Chapter 074

Slowly extending her hand, Luo Yao’s fair palm revealed a strikingly slender ring finger—a silent symbol of her surrender.

“A lifetime, never to part… Is that truly what you want, A’Ran?”

Lin Ran produced a diamond ring, dropping to one knee as he slid it onto Luo Yao’s finger.

Click!

The bodyguard perfectly captured the moment, freezing the most beautiful scene in time.

Beneath the half-risen sun in the distance, with the morning star still lingering above, their eyes held only each other. The sparkling diamond ring might not have symbolized love, but it undeniably symbolized something beautiful.

The scene was so vivid, so unforgettable—how could anyone not cherish it?

Luo Yao gazed at the ring on her finger, her eyes alight with unreadable emotion. Lin Ran extended his hand as well, and Luo Yao smiled before sliding a matching ring onto his finger. They locked eyes, wordless.

From then on, the ring finger had a name.

The mountaintop was chilly. Lin Ran draped his coat over Luo Yao’s shoulders, and she leaned against him as they admired what might have been the most breathtaking sunrise in the world.

Wang Bao returned the phone to Lin Ran, who hesitated before deciding against posting the moment on social media—he wanted to avoid unnecessary complications.

Luo Yao nestled into Lin Ran, the early autumn morning painting the world in vibrant hues.

Then Lin Ran caught her gaze—and froze. He knew that look all too well.

“You’re kidding, right?”

Luo Yao nodded, and Lin Ran’s whole body went numb. The bodyguards had discreetly vanished.

Sigh. Guess I really need to boost my stamina. This is too much.

After the daylight escapade, they rested briefly before descending the mountain. Luo Yao held onto Lin Ran’s index finger, and the corner of his lips curled upward.

They made quick work of the descent. By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, tourists were just beginning to trickle in. The sight of Lin Ran’s group emerging from the exit drew puzzled glances.

Wasn’t this mountain closed at night? Who hikes in the dark?

As the sun climbed higher, the temperature rose swiftly—typical for early autumn, where the shift from cool to warm happened in a blink. One careless moment, and a cold was inevitable.

Lin Ran could only hope that the handsome men and beautiful women reading his story would remember to dress for the weather. The thought of them falling sick pained him.

Beyond the mountain, vendors were setting up shop alongside permanent drink stalls.

Luo Yao’s eyes lit up with a sudden thought.

“I want ice cream. I didn’t get to have it last time.”

Lin Ran remembered too—last time at Huatian Plaza, Luo Yao had been on her period and missed out. Without a word, he went to buy her one.

The ice cream here was overpriced and far from a luxury brand, but it was undeniably cold.

Back in the car, Lin Ran fed Luo Yao a bite. She smiled after tasting it—sweet.

Lin Ran pointed at the corner of her mouth. “Little messy eater, you’ve got ice cream there.”

Just as Luo Yao raised a hand to wipe it, Lin Ran reached out first. She tilted her head to let him clean it, but the moment his finger touched her skin, he pulled back, grinning as if teasing her.

Luo Yao shot him a mock glare, watching as he took a bite of the ice cream himself.

Then, in a flash—Lin Ran leaned in and kissed her, the cool sweetness lingering between them. Luo Yao’s eyes crinkled with delight as she looped her arms around his neck.

The car sped toward the estate, the two of them sharing the single ice cream until not a trace remained on their lips.

By the time they returned to the estate, it was already afternoon. Exhausted, they ate a little before collapsing into each other’s arms for a nap.

But when Lin Ran woke that night, he found Luo Yao beside him, frowning in her sleep, clutching her stomach, her forehead dotted with sweat.

Alarmed, Lin Ran gently touched her cheek—warm.

Was it the ice cream?

Luo Yao stirred awake, confused by Lin Ran’s worried expression. The moment she tried to sit up, discomfort shot through her.

Lin Ran summoned Uncle Fu to call the private doctor. The diagnosis?

Stomach flu.

Guilt gnawed at Lin Ran. The night climb, followed by cold food this morning—it had all been too much for Luo Yao.

He spent the entire night tending to her, fetching water, feeding her medicine. Watching him fuss over her, Luo Yao couldn’t help thinking that being sick wasn’t so bad after all.

By midnight, Luo Yao had fallen into a deep sleep, her head pillowed on Lin Ran’s lap.

Lin Ran studied her restless expression, unaware that these past weeks had been the best sleep she’d had in years. Without him, Luo Yao struggled to drift off, her nights plagued by nightmares.

For the first time in so long, she was finally resting well—Lin Ran was her anchor.

But he didn’t know that. All he could think of were those tycoons in novels, their relentless schedules and neglected meals leading to chronic stomach issues.

Luo Yao’s illness felt like a warning.

A reminder that even his little demon could fall ill.

That his care wasn’t enough. His love, insufficient.

At the very least, he had to ensure his feisty wife’s stomach was well-tended—he couldn’t bear the thought of her developing some serious condition.

The next morning, the workweek resumed. Luo Yao forced herself to the office despite her discomfort.

Lin Ran, having stayed up until dawn caring for her, woke to find her gone.

Downstairs, he learned she’d already left.

He pulled out his phone and texted:

[You should rest when you’re sick. Did you take your meds this morning?]

A reply came quickly.

[Thank you for worrying, hubby. I’ll be careful—medicine taken. Miss you.]

Lin Ran: [Me too.]

Luo Yao: [You worked hard last night. Stay home and rest.]

Lin Ran: [Okay.]

Glancing at the time—already past nine—he hurried to the kitchen.

He prepared a pot of nutritious, stomach-friendly porridge, paired with tender side dishes, packed it all into a thermal container, and headed straight for Luo Yao’s company.

When Luo Yao stepped into her office after a meeting, she froze.

“A’Ran?”

Wasn’t he supposed to be resting at home? Why is he here? Did something happen?

Lin Ran guided her into her chair and unboxed the thermal containers.

“You’re sick—you need to take care of yourself. I made something nourishing and easy on your stomach. Eat it while it’s hot.”

As he laid out each dish, Luo Yao watched his movements—the focused profile, the meticulously prepared meal—and found herself lost in thought.