Chapter 084

"Pfft—" Lin Ran sprayed a mouthful of red wine onto Luo Yao's face and immediately reached out to wipe it off.

Luo Yao leaned in closer, their eyes locked onto each other.

On their way to the grasslands, as the saying goes, "Sing freely by day with wine in hand, return home joyfully with the plane as companion..."

Upon arriving at the grasslands, they drank the strongest liquor and rode the finest horses. Lin Ran held Luo Yao in his arms while gripping the reins, galloping across the plains. The rhythmic clatter of hooves played like a stirring symphony, leaving their shadows etched across the vast landscape.

"Grass spreads o'er the plain, leaving the rest to readers' imagination."

Lin Ran thought to himself, "Heh, some things are best left to the readers' imagination. Spelling everything out would just ruin the fun, wouldn’t it?"

After all, dancing on the edge of censorship isn’t always wise, and what readers truly want might not even be those details anyway.

Right?

Right?

Answer me.

A week flew by in a flash, and the two returned to the capital. Money could solve travel arrangements, and naturally, it could also solve the return trip.

For the wealthy, holidays were pure relaxation. For ordinary folks, they resembled special forces soldiers—rushing, squeezing onto trains, and battling crowds.

But even ordinary people had to strive hard. Without their relentless efforts, how else would bosses afford luxury cars and mansions?

"Eat bitterness to serve those above"—such was the way of the world.

Back at the estate, the moment Lin Ran saw his bed, exhaustion washed over him. This place felt more and more like home—a sense of belonging.

In the past, he had longed to escape. Now, he had grown to love it here, cherishing every memory he and Luo Yao had made. In this life, he wanted nothing more than to spoil Luo Yao rotten.

Luo Yao could indulge him without limits, and of course, he could spoil her just as much. Love, after all, was mutual.

Some people gave endlessly without reciprocation. Others took greedily, unwilling to give yet desperate not to lose.

Some craved the love of two—or even multiple—people.

But if someone truly liked you, would they really string you along? All so-called "tests" were just excuses. Only those who had been hurt could sever emotions so ruthlessly.

Luo Yao’s love for him? Undoubtedly real. Because despite her past wounds, she still loved him.

This short holiday had brought them both immense joy. For Luo Yao, it had been ages since she’d felt this happy—arguably the happiest days of her life.

The shadows of their love had traveled by plane, touched the grasslands, soared on horseback, and finally returned to where it all began...

After the break, Lin Ran headed straight to campus. Though construction hadn’t started during the holiday, Wu's Father had already arranged for workers to settle in, setting up prefab housing and installing fencing with advertisements.

This was the advantage of seasoned professionals—they anticipated their superiors’ needs.

The contracted construction team was ready to go. The moment classes resumed, work kicked into high gear.

Surveyors surveyed, planners planned. Since this was a reapproved project, the higher-ups greenlit it almost instantly—unlike some companies that nitpicked over every word a hundred times.

The blueprints had been finalized years ago, requiring only minor adjustments—work Principal Tang had already handled.

There was no delay in breaking ground. As the advertising banners went up, more students caught wind of the news, pausing to glance every time they passed.

The name "Nuanyao Group" spread through student circles, soon appearing on the university forum. Gradually, rumors emerged—no one knew who started them—that the entire library project was funded by Nuanyao Group, essentially a charitable donation.

The news moved countless students to tears. The world still had good people after all.

Nuanyao Group’s reputation quickly expanded beyond campus, drawing attention from all sectors of society.

A project worth potentially hundreds of millions, entirely donated—not just the library’s construction, but also equipment procurement and long-term maintenance. Such generosity earned widespread admiration.

Just as Lin Ran had predicted, the fame bought by a hundred million was paying off.

Some media outlets exaggerated, elevating the company to mythical status. Of course, praise invited criticism—the internet was never short of opinions.

"Free? Just a gimmick. They’ll squeeze the money back from students somehow."

"Not necessarily. Jingda’s library has been in the works for ages. Maybe it’s government-funded and the university just handled the bidding."

"Or the developer’s just using it for PR."

"Without official confirmation, it’s all rumors."

Soon, rumors became reality when local TV reporters arrived for an interview.

Wu's Father, as the company’s general manager, confirmed the details. Many students now believed, though some remained stubborn as mules.

By afternoon, Jingda University’s official account posted verification, sending the student body into a frenzy.

It was true—Nuanyao Group was fully funding the project.

Not just a contribution to education, but a boon for countless students.

Suddenly, someone connected the dots.

Hadn’t Lin Ran represented Nuanyao Group at the freshman welcome gala?

Around the same time, civil engineering students interning at Nuanyao Group spoke up.

"That’s right. Our company is handling this project, fully funding the construction..."

Just like that, Lin Ran became a campus celebrity, the object of universal admiration.

"Isn’t this more respectable than some celebrity?"

"I declare Lin Ran my idol from today onward."

"Back off! Lin Ran belongs to all of us—you can’t claim him!"

"His company’s that rich? Donating a hundred-million project like it’s nothing. What does his family even do?"

"No idea. They say his background’s always been mysterious—low-key until suddenly, bam, he’s a rich heir. Can you believe it?"

"I’ve always suspected Lin Ran’s being kept by someone."

"What’s wrong with the world having one more wealthy person? Why not me?"

When Lin Ran arrived on campus, he was utterly bewildered.

His car today wasn’t even that flashy—just a modest Pagani Huayra. Yet the moment he stepped out, chaos erupted. A growing crowd of students gathered, girls screeching, some even lunging at him.

Lin Ran admitted he was slightly terrified. These people were insane.

Thankfully, he’d brought bodyguards. In the past, students would’ve called it pretentious. Now? They considered it his rightful privilege.

Lin Ran was a young master of a wealthy family—of course he needed the entourage.

"Wow, Senior Lin Ran sold his Koenigsegg for education and now has to ‘settle’ for a Pagani Huayra. My heart breaks for him."

Lin Ran’s face darkened.

"Girl, do you think you’re funny?"