Chapter 20²

When Lin Ran saw Luo Yao, he was momentarily stunned—he hadn’t expected her to return home so early today.

But the feeling of having his wife waiting for him at home was undeniably heartwarming.

How did that saying go again?

"Among countless glowing windows, one is lit just for me."

"Yao Yao."

Luo Yao walked straight up to Lin Ran, who leaned down and gently kissed her.

"A kiss for you is never late."

Hearing Lin Ran’s usual sweet talk, Luo Yao felt utterly blissful.

"Ah Ran, I really, really love you. I want you inside me forever."

Every servant in the villa blushed furiously.

The young mistress’s words were far too blunt—she didn’t even bother hiding them.

"I love you too."

Ever since learning that Lin Ran already knew about Liu Ruxue’s matter, Luo Yao had spent the entire day as if floating in a pool of honey.

The reason she hadn’t told Lin Ran before was simply fear.

Lin Ran had seen her gentleness, her indifference, her cruelty, even her madness.

And now, he’d seen her twisted side too.

So there was nothing left to fear him knowing.

Every flaw others might judge had already been laid bare before her Ah Ran. Yet he hadn’t run away—that meant he never would.

The only thing that still worried her was whether Lin Ran might suddenly vanish.

But her Ah Ran had promised her countless times that he’d stay by her side forever. Surely he wouldn’t disappear again?

"Ah Ran, I’m so happy you love me this much."

Lin Ran: ??? Why bring this up so suddenly?

But it didn’t matter. He loved Luo Yao to the marrow of his bones.

"As long as you’re happy. Oh, it’s almost time."

"Mhm..."

"Then why don’t we make the most of it and go a few more rounds? Once things get busy, opportunities might be scarce."

"Yes."

...

Time flew by, and soon it was the day of the annual gala.

The year-end gala was a staple for many companies, and the massive Luo Yao Group was no exception.

Employees from all over the country had gathered in the capital to attend, while those still on duty could participate via livestream.

Though it was an internal broadcast, the viewer count had already surpassed 100,000—and that wasn’t even the full workforce. Just how many employees did Luo Corporation have?

Yet no one could have predicted how monumental today would become.

With coordinated official arrangements, the entire national stadium took two hours just to fill, with lines forming from noon.

Meanwhile, the livestream audience swelled rapidly—though it remained exclusive to Luo Corporation staff, reserved for those unable to travel to the capital.

Even the streaming platform was developed in-house by Luo Corporation. Every employee was required to use it upon joining, with accounts deactivated upon resignation.

As the gala officially began, upbeat opening music blared while several trucks rolled onto the specially constructed stage.

When their dump beds tilted, cascades of hundred-yuan bills poured out, filling the entire prize pool.

Then every screen in the stadium lit up with a breathtaking yet icy close-up of Luo Yao’s face.

"Greetings, partners of Luo Corporation. Today is our annual review meeting—though as tradition dictates, it’s really just about bonuses and recognition."

"This year’s prize pool holds one billion yuan. Every Luo Corporation employee, online or offline, can participate. Ten first-place winners will receive 20 million each; one hundred second-place winners get 2 million; one thousand third-place winners take 200,000; ten thousand fourth-place winners earn 20,000; and one hundred thousand fifth-place winners win 2,000."

"In other words, even if you’ve contributed nothing to Luo Corporation, you might still strike it rich overnight. Good luck."

The crowd erupted. This year’s prize pool was indeed staggering. While not everyone would win, at least half would walk away with something.

Just then, the camera panned to reveal Lin Ran.

"Ah Ran, say a few words too."

Lin Ran blinked—no one had told him he’d be speaking.

Honestly, even he was stunned by the spectacle of ten truckloads of cash dumped into the prize pool.

"Hello everyone, I’m your boss’s husband."

The line drew laughter across the venue and livestream.

"Not much to say—just enjoy yourselves today. I’ve heard plenty of bosses preach ‘we’re family,’ but today I’m genuinely envious of Luo Corporation. Only my wife truly treats you all as family. I’ve never even seen this much money in one place."

Lin Ran truly hadn’t witnessed such a mountain of cash before.

"The boss’s husband is right!"

"The boss is my family!"

"Luo Corp is our home; its growth depends on us!"

With that, Lin Ran and Luo Yao stepped out of frame, heading toward the main venue through the backstage lounge.

Meanwhile, the national stadium’s emcee officially kicked things off.

The agenda was fairly traditional: opening performances by A-list singers, followed by the host’s formalities and prize draws.

The first draw was for fifth place—100,000 winners.

As screens displayed rolling numbers, countless Luo Corporation employees received winning notifications on their phones, their faces lighting up with joy.

At least the baseline was secured.

Winners could be drawn multiple times, and some inevitably would.

No one suspected foul play—this was Luo Corporation’s unique annual tradition. Every employee registered their phone number beforehand, with draws being completely randomized.

More performances followed, interspersed with prize draws, bonus distributions, and occasional speeches by subsidiary executives.

Finally, it was time for Lin Ran and Luo Yao to take the stage again—this time to present awards before Luo Yao’s closing address.

For the ten first-place winners, three were present onsite while seven appeared via screens.

One winner gave Lin Ran pause: an employee from Nuanyao Group.

Not someone he knew well, but familiar—the receptionist from Nuanyao Group.

Xiao Xiaole, was it?

Luo Yao personally handed her the 20-million-yuan award plaque with a simple "Congratulations."

Of the three onsite winners, two were grassroots employees who immediately broke down sobbing.

The third was the receptionist, who neither cried nor cheered.

She’d fainted from sheer excitement.

Such scenes were annual occurrences, and medics swiftly carried her off for treatment.

The seven online winners were similarly overcome, weeping tears of joy.

The rush of overnight wealth was simply too overwhelming.

Even those who’d mentally prepared for this life-changing moment found few could withstand its actual arrival.

With the awards concluded, Luo Yao took Lin Ran’s arm and returned to the stage.

As the helm of Luo Corporation, she naturally had to deliver a final summary and motivate the hardworking workforce.

Since this was an internal corporate event, photography was strictly prohibited—even the livestream had screen-recording disabled.