I suggest you investigate; this person doesn't seem to be a first-time reborn individual.

On July 20, there were less than 10 days left before the demolition notice was issued.

late at night.

Lin Ran was woken up by the urge to urinate, perhaps because he had drunk too much water before bed.

His leg injury has almost fully healed, and as long as he moves a little slower, walking short distances is not a problem.

His eyes were drawn to the curtain in the middle of the ward, where he could hear soft, even breathing. Li Futing seemed to be fast asleep.

So, he very slowly propped himself up, carefully moved off the bed, and tiptoed toward the private bathroom in the ward.

Unbeknownst to him, behind the curtain, Li Futing opened her eyes the moment he stood up.

Her sleep has always been very light, a habit formed from a long-term lack of security.

However, she did not get up. She lay quietly in the darkness, her fingers tightly gripping the thin sheet, without moving or making a sound.

Through the gap at the bottom of the curtain, one could vaguely see Lin Ran's feet slowly moving over.

A distinct sense of loss slowly welled up in my heart.

He... seems to be able to walk now.

Although it was still a bit difficult for him, he seemed to be able to go to the toilet by himself without anyone's help.

What about tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow?

Once he's fully recovered, will he no longer need me as his "caregiver"?

Although I've been busy these past few days, and although I'm always being bossed around by him, and sometimes he even makes me blush...

But it was the first time in a long time that she felt so "needed." Even if this need was based on an employment relationship, even if he always acted domineeringly and as if it were his right.

But now, this feeling of being "needed" seems to be coming to an end.

In the darkness, she blinked, feeling her eyes sting a little, but she tried her best to hold it back.

She quietly turned over, facing the wall, and curled herself up even tighter.

The following morning, the weather was fine and sunny.

"Lanlan," Lin Ran called softly to Li Futing, who was sitting in front of the easel, concentrating on her drawing.

"Hmm?" Li Futing looked at Lin Ran with a puzzled expression, waiting for him to continue.

I need to go out this afternoon.

"Okay," Li Futing put down her paintbrush. "Is there anything I need to prepare in advance?"

"No need, I'll go out with Wang Zihao this afternoon."

Lin Ran was silent for a few seconds, seemingly hesitant, "You...you don't need to come with me today."

The demolition notice is coming soon; any further delay could cause problems.

"……oh."

Li Futing responded softly.

Her hand, which was tidying up her paintbrush, paused almost imperceptibly for half a second before she continued to carefully place the charcoal pencil back into the pencil case.

In the afternoon, at a small street stall.

How much does a bottle of Niulanshan liquor cost?

Lin Ran leaned back against the counter, tapped his fingers on the glass tabletop, and casually shook the bucket of lollipops next to him, as if he knew what he was doing.

The shopkeeper's smile vanished the moment he saw him. His heart skipped a beat. How come it's this kid again? Last time he managed to haggle his way out of a lighter when he bought a pack of cigarettes!

He weakly held up his fingers and gestured: "Eight pieces!"

"Eight pieces?!"

Lin Ran's voice suddenly rose, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Boss, who are you trying to fool?! My second uncle came to buy it last week, and it was still 7.5 yuan! What's wrong? Do you think I'm a stranger, or do you think I look particularly handsome today, so you're raising the price on the spot?"

Prince Hao, who had originally intended to buy water, stopped in his tracks.

He stared in disbelief as his brother put on a full-on performance for five cents, feeling his face burning with embarrassment.

The shop owner looked speechless and said irritably, "Small business, no bargaining! Take it or leave it!"

He figured it out: this kid was incredibly shameless, always looking for an advantage, the kind of person who'd consider it a loss if he didn't find money on the street. He'd better get rid of him as soon as possible.

"Hey boss, you can't do business like this!"

Lin Ran immediately put on a pained expression and began to argue.

"I'm a regular customer here. I've bought so many spicy snacks from you since I was a kid that they could circle your store. Don't you feel any gratitude for being a loyal customer?"

The shop owner was speechless, thinking to himself, "My shop has only been open for less than two years. Have you been buying spicy snacks from me since you were a child?"

"Hey boss, two bottles for fifteen! And throw in a lollipop, I'll pay right now!"

As he spoke, he pulled out a lollipop, deftly took out 15 yuan, and slapped it on the counter with a "thud," his movements smooth and effortless.

The shopkeeper glanced at the 15 yuan on the counter, his lips twitched, but ultimately resigned himself to his bad luck and waved his hand dismissively.

"Fine, fine, take it! Don't dawdle with me next time!"

"Alright, thank you, boss! May you make a fortune!" Lin Ran beamed with joy.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to give Wang Zihao, who was waiting nearby, an extra lollipop, a gesture that made the boss's lips twitch again.

Seeing Lin Ran's smug figure, Wang Zihao didn't dare to linger in the shop any longer and followed Lin Ran out with a flushed face.

Dichen Capital is a well-known luxury villa district in the city.

The black wrought iron gate with its European-style carvings is impressive, and the security guard at the gate is dressed in a smart uniform.

Wang Zihao stared at the imposing gate before him, then glanced at the red plastic bag he was carrying. He could vaguely make out the shapes of two bottles, and the whole scene felt rather strange.

He asked Lin Ran with some concern, "Brother Ran, is this all we're bringing as a gift? Isn't it... a bit too meager?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ran glanced at Wang Zihao, took out the lollipop from his mouth, pointed it at Wang Zihao, and gave him a look that said, "You're too young."

"Ah Hao, you just don't understand."

"The value of a gift is never in itself." He gestured to the plastic bag that Wang Zihao was carrying.

"We're not begging him. The alcohol is just a gesture, a way of showing that we know the rules and that we're not coming empty-handed. That's enough."

"Oh." Wang Zihao nodded. He felt something was off, but he didn't bother to worry about it. He then asked the next question with a puzzled look.

"Brother Ran, why do you insist on having me come along this time? You know perfectly well that I don't get along with Gao Xiaoming."

"Nonsense, of course I know." Lin Ran squinted and looked up at the sky, crunching the last bit of candy.

"It's precisely because you two don't get along that I brought you along."

"Huh?" Wang Zihao was even more confused now.

Lin Ran was silent for a moment, as if considering something, before suddenly asking, "Ah Hao, if I start a business with Gao Xiaoming's family, will you blame me for not being fair?"

Lin Ran knew Wang Zihao's personality; he was loyal and straightforward, so it was better to say some things in advance.

After hearing this, Wang Zihao's eyebrows shot up: "What the hell! What are you talking about? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

He stood on tiptoe and hooked his arm around Lin Ran's neck, pretending to strangle him.

"You're good at making money, that's your skill! Even if I look down on Gao Xiaoming, do you think I'd stop you from making money?"

"At most, I just... feel a little awkward, you know?"

Lin Ran smiled and broke free from Wang Zihao's arm:

"It's okay to feel awkward! That's why I insisted on bringing you here, because I was afraid you'd feel awkward later."

He put his arm around Wang Zihao's shoulder and said, "Ah Hao, we're brothers. But business is business, and you're bound to deal with all sorts of people."

"I brought you here today for two reasons. First, to put your mind at ease. No matter who I do business with, I always know who is on my side."

"Secondly, I want you to meet that kid Gao Xiaoming again. You don't need to give him a warm welcome. Just do me a favor. If you run into him again in any situation, just don't start a fight."

"I'm being upfront with you so you won't be petty and think it's better for me to be your enemy behind your back, right?"

After hearing Lin Ran's explanation, Wang Zihao's unease was instantly smoothed out.

"Okay, don't worry, Ran-ge. As long as that kid doesn't act up, I promise I won't hit him!"

"But you've got to buy me some skewers after you make some money!"

Lin Ran smiled and agreed, "Come on, I'm going to negotiate a multi-million dollar deal today, and I'll show you around!"

Wang Zihao thought his best friend was just bragging again, that a business worth millions could be settled with just two bottles of Niulanshan liquor.

He had seen his father use Moutai liquor as a bribe when asking for favors.