Feng Ran had not yet awakened from Qing Han's words.
A shiver ran through her. So, all of this had been at Xuanyuan Heng's instigation.
A self-mocking smile played on her lips. She scoffed inwardly and whispered, "Xuanyuan Heng, today I am as you wished. Are you satisfied?"
She closed her eyes tightly, her forehead beaded with cold sweat.
She collapsed to the ground, curling herself into a ball.
Aunt Sheng had not been at Chunman Yuan for several days, so they were unaware of Feng Ran's absence. In their eyes, it was better if Feng Ran never showed up. They exchanged glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them as they looked towards Feng Ran's room. None of them approached or mentioned Feng Ran.
It was as if Feng Ran did not exist in Chunman Yuan.
...
Ling Chi Yuan reappeared at Chunman Yuan. The people there immediately surrounded him upon seeing him. Ling Chi Yuan did not seem annoyed, maintaining his smile as he greeted them.
After a while, he still hadn't seen Feng Ran. His brow furrowed slightly.
At this moment, Huang Qian Qian appeared.
The moment she saw Ling Chi Yuan, her face was filled with shyness. She had been dressing elaborately every day, hoping to see Ling Chi Yuan again. She was even more determined to win his favor.
She had noticed Ling Chi Yuan as soon as he arrived, but she wasn't in a hurry to rush over. She considered herself fundamentally different from those "common women."
"Young Master Ling," Huang Qian Qian said, slowly approaching Ling Chi Yuan and bowing.
Ling Chi Yuan did not pay much attention, simply waving his fan.
Huang Qian Qian looked at Ling Chi Yuan, unwilling to accept this. How could this be? She had prepared so meticulously, and he wouldn't even spare her a glance. She stomped her foot, unsure of what to do.
She had been so confident, only to have it all fall apart. Her hands clenched tightly, filled with frustration, yet she could say nothing. The situation was set; some things were beyond her control.
Just as she turned to leave, Ling Chi Yuan's hand firmly grasped hers.
At this moment, Huang Qian Qian was overjoyed. It seemed even heaven favored her.
"Young Master Ling..." Huang Qian Qian called out triumphantly, not forgetting to cast a provocative glance at those who were envious of her.
Ling Chi Yuan, who had been walking away, returned.
His gaze fell on the hairpin on Huang Qian Qian's head. Huang Qian Qian lowered her head, her heart pounding with excitement. She was thrilled, thinking, "I knew Ling Chi Yuan would notice me."
"This hairpin of yours?" This hairpin was something he had given to *that* person. He had expected to see it on that person, but instead, he saw it on someone else.
Upon hearing this, the smile and triumph on Huang Qian Qian's face vanished instantly. She had never imagined such an awkward situation would befall her.
With so many people watching, her hand clenched tightly as she nodded. "Yes, Young Master Ling, this is your hairpin."
Although Huang Qian Qian called it Ling Chi Yuan's hairpin, she didn't mention where she had obtained it. She had snatched it from someone's hand.
The onlookers, upon hearing Huang Qian Qian say the hairpin was Ling Chi Yuan's, their eyes were filled with envy.
To everyone, Huang Qian Qian was special to Ling Chi Yuan.
Ling Chi Yuan, a notorious playboy, had never given a hairpin to anyone. The fact that he had given one to Huang Qian Qian meant she was indeed different.
Huang Qian Qian, seeing the envious glances, was extremely pleased.
She thought that in front of so many people, Ling Chi Yuan would surely not embarrass her.
However, to her surprise, Ling Chi Yuan directly snatched the hairpin away and said coldly, "This hairpin was given by me to Feng Ran. How did it end up in your hands?"
At this, the onlookers looked at Huang Qian Qian with disdain and ridicule.
Huang Qian Qian, who had been so happy moments ago, turned pale upon hearing his words.
No, it couldn't be.
How could something like this happen to her?
With so many people present, didn't Ling Chi Yuan have any compassion? Did he have to expose her in front of everyone?
"I am asking you, how did this hairpin come into your possession?" Ling Chi Yuan pressed forward, exuding a terrifying aura.
Huang Qian Qian retreated in fear, her face filled with panic. The situation had unfolded in a way that left her speechless.
She was truly terrified.
"I... I..."
Ling Chi Yuan let out an impatient snort. "Speak."
"It... it was Feng Ran. She didn't want it anymore. She said she was going to throw it away. She said such a small hairpin, and as the eldest daughter of the Feng family, was she giving it to a beggar?"
"When I saw Feng Ran discarding the hairpin, I picked it up."
"I thought that if I ever met Young Master Ling, I would personally return the hairpin to you."
"This hairpin, Young Master Ling, you put thought into it. You gave it to Feng Ran."
Huang Qian Qian seemed to realize she had said something wrong. She quickly covered her mouth, looking at Ling Chi Yuan blankly, and said cautiously, "Young Master Ling, did I say something wrong? Or did I say something I shouldn't have?"
"Young Master Ling, I didn't mean to. I just couldn't bear to see Young Master Ling's hard work being trampled on like this."
"Feng Ran is too ungrateful. How dare she discard something given to her by Young Master Ling?"
"If it were me, I would use my life..."
"Shut up," Ling Chi Yuan said coldly.
His brow was furrowed, filled with annoyance.
This person was too noisy.
He was well aware of her petty little schemes. However, he preferred to keep his distance from such people.
"Since Feng Ran is like this, then she cannot be blamed," Ling Chi Yuan said with a smile, a hint of indulgence in his tone.
Huang Qian Qian's face turned extremely ugly. Why was Ling Chi Yuan reacting this way?
Shouldn't he be furious and embarrassed? Shouldn't he go to Feng Ran to settle the score?
"Young Master Ling, don't be upset. Feng Ran just found the hairpin a little trivial. She didn't mean anything else by it, and..."
Before Huang Qian Qian could finish, Ling Chi Yuan looked as if he understood everything.
"This is my fault. I casually gave Feng Ran a hairpin. It's understandable that Feng Ran would be so upset."
"It seems I need to prepare a more substantial 'gift' for Feng Ran."
Huang Qian Qian stared at the person before her in disbelief.
She had said and done so much, and this was not the outcome she wanted.
Why wasn't Ling Chi Yuan speaking as she had expected?
Huang Qian Qian was unwilling. Why did Feng Ran get all the good things?
"Young Master Ling, Feng Ran is not simple. She is plotting against you," Huang Qian Qian said maliciously.
A triumphant smile played on her lips. She believed that no man would want to hear such words.