As if aware of her fate, Liu Ruxue began struggling desperately.

"Spare me! Please spare me... I—I won’t compete with you for Lin Ran anymore."

"Ah—"

With Liu Ruxue’s scream, a visual spectacle unfolded before Lin Ran’s eyes.

…… (The river of censorship invites readers to imagine the rest.)

Nearly ten minutes later, they finally emerged again.

"Ran, you said you wouldn’t be scared."

Lin Ran thought to himself: Scared? More like physically revolted.

Strange, really. Even after witnessing the same scene in his past life, seeing it again still unsettled him.

He was just too sensitive.

"I wasn’t scared of you. It’s just my ‘first time’ seeing something so eye-opening. I’ll get used to it next time."

Hearing Lin Ran’s words, Luo Yao regretted making him face this and her own unchecked brutality.

"I’ll have her sent to Southeast Asia. You’ll never see her again, Ran."

"Okay."

Luo Yao stepped into the office bathroom to wash away the filth.

Midway, Lin Ran joined her, reaching out to help.

"Don’t touch me, Ran. It’s dirty."

Lin Ran shook his head. "You’re my wife. I’ll never reject you, no matter what. Even the blood staining you—let me help wash it away."

Luo Yao gave up resisting, letting Lin Ran tend to her...

After the bath, Lin Ran dressed her in fresh clothes he’d prepared earlier.

Luo Yao stretched out her arms. "Ran..."

Lin Ran lifted her effortlessly, carrying her out of the bathroom. At this moment, Luo Yao felt truly happy.

Her only "rival" would never reappear.

Liu Ruxue wouldn’t die.

She was simply reliving her past-life fate.

Just as Lin Ran was about to shower Luo Yao with affection, an untimely knock interrupted them.

The moment Liu Meng entered, she sensed a murderous aura.

Luo Yao: "This better be important."

"President Luo, they’re crumbling. The Zhang family is already trying to withdraw," Liu Meng wiped cold sweat from her brow.

"Withdraw? It’s not that easy." Luo Yao narrowed her eyes.

Do they think I, Luo Yao, am some pushover? They jump in to take a bite, then flee when the fight turns against them? What a joke.

If I let them walk away unscathed, others will think I’m weak.

Next time, every vulture will swoop in for a piece.

"Ramp up pressure on the Zhangs. Force all three families into the same corner."

"Understood."

Liu Meng fled, leaving the couple alone again.

Having just "vented," Luo Yao now needed comfort.

Time flowed like sand. After bonding, Lin Ran prepared to return to the manor to cook dinner for his wife.

"Darling, I’ll head home first to cook. Finish work early, okay?"

"Ran, you don’t have to work so hard. You’re practically stealing the chef’s job."

Lin Ran kissed her forehead. "I’ve got nothing else to do. Once your stomach’s healed, I’ll stop. It’s just cooking—for my wife. Not tiring at all. Because I love you, I’ll do anything for you."

Luo Yao’s eyes sparkled like diamonds.

After Lin Ran left, she remained lost in his sweet words.

"I wonder if Ran ever said things like this to Liu Ruxue."

The thought snapped her back. She summoned Liu Meng.

"Send the person in the basement to Southeast Asia."

Liu Meng glanced at the hidden room. "Done."

Disposing of someone wasn’t simple.

Liu Meng fabricated evidence of Liu Ruxue’s suicide for the authorities. After "verification," her identity was erased.

Then, with a call to "Brother Blade," Liu Ruxue was loaded into a vehicle, speeding nonstop toward the border.

This life’s ending mirrored her last—perhaps even crueler.

How long she’d survive in Southeast Asia depended on her own luck.

Paradise Manor.

Lin Ran finished dinner just as Luo Yao arrived home.

A habitual kiss. "Welcome back."

Despite the earlier nausea, Lin Ran was in high spirits.

His past-life death—being pushed off a rooftop—had been steeped in terror, despair, and regret. Now, he’d repaid every ounce.

Only he knew the euphoria of vengeance.

All thanks to his extraordinary wife.

Liu Ruxue was gone; Lin Tianba’s life was misery.

Only Lin Jian and his mother remained. Once they left prison, he’d ensure their suffering. Then, his hatred would vanish.

With vengeance sated, one mystery lingered—a story about a cat.

Luo Yao sniffed the air. "Ran, you made mala tang?"

Lin Ran nodded. "Yep. Safe, healthy, and tasty. Not too spicy, gentle on your stomach. Best part? We can fight over it."

Luo Yao hugged him softly, warmth blooming in her chest.

As the couple bickered playfully, inside Yu Taiduo’s private villa:

Ai Renqi (Ai family head), Zhang Deshuai (Zhang family head), and Yu Taiduo huddled in secret discussion.

Zhang Deshuai, the weakest link, would’ve collapsed without the alliance.

Yu Taiduo’s face darkened. "That lunatic Luo Yao won’t spare us. Proceed as planned."

Zhang Deshuai frowned silently.

Ai Renqi sighed. "My men have tracked Lin Ran’s movements. But are we really doing this? His guards aren’t pushovers."

Yu Taiduo smirked. "No matter how skilled, they can’t stop an army."

The men exchanged glances, resolve hardening.

Just then, Yu Taiduo’s wife, Chang Lüfù, entered with tea.

"Gentlemen, you must be tired. Rest and drink."

Poised, she sat beside Yu Taiduo.

"Darling, my friends invited me for an all-night mahjong session. Will I win or lose?"

Yu Taiduo nodded. "Go. Winning doesn’t matter—just enjoy yourself."

His elegant wife had no major flaws, save one: an insatiable gambling itch. She often played till dawn.

Initially suspicious, he’d tailed her, only to confirm she genuinely played with friends.

Eventually, he stopped caring—even funded her mahjong parlor.

Chang Lüfù covered a giggle. "You’re too good to me. Off I go, then."

With that, Chang Lüfù stood up to leave. As she turned her back to Yu Taiduo, she winked at Ai Renqi.