Lin Jian had been treating them fairly well these past couple of days, especially Liu Yuemei. Though he had previously threatened to force her into prostitution, he ultimately let her off the hook because the goods were selling well.

Who would dare say Lin Jian wasn’t kind?

"Xiao Jian, how are the products selling? Did they blow up?"

The question came from Liu Yuemei, but Lin Tianba also pricked up his ears—Lin Jian’s success directly affected his quality of life.

And, more importantly, his pride.

He couldn’t even imagine the humiliation if Lin Jian actually made Liu Yuemei bring another man in front of him… Could he even endure it?

"Blew up? More like returned in droves."

"See, hubby? I told you our Xiao Jian would definitely sell out. Just as I expected, he— Wait, what did you say?"

Liu Yuemei suddenly processed Lin Jian’s words.

"I said the returns blew up. A hundred percent return rate."

"How is that possible? Weren’t they all sold?"

Lin Jian walked up to Liu Yuemei, glanced at her, but chose not to lay a hand on her. Instead, he grabbed Lin Tianba by the hair.

"Old fool, it’s all your fault. Why did you have to give birth to someone like Lin Ran? Do you have any idea how many people are returning their purchases because of him? I lost a fortune this time, damn it!"

Lin Jian punched Lin Tianba square in the face.

Lin Tianba’s heart ached. He had completely lost hope in his son, but in this place, he couldn’t even argue back.

After all, his fate was in Lin Jian’s hands.

"Xiao Jian, take your dad to the hospital first. Once I recover, I’ll go out and earn money for you—even if I have to haul bricks to support you and your mother."

Lin Tianba spoke with genuine emotion, but Lin Jian had no intention of taking him to the hospital.

"Idiot. I’ll be going live later. Remember, act miserable, or I’ll make sure you end up completely useless."

"Okay, okay, I’ll act miserable. After the livestream, can you take me to the hospital?"

"We’ll see."

Lin Jian tossed the words over his shoulder and left.

The hospital? That would just cost more money.

What if you actually recover? Who’d I have left to milk for sympathy? You think I’m stupid?

Lin Tianba sighed.

"Ah! This is all because you spoiled him rotten."

The past few days had dealt him a heavy blow. He never imagined his beloved youngest son would turn out like this.

His eldest son had changed, and now his youngest had "changed" too. His heart was full of bitterness.

At least he still had his wife.

Slap! Liu Yuemei struck Lin Tianba across the face.

"Now you’re just a useless waste. You only get food because of me, and you still dare to boss me around?"

Liu Yuemei wasn’t afraid in the slightest—Lin Tianba no longer had the strength to hit her.

Lin Tianba: "..."

"Wah… You’ve changed too."

In Shanghai, Lin Ran slowly woke up to find Luo Yao gently stroking his cheek.

"Sorry about that, wifey. Your lap was so comfortable I dozed off."

Luo Yao continued caressing his face as she spoke.

"It’s fine. I liked it. For a moment, I really wished you’d never wake up—just stay like this, quietly by my side."

There had even been a fleeting thought of ending Lin Ran right then and there, keeping him frozen in that position forever.

But the idea of him never speaking again, never calling her "wifey," never smiling at her… she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

"Huh? That’s a bit much. If I never woke up, who’d cook for you? Who’d whisper sweet nothings? Who’d make you happy?"

"Exactly. That’s why I spared you. Remember, A’Ran, the only reason you’re alive isn’t luck—it’s because I’ve let you live, over and over. If I hadn’t, you’d have been done for the day you rejected me."

There was no denying that. Lin Ran didn’t argue.

"True. Thanks for sparing me, Your Majesty."

Noticing Luo Yao still hadn’t moved, Lin Ran asked,

"Didn’t you say you’d take me to see a show today? When are we leaving?"

"Soon. We’ll go once Liu Meng gets here."

Speak of the devil—Liu Meng walked in.

"President Luo, Li Chifen has invited you to the Li Family Estate."

Luo Yao: "Since when do random strays dare invite me?"

Lin Ran: "Yeah, what’s the point of going?"

Liu Meng’s face darkened. The Li Family was far from insignificant—in many industries, they were considered top-tier.

"The Lu and Wang Families have already started targeting the Li Family. I suspect he’s feeling the pressure and wants to surrender."

Disdain filled Luo Yao’s eyes. "He’s not worthy. I said he’d die, and he will."

"A’Ran and I are heading to the restaurant first. I’ll personally enjoy his final act later."

Liu Meng nodded and left. She knew her time was running short, but everything was proceeding smoothly.

The mission was already 75% complete—the only thing left was the Li Family.

She made a call to Li Chifen. No one knew what was said.

Hanging up, Liu Meng’s eyes gleamed with confidence.

"Before dealing with the Li Family, it’s necessary to mess with the Wang and Lu Families a little."

Ten minutes later, the Li Family abruptly announced their withdrawal from the tri-family alliance and the joint bid with Samsung.

The news sent shockwaves not only through the South China Chamber of Commerce but also through their three partners.

The Li Family wasn’t some minor collaborator—they were the core of this bidding project.

The two families and Samsung’s Park Bo-gi immediately convened to address the crisis.

Lu Youqi was livid.

"What the hell is he playing at? Even if we’re at odds, he can’t just abandon the family’s interests like this! I knew it—that bastard is Luo Yao’s mole!"

Wang Xiaolin was also struggling to breathe. He had invested too much in this bid.

Now, with the project stalled and the Li Family’s betrayal, his own business was paralyzed.

"Ugh… I don’t know if I’ll survive this."

He was already considering whether to beg Luo Yao for mercy.

But remembering her ruthless methods, he hesitated.

Park Bo-gi was equally overwhelmed.

"Patriarch Lu, if we win the bid, the Li Family will regret their withdrawal. But I need to know—if we succeed, what happens to the funds they already invested?"

The final decision: the bid must proceed. The three would pool resources to cover the Li Family’s share and seek new partners.

The announcement sent tremors through the business world.

While handling their own crises, the Lu and Wang Families also seized every chance to suppress the Li Family.

The rift between them was now irreparable.

Yet, Li Chifen, the patriarch of the Li Family, remained unshaken, as calm as a mountain breeze.

"Everyone says the Li Family can’t compare to the Lu Family. This time, I’ll show them which of the three great families of Shanghai truly reigns supreme."

His phone rang. Glancing at the screen, Li Chifen answered with confidence.

"Peace Restaurant? Got it. I’ll be there."