Chapter Thirty-Four: An Invitation to the Lake

Zuo Jincheng’s heart sank; he knew it wouldn’t be easy to gloss over today’s events. He could afford to offend Xu Feng, but he absolutely could not afford to offend Hong Lian. Her strength far surpassed his, and he dared not court death.

"This is merely a misunderstanding; there is no need for you to concern yourself with it."

Zuo Jincheng tried to find an excuse to brush it off, but Hong Lian didn't even deem him worthy of her attention. She had come down from the mountain specifically for Xu Feng. As for someone like Zuo Jincheng, he wasn't even worth a glance.

Xu Feng, not wanting to expose his identity as the Ghost-Faced Man, remained silent on the sidelines throughout the exchange.

"Get lost. The sight of you standing there is an eyesore."

Hearing this, Zuo Jincheng felt no resentment; instead, he acted as if granted amnesty, running faster than a rabbit and vanishing in a flash.

Feng Yumian let out a cold snort, her disdain growing. "I knew that wretch could never borrow any grain."

The atmosphere became awkward, and Old Master Feng stepped in to change the subject. "May I ask what brings you to the Feng residence, Miss?"

"It is nothing major. One of your young masters saved my life yesterday, and I have come to pay a visit and express my gratitude."

Everyone followed Hong Lian’s gaze, which landed firmly on Xu Feng. Xu Feng desperately wished she hadn't noticed him, but since she had come specifically for him, he had no choice but to step forward.

"It was a trifling matter, not worth dwelling on. Having crossed paths, how could I have simply stood by?"

"A life-saving debt is not something to be taken lightly. May I ask your name, young master?"

Xu Feng felt numb. He didn't understand how she had recognized him. Had he known his identity would nearly be exposed, he wouldn't have meddled in other people's business—Hong Lian wouldn't have been harmed by those bandits anyway. Fortunately, she hadn't let slip that he was the Ghost-Faced Man; otherwise, he wouldn't know how to face the Feng family. Feng Yuzhi would likely have exposed him on the spot. As for Feng Yumian, that young girl was probably still holding a grudge over the tattoo on his back.

"I am Xu Feng."

"So, it is Young Master Xu."

From beginning to end, Hong Lian’s gaze remained glued to Xu Feng. The others eventually sensed that something was amiss. Feng Yumian reacted most strongly; she trotted over to Xu Feng’s side and grabbed his arm, looking as if she were asserting ownership.

"Brother-in-law, no wonder you came back so late; so you were off doing good deeds! Why didn't you tell us? You aren't hurt, are you?"

The girl’s uncharacteristic show of affection gave Xu Feng goosebumps. After this performance, she cast a provocative look at Hong Lian.

"Sister, there is truly no need to take the rescue to heart. My brother-in-law has always been a soft-hearted soul; even if it were someone else, he would have stepped in to save them."

The implication was clear: don't get any ideas; Xu Feng saved you out of pure habit, not because he has any interest in you. Although Feng Yumian’s attitude was sour, everyone simply dismissed her as a child, and Hong Lian didn't bother to get angry.

Feng Yuzhi, however, frowned with slight dissatisfaction. She hadn't expected Xu Feng to be so popular. Not long ago, Miss Rong had been a frequent visitor, bearing gold and gifts, and just as that had quieted down, Hong Lian appeared. Both women were her equals in beauty and grace, which left her feeling deeply unbalanced. Although she looked down on Xu Feng, she didn't want him associating with other women. After all, he was still her husband, and they had not yet formally separated.

"It is good that you are unharmed, Miss Hong Lian. This is a stroke of fate between the Feng family and Red Maple Mountain. Please, take a moment to sit; I shall arrange a banquet."

Old Master Feng was only looking out for his own interests. Despite having looked down on Xu Feng just as much as Feng Yuzhi had before, he made no mention of it now. When something benefited the family, he acknowledged Xu Feng as one of their own; if it were detrimental, he would have been the first to kick him out.

"A banquet is unnecessary. However, I would like to invite Young Master Xu for a boat ride to personally thank him. I wonder if you and Young Master Xu would be willing to grant me this favor?"

Her request was directed solely at Xu Feng; she didn't care about the Feng family’s opinion at all. What if they agreed? What if they didn't? No one could stop her from having whom she wanted.

"Naturally, you may. Xu Feng, go accompany the young lady." Old Master Feng was the first to speak.

"How could I refuse an invitation from such a beauty?" Xu Feng sighed and agreed. He feared that if he said no, Hong Lian might expose his identity as the Ghost-Faced Man on the spot. It was safer to just go along with it and avoid trouble.

"Then I shall not intrude further. Young Master Xu, please." Seeing Xu Feng’s reluctance, Hong Lian suppressed a smile and gestured for him to follow.

"Brother-in-law, you must come back early! Don't let those vixens outside bewitch you." Feng Yumian was uneasy and wanted to follow, but the Old Master held her back, preventing her from doing so.

Until Xu Feng and Hong Lian were out of sight, Feng Yuzhi stared at his retreating figure. She wanted to stop him, but couldn't find a valid excuse, so she could only watch them leave with frustration.

"Shameless! He already has a family, yet he still goes out flirting. Father, if you ask me, we shouldn't indulge him. A live-in son-in-law should know his place."

Old Master Feng only cared about family interests; matters of the heart meant nothing to him. "Now, now, one shouldn't say that. If not for Xu Feng saving her, how would the Feng family have weathered this crisis?"

"It is just a boat ride; don't make things unpleasant for our guest."

Feng Yuzhi was furious, but she didn't say anything more and stormed off. She didn't stop to think that when she went out with Zuo Jincheng, Xu Feng never interfered. People like her didn't seem to understand the concept of empathy. She treated Xu Feng more like a possession—lacking both personality and freedom. In that regard, she was worse than Feng Yumian, who was merely proud and bratty but ultimately honest.

"Sister, I think you should change how you treat your brother-in-law. If you keep this up, you two will go your separate ways sooner or later."

"Brother-in-law is a scholar, he can write poetry, and he is reliable. He is a hundred times better than that man surnamed Zuo. First Miss Rong, now this Hong Lian—if you don't hold onto him tightly, he will be snatched away by some other vixen."

Feng Yumian’s words were like a knife to Feng Yuzhi’s heart, yet Feng Yuzhi still failed to realize the severity of the situation.

"Hmph, let him go. I want to see if he is as capable as you say, and if he can survive outside the Feng family."

In Feng Yuzhi’s eyes, even if Xu Feng had truly borrowed the grain, he still didn't compare to her "Zuo Lang." It was the classic case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.