Lin Ran took the meal box, and Mama Wang flashed a knowing, motherly smile before tactfully excusing herself.
Though she hadn't worked at the manor for long, she was the servant who had known Lin Ran the longest. Having witnessed his journey from a neglected child to someone now living a happy life, she felt genuine warmth in her heart.
During the meal, Luo Yao suddenly asked Lin Ran a question between bites.
"Ah-Ran (munch munch), will you ever really disappear one day (munch munch)?"
The question seemed simple, but Lin Ran sensed deeper meaning.
Luo Yao wasn’t referring to disappearance in the ordinary sense—she feared him vanishing right before her eyes, alive one moment and gone the next.
Lin Ran’s heart ached. He understood her fear all too well.
"Don’t worry. From now on, I’ll never disappear in front of you. Even if you try to drive me away or kill me, I won’t leave."
Luo Yao paused, her chewing slowing.
"I hope so. If you disappeared, I’d lose my mind."Lin Ran set down his chopsticks and pulled her into his arms, pressing her ear against his chest.
"Hear that? This thump-thump is proof—every word I say is true."
Time flew by, and soon it was New Year’s Eve.
The manor staff had nearly gone mad these past few days, unable to find Lin Ran while enduring Uncle Fu’s fury. If they’d known the elusive Lin Ran had been right beside their young mistress the whole time, they might have lost it completely.
In the hospital, the two sat back-to-back on the floor, gazing at the scenery outside the window.
Over these days, they had talked openly about everything, even topics they’d once been too afraid to broach. Lin Ran learned some of Luo Yao’s little secrets—like how she’d once slipped him an aphrodisiac, only for him to stubbornly resist its effects.
Lin Ran recalled the incident and admitted it had mostly been too painful to think of anything else.
As for why it hurt? Those who knew, knew.
Luo Yao also "learned" some of Lin Ran’s secrets—like how he knew she’d sent the Liu family to Africa, or that she’d blinded Liu Ruxue.
"Ah-Ran, I’m so glad you’re still here with me."
"I’ll always be here."
"Ah-Ran, there’s something I’ve been too scared to ask."
Lin Ran turned and gently embraced her from behind, wrapping her in an instant sense of security.
"Ask me anything. I won’t hold back."
After a long silence, Luo Yao mustered her courage. "Is your love for me just out of gratitude?"
"No." His reply was firm and immediate.
Every time he spoke like this, his heart ached. They could have been together so much sooner, but it had taken a lifetime for him to truly see his own feelings.
"You’ve moved me, yes. But my heart tells me this isn’t gratitude—it’s the most sincere, genuine love, an undying flutter. Every little thing you do tugs at my heart. I love you because I want to spend my life with you, not out of some hollow sense of obligation."
As Lin Ran poured out his feelings, Luo Yao curled deeper into his arms—not for warmth, but for love.
Only he could make her feel this way. Only he could stir her emotions so deeply.
"Ah-Ran, I feel so warm."
Lin Ran smiled. "My goal is to warm you, Yao."
They spent their first New Year’s Eve together in the hospital, falling asleep in each other’s arms.
The next morning, a knock at the door roused them.
Exchanging a glance, they knew the moment had come.
When Uncle Fu entered, his expression was grave. "Young Mistress, Luo Wushuang set out ten minutes ago."
Luo Yao’s tender gaze hardened with resolve. "Ah-Ran, let’s go too."
"Alright."
Back at the manor villa, Jiang Feihua was ready to take over Skyhaven Manor. Luo Wushuang had promised her it would be her reward once Lin Ran and Luo Yao were dealt with.
She’d just received word that Luo Wushuang was making his move—all she had to do was hold the manor.
As for Uncle Fu? She’d let him strut around for another day or two.
Just as Jiang Feihua was basking in her triumph, Uncle Fu returned.
"Uncle Fu, how is the young mistress?" she asked, feigning concern.
He shot her a sidelong glance. "That’s none of your concern."
Jiang Feihua’s smile vanished.
Your future in this manor depends on me, and you dare speak to me like this?
"Uncle Fu, you’re not getting any younger. Isn’t it time to retire?"
Uncle Fu: "???"
"You’ve just signed your own death warrant."
Jiang Feihua dropped the act, smug in her certainty of victory.
"Did you really think I didn’t know? The young mistress is done for, and Young Master Lin has fled. This manor is now ownerless."
Her words left the entire room of servants stunned.
They’d just been informed that Young Master Lin was on his way back—how could this manager dare speak so boldly?
And even if he never returned and the young mistress never recovered, what did that have to do with her?
What nonsense was she spouting? Was this even real?
Uncle Fu scoffed. "Even if the young mistress and Young Master Lin were gone, what’s it to you? Besides, the young mistress isn’t dead, and Young Master Lin is returning."
"You really believe that?"
Just then, an unexpected voice cut in. "Why wouldn’t it be true?"
Jiang Feihua paled as two figures followed Uncle Fu inside.
"Y-Y-Y-Young Mistress! Y-Y-Young Master Lin!"
Lin Ran’s expression was icy. "Indeed."
This woman, who had nearly sent him to the underworld, would finally face her reckoning.
At that moment, Little Tong and Wang Bao entered carrying two bags filled with phones.
"Young Mistress, we’ve confiscated all electronic devices in the manor. The signal jammers are also activated—no one can send messages out now."
They couldn’t help but feel exasperated. After days of frantically searching for Lin Ran, it turned out he’d been at the hospital the whole time.
Even more shocking? Luo Yao hadn’t been ill at all.
Now, she sat calmly on the sofa while Lin Ran massaged her shoulders from behind.
"Darling, you’ve had a tough few days in the hospital. Let me ease your tension."
The two had barely returned before shoving a mouthful of dog food down everyone’s throats.
Luo Yao’s cold gaze swept over everyone in the main villa. The servants knew something major was unfolding and obediently handed over their phones.
Each had two phones—their personal ones, already seized from their quarters by the security team, and now their work devices.
By now, Jiang Feihua had snapped out of her daze.