Chapter 0447

"That won't be necessary. The first half of my life was already quite bitter—I’d like it to be sweeter from now on."

Lin Ran suddenly seemed to remember something. "Where’s Granny Wang? I didn’t see her today."

"She’s taking care of Miss Chen Qingtian. I didn’t want to send just anyone, in case we neglect our guest."

Lin Ran scoffed, "What kind of guest is she? She’s just freeloading. You, a grown man, handed your beloved over to another woman. Truly a coward in love."

Uncle Fu: "..."

While waiting for Luo Yao to answer the phone, Lin Ran kept bantering with Uncle Fu—mostly teasing him.

"Meow—"

The long-absent sound of a cat made Lin Ran pause.

"Uncle Fu, open the window for some air, then you can go about your business."

"Very well."

Uncle Fu had a servant open the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony just enough before leaving.

Little Black poked its head in, glancing left and right to confirm Luo Yao wasn’t there before cautiously slinking inside.

[Little Black: What do you want from me?]

[Lin Ran: How did you know I was looking for you?]

[Little Black: With that scheming look in your eyes, even a cat could guess.]

Lin Ran took another sip of life’s bitterness. [Nothing major. Just wanted you to meet my wife.]

Little Black tensed up instantly, its little eyes darting around again.

[Little Black: No way! Luo Yao’s too ruthless—meow meow meow!]

Lin Ran knew Little Black’s trauma from Luo Yao wouldn’t fade anytime soon, so he didn’t force an immediate meeting.

[Lin Ran: Fine. Then tell me your purpose. Why am I the lucky one?]

Little Black fell silent. Just as Lin Ran thought it wouldn’t answer, its voice echoed in his mind.

[Because of a promise. Do you want to see for yourself?]

Lin Ran was deeply curious about Little Black. So far, he could only confirm it bore no ill will toward him or Luo Yao—but why had "rebirth" happened? Why him, and not Luo Yao? No, wait.

Why had the entire world reset, yet only he retained his memories? Why?

[Lin Ran: To see your story? How long would that take?]

[Little Black: My tale is long, but the important part? A few hours at most.]

The time wasn’t excessive, but still…

[Lin Ran: Can I bring Luo Yao along?]

[Little Black: Can I bite you to death?]

[Lin Ran: No.]

[Little Black: Then no for me too.]

Truthfully, Little Black couldn’t transport two people at once—but it wouldn’t admit that. It had to keep up appearances.

[Lin Ran: Then it’s a no-go for now. We’ll have to reschedule. But I do have another question—how can I find you whenever I need to?]

Little Black tilted its head, puzzled.

[You don’t need to find me. I’ll appear when necessary. Also, one more thing—your three wishes are used up.]

Lin Ran: ??? [When did I use three?]

[Little Black: First, when you visited Luo Yao’s childhood and nearly got killed in that cave. Second, when you went to her loneliest moment, and I almost died in the secret base. Third, three years ago, when Wang Anjian almost bit the dust.]

Lin Ran frowned. Something felt off about Little Black’s logic.

[Lin Ran: So every time you take me through time, someone nearly dies? Are you some kind of cursed cat?]

[Little Black: …Ugh. That’s just how history unfolds. Nothing to do with me. Point is, you’ve used all three wishes.]

Lin Ran shook his head. [I don’t acknowledge the third one. That was forced on me.]

[Little Black: Lin Ran, you shameless—! If not for me, you might’ve died that day. And Luo Yao? I promised to save her once, but I did it twice. You owe me.]

Lin Ran froze. [What? Luo Yao was in danger? When? Was she hurt—?]

[Little Black: Look at you, panicking at the mere mention of her. First, during her duel with her teacher outside my place—I saved her then. Second, when you two were almost crushed by that statue in my home. If I hadn’t opened the door, you’d have been trapped inside. Got it?]

Lin Ran fell silent. He hadn’t known Luo Yao had brushed with death—twice.

[Lin Ran: Really? I don’t believe you.]

[Little Black: You—! Fine. See for yourself.]

In an instant, a blinding white light flashed. Lin Ran startled. [Wait! I didn’t tell Luo Yao—]

[Little Black: We’ll be back in a minute. Chill.]

Lin Ran: "…That’s some foul language."

Soon, an image unfolded before him—a duel between Luo Yao and another woman.

In the scene, two figures faced off: an austere older woman and a stunning, fierce beauty—his wife.

Their moves were lethal. Just as Luo Yao gained the upper hand, an eagle’s screech pierced the air. The bird dove at her without hesitation, its talons like scythes, its eyes murderous.

The older woman smirked, gloating. "I forgot to teach you—in battle, unpredictability reigns. And you… lack an ally."

She exploited the eagle’s attack, her dagger aimed straight for Luo Yao’s vitals—

Lin Ran’s heart clenched as he watched, breath trapped in his throat.

The vision continued: the eagle’s claws tore into Luo Yao’s flesh. She stifled a cry as blood soaked her clothes.

The older woman’s dagger lunged like lightning. "Luo Yao, die peacefully. The Luo family won’t need you as its head anymore."

Lin Ran’s pulse raced. Even as a spectator, the scene choked him.

In Luo Yao’s eyes, there was no fear—only regret. A single tear, transcending time, traced her cheek. A farewell to her beloved.

Then—

"MEOW—!"

At the critical moment, Little Black descended like a hero, cannonballing onto Luo Tangji’s head.

The disruption gave Luo Yao just enough time to draw her "physical enlightenment tool" (a gun), point-blank the damned eagle, and subdue Luo Tangji.

By now, Lin Ran understood—Little Black had indeed saved Luo Yao.

[Lin Ran: When did this happen?]

[Little Black: Shortly after you made that wish. We saved her on our way back.]

Lin Ran recalled—it must’ve been after their second trip through time. He remembered a mishap during their return, where he and Little Black got stuck in some void. But they’d been together the whole time…

Then it hit him.

[Lin Ran: Was it… that one minute when I went back?]

[Little Black: Bingo. While you were delivering that note to Luo Yao, I saved your wife in the void. So? Grateful yet?]

Looking down at Little Black’s proud expression, Lin Ran opened his mouth—but the words stuck.