Velvet Chains of a Tycoon

Grandma Huang, you look so delighted today! What's got you smiling?"

Qin Ran poured a glass of fruit tea and handed it to Grandma Huang.

"When good things happen, spirits soar. My grandson has finally seen the light—how could I not be thrilled?"

Grandma Huang couldn't stop grinning when talking about her grandson.

"Seen the light?"

Qin Ran chuckled. "Grandma Huang, what exactly was your grandson being so stubborn about before?"

"He was stuck like a broken record in every way possible."

When it came to her grandson, Grandma Huang had endless stories to share.

"Ever since he went abroad for his studies, he inexplicably fell in love with the so-called beautiful country, thinking everything there was perfect. He refused to come back no matter what."

"If I hadn't gone abroad this time and nagged him day and night until he got annoyed, he still wouldn't have returned."

Nowadays, many people who go abroad for their master's or doctoral degrees don't want to return. Qin Ran thought it was normal for Grandma Huang's grandson to feel the same, following the trend.

Qin Ran continued the conversation. "So now that he's back, does that mean he won't go abroad again?"

"That's right. He said China is developing well now, and he plans to build his career here in the future."

Qin Ran smiled. "Well, that truly shows he's wised up. You really did a great job changing his perspective, Grandma Huang."

"Of course! Not only did he wise up about that, but he also had another breakthrough."

Grandma Huang proudly added, "Xiao Ran, guess what other area my grandson has wised up in?"

Qin Ran shook her head. "I can't guess, Grandma Huang. I'm not familiar with your grandson, and I know nothing about him."

"My grandson…"

Just as Grandma Huang began to elaborate, a deep voice interrupted from the doorway.

"Grandma, weren't you supposed to buy groceries? Why are you here?"

It was Grandma Huang's grandson, Xia Yu, who walked in. He greeted Qin Ran politely but kept his distance.

"Could you please get me a packet of Banlangen?"

Qin Ran: "Sure."

Grandma Huang grew nervous. "Xiao Yu, why do you need Banlangen?"

"To drink. I've been feeling under the weather these past couple of days."

Grandma Huang: "… "

Qin Ran turned away, chuckling quietly, guessing that Xia Yu was also tired of Grandma Huang's constant nagging.

Qin Ran handed the Banlangen to Xia Yu. "Six yuan."

Xia Yu took out his phone and scanned the QR code to pay while Grandma Huang kept muttering.

"Xia Yu, how's the matter I mentioned to you the other day coming along?"

Xia Yu: "Hmm, it's in progress."

Grandma Huang told Qin Ran, "Xiao Ran, don't rush to find a new place. Maybe we can still rent this shop."

Qin Ran smiled at Grandma Huang. "Alright, Grandma Huang."

Most residents in the Beautiful Impression neighborhood were reluctant to see them move. It wasn't surprising that Grandma Huang harbored such thoughts.

They didn't want to leave either, but the Yang family wouldn't renew their lease. What choice did they have?

After Grandma Huang left, an elderly man with a cold and a woman needing acupuncture for her neck and shoulders arrived.

Although they were urgently searching for a new shop, they continued serving patients whenever they came.

By the time Qin Ran finished treating the woman, it was already past noon, and Zhao Lin, who had gone out to look for a new shop, still hadn't returned.

Liu Ming called Zhao Lin after finishing his tasks and learned that her electric scooter had run out of power, leaving her pushing it along the road.

"Xiao Ran, I'll ride my scooter to fetch Zhao Lin. Don't wait for us for lunch."

Qin Ran: "Alright, go ahead. I won't cook; I'll just order takeout."

Few people came to buy medicine during lunchtime. After ordering her meal, Qin Ran logged into QQ on her phone and left a message for Shangguan.

"Have you encountered any shady characters recently who need surgery or acupuncture? If you have any leads, send them my way—I need the money."

Shangguan was the chief surgeon at Renkang Hospital in Shanghai, but he was also known in underground circles as Guanyidao—a mysterious figure sought by those too afraid to seek treatment at hospitals.

Two years ago, Qin Ran's brother needed funds to buy a house and get married. At the time, Qin Jian's savings fell short by over 200,000 yuan.

Qin Ran teamed up with Shangguan to perform a risky surgery, and afterward, Shangguan gave her 200,000 yuan.

She told Qin Jian she'd won the lottery, allowing him to accept the money without guilt.

Shangguan was usually very busy and rarely logged into QQ. Qin Ran didn't wait for his reply.

Exiting QQ, she was about to browse local platforms for part-time work when she heard a sound from the entrance.

Thinking it was Liu Ming and Zhao Lin returning, she looked up and saw Yang Cheng walking in.

Seeing her nemesis, Qin Ran set down her phone and fixed her gaze on Yang Cheng.

"Mr. Yang, what illness do you have? What medicine do you need?"

Yang Cheng smirked smugly. "I have lovesickness. I need you to cure me. You're my remedy."

Qin Ran: "I think you've got cerebral thrombosis, not lovesickness. We can't treat that here. Go to a proper hospital."

"You're the one with cerebral thrombosis!"

Enraged, Yang Cheng slammed his hand on the glass counter. "Qin Ran, marry me, and all will be fine. Otherwise, I'll make sure neither you nor your brother can stay in Bincheng (a fictional city)."

Qin Ran: "Your cerebral thrombosis must be incurable if you think you can drive us out of Bincheng. Does Bincheng belong to your family?"

"So what if Bincheng doesn't belong to my family? I'll still make sure you can't stay here!"

Yang Cheng sneered arrogantly, raising his chin so high that his nose hairs peeked out.

"Qin Ran, have you found a new shop yet? Let me tell you, once the lease expires in a month, you'll have no choice but to leave with your tails between your legs. No shops will be available for you to continue your business."

"And your brother—even if he sells his house and pays 500,000 yuan, he'll be blacklisted and unable to find work in Bincheng ever again!"

Just then, Qin Ran's takeout arrived. As she reached out to take it, she asked, "Can you help me throw out some trash?"

The delivery person replied cheerfully, "Sure, where is it?"

Qin Ran pointed at Yang Cheng. "That pile right there. Please toss it outside."

The delivery person hesitated. "Miss, that pile of trash is too big. I can't carry it. You should ask someone else."

Yang Cheng exploded in anger. "Qin Ran, how dare you call me trash?! Don't think you're special just because you're a student at Binda University. I can get you expelled anytime I want!"

Qin Ran walked to the clinic door, opened it wide, and gestured for him to leave.

"Go ahead and fulfill all those threats you just made. Otherwise, I'll be back at school next week."

Speechless, Yang Cheng stood frozen, unable to retort.

He didn't dare lay a hand on Qin Ran—he knew firsthand that beneath her gentle appearance lay a fierceness unmatched by most men.

"You just wait!"

Yang Cheng vented a barrage of harsh words, but in the end, he left while grumbling and cursing.