Facing the accusations and ridicule, the jeers and insults of those people, Feng Ran paid them no mind. Nor was she afraid.
However, their hands began to grow restless. Their evil gazes made Feng Ran terribly frightened.
As their hands slowly drew closer, Feng Ran even felt someone's touch.
At this moment, Feng Ran was already close to madness.
She had never imagined that such a disgusting thing could happen to her.
Just as their evil, demon-like smiles appeared, and their hands were mere inches away, Feng Ran, with strength she didn't know she possessed, pushed them away like a madwoman. Furthermore, with courage she couldn't explain, she walked up to Xuanyuan Heng, snatched the outer cloak draped over him, and put it on herself.
She picked up branches from the ground, holding them defensively against those people, waving them wildly in the air, shouting, "Don't come closer, don't come closer."
They all dared not advance.
It wasn't Feng Ran's resistance that scared them, but Xuanyuan Heng's bloodthirsty gaze standing behind Feng Ran.
Undeniably, Feng Ran's actions deterred them from acting rashly.
They had originally thought Feng Ran would not dare to resist, that she wouldn't do anything.
But now, it seemed they had underestimated Feng Ran.
Xuanyuan Heng's brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on the frenzied Feng Ran.
Feng Ran stared intently at them, giving the illusion that if anyone dared to step forward, she would strike.
Finally, Feng Ran's bloodthirsty gaze fell upon her, her eyes filled with extreme coldness and malice.
Looking at Feng Ran, Xuanyuan Heng suddenly let out a cold sneer.
Feng Ran seemed to be losing strength, her face growing pale.
In truth, Xuanyuan Heng had never been worried from the beginning.
Eventually, Feng Ran fainted.
...
When Feng Ran awoke, she was already in Chunmanyuan.
Feng Ran looked around, diligently recalling what had happened before she fainted. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall anything.
Feng Ran desperately wanted to understand what had transpired.
But after some thought, she decided to give up.
Sometimes, not knowing was much better than knowing.
Let what had happened in the past remain in the past. She was here now, safe and sound, wasn't that good enough?
Feng Ran got up, intending to leave, when she realized her head was throbbing intensely. As she stood, her entire body felt groggy.
Just then, with a "click," the door was pushed open from the outside. In the next moment, a heavy slap landed directly on her face.
Unprepared, Feng Ran was struck.
The person seemed to intend to hit Feng Ran again, but Feng Ran dodged.
Unable to land another blow, the person shrieked hysterically like a madwoman, "Feng Ran, why are you dodging? You should have stood still and let me hit you."
Having spoken, Huang Qianqian raised her hand again, aiming to strike Feng Ran's face once more, but Feng Ran evaded it again.
"Get out."
Feng Ran said coldly, her eyes filled with terrifying light.
"If you don't want your life, you can continue."
She no longer wanted to dodge. She knew clearly that dodging was useless.
Her constant evasion would only make Huang Qianqian more brazen in her actions.
She was not someone who could be treated with impunity.
"Feng Ran," Huang Qianqian roared, "You dare to threaten me? With what right do you threaten me? Who gave you the courage?"
"You should have been the one to grovel before me."
Hearing Huang Qianqian's words, Feng Ran found it utterly laughable. How could she possibly think Feng Ran should humble herself before her?
"Huang Qianqian, your status is far more lowly than mine. If anyone is to grovel, it is you, not I."
Huang Qianqian's eyes blazed with fury, wanting to lunge forward and tear Feng Ran apart.
She thought that without Feng Ran, none of the subsequent events would have occurred.
But Huang Qianqian did not want Feng Ran to be at peace. She seemed unable to bear seeing Feng Ran happy, so she turned and began to speak of Feng Ran's matters right in front of her.
She even told Feng Ran that she had been sent back by people from the Xuanyuan Mansion, and that she had returned disheveled. It was implied that she had done something.
And how those people had spread rumors, and what those rumors were, Huang Qianqian dared not reveal a single word.
The mere thought of those so-called rumors made Huang Qianqian's expression turn extremely unpleasant.
Although what those people said was unpleasant, upon careful consideration, one could understand. While difficult, they dared not speak carelessly.
"Unbearable words?" Feng Ran's face held a light smile. "Then, say them."
"Normally, you would utter them without reservation."
"What is it today? You've spoken for so long, yet only said meaningless things."
She looked at Huang Qianqian's eyes, filled with mockery. "Huang Qianqian, just say it. There's nothing I can't understand."
"Besides, if I am in pain, isn't that what you've always wanted to see? Now, with such a rare opportunity, why aren't you cherishing it?"
Huang Qianqian's hands clenched tightly, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.
Her current predicament was as great as her previous arrogance.
Huang Qianqian looked at Feng Ran, her voice lacking confidence. "Feng Ran, don't get too smug. One day, I will make you pay the price."
"Feng Ran, regarding today's matter, seeing as you are unwell, I will not dwell on it."
"But Feng Ran, next time, you won't be so lucky."
Lucky? Next time, she wouldn't be so lucky.
These words were clearly meant for her ears.
After all, it was Huang Qianqian who had come to cause trouble, and Feng Ran had effortlessly evaded her.
Feng Ran ignored Huang Qianqian and walked out directly.
Watching Feng Ran leave, Huang Qianqian quickly took something out from her embrace and went to her bedside, seemingly doing something.
Huang Qianqian was extremely guilty, unsure how she would face her family.
But with time, everything would get better.
She even harbored some anticipation, thinking that if Xuanyuan Heng appeared soon, and those things were discovered, the matter would surely escalate. By then, even if Feng Ran wanted to defend herself, it wouldn't be so simple.
Halfway out, Feng Ran remembered Huang Qianqian was still in the wing. She immediately turned back.