Chapter 092

Liu Ruxue shouted, "You're insane! I'm calling the police on you!"

Huo Haini stood nearby, stunned into silence, quietly observing everything from start to finish.

"Go ahead. If I need to spend a few days in jail, so be it. My boss will cover any fines. What can you even do to me?"

As he spoke, he grabbed Liu Ruxue by the hair and slapped her ruthlessly across the face.

He and Liu Ruxue had a grudge to settle—last time, he’d nearly lost his job because of her. Now, seeing his enemy again, his blood boiled with rage.

Liu Ruxue tried to escape but couldn’t. All she could do was endure the pain and call the police. Shen Jingbing didn’t even try to stop her.

Lin Ran chuckled, ignoring the chaos, and casually stepped into his Rolls-Royce. But he didn’t start the engine—after all, the show wasn’t over yet.

Because of the commotion, Wu Zhishang lost interest in riding the shared bike and instead climbed into his Ferrari parked nearby.

This scene happened to catch the eyes of Zhao Miaomiao and her companion as they turned the corner.

They froze, stunned, utterly shocked.

Zhao Miaomiao quickly realized—if Lin Ran was that wealthy, how could the people around him be ordinary?

She immediately pulled out her phone and called Wu Zhishang, only to hear that his line was unavailable.

"Wuwuwu… Wu Zhishang seems pretty great too."

In the car, Wu Zhishang sighed. "Brother Lin was right. A man can pretend to be poor, but he can’t actually be poor."

Shen Jingbing’s one-sided beating continued. By the time the police arrived, Liu Ruxue was already bruised and swollen.

As Liu Ruxue and Shen Jingbing were restrained, Lin Ran stepped out of his car and slowly walked toward the Pagani parked on the side of the road. He didn’t even glance at Liu Ruxue, merely giving Shen Jingbing a thumbs-up. In response, Shen Jingbing made a bowing gesture toward Lin Ran.

The moment Lin Ran got into his car, the passenger door swung open—Huo Haini slid inside.

Lin Ran’s expression darkened. "Get out."

Huo Haini put on a coy act. "Lin Ran, I’ve actually liked you for a long time. I’ve wanted to confess, but since you were chasing Ruxue before, I…"

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then tell me, why do you like me?"

"Because you’re handsome, hardworking, and brilliant. Those are rare qualities."

Lin Ran smirked. "But I seem to recall someone saying, ‘What’s the point of being handsome?’ That this is a money-driven society, and studying hard can’t bridge the class divide. Right?"

Huo Haini’s face flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t remember if she’d said those exact words, but the tone and phrasing sounded uncomfortably familiar.

"Lin Ran, that was just jealousy talking! I’ve always liked you. I have everything Liu Ruxue has—I can do what she does, and even what she can’t." She shifted slightly, deliberately showing off her long legs.

"If I were your girlfriend, I’d be a thousand times better than her."

Lin Ran scoffed. "What, you and Liu Ruxue aren’t ‘sisters’ anymore?"

"I only got close to her to get closer to you. I love you so much. Just let me be your girlfriend, and I’ll do whatever you say." She batted her eyelashes.

Lin Ran nodded slowly. "Ah, I see. Well then, what I need right now is for you to get the hell out of my car."

Huo Haini blinked. "Okay."

The moment she opened the door, Lin Ran kicked her out. The roar of the engine vanished instantly, leaving Huo Haini standing in the empty street, utterly bewildered.

Liu Ruxue, still waiting to be taken away, caught sight of this just as she was being pushed into the police car. Her eyes widened in shock.

"Nini, you—?"

Huo Haini quickly composed herself. "That bastard Lin Ran! I tried to convince him to treat you better, and he just kicked me out!"

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"No talking! Get in the car!" The officer behind her barked, forcing Liu Ruxue inside.

Lin Ran soon arrived at Luo Corporation—just a quick U-turn away.

In the office, Luo Yao was still sorting through documents. Lin Ran didn’t disturb her, simply watching quietly from the side.

Her brows were furrowed, a clear sign of her mood. She flipped through the files at a terrifying speed, not saying a word. The only sound in the room was the rustling of paper—an eerie silence.

Lin Ran kept watching until Luo Yao finally stopped.

"Had enough of staring?"

Lin Ran handed her a glass of water. "No. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough."

Luo Yao turned, accepting the cup he’d once given her, and took a small sip.

"Ah Ran… sometimes, I really wish I could lock you by my side forever."

Lin Ran smiled. "I’d be honored." He knew she didn’t mean it literally.

Suddenly, Luo Yao stood, gripping his throat with icy fury in her eyes.

Lin Ran felt his breath tighten but slowly reached up to stroke the back of her head.

In moments like this, comfort was the only answer—no questions needed.

Luo Yao’s expression flickered with panic. She immediately released him, flustered. "Ah Ran, I—I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry."

Lin Ran took a deep breath. He didn’t find her love suffocating—only heartbreaking. The way she was now… was his own doing.

With a gentleman’s grace, he extended his hand. "My lady, your man would like to escort you home."

Luo Yao stared at his outstretched hand blankly.

Lin Ran smiled. "We’ll talk at home."

Finally, Luo Yao placed her hand in his, and they left together.

Once in the car, Luo Yao spoke abruptly.

"Ah Ran… what do you think of Huo Haini?"

Lin Ran chuckled. "Just look at her name. Tells you everything."

"Do you like her?"

Lin Ran shook his head vehemently.

Luo Yao pressed on. "Ah Ran… between me and Liu Ruxue, who’s more unpredictable?"

Lin Ran paused, confused. "Liu Ruxue is fickle."

"But I prefer consistency."

Luo Yao wasn’t stupid. She understood his meaning perfectly.

"Actually… I can be unpredictable too. For example—"

Lin Ran cut her off. "Careful with your words, little devil."

Luo Yao nodded. Then she asked a question that sent a chill down his spine.

"Do you like pets?"

Lin Ran stiffened. He glanced through the rearview mirror at Wang Bao in the car behind them, then shook his head—that couldn’t be it.

Had Luo Yao planted a listening device on him?

Or was it that lip-reading expert she’d mentioned before? Damn, that was terrifying.

Now he finally understood her earlier outburst.

For someone with her… tendencies, overthinking was deadly. Lin Ran knew this from experience.

Luo Yao still occasionally lacked a sense of security with him.

"Pets… well, that depends. If they’re well-behaved and cute, who could say no?"

Luo Yao leaned in, her breath warm against his skin.

"Then… do you like a pet like me? One that’s not always obedient?"

Lin Ran gently pressed a finger to her lips.

"Quiet, you beautiful menace. Unless you want to be locked up."