Chapter 0416

Moreover, their destinations were different.

After breakfast, they set off again, heading into the mountains behind the Luo Family Old Mansion.

"Turn on the surveillance. We’ll observe from here."

"Got it." Uncle Fu took out a tablet, which displayed the live feed from the mansion’s security cameras.

Lin Ran looked at Luo Yao in surprise. "Yao Yao, I never thought you’d eat street food like this."

Luo Yao replied, "I’ve eaten things a hundred times worse. Food is just a means of survival for me."

Lin Ran’s heart ached instantly—for her.

"I know… because I’ve seen you at your lowest."

Realizing her casual remark had stirred his sadness, Luo Yao quickly clarified,

"That’s all in the past. Even if I say food is just survival, it doesn’t apply when you’re the one feeding me. What you give me is soul food—it goes beyond mere sustenance."

"Besides, haven’t you noticed? I think I’ve gained weight lately because of you."

Lin Ran assumed she was just comforting him and smiled warmly.

"Who dares say my Yao Yao is fat? No one knows your figure better than I do. It’s absolutely…" He trailed off, remembering their helicopter had a six-person capacity.

With the pilot included, their group—Wang Bao, Little Tong, Abu, and Uncle Fu—filled every seat. They were there for close protection today.

Lin Ran wasn’t shy about expressing affection, but he didn’t want his careless words to invite awkward thoughts.

"...perfect. I love you just like this," he finished, opting for a safer phrasing.

Luo Yao hadn’t lied. She had indeed gained a few pounds. During her hospital stay, she’d stepped on a scale out of curiosity—five pounds heavier.

Yet she wasn’t bothered. If anything, she was delighted. It was proof of Lin Ran’s relentless efforts to pamper her.

"I knew it. No matter how I am, you’ll always love me."

"And I know you’ll always love me, no matter what."

Uncle Fu / Abu / Wang Bao / Little Tong: …Cut the damn act already.

Uncle Fu coughed. "Ahem! Young Master Lin, once we settle things at the old mansion, I plan to propose to Granny Wang."

Little Tong added, "I’m going to propose to Qi Chengwei too."

Wang Bao chimed in, "I’ve got a girlfriend now, but I’ll propose after saving enough money."

Lin Ran regarded them with interest. "That’s great. Everyone deserves happiness. You have my blessings."

Then his gaze—along with everyone else’s—landed on Abu.

Abu: … "I just… want a home. Doesn’t have to be big…" He even sang the last part.

Lin Ran burst out laughing. It was his first time seeing Abu’s humorous side.

"Why the serenade? Don’t worry, good things come to those who wait."

Abu shut his mouth, feeling the sting.

He wasn’t young anymore—second only to Uncle Fu in age here—yet he remained single.

Even Uncle Fu, old as he was, was about to propose. The irony wasn’t lost on him.

Amid the "cheerful" atmosphere, they arrived at their destination.

The Luo Family Old Mansion was now decorated with lanterns and banners. They’d long received news of Luo Yao’s "death"—courtesy of Luo Wushuang.

That’s why they dared to return to the Luo Family Old Mansion for the New Year, and even renovated it from top to bottom—decked out in red silk, red lanterns, and red floral decorations.

Their outfits were equally festive and dazzling, each more eye-catching than the last.

At a glance, it looked like they’d walked straight into a New Year’s fashion show.

The night before, they’d even set off fireworks worth millions in the courtyard to celebrate.

Because everyone knew—the Luo family was about to get a new master.

As for Luo Yao, their collective sentiment was, "That wretched girl should just drop dead already."

Ten minutes ago, the Luo Family Old Mansion welcomed its long-awaited king—Luo Wushuang.

The moment Luo Wushuang stepped inside with his entourage, the Luo family members lined up in respect, shouting, "Greetings, Family Head!"

No one could fathom just how thrilled they were.

Ever since Luo Yao had left the mansion last time, the entire Luo family had been cut off from their financial lifelines. They weren’t even invited to Luo Corporation’s annual meeting, let alone receiving their usual dividends.

Not a single penny.

But Luo Wushuang had brought them hope.

Now, Luo Wushuang sat calmly in the family head’s seat, exuding the aura of someone who held the highest authority in the world.

An elder of the Luo family, Luo Kong—a generation older than Luo Wushuang and a distant uncle by relation—was presiding over the succession ceremony.

"...With the Family Head’s arrival, peace returns to the Luo family! With the Family Head’s arrival, the money flows again—"

The sycophantic praise boomed with surprising vigor for an old man’s voice.

"Now, let us invite our Family Head to say a few words."

Luo Wushuang rose to his feet, brimming with confidence, forcing himself to walk normally despite the pain in his leg.

"I know none of you are here today out of respect for me, but for the promise I made—the Luo family’s dragon vein. Today, I will show you exactly what it is."

Someone below couldn’t resist asking, "Family Head, have you found its location?"

Luo Wushuang smirked.

"My agenda as the new Family Head is simple: restore the ancestral tablets, unlock the dragon vein, and divide the treasures."

The Luo family members dropped to their knees in unison, chanting, "The Family Head is wise!"

Meanwhile, Lin Ran and Luo Yao watched everything unfold via surveillance from deep in the mountains.

Lin Ran clicked his tongue. "Tsk tsk tsk. This isn’t a succession ceremony—it’s an emperor’s coronation."

Luo Yao nodded in agreement. It really did resemble an imperial enthronement.

"When I became Family Head, they knelt too, but the atmosphere wasn’t this... lively."

Lin Ran paused. "Could it be because they were terrified of you?"

Luo Yao replied matter-of-factly, "Bingo."

Why the surveillance?

It was the handiwork of Luo Corporation’s latest ultra-wide-angle drones, capable of monitoring the entire courtyard from 800 meters away.

But even without them, it wouldn’t have mattered—Luo Yao had spies planted inside.

As for the audio? The mansion’s sound system secretly doubled as a receiver, though the Luo family remained blissfully unaware.

Lin Ran glanced at the feed. "Yao Yao, since you’ve already planted a tracker on me, why not add a voice recorder too? That way, you can monitor everything I say anytime." And make sure I never forget to love you.

Luo Yao stiffened slightly, inwardly embarrassed but keeping her tone steady.

"...Not a bad idea."

Just then, Luo Wushuang ordered the ancestral tablets to be reinstalled, leading the family in a ceremonial worship.

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes and said, "It's fine. I'll just tear it down again."

Watching the scene unfold, she turned to Uncle Fu beside her and instructed,

"When we leave, raze the Luo Family Old Mansion to the ground."