Ling Chi Yuan did not go inside but stood outside the door, talking with Feng Ran.
Not far away, many people were watching, consumed by jealousy.
Ling Chi Yuan was someone many women wished to curry favor with. To have served him even once would be fulfillment for a lifetime. More importantly, Ling Chi Yuan was the son of the wealthiest man, so the rewards would surely be plentiful.
Such a great opportunity, a tremendous stroke of luck, had befallen Feng Ran. Heaven was truly unfair.
Most importantly, Feng Ran looked like someone incapable of serving. How could she have bewitched Ling Chi Yuan so completely?
Feng Ran was taken aback, but then she thought Ling Chi Yuan's words made sense. As she stood up to let him in, he stopped her.
"I can enter myself. You don't need to come to greet me."
"Then just now..."
"I didn't come in because I was afraid of making you angry. This is your private room. If I wanted to enter, wouldn't I need your permission?"
"Just sit down," he said, walking in on his own and even thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
The unwilling girls immediately abandoned all hope.
Each of them thought that Feng Ran was in paradise but unappreciative. If it were them, they would have immediately welcomed the guest in. They would not have given anyone a chance to even think about it.
Alas, though they wished to find loopholes, they found none.
In their hearts, they cursed Feng Ran, wishing they could rush in and fight her.
But it was only a thought.
Feng Ran just stared at the person in front of her, unsure of what to say.
"Young Master Ling, I believe I have made myself perfectly clear," Feng Ran said, her voice hoarse.
Ling Chi Yuan just smiled and said, "Feng Ran, I am your customer."
Ling Chi Yuan's words completely blocked Feng Ran's attempts to refuse.
"Let's go, I'll take you somewhere you'll surely love."
Feng Ran looked at Ling Chi Yuan, listening to his words. *Surely somewhere I'll love? How could he be so sure?*
He only had a superficial understanding of her.
"Young Master Ling, I'm a bit tired today. I need to rest."
"It's alright. You rest, and I'll take my company. There's no conflict," Ling Chi Yuan said with a smile. "Feng Ran, the carriage is waiting outside. You just need to follow along. You don't need to worry about anything else. You can rest well in the carriage, and I'll wake you when we arrive."
Feng Ran was stunned, suddenly at a loss for words to refuse.
Ling Chi Yuan clearly saw Feng Ran's reaction, but he acted as if he saw nothing, his face still beaming with a smile. He didn't even seem to consider what Feng Ran was saying.
Ling Chi Yuan continued, "Feng Ran, if you don't agree, then I'll just stay here and watch until you nod."
"Fine, I have nothing else to do anyway."
"Young Master Ling, this is a bit unreasonable. I..."
"I understand it might seem unreasonable, but Feng Ran, I can pay you for a whole month with hard cash. When you think about it that way, you should realize I'm not being difficult."
Feng Ran stiffened. It was true, Ling Chi Yuan's words were not wrong.
He had indeed paid. And all his requests were perfectly legitimate.
One could say Ling Chi Yuan was already very considerate and not forcing her.
Before Feng Ran could react, Ling Chi Yuan forcefully picked her up.
Feng Ran instinctively placed her hands on him, gripping tightly, afraid she would fall.
Once she calmed down, she stared at Ling Chi Yuan and asked with a slight tremble in her voice, "Ling Chi Yuan, where are you taking me? Put me down quickly."
Feng Ran struggled, but Ling Chi Yuan lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Feng Ran, if you make such a scene, everyone is watching. They will only become more jealous of you and see you as a thorn in their side."
Feng Ran: "..."
"Of course, I don't mind. But whether you mind is another matter."
Hearing this, Feng Ran indeed stopped struggling and froze, not daring to say anything.
After a long while, Feng Ran took a deep breath, seemingly making a significant decision, and then spoke, "Put me down, I'll walk myself."
Ling Chi Yuan smiled. He was very obedient and put Feng Ran down. He knew it was best to stop while he was ahead. If he pushed too hard, it might backfire.
It was likely that Feng Ran would avoid him if she saw him again.
"Really? You agreed?" His face was full of smiles.
"Yes, really. I promise, and I won't go back on my word," Feng Ran said firmly.
"Good, then I'll put you down."
Ling Chi Yuan seemed to have thought of something, looking at Feng Ran with a smile, and said, "Oh, right. If you try to deceive me, you should know the consequences."
"I understand."
"Feng Ran, you must take my words to heart. I do what I say."
"..." Feng Ran hesitated, but finally nodded.
Indeed, she had thought about leaving once they were somewhere secluded. But Ling Chi Yuan had clearly seen through her thoughts. At this moment, she couldn't leave.
"I do know a place. Shall I take you there?" She clenched her fist tightly, unsure if Ling Chi Yuan would agree, but she wanted to try.
She didn't know where Ling Chi Yuan would take her. She didn't want to encounter people she didn't want to see.
And she certainly didn't want to be misunderstood.
The place she would take him could perfectly avoid these issues.
"Of course, if you disagree, I won't say anything more."
Ling Chi Yuan continued to look at Feng Ran calmly, but his heart was far from tranquil. He was already overjoyed.
He had been wondering what he would do if Feng Ran refused any longer. What if some trouble arose mid-way?
"Oh, really? You want to take this young master somewhere?" Ling Chi Yuan said lazily, as if he wasn't very satisfied with Feng Ran's suggestion. He added again, in an annoying tone, "This young master has been everywhere. Are you sure the place you want to take me is somewhere I'll be satisfied with?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran's brow furrowed slightly, and her expression turned displeased. She truly hadn't considered this before.
"It was just a suggestion. If Young Master Ling is unwilling, then according to your wishes..." Before Feng Ran could finish, Ling Chi Yuan interrupted her.
Ling Chi Yuan looked at Feng Ran and said proudly, "Forget it, I'll do you this favor." His voice conveyed a sense of deep helplessness.