Lin Ran stood up directly after speaking, "In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave now."
He didn’t spare Zhang Xiaonuan even a glance.
Watching Lin Ran’s handsome retreating figure, Zhang Xiaonuan felt as though she was witnessing a hero walk away from her.
"Senior Lin Ran, can I ask you a question?"
"Ask away. Whether I answer is another matter," Lin Ran replied without turning back.
Zhang Xiaonuan lowered her head.
"Do you love President Luo very much?"
"Of course I do. What, can’t you afford internet access these days?"
"How much do you love her?"
How much? Lin Ran could have given ten thousand answers to that question.But the fact that Zhang Xiaonuan had asked it made him pause and reflect.
"I can’t answer that, because even I don’t know the extent of my love for her. But one thing is clear—she has long surpassed my own life."
His response alone was proof of how deeply he loved Luo Yao.
"And no matter how much I love her, it will never compare to how much she loves me."
Zhang Xiaonuan smiled.
"Senior Lin Ran, I truly envy President Luo, and I’m happy for you. I don’t know what you two have been through, but I can see that you really treat each other as your entire world. Don’t sell yourself short—maybe your love for her has already reached the level you desire."
"I… I have things to attend to. I’ll go now." As Zhang Xiaonuan turned to leave, tears silently streamed down her face like a flood.
But she didn’t dare let out a sob. She didn’t want to burden Lin Ran with even the slightest pressure.
Lin Ran shrugged.
"I knew Yao Yao was overthinking it. It’s not like every woman is into me. Still, I should be more careful from now on, especially around women. Best to avoid any interaction altogether."
Wang Bao looked on with satisfaction. He had witnessed Lin Ran’s gradual transformation firsthand.
Among all the bodyguards, Wang Bao was unique—he had spent the most time with Lin Ran, having once monitored him for a long period.
Nearby, Little Tong’s eyes widened as if he had just discovered the right way to interact with Qi Chengwei.
"Young Master Lin, didn’t we come to Jingda University to see Principal Tang?"
Lin Ran: "Who said that? I’m here to contribute to my alma mater’s recruitment efforts. Take some photos of me—make sure they look good, with the campus landmarks and my dashing self in the frame. That’s all we need."
At that very moment, Luo Yao, who had just arrived near Jingda University, had completely shed her usual icy demeanor. Instead, the corners of her lips were twitching with barely suppressed delight.
Since Liu Meng was still in Shanghai, Wang Fang had been accompanying Luo Yao lately.
But Wang Fang was fundamentally different from Liu Meng. Liu Meng was an all-around, top-tier assistant, while Wang Fang was only competent in work-related matters. When it came to emotional intelligence, combat skills, or judgment, she fell short.
Her biggest flaw? She had a loose tongue.
"President Luo, since you’re already here, won’t you go in and see Young Master Lin?"
Luo Yao didn’t respond. She was too pleased.
Words spoken face-to-face weren’t always genuine.
But words spoken when the other person didn’t know you could hear them? Those carried far more credibility.
Luo Yao rarely got such opportunities, as she was usually by Lin Ran’s side.
The last time Lin Ran had expressed his love for her to another woman was when he spoke to Liu Ruxue.
Back then, Luo Yao had suspected he was just acting.
After Liu Ruxue exited the picture, she hadn’t encountered such a scene again.
"That Zhang Xiaonuan… maybe she did something good after all."
"Still, I can’t allow someone like her to linger around A’Ran."
Luo Yao narrowed her eyes. While Lin Ran remained oblivious, as his woman, her intuition told her exactly what Zhang Xiaonuan was feeling.
But Zhang Xiaonuan was different from the others, leaving Luo Yao unsure how to handle her.
First, Zhang Xiaonuan was definitely not a bad person.
Second, she wasn’t a manipulative flirt.
Third, she had never outright confessed her feelings for Lin Ran.
What surprised Luo Yao most was that Zhang Xiaonuan seemed to be actively avoiding acknowledging her own emotions.
Luo Yao could criticize anyone, but facing someone like Zhang Xiaonuan, she found it hard to act ruthlessly.
Still, hesitation didn’t mean inaction.
"President Luo, how should we deal with Zhang Xiaonuan?"
Luo Yao glanced at Wang Fang. If Liu Meng were here, she would have proposed solutions—like, "Should we have Zhang Xiaonuan leave Jingda University, or just eliminate her?"
That was the difference between a top-tier assistant and an ordinary one.
Wang Fang still had a long way to go.
"Don’t act yet. Keep observing her. If she shows any intention of getting close to A’Ran, throw her into the mountains for the wild dogs."
"Understood."
Wang Fang didn’t find Luo Yao’s approach unusual—this was the President Luo she knew.
But her eyes sparkled with gossipy curiosity.
"Wang Fang, how long have you been with me?"
"Ah… eight years. Ever since you returned to the Luo family."
"Eight years… You and Liu Meng have both been with me that long. Do you know why she became the special assistant while you’re just the manager of the assistant team?"
"Because… Special Assistant Liu is more capable."
Luo Yao nodded. Liu Meng was indeed more skilled, with combat abilities that could handle two or three grown men.
"But that’s not the main reason. The biggest difference between you two is that she keeps her mouth slightly more shut. If there had been a third person as loyal and long-serving as you two, neither of you would have gotten the position. I don’t like people who gossip."
A bead of cold sweat rolled visibly down Wang Fang’s forehead.
Truthfully, Liu Meng’s mouth wasn’t that much tighter.
The fact that they had both survived this long under Luo Yao’s rule? That alone was proof of favoritism.
"Understood, President Luo."
"Let’s go."
"Aren’t we going to see Young Master Lin?"
"No need. Let’s head back first."
Meanwhile, Lin Ran’s business at the university was nearly done.
Despite the school’s regulations, many students rushed over upon hearing of his arrival, hoping for a glimpse—or better yet, a photo to brag about later.
But Lin Ran denied them the chance, leaving the campus before they could reach him.
Upon returning to the estate, he immediately recorded a recruitment video for Jingda University.
Then, using his limited video-editing skills, he pieced together a simple clip with the photos.
Click—[Post].
[The account you follow, "My Owner is Luo Yao," has posted new content.]
Every netizen scrolling through their feed froze.
Lin Ran had posted something?
This was the same account with over 20 million followers but only one previous post—a casual daily snapshot captioned "Loving Luo Yao," which had garnered over 10 million likes.
This new post was only his second.
Many assumed he was finally cashing in, but when they clicked, they were stunned.