Feng Ran was brought to a restaurant.
She was not met with scornful glances from the surrounding patrons. Instead, they bowed respectfully as she walked in beside Ling Chi Yuan.
The restaurant owner, bent over, looked up at Ling Chi Yuan with an ingratiating smile, his face beaming. He seemed eager to offer his finest.
The owner chuckled and asked, "Young Master, the usual way?"
"Young Master?" Feng Ran's eyes held a flicker of confusion. However, recalling the restaurant's signage, she remembered its connection to Ling Chi Yuan. Considering his family's vast wealth, it wasn't surprising that this restaurant belonged to him.
It was then that Feng Ran understood why everyone had been so deferential to her. It was all because of Ling Chi Yuan; this place was his.
A mocking smile touched Feng Ran's lips. She should have realized this sooner.
No longer feeling as restrained as before, Feng Ran followed closely behind Ling Chi Yuan.
She admired her surroundings, even smiling, though she was entirely unaware of it. Ling Chi Yuan, however, was utterly captivated by the smile on her face.
Ling Chi Yuan wore a foolish grin.
Just then, a commotion echoed from outside.
Feng Ran looked up and saw Xuan Yuan Heng.
Feng Ran instinctively wanted to avoid him, to flee the place.
But the more she tried to evade him, the more Xuan Yuan Heng's intense gaze fell upon her.
She even wished she could simply disappear from here.
Why did she have to go through this?
That cold, bloodthirsty, mocking gaze felt as though it would destroy her.
While she was lost in thought, Ling Chi Yuan's hand landed on her waist, pulling her directly into his embrace. Feng Ran tried to break free, but Ling Chi Yuan's grip was too tight. She couldn't escape.
She even pleaded with him, begging him to release her.
"Can you let go of my hand?" she implored, her voice soft and cautious. She whispered into Ling Chi Yuan's ear, "Young Master Ling, please, let go of my hand, will you?"
"I beg you," she deliberately lowered her voice, desperately trying to remain calm, afraid to speak too loudly.
Her hoarse pleas were almost all she could muster, a desperate whisper. If it meant gaining her freedom, she would gladly kneel.
She kept pulling at her hand; it ached fiercely, yet she never cried out in pain, nor did she even consider giving up.
Ling Chi Yuan's gaze fell upon Feng Ran. He suddenly leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Feng Ran, if you struggle any further, I will do something more excessive. You should think carefully."
Feng Ran hesitated, her face suddenly paling. "Please..." But she dared not utter the rest of her plea.
She was afraid Ling Chi Yuan would actually follow through on his threat.
Feng Ran's body trembled.
To her surprise, Ling Chi Yuan's hand not only did not release her, but it grew even more possessive.
"Be good, or the things that follow will only bring you more shame," Ling Chi Yuan said coldly, encircling her entirely in his arms, showing no intention of letting go.
Ling Chi Yuan's gaze shifted to Xuan Yuan Heng, and he said contemptuously, "Regent, what is with that look? Don't tell me you're thinking of snatching her from my grasp."
Xuan Yuan Heng remained silent, merely staring at Feng Ran with a cold gaze.
"Let's go. This young master intends to let you taste delicacies today and doesn't want any irrelevant people disturbing us," Ling Chi Yuan said with a broad smile, as he led Feng Ran to a seat.
Before them sat an array of dishes, clearly prepared with great care.
Despite the variety, Feng Ran found no appetite. Xuan Yuan Heng's presence made her feel constantly watched, unable to relax.
"Someone, have the kitchen staff all removed. There's no need for them here."
"Young Master, what is this? Have we offended you? Are we not serving you well?" The manager, upon hearing Ling Chi Yuan's command, immediately knelt and repeatedly kowtowed, begging for mercy.
Although Ling Chi Yuan had a bad temper, he wouldn't punish people without reason unless they had truly wronged him. These people must have done something to incur his wrath.
To resolve this matter, it was crucial to identify who had caused it.
"Young Master, this..."
As the manager was about to speak, he noticed Ling Chi Yuan's eyes were fixed on Feng Ran. The manager, being perceptive, understood the underlying reason.
"My lady, there is a dish in our restaurant that is priceless. May I ask if you would be interested in it?" the manager's tone was full of flattery, with not a hint of disrespect.
Feng Ran blinked in surprise. She had not expected the manager to address her in such a manner.
She had almost forgotten what it felt like to be treated this way; it had been so long.
Feng Ran had intended to shake her head, but the pleading look in the manager's eyes compelled her to say against her will, "Alright."
Ling Chi Yuan, whose face had been shadowed with displeasure, broke into a smile upon hearing Feng Ran's answer. "Good. Hurry up and prepare it. Do you truly want me to dismiss all of you?"
The manager quickly replied, "Yes, yes."
As the manager was about to withdraw, Ling Chi Yuan, with a beaming smile, said, "Manager, you've done very well this time."
"This is a distinguished guest, just like myself. Remember the consequences if you do not treat them properly."
"Perhaps, this will be your future mistress. Do you understand what that means?"
Feng Ran looked up, her gaze filled with surprise.
"Future mistress?" What was he implying?
Feng Ran tried to speak, to explain, but every time she opened her mouth, Ling Chi Yuan would interject, cutting off her words.
Finally, Feng Ran sighed in resignation.
After a while, Feng Ran finally found an opportunity. She looked at the manager and explained, "Manager, please don't..."
"Mistress, you honor this old servant too much. If you have any instructions in the future, just tell me directly."
"However, I must say, the Young Master's taste is impeccable."
Feng Ran's eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment. She wondered if the sudden shift in attitude was too abrupt.
And the manager could switch so readily; was that truly appropriate?
Shouldn't he be reporting this matter to the Ling family? To have the Ling family step forward?
A prominent family like the Ling family would surely have many demands concerning those around Ling Chi Yuan. Yet, why was everything completely different from what she had imagined?