After Nuanyao Group left, Lin Ran originally intended to go straight to find Luo Yao, only to discover upon arrival that she was no longer in the Luo family office.
He later learned through a phone call that Luo Yao had gone out to handle some business, so he returned to the estate. Unexpectedly, Luo Yao had arrived home before him.
When Luo Yao saw Lin Ran enter, her face instantly brightened with a smile as she threw herself into his arms, her eyes flickering toward the spot where she had placed something earlier.
"Of course I miss you, Ah Ran. I think about you every moment—I want to see you and let others see how sweet we are together."
Lin Ran: ???
Why did Luo Yao’s words sound so strange today?
But Lin Ran still pulled her into his embrace—this woman who had relied on him as her emotional pillar since childhood.
"Haha, my wife is so adorable. Such a cute wife deserves a passionate kiss as a reward."
As the kiss ended, Luo Yao’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Ah Ran, I want it.""Huh? You don’t even want to eat first?"
"Mmm..."
Lin Ran was instantly overwhelmed.
Fine, fine. If you want it, I’ll give it.
Who told you to be my little devil?
And little devils naturally have their own way of thinking and acting.
However, since Luo Yao’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, Lin Ran was extra cautious.
To the tune of elegant music, Luo Yao finally attained the psychological satisfaction she desired.
Meanwhile, the staff in the dining room stood waiting for their masters to come down for dinner.
By the time they finished, it was already dark.
Lin Ran felt his stomach growling.
"Ah Ran, go to the dining room first. I’ll be right there."
"Okay."
After Lin Ran left barefoot, Luo Yao’s expression instantly turned icy as she glared coldly in one direction.
"I told you I’d keep my word. Didn’t I?"
"Didn’t I really let you see Ah Ran?"
Her smile was unsettling—if anyone else had seen it, they would have been terrified enough to flee.
But Lin Ran was the exception.
Because he had already seen it.
Just after stepping out of the bedroom, Lin Ran realized he wasn’t wearing slippers and turned back to retrieve them.
That was when he witnessed the scene.
He didn’t say a word, quietly retreating without letting Luo Yao notice.
When Luo Yao arrived in the dining room and saw Lin Ran barefoot, she frowned.
"Ah Ran, aren’t you cold?"
Lin Ran seemed to only then realize his lack of footwear.
"Ah! Where are my shoes? Oh, they must still be in the bedroom."
A servant promptly brought a new pair of slippers, and Luo Yao finally accepted Lin Ran’s affectionate feeding with satisfaction.
Uncle Fu stood nearby, silent, though his heart was practically itching with impatience.
Because he had just learned that Granny Wang had returned.
He wanted to go see her but feared she might chase him away.
Moreover, with Miss Luo and Young Master Lin at dinner, he couldn’t leave.
Though the servants could attend to them, Uncle Fu never fully trusted them—worried they might be clumsy or misunderstand their masters’ intentions.
After feeding Luo Yao another spoonful of steamed egg custard, Lin Ran glanced at Uncle Fu and remarked leisurely,
"What? Granny Wang’s back?"
Uncle Fu’s eyes widened in shock. "Young Master Lin, how did you know? That’s incredible!"
Luo Yao shot Uncle Fu a cold look.
Lin Ran quickly soothed her before explaining, "Because Granny Wang called me yesterday to thank me and Yao Yao personally—though she didn’t mention you."
Uncle Fu froze.
"Oh... Is that so? Well, that’s good. It’s my fault—"
"Save those words for Granny Wang. They mean nothing to us. Only if she forgives you can you avoid self-punishment."
Uncle Fu sighed. How had he never noticed before how sharp Young Master Lin’s tongue was?
His words were like a knife to the heart.
Sure enough, Luo Yao gave Uncle Fu another icy stare—the second during this meal alone, her gaze as cold as if looking at a dead man.
Uncle Fu shuddered, thinking, Young Master Lin, please spare me your divine wit.
After dinner, Luo Yao went to the study to work while Lin Ran stayed behind to speak with Uncle Fu.
"Ah Ran, until I’ve spoken with Granny Wang, you should avoid talking too much with this heartless man. I don’t want you picking up bad habits."
Uncle Fu: ...
He wanted to cry.
Once Luo Yao left, Uncle Fu looked utterly dejected.
"Young Master Lin, please have mercy on this old servant. Surviving under Miss Luo’s rule has been hard enough."
Lin Ran: "Fine. Since you’ve had it so rough, I’ll need your help planning a birthday gift that will satisfy Yao Yao."
Uncle Fu stared at Lin Ran in disbelief. He hadn’t expected Lin Ran to know Luo Yao’s birthday was approaching.
"Young Master Lin... you know Miss Luo’s birthday?"
"Of course. The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month."
In his past life, Lin Ran had once used Luo Yao’s birthday as an excuse to buy her a gift—only to sneak out and meet Liu Ruxue.
When Luo Yao found out, she dragged him back and punished him severely before tenderly applying medicine to his wounds herself.
Lin Ran vividly remembered slapping Luo Yao and shouting, "You’re a freak! I don’t love you, and even if you lock me up, I’ll never love you!"
Devastated, Luo Yao had indeed locked him away—for three whole months before releasing him again.
After that, she never celebrated her birthday again.
Lin Ran later learned that Luo Yao had hardly ever celebrated her birthday growing up—at least, Uncle Fu claimed not to know.
Recalling those memories, Lin Ran’s heart swirled with mixed emotions.
No matter how cruelly I treated her, Luo Yao loved me like her first love.
Though their relationship had its painful moments, beneath that pain lay love.
And what’s wrong with love? Love is grand, sacred, and worthy of reverence.
True love only needs two people—simply, sincerely nurturing it, for that is how love endures.
This time, Lin Ran was determined to give Luo Yao a surprise for her birthday.
It might not be extravagant, but it would be everything he could offer.
"Young Master Lin, with such sincerity, Miss Luo will surely be overjoyed. Truthfully, she’s never really celebrated her birthday—at least, not that I know of."
"Do you know if she celebrated as a child?"
Uncle Fu thought for a moment before answering.
"I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t her caretaker back then. But though she rarely speaks of her past, it’s clear she grew up lonely and neglected. In a family like hers, it’s no surprise no one celebrated a girl’s birthday."
Lin Ran shook his head. He didn’t entirely believe Uncle Fu’s words.
"So don’t assume you understand your mistress. Just as you can’t truly know anyone’s past, what you see isn’t always the truth. And frankly, I doubt some of what you say—after all, you’re a bit blind."