Chapter 24: Restoration

"Ranran?"

Yan Xi snapped back to reality and immediately averted her gaze. Fearful that Jiang Zhiyan might turn around and spot Lu Zhi, she dared not look in his direction again.

Jiang Zhiyan stepped forward, asking with concern, "Is something wrong, Ranran?"

"I suddenly don't feel very well," Yan Xi replied. This was not entirely a lie; her heart was in turmoil, filled with shock and terror. Most crucially, she was so frightened that her legs felt weak, and she truly did not feel well.

"Do you need to see a doctor?" Jiang Zhiyan asked anxiously.

Yan Xi shook her head. "It is not that serious."

While speaking, she stole a glance toward where she had been looking. He was undoubtedly still there. For the rest of their conversation, she barely heard what Jiang Zhiyan said, offering only perfunctory replies. After a short while, they parted ways.

Feeling urgent, Yan Xi hurried away with her maids. Her heart was churning, and she silently prayed to the Bodhisattva. It was a beautiful day, with a cloudless sky and the bright winter sun shining down, drawing many noble ladies out for strolls. It was precisely because of this that she was so afraid. Did he not realize how conspicuous he was? Not to mention the others, she knew for a fact that the cousin of the Third Branch was quite fond of him. If she happened to be nearby and saw him, her eyes would likely never leave him.

Yan Xi only wanted to return to her room as quickly as possible. As for the matter that night, she would delay it as long as she could.

"Slow down, Miss," Qinglian urged beside her.

Yan Xi’s heart hammered against her ribs, and she could hardly slow her small steps. Only when she entered the North Garden, hidden by the rockery and plum trees, did she feel a slight sense of security and breathe a sigh of relief.

However, before she could exhale completely, Taohong let out a soft exclamation and tugged at her sleeve. "Miss!"

Though the sound was faint, to Yan Xi, it was deafening. She looked in the direction Taohong was pointing, her pupils suddenly dilating and her breath turning ragged. She clearly saw that the man had followed her!

The two were one behind the other. God only knew what Yan Xi was feeling! She quickened her pace, her face burning. The young girl kept her head low, wishing she could vanish into the earth. His intentions were already obvious. She had never expected him to act so brazenly in broad daylight.

After some time, the surroundings grew quiet and the pedestrians vanished. Unable to bear it any longer, her legs grew weaker with every step, and her whole body felt as if it were on fire. Suddenly, she broke into a run, leaving her two maids behind. Her delicate embroidered shoes trod over fallen plum blossoms. Gasping for air, she ran without looking back, nearly sprinting all the way to her bedchamber.

The moment she opened the door, before she could catch her breath, a large hand suddenly pressed against the door panel. Yan Xi’s chest heaved and her whole body trembled. Lifting her misty eyes, she saw the man’s handsome face.

"Ah..." With a soft moan, before she could react, he had firmly gripped her shoulder. The sounds of the door closing and locking echoed in her ears.

The man loomed over her, saying nothing, his gaze burning with such intense desire it felt as if it could consume her. He kissed her lips directly. Her mouth was filled, her tongue entwined, and Yan Xi whimpered, pushed backward step by step. His tall frame enveloped her in shadow.

The young girl’s breathing was scorched, her small feet stumbling backward. She moved through the parlor and past the beaded curtains until