The manager exclaimed, "Boss! You are my boss. Although you've never been here before, we have your information in our system. No wonder you looked so familiar when I first saw you. You're our benefactor! I should be punished for not recognizing you at first glance."
Lin Ran looked at Uncle Fu in confusion, and Uncle Fu nodded.
It was clear now—Lin Ran was indeed the owner of this hotel.
Good heavens, the only seven-star hotel in the entire capital city was under his name?
Luo Yao, how much more wealth have you prepared for me?
Lin Ran's expression was awkward, but deep down, he was thrilled.
Wu Zhishang and Chen Qingtian, who had been arm in arm, were now staring at Lin Ran in stunned silence.
The women who had given up on approaching Lin Ran suddenly reignited their hopes.
A guy this handsome, wealthy, and influential—how could ordinary women possibly be worthy of him?
How could I retreat just because he rejected me once?
No, I must rise to the challenge. Even if he likes men, I'll straighten him out.
Feeling the odd gazes around him, Lin Ran awkwardly smiled.
"Ah? Actually, I didn’t know either. This hotel was probably a gift from my wife. Um… you all can go back to work now."
What?
This hotel was a gift from his wife?
No way, absolutely no way.
This must be his way of deflecting us, but he’s mistaken if he thinks this will work.
The manager, noticing the awkward silence, quickly instructed the staff to resume their duties, and gradually, the atmosphere in the room began to warm up again.
Lin Ran asked Uncle Fu to escort the necklace back to the manor first while he waited for Wu Zhishang.
Uncle Fu, knowing there were hidden bodyguards outside and that potential threats had already been dealt with, agreed.
Chen Qingtian gave Wu Zhishang a meaningful look. "Your friend is truly extraordinary."
The Pangu Hotel, the only seven-star hotel in the capital, was estimated to be worth 5 billion. Its previous owner had always been a mystery, but today, the truth was revealed.
Wu Zhishang remained silent, unsure of what to say. He had just found out too.
And judging by Lin Ran's reaction, even Lin Ran himself hadn’t known he was the owner of this hotel.
What kind of goddess is Lin Ran’s wife?
Although the atmosphere had returned to normal, with people chatting and dancing, many still glanced frequently at Lin Ran.
Wu Zhishang knew it was time to leave. With Uncle Fu gone, the women were closing in on Lin Ran again.
Although Lin Ran was doing his best to dodge and reject them, it was clearly becoming difficult. As a brother, he couldn’t let Lin Ran face this alone.
He had to clear away these temptresses for the sake of Lin Ran’s wife. If even one of them succeeded, not only would Lin Ran feel guilty, but Wu Zhishang himself would feel Lin Ran had wronged his wife.
However, looking at Chen Qingtian in front of him, he felt a bit reluctant to leave.
While he couldn’t betray his girlfriend, making a new friend wasn’t a crime, right?
Chen Qingtian, noticing Wu Zhishang’s shy demeanor, found it amusing. Such a bashful guy was a rare sight. She smiled warmly.
"Let’s exchange contacts."
Wu Zhishang was taken aback. He had only wanted an autographed photo, but Chen Qingtian had taken the initiative to add him as a friend.
Excited, he nodded and pulled out his phone, displaying a QR code. "You can scan me."
Chen Qingtian fell silent when she saw Wu Zhishang’s payment QR code but still scanned it with her phone.
"How much?" she asked.
"How much for what?" Wu Zhishang replied, confused.
"How much to add you as a friend?"
Wu Zhishang glanced at his phone screen and instantly felt embarrassed. He quickly refreshed the QR code.
"Refreshing the payment QR code for a discount?" Chen Qingtian teased.
Wu Zhishang felt like he could dig a three-bedroom apartment with his toes out of sheer embarrassment. He quickly pulled up the correct QR code for adding friends.
The two "happily" exchanged contacts, and Chen Qingtian smiled like a spring breeze.
"Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
As soon as Wu Zhishang returned, Lin Ran called out to him.
"Finally, you’re back. Let’s go. We have classes tomorrow."
Wu Zhishang: ??? You actually care about classes?
You showed up on the first day of the semester and then disappeared. The only time you came back was to visit the principal’s office. And now you’re talking about attending classes?
Seeing the women starting to make moves again, Wu Zhishang quickly agreed. "Yes, yes, let’s go. We have classes tomorrow!"
The two of them fled like the wind.
Lin Ran hated being stared at like a zoo animal. If it weren’t for Wu Zhishang still being inside, he would have left long ago.
As soon as they left, the room erupted in murmurs.
"Who would’ve thought? The owner of the Pangu Hotel is that young man?"
"He seems to still be a student. What kind of background does he have?"
"Didn’t you hear him? His wife gave it to him. Maybe he’s being kept. He might even be a side piece."
"You’re the side piece. Your whole family are side pieces."
"F*ck! Are you crazy?"
"Even if I’m sick, I wouldn’t take your medicine. Your family’s medicine is all sour anyway."
...
Half an hour earlier, Liu Ritian and Lin Jian, starving, had gone to eat a bowl of beef noodles.
Liu Ritian was shocked. He couldn’t believe his own nephew had only treated him to a bowl of beef noodles.
Lin Jian was also helpless. The Lin family was in a crisis, and he had to share their hardships.
If he took his uncle out for a lavish meal now, how would Lin Tianba view him?
When they returned to the hotel entrance, they saw Liu Yuemei and another person being thrown out. Both Liu Ritian and Lin Jian were stunned.
After asking around, they learned the whole story. Liu Yuemei couldn’t hide it because Liu Ruxue also knew.
Liu Ritian exclaimed, "Lin Ran actually threw you out? Where did he get the guts? And where did he get 300 million to buy that necklace? Did Lin Tianba give it to him? Sister, what have I and our parents always taught you? How could you let Lin Tianba give Lin Ran money?"
Liu Yuemei sighed. There was no choice but to tell the truth.
Liu Ritian’s pupils shook. "What? He… he swindled 300 million from you?"
Lin Jian added, "Not just that. Lin Ran is also planning to sell his shares. Those shares should have belonged to the Lin family. The Lin family is really in a tough spot now."
Liu Ritian was in disbelief. He had no idea Lin Ran held so many shares.
He glanced at Liu Yuemei, then at Lin Jian, and finally locked eyes with his daughter, Liu Ruxue.
A lightbulb went off in Liu Ritian’s head. If Lin Ran really sold his shares, marrying Ruxue to him might not be a bad idea.
Of course, the condition would be that Lin Ran had to hand over all the money as a bride price. Otherwise, he wouldn’t agree.
But for appearances' sake, Liu Ritian spent a long time scolding Lin Ran alongside Liu Yuemei. It wasn’t until a few security guards came out and shooed them away that they finally left.
Lin Jian seized the opportunity to secretly slip a key to Liu Ruxue, whispering something to her.
Liu Ruxue’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Lin Jian.