Chapter 0435

Luo Yao glanced at Lin Ran and said, "Ran, there's no need to panic about what happened. We don’t have to worry or explain ourselves. The first thing we should consider is why such a report was made in the first place."

"Isn’t it obvious? It must be someone from within the Chinese Academy of Sciences playing dirty. I suspect it’s Chen Buhui, using self-sabotage to drag you down. She’s muddying the waters—once the mud sticks, even if it’s not true, people will believe it."

"You’re right, Ran. Chen Buhui is suspicious, but is she really the mastermind behind this?"

"Are you saying there’s another villain targeting us?"

Luo Yao paused for a moment. "In their eyes, I might be the villain."

"You’re not a villain. The world just doesn’t understand you. And even if you were the world’s villain, you’d still be my heroine."

Uncle Fu, standing nearby, thought to himself, "Good grief, when it comes to sweet talk, you’re unbeatable, Young Master Lin."

"'The world’s villain, Ran’s heroine'?" Luo Yao repeated Lin Ran’s words, her eyes suddenly curving into a smile.

Lin Ran was mesmerized.

He had seen Luo Yao smile before, but never one so radiant and enchanting.

It felt as if the entire world was melting.

Winter had turned to spring.

"Yao, you’re so beautiful."

"You’re right, Ran. And you’re my hero."

Luo Yao stretched lazily before clinging to Lin Ran like a koala.

"Don’t worry, Ran. Even if Chen Buhui has official backing, we have the strength to fight. And if we fail, we can still live comfortably with our cold, hard trillion-dollar fortune. The only downside is that you’d have to suffer, spending just a few million a day."

Lin Ran sighed dramatically. "What a miserable life. But honestly, once money reaches a certain point, it’s just numbers. Yao, you know our wealth is so vast that even if we tried our hardest to spend it, we’d never run out."

Lin Ran imagined it—even if he were bound to a "spendthrift system," forcing him to blow millions daily without retaining any assets, it would still be an impossible challenge.

Maybe even Luo Yao couldn’t pull it off.

"So, you’re satisfied with all my years of hard work?"

"Whether you work hard or not, I’m satisfied because you’re my love. Even if you were useless, I’d still adore you the most."

Lin Ran wasn’t lying. He truly meant it.

Even if Luo Yao were ordinary, Lin Ran was confident he could turn things around and provide for her.

The reason he didn’t strive for more wasn’t laziness—it was simply unnecessary.

Luo Yao’s wealth was more than enough.

Others who were reborn might use their foresight to buy and earn relentlessly, but Lin Ran didn’t need to.

His golden finger was Luo Yao herself.

Even if Lin Ran emptied the World Cup prize pool, bought up all the future blue-chip stocks, or cleared out the lottery jackpot—well, he couldn’t remember those numbers anyway.

No matter how hard he tried to make money, he’d never surpass Luo Yao’s fortune. So why bother?

Loving Luo Yao wholeheartedly, offering her warmth and emotional support—wasn’t that his true purpose?

Luo Yao turned to Uncle Fu. "You may leave. Ran and I have things to discuss."

Lin Ran quickly added, "Don’t forget the Qi-Replenishing Soup."

"Understood."

The young mistress and Young Master Lin were back to their loving ways, and Luo Yao seemed even happier lately, smiling more often—especially that last one, which was downright angelic.

As for Hu Shuo’s report, Luo Yao ignored it entirely, letting the situation escalate.

Let the bullet fly a little longer. Only then could her people negotiate better terms.

She hadn’t forgotten how Chen Buhui had once called Lin Ran an "ungrateful wretch."

Soon, it was time to return to work.

As the world’s top conglomerate, Luo Corporation operated year-round, with headquarters staff working in shifts. Even during the holidays, Luo Yao had to handle some business remotely.

But now, the new year was in full swing.

Early in the morning, Luo Yao gazed at Lin Ran reluctantly.

"Ran, I’m heading to the office. Be good while I’m gone, okay? Rest well, and no flirting with other women."

Lin Ran spread his hands helplessly. "Look at me. How could I possibly flirt in this state?"

"So you’re saying once you recover, you’ll go after other women?"

Lin Ran flashed a doting smile. "You’re the only woman in my eyes."

Satisfied, Luo Yao finally left. It was the first day back at Luo Corporation, and as CEO, some matters required her presence.

But before she even reached the office, her heart had already returned to the estate. She wanted to see Lin Ran every second of the day.

Maybe it really was time to consider retirement. She wanted to spend the rest of her life by his side.

For the next few chapters, our focus shifts to Luo Yao.

At the entrance of Luo Corporation, Luo Yao stepped out of the car, and the driver headed to the parking lot. She walked into the lobby.

The moment she entered, it was as if someone had hit mute—not a single sound came from the employees on the first floor.

They all knew about the real-name report against Luo Corporation and feared becoming targets of her wrath.

Luo Yao took the elevator to the 88th floor, where she was greeted by Liu Meng the moment she stepped out.

"President Luo."

Liu Meng had just returned yesterday after working through the entire holiday.

"Come to my office."

Inside, Liu Meng briefed her on the situation in Magic City.

The work there had now been handed over to Qi Chengwei.

"...Her skills are impressive, and I’ve observed no issues. As long as Samsung doesn’t cause problems, she can handle the rest."

"Good work. You’ve done well."

Liu Meng was stunned.

Luo Yao had actually praised her?

“President Luo, what if the authorities reclaim the Science and Technology City project? What do we do then?”

Luo Yao raised an eyebrow. "You’re too fixated on this project. Does Luo Corporation really need it?"

Liu Meng fell silent. In her mind, they did. The Science and Technology City wasn’t just any project—it was a cornerstone that could solidify Luo Corporation’s position as the world’s top financial empire.

They had invested so much effort. If it failed, everything would be wasted.

But if President Luo said they didn’t need it, then they didn’t.

“Should we address the real-name report? Maybe have Xu Kai return to the capital to handle the legal battle?”

Without hesitation, Luo Yao replied, "No need. Don’t intervene in the online public opinion either. Let the news spread."

Liu Meng pondered her words, and gradually, her eyes lit up with understanding.

"I see now. This gives us leverage for negotiations."

Luo Yao rarely showed appreciation, but this time, she gave Liu Meng a look of approval.