Last time, Luo Wushuang had taught them a lesson, making Lin Ran realize one thing: never underestimate any opponent.
"Yao Yao, wouldn’t it be better if we just dealt with Luo Wushuang directly now? As for the rest of the Luo family, taking them down one by one might take time, but there’s no real risk."
Luo Yao naturally understood Lin Ran’s concern. "A-Ran, I promise I’ll protect myself—and you too."
"But the secrets hidden in the Luo family’s dragon vein... I still want to see them. I feel like they’re somehow connected to me. Will you indulge me this once?"
This was indeed out of character for Luo Yao. Normally, she would prioritize Lin Ran’s safety above all else.
Lin Ran didn’t argue further. If this was what Luo Yao wanted, he would stand by her.
Before, he hadn’t known about her interest in the Luo family’s dragon vein. Now that he did, there was no point in trying to dissuade her. Besides, she had promised to stay safe.
He had hoped that finding Luo Wushuang would allow them to eliminate the threat early, but it seemed they were still bound for the old family estate.
Lin Ran cared deeply about their safety, but as long as he was facing it all with Luo Yao, nothing else really mattered.
"Then I’ll go meet Luo Wushuang first—keep him steady for now."Luo Yao hesitated for a moment, but before she could speak, Lin Ran kissed her.
Nothing worked better than this.
When their lips finally parted, he murmured, "Yao Yao, I want to do something for you too. You can’t just think about my safety and ignore your own. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to go on living. You promised we’d face this together."
Luo Yao was still lost in the heat of his kiss, her body aching with desire.
I want to tie A-Ran to me forever, she thought.
Aloud, she simply said, "Okay."
Then she took out a small box. "Since you’re going to see him, give him this. We’ll settle everything at the old estate."
Lin Ran nodded. He already knew what this key represented—and why it had to be handed to Luo Wushuang.
Luo Yao was well aware that even if they captured Luo Wushuang, they wouldn’t get the other key. So instead of forcing it, they might as well let him have both—then strike when he tried to open the dragon vein.
Even if Lin Ran didn’t go, Luo Yao would have found another way to make sure the key "accidentally" ended up in Luo Wushuang’s hands.
And the key was a fake.
"A-Ran, be careful."
Seeing the worry in Luo Yao’s eyes, Lin Ran’s heart ached.
"I will. Are we going back to the manor tonight, or staying at the hospital?"
He knew Luo Yao couldn’t bear to be apart from him—or rather, he couldn’t bear to be apart from her.
"I’ll return to the manor tonight."
The fire inside her couldn’t be contained. Tonight, they would battle until dawn.
Lin Ran arranged to meet Luo Wushuang, and the man agreed.
But when Lin Ran arrived at the designated spot, it wasn’t Luo Wushuang waiting for him—it was Bi Yaolian.
"Where’s your man?"
Bi Yaolian’s voice, filtered through a vocal device, was grating.
"He sent me to collect something from you."
Lin Ran narrowed his eyes. "I don’t know what this is for, but I know it’s important. I’ll only hand it over to him personally."
"He’s not in the capital. He can’t come."
Lin Ran scoffed.
"Then forget it. I’m not giving it to anyone but Luo Wushuang."
He turned to leave, but Bi Yaolian called out sharply.
"Wait! He’s nearby. I’ll have him come right away."
Lin Ran smirked. Trying to play me? I’ve been tricked enough times to see through this weak act.
Sure enough, Luo Wushuang soon appeared.
He walked with a slight limp—a remnant of an old injury.
"Lin Ran, long time no see."
Lin Ran sneered. "I thought you’d spend your whole life hiding behind women."
The words visibly stung Bi Yaolian. After all, Luo Wushuang had once told her she "wasn’t really a woman anymore."
Luo Wushuang, however, remained calm. His gaze flicked behind Lin Ran, noting that he’d only brought one bodyguard.
For a moment, dark thoughts stirred in his mind—but he suppressed them.
This wasn’t the same Lin Ran from before. Now, he was a national figure, backed by the Chen family. If Luo Wushuang killed him here, the fallout would be catastrophic.
Better to wait. Lin Ran would die a "natural death" soon enough—no evidence, no blame.
His plan was simple: get the key, unlock the treasure, take control of the Luo family, eliminate Lin Ran, then enjoy the rest of his life.
Perfect.
And Lin Ran’s single bodyguard only reinforced his belief that Luo Yao was truly poisoned. If she were fine, Lin Ran would have an entire security team—or wouldn’t have come at all.
"Your tongue is as sharp as ever."
"Sharp enough to match your attitude. If I recall correctly, the first time we met, you tried to have me hunted down indefinitely. I hold grudges."
Luo Wushuang shook his head with a bitter laugh.
"Young people should be more open-minded. Don’t be so aggressive."
Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. "Trying to bait me? Not playing along."
Luo Wushuang was taken aback. This kid really didn’t follow the script.
"The money’s already been transferred. Hand over the item."
Lin Ran produced a small box and opened it. The moment Luo Wushuang saw the key inside, his eyes gleamed.
After all these years... success was finally within reach.
Just as he reached for it, Lin Ran snapped the box shut.
"Is this the right one? I hope I didn’t grab the wrong thing."
Luo Wushuang forced composure. "I need to inspect it. Give it to me."
Lin Ran grinned mockingly. "Want it? Call me ‘Daddy.’"
Luo Wushuang: ???
Lin Ran: "Well? Not calling? Guess I’ll leave."
Luo Wushuang knew Lin Ran was provoking him—though the reason eluded him. But call him Daddy? Absurd.
He’d rather die.
"Do you really think I won’t kill you?" Luo Wushuang’s voice turned icy.
"Try it."
Luo Wushuang took a deep breath. "I’ll give you one last chance. Hand it over—"
"I’m your damn daddy," Lin Ran spat.
That was the last straw. Luo Wushuang had endured many humiliations in his life, but this—this was worse than having his leg broken by Luo Yao.
For the first time, he genuinely wanted Lin Ran dead.
The moment he moved to strike, a figure materialized in front of Lin Ran, meeting Luo Wushuang’s fist with one of their own.
Luo Wushuang staggered back three steps, staring in shock at the "bodyguard" Lin Ran had brought.