Lin Ran got into the car and couldn't help but smile in relief.
Dean Yi had personally assured him that Lin Ran's health was perfectly fine—the poisoning symptoms from before had completely disappeared.
He let out a small sigh, thinking to himself that as long as Luo Yao stayed out of the kitchen, he’d be the safest man alive.
But to his utter shock, Luo Yao decided to cook again that very night.
Watching her movements, everyone in the villa held their breath in fear. The only silver lining this time was that Lin Ran was helping her—surely nothing would go wrong, right?
When they emerged later, they presented a dish that looked, smelled, and (supposedly) tasted perfect.
Luo Yao’s gaze swept across the room, and everyone immediately lowered their heads—even Uncle Fu.
In their hearts, they chanted the same desperate plea:
"Don’t pick me, don’t pick me, don’t pick me."
Only Granny Wang wore a puzzled expression.Lin Ran cleared his throat. "Whoever volunteers to taste it gets double their bonus."
Seeing no takers, Granny Wang finally spoke up. "I’ll do it, Young Master Lin. No need for the bonus—it’s just a taste test. How bad could it possibly be?"
Though Uncle Fu had collapsed last time, Granny Wang was convinced it was just his own preexisting condition acting up—pure coincidence.
She had absolute faith in Lin Ran. After all, he was the one who usually cooked in the Lin household, and she’d assisted him countless times. His culinary skills far surpassed hers.
Luo Yao gave an approving nod to the elderly Granny Wang.
Using serving chopsticks, Granny Wang carefully took a bite and savored it thoughtfully.
"This… doesn’t taste like Young Master Lin’s cooking."
Lin Ran asked, "How is it?"
Granny Wang replied, "Not bad. Edible."
Yet no one moved, silently observing Granny Wang instead.
Lin Ran reassured himself—this time, he’d supervised Luo Yao every step of the way. Surely nothing could go wrong.
Half an hour later, Granny Wang collapsed.
Luo Yao sighed. "It seems I’m really not cut out for cooking."
Lin Ran quickly consoled her, "A household only needs one person who can cook—no need for a second. Besides, you work so hard to provide for us. Leave the kitchen to me."
Still, Lin Ran couldn’t figure it out. He’d watched Luo Yao’s every move—how did things still go wrong?
Was the poison not in the kitchen… but on Luo Yao herself?
Luo Yao gazed at Lin Ran with tender affection. "Ah Ran, I’m sorry. I’m not a good wife."
"Don’t you dare say that. If you’re not a good wife, then no one in this world is."
Uncle Fu adored watching Lin Ran and Luo Yao’s sweet daily interactions, though memories of the past made his heart ache slightly.
He side-eyed them and muttered inwardly, "Ohhh, if you’re not a good wife, then no one in this world is." (¬_¬)
Lin Ran and Luo Yao frowned in unison. "What’s with that look?"
Uncle Fu feigned innocence. "What look?"
"Your bonus for this month is revoked."
Uncle Fu: The sky has fallen.
Desperate, Uncle Fu shot Lin Ran a pleading glance, hoping he’d intercede like last time. But Lin Ran showed no intention of helping—in fact, he made it worse.
"Why are you looking at me? I have to listen to my wife."
Uncle Fu sighed deeply. This world truly had lost all meaning.
Luo Yao turned to Lin Ran. "Ah Ran, I want—"
"Alright, alright. You won’t stop until you break me, is that it?"
The next morning, Luo Yao went to Luo Corporation alone.
Why wasn’t Lin Ran with her? Because he hadn’t woken up yet.
As an ordinary man, he couldn’t keep up with Luo Yao’s adrenaline-fueled stamina.
The employees at Luo Corporation collectively sighed in relief when they saw Luo Yao arrive without Lin Ran.
Lately, they’d been force-fed so much "dog food" they were practically stuffed.
(Can’t find the book by title? Try searching the author—maybe it’s just been renamed!)
Lin Ran finally got to sleep in.
When he woke up, Luo Yao was already gone.
He called for Uncle Fu.
"Young Master Lin, you needed me?"
"Where’s my wife?"
"Miss went to the company. She said you were tired and should rest, so I didn’t wake you."
Tired?
Well, he was a little tired.
"Fine. You can go if there’s nothing else."
Uncle Fu hesitated. "Young Master Lin, should I prepare some tonic soup?"
Lin Ran shot him a look.
"My constitution is fine. Not today."
Lin Ran grumbled inwardly—times had truly changed. Even the butler was looking down on him now. But he was strong, damn it!
Not to boast, but surviving under Luo Yao’s… care was no small feat.
"Understood. I’ll take my leave then."
Lin Ran nodded.
As Uncle Fu walked away, he sighed internally.
"Young Master Lin, always so stubborn about saving face."
After Uncle Fu left, Lin Ran suddenly remembered he hadn’t asked about Granny Wang’s condition.
But before he could dwell on it, something else came to mind.
Lin Ran recalled the note Bi Yaolian had slipped him yesterday and went to retrieve it.
It contained a phone number.
He dialed, and the call was answered almost immediately.
"I knew you’d call."
The voice sounded familiar.ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt
"Luo Wushuang?"
The person on the other end confirmed, "Technically, you should call me ‘Second Uncle.’"
"Don’t push it. You might not be around much longer. What do you want?"
Luo Wushuang was taken aback by Lin Ran’s tone. He double-checked his intel—something didn’t add up.
"I’m proposing a partnership. You want to escape Luo Yao’s control too, don’t you?"
Lin Ran narrowed his eyes. Wasn’t this the same script as Luo Wuyou?
What he didn’t know was that Luo Wushuang was in a league of his own compared to that woman.
Luo Wushuang was cunning, ruthless, and scheming.
The biggest difference? He knew how to bide his time—hence his long disappearance. Luo Wuyou, on the other hand, was impulsive.
Of course, they shared one belief: that Lin Ran was Luo Yao’s plaything, that he despised her and yearned to break free.
"What if I say no?"
Though Lin Ran knew Luo Wushuang wanted an alliance, he played hard to get. Agreeing too quickly would raise suspicion.
Sure enough, Luo Wushuang’s tone remained relaxed.
"Don’t rush to refuse. I know you’re only complying out of fear. But rest assured—I won’t control you. The choice is yours. You could even report this to Luo Yao, but… I doubt you will."
Lin Ran stayed silent, letting the pause linger before replying.
"What’s your goal?"
The voice on the other end was eerily calm. "To reclaim control of the Luo family. Lin Ran, do you know why Luo Yao hasn’t killed me yet? Do you really think it’s because of you?"
Lin Ran scoffed. "What the hell do you know?"
A beat of silence.
"Must we resort to such language?"