Early the next morning, Lin Han woke up naturally without an alarm.
Thinking about last night's dream, he still felt a lingering sense of satisfaction.
Humming a cheerful tune, he got out of bed, washed up, and tidied himself.
Aoi was already waiting quietly outside the door. She'd slept soundly for the first time in ages — wrapped in the soft blankets, it had felt as if she were being held gently in someone's arms.
It was the most peaceful night's sleep she'd ever had.
Lin Han took out his phone and called Luo Bingyan to see if she was awake.
The call connected, but no one spoke. There was only the faint sound of slow, sleepy breathing.
At that moment, Luo Bingyan was still sprawled across her big bed. When her phone started ringing, she had thought it was her alarm. Without opening her eyes, she brushed a finger across the screen, then buried her face back into the pillow and continued sleeping.
It wasn't until Lin Han's voice came through the phone that she jolted awake.
"Luo Bingyan? Don't tell me you're still in bed," Lin Han teased deliberately.
Rubbing her eyes, Luo Bingyan scowled — her morning temper was legendary.
"You're the one still in bed! I've been up for ages!"
Lin Han chuckled. "Sure, sure. Then why's your voice so grouchy? Sounds like someone just got woken up."
The mention of sleep made her even angrier. It was barely past six, hours before lunchtime, and this idiot had the nerve to call her now? Clearly, he was doing it on purpose!
But she couldn't admit she'd been asleep — that would mean losing face in front of this bastard.
So her irritation only flared hotter.
"Mind your own business! I'll be as loud as I want! If you don't like it, hang up! You're the one being ridiculous!"
"Whoa, who shoved a stick up your—? You take your meds this morning?"
"Get lost! You're the crazy one! I've always been like this!" she snapped.
"Try being a little ladylike for once. Swearing all the time isn't cute."
Lin Han's voice was smooth, his tone playful — he was clearly fanning the flames on purpose.
"I like swearing! What are you gonna do about it? If you don't like it, cover your ears! Why the hell are you calling me anyway?!"
"Fine, fine," Lin Han said with mock helplessness. "Swear all you want — as rough as you like, it's your choice. I just called to remind you about our lunch date. I'll come pick you up later."
Luo Bingyan was about to retort when she suddenly realized something about his phrasing sounded… wrong.
Before she could figure it out, Lin Han had already hung up.
Then, as the words replayed in her head, she finally caught the innuendo — her cheeks flushed red, her heart pounding with a mix of shame and fury.
That damned bastard!
He'd flirted with her — over the phone, no less!
Unbelievable! Unforgivable!
She grabbed a pillow and slammed it against the bed a few times before throwing it aside, breathing heavily.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. How dare he tease me like that!
No way she was letting this slide. This humiliation must be avenged!
Right then, she ordered the guards outside her villa, "No one gets in today. No matter who it is — block them at the gate!"
Her plan was simple: go back to sleep.
When Lin Han arrived, she'd make him wait outside for hours — see how he liked being toyed with first thing in the morning!
Serves him right for annoying her!
Meanwhile, Lin Han wasn't in any rush to leave.
He knew Luo Bingyan too well — if he went too early, she'd make him wait on purpose. He wasn't stupid enough to fall for that.
…
Time slipped by quickly, and soon it was already 11:30.
Luo Bingyan said she was going back to sleep, but after Lin Han's call, she'd tossed and turned restlessly. She couldn't sleep at all.
From six o'clock onward, she'd been waiting — waiting to see him stuck outside like an idiot.
But the guy had completely vanished! Nearly noon, and still no sign of him!
She'd been waiting all morning for nothing.
Finally, too bored to stay in bed any longer, she got up, washed her face, and began doing her makeup.
And just as she finished, the sound of a car engine came from outside.
Walking to the window, she looked out — several luxury cars were parked in a neat line at the gates.
In the middle stood a custom Maybach.
The door opened, and out stepped that infuriating man himself.
Luo Bingyan huffed coldly. Finally. Let's see how I deal with you now!
As Lin Han approached the gate, he was — unsurprisingly — stopped by the guards.
Watching from the window, Luo Bingyan smirked. Without my permission, you're not getting in. Stay out there and stew, you jerk!
"Apologies," one of the guards said firmly, extending a hand to block him. "Miss Luo ordered that no one may enter without her permission."
Lin Han instantly understood — this was Luo Bingyan's way of getting back at him.
Smiling, he said casually, "Brother, if I'm not mistaken, weren't you with Old Master Luo when he visited my house last time?"
After his genetic modification, Lin Han's memory had improved dramatically — not exactly photographic, but close.
He remembered that this guard had once served Old Master Luo personally. Likely, after Ye Fan's escape, the old man had sent more protection for Luo Bingyan's safety.
The guard hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Young Master Lin. I didn't expect you to remember me."
Being recognized by someone of Lin Han's status — especially after just one brief encounter — made the guard feel secretly flattered.
"That's right," Lin Han said warmly, wrapping an arm around the man's shoulder like an old friend. "So why are you still blocking me, huh?"
The guard looked conflicted. "Young Master Lin, we just follow orders. I hope you'll understand."
"Of course I do," Lin Han said earnestly. "You've got one of the toughest jobs out there."
Then he leaned in conspiratorially, his tone persuasive. "But you were there that day — you saw what kind of relationship I have with your Miss Luo. We're practically engaged already.
"She's just throwing a little tantrum. Couples argue — it's normal. Give it a few minutes and she'll cool off.
"But if you keep me out here, I can't coax her. And when we do make up later — which we will — guess who she'll blame for getting in the way? You."
The guard's face twisted in hesitation.
Lin Han's words made perfect sense. Lovers' quarrels weren't his business — and if he interfered, he might end up the scapegoat.
Seeing that he'd almost convinced him, Lin Han delivered the finishing blow.
"Don't worry," he said with a grin. "If anything happens, I'll take responsibility. Even if she fires you, just come find me — I'll pay you double."
That sealed it. The guard's mental scale tipped completely.
"Alright, Young Master Lin," he said decisively. "I'll open the gate for you. Miss Luo is upstairs."
"That's more like it."
Lin Han beamed, patting him on the shoulder. A teachable man indeed.
From her second-floor window, Luo Bingyan was dumbfounded.
That scoundrel had whispered a few words to her loyal guard — and the man actually opened the gate for him!
She'd planned to make him wait for hours, but it had barely been two minutes before he was already walking into the courtyard!