Feng Ran dragged her weary body through the streets, the gazes of the passersby fixated on her. There was no other reason than the conspicuous slap mark on her face. How could those around her not stare?
As expected, those within Chunmanyuan eagerly awaited a spectacle of Feng Ran's humiliation.
Upon seeing Feng Ran's swollen face, they were overjoyed. Some even felt an urge to step forward and mock her.
However, in this place, mocking Feng Ran would yield no benefit.
Aunty Sheng could appear at any moment to protect Feng Ran. They weren't eager to court death.
Feng Ran calmly observed those who were intently watching her. These people, who could at any moment step forward to trouble her, seemed to have become accustomed to it, showing no fear.
Naturally, these people dared not lay a hand on her; they would only whisper malicious words to her.
Regardless of how unpleasant the words were, she would simply listen.
She straightened her clothes and walked in with her head held high.
Qing Han appeared, blocking her path, and sneered, "Heh, where did you go to seduce someone, only to get beaten?"
"Tsk, tsk, your face is so swollen. It seems the person who hit you was truly vicious."
Qing Han sneered as she spoke, her hand reaching out towards Feng Ran, her eyes alight with malice. Humph, with such a swollen face, if she were to pinch it, wouldn't it only worsen the injury?
She even wickedy mused about how much fun it would be to disfigure Feng Ran's face.
Just as Qing Han's hand was about to land on Feng Ran's face, a voice cut through the air. "Qing Han, if you don't want that hand anymore, I can help you remove it." Aunty Sheng's icy voice rang out.
Feng Ran looked up at Aunty Sheng. She had considered, if Qing Han dared to touch her, she would retaliate. It would be no worse than falling out with Qing Han.
She knew her days ahead might be difficult. But weren't her days already difficult even without falling out?
These people would always find new troubles.
"Feng Ran, you are too kind. All of you are the same. They are not worthy of speaking ill of you."
"Aunty Sheng..."
Aunty Sheng sighed helplessly and waved her hand. "Alright, alright, I won't say any more. I know what you want to say."
"It's just, Feng Ran, Aunty Sheng must tell you this: One cannot be too kind, especially towards those with hearts of wolves and dogs, those who even insult dogs by their nature. Do not be too kind to them."
"Those people do not understand gratitude. They will only become addicted to bullying."
Feng Ran looked at Aunty Sheng in surprise. She hadn't expected Aunty Sheng to say such things in this situation.
Feng Ran nodded.
"Aunty Sheng, I am a little tired and wish to rest."
Aunty Sheng's gaze swept over Feng Ran, ensuring she wasn't injured, only that her face was red and swollen. She said nothing more. She knew that if Feng Ran wanted to speak, she would, without needing to be asked.
There was likely a hidden reason behind this.
"Go, rest well."
Feng Ran turned and went upstairs.
Feng Ran returned to her private room and sat before the bronze mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her hand landed on her red and swollen cheek, her disheveled hair. A self-deprecating smile touched her lips.
Heh, she was truly in a sorry state.
She picked up the medicinal ointment from the dressing table and slowly applied it, bit by bit.
This ointment was something Li Yuncheng had forcefully left for her last time.
She had refused it, but Li Yuncheng had simply placed the ointment on the dressing table and left.
Li Yuncheng had said, "Perhaps you will find a use for it in the future."
She remembered her reply at the time was, "No, I won't need it."
But now? She held the ointment in her hand, slowly applying it.
Thinking about it, it was truly laughable.
Looking at herself in the mirror, her hand moved to her ear, touching the mark left by Ling Chi Yuan's proximity. She gently stroked it, suddenly recalling Ling Chi Yuan's words: "Feng Ran, I can buy your freedom, I can make you happy. Feng Ran, I will marry you."
She admitted that when Ling Chi Yuan said he could take her away from Chunmanyuan, she had indeed been tempted. She had even followed him without a second thought.
However, after calming down, she felt so ugly. Her thoughts were so venomous. Could she truly be selfish enough to endanger Ling Chi Yuan for her own gain?
She knew full well how cruel Xuanyuan Heng's methods were. Wasn't the fate of the Feng family tragic enough?
How could such thoughts arise? Did she want to see the Ling family implicated and ruined because of her?
She remembered, in that desolate land, Lan Lan had lost her life for her. At that time, she had sworn that she would never involve anyone else in her life again.
And now, after such a short time, had she completely forgotten?
Right, Ling Chi Yuan also had a childhood sweetheart. They were a perfect match. And if she agreed to Ling Chi Yuan, wouldn't she be the same as Yu Wan Yan?
Did she want to live as the person she detested most?
Did she want to make herself so sordid?
Despite how much she had wanted to agree, she had ultimately restrained herself and did not pursue the matter further.
Feng Ran, you have already ruined those who were good to you in this life. She did not want her misfortune to harm those around her any further.
It was better this way.
In time, Xuanyuan Heng would fall in love with someone else and forget her. Then, she could do whatever she wanted.
Her life was already bitter enough; she would bear this bitterness alone.
Her life was already tragic enough. She would not drag others down with her.
As she touched her swollen face, the creaking sound of a door pulled her from her reverie back to reality.
She turned her head and saw Ling Chi Yuan.
Feng Ran's eyes were filled with shock and bewilderment. How could he be here?
"What? Can't I come?"
Looking at Ling Chi Yuan's smiling face, his roguish demeanor, Feng Ran even doubted if what happened today had actually occurred. It was as if she were hallucinating.
But the swollen face, the pain radiating from it, confirmed that those events had indeed happened.
"..."
"What's wrong? Are you so scared you've gone foolish?"
"... Young Master Ling, I recall I made myself very clear just now. Please, don't pester me anymore, alright?"
Ling Chi Yuan did not show anger. Instead, his face was full of smiles. "Feng Ran, you haven't forgotten, have you? I paid a hefty sum to book you for a month. I remember, it's only been half a month now."
"I believe I am not mistaken."
Feng Ran was stunned, staring blankly at Ling Chi Yuan. She truly hadn't expected that after such an incident, Ling Chi Yuan would still appear before her, without the slightest trace of anger.