Recalling the phone call from earlier, Principal Tang still felt a lingering sense of unease.
—"Assistant Liu, there’s something I’d like to confirm with President Luo."
"Principal Tang, President Luo is very busy. If you have something to say, tell me, and I’ll relay it when there’s time."
"Well, today there’s been a lot of gossip at the school about Lin Ran and President Luo. Do you think we should suppress it?"
"What gossip?" Liu Meng asked, puzzled.
Anything about Lin Ran—she should have known about it already.
"Rumors about Lin Ran and President Luo having an... improper relationship."
Liu Meng on the other end of the line froze for a moment before bluntly asking,
"Principal Tang, do you want to climb higher?"
"Assistant Liu, what do you mean? I’m old, so speak plainly."Principal Tang felt exhausted. After living so many years, was there any worldly wisdom he didn’t understand?
But Luo Yao wasn’t someone who could be judged by normal standards, and he wasn’t entirely sure how to handle this.
Liu Meng’s voice continued over the phone, "You’ve lived this long and still can’t read the situation? If you suppress this, you’ll never get far. That’s all I can say."
With that, Liu Meng hung up, leaving Principal Tang stunned.
All he wanted was a straightforward answer, but instead, he got a bombshell.
Did President Luo want this to go public?
Then all his previous efforts had only made things worse.
And so, the current scene unfolded.
"Suppress your mother’s ass! If you want to die, go ahead, but don’t drag me down with you."
The Dean of Instruction was dumbfounded. Why the sudden outburst?
"So… we just let it be?"
"Letting it be isn’t an option. We need to fan the flames even more."
The Dean of Instruction was completely baffled. He felt his brain couldn’t keep up with the principal’s logic.
"Hurry up and go!" Principal Tang shouted.
"Uh… alright, I’ll go right away. Principal, don’t get too worked up—at your age, you might just drop dead."
The Dean of Instruction backed out of the office while speaking, only to hear furious curses erupt from inside.
"Old as dirt, but still curses like a sailor."
Inside the office, after a few more colorful words, Principal Tang’s face slowly broke into a wide grin.
After some thought, he called an old friend.
"Hello? Director Chen, let me tell you—that student I introduced you to before has turned out to be my lucky charm, haha!"
"What? What about Lin Ran? Oh! So he’s your grandson? I was just about to talk about him…%¥#…"
By the time Principal Tang finished rambling, Chen Xiao on the other end fell silent. So much had happened to Lin Ran in just one day?
His grandson sure knew how to make waves. It was almost like something out of a novel.
"What do you think, old Chen? Stunned, aren’t you? This student of mine is something else. He even managed to… Wait, what did you say ten minutes ago? Lin Ran is your what?"
"What. The. Hell?"
Principal Tang was utterly shocked.
Lin Ran was part of the Chen family.
At that moment, Principal Tang felt his brain short-circuiting.
He used to think Lin Ran was somewhat pitiable, but now…
A vivid image suddenly flashed before his eyes:
[Now standing before you is the strongest man of the 21st century: ‘No one lifts me to the clouds, yet I tread snow to reach the summit’—A trailblazing young entrepreneur, a man who single-handedly achieved revenge, the beloved of the nation’s top female tycoon, and a third-generation scion of a prominent red family…]
Principal Tang quickly shook his head, dispelling the fantasy, but everything still felt surreal.
He used to think Lin Ran had it rough, but now he realized he was the one to be pitied.
Lin Ran was still a college student, yet he had so many hidden identities that even an old-timer like him couldn’t help but feel envious.
And the fact that being the owner of Suran Group was Lin Ran’s least impressive title?
Absurd. Absolutely absurd.
Meanwhile, Lin Ran, lounging in his villa, unsurprisingly received a call from the Dean of Instruction.
"Lin Ran, my boy, I hope this call isn’t disturbing you?"
"Dean, just say what you need to say." Lin Ran disliked beating around the bush.
"Haha, as expected, nothing gets past you. Well, Jingda University is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary, and we’d like to invite some successful alumni to give speeches. Now, your success doesn’t have much to do with the school, but since you’re still a student here, and also—"
"Dean, you’re rambling. Just tell me the time, place, and what I need to talk about."
Lin Ran had no intention of making things difficult for the Dean—not after the man had once stood up for him.
After his rebirth, Lin Ran’s mindset had completely transformed.
If you treated him well, he’d help where he could. If you crossed him, well… you’d regret it.
"Good, good! Such a straightforward young man."
As soon as the call ended, the Dean reported back, and Principal Tang was moved to tears.
His instincts told him Jingda University was about to soar—and so was he.
The next morning, the crew from Nuanyao Media returned to the estate. They were a diligent bunch, aiming to wrap up all estate filming within three days to minimize disruption to Lin Ran’s life.
Short dramas weren’t like full-length series—they didn’t require lengthy shoots.
Lin Ran observed from the shadows, noting that they were already grasping the essence of a satisfying drama, so he refrained from further guidance.
Other issues would have to be figured out through experience.
If he spoon-fed them everything, what was the point of hiring them?
They had to earn their keep, after all.
Zhang Xiaolong, the second male lead, was also putting in the work.
He filmed during the day, streamed at night, and still managed to memorize his lines—and even those of others—by the next day.
It was proof that he was burning the midnight oil to perfect his performance.
Even Chen Qingtian was impressed by his dedication.
"Hmm, if I ever decide to keep a man, I might just save a spot for him."
Wu Zhishang: ???
So now he ranked below Zhang Xiaolong?
Before filming could wrap up, the forums exploded again.Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NovᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet
Lin Ran’s popularity had skyrocketed, with everyone speculating whether he was truly being kept by Luo Yao.
But then, a user named [Strong Warmth] emerged, clashing with the naysayers.
No matter who claimed Lin Ran was being supported, she fiercely defended him.
[Lin Ran isn’t that kind of person. Stop spreading lies.]
[False rumors are illegal. What you’re doing is wrong.]
Her words actually rallied some of Lin Ran’s fans to blindly follow suit.
And so, the forum split into three factions.