Chapter 0423

After getting out of the car and arriving at the square in front of the Luo Corporation building, Lin Ran had originally thought he could just call Luo Yao to meet her, but unexpectedly, his phone was out of service.

Just as he was considering borrowing someone’s phone, he suddenly spotted the girl who had haunted his dreams.

"Yao… Luo Yao."

Outside the Luo Corporation, the people coming and going all turned to look at him, unable to believe anyone would dare call their CEO by her full name so casually.

But when they saw it was a handsome young man, they all gasped.

Their CEO was notoriously averse to men.

Luo Yao had already half-stepped into the business car at the entrance when she heard that "familiar" voice. She paused, stepping back outside, her gaze locking onto him.

Liu Meng, standing beside Luo Yao, whispered, "CEO Luo, should we invite Mr. Lin over?"

Luo Yao’s lips curled into a somewhat sickly smile. "Since he came looking for me himself, he can’t blame me for what happens next."

She was still fuming over Lin Ran’s rejection that morning. After finishing her work, she had been planning to head to the capital again to find him—and if he refused once more, she was prepared to take control of him first and deal with the consequences later.

But now, Lin Ran had appeared before her of his own accord.

"Knock him out and bring him here."

Liu Meng nodded and walked up to Lin Ran.

She disliked him intensely. Their CEO had searched for him for so long, finally found him, and even proposed marriage.

And what did this guy say in return?

"Sorry, I refuse."

Did he even know who he was rejecting?

How dare he? What an absolute joke.

"So, Mr. Lin, have you reconsidered our CEO’s proposal?" Liu Meng said, closing the distance between them while Lin Ran walked toward her with a cheerful expression.

"Huh? No… I just want to see your CEO."

Liu Meng scoffed. "What, now that you know her status, you’re rushing to live off her wealth? Or do you plan to reject her to her face and hurt her even more?"

What a scumbag. Ugh!

Lin Ran: "..."

"I… you… you sure have a lot to say right now."

By then, Liu Meng was standing right in front of him. "There’s a ghost behind you."

Lin Ran: "???"

He turned to look behind him—only for everything to go black.

Damn! My combat skills are still stuck at Chapter One levels.

Haven’t I already become the protagonist?

This time, he didn’t stay unconscious for long. When Lin Ran woke up, he was inside a parked car on the bridge leading back to the estate.

Outside, a few bodyguards patrolled, while inside, it was just him and Luo Yao.

Luo Yao was studying him, her finger tracing his cheek.

"Ah Ran, why did you reject me? Am I not good enough?"

Her eyes were tinged with red as she stared at him, giving Lin Ran an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

Lin Ran opened his eyes.

"Yao Yao."

Those two words alone made Luo Yao freeze.

Memories flooded back—

"The crooked handwriting, each stroke written with all of Luo Yao’s strength.

‘Big brother, come by yourself, okay?’

‘Don’t call me big brother. Call me Ah Ran.’

‘Ah… Ran.’

Luo Yao murmured the name softly, the term carrying an intimate warmth as it left her lips.

‘Yao Yao!’ Lin Ran responded clearly."

"You… you’re…" Luo Yao was genuinely stunned. How many years had it been?

"I’m your star. Long time no see."

Luo Yao’s defenses crumbled instantly. She wanted to throw herself into Lin Ran’s arms but hesitated.

What if this was all a dream?

A hand gently brushed her cheek. "Don’t cry. You still need to stay strong."

Lin Ran wanted to tell her he’d always be by her side.

But the Luo Yao of this timeline hadn’t yet fallen completely in love with him.

The thought gave him a headache.

"Will you… leave again?"

Her question made his heart ache, but he wouldn’t lie to her.

The whole reason he’d rushed to see her was to bring her some warmth.

"This time… I’ll stay for two days."

He decided to be honest—if he disappeared suddenly, he feared Luo Yao wouldn’t be able to handle it.

"Yao Yao, I have so much to tell you. I want your path forward to be less painful. I want you to live a happier life."

Luo Yao’s eyes turned hollow. "You’re leaving again? Were you lying to me?"

Lin Ran quickly explained.

"I can only stay for two days this time, but the good news is you’ve already found me. After two days, I’ll… lose my memories. You can keep an eye on the amnesiac version of me and wait for my memories to return."

"If I misbehave during that time, you can lock me up. Punish me however you want—just don’t let me go."

His heart ached for her. He knew how deep her obsession with him ran.

Asking her to give up was impossible, so this was the only way he could offer her comfort. At least she wouldn’t be alone on the road ahead.

It hurt.

As he spoke, another thought struck him.

"Oh, there’s someone named Liu Ruxue. After I lose my memories, I’ll also go blind and… develop feelings for her. But don’t worry about it. She’s just a pile of garbage I stepped on in life. You get what I mean, right?"

Luo Yao nodded.

She didn’t understand, but she’d listen.

Because the one saying these words to her was her star.

"Fine. If you misbehave, I’ll lock you up and keep you by my side forever."

The familiar tone brought back a long-lost feeling.

"Being locked up by Yao Yao doesn’t sound so bad."

Just then, Luo Yao frowned.

"Your backpack… it’s shaking."

Lin Ran glanced down—his backpack was at his feet.

"Oh, there’s a cat inside… Wait—"

Before he could finish, Luo Yao grabbed the backpack and hurled it out the window.

They were on the estate bridge, over twenty meters high. The backpack sailed through the air in a perfect arc, leaving Lin Ran stunned.

[Lin Ran: Please, please don’t let me disappear.]

[Little Black: I freaking thank you! I told you not to come, not to come, NOT TO COME, but no, you had to! This is brutal, meow meow meow—!]

Lin Ran was about to get out and check when Luo Yao fixed him with a stare.

"You care about that thing interrupting us?"

He froze. This version of Luo Yao seemed even harder to handle than the one three years later.

Then it hit him.

Of course. Luo Yao had grown up surrounded by violence, fought her way out of her family, and then battled in the corporate world. This version of her had never known rest.

Her ruthless instincts were at their peak—no wonder she was terrifying.

And stubborn. Unyielding.

"It’s just a cat. How could it compare to you? Toss it if you want."

[Little Black: Oh, you’re so great, so noble! I’m worth less than dirt to you, huh?]

[Lin Ran: I know you jumped out mid-air. What are you meowing about?]

[Little Black: I’m taking a break. Come find me tomorrow morning—no way I’m sticking around Luo Yao. She’s brutal, meow meow meow.]