Chapter 77 Even as a Vase, I’m the Most Beautiful One

Yes, that’s right.

Despite being praised in their social circle as a “model couple,” the Rans had always lived separate lives, each doing as they pleased.

Madam Ran was relatively restrained. After giving birth to Ran Hao, she had an IUD inserted. Even though she secretly kept two young male models, nothing ever escalated into pregnancy. It was all settled with money—mutual consent, clean and simple.

But things were different with Mr. Ran. Because of his status, he often encountered women with ulterior motives who tried to trap him with children.

What those women didn’t know was that the Ran couple were unlike other wealthy families. Instead of sneaking around behind each other’s backs, they were in it together—a united front in their arrangements.

Ruan Yaoyao: 【……】

【This really opened my eyes. So this is how it can be done!】

【I’ve seriously been at a loss! If I’d known earlier, back when that scumbag Xu Xiaoxiao was still alive, I should’ve done the same—each of us playing our own games.】

【Only I was stupid enough—he played around outside while I stayed home like a widow.】

Well, not exactly like a widow. The truth was, Ruan Yaoyao had high standards—most men simply didn’t catch her eye.

Besides, romance had never been her ambition. She just wanted to be rich, carefree, and happy on her own.

She fulfilled her emotional needs through enjoyment.

And her version of “enjoyment” came with very high material standards—luxury cars for travel, first-class flights, tailor-made trips with personal butlers…

In short, she was a delicate flower raised in luxury. Without these things, she simply couldn’t live.

So, she could live without men, without love—but she absolutely, positively could not live without financial security. That was the real reason she tolerated the family’s arranged marriage and Xu Xiaoxiao’s philandering.

After all, neither of them had ever shortchanged her materially.

When Xu Xiaoxiao was alive, he even mocked her: “You’re just a pretty vase.”

Ruan Yaoyao replied, “So what if I’m a vase? I’m the most beautiful one.”

A vase placed in the most exquisite box, cushioned with the finest silk, carefully maintained and protected from even the slightest scratch.

A “vase” like that—if she were to keep some pretty boy on the side, she’d probably find him “dirty,” even suspecting that instead of her playing him, he’d be the one playing her.

Her mental cleanliness was even more severe than her physical one.

If it didn’t exist, then it simply wouldn’t—forever.

The same applied to Mr. and Mrs. Ran, and even to the eldest young master of the Ran family.

His marriage was a business alliance. Before marrying, he and his wife had agreed: until they produced an heir, both would remain faithful to ensure a “pure” bloodline.

After the heir was born, both would undergo sterilization and then live however they pleased.

Ruan Yaoyao’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between the eldest young master and his wife, never imagining such a “tradition” existed in the Ran family.

【If that’s the case, why didn’t they continue this tradition with Xie Zining?】

Glancing at Ran Hao, who had just come back from his latest indulgence, Ruan Yaoyao understood.

【Because this guy doesn’t follow any rules. The family can’t control him.】

【They all wait until after having an heir before enjoying themselves. He started early—and wrecked his body so badly he can’t even produce an heir.】

Ruan Yaoyao flipped through Ran Hao’s profile and couldn’t help but marvel at his colorful romantic history.

【All types—slim, plump, everything!】

【Aside from men, there’s nothing he hasn’t touched. Multiple women in one night, all kinds of games—it’s no wonder he ruined his body so quickly.】

【When he married Xie Zining, the Ran family was basically taking a desperate gamble—bringing her in just to see if she could bear a child.】

【If she could, great. If not…】

【Well, with Ran Hao’s unreasonable personality, he’d never think it was his fault. He’d just blame Xie Zining for being useless—a hen that can’t lay eggs.】

【He really thinks Xie Zining is a wife they “bought.”】

Ruan Yaoyao couldn’t understand how, in this day and age, Ran Hao could still have such ridiculous thoughts. But that was the reality—he never took Xie Zining seriously.

Then again, it wasn’t entirely his fault. His family had always enabled him.

Whenever he caused trouble, the family cleaned up after him.

If he killed someone in a car accident, his father paid to settle it.

If he assaulted a woman, his mother paid to settle it.

If he injured someone, his brother paid to settle it.

If he smashed someone’s shop, his mother paid again.

…

Counting carefully, over more than a decade, Ran Hao caused at least one major incident every year. If he didn’t, it almost felt like something was missing.

After meeting Bai Ling, it got even worse—he became her enforcer and ATM, giving her whatever she wanted. When things got out of hand, he dragged his entire family down with him.

By the time his family realized what was happening, everything had already come to light. Some were imprisoned, others driven to suicide.

Ran Hao cried miserably, then gave Bai Ling his last bit of money before taking his own life like some tragic romantic hero.

Ruan Yaoyao: “……”

【Damn!】

【This guy really loved Bai Ling.】

【Love and not love really are worlds apart.】

【I was worried about how to deal with the Ran family, but now… no need.】

After returning home, Ruan Yaoyao compiled all the evidence and reported Ran Hao’s crimes. She also reported his father and brother for coercive business practices and forced demolitions that led to deaths.

She wasn’t sure about tax evasion, but it felt likely—so she reported that too and left it to the authorities to investigate.

The Xu family, having overheard everything: Don’t worry, Mom. If they evaded taxes, we’ll testify!

Ruan Yaoyao didn’t fully understand the evidence, but Xu Lianghan, Xu Chengyan, and Yun Jinxian—top-tier corporate elites—could deduce everything from fragments alone.

Yun Jinxian: “It’s obvious. Those accounts are fake.”

Xu Chengyan: “Exactly. Mom doesn’t get it, but anyone with basic knowledge would see through it.”

Xu Lianghan: “Incredible… I was worried about protecting Mom from the Ran family, but now it seems unnecessary.”

While Ruan Yaoyao prepared the materials, the Xu family organized what they had “heard” and handed it all to Ru Anzhi.

Ru Anzhi: “……”

“So you’ve all been gossiping behind my back, huh? And I’m the only one doing the actual work?”

Xu Chengyan blinked. “Well… the boss being targeted is yours, so we couldn’t help. Relax, we already cut off one of Bai Ling’s major supports—you’ll be free soon…”

Ru Anzhi looked aggrieved.

“That support is indeed huge—but Bai Ling is like an octopus. She has plenty more. Why don’t you take Mom along to check them out?”

“…Maybe not,” Xu Chengyan hesitated. “We do want the gossip, but Mom’s safety matters more. The Ran family are just businessmen. The others… might not be.”

The Ran family was easy to deal with—investigate taxes or reopen old cases. That wouldn’t alarm Bai Ling too much, nor attract dangerous forces.

But provoking something darker?

That could put the entire Xu family at risk.

Even just a few of Bai Ling’s tricks were enough to make them uneasy.

Bai Ling really is like an octopus—so many tentacles.