She noticed a gaze fixed upon her. At that moment, she shivered, instantly retracting her aura.
Xu Yunqing watched her from not far away, yet she dared not move an inch.
Xu Yunqing was like a madman; he couldn't be allowed near. He would inadvertently destroy Feng Jin.
She must not be known to Xu Yunqing, must not let Xu Yunqing approach.
Ling Chi Yuan clenched his hands tightly at his side. When Feng Ran's gaze fell upon Xu Yunqing, he saw it all clearly. He even wished he could tell Feng Ran, "Feng Ran, it's alright. As long as I'm here, no one can harm you."
He had always believed that Feng Ran would beg him in her most helpless moments.
But Feng Ran said nothing.
He looked at Feng Ran, thinking that at this moment, all she had to do was whisper in his ear, "Ling Chi Yuan, help me," and he would have acted without hesitation. He had already said that Feng Ran was the one he would protect for a lifetime.
Yet Feng Ran chose to endure it alone, never once bowing to him.
Ling Chi Yuan seemed to have forgotten one thing: Feng Ran had never bowed to him for anything. In this situation, Feng Ran would be even less likely to ask him. Feng Ran had always wanted to keep Ling Chi Yuan out of it. With so many people present, how could she drag Ling Chi Yuan into this?
Feng Ran had always wanted to stay away from him, to hide from him.
It had always been he who pestered Feng Ran, who approached her.
Ling Chi Yuan stared at Feng Ran, his only thought being that if Feng Ran spoke just one word, he would immediately step in to protect her.
"Feng Ran," Ling Chi Yuan's gaze fell upon her. "Feng Ran, why? I am right behind you. If you just say a word, I will help you, help you escape this difficult predicament."
"Is it so hard to bow to me, to flatter me, to achieve your own goals?"
"Feng Ran, I know you don't want to stand with me, even speaking coldly to me, because you don't want me to be implicated in your affairs."
"But Feng Ran, what you don't know is that the more you are like this, the more I cannot let go of you."
"The more I want to uncover things about you."
Ling Chi Yuan reached out, took her hand, and held her tightly in his embrace, lowering his head and whispering, "Feng Ran, with just one word from you, I will take you away from here immediately."
"For you, I am willing to be an enemy of Xuanyuan Heng."
Feng Ran listened, and for a moment, she was indeed moved. She even considered throwing caution to the wind, agreeing to Ling Chi Yuan's offer, and leaving with him.
She was tired. Carrying everything alone for so many years, she was nearing her breaking point.
'Clap, clap.' The sound of applause was exceptionally crisp. Qing Huan said mockingly, "Feng Ran, you truly have excellent methods. You've completely mesmerized Ling Chi Yuan."
Qing Huan's words snapped Feng Ran back, bringing her to her senses.
How could she have such thoughts?
No, it was impossible.
She had already caused Lan Lan's death; did she want to cause more harm?
And Feng Jin was watching.
Feng Ran pushed Ling Chi Yuan away directly and said coldly, "Young Master Ling, your words are truly laughable. Have you forgotten, Young Master Ling? I am but a dancer from Chunman Yuan. You should know what kind of person I am."
"Marry me? A dancer from the pleasure quarters. Where do you place the Ling family, Young Master Ling?"
"Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed?"
Ling Chi Yuan paused slightly, his brow furrowing as he listened to Feng Ran's words. But he quickly smiled and said, "Feng Ran, you don't need to worry. The Ling family is not an issue."
"As long as I want something done, no one will dare to say anything."
Feng Ran listened, and her heart wavered again.
But the bloodthirsty gaze of Xu Yunqing from not far away sent a shiver through her.
She looked at Ling Chi Yuan and said coldly, "Young Master Ling, this is merely your one-sided wish. My ambitions are not with you."
"What I have always wanted is a powerful regent who commands heaven and earth." As Feng Ran spoke these words, she wished she could slap herself several times.
Such words were actually coming from her.
Ling Chi Yuan had done nothing wrong.
But she was the one at fault. She shouldn't have made Ling Chi Yuan fall for her.
Falling for her was destined to be a tragedy.
Ling Chi Yuan seemed about to say something more, but Feng Ran spoke first, her voice icy: "Young Master Ling, please retract your words. Everyone in this banquet is from a prominent family. It needs no guessing why I am here today."
"Young Master Ling, do you intend to block my path?"
"Feng Ran," Ling Chi Yuan's face was filled with pain. "Must you disparage yourself so? Are you trying to drive me away?"
"Feng Ran, there's no need, truly no need to demean yourself just to make me leave."
His eyes were filled with sorrow. He looked at Feng Ran, and despite his reluctance, he said, "Feng Ran, I will leave. Please, promise me you won't do anything to harm yourself."
After speaking, Ling Chi Yuan turned and left reluctantly.
He worried that if he stayed and said more, Feng Ran might do something more drastic.
He was truly afraid.
He was afraid that Feng Ran, in her attempt to avoid him, would do something to harm herself, and that would be truly terrible.
Ling Chi Yuan's departure brought Feng Ran immediate relief.
She was worried that Ling Chi Yuan's presence might lead to some misfortune.
In a place like this banquet, if someone were to make a move and disappear, the matter would simply be dismissed.
After all, everyone present was powerful; who would dare offend them? And who would dare to investigate thoroughly?
Then, anything that happened would be known to all.
If Ling Chi Yuan suffered any harm because of her, even her life would not be enough to atone for it.
Feng Ran watched Ling Chi Yuan disappear from view, and the tension in her heart finally eased.
At this moment, she knew better than anyone that there was no longer any connection between her and Ling Chi Yuan.
Feng Jin, standing nearby, seemed about to step forward, wanting to speak with Feng Ran.
Feng Ran's icy gaze fell upon him, and she said coldly, "Esteemed young master, please leave. This place is not suitable for you."
Feng Jin was naturally unwilling to leave. He had unresolved matters he needed to understand; he couldn't just leave.
However, when his gaze met Feng Ran's, the words he had prepared died on his lips. He chose to obey Feng Ran's request.
Qing Huan felt an inexplicable joy.
"Feng Ran," she thought, "let's see what you plan to do now that the one protecting you has left?"
Qing Huan looked at Feng Ran triumphantly. "Feng Ran, I'll see how you plan to escape now. After all, the person protecting you has already gone."
Qing Huan walked up to Feng Ran and tossed the handkerchief in her hand towards Feng Ran, saying with a bloodthirsty glint, "Feng Ran, look. Everyone has abandoned you."