Entering the first floor, there were only two receptionists and a few security guards on duty. Though they were working during the holiday, none of them complained—holiday pay was quite generous. Many people even envied them. "Why do they get to work overtime while I don’t?"
One of the security guards recognized Lin Ran at a glance. Back when Lin Ran first came to the company looking for Luo Yao, this very guard had "welcomed" him, and their conversation had been quite "pleasant."
"Mr. Lin, here to see President Luo?"
"That’s right. Is Yao Yao upstairs?"
Lin Ran now knew the guard’s name—Liu Xialai.
"She is. Let me call the elevator for you."
After Lin Ran scanned his fingerprint, Liu Xialai tactfully pressed the elevator button for him.
By now, Lin Ran was practically a household name within Luo Corporation—everyone knew him as the boss’s partner.
There was even a saying circulating in the company:
"You can afford to offend President Luo—at worst, you’ll end up at the bottom of the ocean. But you must never offend Mr. Lin, because your entire family will be joining you."In a way, Lin Ran was the real taboo at Luo Corporation.
"Thanks."
Lin Ran never looked down on the little people. With a polite wave, he bid Liu Xialai farewell.
The elevator ascended to the 88th floor, which was unexpectedly quiet. The assistant team hadn’t clocked in yet, leaving only a few on duty—among them, Wang Fang.
"Mr. Lin, here to see President Luo?"
Lin Ran recognized Wang Fang. In fact, he knew most of the assistant team by now.
After all, whenever Luo Yao didn’t feel like coming to the office, she’d "invite" them to work at the estate. Over time, they’d all become familiar faces.
"Yeah, is Luo Yao in?"
"She is. Let me announce you."
"No need, I’ll go straight in."
Back when Liu Meng was around, she never bothered with formalities—she’d just take him straight to Luo Yao’s office.
"Of course."
Stepping into the long-unseen office, Lin Ran immediately spotted Luo Yao buried in paperwork.
"Ah Ran, you’re here."
Hearing the door open, Luo Yao looked up and saw the person she loved most—the one who made everything else in the world pale in comparison. Only he remained vivid in her eyes.
"What are you up to?" Lin Ran felt a surge of happiness under Luo Yao’s adoring gaze.
This was the joy he brought her.
"Looking at the light of my life."
Lin Ran was momentarily stunned by her response.
Leaning down, he braced his hands on the desk and kissed her lips.
This office was familiar territory—after all, the two of them had shared many stories here.
When the kiss ended, Luo Yao felt like the air had grown thin.
Every display of affection from Lin Ran left her drowning in bliss. If she could, she’d stay in this happiness forever.
"Yao Yao, I’ve already started preparations for the trip to the snow mountains. We’ll be able to leave soon—just wrap up your work here in the next couple of days."
Luo Yao: "Got it. I’m ready whenever."
Seeing Luo Yao’s radiant, flushed face, Lin Ran’s heart stirred again.
He didn’t understand why he had zero resistance when it came to her.
He swore it wasn’t just about her beauty—if that were the case, he’d have fallen for her the moment they first met.
And he was certain his love wasn’t born from gratitude either—gratitude and love were two entirely different things.
Could it be that he had always been in love with Luo Yao?
Previously, because of Liu Ruxue, Lin Ran had avoided confronting his true feelings.
After his rebirth, Lin Ran opened his heart to accept Luo Yao and finally saw clearly that he loved this woman.
Was this the real him?
Lin Ran couldn’t help but ask himself this question.
Perhaps the next time he saw Little Black, he could try asking about the "past."
"Yao Yao, I want to take you to every corner of the world."
Luo Yao smiled softly, taking Lin Ran’s hand and pressing it against her cheek, savoring the warmth from his palm.
"I know Ah Ran can hardly hold back. Before we wander the world, why don’t you wander into me first?"
"No one understands me like you, Yao Yao."
Past memories replayed like scenes in the office of Luo Corporation.
By the time they returned to the estate, it was already late at night, and they had even missed dinner.
In an ordinary household, a child missing dinner might earn them a scolding.
But in Lin Ran and Luo Yao’s home, they were the center of everything—everyone revolved around them.
After a hearty meal, the two retired early.
Lin Ran was exhausted. Even with the restorative tonic, he could barely keep going.
A few days later, on January 6th—the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month—Lin Ran and Luo Yao arrived at Gongga Airport in Tibet.
This time, Lin Ran hadn’t brought Uncle Fu along.
Before Wang Anjian’s discharge, they wouldn’t have much contact, but with his grandson still battling illness, Lin Ran couldn’t bear to take Uncle Fu away.
Besides, if Uncle Fu left, Granny Wang would have no one to rely on.
Another important reason was that the old man’s age made traveling to high altitudes risky.
The plateau was unforgiving—countless young souls had been lost there, let alone the elderly.
All Lin Ran needed was to have his preparations ready.
"Yao Yao, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"
Luo Yao shook her head. "I feel refreshed, just a little cold."
Lin Ran chuckled. "Even someone as cold as you gets cold?"
Luo Yao’s expression, which had been pleasant, instantly turned icy.
“Ah Ran, are you disdaining me now?”
The question left Lin Ran speechless.
Had he given any sign of disdain for her?
"Darling, you’re wronging me! When I said you’re cold, I meant toward others. With me, you’re passionate—even in this freezing weather, I feel warm all over."
"If it’s so warm, why don’t you take off all your clothes?"
Lin Ran: "Huh?"
"Take them off or not?"
"Fine, fine, I’ll take them off."
Without hesitation, Lin Ran began stripping—down jacket, outerwear, sweater, thermal underwear.
When he reached the thermal underwear, Luo Yao finally smiled again.
"Good husband, I was just teasing you. I wasn’t actually angry."
Lin Ran exhaled in relief. He had genuinely worried Luo Yao was upset—this trip was meant to make her happy.
If she was in a bad mood right after landing, wouldn’t that be an ominous start?
"You scared me. I thought I’d messed up again."
Lin Ran hurriedly put his clothes back on. Damn, it was freezing.