, why do you two still think of us old folks? New Year’s Eve is for the young."
Though Chen Xiao said this, he was clearly delighted.
His eldest son, Chen Nianshi, and second son, Chen Nianlun, greeted Luo Yao cheerfully.
"Niece-in-law, thank you for inviting us. You still remember your uncles."
Su Jianguo, wheeled into the living room by Chen Zhima, smiled warmly.
"Yao Yao, I heard about what happened in Shanghai. You’ve worked hard, especially looking after these two troublemakers, Xiao Ran and Qing Tian."
Lin Ran watched as everyone greeted Luo Yao but ignored him. He almost wondered if Luo Yao was their granddaughter and he was just the son-in-law.
Luo Yao: "Aran has always been my motivation. Without him, I wouldn’t be alive today."
Su Jianguo was taken aback, unable to comprehend such an extreme sentiment.
Chen Qingtian leaned in and whispered,
"Grandma, Sister-in-law is what they call a 'yandere.'"
Su Jianguo was even more confused—she had never heard the term before.
But Chen Qingtian’s interruption reminded Su Jianguo of something. In an instant, she grabbed Chen Qingtian’s ear with one hand and snatched the cane from her wheelchair with the other, whacking her.
Chen Qingtian: "OW OW OW—Grandpa, save me!"
Chen Xiao watched with amusement.
"Qing Tian, you’ve been too mischievous lately. Instead of working properly in Shanghai, you went and caused trouble for your cousins. You deserve this."
Chen Qingtian wanted to cry. She had only gone to the Lu Family out of curiosity.
Who knew they had a madman there?
And how was Lu Ludu blowing up the manor her fault?
Once Su Jianguo was exhausted, she huffed, "That’s enough for now. Next time you meddle in Yao Yao’s affairs, I’ll beat you until you see stars day and night."
Lin Ran: ???
That phrasing sounded awfully familiar.
Chen Qingtian rubbed her sore backside, on the verge of tears.
Despite being in a wheelchair, Su Jianguo was frighteningly efficient when it came to discipline.
"Grandma, I just wanted to see the commotion! How was I supposed to know things would turn out like that? It really wasn’t my fault!"
Su Jianguo scoffed. "Of course I know it wasn’t your fault. If it were, you wouldn’t be standing here whining right now."
Finally, Lin Ran spoke up.
"Grandma, Cousin’s right. It really wasn’t her doing."
Su Jianguo turned to him.
"Xiao Ran, you’re here too? Come closer, let Grandma take a look at you."
Lin Ran walked over hesitantly—only for Su Jianguo to raise her cane again.
Chen Qingtian quickly intervened.
"Grandma, I advise you to think twice."
Su Jianguo: ???
Chen Qingtian lowered her voice.
"If you hit Cousin, Sister-in-law will chop you into pieces."
Sure enough, Su Jianguo sensed a chilling aura—subtle but razor-sharp.
So this was a yandere.
"Xiao Ran, Grandma just wanted to see if you’ve gained weight, haha."
Luo Yao said coldly, "Aran will never go hungry with me around."
Then she stepped in front of Lin Ran, her expression deadly serious.
"Even if you’re Aran’s grandmother, I won’t allow you to lay a finger on him."