Chapter 69: This Must Be What the Young Lady Wants to Hear, Right?

Xia Qingqing had just managed to hold back her tears when she heard those words, and the corner of her mouth twitched.

"Sigh, that young man works at your company too, doesn't he? If things work out, you two can strive together, and your grandmother and I can help add to your dowry. Then you can settle down in the capital—how wonderful that would be!"

"Exactly! Qingqing, don't worry, even though your mother is still ill, we've long prepared your dowry. As long as that young man treats you well, we can easily discuss the bride price and all that..."

As her grandparents' words grew more and more outrageous, Xia Qingqing could no longer hold back.

"Grandpa, Grandma, we're just colleagues, and besides, he might not even be interested in me..."

Biting her lip, Xia Qingqing couldn't stop thinking about Lin Feng's indifferent expression. Remembering how he'd come to her rescue that night, her cheeks flushed red.

She never imagined that something that only happened in TV dramas would happen to her, and her rescuer would be Brother Feng...

A strange, indescribable feeling welled up inside her as she ate quietly, her cheeks glowing.

Seeing this, Zhao Hong and Xia Ziqiang exchanged knowing glances.

They were both people who had been through life; how could they not recognize the look in Xia Qingqing’s eyes? The girl was clearly experiencing her first stirrings of love.

Zhao Hong picked up a piece of meat and placed it in Xia Qingqing's bowl, smiling warmly. "Qingqing, find a time to invite him over for dinner. Let's not talk about anything else—at the very least, we should properly thank him for helping you with your shopping!"

"That's right, those things cost tens of thousands at the very least. Our Xia family isn't the kind to be ungrateful."

Xia Qingqing took a bite of meat and nodded silently.

Zhao Hong and Xia Ziqiang smiled with satisfaction, and the room was filled with warmth...

...

Thirsty...

Lin Feng clutched his blanket and licked his parched lips.

He had eaten lunch at noon and drunk a bottle of soda, but now his mouth felt even drier.

As expected, soda only makes you thirstier.

He licked his lips again, staring at the sturdy iron cage around him, and took a deep breath.

The first day wasn't even over, and he almost forgot that he could still get thirsty.

He pulled the blanket tighter, gazing out at the pitch-black sky before closing his eyes.

Forget it, better get some sleep first.

...

"These are the company's financial reports for the week... Miss? Miss?!"

Yuxue Yan had been giving her report, having already summarized all the key points, but over the video call, her young mistress sat there in a daze. Yuxue Yan couldn't help but call out softly a few times.

"Hmm?"

Chu Lingshuang turned her head slightly, her gaze shifting.

"I've compiled the company's cash flow for this week and next week's business plan and sent them to your email..." Yuxue Yan took a deep breath and repeated herself.

How odd—she was in the middle of work, and the young mistress was spacing out?

"The company is operating normally, and business is up five percent compared to this time last year..."

After finishing her lengthy report, she gulped down a mouthful of water to soothe her throat. But the next moment, Chu Lingshuang's words made her spit out her water in shock!

"How many days has it been since Lin Feng was brought back?!"

"Pfft!"

Yuxue Yan was dumbfounded—she was reporting work, and the young mistress brought up Lin Feng now?

Wasn't he locked in his room by her ladyship?

Scrambling to count on her fingers, Yuxue Yan replied, "Three days, no, as of this noon, exactly four days."

"I see."

On the other end of the video, Chu Lingshuang replied coolly, then asked, "Xue Yan, tell me, how many days can a person survive without food or water?"

"I've never tried it..."

A chill ran through Yuxue Yan, and she quickly answered, "But if you only drink water, you can last around seven days..."

"And what about not using the bathroom?"

"..."

Cautiously, Yuxue Yan watched Chu Lingshuang's expression in the video, but after a long while, she still couldn't read anything from her face.

Something wasn't right!

Why was the young mistress asking about Lin Feng at a time like this?

As she pondered, Chu Lingshuang's voice sounded again. "Xue Yan, do you think I'm cruel?"

Her voice was devoid of warmth, as if she were discussing something that had nothing to do with herself.

Knowing Chu Lingshuang as she did, Yuxue Yan hurriedly shook her head. "No, no, Miss, I think you're the kindest person in the world. It's Lin Feng who doesn't know what's good for him."

Of course, with her ladyship right there, how could she dare say anything negative?

...

Still, starving someone like this was a bit extreme...

Yuxue Yan instinctively swallowed, sneaking glances at Chu Lingshuang’s expression.

There wasn't much change, except a flicker of anger in Chu Lingshuang's eyes. She turned to look at Yuxue Yan, her gaze so cold and sharp that it seemed she could reach through the phone and strangle her at any moment.

Did I... say something wrong?

A jolt of fear hit Yuxue Yan, and she stammered, "Miss, actually, I think just starving him isn't the best approach. Sometimes, stubborn people don't respond to that, and over time, he might end up hating you..."

This was something her psychology professor had taught her.

Relentless oppression only leads to mutual destruction, but if you offer occasional small favors while exerting pressure, over time, not only do they get used to it, but they might even be grateful for the handouts.

This time, it seemed she'd struck a chord with Chu Lingshuang.

Chu Lingshuang narrowed her eyes, asking with interest, "So what do you suggest?"

Yuxue Yan took a deep breath, watching Chu Lingshuang closely. She had a feeling the young mistress wanted her to say something specific...

She pondered for a moment, then said, "Perhaps let him out to use the bathroom first, and if he behaves, you can reward him with something to eat..."

That should be what the young mistress wants to hear, right?

Still uncertain, Yuxue Yan saw Chu Lingshuang frown slightly in the video, but after a moment, she said, "Go take care of it."

"Yes!"

Yuxue Yan finally let out a long sigh of relief.

She tossed the financial reports aside—at a time like this, who cared about work?

She immediately left the company and drove straight to Chu Lingshuang's villa.

The villa was quiet; the young mistress was likely in the master bedroom. Yuxue Yan took a deep breath and opened the door on the right—the one where Lin Feng was being held.

As soon as she stepped in, she saw Lin Feng lying pale on the bed, his hands resting on his abdomen. His breathing was so shallow it was almost imperceptible; he looked as if he were at death's door...

Yuxue Yan panicked and quickly ordered Zhang Peng to unlock the cage.

She rushed forward, reaching out to check Lin Feng's breath.

But in the next instant, her wrist was seized, and a powerful force spun her around!

The world spun, and she found herself pinned down by Lin Feng, who just moments ago had seemed on the brink of death...