At this thought, Jiang Feihua felt even happier and decided to observe what exceptional qualities this butler possessed.
After waiting for Lin Ran and Luo Yao to rest, Jiang Feihua took Uncle Fu directly to the most famous private kitchen in Shanghai. In the private dining room, Jiang Feihua displayed the demeanor expected of a highly emotionally intelligent businesswoman.
Uncle Fu, too, found himself somewhat swept off his feet by this woman in her forties, who exuded remarkable poise and emotional intelligence.
By the end of the meal, Jiang Feihua had obtained the information she wanted.
When the two returned to the manor, they each went to rest.
Watching Jiang Feihua’s retreating figure, Uncle Fu wiped the smile from his face, frowned, and looked down at his hand.
"That woman actually touched my hand. Disgusting."ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ɴoᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt
He washed his hands several times before heading alone to the heated pool outside the villa. Glancing at the small rooftop of the villa’s first floor, he took a few steps, flipped over, and effortlessly climbed up.
What he didn’t know, however, was that Lin Ran, who was resting in his bedroom, was also struggling with insomnia.
After coaxing Luo Yao to sleep, he lay awake for a long, long time.Perhaps it was his first time sleeping on a waterbed.
Eventually, resigned, he lay in bed with headphones on, scrolling through Douyin.
The endless scrolling made him reluctant to sleep.
Sometimes, he even felt like slapping himself.
Hearing Luo Yao’s steady breathing, Lin Ran turned off his phone and quietly slipped out of the bedroom.
At the same time, Luo Yao’s eyes suddenly snapped open.
"Ah Ran? Where is he going?"
Lin Ran walked to the poolside outside the villa and sat down on a chair.
Even in the south, the night carried a slight chill. He looked up at the moon.
Since returning to this world, he had poured his heart into loving Luo Yao—but had he truly done enough?
"Sigh!"
"Sigh!"
Two sighs echoed simultaneously, startling both the young and old men. They turned their heads to look at each other.
Lin Ran sat on a lounge chair by the pool, while Uncle Fu perched on the villa’s first-floor rooftop.
"Damn, old man, what are you doing up so high at your age? Aren’t you afraid of falling and breaking your damn—uh, your leg?"
Uncle Fu gave Lin Ran a helpless look. "It’s barely four meters. How could I break my leg? And I won’t fall."
At that moment, Lin Ran deeply felt the limitations of his own frail physique.
That height was actually quite dangerous—enough to cause injury in daily life, and Lin Ran was just an ordinary person.
(A quick PSA: Don’t try jumping from heights, folks.)
"Old man, let me educate you. They say the elderly have three fears, and the first is falling. You might think you’re invincible, but your bones are already brittle."
Uncle Fu looked puzzled. "Shouldn’t the biggest fear be having no money?"
Alright, no winning that argument.
"Then may I ask, why were you sighing?"
Instead of answering, Uncle Fu countered with a leisurely question of his own.
"And why was Young Master Lin sighing? Could it be that you find it exhausting being with Miss Luo? Even if you feel that way, I’d advise you to keep it to yourself. Miss Luo truly loves you. If you endure a little, you’ll realize just how wonderful she is."
There was a hint of lecturing in the old man’s words, which irked Lin Ran.
"Don’t talk nonsense. I sighed because I feel like my love for Luo Yao is still lacking something—not for the reason you’re implying."
This feeling of "love falling short" had haunted Lin Ran for a long time.
"I’ve really been trying my hardest. I don’t know why, but I always feel like I’m not loving her enough."
At this, Lin Ran sighed again.
"It’s frustrating. In my heart, I adore her, I love her, and I’m putting in the effort—so why does it still feel like something’s missing?"
Lin Ran claimed not to know, but deep down, he understood what was lacking. He just couldn’t recklessly test it.
What he owed Luo Yao was a life—a life that, after his death, would willingly don wedding robes and share his grave.
Luo Yao could give herself completely to him. But what had he given her in return?
In his heart and with his words, he believed he’d sacrifice his life for her.
But until the moment came, no one could say for sure.
Perhaps what was missing was the experience of truly risking his life for her.
Lin Ran knew this line of thinking was dangerous, yet he couldn’t help craving the chance to prove his love matched hers.
"Maybe no matter how hard I try, I’ll never love Luo Yao as much as she loves me."
Uncle Fu seemed to grasp Lin Ran’s turmoil—after all, it’s hard to see clearly when you’re in the thick of it.
"Young Master Lin, you’re actually doing very well. Truly, this is the happiest I’ve seen Miss Luo in a long time. Loving her doesn’t always mean grand, dramatic gestures. That’s not what she needs."
"What she needs is for you to hold her in your heart and treat her with sincerity."
Was Luo Yao’s desire simple? In truth, it was—just two things: Lin Ran’s heart and Lin Ran himself.
"Miss Luo has always wanted something simple, and you’ve done well. It’s just that you don’t feel it’s enough."
"Lately, I’ve noticed something interesting about you. I could be wrong, but don’t take offense if I am."
Uncle Fu’s words instantly struck a chord, and Lin Ran urged him to continue. "At your age, stop beating around the bush."
"Go on, I won’t blame you."
Uncle Fu obliged. As a butler—technically a servant to Lin Ran—he shouldn’t be saying these things.
But Uncle Fu was a sentimental man who genuinely saw Lin Ran and Luo Yao as family.
"For some reason, I feel like you’ve changed recently."
Lin Ran rolled his eyes. "Of course I’ve changed. Was that your big revelation? Don’t tell me you’ve only just noticed I love Luo Yao more now—anyone could see that."
Uncle Fu shook his head. "That’s not what I meant. You do love Miss Luo deeply now, and you treat her well—I won’t deny that. But what I’m saying is, your heart has changed."
This statement left both the man on the chair and the one in the villa momentarily stunned.
Uncle Fu, who had been reclining, suddenly sat up and looked at Lin Ran intently.
"I don’t know why, but I sense you’ve placed too much pressure on yourself."
"You love Miss Luo with great effort, but it feels like you’re forcing yourself to meticulously love her in a certain way. Of course, I’m not saying that’s wrong—it’s exactly how Miss Luo likes to be loved. But I’d prefer it if you loved her without any psychological burden."
Lin Ran felt as if a veil had been lifted. Uncle Fu saw things far more clearly than he did.
Could this be the reason?