As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Bao's voice came through.
"Mr. Lin, it's done."
Lin Ran walked into the room in surprise and saw that, except for two women and Zhang Xiaolong, everyone else was lying on the ground.
Lin Ran smiled and said, "Not bad, Brother Wang."
Wang Bao scratched his head. "You flatter me, Mr. Lin."
Wu Zhishang, while looking at Wang Bao with admiration, went to help Zhang Xiaolong up. Zhang Xiaolong had been beaten pretty badly by his father.
Lin Ran threw away the remaining half of his cigarette and walked over to help Zhang Xiaonuan up. As for the woman who was giggling foolishly, no one paid her any attention.
Zhang Xiaonuan looked at Lin Ran in shock. She had imagined many scenarios but never thought someone would come to rescue them.
Zhang Xiaolong stood up and grabbed Lin Ran's hand, saying, "Thank you, boss. Thank you. I will never forget your kindness. I don’t know how to repay you."
Lin Ran thought to himself that this line sounded oddly familiar.
Zhang Xiaolong asked, "What about them? We beat them up like this. Will we get into trouble? Boss Wang has a lot of influence around here."
Lin Ran smiled. "Don’t worry. When it comes to influence, I’m not afraid."
With that, he sent a message to Luo Yao. Soon, Luo Yao sent over some professionals.
First to arrive was Xu Kai with two assistants. Upon learning the situation, they were outraged and vowed to seek justice for Zhang Xiaolong and his sister.
A little later, the police arrived and took away Zhang Dahai and Boss Wang. However, the woman was still locked up, and since Zhang Dahai was unconscious, no one knew where the key was.
Zhang Xiaolong fell silent for a moment. "Even if he knew, he wouldn’t hand it over. I know him. If he realizes he’s been caught, he’ll fight to the bitter end. Otherwise, I would’ve already taken him down and forced him to give up the key."
Lin Ran patted Zhang Xiaolong on the shoulder. "No problem. Leave it to me."
After giving Wu Zhishang some instructions, Wu Zhishang soon returned with a locksmith.
The locksmith was startled when he saw the situation but didn’t say much, especially since the police were present.
After examining the two locks, he found them quite challenging—they weren’t ordinary locks.
After some thought, he carefully used his tools to physically dismantle them.
The first lock to be removed was Zhang Xiaonuan’s. She had been in her university dorm when someone told her that her family was looking for her. She thought it was her brother, but it turned out to be her father in a wheelchair and two thugs.
Zhang Xiaonuan resisted going with her father, so he had the thugs knock her out. They had come fully prepared.
When she woke up and found herself imprisoned, Zhang Xiaonuan felt like her world had collapsed. She knew her life was over.
But just as she was about to be sold off, a man descended like a savior, riding on a rainbow of light, and rescued her in a matter of moments.
Now, Zhang Xiaonuan threw herself into Zhang Xiaolong’s arms, sobbing. Zhang Xiaolong gently patted her back to comfort her.
After crying for a while, Zhang Xiaonuan glanced at Lin Ran and, after some hesitation, walked up to him.
"Thank you, Senior Lin Ran."
Lin Ran and Wu Zhishang were taken aback. Lin Ran asked, "You’re from Jingda University?"
Lin Ran only knew that Zhang Xiaonuan had started university this year but didn’t know she was at Jingda University.
He thought to himself that he could recruit her to the company to develop alongside her brother.
But then he reconsidered—studies should come first.
Zhang Xiaonuan nodded. "Yes, thank you for saving me."
Wu Zhishang chimed in, "We all helped rescue you, but you’re only thanking one person?"
Zhang Xiaonuan quickly shook her head nervously. "No, no, I’m thankful to all of you. Thank you, and thank you, sir. If it weren’t for you, my life would have been ruined."
The lock on Zhang Xiaolong’s mother was also opened, and the police took her away, along with the two thugs on the ground.
Given the seriousness of the situation, Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaonuan were also taken in for questioning.
Finally, Xu Kai assured Lin Ran that he wouldn’t rest until those people were locked up for life.
With the matter resolved, Lin Ran felt quite pleased.
Helping Zhang Xiaolong was one thing, but more importantly, he had dealt with Zhang Dahai, avenging Wu Zhishang from their past life.
Back at the company, Wu Zhishang invited Lin Ran to his home over the weekend.
Lin Ran initially didn’t want to go, but after hearing the reason, he agreed.
This busy schedule caused him to miss picking up Luo Yao, so he had to head straight back to the estate.
At the estate, Luo Yao’s expression was less than pleased because Lin Ran had promised to pick her up but had broken his promise.
Although Lin Ran had explained over the phone, she was still upset. It wasn’t until she saw Lin Ran walk into the villa that a faint smile appeared on her face.
Luo Yao’s love for Lin Ran wasn’t just about possession. She wanted to be with him at all times, clinging to him as if she could hang off him.
She wanted Lin Ran’s eyes to be only on her, with no room for anyone else—not even other men.
So, compared to her usual self, Luo Yao had been relatively restrained in her interactions with Lin Ran.
The doctor changed Lin Ran’s bandages and advised him to rest more, saying the wound had healed and that he just needed to disinfect and apply medicine regularly over the next few days.
Lin Ran thought to himself that he was recovering quickly—his physical condition must be pretty good.
After the doctor left, it was time for Lin Ran and Luo Yao’s favorite part of the day: their private time together.
In the villa, or even the entire estate, nothing else mattered to Luo Yao. Only Lin Ran was alive and vivid in her eyes.
If Luo Yao wanted, she could have him anywhere.
That was Luo Yao.
After dinner, the two went to the rooftop garden to talk.
...
After exercising, a man tends to get thirsty. Lin Ran slowly sipped a glass of water.
Luo Yao asked, "A’Ran, was that Zhang Xiaonuan pretty?"
Lin Ran spat out the water he had just sipped.
"No, not at all. Compared to Yao Yao, she’s nothing."
Luo Yao pressed, "So you did look at her?"
Lin Ran was taken aback. "No, I didn’t."
"Then how do you know she’s not as pretty as me?"
"Because in this world, no one could ever be as beautiful as my Yao Yao."
Luo Yao was somewhat satisfied with this answer.
"A’Ran, remember this: don’t think about other women, or I’ll make you regret it."
Lin Ran pulled Luo Yao into his arms. "I’ll only think about you. I’m right here with you. What are you worried about?"
Luo Yao leaned comfortably against Lin Ran’s chest, one hand holding his, the other resting on his leg.
Lin Ran gazed up at the stars, feeling the beauty of the world and the warmth of the woman in his arms.
Slowly, they moved together.
A connection that touched the soul.
A long time passed.