Chapter 51 Hesitation Her Wavering and Difficulty

Feng Ran looked at the silver taels, feeling a sense of shame. She, who had once disdained money the most, now needed it more than anything.

If she wanted to leave this place, she had to gather enough silver for her freedom.

She had heard others say that the price for freedom at Chun Man Yuan was higher than elsewhere. But she believed she would eventually manage to collect it.

However, the silver offered by the man before her made her heart uneasy. Especially his charmingly wicked gaze, which only intensified her apprehension.

She didn't even know how to play the zither, yet he offered her money. This was an unprecedented situation for her. Having experienced so much, she didn't believe a man would offer such a sum without ulterior motives.

Having witnessed so much coldness and warmth, so many malicious faces, she was no longer the naive person she once was, someone who believed everything she was told.

He was giving her money without her doing anything; there was definitely something he wanted in return.

Xu Yunqing watched Feng Ran's wary and vigilant expression, and let out a light laugh.

He found the person before him increasingly interesting. For the first time in years, he felt a desire to understand someone deeply.

"I don't want you to be tainted by the aura of outsiders."

"Of course, if you wish to play for them, that is also acceptable.

"This silver is from me, young master."

Xu Yunqing reached out, his hand resting on Feng Ran's face as he said, "However, I do not wish for you to be touched by the aura of others. You must 'guard your chastity' for me, understand?"

Feng Ran looked up, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment as she met the man's gaze. Upon encountering his casual smile, her face suddenly flushed crimson.

Was he intentionally saying this?

Seeing his composed demeanor, she even wondered how he could utter such words so calmly.

If it were her, she surely couldn't have said it.

"I... I..."

Feng Ran stammered for a long time, unable to articulate a single word.

"Are you afraid I will do something to you?"

Xu Yunqing said with a full smile, "Don't worry, I won't touch you."

"I simply don't want you to be tainted by the auras that I find repulsive."

"After all, you are quite captivating."

Feng Ran sighed silently, and said in a soft, low voice, "Young Master, there is no need to worry about this. At Chun Man Yuan, I sell my skills, not myself. Therefore, Young Master does not need to spend extra silver."

The man chuckled, his deep, husky voice ringing out, "Oh, is that so?"

Xu Yunqing's smile grew wider, it was evident that his mood was exceptionally good.

"Yes, your words have pleased me. Consider this silver a tip."

"..."

"What is it? Is it not fitting for this young master to buy a good mood with silver?"

"Or do you dislike this young master's silver? Do you look down on this young master's silver?" Xu Yunqing said with a smile, pushing the silver directly towards Feng Ran, his face beaming. He gave Feng Ran no chance to refuse.

Looking at the silver, was Feng Ran tempted? She truly was. Because, at this moment, she desperately needed money.

In the end, she didn't refuse again, but accepted the silver.

However, having received so much silver without having done anything, she felt truly uneasy.

She thought she should do something.

As for his request of 'guarding her chastity,' she would naturally adhere to it. Yet, such a requirement was not difficult for her. Even if he hadn't proposed it, she would have managed it.

Xu Yunqing's gaze rested on Feng Ran, watching her troubled expression and furrowed brow. A smile curved his lips, as if he had seen through Feng Ran's thoughts.

And her conflicted state only made him feel even better.

Feng Ran was unaware that she was, at this moment, pleasing Xu Yunqing.

Xu Yunqing had initially thought his visit here would yield no results, but he had unexpectedly encountered such an interesting person, which was truly beyond his imagination.

And he was extremely satisfied with everything he was witnessing.

Feng Ran felt she had nothing to worry about, yet she was troubled. But to Xu Yunqing, all of this made him incredibly happy.

Feng Ran fell into a state of confusion.

Feng Ran clenched her hands tightly, her fingernails digging into her flesh. She, who should have felt pain, felt nothing.

Suddenly, she looked up, her gaze fixed directly on the man before her. Taking a deep breath, as if having made a significant decision, she said, "Young Master, what are your demands? What conditions do you have, you can tell me. I will satisfy you."

Xu Yunqing's brows furrowed slightly. He had thought she would be different from those others.

But upon hearing her words, his brow knitted together. Had he misjudged her?

The excitement in his heart began to fade.

Feng Ran was so preoccupied with how to avoid inner condemnation that she didn't notice the change in Xu Yunqing's expression.

Feng Ran seemed to have thought of something and immediately added, "Of course, selling myself is out of the question." She said this in a low voice, and with great caution.

The smile returned to Xu Yunqing's face.

A flicker of stunning light flashed in his eyes. Earlier, he seemed to have misunderstood. The person before him truly seemed different from anyone he had known.

Xu Yunqing looked at Feng Ran with a light chuckle.

How was she able to maintain her original intentions in a place like Chun Man Yuan?

She should have known about the rumors surrounding him. Yet, she wasn't afraid, nor did she ever consider trying to use him.

Truly a peculiar person.

Digging.

He thought he must have her heart. He even wanted to see what earth-shattering things this woman would do after falling in love with him, and then being abandoned by him.

Suddenly, with nothing else to occupy his time, he had found something 'interesting.'

He had met all sorts of people. Among them, some had caught his attention, but in the end, those people couldn't hold on. They revealed their true colors, and he could only end things perfunctorily.

But the woman's determined gaze gave him an idea.

His hand moved to her face, gently pinching her chin. A wicked smile curved his lips as he said, "Then, how about sitting in my arms?"

How about sitting in my arms?

A husky voice sounded. The man spoke with utter calmness.

Seeing Feng Ran's hesitant and troubled face, Xu Yunqing let out unrestrained laughter.

Heh, this was indeed much more interesting.

Today's harvest was truly abundant.