"Bro, you're quite the character, huh? What, do you like Liu Ruxue?"
You Qingnan immediately covered his head in embarrassment, shouting loudly.
"I... I don't, I don't, I..."
"Seriously, man? You're for real?" Lin Ran could tell—this guy was the pure-hearted type.
Did you really think showering your goddess with empty, meaningless small talk would make her like you?
If she replies with a few "mhms," "ohs," "hehes," "none of your business," "whatever," "you're overthinking," "you're a nice guy," "we'll see," "I'm busy," "some other time," "I’ve got things to do," "sorry, I forgot," "thanks, but no," or "I’m going to sleep," you actually think she’s chatting with you?
Stop dreaming. If you don’t get played on the road to love, you’ll never grow up.
Let Liu Ruxue be the lesson that helps you mature in love.
"Bro, maybe it’s not my place to say this, but if you like Liu Ruxue, then you’re just a one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-nine-ten."
You Qingnan: ???Wu Zhishang and Shen Jingbing delivered the finishing blow: "Missing an eight (dumbass)."
"You guys... are so crude."
Lin Ran: "You should thank the tomatoes. If this gets past censorship, I’d have cursed way worse."
Huo Haini watched Lin Ran from the shadows, her starry-eyed gaze barely concealed.
Right now, Lin Ran was so cool, so manly—she just wanted to get closer to him.
"Uncle Fu, let’s go." Having said his piece and done what he came to do—since he couldn’t just kill anyone—Lin Ran prepared to leave.
Liu Ruxue was about to stop him, but a single icy glare from Lin Ran froze her in place.
That look felt eerily familiar to her.
It was the same kind of gaze that woman, Luo Yao, had—one that made her feel death creeping in.
"If you don’t scram now, once my wife gets here, you won’t get another chance."
If murder weren’t illegal, Lin Ran wouldn’t let Liu Ruxue live a second longer than necessary.
He should find time to ask Brother Dao if there were any business opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Liu Ruxue stiffened. The deeply ingrained fear Luo Yao had instilled in her took hold, and at the mention of Luo Yao possibly showing up, she hastily dragged Huo Haini away, leaving You Qingnan behind without a second thought.
You Qingnan could only leave silently.
Instead of returning to school, Liu Ruxue and Huo Haini headed to Nightfall Bar, ready to drown their sorrows.
She was heartbroken—what else could she do but find a way to forget her troubles?
The two of them drank glass after glass.
"Nini, do you think Lin Ran really doesn’t love me anymore?"
Huo Haini knew full well he didn’t, but she didn’t want to say it outright.Thɪs ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
Liu Ruxue had always overshadowed her just because she was pretty.
Every time an attractive guy showed up, their attention went straight to Liu Ruxue. The rare times someone noticed Huo Haini, it was only to ask for Liu Ruxue’s contact info.
Even as best friends, Huo Haini couldn’t stand it.
Why did Liu Ruxue get all the love while she was stuck playing the sidekick?
"Ruxue, don’t give up. Even if Lin Ran doesn’t love you anymore, can’t you chase after him?"
Liu Ruxue frowned. Something about Huo Haini’s words felt off.
Lin Ran’s behavior lately didn’t seem like he was just upset with her—especially that terrifying look he gave her earlier. She’d nearly died of fright.
She couldn’t believe Lin Ran was capable of such a chilling glare.
They drank late into the night—until the bill arrived.
Waiter: "Seriously? You’re broke again?"
Liu Ruxue and Huo Haini exchanged glances.
"Call You Qingnan."
And so, once again, You Qingnan became the sucker footing the bill.
But this time, Liu Ruxue seemed to notice his kindness.
"Lin Ran... why did you leave me?" Liu Ruxue mumbled, leaning against You Qingnan.
"Ruxue, it’s me, Qingnan."
"You... you’re Lin Ran. You are Lin Ran."
Liu Ruxue suddenly threw herself into You Qingnan’s arms.
"Lin Ran, let’s go to a hotel. I’ll give myself to you."
You Qingnan stood frozen, his heart aching, but he still muttered, "Okay."
And so, the drunken Liu Ruxue dragged You Qingnan, dazed and confused, to a hotel.
The moment the door closed, Liu Ruxue got straight to business.
One minute later, she looked at You Qingnan with disdain.
"Ruxue, it was my first time... I couldn’t hold back. You’re not mad, are you?"
Liu Ruxue didn’t answer. She was sober now—or maybe she’d been faking it all along. She’d only gone with You Qingnan to pretend he was Lin Ran, to satisfy her own desires.
Without a word, she gathered her things and left.
Her first time with "Lin Ran" had been disappointingly short.
Meanwhile, the real Lin Ran, whom Liu Ruxue had forcefully fantasized about, had long since returned to the estate.
Luo Yao was in high spirits. Though she hadn’t gone with Lin Ran, she’d sent rewards, encouraging Shen Jingbing to keep up the good work.
"Ran... I want you."
Their bodies intertwined, hearts and souls merging—it was their most passionate expression of love.
"Ran, do you know? Every smile, every glance from you makes me happy for days. You’re my whole world. Your eyes should only ever be on me."
Lin Ran: "After all you’ve done for me, how could I look at anyone else?"
Luo Yao was obsessive, so Lin Ran became her sole anchor.
"Yao, there’s something I want to talk to you about."
"You want to meet the Chen family?"
Lin Ran was surprised she guessed it so easily.
"Is that okay?"
"Fine." Luo Yao agreed immediately—but added, "But I’m going with you."
"You’re my wife. Of course you’re coming." Lin Ran saw no issue with that.
"Good. Let’s see if the Chens have the guts to try and take you from me."
Huh?
Lin Ran caught the dangerous edge in her tone.
"You’re not planning to kill them all, are you?"
Luo Yao smirked. "The thought crossed my mind."
"Relax, no one can take me from you. I’m yours."
"But what if the Chen family tries to kidnap you?"
"You think everyone’s as bold as you?" Lin Ran couldn’t help but laugh.
But Luo Yao stared at him intently, waiting for an answer.
"Fine. If that happens, you can kill them. They’d have it coming."
Lin Ran meant it.
By now, he saw Luo Yao as his everything—loving her more than life itself.
If the Chen family really pissed off his little demoness, then they’d only have themselves to blame.
Deep down, Lin Ran knew Luo Yao wasn’t the type to pick fights for no reason.
The people she targeted usually fell into two categories:
Those who messed with him, and those who messed with her.
As for the Chen family...
You’d better pray you don’t do anything stupid—like trying to drag me back.