"Not only that, he also said Grandma is preparing to cook my favorite dishes. She hasn’t cooked in so long."
Lin Ran nodded, silently mourning for Chen Qingtian for 0.1 seconds.
"That’s great. Go back, it’s fine. This is good news."
Chen Qingtian wore a miserable expression. "I can’t go back anytime soon. The filming starts again in a couple of days, and running back and forth is just too much hassle. I’m not like you—someone’s taking care of you. Who’s gonna take care of me?"
At this, Chen Qingtian’s eyes flickered as she glanced at Luo Yao.
"Sis-in-law, I heard you two are heading back soon. True or not?"
"Yeah."
"Then… can I stay here in Shanghai for a few days? I want to experience this rich lifestyle in advance."
Chen Qingtian’s face was full of hope and longing. She knew her request to stay while the owners were away was a bit impolite, but she couldn’t help it—she loved this place too much.
"Do whatever." Luo Yao couldn’t be bothered to say more than two words to Chen Qingtian.Unlike Chen Qingtian, who loved to chatter, Luo Yao had no interest in wasting words with anyone except Lin Ran.
"But I don’t like that Jiang Feihua. Can you make her take a few days off?"
The estate manager was the most uncomfortable presence here for her.
"You won’t see her in a couple of days."
"What’s Jiang Feihua going to do?"
"She’s preparing to die."
Chen Qingtian’s face filled with confusion. "Huh?? Sis-in-law, I’m not joking with you."
"Neither am I."
Chen Qingtian’s brain short-circuited for a second.
If someone else had said this, she might’ve brushed it off as talk.
But coming from Luo Yao? Chen Qingtian knew better than to think Luo Yao was the type to speak carelessly.
Instantly, a chill ran down her spine. She had to admit—she was a little scared.
"Uh… anyway, have you seen the news? So many people are slandering you two. I don’t get it—the Lu family brought this on themselves. How can they blame you, sis-in-law?"
Luo Yao looked indifferent.
"It’s fine. The authorities will handle it. The police are already investigating everything."
She wasn’t wrong. The police would indeed release their findings.
Not only that—the authorities would also disclose all the crimes committed by the Li and Lu families.
The Lu family’s drug trafficking was undeniable. Lu Ludu was the mastermind, and he had even orchestrated a shocking bombing case that would implicate many.
Such crimes were taken extremely seriously in China.
Lu Ludu couldn’t even be called a criminal anymore—he was a full-blown terrorist.
Naturally, the authorities wouldn’t let him off. Once all his crimes were exposed, Lu Ludu’s life would be over.
As for the rest of the Lu family’s crimes, investigations were still ongoing, with updates to follow.
But did this mean the Lu family was finished? Not quite.
Lu Youqi, the family head, had regained control. He handed over a list of names connected to Lu Ludu and even established a fully transparent charity foundation.
This was a desperate move—cutting off an arm to survive.
As for the Li family…
The father-son duo organizing prostitution rings for celebrities was just the appetizer. The real horror was their child trafficking operation, and their betrayal of the nation was an even greater crime.
The Wang family got off the lightest. After paying back taxes, their only major issue was box office fraud—not too hard to resolve. And now, with Luo Corporation backing them, things would go much smoother.
As for Wang Dacong? He’d only be locked up for a few days before getting out.
Seeing this outcome, Lin Ran couldn’t help but feel unsettled.
In his past life, none of this had happened. Back then, Luo Yao had already shaken the nation—but this time, it was even more explosive.
And after the official statement, did people actually believe it?
No. They’d just assume Luo Yao’s connections were too powerful, letting their imaginations run wild.
Noticing Lin Ran lost in thought, Luo Yao interrupted him.
"Ran, we’ll wrap up a few more things tomorrow, then head back to the capital in the afternoon."
"Sure, whatever you say. Just in time to make it home before New Year’s."
Home.
The word felt both familiar and foreign—once distant, now close.
She and Lin Ran had their own home.
Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Park Bo-gi and Park Gukgi were staring in shock and disbelief.
"Father, I think we should return to South Korea as soon as possible. This place… feels a little dangerous."
For once, Park Bo-gi wasn’t acting arrogant. Fear had taken hold.
He’d known Luo Yao was formidable—but not this ruthless.
"Damn it. Our perfect collaboration—ruined just like that?"
Park Gukgi muttered, "Is this really China?"
Their confusion wasn’t unfounded.
In South Korea, their Samsung conglomerate could’ve been even more brutal than Luo Yao. But this was China.
"Luo Yao is technically the top chaebol. It’s normal for her to have some influence."
"Father, let’s just leave. Quickly."
Park Bo-gi nodded. Even he didn’t dare act tough this time.
"Fine."
But as he spoke, anger flashed in his eyes.
"Luo Yao… I hope you come to South Korea someday. Then, I’ll show you what a real, established chaebol is capable of."
Park Gukgi urged, "Father, stop the tough talk. Let’s just go."
Park Bo-gi shot his son a look—he hadn’t expected such bluntness from him.
"I need to wrap up some loose ends here, recover the funds from the bidding. You go ahead. I’ll follow soon."
"Alright. Be careful, Father."
Park Gukgi didn’t hesitate. He didn’t want to stay a second longer than necessary.
Without delay, he boarded a private car to the airport.
But to his shock, he never made it there.
He was intercepted before arriving.
When he woke up again, he saw his stepmother and younger brother…
Back at the Shanghai estate, Lin Ran and Luo Yao had just finished dinner and were about to do something more… interesting.
"Young Master Lin, your ‘brother’ is live-streaming again."
"What brother? I don’t have one. Don’t talk nonsense."
Lin Ran was baffled—Lin Jian actually had the nerve to go live again?
He knew about the mass returns Lin Jian had faced. Amid the constant hot searches about the three families and Luo Corporation, Lin Jian had even squeezed his way in once.
[Shocking: Live-stream sales return rate hits record high]
Lin Jian had also spawned a new meme: ["You’re such a Lin Jian."]
"Right, my mistake. Lin Jian is live again. Do you still want to watch?"
"No. Why waste time on him when I can spend it with my wife?"
Luo Yao’s icy gaze held an indescribable softness.
Uncle Fu nodded. "Then, rest well."
"Wait." Luo Yao suddenly stopped him.
"Miss, is there anything else?"
"Turn on the lights in the heated pool. Ran wants to swim."
Lin Ran: ??? Do I?
"Yep, exactly. I’m going with Yao."
Chen Qingtian, who had just put down her controller in the living room, perked up. "I also want to… go rest?"
Under the dual icy stares of Luo Yao and Lin Ran, she instantly reconsidered.
Uncle Fu walked over to Chen Qingtian.