Chapter 228

Her voice trembled with emotion, her eyes brimming with grievance and helplessness. "And yet, you—a man—hit me. Doesn’t your conscience ache?"

Liu Yuemei sobbed dramatically, her acting skills nothing short of masterful, as if she were truly the victim.

Lin Tianba froze. Lin Jian’s eyes widened in disbelief—his mother was simply incredible. How could she come up with such an excuse?

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Lin Tianba numbly walked over to Liu Yuemei and helped her up.

"Yuemei, I... I’m so sorry, wu wu wu!"

Tears welled in his eyes. His love for Liu Yuemei had ultimately triumphed over his anger, and he chose to believe her words.

After a long silence, the three members of the Lin family embraced each other, weeping uncontrollably, swearing they were a loving family. The scene was so touching that even the King of Hell would’ve shed a tear before leaving.

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A Loving Family

"Yuemei, it’s my fault. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Lin Ran pays to save you. He has no choice but to hand over the money."

Lin Tianba held Liu Yuemei tightly, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes. In his heart, Lin Ran was his last hope—he had to get the money from him to save this family on the brink of collapse.

Liu Yuemei sobbed uncontrollably, though inwardly, she sighed in relief. Her plan had succeeded—Lin Tianba was back under her control.

At the same time, she silently vowed to make Lin Ran pay.

Once Lin Ran coughed up the money to resolve the Lin family’s crisis, she would ensure he died without a grave to bury him.

The seed of hatred had fully sprouted—and now, it was growing.

Beneath her seemingly fragile exterior lay a heart of pure venom.

Lin Jian spoke up, feigning maturity: "Mom, Dad, starting today, I’ll save money for the family. I’ll only eat one meal a day."

A sly glint flickered in his eyes. He knew he had to play along to achieve their goals.

Lin Tianba hugged his son and wept. "My poor boy... It’s all my fault..."

Guilt filled his gaze—all because of that ungrateful Lin Ran, the Lin family had to suffer like this.

"Dad, it’s not your fault. It’s just that Brother refuses to help us. If leaving would bring him back to you, I’d go without hesitation."

Lin Jian’s words, spoken with feigned obedience and sorrow, were like daggers stabbing into Lin Tianba’s heart, deepening his resentment toward Lin Ran.

"I won’t allow you to say such things. Lin Ran isn’t even fit to compare to your little finger."

He clutched Lin Jian tightly, flames of anger burning in his eyes.

——s: (Some say this book doesn’t deserve a 9.3 rating. Actually, the rating isn’t based on reader votes—it’s calculated by the system based on retention rates, follow-up reads, and completion rates. A 9.3 means retention exceeds 20%, not that readers gave it five stars. That’s why some novels with all five-star ratings still have low scores. Not sure if these words will get deleted... Thanks to all the amazing readers for your support. Love you all.)

After returning to the estate, Lin Ran still hadn’t found Little Black.

The last time he parted with Little Luo Yao, he hadn’t had time to say much. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, and the regret gnawed at him.

His mind kept replaying Little Luo Yao’s adorable yet resilient face. He wanted her to see the beauty and hope in life—to be a ray of light in her difficult childhood.

But now, he couldn’t even find Little Black. The helplessness only fueled his frustration.

His phone rang again—it was Luo Yao.

He answered immediately. "Ran, I have to go on a sudden business trip. It might be one or two days."

Her voice carried a hint of apology.

Lin Ran paused. This was only the second time since his rebirth that Luo Yao had gone on a trip.

A pang of disappointment hit him. They had just enjoyed a beautiful time together, and now they had to part again.

"Can’t whatever it is wait? I don’t want to be apart from you."

On the other end, Luo Yao’s lips curled into a faint smile. She could feel her hardened heart slowly changing.

She wanted to stay with Lin Ran, but reality wouldn’t allow it.

"Ran..." Her voice was laced with resignation.

Lin Ran’s heart stirred. He hated how careful Luo Yao always had to be.

"Don’t apologize. I’ll miss you," he said softly.

"I’ll miss you too," Luo Yao replied.

After hanging up, the warmth in Luo Yao’s eyes faded, replaced by icy detachment.

A cold glint flashed in her gaze—she was once again the ruthless businesswoman of the corporate world.

"Just who... is it?"

With Liu Meng as her only companion, Luo Yao boarded a car leaving the city.

Rewind to that morning at the Luo family’s ancestral home.

A shadow appeared before Old Master Luo with the cry of an eagle.

The figure was ghostly, materializing without a sound, sending chills down the spine.

Of course, Old Master Luo couldn’t see, but he still spoke: "Wu wu wa wa wu wu wa?" His words were garbled, an attempt to ask who had come.

"Who would’ve thought your eyes are useless, but your ears are sharp as ever," came the voice of an elderly woman, cold as a winter wind, piercing Old Master Luo’s heart.

Old Master Luo was in a pitiful state—blind, mute, and bedridden.

His body was frail, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to snuff out at any moment.

In truth, he had recognized the scent on the visitor—familiar yet foreign, filling him with dread.

"Brother, look how much you’re suffering. Why don’t I put you out of your misery?"

The old woman’s voice dripped with mockery and cruelty.

She felt no pity as she observed Old Master Luo’s condition.

A chill ran down Old Master Luo’s spine—he sensed the same murderous aura that Luo Yao sometimes carried.

He knew his life was nearing its end, yet he was powerless to stop it.

"You couldn’t even protect your own daughter. What’s the point of living? Wuyou was the result of my years of painstaking training, and now she’s just... gone. Hmph!"

The old woman lit a stick of incense and left silently, as if she had never been there.

The incense emitted an eerie fragrance, permeating the air like a mournful dirge for Old Master Luo’s death.

By the time Luo Yao arrived at the old mansion, Old Master Luo had already been dead for hours.

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes. She hadn’t expected Old Master Luo to die—and not by her hand, no less.

But dead was dead. It didn’t matter.

"I, Luo Yao, can lose a father, a mother, or even a grandfather—but never a husband."

In the past, he had always kept to his room.

Yet by afternoon, the door remained shut. Finally, a servant couldn’t take it anymore—at the very least, he had to eat. But when the door was opened, they found Old Master Luo lying on the bed, breathless.

The matter was immediately reported to Luo Yao.

Without hesitation, she chose to return to the old mansion to investigate the cause of Old Master Luo’s death.

A flicker of complex emotion passed through her eyes—she knew this was anything but simple.