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At that moment, Luo Yunyan’s phone chimed. She looked down—it was a message from Jiang Ziang.
He had sent her a screenshot of Luo Corporation’s and Luo Yunxi’s Weibo posts, along with some of the nasty comments.
“Luo-jie, are we just going to let this slide? Want me to step in on behalf of the company?”
Seeing what her two brothers had done, Luo Yunyan’s heart softened a little.
Having people to protect her… it wasn’t such a bad feeling after all.
But she had never been the kind of person who only knew how to receive. Affection—true affection—was always mutual.
“Sure.” She replied.
Jiang Ziang, after sending the message, immediately regretted it.
What if Luo Yunyan said no? What if she ripped into him?
But if she refused, he still planned to quietly retaliate behind the scenes—file a few lawsuits, dig into the trolls’ backgrounds, and report anyone with skeletons in their closet. A full-on cleanup operation. Heh heh heh…
Ding! The notification startled him so much he almost dropped his phone. He peeked through his fingers to see—
“Sure.”
What?! She actually agreed?! Never thought I’d live to see the day!
Without missing a beat, he hit the intercom on his desk.
“Call Legal and IT in for a meeting. We’ve got work.”
Then he logged into Pluto’s official Weibo account and reposted Luo Yunxi’s post.
[@PlutoConsortiumV]: Congratulations to our boss for reuniting with her family 🎉
Also, to the babies who insulted our boss—please bathe, light incense, and wash your hands. The lawyer’s letters are coming 💖
[Wait—the Pluto?! The No.1 international consortium Pluto?!]
[So before rejoining her birth family, she was already a rich heir??]
[Sis, what kind of overpowered CEO heroine script are you living out?! I’m jealous!!]
[He could’ve just slapped you with a lawsuit, but he called you “baby” instead. Be grateful.]
[Good thing I didn’t say anything. Man, I envy those of you lucky enough to get lawyered up by both Luo Corp and Pluto.]
And just like that, the trending topics exploded:
—
Luo Yunzhe’s phone buzzed. Assistant Zhang was calling to report the trending status. He stared blankly at Luo Yunyan.
Meanwhile, Luo Yunxi, still bickering with trolls on Weibo, suddenly looked up like he’d been struck by lightning. He pointed at Luo Yunyan, flustered.
“Nuan Nuan—you, you, *you—*this?!”
“What are you yelling about?” Luo Chenfeng came out of the kitchen to call everyone for dinner, only to see his second son pointing a finger at his daughter. He stepped up and slapped his hand down.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you yelling at your sister?!”
Luo Yunxi yelped and shoved his phone in his dad’s face.
“Dad, look for yourself!”
Luo Chenfeng squinted at the screen and grew furious at the hateful comments.
“You just let your sister get attacked like this? What the hell are you guys doing? If Luo Corp’s legal team can’t handle it, fire them all!”
“No, no, look here!” Luo Yunxi pulled up Pluto’s Weibo post.
Luo Chenfeng froze, then looked at Luo Yunyan.
“Nuan Nuan… this—is this about you?”
“Yeah, Dad. That’s the company I started back then,” Luo Yunyan said with a smile.
The men in the living room were filled with complicated emotions.
If Luo Corp and Gu Corp were the peak of the financial world in China, Pluto was the peak of the entire world.
Founded just four years ago, it had already become the number-one international consortium with branches across multiple countries.
Four years ago, she was only 15—and already walking into the business world full of wolves and vipers.
Yet now, she merely brushed it off with one sentence: “a company I started before.” She never spoke of what she’d endured.
And now, everyone finally realized—Luo Yunyan didn’t need them. She could live just fine on her own. If she hadn’t taken the initiative to come home, they might’ve never found her.
It was clear she didn’t yet feel a deep sense of belonging here.
But that was okay. The fact that she chose to return was enough.
Noticing the awkward mood, Luo Yunyan wondered if she’d been too blunt. She was just about to say something to ease the tension when Luo Yunzhe spoke up first.
He smiled and joked, “Looks like I need to work harder—maybe one day Luo Corp can stand shoulder to shoulder with Pluto.”
“Alright, alright, let’s eat. Your mom just finished cooking. She made braised short ribs for Nuan Nuan.” Luo Chenfeng changed the topic as well.
“I’ll go get Third Brother!” Luo Yunxi jumped up and bolted upstairs.
Noticing everyone’s mood, Luo Yunyan gently looped her arm through Luo Chenfeng’s.
“Dad, no matter what, I’m your and Mom’s daughter before I’m anyone else.”
“Good. Good.” Luo Chenfeng’s nose tingled. He patted her hand resting on his arm.
Luo Yunzhe watched the scene with a soft gaze.
“Nuan Nuan, come eat. I made a big serving of braised short ribs just for you.” Su Wanru brought soup out from the kitchen.
“Coming.” Luo Yunyan smiled at her father, and the two of them headed to the dining room together.
All three brothers tried to sit next to their sister—but none could compete with their parents.
So Luo Yunyan sat between her mom and dad. Su Wanru beamed at the fully assembled family of six—it had been far too long since they were all together like this.
Luo Yunxi pouted at the feast on the table. When it was just the brothers at home, their mother never cooked this much. Heck, her actually cooking was already rare!
So unfair! Blatant favoritism! Daughters over sons!
Unable to sit beside her, he simply focused on piling food into her bowl. Soon, it was overloaded.
“Okay, okay, I can’t eat that much…”
The brothers finally stopped.
There were no strict rules about silence at meals in the Luo household, so Luo Chenfeng turned his head and asked,
“Nuan Nuan, are you busy with work these days?”
“Not really. I don’t go to the company much, so I have a lot of free time.” She finished a bite of rib before answering.
Su Wanru blinked, confused.
“Nuan Nuan started a company? That’s amazing! What’s it called?”
“Pluto.”
Su Wanru froze.
Even though she didn’t normally follow financial news, everyone knew what Pluto represented. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Ahem. Luo Yunzhe changed the topic, “Are you in school now? Where do you study?”
“I’m not attending school. I finished my PhD three years ago—at Lostt Academy, in Country M.”
The air went dead silent.
Luo Yunyan looked up and saw everyone frozen mid-bite, eyes wide.
Her third brother was only in his second year of grad school after entering the youth talent program. And yet she had finished her PhD? At age 16?
And at Lostt Academy, the world’s top university?
Back then, even Luo Yunzhe had applied to Lostt, but failed to get in.
What kind of monster genius is this?! That’s cheating!
But no one was jealous. They were simply overwhelmed with pride.
Luo Yanyi’s eyes glowed with admiration—he had always respected strength the most.
Luo Yunyan rubbed her nose awkwardly. That much already shocked them?
She didn’t even mention the lifetime honorary professorship she picked up later…
Better keep that to herself.
Too bad… at the family reunion banquet, someone would end up outing her.
“Nuan Nuan’s incredible. You’ve made up for the regret I had back then.” Luo Yunzhe praised sincerely.
“You’re amazing, sweetheart. Mom is so proud of you.” Su Wanru’s eyes were full of pride and affection.
“Thanks, Mom. But I’m planning to stay home for a while. Just relax and have some fun.”
“You can play at home for a lifetime if you want. Your mom and I can support you,” Luo Chenfeng quickly added.
The rest of the family chimed in with approval.
The conversation continued casually. Perhaps Luo Yunzhe had given them a heads-up beforehand, because no one brought up the missing seven years before she was eleven.
Suddenly, Luo Chenfeng said, “Nuan Nuan, your grandparents and maternal grandparents already know you’re back. Tomorrow, let’s head to the old estate and have a meal with both families.”
“Okay. I’m good with anything.” Luo Yunyan nodded.
“Don’t worry—they’re all great. Everyone’s been missing you.” Luo Yunzhe gently patted her head and began introducing the rest of the extended family.
…
The next morning, Su Wanru quietly pushed open the door to check on her sleeping daughter.
But the bed was empty—completely untouched, without a single wrinkle in the sheets.
(End of Chapter)