If this scene were witnessed by industry insiders, what a sensational headline it would make.
Of course, Luo Yao didn’t hold back either—she had someone secretly record everything.
If this footage were uploaded to South Korean websites, wouldn’t it shatter the morale of those little Koreans?
"Why do we have to kneel here? I’m the heir of South Korea’s top chaebol!"
Qian Yinshang looked at her son with exasperation. She had already come to terms with reality—or more accurately, with Luo Yao’s dominance.
They were simply not on the same level.
This was a woman who had single-handedly taken on the entire business world, including giants like Samsung.
"Luo Yao forced Samsung into a corner while simultaneously dealing with the three major families of Shanghai. That alone is reason enough for us to kneel."
"Son, there’s a Chinese saying: ‘Endure humiliation to carry out a greater mission.’ If you can’t even handle this small grievance, you’ll never outmaneuver Park Gukgi."
Park Gukchang still wore a resentful expression."But Luo Yao humiliated us before, and now we’re here begging her? Are there no other options?"
Qian Yinshang lowered her voice sharply. "Shut up, you useless fool! This is Luo Yao’s territory. If she hears you, all this kneeling will be for nothing!"
Park Gukchang had no choice but to comply. When it came to cunning, he was leagues behind his mother.
"Fine, I get it," he muttered, though his heart still burned with defiance.
Inside the room, Lin Ran watched the surveillance feed with amusement. "Well, well, what a pity. If only we were still in Beijing—I’d have loved to see them freeze their asses off."
"I can make them kneel in Beijing for you if you’d like."
Lin Ran quickly waved his hands. "No need, no need, my dear wife. How about we play a game instead? Let’s bet on why they’re here."
Luo Yao nodded, though she didn’t seem particularly interested.
"Sure. What’s your guess?"
Lin Ran thought for a moment. "I bet they’re here to ask for your help against Park Bo-gi. Since he’s divorced Qian Yinshang, little Park Gukchang can’t inherit Samsung anymore."
Luo Yao nodded again.
Lin Ran raised an eyebrow. "Your turn."
"My turn for what?"
"The bet. What’s your guess?"
"Anything’s fine," Luo Yao replied indifferently.
"Anything? A bet requires predictions. Whoever’s right wins. Don’t tell me you don’t even know that, wife?"
Luo Yao couldn’t be bothered to think. She just enjoyed interacting with Lin Ran.
"Then A-Ran can guess for me."
Lin Ran laughed helplessly. "Alright, fine, I’ll guess for you. Then you’ll bet they’re here to kowtow and apologize." Let’s see you lose for once—maybe then you’ll learn how cruel the world can be.
Luo Yao agreed. "Deal."
Lin Ran’s expression turned sly. "A bet needs stakes, doesn’t it?"
Luo Yao shook her head. "I’ll let you win. Just tell me how much you want."
Lin Ran froze. It dawned on him that Luo Yao didn’t care about the bet at all—her focus was entirely on him.
For some reason, his heart ached.
"You haven’t even heard what the stakes are."
"No matter the amount, I’ll give it to you."ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
Good heavens, someone save this poor soul. Whose wife is this perfect? Oh right—mine. Never mind then.
Lin Ran pouted. "I don’t have money to bet with you."
It was true. On paper, he owned multiple businesses, but in reality, none of his wealth was in his name.
Luo Yao: "That’s fine. I have money. I’ll give it all to you, and then you can bet with me."
Lin Ran’s lips twitched. Luo Yao’s logic was… unconventional, to say the least.
"What I mean is, we could bet on something other than money. Gambling isn’t a good habit, and high stakes are illegal anyway."
Luo Yao gave him a strange look. "You gambled quite heavily at that underground casino in Beijing."
Lin Ran instantly stiffened.
That high-stakes game with Luo Wushuang had indeed involved astronomical sums. If caught, he’d be locked up for a while.
"Uh… well… let’s bet on something fun today."
"Like what?"
"Like… whoever wins gets to be on top next time?"
"No need to bet. I’ll let you have that."
Lin Ran’s eyes sparkled briefly before he proposed another idea.
"Then how about this: the loser has to unconditionally grant the winner one request—no refusals allowed."
Finally, Luo Yao’s curiosity was piqued.
This "stake" sounded far more interesting. For the first time, she felt a flicker of competitiveness.
She hadn’t cared about winning before—but only because it was Lin Ran. Against anyone else, Luo Yao would’ve crushed them mercilessly.
Let it be known: Luo Yao was not one to be bound by rules.
"Fine. Those are the stakes."
Lin Ran hadn’t expected Luo Yao’s sudden surge of competitiveness.
"Yao Yao, do you even remember what you’re betting on?" he felt compelled to remind her.
"I know. If they kneel and apologize, I win. Right?"
Lin Ran nodded. "If we’re both wrong, it’s a tie."
Luo Yao agreed.
Both wrong? Impossible.
"What if we’re both right?" Lin Ran raised another possibility.
"Then it depends on whether they apologize first or beg first," Luo Yao dictated the rule without hesitation.
"Deal. No backing out—unconditional favor for the winner."
With the terms set, Luo Yao instructed Uncle Fu, "Let them in."
Soon, the villa doors opened. Luo Yao and Lin Ran sat on the living room sofa, watching as the mother and son entered.
The moment Qian Yinshang opened her mouth—"Luo Yao, I—"
"Kneel. Kowtow. Apologize." Luo Yao’s command was just six words.
Lin Ran’s eyes darted to Luo Yao.
( ?_? )
His face was a canvas of confusion.
Qian Yinshang froze for a second, glanced at her son, then slowly sank to her knees.
Park Gukchang’s face twisted with suppressed rage, but he didn’t dare resist.
He hadn’t dared speak outside—now, inside Luo Yao’s domain, he was even more powerless.
And everyone knew Luo Yao was ruthless. There was nothing this madwoman wouldn’t do.
Had he known her true identity last time, he’d have never provoked her.
Curse that damned socialite gossip.
"Luo Yao, I apologize for my previous recklessness and for my son’s disrespect toward you. I’m sorry."
Luo Yao shot Lin Ran a glance—her meaning crystal clear.
I win, right?
Lin Ran could only chuckle and concede defeat.
"Why did you come here?" he asked.
As Qian Yinshang started to rise, Luo Yao’s icy voice cut through the air.
"Stay kneeling."