Lin Ran placed Luo Yao in the car. "Hmm... I went to school, visited Nuanyao Group, stopped by Grandma's place, and then went on a little shopping spree."

Luo Yao thought to herself, Just as I suspected—Ran went to the Chen family.

Even before Luo Yao had begun her plans to take on the Yu and Ai families, the Chens had reached out to her, declaring their unwavering support for her side.

The Chen family rarely took sides—their background was too unique for that.

But once they committed to supporting someone, they stood firm, even if it meant facing ruin. They weren’t the type to flip-flop for profit.

And then there was Lin Ran’s connection to them. Though he didn’t bear the Chen name, he was practically family.

Yet Luo Yao had refused their support. She didn’t want Lin Ran getting too close to the Chens.

Her Ran only needed to rely on her—no one else.

Most people assumed Luo Yao had launched this corporate war because of the Chens, but Chen Qingtian was merely a trigger.

Her feud with the Yu and Ai families ran deep, tied to historical grievances. Taking them down was inevitable—it had nothing to do with Chen Qingtian.

The timing was just a coincidence.

This time, Lin Ran had humiliated the two families, so she decided to strike early.

The only one she truly cared about was Lin Ran.

"Hmm... What did you and Grandma talk about?" Luo Yao was particularly curious about this.

"Not much, really. Just drank tea and listened to her reminisce about my mom."

Lin Ran hadn’t said much to Su Jianguo—just casual conversation.

But before leaving, Su Jianguo had mentioned that if they ever needed the Chen family’s help, she’d give it her all. She also insisted Lin Ran bring his "granddaughter-in-law" home next time.

Lin Ran had only smiled. This was exactly the outcome he wanted.

I might not need you, but it’s good to have a safety net.

An extra layer of security meant an extra escape route.

Lin Ran might call himself useless, but he wasn’t idle.

In love, effort was the truest form of romance.

Luo Yao nodded, trusting that Lin Ran wasn’t lying.

Even if he had, she’d know—she could review every word he spoke at any time.

"So, what did you buy?"

At this, Lin Ran perked up.

"I hired a team to scout properties across the country for our future travels. Today, I invested a billion into the project. They’ll also serve as our travel concierges."

It was a money-burning venture with no hope of profit, but Lin Ran believed it was worth it.

"Hmm, I love your idea, Ran."

Praise from his wife made Lin Ran even happier. He added, "I also bought you a ton of clothes and accessories—pretty much cleared out entire stores. Once you’re less busy, I’ll help you style them."

Lowering his voice, he whispered, "But some outfits are just for me, okay?"

Luo Yao nodded. She liked that too.

"Ugh, sometimes I feel like I’m the only useless one in this world—just lazing around and spending money," Lin Ran grumbled.

If it came to face-to-face confrontations, his sharp tongue would be an asset.

But in a corporate war? Not so much.

Still, if the Yu and Ai families tried anything underhanded, he wouldn’t hold back.

Sensing his frustration, Luo Yao fell silent for a moment.

She had considered his feelings—she just didn’t want him involved.

"You’re not lazing around. I’m the one making the world laze around with you."

Lin Ran: "Then I’m just wasting money."

"No, you’re not. Spending money is just your way of loving me."

Damn, even her way of comforting me is domineering.

What kind of person even says things like this?

Being a husband is a whole experience.

"Sweetheart, I’m not blaming you. Corporate wars just aren’t my thing. I just want to be with you, always."

"Trust me, Ran. This battle will be over soon, and then we’ll live the life we’ve always wanted."

The life we’ve always wanted?

Just the two of us, inseparable, wandering the world when we’re bored?

Perfect.

"I believe you."

---

Back at the estate, they finished dinner but, unusually, didn’t engage in any deep conversations.

Lin Ran was worried Luo Yao might be too tired.

So he cradled her in his arms, gently lulling her to sleep.

The beauty in his arms had eyes like deep, mysterious lakes—both mesmerizing and unfathomable, like a cosmic abyss that drew people in despite its terrifying allure.

But once you stepped into her world, the fear and mystery vanished, leaving only love behind.

Even if that love was thorny, he’d tenderly trace every spike until their blood mingled as one.

"Ran, this photo is so beautiful. There’s you, me, and the stars—like a dream."

Lin Ran gazed at the enormous framed picture on the wall, feeling that same warmth.

A dreamlike starscape—Dream Star. (Easter egg)

"Ran, what if one day I wake up and realize... all of this was just a dream?"

Hearing his wife’s worry, Lin Ran wanted to crush it immediately.

"I love you. I can say it to you, to the world, to everyone—none of this is a dream."

It was a bond carved across lifetimes.

Luo Yao rested in Lin Ran’s arms, soothed by his presence and his tender gaze.

Ran, you say this is all real? Can I trust your words?

Her eyelids grew heavy, but she fought to keep them open, unwilling to look away from the man who made her feel safe.

Finally, after who knows how long, Lin Ran pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and she drifted off.

"Don’t worry. It’s truer than truth itself."

---

The next morning, Lin Ran dropped Luo Yao off at the company.

"Yao, I won’t bring you lunch today."

Luo Yao nodded, though her mood dimmed slightly.

Is Ran getting tired of me?

"I’m taking you out instead."

Luo Yao brightened instantly. "Okay."

So he wants to eat out with me. Ran is the best.

Lin Ran was used to his wife’s lightning-fast mood swings.

And he knew—no one else could influence Luo Yao’s emotions so effortlessly.

---

At Luo Corporation’s office, Liu Meng had just woken up—she hadn’t gone home all night.

The corporate battle had raged nonstop, with the assistant team working in shifts.

"How’s it going?"

Liu Meng rubbed her eyes, forcing herself alert at Luo Yao’s arrival.

"We prepped all night. Today, we’ll make sure they lose another hundred billion."

Luo Yao nodded. Despite their opponents being so-called "elite families," she estimated their liquid assets at just a few hundred billion.

Once their cash flow broke, they’d have to scramble to save their market position.

But here was the cruel truth: whether a company or a family, once they started selling assets to stay afloat, it was a death spiral.

Weaker and weaker, until collapse was inevitable.

No matter how glorious their past, once the vultures smelled blood, they’d pick the bones clean—leaving nothing behind.

The vast majority of big shots couldn't prevent this outcome.