About ten minutes later, there was no one left in the water, and Bi Yaolian led the group in setting up tents.
Just as they were fantasizing about their husbands/sons/fathers bringing back good news, the synchronized sound of footsteps drew everyone's attention.
Upon closer inspection, dozens of figures approached with an oppressive aura.
Bi Yaolian paled in shock. Though she couldn’t clearly see who was coming, she immediately made the most rational decision—grabbing her walkie-talkie to alert the others.
Their walkie-talkies were advanced, with a signal range of up to a kilometer and strong penetration. But to everyone’s surprise, no matter how many times Bi Yaolian called, there was no response.
"Stop fiddling with that useless walkie-talkie, Bi Yaolian. I activated the signal jammer the moment you all went into the water."
Hearing this voice, Bi Yaolian was so shocked she stammered.
"Lin Ran? How… how could it be you?"
Once they recognized Lin Ran, everyone tensed up. They remembered all too well how this guy had slapped each of them across the face back at the old mansion.
And in the end, their punishment was largely because of him.Luo Yao might have been the one who carried it out, but Lin Ran was the one who lit the fuse.
"Do you have any idea how we’ve suffered these past few months without money?"
Everyone glanced behind Lin Ran, but Luo Yao was nowhere to be seen.
Lin Ran noticed the entire crowd collectively exhale in relief.
"Lin Ran, you dare show your face here? Luo Yao, that bitch, isn’t around today. Let’s see who’ll protect you now."
Lin Ran: ??? What did he just hear?
He glanced at the speaker—Luo Disi.
Then another Luo family member stepped forward. Lin Ran remembered his name: Luo Dichuang.
"Last time, this pretty boy hid behind Luo Yao, that shameless woman, and made us suffer. Family, we must take revenge. He won’t leave here alive today."
Lin Ran nodded silently, deciding to wait until three of them had spoken before slapping them all at once.
Sure enough, right after Luo Dichuang finished, the previous host, Luo Kong, spoke up.
"Young man, when you slapped me last time, I let it slide because of your youth. But today, since you’ve come back, don’t blame me for being merciless. Without Luo Yao, that crazy girl, what makes you think you can act so arrogantly?"
Luo Disi and Luo Dichuang had stayed behind because they couldn’t swim. Luo Kong was too old.
They all pointed at Lin Ran with one hand while cursing.
Why only one hand? Because the other was missing.
Lin Ran charged forward.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Three crisp strikes later, all three were dazed. Lin Ran frowned in displeasure. "Daring to insult my wife? You’ve got guts."
Then Bi Yaolian spoke up. "Lin Ran, this isn’t the place for your tantrums. Luo Yao is a shameless woman—why can’t we say it?"
Slap!
Luo Po: "How dare you—"
Slap!
Luo Ri: "You insolent—"
Slap!
Luo Shan: "Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to act so high and mighty?"
Slap!
Lin Ran bent down and roared, "I am the Slap King of the Capital. Watch your tone when speaking to me."
Just as the Luo family’s weak and wounded prepared to swarm him, the sound of guns cocking echoed. Instantly, everyone raised their hands.
What a familiar scene—like a vicious cycle.
Bi Yaolian glared at the armed men behind Luo Yao. "You traitors! How dare you side with an outsider against the Luo family?"
When they remained unmoved, she pressed on. "Luo Yao is gone. There’s no reason for you to obey this outsider’s orders."
Uncle Fu replied matter-of-factly, "Whether the young mistress is here or not, we follow Lin Ran’s orders. That was her wish."
His words darkened Bi Yaolian’s expression further, her heart pounding with unease.
Seeing that the opposition had shut up, Lin Ran decided it was his turn.
"I showed you mercy last time, and yet you still dare to insult me? I’m your family head’s husband—how dare you rebel against me?"
Bi Yaolian stepped forward, forcing a fake smile.
"Lin Ran, I am the Luo family’s matriarch now. Luo Yao is as good as dead—she can’t remain the head. My condolences."
Slap!
This time, Lin Ran was truly furious. This stupid woman actually dared to claim Luo Yao was dead?
"Who told you my wife is dead? Spouting nonsense without seeing or hearing anything—even with a voice box, you still spew lies?"
Bi Yaolian was livid. She hadn’t expected Lin Ran to overpower her even without Luo Yao present.
"Stop deluding yourself, Lin Ran. Whether you accept it or not, Luo Yao is dead. I am the Luo family’s matriarch now."
"Oh?" A cold voice cut through the air. No one had noticed Luo Yao’s arrival.
The crowd erupted in shock, then fell dead silent.
Luo Yao’s entrance always carried the chilling aura of a morgue—no one dared even breathe.
Only Bi Yaolian stammered in disbelief, "Lu-Lu-Lu-Luo—"
Luo Yao stared icily at her. "Who did you say is the Luo family’s matriarch? You?"
Bi Yaolian couldn’t comprehend how Luo Yao was still alive.
If Luo Yao was alive, everything changed.
Lin Ran might take their money, but Luo Yao would take their lives.
So, she made the wisest choice.
"Young Master Lin… is the Luo family’s matriarch."
Lin Ran: "..."
Luo Yao: "..."
Uncle Fu: "..."
The Luo family: "..."
…Is that right?
Are you even listening to yourself?
Luo Yao tilted her head, sensing something off but unable to pinpoint it.
"Well… what do you plan to do now?" Her tone was questioning, but the underlying threat was clear.
Bi Yaolian glanced at the weak and elderly around her, then at the armed bodyguards behind Luo Yao.
She finally surrendered.
Dropping to her knees, she declared, "Greetings, Family Head."
Luo Disi was baffled. "Second sister-in-law, Lin Ran just slapped us!"
Bi Yaolian: "The matriarch was merely educating us with love."
Luo Disi: "..."
Lin Ran walked up to him.
"You want to test me?"
Luo Disi immediately knelt. "Greetings, Matriarch."
Lin Ran: "..."
His gaze shifted to Luo Dichuang, who refused to yield. Lin Ran promptly delivered another slap.
These people were Luo Yao’s enemies—showing them mercy would be cruelty to himself. Lin Ran wasn’t about to play the saint.
When he approached Luo Po, the man instantly knelt.
"Matriarch, I heard you don’t have a son. I was thinking—"
Lin Ran cut him off. He had no interest in raising someone else’s child.
"Restrain all of them. It’s time we deal with that ‘Second Uncle.’"
Luo Yao watched Lin Ran the entire time, her eyes sparkling.
The way he had fiercely defended her just now—so unbelievably cool.
With just four men, Abu had the entire group surrounded.
Lin Ran had assumed they’d follow Luo Wushuang’s method and swim across. But just as he was wondering if he could manage it, a helicopter lowered two manned submersibles.
…Ridiculous.