CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: LAKESIDE VILLA

The drive stretched on longer than Yue Ning expected. She leaned against the window, her mind still replaying the chaos at the Yue mansion.

By the time the car slowed down, the sky was painted in soft streaks of orange and purple as twilight settled in.

When she stepped out, the scent of water brushed past her. Before them stretched a wide, quiet lake, its surface reflecting the faint glow of lanterns from the villa standing nearby.

All of a sudden, her stomach gave a small growl, and she pressed her lips together, feeling embarrassed.

Huo Feng’s sharp ears heard it instantly as he asked . "Hungry?"

Yue Ning’s ears reddened while giving a response. "A little."

He didn’t tease her. Instead, he slipped his hand to her elbow, steadying her as he led her forward. "Good. Dinner will be ready inside."

’Oh, look at that, Host,’ the system chimed with a chuckle. ’He didn’t even blink at your weakness. If it were anyone else, you’d still be starving in silence.’

Yue Ning ignored it, her gaze shifting to the villa lights glowing warmly against the darkening sky. Somehow, the thought of dinner here. She was away from the Yue family’s hostility. It didn’t feel so bad.

Yue Ning was mesmerized by the interiors of the villa. She immediately ran to the window with a bright smile on her face.

From there, she could see the lake, and it was perfectly enthralling.

She turned to glance at Huo Feng who was behind her.

"Why did you bring me here?" She inquired, her lips curving a bit.

Huo Feng smiled as he came to stand in front of her with his height towering her. "Whenever I’m troubled, I always come here. This place brings me peace."

Yue Ning’s eyes shimmered. "Thank you, Mr. Huo."

Looking around, Yue Ning found the villa quite neat.

"It is very neat, do you have people who come to clean?" Yue Ning asked inquisitively.

Huo Feng nodded, and led her to the couch.

"You will enjoy the view better from there.

Yue Ning lowered herself onto the couch, adjusting her injured leg awkwardly. A faint crease appeared on her forehead as the movement pulled at her bandaged skin. She was in a lot of pain!

Huo Feng noticed. Without a word, he knelt slightly and adjusted a cushion, sliding it beneath her leg with careful precision.

Yue Ning blinked at him. "Mr. Huo..." She was unable to finish her sentence.

His gaze lifted briefly, calm and steady. "If it hurts, tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself." He said to her.

Her lips parted, but no words came. He wasn’t scolding, wasn’t questioning—just quietly attentive.

’Host, do you realize what this means?’ the system teased. ’He’s treating you like glass. A dangerous man like him, lowering himself just to—’

"Shut up," Yue Ning cut it off before it could complete its statement, and her face turning red at once.

At that moment, a servant appeared at the doorway, bowing respectfully. "Young Master Huo, dinner is prepared."

Huo Feng gave a nod before turning to her. "Come. You need to eat. I had informed them to prepare your favourite dishes before we arrived."

This time, he didn’t simply offer his hand. Instead, he extended his arm as though escorting someone precious.

For once, Yue Ning didn’t argue. She slipped her hand onto his arm, letting him lead her toward the dining room.

The dining room wasn’t overly grand, yet every detail carried an understated elegance. The long table shone under the warm light, and the scent of freshly cooked dishes drifted up, making Yue Ning’s stomach growl again.

Huo Feng guided her to the seat at the head of the table. She realized that it was not his usual place—but the one he had chosen for her.

As she sat, he reached for the dishes first, lifting the lids one by one. Steam rose, fragrant and inviting. He filled her bowl carefully, selecting softer dishes that would be easy on her appetite.

Yue Ning’s brows knit together as she protested. "You don’t need to—"

"Eat," Huo Feng interrupted her, sliding the bowl closer. "Your body’s already strained. Don’t starve it."

Her protest died on her lips. She lowered her gaze, murmuring a quiet thanks before picking up her chopsticks.

When she took her first bite, she was startled by the flavor. It wasn’t overly rich or spiced. Instead, it was warm and home-like. For a moment, it loosened the tension in her chest.

Across the table, Huo Feng’s gaze lingered on her. She could feel it. It was steady, unreadable, almost heavy.

She shifted, her fingers tightening on her chopsticks. "What is it?"

"Nothing," he replied, a faint curve tugging at his lips. "Just watching you eat." He stated.

"Mr. Huo, that’s... strange." The tips of her ears reddened as she lowered her head.

"It’s reassuring," he countered softly. "You’re here. You’re eating, and that’s enough."

The system chuckled in her mind. ’Careful, Host. This man is wrapping his attention around you like silk, and you don’t even realize you’re tangled yet.’

Yue Ning ignored it, but when she looked up, she found Huo Feng still watching her. His gaze was unflinching, calm, but with a depth that made her heart skip once.

The dinner passed by quietly, and the sky darkened.

After having dinner, Yue Ning forgot about the drama at the Yue family earlier. Instead, she felt refreshed.

"Do you want to watch the view? It’s quite pretty at night?" Huo Feng said to her, gaining her attention.

She was immediately interested, but then a frown appeared on her face.

"Would we be spending the night here?" She questioned.

"Uhn." Huo Feng admitted. "You don’t have to worry, this place has all the basic necessities," he added after a while.

Hearing this, Yue Ning felt at peace.

Meanwhile, at the Yue Mansion, precisely Yue Chen’s room, a girl was pacing around with a gloomy expression.

Her chest tightened, and a low hiss of frustration escaped her. She had wanted to assert herself, to show dominance, and yet... everything had backfired.

Throwing herself onto her bed, Yue Chen’s fingers dug into the sheets. The heat of anger and humiliation made her pulse pound.

"Why... why does he care so much for her?!" she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with fury.

"I thought I was the one he cared about? Why did everything change all of a sudden?" She continued bitterly.

Outside her window, the night was quiet, the stars indifferent to the storm raging within her. But inside, Yue Chen’s mind replayed every slight, every look, every gesture from Huo Feng, magnifying her hatred and envy.

For the first time that day, she allowed herself to feel powerless—and it stung... immensely.