Hearing Ying Suyan’s shout, Li Feng jumped, thinking she had spotted him.
He had met Ying Suyan once before; his sole impression was “beautiful.”
Hu Yuanyuan was stunningly beautiful, but Ying Suyan matched her, no less captivating. Earlier, his focus had been on Fu Yanxiong, Ma Xiaoyong, and Li Wu, so he paid Ying Suyan little mind.
Without this scene, he would not have pondered her nature. But her words with Mr. Lu and Mr. Du revealed she was no simple woman.
No wonder she represented the Ying family at Tianhai’s business gathering.
With Ying Suyan as precedent, Li Feng believed Jin Songyang of the eight top families was no ordinary figure either.
This thought kept him holding his breath, wary of discovery. Her shout startled him; he wondered how she had detected him.
But soon he realised she had spotted not him, but the person behind the cabinet.
After her shout, Ying Suyan palm-struck the cabinet.
The hidden figure, knowing exposure, sneered and kicked it towards her.
Bang!
Her palm shattered the cabinet.
“It’s you.” Ying Suyan’s eyes flashed with icy killing intent.
From the vent, Li Feng saw the figure and nearly exclaimed.
It was none other than Feng Ling’er, whom he had saved last time.
He never expected to encounter her again at the Imperial Hotel. Last time, her identity intrigued him, but she said nothing, so he did not ask. After she left, he thought he would never see her again. Yet here she was.
Li Feng wondered why she was at the hotel. Attending the gathering?
He quickly dismissed it. If so, she would not have sneaked around earlier. Sneaking could mean avoiding notice, but another reason: she wore a waitress uniform.
More incredibly, Ying Suyan’s words suggested she knew Feng Ling’er. As the Ying heiress, though not overly proud, she would not know just anyone. The only explanation: Feng Ling’er’s identity was extraordinary.
Who exactly was she?
“I did not expect to meet Miss Ying here.” Feng Ling’er showed no panic at discovery, regarding Ying Suyan’s grim face. “But today, I have no wish to fight you. Let me leave, and I will say nothing of this.”
“You think that possible?” Ying Suyan’s eyes gleamed coldly. “Last time I failed to keep you; this time, I will.”
“Miss Ying, are you sure you can stop me?” Feng Ling’er smiled. “Moreover, is fighting here appropriate?”
“What is inappropriate? I only need to detain you.” Ying Suyan sneered.
“Is that so?” Feng Ling’er glanced at Mr. Lu and Mr. Du. “If Fu Yanxiong learned they were with you, what do you think he would do?”
“Are you threatening me?” Ying Suyan’s face darkened.
“Threat? If Miss Ying sees it that way.” Feng Ling’er smiled faintly. “I care not how you use Fu Yanxiong; it interests me none. I am here for reasons unrelated to you. Fight if you must, but consider the consequences.”
Ying Suyan’s expression shifted. Against anyone else, she would strike without hesitation. But this was Feng Ling’er. She knew victory was uncertain. Last time, amid many Ying experts, they failed to hold her. Now alone, even less likely.
Yet letting her go bruised her pride, especially before subordinates, risking an unfavourable image.
What to do?
Usually sharp, Ying Suyan hesitated.
“Why are you at the Imperial Hotel?” she asked gravely.
“Miss Ying wishes to know?” Feng Ling’er smiled. “Actually, my purpose matches yours.”
“What is my purpose?” Ying Suyan’s pupils contracted; she sneered.
“No need to hide before me. We are both clear-headed; no point wounding each other.” Feng Ling’er smiled.
“Your audacity is extraordinary. Coming alone to Tianhai, to the Imperial Hotel now.” Ying Suyan said gravely.
“My courage has always been great. No place in this world I dare not go. Besides, if you, Ying Suyan, dare come to Tianhai, why not I?” Feng Ling’er sneered.
“I differ from you. I represent the Ying family; no one dares touch me here. But you, Feng Ling’er—if discovered, no one can save you.” Ying Suyan sneered coldly.
“I did not expect Miss Ying’s concern. Should I thank you?” Feng Ling’er smiled.
“I cannot bear it. I only remind you: arrogance has a price.” Ying Suyan sneered.
“No need for your reminder. But I have no time to chat; this is not safe. Fight if you want.” Feng Ling’er smiled.
“No, I will not fight today. I want to see what tricks you play at the Imperial Hotel. But beware playing with fire.” Ying Suyan sneered.
“Thank you for the reminder. Safe travels; I will not see you off.” Feng Ling’er said calmly.
“You…” Ying Suyan glared deeply, then turned to Mr. Lu and Mr. Du. “We leave.”
They were stunned. They expected Ying Suyan, domineering and ruthless beyond most men, to act. Yet she let Feng Ling’er go.
Though puzzled, seeing her stormy face, they dared not question and followed her out.
“Why no fight?”
Li Feng was equally baffled. Their stance suggested battle, yet it ended anticlimactically with Ying Suyan yielding first.
Of course, Li Feng saw no weakness in yielding. From her aura, he was certain Ying Suyan surpassed Fu Yanxiong.
He smiled bitterly. The eight top families deserved their status; even their women were strong. Though nothing to him, it showed deep foundations—not one, but many such experts.
Without past-life memories, the Nine Heavens Heart Sutra, Profound Heaven Body Refining, and resources from Wenjun Pavilion bought with prior knowledge, he would lag behind Fu Yanxiong and others.
Curiously, if Ying Suyan, stronger than Fu Yanxiong, avoided fighting, how strong was Feng Ling’er?
Last rescue, her injuries obscured her power. Now, at least, she matched or exceeded Ying Suyan.
What was her identity?
Such skill required wealth; ordinary women could not achieve it.
He had thought her pursued for offending someone, but that was too simple. Last time was more than mere chase.
What was Feng Ling’er’s purpose at the hotel with Ying Suyan? He assumed Ying Suyan attended as a Ying representative, but now it seemed complex.
Understandable: she schemed against even Fu Yanxiong; she was no simple woman. Her gathering attendance likely hid ulterior motives.
Peering down, Li Feng saw Feng Ling’er linger after Ying Suyan’s departure.
What now?
Suddenly, Feng Ling’er looked up towards him, sneering, “Person above, watched long enough. Will you not come down and meet me?”
