My father is the main character, but the female leads want to kill me.

Erniu stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to look around, but couldn't see any trace of the bird. Curious, he tugged at Lin Ran's sleeve and asked, "Uncle Lin, did you see where the bird went?"

Lin Ran turned to Erniu and said, "I don't know where he went either..."

“Uncle Lin…”

When Erniu saw Lin Ran's right shoulder, his expression was one of utter terror, as if he had seen a ghost. But the next moment, he grabbed Lin Ran and shouted with wild joy, "Uncle Lin, Uncle Lin, it's you! The little bird chose you! You're going to get married!"

"Hey, damn it, you little idiot, don't..."

Just as Lin Ran was about to give Erniu a good scolding, he couldn't help but turn his head and glance at his own shoulder.

The little golden-red bird with beautiful patterns had somehow gotten onto his shoulder and was perched there quietly. When it saw him looking over, it chirped a few times and tilted its head. Its eyes seemed to say to Lin Ran, "Kid, stop looking, it's you!"

Lin Ran suddenly fell into deep thought…

When did this little thing get here with him?

He's just here to enjoy the show, not to go up and have a martial arts contest to find a husband!

……

Chapter Seventy-Four: You bastard, don't underestimate a poor middle-aged man!

Erniu's voice immediately drew everyone's attention back to Lin Ran's location.

When people on the second floor saw the small golden-red bird on Lin Ran's shoulder, they were filled with regret and despair.

If I had known this would happen, I should have stepped onto the stage earlier and competed with that girl Mu Shiwen. At least I would have had a chance, instead of not even having the chance to compete now.

When Mu Shiwen saw the little bird land on Lin Ran, a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes, but her expression was filled with surprise. Her voice also rose a few notches as she said, "Since this little bird has chosen you, young master, then please come down and have a contest with me!"

Erniu excitedly grabbed Lin Ran and said, "Uncle Lin, your chance to get a wife has come! Hurry up and go down and beat her!"

Lin Ran cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, young lady, but I am already engaged and am only here to watch the fun. I have no intention of participating. Let's leave this opportunity to the other gentlemen present!"

These words won applause from many people, probably because they saw another opportunity to win a martial arts contest against such a beautiful young woman.

"One more time! One more time!"

When such a voice suddenly rang out on the field, Mu Shiwen's expression remained unchanged. She said softly, "Since the treasure that the master gave me has chosen you, it means that you are the one I love. If you don't come down and compete, I will pester you and insist that you accept me."

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Miss Mu, that cowardly young master doesn't even look at you, but I do! Give me a chance!"

"That's right. How can a spineless man like him who can't have children bring you happiness? With that frail body, he'd probably collapse in the wind. You'd be living a life of widowhood after you get married."

Everyone burst into laughter and gossip, mostly cursing Lin Ran as a coward and a good-for-nothing who would probably die from a woman's belly.

Although he was quite angry, Lin Ran really didn't want to get involved with such a strange woman. He already owed her enough, and if he caused any more trouble, it would eventually drive him crazy.

Lin Ran remained silent with a cold face, pulling Er Niu along as they prepared to leave.

Erniu wanted to say something, but seeing Lin Ran like this, he didn't dare to speak. Even if Erniu was stupid, he knew that Uncle Lin was angry.

Lin Ran walked out like that, and many people automatically made way for her, but their eyes and words were full of contempt and mockery.

People tend to follow the crowd; if one or two people start cursing, it can easily lead to a large group of people cursing as well.

Lin Ran left Yong'an Teahouse with Er Niu. Mu Shiwen watched Lin Ran and the child's retreating figures, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes...

……

When Lin Ran brought Er Niu to a shop selling sweet soup, Lin Ran smiled and said to the shop owner, "Two bowls of their signature sweet soup, please!"

"Alright, sir, please wait a moment!" the owner of the dessert shop replied before heading to the kitchen to get busy.

Lin Ran sat on a bench by the street and poured herself and Erniu a cup of tea.

Seeing Erniu's speechless expression, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "I was thinking about why so many people were cursing me just now, but I didn't say a word back. Instead, I took you away from that place."

Erniu looked at Lin Ran for a while, then nodded and asked cautiously, "Uncle Lin, aren't you angry?"

"I'm angry!"

Lin Ran took a sip of tea and smiled, "Of course I'd be angry if someone insulted me!"

"Then why didn't Uncle Lin beat those guys up? I remember you were really good, Uncle Lin. Back when my family's people came to collect protection money, you didn't even have to lift a finger and they were all taken down!" Erniu still remembers the scene of Uncle Lin helping their family that day. With Uncle Lin around, those thugs never dared to come to their house to collect protection money again.

In Erniu's eyes, Uncle Lin was the most powerful person in the world, but today Uncle Lin...

"Erniu!"

Lin Ran said earnestly, "Today's events were basically caused by that woman. If that woman hadn't held this martial arts contest to choose a husband and randomly selected people, thus bringing trouble to your Uncle Lin, would this have happened?"

The people who egged them on shouldn't be scolded; that woman is the most hateful.

"Erniu, remember this from now on: this kind of woman is a bad woman. She uses her beauty and her methods to manipulate a large group of men. Today, quite a few people have already fallen for her, unaware that they are being used as pawns!"

When Erniu heard what Uncle Lin said, he thought for a moment, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table and said, "Uncle Lin, it seems that's really the case. I've seen so many people who are so obsessed with that woman."

Not long after leaving that place, Erniu recalled the scene. Indeed, some people were infatuated with that woman, showing her their love fervently, which was rather strange.

Actually, there are some things Lin Ran hasn't said yet. That is, the woman named Mu Shiwen has unfathomable strength. There may be no one present who can match her. This martial arts contest to find a husband is a joke!

Erniu finally understood, scratched his head, and said apologetically to Lin Ran, "I'm sorry, Uncle Lin, I was also bewitched by that bad woman just now, and kept urging you to go to the martial arts competition. By the way, Uncle Lin, are you really married? What about Aunt Lin?"

"Aunt Lin went to a very far place, and Uncle Lin is trying his best to find her and bring her back, which is why he came to Jishui to look for her!" Lin Ran said, patting Erniu's head.

"Is Aunt Lin pretty?" Erniu asked curiously, "Is she prettier than that wicked woman from earlier?"

"Haha, she's much prettier than that bad woman. Your Aunt Lin is a gentle, silly woman who always suffers on her own behalf to make others happy." Lin Ran thought of Mu Qiqin and couldn't help but recall some amusing stories, a smile playing on her lips.

Erniu asked, "So, is she a bad woman or a good woman?"

"Aunt Lin is a good woman, and your mother is a good woman too. She raised you with great care and always brought you the best food first."

"When you marry in the future, you should marry a good woman with the same character as your mother, not that wicked woman from the teahouse who was all looks and no substance, understand?" Lin Ran said.

"Uncle Lin, I understand!" Erniu said, his eyes sparkling.

Then the owner brought over two bowls of chilled sweet soup and announced loudly, "Esteemed guests, your sweet soup is here!"

After seeing the owner put the sweet soup out, Lin Ran added, "Boss, can I pack one to take away later?"

"Of course! We can just have the newsboy bring the bowls and chopsticks back. I often buy newspapers from him!" the old man said cheerfully.

I never expected that the boss was also a regular customer of Erniu.

Seeing the owner walk back into the kitchen, Lin Ran said to Er Niu, "Take that bowl back for your mom later. It's ice-cold and refreshing, perfect for cooling down in the summer!"

"Thank you, Uncle Lin!" Erniu said excitedly.

"No need to thank me, I should be thanking you! Without you, Uncle Lin wouldn't have a newspaper to read every day, hahaha!"

……

After sending Erniu home, Lin Ran strolled around the streets and asked if the space tunnel had been restored, but received the same reply as before. Feeling bored, she decided to head back to her hotel and kill time by engaging in arduous cultivation.

Lin Ran had barely returned to her room and hadn't even had a chance to relax when she saw the person sitting at the table in the corner of the room. She immediately tensed up, her brows furrowed, and said, "Miss Mu Shiwen, I didn't agree to your duel, and you just barged into my room like that. It's a bit alarming!"

From that dark corner, a slender figure emerged and walked into the sunlight. Wearing a veil, she was none other than Mu Shiwen, the woman who had participated in the martial arts contest to choose a husband that morning.

Mu Shiwen gently brushed the strands of hair from her forehead, looked at Lin Ran who was very wary of her, and couldn't help but laugh: "Young Master Lin is so wary of a weak woman like me, am I that scary? I won't take your life!"

"For you to take my life, young lady, it would be as easy as lifting a finger!" Lin Ran said respectfully, cupping his hands. "If there is anything you need me to do, please just say it. There's no need for such beating around the bush. I will go through fire and water for you."

"Oh, is it so?"

Mu Shiwen looked at Lin Ran with a slightly meaningful gaze, and then took a few steps forward towards Lin Ran, the two almost touching, a pleasant, faint floral fragrance wafting into Lin Ran's nostrils.

Mu Shiwen leaned close to Lin Ran's ear and gently exhaled. Her tone suddenly changed as she asked, "If I wanted your life, would you give it to me, Lin Ran, the head of the Lin family?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ran's pupils contracted sharply, and her right hand immediately activated the escape ring that Lin Hongjia had given her. A flash of silver light enveloped Lin Ran.

When Lin Ran opened her eyes again, she was still in the hotel room, not in the Lin family of the Li Dynasty. Lin Ran's heart sank to the bottom, and she felt utterly hopeless.

This thing even has the ability to seal off space, which is beyond the Nirvana Realm level; it's a technique for the Dragon Transformation Realm or even the Undying Realm.

Mu Shiwen's eyes held a playful glint as she looked at Lin Ran's utterly dejected expression, finding it quite amusing. She couldn't help but say, "Mr. Lin Ran, are you performing a magic trick?"

"Miss... no, sir, what did I do wrong? Please spare me! I have elderly parents and young children to support, and a whole family to take care of. Please spare my life later!" Lin Ran sincerely admitted defeat. A powerful expert capable of sealing space was someone he, a mere Spirit Core Realm cultivator, could not possibly defeat. The situation was dire, so admitting defeat was the only option.

"Hahaha~"

Upon hearing Lin Ran's words, Mu Shiwen burst into laughter, leaving Lin Ran completely bewildered. What was so funny? Was he laughing at her humility?

If clown masks existed in the fantasy world, he would want to wear them. If circumstances weren't against him, would he need to do this?

Things change every thirty years, so don't underestimate a poor middle-aged person, you bastard!

……

Chapter 75 Lin Ran's Torture

Mu Shiwen laughed for a long time, until tears streamed down her face. She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, walked to the edge of the bed, sat down, crossed her legs, looked up at Lin Ran, and said, "Mr. Lin Ran, you still have a real talent for comedy. Keep it up!"

"My lord, please stop joking. What did I do to offend you? Tell me, and I will do my best to make amends."

Lin Ran smiled bitterly. He still didn't know what this woman, Mu Shiwen, wanted to do. He felt like a ball being trampled on, and the worst part was that the woman wouldn't say what she had done to offend anyone, which made him feel terrible.

"make up?"

Mu Shiwen seemed to have heard something interesting and couldn't help but sneer, saying, "In my opinion, you are the least qualified to say such a thing. I only want your life; I have no interest in anything else!"

"My lord, even if you want my life, you have to give me a reason, right? At least let me die knowing why!" Lin Ran was almost driven mad by this woman. He now deeply regretted going to Yong'an Teahouse this morning to watch this martial arts contest for marriage. Now he was about to lose his life.

"Die? I didn't say you were going to die!"

Mu Shiwen stood up, swaying gracefully as she approached Lin Ran, and said softly, "I just want your life, not to kill you. After all, killing you would be too much for you..."

Before the other person could finish speaking, Lin Ran felt a sharp pain surge through his knee. He saw Mu Shiwen retract her long leg, which was clad in boots.

Because his kneecaps were shattered, he couldn't even stand up and could only collapse to the ground, without even having the chance to use his spiritual power.

The strange, deep blue energy ball that entered his body completely sealed off his spiritual power, and now he was no different from an ordinary person.

Looking at Lin Ran, who was lying on the ground, Mu Shiwen continued, "Killing you would be too comfortable for you. What I want is your life. I want to torture you and make you wish you were dead. I will make you experience what hell is like."

Lin Ran tried to sit up, but Mu Shiwen stepped on her back, making it difficult for her to get up. She could only lie flat on the dirty floor and try to remain calm as she shouted, "Sir, I accept your torment, but can you tell me the reason? At least let me be convinced!"