Lin Ran could cook, but there was still some gap compared to professional chefs. Even so, he still received praise from the chefs.
It wasn’t flattery—they genuinely thought Lin Ran was quite skilled.
Lin Ran himself felt a little embarrassed. Here were actual professional chefs assisting him, an amateur.
"It’s alright. My wife just likes it when I cook for her myself. Oh, by the way, could you prepare that papaya for me? I’ll blend it myself later..."
By the time Lin Ran finished all the dishes Luo Yao had requested, Luo Yao had just returned to the villa.
The moment she saw Lin Ran, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
She had ordered so much—Ah Ran must be exhausted.
But Lin Ran wasn’t overthinking it anymore. After his realization the night before, he had let go.
Why bother overcomplicating things? He would just love Luo Yao boldly and freely, the way she liked it.
"Dinner’s ready, honey. Wait for me at the dining table—I’ll be right there."Luo Yao obediently sat upright at the dining table. When Lin Ran arrived, he immediately lit the candles on the table.
"It’s not even nighttime. Why light candles?"Google seaʀᴄh Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
Lin Ran smirked. "Who says candlelight is only for dinner? Every meal with you can have it, whenever we want."
Then he called out to the air, "Smart Home System, close all the lights and curtains for me."
"Understood, Master."
After staying here for the past couple of days, Lin Ran had gotten the hang of the smart home features.
Now, he felt the staff here were somewhat redundant.
They barely did anything—just stood around—yet received hefty monthly salaries.
This kind of job was practically a worker’s paradise.
Before meeting Luo Yao, back when he hadn’t fallen out with the Lin family, Lin Ran had often wished for such a cushy job with high pay.
Who would’ve thought that after meeting Luo Yao, he’d become the one providing such jobs and salaries?
This kind of reversal wasn’t just unimaginable—he wouldn’t have dared dream of it.
The curtains automatically closed, the lights dimmed, leaving only the flickering candlelight on the table, casting dancing shadows on their faces.
If a painter were here, it would’ve been another masterpiece.
Of course, Uncle Fu thoughtfully captured the moment and sent the photo to Lin Ran.
Jiang Feihua frowned, feeling Uncle Fu was being a bit impolite.
But Lin Ran was thoroughly pleased with Uncle Fu’s initiative and admired the photo closely.
"Lin Ran held up a piece of steak with chopsticks, feeding it to Luo Yao. She bit down on the chopsticks, her gaze never leaving Lin Ran’s face. The flickering candlelight painted an ethereal glow across their features..."
[Since everyone has their own image of Luo Yao and Lin Ran in their minds, no illustration will be provided this time. Let the words above fuel your imagination.]
Lin Ran was stunned. "You… you’re actually this good at capturing moments?"
Uncle Fu chuckled.
"Young Master Lin, look how well I photographed you. Now compare it to the ones you took of me."
Lin Ran nodded. "Next time, I’ll make sure to take a better one of you."
He immediately set the photo as his wallpaper. Luo Yao watched his actions quietly, warmth blooming in her heart.
Lately, even Liu Meng had remarked that Luo Yao seemed less icy when she wasn’t in one of her frenzied moods.
All of this was because of Lin Ran.
Of course, when she did lose her temper, she was still as terrifying as ever.
After the candlelit lunch, the couple got into the car.
Yesterday’s Rolls-Royce had its hood ornament damaged, so today they simply switched to another one.
Liu Meng was already handing Luo Yao documents on the tablet as soon as they got in.
"The bidding for Huaxia’s New Tech City project has drawn many competitors, but realistically, only three have the strength to win—either Samsung and the three major families, the collective bid from the South China New Commerce Alliance, or, most likely, us."
Luo Yao wasn’t concerned about who would win. She only cared about their current funds and how solid their follow-up plans were.
"A few days ago, our large-scale fund transfer to the Shanghai branch already drew dissatisfaction from the Big Four banks."
Only then did Luo Yao open her eyes.
"And what are they dissatisfied about? The authorities already approved it. Do they think they can overturn that?"
Liu Meng lowered her head. "The headquarters contacted our finance team today. They want to… negotiate the funds."
Luo Yao scoffed. "How amusing. Bargaining with us? After this trip, we’ll register our own banks. Once we transfer all external funds there, we won’t need to ‘negotiate’ with them anymore."
That was Luo Yao’s way—never giving others room to haggle.
With her power, no capital could oppose her anymore.
Did the Big Four banks have money? Of course—more than Luo Yao.
But was that money theirs? No. It belonged to the state.
Yet some branch managers, drunk on their petty authority, dared to demand more benefits.
Luo Yao would make sure they heard a firm no.
Liu Meng frowned. "But… the authorities might not approve, right?"
Luo Yao arched a brow. "They will. We can generate higher profits, increase tax revenue, and stimulate even greater economic growth. This bank will focus solely on commercial partnerships, with Lin Ran as the major shareholder."
Lin Ran nearly choked on air beside her.
Listening to this was already nerve-wracking. He had never pried into Luo Yao’s true influence, though he’d always had a rough estimate.
Turns out, he’d still underestimated her.
She could strong-arm the banks? Even break away to establish her own?
What kind of power was this?
And not just some small bank—she was aiming to compete with state-owned enterprises.
Most shockingly… he would be the bank’s owner?!
This… this…
This wasn’t in the original storyline at all.
Whatever. Just end it. The world had officially become something Lin Ran couldn’t comprehend.
"How about ‘Ah Ran Bank’?"
Lin Ran’s face darkened. "That’s a bit too on-the-nose. People might think I’m showing off."
"Then ‘Warm Yao Bank.’ I think that’s more subtle," Luo Yao suggested.
At this point, Lin Ran had given up trying to dissuade her. It was futile.
The more lavish the gifts he accepted, the more at ease Luo Yao felt.
That was just how their dynamic worked.
After a pause, he nodded.
"That name works. It’s direct—shows how much I love you."
Their conversation sent shockwaves through Liu Meng’s mind, equivalent to a magnitude-12 earthquake.
This wasn’t just love—it was like cutting off your own flesh to feed your lover. Absurd. Staggering.
Liu Meng almost wanted to cry. How she wished she could be as domineering as Luo Yao, overwhelming men with sheer wealth.
Maybe… this was the true meaning of making money.
"Ah Ran, once we’re at the grand hall later, if you see anyone you dislike, just tell me. I’ll deal with them."
Lin Ran gave her a strange look.
"…Are you planning to stir up trouble?"
"Who knows?"