Chapter 082

Urban Novel Translation

Lin Ran: "If I don’t come down in ten minutes, my bodyguards will storm up here and contact Luo Yao immediately. So, spit it out or get lost."

Luo Wuyou was genuinely infuriated by Lin Ran. Though she was past thirty, her charm remained undeniable—were it not for the scars marking her body, she’d be the kind of woman every man desired.

Yet Lin Ran, blind to her scars, treated her with such coldness that she began questioning her own allure.

"Fine, fine! You win."

"Since you’re in such a hurry, I won’t waste your time. Here’s the deal." Luo Wuyou glared at him, her gaze sharp enough to devour him whole.

"I want you to gather evidence of Luo Yao’s crimes. Then, testify that she illegally imprisoned and harmed you."

In his past life, this was the same demand. Back then, he’d agreed but never acted—before Luo Yao wiped him out entirely.

Now, the idea that mere evidence could topple Luo Yao? What a joke.

He’d been naive back then. The only reason Luo Yao hadn’t torn him apart was pure, twisted love.

"Hah! You think some evidence will take down Luo Yao? Are you stupid, or do you think I am?"

Luo Wuyou stared at him, surprised. "Well, well. You’re sharper than I expected. Fine, my mistake."

"In that case, copy Luo Corporation’s internal files for me."

She handed him a USB drive—clearly prepared in advance.

"Do this, and I’ll guarantee your freedom from Luo Yao. Deal?"

Lin Ran fell silent for a moment before taking the drive without a word.

Silence meant assent.

This hadn’t happened in his past life. Or maybe Luo Wuyou had never considered him capable back then—meaning he’d been the only fool all along.

Looking back, even if he had succeeded in gathering evidence, Luo Wuyou would’ve discarded him anyway.

Did Luo Yao actually commit crimes? Lin Ran neither knew nor cared.

Even if she had, he’d never betray her.

Luo Wuyou’s promise of "freeing" him from Luo Yao was no different from a boss dangling empty rewards.

Her real goal? Making Luo Yao taste betrayal. And this USB drive was the linchpin of her scheme.

Reborn, Lin Ran felt his mind had sharpened—he saw through things now.

"Alright. I’ll contact you."

Luo Wuyou frowned. "Do you even know Luo Yao’s computer password?"

Lin Ran took a deep breath, fighting back a sting in his chest.

"No. But I’ll figure it out."

"I believe in you." Luo Wuyou smirked, oozing false encouragement.

The truth? He knew the password: ailinran1314. A childish code that now twisted his heart.

Luo Yao had whispered it to him herself.

That suffocating love once felt like a cage. Now, it was bittersweet—beautiful, yet laced with regret.

Lin Ran left the room unchallenged. Luo Wuyou watched him go, amused.

"Little thing, daring to treat me like this? Once I’m done with you, I’ll make you kneel and beg for my affection."

"You’ll become my toy—no, even more submissive than these men groveling at my feet."

She stretched out on the bed, and several men crawled over eagerly, grinning like fools. The queen reveled in her power.

---

Parking Lot

Sitting in his car, Lin Ran’s mind raced.

That woman upstairs—Luo Wuyou—wasn’t as formidable or cunning as Luo Yao, yet she radiated danger. Even Luo Yao might slip up against her.

Worse, this timeline had diverged: Luo Wuyou appeared a year earlier, and her demands had changed.

Nothing in life was free. Yet Luo Wuyou asked nothing of him, only dangling "freedom" as bait.

Lin Ran didn’t trust a single word. His past self had been gullible, a pawn for too many.

Lin Tianba despised him. Lin Jian and his mother wanted him dead. Liu Ruxue had hurt him. Now, Luo Wuyou sought to use him.

Only Luo Yao had ever given him her whole heart.

Well… and his goofy best friend. Though lacking in skill, their bond was unshakable.

But did skill matter? Not when love did.

Give a dog a billion dollars, and it’ll fly to the moon.

Money was cold. A lover’s touch? Warm.

Reborn, he’d yet to truly repay Luo Yao. This time, he’d eliminate Luo Wuyou for her.

And he’d make sure Luo Yao knew—no repeats of last life’s heart-wrenching misunderstandings.

---

The Manor

An hour later, Lin Ran finished cooking a nutritious meal, ensuring every dish suited Luo Yao’s tastes.

Packing the food carefully, he headed out. Uncle Fu watched him leave, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

This house finally feels like a home.

---

Luo Corporation, 88th Floor

Liu Meng intercepted Lin Ran the moment he stepped out of the elevator.

"Mr. Lin, President Luo seems… in a bad mood."

Lin Ran frowned. "Why?"

Liu Meng shrugged. "No idea. But since you’re here, we’re not worried anymore. You’re her ‘fire extinguisher,’ after all."

Nodding, Lin Ran approached Luo Yao’s office and knocked.

"Come in."

Inside, Luo Yao sat alone, lost in thought.

Who dared upset my little demon?

Seeing Lin Ran, she lifted her gaze but stayed silent.

Lin Ran: "What’s wrong? Who annoyed you?"

Luo Yao: "Why are you here?"

Lin Ran blinked. This wasn’t her usual clingy self.

Unpacking the food, he feigned hurt. "Came to make sure my wife eats properly. But you’re so cold today. My heart’s broken."

Luo Yao stared at the familiar dishes, suspicion flickering. Is there something… mixed in?

"Ah Ran, where were you this morning?"

Lin Ran: "Yao Yao, eat first. I’ll debrief after."

His evasion and sudden insistence on feeding her only deepened her doubts.

Yet after a heartbeat, she opened her mouth.

"Aah—" Chew, chew, chew!

Even if it were poisoned, she’d eat it. That was her sickness—her devotion.

Besides, drugs meant nothing. Her past had numbed her to fear.

Delicious. Heavenly. Bliss.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she savored each bite.

Ah. So this is the taste of love.

Lin Ran fed her steadily. "Need to tell you something."

"Hm?"

"I want your company’s files."

"Okay." Luo Yao replied, tone flat.

Lin Ran asked with slight surprise, "Aren’t you going to ask why I need your company’s information?"

"There’s no need to ask. If you want it, I’ll give it to you."