Xu Kai was outright furious.
"You killed someone—that's an indisputable fact. There’s no room for denial, and you will be imprisoned. Do you not understand what I’m saying? Right now, you must admit to it. A sincere attitude of remorse can become a leverage point when the judge sentences you. And have you even considered Lin Ran? If you’re given a heavy sentence, Lin Ran won’t have much room to maneuver."
Liu Ruxue shuddered at Xu Kai’s intensity, but her eyes lit up at his latter words. He was right.
She still had Lin Ran. Brother Lin Ran would definitely find a way to get her out.
As long as there was hope, she couldn’t give up.
"Alright, I understand."
Xu Kai added, "One more thing—this must remain entirely your own doing from start to finish. That girl who supposedly gave you advice? Bury that story. If it’s proven someone incited you, it becomes premeditated murder, not manslaughter."
Liu Ruxue nodded, convinced. "No wonder Brother Lin Ran hired you as his lawyer. You really know your stuff. I get it now."
Only after securing her agreement did Xu Kai leave.
Shortly after, the guards came in and took Liu Ruxue away.(Legal note: Under the law, lawyers meeting with suspects or defendants cannot be monitored. Authorities are prohibited from having personnel present, eavesdropping by any means, or secretly recording these conversations. If law enforcement monitors such meetings, it constitutes a violation. Hope you never need this info.)
Now, all that remained was to wait for the trial. For now, the matter was settled.
Lin Ran, meanwhile, was in excellent spirits. After all, he’d just eliminated an enemy—one with no chance of a comeback.
Yet something felt off.
Even if Liu Ruxue had cut ties with Huo Haini, would she really go so far as to kill him?
Unable to make sense of it, Lin Ran chose not to dwell.
Better to drive others crazy than to torment yourself.
And such an entertaining spectacle would be wasted if the Liu family didn’t get to experience it.
So, with Luo Yao’s permission, Lin Ran headed alone to Brother Dao’s turf, having arranged the meeting in advance.
Lin Ran called: "Come to the Underground Entertainment City."
The Underground Entertainment City belonged to Brother Dao. Even Lin Ran didn’t know Brother Dao answered to Luo Yao, let alone Luo Wushuang.
"Fine. Didn’t expect you to be this cautious."
Luo Wushuang had to applaud Lin Ran’s shrewdness. He’d initially wondered why Lin Ran insisted on him setting the meeting location—now it made sense.
Lin Ran’s urgency in contacting Luo Wushuang was also preparation for his next wish with Little Black.
He hadn’t decided on the wish yet, but it would likely take time. Before then, he needed to root out any hidden threats.
Not necessarily eliminate them—just stall the danger.
Because the next time he saw Little Black, it would be to make that wish.
Lin Ran had his security team, and the Underground Entertainment City was Brother Dao’s domain. No one had dared cause trouble there in years.
At the venue, Brother Dao was already waiting.
"Things have been lively lately—big shots showing up one after another."
Lin Ran spotted Brother Dao immediately upon arrival.
"Honored by Young Master Lin’s presence. You bring glory to this humble place."
Lin Ran laughed. "Me? Just a nobody. Hardly ‘glorious.’ But I’m flattered by Brother Dao’s personal welcome."
He mimicked Brother Dao’s old-school gangster cadence, leaving the man momentarily speechless before an awkward chuckle.
"Brother, I was just trying to match your college-educated vibe with some fancy talk. But damn, you’re hot right now. That show last night had even me wanting to fall in love."
Lin Ran brushed it off, genuinely amused.
After all, he was about to witness just how miserable the Liu family had become.
"Enough with the formalities. Plain talk works fine—we’re not in ancient times. Speaking of, where are the Liu family’s three vermin?"
(Can’t find the book by title? Try searching the author—might’ve just been renamed!)
Brother Dao gestured grandly. "This way."
Upstairs, they found Liu’s mother hunched over, serving drinks while stealing glances at the gambling tables.
"Sir, my son once gambled millions. Lend me some chips, and I’ll have him play for you. We’ll split the winnings, half and half."
The patron kicked her away.
"Ugly old hag, still begging at your age? Scram—you’re ruining my luck."
"Yes, yes, I’ll go."
Liu’s mother had grown accustomed to her role after days here.
She cursed her son’s rotten luck that night—wiping out their family’s fortune. And that fight she bet on? So close to a comeback.
Just then, a few chips rolled to her feet.
"Bark like a dog, and these are yours."
Her heart raced at the sight. This was her chance.
"Woof! Woof! Woof woof woof—!"
Not even looking up, she crawled, barking and snatching the chips as onlookers roared with laughter.
Dignity? Gamblers had none.
Clutching the chips, she stood. "Thank you, sir! Thank you!"
"Good girl." Lin Ran flashed a gleaming smile.
"Yes, yes, I—Huh?" The voice registered. She looked up.
"Lin Ran?! What are you doing here?"
Lin Ran smirked. "Just here for fun."
Her eyes darted.
"Lin Ran, listen—this place isn’t for you. You don’t know how to handle it. Give me all your money as chips. I’ll manage it for you."
Lin Ran: "Are you brain-damaged?"
He walked past her, ignoring her shouts, heading deeper to check on the rest of the Liu family.
As Liu’s mother turned to leave, Wei Xiang blocked her.
"Hand over the chips."
"Lin Ran gave these to me! Why should you get them?"
Wei Xiang slapped her. "Consider it interest on your debt to us."
He confiscated the chips as she wailed on her knees. "This is retribution!"
Meanwhile, Lin Ran asked Brother Dao:
"Where’s Liu’s father?"
Brother Dao: "Scrubbing toilets."
"Fitting. And Liu Ritian?"
"Him? Not sure. Probably recovering."
"Recovering?" Lin Ran assumed Brother Dao’s men had beaten him.
"Yeah. Fought an exhibition match with one of our boxers. Got wrecked. Guests love it—old guy putting up a fight."
Lin Ran smiled, thinking to himself that Brother Dao really knew how to get things done.