Huang Qianqian even wanted to rush to Feng Ran's side and say loudly: she didn't need her help.
But in the end, she said nothing.
She chose to be humiliated and preserve her life.
Feng Ran's reasons for doing so were unknown. But the people around all looked down on her. She didn't think much of it. These people, in her opinion, were not important. She simply didn't fall out with them because they still had some use.
"Young Master Ling, I'm not feeling well, so I'll take my leave." She had never expected Ling Chi Yuan to appear, let alone stand up for her.
This was a trivial matter for Ling Chi Yuan. But for her, it was not. The words Ling Chi Yuan had just spoken and the actions he had taken would only push her deeper into the abyss. The people of Chun Man Yuan would only resent her existence even more.
If Huang Qianqian hadn't been pestering her, she would have left long ago.
However, Ling Chi Yuan didn't let go. He held Feng Ran's hand.
Feng Ran struggled, but found she couldn't break free.
Ling Chi Yuan held Feng Ran in his arms and whispered tenderly in her ear, "Feng Ran, do you know? The more you want to push me away, the more you don't want to have anything to do with me, the more I want to be involved with you."
Feng Ran's face changed drastically at his words. She had never known Ling Chi Yuan to have such thoughts. At that moment, she even wanted to flee from here immediately.
Feng Ran looked up and met Ling Chi Yuan's gaze, which seemed to see right through her. At this moment, she even felt that the man before her must be insane, otherwise he wouldn't have said such things.
She even considered slapping him across the face, but after much thought, she didn't.
Because she knew very well that if she were to act, her future days would be difficult. Most importantly, it would also implicate Chun Man Yuan. She didn't care about Chun Man Yuan, but if her actions caused Aunt Sheng to fall into danger, her conscience would be uneasy.
"Young Master Ling, I truly feel unwell. Please, Young Master Ling, let me go this time." Feng Ran lowered her eyes, her voice filled with deep pleading.
Her eyes were full of tears, looking incredibly pitiable. Feng Ran didn't know that her appearance even stirred a hint of concern in Ling Chi Yuan's usually roguish demeanor.
He let go of her hand and said nothing.
Feng Ran, however, didn't overthink it. The moment Ling Chi Yuan released her, she fled as if her life depended on it, trying to distance herself.
In her mind, this was a good opportunity.
But she didn't know that Ling Chi Yuan had deliberately let her go.
If Ling Chi Yuan had not intended to let her go, she would never have escaped in her lifetime.
Feng Ran left, and Ling Chi Yuan's gaze lingered on her for a long time before he reluctantly withdrew it.
Only then did he have the time to turn his attention to Huang Qianqian, his eyes filled with mockery and disgust.
Heh, Huang Qianqian's intentions were all written on her face. When she saw him, she looked as if she wanted to pounce on him, which was truly nauseating.
He had seen the entire incident clearly.
Did she think that by having those people on her side, she could completely crush Feng Ran? That she could bully Feng Ran?
And from the beginning, she had been trying to seduce him. Did she really think he couldn't see it?
He had seen all sorts of sycophants in official circles. Her little tricks were nothing noteworthy.
"Have I met you somewhere before?"
Huang Qianqian's eyes widened, and her gaze at Ling Chi Yuan was filled with a spark.
So, Ling Chi Yuan wasn't unaware of who she was.
He knew.
He asked if he had met her somewhere before.
"Young Master Ling, you gave me a handkerchief last time." Huang Qianqian said excitedly. She took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and presented it to Ling Chi Yuan, then added with great excitement, "Young Master Ling, I've kept this handkerchief close to me, thinking that if I ever met you again, I could return it to you."
Huang Qianqian stared intently at Ling Chi Yuan, hoping he would accept the handkerchief.
Ling Chi Yuan frowned. He had found the handkerchief dirty that day and had never expected Huang Qianqian to pick it up and wash it. What disgusted him most was that she still carried it with her.
Seeing that Ling Chi Yuan remained silent, Huang Qianqian's lips curved into a smile. Was Ling Chi Yuan hesitating because he was considering how to thank her?
Her heart was filled with anticipation.
It seemed her place in Ling Chi Yuan's heart was special.
Ling Chi Yuan let out a light chuckle and said coldly, "Then you should keep it well." He then left without another word.
Huang Qianqian's face, which had been full of joy and surprise, now froze in astonishment. She couldn't even understand what he meant.
This was completely different from what she had imagined.
Shouldn't he have invited her to his room in front of so many people?
What was Ling Chi Yuan's intention?
And that sentence, she couldn't even comprehend it.
However, before leaving, Ling Chi Yuan glanced around and said coldly, "Feng Ran is my woman. You should think carefully before laying a hand on her."
Upon hearing this, Huang Qianqian's initial anticipation turned into disgust and hysterical screams.
The onlookers, who had been on Huang Qianqian's side, now dared not become overly agitated after Ling Chi Yuan's threatening words.
"What are you all crowding around here for? Go back to what you should be doing." Aunt Sheng's words dispersed the crowd.
Huang Qianqian couldn't fathom why Ling Chi Yuan had appeared, nor why he had sided with Feng Ran and spoken for her.
Throughout the day, Huang Qianqian was distracted and preoccupied. She wanted to find Feng Ran and get to the bottom of things.
But she was constantly kept busy with customers.
It was as if Aunt Sheng was deliberately assigning her tasks without rest.
"Huang Qianqian, there's a distinguished guest in the Heaven-tier room."
Aunt Sheng's gaze fell upon Huang Qianqian's unwilling eyes. She said coldly, "Huang Qianqian, the person inside is someone you cannot afford to offend. You must serve them carefully."
"If you don't serve them well and lose your life, don't blame me for not warning you."
"Aunt Sheng, even if I treated Feng Ran that way, you can't target me because of Feng Ran." Huang Qianqian retorted unhappily, convinced that Aunt Sheng was doing this to avenge Feng Ran.
Aunt Sheng glanced at Huang Qianqian and said coldly, "Do you have any idea who you offended today?"
"Why is this happening?"
Aunt Sheng said indifferently, "Young Master Ling instructed this."
"No, that's impossible. Young Master Ling wouldn't do this."
Aunt Sheng was unwilling to waste any more time arguing with Huang Qianqian.
However, as Huang Qianqian continued to fuss, Aunt Sheng could only say coldly, "Because you provoked Feng Ran, Young Master Ling wants to stand up for her."
"Huang Qianqian, do you understand?"
"From now on, when you see Feng Ran, you should think twice."
Aunt Sheng thought that if she had explained it so clearly, Huang Qianqian would not act recklessly again.