Arriving at Liu Mengyao's villa, it was already past midnight.
The familiar courtyard had Xiao Qi lounging by the gate, seemingly standing guard.
As if sensing Lin Feng's scent, Xiao Qi let out a meow and leaped into his arms. It then began to affectionately lick the back of Lin Feng's hand, as if craving attention after a long absence.
"Little one, have you missed my petting so much that you want a good rub?" Lin Feng chuckled, stroking Xiao Qi's back.
Xiao Qi responded with evident joy, clearly eager for Lin Feng's vital energy. Without hesitation, Lin Feng channeled his abundant inner energy into the cat. Bathed in the nourishing flow of Lin Feng's vital energy, Xiao Qi displayed an expression of pure bliss, its orange fur standing on end.
"Alright, you've had your fill of my vital energy. Now, keep a good watch over the door," Lin Feng said, placing Xiao Qi back by the entrance. "After nourishing you, it's time I nourished Miss Yao Yao."
Lin Feng quietly slipped into the villa. All the lights were off, and the only sound in the dark house was Wang Ma's snoring, which was as loud and rough as a man's. Lin Feng smiled faintly and proceeded upstairs. Using his vital energy, he gently opened Liu Mengyao's bedroom door. Inside, he saw Liu Mengyao and Luo Keke sleeping soundly.
The sisters shared a bed. Liu Mengyao, clad in a pink slip dress, showcased her model-like figure. Luo Keke, with her legs entangled around Liu Mengyao's, had one hand resting on Liu Mengyao's chest. It was particularly irksome that Luo Keke, despite her own ample endowments resembling a "little milk cow," would reach for Liu Mengyao's comparatively small chest.
Lin Feng watched silently, licking his dry lips. He then released a gentle wave of vital energy, moving Luo Keke from the bed. He quickly shed his clothes and lay down beside Liu Mengyao. Liu Mengyao, lost in sleep, seemed to be having a troubled dream, her delicate brows furrowed in a conflicted expression. Lin Feng gently caressed her hair, reluctant to wake her. Instead, he embraced her and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, they were both startled awake by Luo Keke's scream from downstairs. Liu Mengyao sat up abruptly, rubbing her eyes in disbelief at the sight of Lin Feng beside her, questioning if she was still dreaming.
"Miss Yao Yao, it's me. You're not dreaming. I returned last night, but seeing you sleep so soundly, I didn't have the heart to wake you," Lin Feng said with a smile, reassuring the startled Liu Mengyao.
Liu Mengyao finally calmed down, chiding him, "You should at least let me know when you come back. Waking up to a man in your bed unexpectedly can be terrifying!"
"Alright, I'll be more mindful in the future," Lin Feng replied. "Hurry up and get dressed. I wonder what Keke is yelling about downstairs."
Lin Feng smiled, assuming Luo Keke had simply been startled to find herself on the sofa downstairs after waking up. However, when Lin Feng and Liu Mengyao descended, they were astonished to find a man in a suit in the living room. It was none other than Ying Tianqing, impeccably dressed.
"Hey, you perverted thief! You have the audacity to trespass into a private residence, and you moved this Keke from the room to the sofa!" Luo Keke confronted Ying Tianqing, her eyes red with anger. She found it peculiar, though, that her clothes were intact and she felt no sense of violation. She surmised that Ying Tianqing had been about to assault her when she suddenly woke up, preventing him from proceeding.
Ying Tianqing looked at the furious Luo Keke impassively. "I have no interest in a childish girl like you, especially one who has been played by Lin Feng. Why would I stoop to picking up what another has discarded?"
"Ahhh! You're a scoundrel!" Luo Keke exclaimed. "So what if Xiao Linzi has been with me? Does that make me less charming? Why do you look down on me so much?" She then had a realization. "Wow, so you know Xiao Linzi? Does that mean Xiao Linzi is also back in Qingcheng?"
"Just look behind you. What kind of behavior is it for a girl to shout like that!" Ying Tianqing said with a touch of impatience, inwardly comparing Luo Keke unfavorably to Hua Yu, who was refined and well-bred, unlike Luo Keke's boisterous demeanor.
Hearing Ying Tianqing, Luo Keke turned around and was delighted to see Lin Feng and Liu Mengyao coming down the stairs. "Xiao Linzi, why didn't you tell me you were back? This scoundrel almost defiled me!" she complained tearfully. "Quick, teach him a lesson! He's trying to cuckold you!"
"Little Ancestor Keke, asking me to teach him a lesson would be a death wish for me!" Lin Feng said with a pained expression, knowing he was no match for Ying Tianqing. "Brother Ying, how did you find your way here?" he asked.
"If you are here, then naturally I would seek you out," Ying Tianqing replied. "What I didn't expect is that you, boy, are quite the philanderer. Not only are you entangled with that girl Hua Yu, but you also have other women on the outside," he added with disdain. Ying Tianqing detested infidelity, and his regard for Lin Feng plummeted.
Lin Feng felt a bit awkward and chose to sidestep the sensitive topic. "Alright, what brings you here then?"
"Nothing much, just checking what you're up to and when you'll start helping me find people," Ying Tianqing said, picking up the remote and turning on the television. He seemed particularly fond of watching palace dramas, specifically one starring Xu Lin. To everyone's surprise, Ying Tianqing watched with great interest, occasionally smiling. Lin Feng wondered if his long confinement had affected his sanity.
"Xiao Linzi, who is this guy?" Luo Keke asked, still confused but sensing Lin Feng's familiarity with Ying Tianqing.
"His name is Ying Tianqing. He's a very powerful individual, much stronger than me," Lin Feng emphasized, worried Luo Keke might foolishly provoke the formidable Ying Tianqing. Both Luo Keke and Liu Mengyao were slightly taken aback by the revelation that Ying Tianqing surpassed Lin Feng in strength and couldn't help but glance at him with renewed interest.
"Miss, breakfast is ready. Let's eat," Wang Ma announced, emerging from the kitchen.
"Wang Ma, I've missed your cooking so much! I won't be polite, I'm eating!" Lin Feng exclaimed, eagerly heading towards the table. Liu Mengyao and Luo Keke followed suit.
"Old Ying, why don't you join us for breakfast?" Luo Keke called out, noticing Ying Tianqing engrossed in the palace drama.
"I'm not interested in the garbage you people eat. I have my own food," Ying Tianqing replied, glancing at Wang Ma's breakfast. Unfamiliar with the milk and sausages, he gestured, conjuring a glowing red fruit from thin air. This seemingly magical act instantly caught Liu Mengyao and Luo Keke's attention.
"Xiao Linzi, is he doing magic? And what is this fruit? I've never seen it before, and it's glowing!" Luo Keke asked curiously, her mouth watering. The fruit was incredibly enticing; as soon as Ying Tianqing produced it, a rich aroma filled the room, making everyone's mouths water and their appetites keen.
"I'm not sure, but it's likely something valuable," Lin Feng replied, knowing that Ying Tianqing typically consumed extraordinary items. He picked up a sausage and approached Ying Tianqing. "Brother Ying, what are you eating? May I try a bite?" Lin Feng felt a pang of envy upon sensing the powerful spiritual energy emanating from the fruit.
"Ignorant! This is a Rootless Fruit I picked. It has no roots or stems, growing above the clouds, maturing by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. It requires a hundred years to ripen before it can be harvested and consumed," Ying Tianqing explained.
"Wow! Old Ying, you have a talent for storytelling! Growing in the clouds and ripening in a hundred years? Do you think this is a Ginseng Fruit?" Luo Keke retorted sarcastically, finding the tale fantastical.
"Keke, don't talk nonsense," Liu Mengyao chided Luo Keke, her woman's intuition telling her Ying Tianqing wasn't lying. The fruit was too extraordinary; she had tasted all sorts of fruits in the world but had never encountered anything like it. Perhaps Ying Tianqing was telling the truth. The world was vast and full of wonders, and she and Luo Keke knew very little.
"Brother Ying, I'll trade you this sausage for it. This sausage is delicious, try it." Lin Feng, aware of the Rootless Fruit's rarity, offered a sheepish smile and held out the sausage.
"Do you take me for a fool? You offer me a piece of trash in exchange for my Rootless Fruit?" Ying Tianqing found the offer laughable.
"Brother Ying, this isn't trash. You've eaten countless rare treasures, but have you ever eaten a sausage? Since you haven't, what reason do you have to refuse the temptation of a sausage? If you don't believe me, take a bite first. If you like it, then we can trade!" Lin Feng tempted him.
Ying Tianqing hesitated. He truly hadn't tasted such a thing, and it did seem somewhat unreasonable to refuse. With a stern expression, he took a bite. His furrowed brow gradually relaxed as he discovered the sausage was indeed fragrant, possessing a unique flavor he had never experienced.
"Well? Can we trade now?" Lin Feng asked promptly, noticing Ying Tianqing was moved by the delicious sausage.
"Very well. I see you've never even tasted a Rootless Fruit, so I'll indulge you this once," Ying Tianqing rationalized, finally agreeing to the exchange. Lin Feng took the Rootless Fruit, feeling its warmth immediately. It was slightly hot to the touch, its flesh visibly translucent, and the juice flowed within.
"Xiao Linzi, Yao Yao jie and I also want to try this Rootless Fruit. Is it poisonous?" Luo Keke asked, her lips still glistening, her curiosity about the new delicacy insatiable.