Lin Tianba acted swiftly. The villa was sold the same day, and by the next, he’d offloaded all his cars and borrowed from some business associates, finally scraping together 200 million.
He then went back to Xu Kai, transferring the 200 million. The remaining 800 million from the bank went directly to Lin Ran, as it was an equity acquisition loan—the money had to go to Lin Ran, just like how a mortgage goes to the developer when buying a house. There was nothing Lin Tianba could do about it.
At last, he acquired 30% of Lin Ran’s shares, and with that, everything was settled. Lin Ran was now completely severed from the Lin family.
Lin Tianba moved his entire family into a storage room at the company, dismissed all the maids and servants, and lost every luxury—cars, mansions, all gone. His debts, including the 100 million owed to Brother Dao, now totaled nearly a billion.
In exchange, he held 51% of the company’s shares.
Though life was tough now, the entire Lin family was oddly harmonious, because they now represented the Suran Group.
This joy far outweighed their "temporary" downfall.
The Suran Group was named after Lin Ran’s mother’s surname and Lin Ran’s own name. If not for Lin Tianba’s fear that rebranding would hurt the sales of their new real estate projects, he would’ve renamed the company immediately.
Another day passed. The Lin family, now back to their usual routines, busied themselves with their own affairs. Lin Ran, meanwhile, received the full billion.
Without hesitation, he established a real estate company—though for now, it was just an empty shell.
Next, he would ensure the Lin family’s utter ruin.
Lin Ran returned to school today. With Luo Yao absent, classes were the only way to stave off boredom. There was nowhere else for him to go, and the company didn’t need him yet.
After class, as he headed back to the manor, he ran into Lin Jian.
Lin Jian was practically glowing with confidence, basking in his newfound triumph.
Wu Zhishang had long known about the Lin family’s disownment of Lin Ran. The more he learned about their treatment of his friend, the more furious he became on his behalf.
So, Wu Zhishang had no patience for Lin Jian and outright despised the Lin family.
He’d once thought Lin Ran was merely unwelcome at home—only recently had he realized it was outright abuse, cold violence, and psychological manipulation.
Lin Ran: "A good dog doesn’t block the path."
Wu Zhishang: "A good pig doesn’t stir trouble."
Lin Jian: "Brother, what’s wrong? Why talk to me like this? I’m your brother!"
Lin Ran scoffed. "Then go tell the whole school I’m your brother—and while you’re at it, explain how the Lin family treated me!"
Lin Jian didn’t dare. Everyone knew him as the young master of the Lin family. Admitting Lin Ran was his brother would be a slap to his own face.
More importantly, how could he explain that he lived in luxury, playing the role of a wealthy heir, while his brother struggled to survive on part-time jobs?
Where would the Lin family’s dignity be then?
"Brother! It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have called you ‘brother’ at school or gotten in your way. But Dad misses you. He wants you to come home sometime!"
"If you’d just kneel, kowtow, apologize to Dad, and return the money from selling your shares, he’d definitely forgive you."
Again?
Lin Ran: "Say one more word like that, and I’ll beat you until you see stars night and day."
Lin Jian took a step back in fear, but his eyes gleamed with calculation.
Go ahead, hit me. Let the school deal with you.
"I’m sorry, Brother. But what you did at the school gate on the first day—that disgrace to our family—made Dad furious. He asked me to find out who that woman was."
"If possible, I… I’d like to visit her on Dad’s behalf and demand justice for you!"
Lin Ran narrowed his eyes.
In his past life, Lin Jian had once caught a glimpse of Luo Yao and immediately wanted to seek her out. Back then, Lin Ran had stopped him—to protect his little brother.
But now, it seemed… something was off. Did this bastard have feelings for Luo Yao?
That would make things very interesting.
Should he arrange a meeting?
Let Luo Yao teach Lin Jian a lesson he’d never forget?
No. He couldn’t let his wife suffer that disgust.
Damn it! In his past life, he’d actually begged Luo Yao to spare his family, even agreeing to those humiliating conditions she’d demanded.
Ugh. What a fool he’d been!
Lin Ran: "Lin Jian, drop the act. My business is none of yours."
Lin Jian: "But we’re family. We share the same father. I’m your blood brother."
Lin Ran: "Oh? Then I won’t hold back."
Lin Jian thought Lin Ran had relented, his face lighting up—until Lin Ran’s fist connected.
"Didn’t I say I’d beat you senseless if you called us family?"
Wu Zhishang didn’t hesitate to join in, turning it into a two-man beating. The commotion drew the attention of nearby classmates.
None had heard their conversation, leaving them utterly confused.
Wu Zhishang shouted, "Lin Jian from the Arts Department came to pick a fight! He called all of us Finance majors trash! Get him!"
The lecture hall instantly became a battlefield of flying kicks, leaving Lin Jian unconscious.
Afterward, the students offered to share the blame, but Lin Ran refused.
He wasn’t ready to air the family’s dirty laundry—not yet.
He’d strike Lin Jian down at the height of his glory.
And that moment wasn’t far off.
Lin Tianba rushed to the school after receiving the call, Liu Yuemei in tow.
How dare anyone lay a hand on his son!
Ten minutes earlier, Luo Yao had gotten a call too.
"Wife! I got into a fight!"
"Are you hurt?"
Luo Yao tensed instantly. She might have hurt Lin Ran before, but no one else was allowed to touch him.
Lin Ran: "My hand hurts a little. Can you help me handle it? The school wants to call my parents—but you’re all I have."
Those words—"you’re all I have"—pierced Luo Yao’s heart. "I’ll be there," she said.
Soon, Luo Yao arrived at the principal’s office. The incident wasn’t minor—a group beating was serious.
The moment she entered, Principal Tang nearly leapt out of his chair.
"Good heavens! President Luo, you came personally?"
"Principal Tang, how much scholarship funding does Luo Corporation provide annually? How many campus buildings did we construct? How many research teams did we sponsor?"
Principal Tang was baffled, but the fury on Luo Yao’s face sent cold sweat down his back.
This was not someone to cross—even the education bureau director would grovel before her.
"President Luo, if I’ve made any mistakes, I’ll apologize on behalf of the entire staff!"
Luo Yao’s voice dripped venom. "After all I’ve done, this is how you let people bully my husband in your school?"