Lin Chen turned around and looked at Ruan Qing'an. She was swinging her fair legs, and her white nightgown, which resembled a dress, made her look very beautiful. Her toes, raised slightly, were unexpectedly alluring, making her seem like an innocent rabbit. But then—

She was a wildcat with bared teeth and claws, spoiled and wicked.

He had always been interested in cats, but the thought of Ruan Qing'an being called "future stepmother" always bothered him.

Lin Chen felt a throbbing pain in his temples from anger.

"Ha, you don't even look as old as me."

"But your father is a terrible person."

Ruan Qingan shrugged: "Simply put, Lin Qisheng is coming back soon. It will be troublesome if I'm not in the room. Also, if something happens to me, I will definitely take someone down with me before I die. At least I will make others uncomfortable."

Clearly, Lin Chen, whose weakness was being exploited, was a good target.

Thinking of this, Lin Chen almost laughed out of anger. He originally thought that this woman he had never met was just a gold digger who flaunted her charm, had some looks, and was quite scheming.

Nguyen Thanh An gave him a rather large "surprise".

The study was silent. Ruan Qing'an looked up and sized up the tall young man leaning against the door. He pinched his brow, then lowered his hand, his expression indifferent.

Although he was quite angry with Ruan Qing'an, Lin Chen quickly calmed down, suppressed his emotions, and raised his hand slightly.

"Tsk, follow me."

After saying that, Lin Chen turned around, opened the door, and left.

Ruan Qing'an then jumped down from the desk and carefully followed behind Lin Chen—at least in the bustling manor, with Lin Chen around, she could avoid being seen and go back to her bedroom.

Five minutes later, after avoiding the cleaning and tidying maids, Lin Chen led Ruan Qing'an back to the bedroom where she was locked up.

Fortunately, Nguyen Thanh An had concealed himself before leaving home and had not been discovered yet.

Since Lin Qisheng would be back soon, Ruan Qing'an didn't cause any trouble this time, nor did she provoke Lin Chen. She obediently sat on the dark bed and stretched out her hand to him: "Just tie me up and bring me here."

"I know."

As Lin Chen spoke, he took the chain from the bed, and then saw the wild cat, which had been baring its teeth and claws, extend its claws.

He paused, moved a little closer, knelt on one knee by the bed, and properly handcuffed the shackles. When he was close enough, Lin Chen could see Ruan Qing's lowered eyebrows and her feathery eyelashes—she was very well-behaved, her mouth wasn't foul anymore, and she wasn't so annoying.

only……

Lin Chen suddenly grabbed Ruan Qing'an's wrist and lifted her hand up: "What happened to your injuries?"

Interesting, someone even dared to hit the lady in the manor.

Aren't you afraid of being buried alive by that old bastard Lin Qisheng?

Lin Chen was extremely aggressive. Even when he grabbed her wrist, she felt as if she could be suppressed and unable to move. Ruan Qing'an carefully pulled her hand back and snorted twice: "Your father is a scoundrel."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Judging from a cursory glance, Ruan Qing'an's injuries were quite serious.

It seems... to be different from what I expected.

Just as Lin Chen stepped back, Ruan Qing'an's eyelashes trembled slightly: "Lin Chen, you smell of flowers. Have the flowers in the courtyard bloomed yet?"

"It's open."

"It must be really good..."

Hearing her soft, delicate voice speaking softly, Lin Chen paused, "How long has it been since you went out for a visit?"

Ruan Qing'an did not answer him. Lin Chen was not familiar with her to begin with, and even before he came back, he had a vague prejudice and disgust. Seeing that she did not answer, he simply turned and left.

Just as he was about to leave the bedroom, he put his hand on the doorknob and subconsciously turned his head to look at the dark-colored bed.

The petite girl, dressed in a white nightgown, was curled up in a corner of the bed, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her exposed arms were covered with bruises of varying shades of purple and blue, making her look pitiful and fragile. Her pretty face was expressionless.

Golden sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing her in its light, yet she felt as if she were in hell. Looking up at the window, Lin Chen could only see Ruan Qing'an's beautiful profile.

And her, with that forlorn expression.

His hand tightened on the doorknob, a strange, hidden emotion stirring within him. Compared to before, Lin Chen felt she shouldn't be like this; she should at least have scratched him...

"Remember to close the door."

The girl on the bed suddenly turned her head, her expression becoming lively: "Don't talk nonsense, or I'll get beaten up, and you, my adopted son, won't escape Lin Qisheng's clutches either!"

My adopted son...?

Lin Chen felt his temples throbbing with anger. He chuckled softly and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Outside the door, Lin Chen quickly locked it, staring blankly at the lock. He must be crazy to actually feel sorry for this woman; her mouth really should be shut up.

How did such a delicate young girl end up with a mouth?

He thought coldly and displeasedly, his hidden emotions being silently suppressed and nowhere to be found.

【Affection Level: -10】

—But the seeds have already fallen, and who knows when they will sprout?

Meanwhile, in the bedroom.

After hearing the sound of the lock being shut outside, Ruan Qing'an turned his gaze away and slowly stretched.

037: [My dear, if you had played the victim, I reckon the male lead would have changed his opinion of you long ago. You're the victim, how could you turn yourself into the villain!]

"The victim...is begging for Lin Chen's mercy?"

Ruan Qing'an chuckled: "I'm not willing to do that. I hate his pity, so—I want him to have mixed feelings of love and hate for me."

She spoke softly, stood up, and the chains binding her made a crisp, metallic clanging sound as she walked. Ruan Qing'an stood by the window, looking down, but could only see a corner of the courtyard, unable to see the whole thing.

But just then—

Ruan Qing'an saw a tall figure stride into the courtyard; from behind, it was Lin Chen.

She paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed, her eyes softening.

...

Inside the courtyard at this moment.

Lin Chen was leaning against a glass door. The courtyard outside was full of flowers, and many servants were watering or tending to the garden.

Before returning to the manor, Lin Chen didn't know anything about Ruan Qing'an, and he had no interest in women who climbed the social ladder. He only knew that Lin Qisheng had brought her back to keep at home, but after seeing her today—he couldn't quite describe the feeling.

There's dislike, there's prejudice, and this stray cat is infuriating.

But regardless of the injuries on Nguyen Thanh An's body, the chains that bound him in that bedroom, or the additional bodyguards outside.

That hint of mystery, so subtle and elusive, aroused Lin Chen's curiosity. What's more... she clearly looked delicate and fragile, as if she could cry at the slightest exertion.

As a result, that mouth of hers still dared to make people half-dead angry. So, that old bastard Lin Qisheng thought her blood pressure was too low?

Lin Chen asked sincerely: Did Lin Qisheng eat too much?

As he was thinking, the old butler, who had come to select flowers with a basket, saw Lin Chen and was slightly taken aback: "Young Master, is there anything you need?"

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