Chapter 0463

Luo Yao was also puzzled—why was the food she made poisonous?

Could she be born with a toxic constitution?

The two took a car back to the manor. The moment they stepped out, Luo Yao visibly frowned, a sense of discomfort washing over her.

Lin Ran, ever the devoted husband, noticed the anomaly immediately and without a word, scooped his wife into his arms and carried her inside.

Nestled in Lin Ran's embrace, Luo Yao's heart swelled with affection, her gaze at him practically screaming "I want to devour you."

Uncle Fu hurried over anxiously, "Miss, Young Master Lin, do you think the readers have missed me?"

Lin Ran: ???

Luo Yao's eyes instantly turned icy. "You'd better have something important to say."

"Uh... Miss Chen Qingtian is in trouble. She injured someone, and the other party has significant influence. The situation has escalated."

Both Lin Ran and Luo Yao frowned. They knew Chen Qingtian well.

Backed by the Chen family and with Lin Ran as her cousin, few would dare provoke her.

Moreover, Chen Qingtian wasn’t some arrogant, spoiled heiress. She was a kind-hearted woman with a gentle temperament, unlikely to pick fights.

If she had resorted to violence, the other party must have done something unforgivable.

"How bad is the other person's condition?" Lin Ran asked the critical question.

"Miss Chen kicked him so hard he lost a testicle. He’s currently hospitalized and refusing any settlement. The matter has blown up."

"Though the public only knows Chen Qingtian assaulted someone, the specifics aren’t out yet. This is insider info—unverified, but likely true."

Lin Ran fell silent for a moment. "Did they try to force themselves on her?"

Uncle Fu shook his head. "No. Miss Chen went to Jingda University to confront him. There were many witnesses."

"Jingda? But the semester hasn’t even started yet. Who did she hit?"

Uncle Fu: ???

"Young Master Lin, classes resumed days ago. The victim is a student surnamed Yu, rumored to have deep connections. We’re still investigating the rest."

Lin Ran: ???

School’s already started? Why did no one tell me?

Wait—that wasn’t the issue right now.

Lin Ran hadn’t expected Chen Qingtian, who always seemed carefree, to strike so ruthlessly.

"Where is she now?"

"At the Chen residence. Authorities are there for questioning."

"Got it. Look into it further. Step in if necessary."

Though Lin Ran preferred to keep his distance from the Chen family, blood ties were blood ties. Chen Qingtian was a good person, and he couldn’t just watch her drown in this mess.

"Understood."

After Uncle Fu left, Lin Ran turned to Luo Yao. "You won’t be upset if I handle this, right?"

"Of course not. Ah-Ran can do whatever he wants."

Whatever he wants? That sounded a bit absolute.

If he went looking for Liu Ruxue, Luo Yao would probably lose it.

But he had no intention of seeking out Liu Ruxue. He was just waiting for her to meet her end.

Yes, he was certain—Luo Yao had already sentenced Liu Ruxue to death. It was only a matter of time.

In the past, no matter how much Liu Ruxue acted out, she’d kept some boundaries. But this time, she’d crossed the line by inciting murder. How could Luo Yao let her off?

"Anything? Hmm... Then I want Yao-Yao to sleep with me tonight."

"We haven’t done it today! Such a small request—consider it granted." Luo Yao was more than eager.

A night of passionate bedsprings later, the two, now physically and spiritually nourished, returned to their usual selves.

The next morning, as Lin Ran prepared to make breakfast for Luo Yao, she stopped him.

"Ah-Ran, don’t overwork yourself."

Between cooking and feeding her, Luo Yao genuinely felt he was spoiling her too much. "You’ll ruin me."

"It’s no trouble. I never got the chance before. Now that you’re on leave, I can pamper you properly. You’re my wife—spoiling you is my privilege."

"Then today, I’ll feed you."

Lin Ran smiled fondly. "Deal."

Luo Yao thought for a moment and added, "I’ll even cook for you before feeding you."

Lin Ran froze. "Did... did I do something wrong?"

Luo Yao shook her head. "Nope."

"Then why the murder attempt? If you succeed, won’t you end up a widow?"

Luo Yao flashed a knowing grin. "Don’t worry. I have a plan."

And so, Lin Ran watched as Luo Yao "made" a meal.

Of course, she only directed—the chef did all the actual cooking under her supervision.

The chef whipped up a lavish dinner per Luo Yao’s instructions, which she then hand-fed to Lin Ran.

Chef’s thoughts: What does this have to do with the young miss?

Luo Yao’s thoughts: This is a love-filled breakfast for Ah-Ran, crafted under my guidance.

Lin Ran’s thoughts: This... is Yao-Yao’s cooking. I’ll finish every bite.

Lately, Lin Ran had grown accustomed to Luo Yao’s feedings, even hoping this could last a lifetime.

The sweet breakfast stretched on. Lin Ran checked himself carefully—no adverse effects.

Well, of course not. If he ended up hospitalized despite not lifting a finger, that would be the real miracle.

Clearly, the red line for Luo Yao’s kitchen disasters was physical contact.

By midday, Uncle Fu had gathered most of the details.

"Young Master Lin, it’s all clear now..."

(Reminder: No need for tips. I’m not chasing rankings—save your New Year’s money for ribs.)

Now, let’s revisit Chen Qingtian’s story from the perspective of a side character—Fang Buxia.

Rewind to before the New Year—

A plane landed from Japan, carrying a weary young man.

Back in the capital, memories flooded his mind. Lost in thought, his expression flickered with unease.

After a long pause, he sighed.

"Let it go. It’s been three years. Time to move on."

His name was Fang Buxia, freshly returned from studying abroad in Japan.

He’d chosen Japan back then to escape—to flee the version of himself he despised and the girl who’d vanished from his life.

The young man returned to a home he hadn’t seen in three years, a place saturated with memories.

He couldn’t even bear to look at the furnishings. The familiarity suffocated him, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut and crouch in a corner.

Only after movers arrived to clear everything out did he dare open his eyes again.

The room was stripped bare, save for a single bed.

A woman’s voice echoed in his mind, one he’d replayed countless times.

"Xia-Xia, when you grow up, how about I take care of you?"

"If you ever get a girlfriend, you have to tell me first. Only if I approve can you date her, understand?"

Back then, a young Fang Buxia had asked in confusion, "What if you don’t agree?"

"Then you can’t date her."

"So... I’d never get married?"

"Don’t worry. Worst case, I’ll reluctantly marry you myself."

Those words stayed with Fang Buxia from middle school all the way through high school.