"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because I genuinely feel for you. Seeing you now is like looking at my past self. Do you know how happy I am? My senior just proposed to me yesterday."
Liu Ruxue's sorrow melted into excitement, her face lighting up with a smile.
She could almost picture it—Lin Ran divorcing Luo Yao and then proposing to her instead.
"How exactly did you manage it?"
The girl's lips curled into a smirk as she locked eyes with Liu Ruxue. "Because I proved my determination to the person I love."
Liu Ruxue grew even more puzzled.
"Proved your determination? How?"
"I turned my former best friend into an enemy, ensuring she’d never interfere with our relationship again."
Liu Ruxue’s expression turned blank."Never interfere…?"
"Right. But that was my method—it might not work for you. What you do is up to you. Just remember, you have to be ruthless. Otherwise, your enemy will retaliate like crazy once they recover."
Liu Ruxue: "Did your friend ever retaliate?"
The girl’s gaze hardened. "My friend? She never got the chance."
With that, the girl walked away, leaving Liu Ruxue standing there, stunned.
What did that mean?
How could she ensure her enemy never got the opportunity for revenge?
Liu Ruxue’s rationality began slipping away.
Yes… it was time to end this fake friendship with Huo Haini once and for all.
---
Luo Corporation.
As Lin Ran approached, he noticed everyone in the company staring at him strangely.
Did he have something on his face?
These people were acting weird.
What he didn’t know was that every employee at Luo Corporation was screaming internally: "Ah—!"
Why was this guy back? Here to flaunt his relationship again?
Inner monologue: [Groundhog screech], insert meme face here. (?0?)
When Lin Ran reached Luo Yao’s office, she wasn’t there.
Neither was Liu Meng.
Assuming they were in a meeting or handling business, he pushed open the office door.
"What do you think you’re doing?" A vaguely familiar voice called out. Lin Ran turned.
Well, well. The little troublemaker.
"You’re that… what’s-your-name? Schemer?"
"Zhang Xinyan."
"Oh, right. What do you want?"
"Who gave you permission to enter? Company rules state no one enters the CEO’s office without approval from President Luo or Assistant Liu."
Lin Ran: "I’d advise you to stop talking to me."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. Once, a woman talked to me. Your President Luo slapped her unconscious."
Zhang Xinyan frowned.
"That’s impossible. You’re lying. Hitting people is illegal."
Lin Ran’s eyebrow twitched. "Excuse me? Are you saying my wife doesn’t have the right to slap you?"
Zhang Xinyan paused, realizing Lin Ran had a point—Luo Yao absolutely had that authority.
She wavered, unsure whether to let him in.
Letting him in broke the rules, but stopping him might get her punished.
Being an employee was tough.
Just then, another assistant pulled her aside.
"Are you insane? That’s Young Master Lin—President Luo’s most treasured man. The last person you want to mess with."
Zhang Xinyan rolled her eyes, muttering defiantly.
"What’s so great about a freeloader anyway?"
The senior assistant, Wang Jie, froze, giving her a strange look.
"Zhang Xinyan, grow a brain. Do you have a death wish, spouting nonsense like that?"
Zhang Xinyan stuck out her tongue but remained stubborn.
Even Lin Ran’s friend—what was his name? Wu Zhishang—was just as annoying.
Little did she know, Wu Zhishang would soon teach her a harsh lesson.
---
Lin Ran waited in the office briefly before Luo Yao returned.
Instead of looking pleased to see him, she asked suspiciously:Thɪs
"While I was gone… you didn’t talk to any other women, did you?"
Lin Ran nearly choked. Did Luo Yao plant a bug on him? How did she always know?
"I did, but it wasn’t my fault. Zhang Xinyan stopped me from entering."
Luo Yao: "You talked to Zhang Xinyan?"
Again?
Lin Ran admitted freely.
"Not just Zhang Xinyan. I also ran into Liu Ruxue—but I didn’t say a single word to her."
Luo Yao’s smile turned chilling. "Did Liu Ruxue’s pitiful act stir up your protective instincts?"
Lin Ran immediately raised his hands. "Wife, I swear on our son Lin Tianba’s life—if I spoke to her, may he become a worthless turtle."
Luo Yao gave him a strange look but nodded. "Fine, I’ll believe you for now. But I heard Huo Haini confessed to you?"
Oddly, Lin Ran wasn’t nervous about this one.
What kind of idiot would fall for Huo Haini?
"She did. But I ignored her. The sight of her disgusts me. Wife, you’re not seriously jealous of her, are you? She’s not even fit to shine your shoes. Just have her eliminated."
Luo Yao fell silent for a moment.
"Huo Haini… won’t live much longer."
Lin Ran: ???
"Wait, you’re actually jealous?"
Instead of answering, Luo Yao called Liu Meng in.
"Liu Meng, how long have you worked for me?"
Liu Meng broke into a cold sweat.
"E-eight years."
"Hmm. That long, yet you can’t even manage your subordinates?"
Liu Meng was baffled.
"That Zhang Xinyan—she’s fired. Effective tomorrow. One more slip-up, and you’re out too."
Liu Meng instantly understood—Zhang Xinyan must’ve provoked Lin Ran again.
Without hesitation, she had Zhang Xinyan pack her things and leave.
When Zhang Xinyan got the news, she was stunned.
"Why?"
"No reason. You’re just not a good fit for Luo Corporation."
Obviously, it’s because you offended someone you shouldn’t have. Why even ask?
Liu Meng thought to herself: Be grateful you only annoyed Young Master Lin instead of falling for him. Otherwise, you wouldn’t leave here alive.
Zhang Xinyan felt like the sky had fallen. With no choice, she left Luo Corporation.
The autumn air was cold, but not as cold as her heart.
Tears streamed down her face as she walked through the biting wind.
She had beaten countless competitors to join Luo Corporation’s assistant team—only to be dismissed just like that.
Sure, the company would pay a penalty, but money meant nothing to her.
What mattered was being able to prove her worth.
Once Liu Meng reported Zhang Xinyan’s termination, Luo Yao’s expression softened, and Lin Ran finally relaxed.
Looks like he dodged a beating this time.
Close call.
Luo Yao continued, "A’Ran, about Liu Ruxue, Huo Haini, Zhang Xinyan, Zhang Xiaonuan…"