Chapter 11: Ye Wanrou's Reluctance

"Certainly!" Ling Tian replied, his tone brimming with confidence. He understood the urgency of the situation; after all, he was an early-stage Xuanjie martial artist. The thought of helping Ye Wanrou, a woman he admired, was motivating. He knew he could easily remove all the cold poison from her body.

"Aunt Rou, the cold poison is concentrated in your abdomen," he explained, his voice steady and reassuring. "I need to touch the area directly to force it out." 

As the words left his lips, a deep blush crept onto Ye Wanrou's pale cheeks. Normally, she would have been horrified at the prospect of someone touching her so intimately, especially a man. But in that moment, she felt an unusual trust toward Ling Tian. He exuded sincerity and gentility, qualities that calmed her nerves.

"Um… you can come," she finally managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. The pain from the cold poison had tormented her for far too long, and the chance to heal was too precious to pass up.

With a shy gesture, she lifted her clothing, revealing her snow-white abdomen. Ling Tian's gaze remained respectful, focused on her face as he placed his palms gently on her skin. He began channeling his inner Qi, allowing the warm energy to flow through his hands and into her body, working to clear the poison from her system.

As he concentrated, Ye Wanrou could feel the intense heat radiating from his hands, and slowly, the stabbing pain that had gripped her began to recede. Yet, she couldn't help but notice the sheen of sweat forming on Ling Tian's handsome face. It was evident that he was exerting himself significantly for her benefit, and she felt a deep pang of gratitude mixed with concern.

~~~

After several moments of focused effort, Ling Tian withdrew his hands, a reluctant smile spreading across his lips. "Aunt Rou, I estimate you'll need about three more treatments to fully recover," he informed her, trying to keep his tone light despite the exhaustion evident in his expression.

Despite his fatigue, he put on a brave front. His body glistened with sweat, and his complexion was slightly pale, giving the impression that he had expended a great deal of energy. 

"Thank you, Young Master Ling! I feel so much better now!" Ye Wanrou exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. She was deeply touched by his efforts and care, which ignited a warmth in her heart that she hadn't felt in years.

"That's good to hear! Make sure to rest well," he replied, knowing that his task was complete. There was no need for him to linger any longer.

"I'll walk you out," she insisted, struggling to rise from the bed. However, as soon as she stood, the lingering effects of the cold poison caused her to wobble, and she fell back into Ling Tian's arms.

"Hm!" she let out a soft sound as she landed against him, feeling the comforting warmth radiating from his body. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she found herself lost in the moment, surprised at how natural it felt to be in his embrace.

"Alright, Aunt Rou, you really should rest now," Ling Tian said gently, helping her back to the bed with a careful touch before taking his leave.

Ye Wanrou watched him depart, a sense of reluctance washing over her. "What am I thinking?" she chided herself, her face growing hotter. "He's my son's good friend!"

Ling Tian stepped outside, a smile creeping onto his face. "Brother Feng, it won't be long before we need to have a conversation," he thought, reveling in the thought of how things were unfolding.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for altering the storyline. The protagonist's mother, Ye Wanrou, has developed secret feelings for you. Villain value +5000!]

Ling Tian couldn't help but smile at the notification. Things had gone even better than he had anticipated that night. The subtle manipulation of emotions and circumstances was working in his favor.

He reflected on how his actions and words had played a crucial role in shifting Ye Wanrou's feelings. It was evident that she had begun to trust him deeply. Without that trust, it would have been impossible for their relationship to evolve so rapidly.

Ling Tian's mind raced as he thought about the implications of this newfound dynamic. He eagerly anticipated the moment when Ye Feng would discover the truth about his mother's feelings for him. The thought brought a mischievous grin to his face.

But then, another thought crossed his mind—Yang Qingxue. She was the eternal "white moonlight" in Ye Feng's heart, a symbol of his unwavering affection. Ling Tian knew that introducing any tension between the three of them would be delicate. He had to tread carefully, especially considering Ye Feng's emotions.

Ling Tian felt a thrill of excitement at the unfolding drama. It was like watching a complex game of chess, where each move could either fortify his position or lead to unforeseen consequences.

As he pondered his next steps, he realized that balancing the intricate relationships around him would be both a challenge and a source of great satisfaction. What would happen when Ye Feng learned about his mother's feelings? 

~~~

Meanwhile, in the police station, Ye Feng jolted awake as he heard sounds coming from the cell door. Blinking away sleep, he turned to see two guards entering with five burly men dressed in prison uniforms, each one exuding a menacing presence.

"Ye Feng, these five will be sharing your cell from now on," one guard announced, his tone dismissive. "I hope you all get along. No trouble, understand?" 

The guard locked the door behind him, leaving Ye Feng feeling increasingly uneasy. He sensed that the new arrivals didn't harbor any good intentions.

"Hey there, little handsome!" one of the brawny men, sporting a shaved head and an unsettling grin, called out in a teasing tone. His voice was dripping with sarcasm, making Ye Feng's skin crawl.

"What do you want?" Ye Feng retorted, attempting to keep his voice calm despite the rising anxiety in his chest. He could sense trouble brewing, and he needed to stay alert.

"Just wanted to get to know you better, little handsome guy," the man replied, his eyes glinting with mischief. The advances made Ye Feng shudder, and he felt a knot tighten in his stomach. 

"Stay away from me," Ye Feng warned, trying to maintain his composure. "I'm going to bed." 

"Oh come on, it's a long night," the man purred, taking a step closer. "Why don't we share a bed and keep each other warm?" 

Ye Feng's patience wore thin, and he felt a surge of anger rising within him. He swatted the man's hand away, his irritation boiling over. "Get your hands off me! I don't want any trouble!"

The atmosphere shifted, the other inmates watching the exchange with interest. A tattooed brute stepped forward, a sneer twisting his lips. "Oh? You think you can be rude to me?" he taunted, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

Ye Feng's heart raced. He realized that he might have to fight to defend himself against these men. The tension in the air was palpable, and he stood his ground, determined not to back down. 

"Listen up! I'm not afraid of any of you!" he shouted, his voice steady despite the fear creeping into his heart. The others laughed, but he could see the challenge in their eyes, and he knew he had to be prepared for anything.