Luo Yao gently kissed Lin Ran on the cheek, instantly melting the hearts of the tens of thousands of people present.
"Wow, wow, wow! Did President Luo bring her husband on stage just to feed us some dog food?"
"They're so sweet and perfect together. If anyone dares say President Luo and Young Master Lin aren’t true love, I’ll fight them."
"I’m a die-hard fan of the 'Goddess Luo Descends Upon Lin' ship—I’ll wave their banner high!"
"I wonder if I’ll even qualify to attend their wedding?"
"What are you thinking? With so many of us, how could we all go? Just getting to watch a livestream would be a blessing."
The venue erupted in gasps and cheers, showering the ethereally beautiful couple on stage with the warmest blessings.
Luo Yao: "A-Ran, let me give my speech first. Wait for me."
"Okay."
Luo Yao took the microphone, her expression instantly shifting to icy severity, leaving the crowd in awe."Are you all wondering why I brought my husband on stage?"
To her surprise, the tens of thousands below roared in unison:
"Not! At! All!"
It was only natural for President Luo, who adored Lin Ran and was a yandere, to take him everywhere she went.
Now, the whole world knew Luo Yao was a yandere.
Even Lin Ran was caught off guard by the collective cheers of Luo Corporation’s employees.
"These guys… they’re all veteran shippers, huh?"
For the first time, Luo Yao showed a flicker of surprise, but her cold demeanor quickly returned as she frowned.
Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, Luo Yao kept frowning without saying a word.
Just as confusion spread through the crowd—
Luo Yao collapsed.
Chaos erupted. Lin Ran was the first to rush forward, followed closely by security.
"Yao Yao, what’s wrong?"
Luo Yao’s tightly shut eyes gave no response.
In that moment, many realized something terrible had happened.
After Luo Yao was carried away, Liu Meng stepped in to hastily conclude Luo Corporation’s year-end meeting before it was abruptly adjourned.
All employees were escorted to hotels and placed under supervision—no one was allowed to leave the capital or leak any information.
Online broadcasts were cut the second Luo Yao collapsed, leaving the public in the dark about what had happened.
Still, warnings came from higher-ups.
But with an incident this big, whispers were inevitable.
As the annual meeting ended, rumors spread like wildfire, even reaching the Luo family.
No one knew who leaked the news.
And so, some began to stir…
At the hospital, Lin Ran’s mood was grim. He was surrounded by many—Uncle Fu, Jiang Feihua, Abu, Little Tong, and Wang Bao.
Even Liu Meng and Qi Chengwei, who had just returned from Shanghai, were there.
As Yi Buhao spoke, everyone’s faces darkened.
"Young Master Lin, President Luo’s organs are rapidly failing. We haven’t identified the cause yet, but we’re doing everything we can."
Lin Ran replied coldly, "Everyone, leave. I want to stay with her."
With Luo Yao absent, no one dared disobey Lin Ran.
Luo Corporation’s leadership had one ironclad rule: if Luo Yao were ever incapacitated, everyone must follow Lin Ran’s orders.
They filed out of the ward, and Yi Buhao led the medical team away to confer.
Alone in the room, Lin Ran exhaled heavily.
"Yao Yao, they’re all gone now."
"Yao Yao?"
Lin Ran frowned, studying Luo Yao’s state. Why was her acting so convincing?
"Wife."
"Darling."
"Baby."
"Mas…ter!"
His voice grew shakier with each call, his heart aching unbearably.
Seeing Luo Yao lying so still tore at him.
Two tears fell.
"Yao Yao, let’s stop playing, okay? Open your eyes and look at me."
Finally, Luo Yao opened her eyes, meeting Lin Ran’s red-rimmed gaze.
She’d only meant to tease him—she never expected such a visceral reaction.
Wasn’t this all an act? Why was A-Ran like this?
"A-Ran, don’t cry. It’s all fake."
Lin Ran pulled her into a tight embrace. "I know it’s fake. But the thought of you never opening your eyes again… it’s suffocating."
Luo Yao held him gently, feeling an odd twinge in her chest, as if an invisible hand gripped her heart.
"A-Ran, don’t worry. If I die, you’ll go first. I’ll make sure of it."
Lin Ran nodded frantically.
"Good. Promise me you’ll never die before me."
"Mm."
In that moment, Lin Ran was certain—he loved Luo Yao more than life itself.
The idea of her leaving this world before him was unbearable.
"A-Ran, don’t be sad. I’m right here."
Lin Ran steadied himself, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
A grown man, crying like this?
"I’ll stay here with you for now. When the New Year comes, we’ll give them a grand finale—root out all the parasites in Luo Corporation."
"Okay."
Everything that had transpired was part of an elaborate act orchestrated by Lin Ran and Luo Yao.
After staying with her a while, Lin Ran stepped out of the ward. The sight of his reddened eyes dampened the mood outside.
Uncle Fu: "How is the young miss?"
Lin Ran shook his head, unwilling to speak.
Meanwhile, Little Tong and Qi Chengwei exchanged glances.
"Tong, seeing President Luo like this… it made me realize love means nothing without life."
Little Tong nodded. "So?"
"So while you’re alive, stay by my side. Quit your job—I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry about my family. Once I’m strong enough, I’ll drag them here to apologize to you."
Little Tong: "..."
Classic.
"Let’s discuss this after Young Master Lin gets through this crisis. We’re needed now."
"Alright."
As time passed, in a basement somewhere in the capital, Luo Wushuang answered Lin Ran’s call.
"When will Luo Yao die?" Lin Ran’s voice was eerily calm.
Luo Wushuang smirked. After all this time, his efforts had finally borne fruit.
He’d guessed right—no matter how much Lin Ran pretended to love Luo Yao, he was desperate to escape.
After all, no one could truly love someone who wanted to cage them.
Luo Yao, you never lost to me, your uncle. You lost to the love you thought was real.
"In about ten days, Luo Yao will be gone. All you need to do is help me find one thing."
Lin Ran: "What?"
"A key."