Lin Ran reached out to pick up the cat as he spoke. This time, the cat didn’t run away and let itself be caught.
Carrying the black cat back to the villa, Lin Ran asked the staff to prepare some small fish. The servants found it strange but didn’t question it, and soon brought the fish to him.
Lin Ran took the fish to the rooftop garden, feeding the cat while saying, “From now on, you can stay here whenever you like. The view is great, but no littering, okay?”
“Meow!”
He continued petting the cat and feeding it until the black cat refused to eat any more, at which point Lin Ran let it go.
The black cat swayed its head and disappeared into the garden. Lin Ran chuckled. “Little rascal.”
With animals, you need patience—take it slow.
Just like in a relationship—you can’t be too possessive right from the start.
This time, when he saw the black cat, Lin Ran felt an inexplicable connection between them, though he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
In the rooftop garden, Lin Ran dozed off, slipping into a dream that was hazy and surreal.
In the dream, there seemed to be a primeval forest, a pair of eerily unnatural eyes, and scenes that sent chills down his spine.
When he woke up startled, those were the only fragments he could recall, and even those soon faded from memory.
Just as Lin Ran was struggling to remember, Wu Zhishang called. The moment Lin Ran answered, he heard Wu Zhishang’s choked sobs.
After pressing for details, Lin Ran learned that Wu Zhishang was upset over Zhao Miaomiao.
“Lin, I think Miaomiao is getting too close to her best friend, and it’s making me uncomfortable. But when I brought it up, she called me petty. What should I do?”
Lin Ran smirked. “Fight fire with fire—get yourself a ‘girl bro’ too.”
Wu Zhishang groaned. “Stop joking, bro. Just come have a drink with me.”
Lin Ran thought about it—it was still early, and he wouldn’t miss picking up Luo Yao in the afternoon—so he agreed.
They met at a street-side barbecue joint. Despite being used to finer dining, Lin Ran still found this place the most comfortable.
There was something oddly satisfying about eating at a roadside stall while driving a Koenigsegg.
Wu Zhishang remained downcast, downing drink after drink until he was thoroughly drunk. Lin Ran then took Wu Zhishang’s phone, unlocked it, and sent a message. Soon after, a woman in a baseball cap appeared.
After a brief exchange, she led the intoxicated Wu Zhishang away. Lin Ran watched them leave, smiling to himself without a word.
Checking the time, he found himself missing his wife more and decided to head over to Luo Yao’s place early.
Meanwhile, the Liu family was in complete turmoil.
Liu Ruxue’s debt of a million yuan couldn’t be hidden—nor was there any point in trying—especially since both she and Lin Jian had been injured that day. The entire Lin and Liu families knew, and they had all gathered to discuss the matter.
When they discovered that Lin Ran was the one responsible, tempers flared. Liu Yuemei nearly lost control, barely restraining herself from tearing into Lin Ran on the spot.
Liu Ritian snapped, “No way! Why should we give money to that little brat Lin Ran?”
Lin Jian added, “The debt’s been transferred to Brother Dao now. It’s not Lin Ran’s money anymore—it’s Brother Dao’s.”
Lin Tianba frowned. “You’re saying Lin Ran was driving a Koenigsegg? You’re joking, right?”
What shocked him most was that Lin Ran hadn’t received a single cent from the Lin family at that point.
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. I didn’t mean to wreck his car, but I never expected him to transfer the debt. What do we do now?” Liu Ruxue’s eyes welled up with tears.
Lin Tianba’s frown deepened. Forget where Lin Ran got the money—just hearing that he had ties to Brother Dao made something feel off, though he couldn’t say exactly what.
After more discussion, both families admitted they couldn’t come up with the money. A million yuan was impossible for them now, but no one dared to owe Brother Dao.
Liu Ruxue was utterly despondent. The affection in her eyes when she looked at Lin Jian had completely vanished.
She quietly pulled him into the kitchen.
“Lin Jian, if you don’t help me settle this 1.1 million, I’ll expose our relationship.”
Lin Jian’s eyes widened in shock. He immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, glancing around nervously.
Only when he confirmed they were alone did he exhale sharply. “Are you insane? That won’t do you any good either.”
Liu Ruxue scoffed. “True. But what does it matter? My reputation is already ruined. What’s one more scandal—sleeping with my cousin—going to change?”
She wasn’t wrong. At Capital University, her reputation had plummeted. Even former admirers were now exposing her gold-digging nature, turning her from the campus sweetheart into a universally despised villain.
Lin Jian stared at her, stunned by how far she’d fallen.
“Ruxue, what are you saying? Of course I’ll help you! It’s just… it’s really hard for me right now. But don’t worry—as soon as I heard about your debt yesterday, I secretly sold some of my father’s collectibles to raise the money. I’ll transfer it to you now.”
The 1.1 million yuan was nearly all he had left. Gritting his teeth, he sent the amount to Liu Ruxue.
Her expression softened with gratitude. “Really?”
Lin Jian forced a smile. “Of course. Look at my balance—do I have anything left?”
He showed her his phone, revealing a measly few hundred yuan remaining.
“Thank you, Lin Jian. I misjudged you. You gave me everything you had to pay off my debt.”
As he hugged her, whispering reassurances, his heart burned with hatred.
He hadn’t sold any collectibles—Lin Tianba had long since liquidated anything of value. The money he’d given Liu Ruxue was his last safety net.
This was all Lin Ran’s fault.
“What are you two doing here?” Lin Tianba’s voice cut through the air, making them both flinch and quickly separate.
Lin Jian stammered, “Dad! I was just comforting Ruxue.” He lowered his head and hurriedly led Liu Ruxue out.
Lin Tianba watched them leave, his expression unreadable.
He’d seen Lin Jian transfer 1.1 million to Liu Ruxue, and it stung.
The Lin family was at its lowest point, yet Lin Jian had only given him a fraction of that amount. Did his own son value a cousin more than his father?
But he didn’t call Lin Jian out—family required trust and respect. Children were entitled to their secrets.
Elsewhere, Lin Ran arrived at Luo Yao’s company. As soon as he stepped off the elevator, a middle-aged female assistant approached and whispered, “Mr. Lin, President Luo is in a meeting downstairs. Should I inform her of your arrival?”
Lin Ran shook his head. “No need to disturb her. I’ll wait in her office.”
“Of course, Mr. Lin.”
He entered Luo Yao’s office, settling into her chair and gazing out the window.
Then, a thought struck him. After glancing around to confirm he was alone, he picked up a small vial from the desk, carefully uncorked it, and pulled out a slip of paper.
*I’ll just take a peek and pretend I didn’t see anything. Not really snooping.*
His curiosity got the better of him.
Unfolding the note, he found a single line written on it.