These past few days, Feng Ran had been pondering the meaning of Sheng Yi's words.
Of everyone, she was the most leisurely. Even Xu Yunqing, who had booked her for an entire month, had not reappeared.
Initially, she had placed all her hopes on Xu Yunqing, but now it seemed that hope had been a bit too grand.
Indeed, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
Sheng Yi had said that Xu Yunqing was ultimately not a suitable match, and she knew it. Even more clearly, she understood that Xu Yunqing was willing to invest his energy in her because there was something about her that he desired.
Feng Ran spent her days confined to her room, glancing at the sachet placed beside her. It was almost finished, and with a sigh of helplessness, she acknowledged that even though Xu Yunqing hadn't visited, she still had to complete the sachet. Perhaps he would appear soon?
She instantly calmed herself and began to sew the sachet. Just as she was making the final stitch, the door was pushed open from the outside. Feng Ran looked up, her gaze falling on Xu Yunqing, and she asked calmly, "Young Master Xu, why have you come today?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she might have spoken incorrectly and quickly stammered, "Young Master Xu, I will go and prepare some tea right away."
Xu Yunqing's eyes fell on the sachet in Feng Ran's hand, but he waved his hand and said, "The tea from Chun Manyuan is not to my taste."
He reached out and took the sachet from Feng Ran's hand, weighing it in his palm with a smile. "Is this the sachet you made for me?"
He held it high, examining it for a moment, and a smile instantly bloomed on his face. Chuckling, he said, "This is the best sachet I have ever received."
After speaking, Xu Yunqing directly put the sachet away, tucking it into his embrace.
Feng Ran was somewhat startled by Xu Yunqing's smooth actions.
The best? With his status, what kind of treasures did he not have?
Such words were merely meant to comfort her.
Feng Ran tidied her needle and thread, her gaze settling on Xu Yunqing. She said calmly, "If Mr. Xu desires sachets, noble ladies from prominent families can have any exquisite sachet they wish with just a word. But why, Young Master Xu, do you only..."
"Only treat me differently?"
"Why am I, in front of you, not as cold-hearted, ruthless, and bloodless as the rumors say?"
"Feng Ran, since you've asked, what do you think I want to gain from you?"
Xu Yunqing looked at Feng Ran. His actions, no matter who they happened to, would indeed seem strange. However, for their own benefit, those people naturally wouldn't speak of it. But Feng Ran also knew that she wanted to use him, and speaking such words would only make him disgusted. Yet, she still asked.
He had truly never expected such frankness from Feng Ran.
"I just want to know, what exactly has happened to you?" Xu Yunqing's face was full of smiles. "Feng Ran, whatever you desire, just ask, and I will wholeheartedly offer it. This is a business transaction where you are guaranteed to profit, what do you say?"
As he spoke, his gaze never left Feng Ran, as if he wanted to see right through her.
"Young Master Xu, the sachet has been delivered. If Young Master Xu has no urgent matters, I will go attend to other tasks."
Xu Yunqing chuckled softly, looking at Feng Ran in surprise. At this point, she could still try to dismiss him. She was truly remarkable.
Was she not worried that pushing too hard would backfire?
However, he had to admit that her act of playing hard to get had truly caught his eye. After all, he had never been treated this way before.
Xu Yunqing's expression was calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
"Young Master Xu, it is getting late today. Perhaps tomorrow..." Before she could finish speaking, Xu Yunqing embraced her directly. He drew closer, almost touching her.
Feng Ran's entire body stiffened. She dared not struggle, not even to take a deep breath.
"Young Master Xu, you promised you wouldn't touch me," Feng Ran said calmly, but as she spoke, her hands clenched tightly, and the desire to push him away grew stronger.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yunqing smiled. He then said to Feng Ran in an exceptionally insinuating tone, "Feng Ran, if you beg me to let go, I will release you immediately."
"It's just a single word from you."
A bloodthirsty glint appeared in Feng Ran's eyes.
Even though she knew Xu Yunqing was deliberately saying these words to make things difficult for her, she could say nothing, nor could she do anything.
She still relied on Xu Yunqing to leave Chun Manyuan, so she could not afford to offend him.
Feng Ran knew how humiliating Xu Yunqing's words were, but she did not voice her displeasure. She hid all her unhappiness and dissatisfaction deep within her heart.
Xu Yunqing looked at the conflicted person before him. Far from being angry, his smile only widened.
What Feng Ran desired was something he could easily grant.
But Feng Ran had to strive with all her might to obtain it. Heaven was truly fair.
"Feng Ran, this is a rare opportunity, and I am only giving it to you once. If you do not make yourself clear, then next time, there will be no chance."
"After all, this is the only opportunity I will give you."
Xu Yunqing said with a smile, "Feng Ran, don't say in the future that I never helped you. It's just that you didn't cherish it."
Feng Ran's expression became extremely ugly. She even wanted to be willful for once and drive the person in front of her away.
But now? This person whom she loathed was her salvation from the abyss.
The utmost disgust, yet also her lifeline.
"Young Master Xu, whatever you wish to do, just say it. There's no need to hint at it indirectly."
"I know my own identity better than anyone, and I don't need Young Master Xu to keep reminding me."
"Feng Ran, are you getting angry? Because of what I just said? But Feng Ran, don't you think what I said is as normal as it can be?"
"And I believe that everything will slowly get better."
Would it truly get better slowly?
Could Xu Yunqing truly help her without any reservations?
Although Xu Yunqing's words could not be entirely believed, she had no other options left. She had nowhere else to retreat.
This was her fate, and though she harbored resentment, she could not voice it.
"Feng Ran, you want me to help you. I said I can help you, but after I've helped you with such a great favor, there should be some return, right?"
"If I ask you to pledge yourself to me, I don't think such a return would be too much to ask, would it?"
Would it not be?
This was openly asking for too much.