Picking Up an Old Guy

"Helai, take a look at these places." Leng Youlan pointed to the floor plan of Saint Lidoya Academy. 

Just thinking about the Saint Lidoya Academy he had personally designed being completely overturned by this stunning woman made his heart ache. 

"Madam, is there something wrong with these areas?" Helai asked respectfully, studying the red circles on the floor plan, with a barely perceptible hint of anger in his tone. 

"I know Saint Lidoya Academy is your life's work, but I hope you can listen to my opinion objectively. If after hearing it you still think it's not good, then I absolutely won't bring it up again. Is that okay?" Leng Youlan said calmly, naturally noting the subtle trace of anger in Helai's voice. 

Helai was over 80 years old and had been a subordinate of the previous Emperor. During the time when Lei Yan's father, Lei Li, was in power, he managed Saint Lidoya Academy and was its designer. Helai somewhat admired Leng Youlan's wisdom, and the authority emanating from her calm tone impressed him. His tone involuntarily became more respectful: "Madam, please share your opinions!"

Leng Youlan, noticing Helai's change in demeanor, said calmly, "I want to build some pavilions or houses in these areas, give them appealing names, and plant flowers around them."

"For instance, we could construct a pavilion here and name it 'Romantic Rendezvous', surrounding it with romantic hyacinths. Then, we can auction these pavilions with academic years as the time limit. This approach will both beautify the academy and generate income."

"Madam, this is indeed beneficial, but what makes you think anyone would want to buy them?" Helai asked, looking at Leng Youlan with an expression that suggested she thought her ideas were fanciful, silently contemplating the loss of her previous goodwill.

"Because these will become their dining places." 

"Dining places?" Helai asked in surprise.

"Yes," Leng Youlan nodded calmly. "If used as restaurants, it would indeed be a great temptation for noble young gentlemen who appreciate elegance. I'll start planning immediately." Leng Youlan observed Helai as she focused on studying the floor plan, then stood up and left the office. Her goal had been accomplished; the rest was up to Helai!

As she walked through Saint Lidoya Academy, Leng Youlan felt particularly at ease. Reflecting on the imminent, transformative changes, she realized that her influence would be felt everywhere. "Yi, when I leave you one day, will you remember me when you see these?"

"Little Lanlan, who would remember you?" A playful voice came from behind Leng Youlan. 

"Old man, eavesdropping is not appropriate," Leng Youlan replied, her tone calm yet tinged with inexplicable joy.

"You little girl, how can you not respect your elders?" Fei Luo exclaimed in mock anger. 

"Can this really be eaten?" Lei Yun asked, eyeing the food in Fei Luo's hands with trepidation.

"Of course, little girl. Look at your terrified face, as if I'm serving poison. Don't you consider who prepared this food?" Fei Luo responded. Lei Yun thought this might be worse than poison—last time Xiu ate it, he had diarrhea for a week. She would rather die than eat it.

"Old man, don't make things difficult for Xiao Yun," Leng Youlan said. Lei Yun was on the verge of tears! If she didn't rescue her, no one would dare accompany this old man in the future.

"Little Lan Lan, why don't you give it a try? I spent two hours baking this!" Leng Youlan looked at the cake, which seemed acceptable in appearance, but the after-effects? She didn't dare to praise it.

"Old man, if it's so good, why don't you try it first?" Leng Youlan noticed Fei Luo's cunning expression and knew he must have added some strange ingredients.

"Little Lan Lan, you won't play with me. I made them a cake, and they won't even eat it. I'm going to be bored to death! Make them play with me!" Fei Luo said.

"Old man, I'll find some other people to play with you, okay? But you have to listen to me," Leng Youlan replied calmly, already having a good candidate in mind.

"Okay! Little Lan Lan, I knew you were good to this old man."

"I'll go prepare some more cake," Fei Luo said joyfully as he entered the kitchen like a child.

"Youlan, you're my savior!" Seeing Lei Yun look as if she'd been pardoned, Leng Youlan wanted to laugh. The old man had been tormenting them—except for her and Yi, everyone in the villa avoided him like a snake or scorpion. It was time to divert his attention.

"Xiao Lan Lan, my cake is about to come out of the oven. When are we going to find someone to play with?" Fei Luo bounced like a child from the kitchen, rushing to Leng Youlan's side.

Leng Youlan's brow relaxed slightly, suppressing the unhappiness in her heart. Her cold face showed no signs of emotion as she calmly replied, "Old man, shall we leave right now?" A few traces of warmth quietly dissipated into the air.

Leng Youlan walked leisurely toward the door, with Lei Jing and Lei Yun closely following her. Fei Luo quickly dashed to the kitchen, still shouting, "Xiao Lan Lan, wait for me!"

"On S City's most famous Tianmin Street, a new store is opening today."

"This new store is not among the world's top 100 clothing brands; rather, it is the latest clothing line from JM Company, which specializes in couples' wear and has rapidly gained global popularity in just one month. However, why has this boutique been established on Tianmin Street?"

"Madam, the reporters are almost here. Should we head out and prepare?" Leng You Lan glanced at the manager and replied coldly, "Wait a bit longer!" After saying this, she ignored the departing manager and continued to inspect the decor.

"Sister, this place is so beautiful! Have you been busy here these days?" Lei Yun exclaimed excitedly. "Hey, Xiao Lan Lan, are all these windows bulletproof?" "Old man, didn't you just say someone hasn't seen much of the world?" Leng You Lan asked calmly.

"I did say that! But I, an old man, am not as aggressive as you, so how would I be familiar with this?" Fei Luo responded dismissively to Leng You Lan's comment.

Leng You Lan paid no further attention to Fei Luo and Lei Yun and continued to examine the design carefully, searching for her ideal location.

The Devil's Love store was established in a former coffee house, but since Tianmin Street is situated in the suburbs of S City, it is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. During the initial design, the coffee house aspect was preserved as a space for people to enjoy the suburban landscape and relax.

Leng You Lan chose to open the store here for two main reasons. The first was the scenery. She transformed the coffee house into an open-air café, converting the original establishment into a glass house. This way, customers can enjoy rich coffee while taking in the beautiful surroundings and simultaneously view the clothing displayed in the glass house, presenting a significant business opportunity for clothing sales.

Leng You Lan's eyes suddenly lit up, and she nodded in satisfaction. She had finally found the place she was looking for. "Xiao Jing, come here." Lei Jing quickly walked over to Leng You Lan's side. "Madam, what is it?"

"Surround this corner with clothes, leaving only a one-person-wide gap."

"Yes," Lei Jing replied, though she had her doubts, as she respectfully went to make the arrangements.

"Madam, the reporters outside are becoming a bit impatient! What do you think?" The manager approached Leng Youlan again, looking concerned.

"Do you see those people? Go check which companies they're from and write them all down," Leng Youlan said coldly, pointing to the group of ladies who had just arrived.

The usually calm and shrewd manager now wore an expression of shock. She recognized the women at the front as the mayor's wife and the spouses of world-renowned business leaders. Their presence was undoubtedly linked to the banquet.

Satisfied as she watched the manager leave, Leng Youlan then instructed, "Xiao Yun, please check if the coffee is ready. Xiao Jing, have someone move the newly received piano to the corner I had you surround."

After Lei Jing and Lei Yun left, Leng Youlan continued, "Old man, will you play a piece for my new store later?" Her tone allowed for no disagreement. Fei Luo nodded resignedly.

The grand opening of the store was a resounding success.

The enthusiastic support of the ladies, the rich coffee crafted by the renowned coffee master, the beautiful piano piece played by the music maestro Fei Luo, the transparent glass house, exquisitely designed clothing, fresh air, and stunning suburban scenery—everything intoxicated everyone present. This feast would surely be etched in their memories.

If there was one point of dissatisfaction that day, it would undoubtedly be Fei Luo's baked pastries! The staff who had tasted them wore remarkable expressions! The day of the new store's opening flew by in a flurry of activity, with most of the clothes selling out. Leng Youlan and the others were returning to the villa from Tianmin Street.

"Youlan, I believe tomorrow's newspapers will all feature us on the front page!" Lei Yun exclaimed excitedly. "Yes! It seems this time was indeed a success!" Lei Jing added.

"Little Lan Lan, were my baked pastries really that bad?"

Thinking about the earlier expressions of the store staff, Fei Luo felt incredibly aggrieved. What was most infuriating was that someone had even fainted. After investing so much time and effort, he couldn't give up. "Little Lan Lan, I've decided to try even harder. I'll bring them pastries again tomorrow," Fei Luo suddenly declared with determination.

In contrast, Leng Youlan seemed detached from the lively atmosphere around her. She hadn't seen Lei Tianyi in the store, which made her uneasy. His recent mysterious behavior troubled her deeply. Of course, she could find out through her ghostly intelligence network, but as Lei Tianyi had mentioned, she hoped he would share everything with her directly.

Murmuring to herself amidst her suppressed mood, Leng Youlan said, "Yi, are you home now? Do you know your girl misses you?"

The room felt chilly, imbued with a sorrowful air. In the sea-blue room, a petite figure huddled by the large floor-to-ceiling window. Her hands tightly wrapped around her drawn-up knees, her small body curled into a tight ball.

Waist-length black hair fell loosely, concealing the exquisite face of the breathtakingly beautiful woman and hiding the palpable sense of desolation etched upon it. She was stunning enough to move the sun and moon.

Leng Youlan's heart was consumed by extreme panic. An unprecedented feeling tormented her fragile nerves, all stemming from the man who doted on her. In the pitch-black night, beneath the cold moonlight, all she faced was endless waiting.

"Mommy, will I become like you?" Leng Youlan's voice trembled slightly, fear thick in her tone and tinged with helplessness. She was aware that she had already begun to sink.

The emotional wall she had built over nine years was slowly being dismantled by that man. The one who possessed her had taken hold of her heart.

"Yi, do I even have a tiny place in your heart? Yi, where are you now?"

She whispered softly, asking the question that had always lingered in her mind but had been deliberately sealed away. However, the only response was the ticking of the clock on the wall and the cold silence of the room. She couldn't help but shiver, hugging herself tighter, her small body curling into an even smaller ball.

Pain, a heart-wrenching pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she could no longer suppress her sobs. "Mommy, why does heaven treat us, mother and daughter, like this? Mommy, can I come to accompany you after I've taken my revenge?" The night was silent, with only the twinkling stars to answer her. "Mommy, you don't want me either, do you? Do you know? I hate you! I hate you! Why did you leave me alone to suffer in this cold world? I hate you for taking that woman away, but not taking me too! I hate! I hate! I hate everything in this world, I..."

Leng Youlan was exhausted, weary, her heart lifeless! Tears continued to flow down her cold cheeks, her heart bleeding bright red. "Mommy, Lan'er begs you, don't abandon me. Mommy, Lan'er begs you to take me away. Lan'er's heart can no longer bear even a trace of pain.

The night was as cool as water, her heart cold and piercing. No matter how cool the night, it could not match the anguish within her heart, the coldness inside.

The amusement park in S City typically lost its daytime vibrancy after nightfall. However, over the past week, the park presented a different scene, causing passersby to glance curiously, eager to uncover its mystery.

The vast amusement park was brightly lit, with workers bustling about. As one approached, the tense atmosphere became palpable. A handsome man, looking both charming and demonic, methodically directed everything around him, his innate authority seeming out of place among the workers.

The handsome man scrutinized every detail, his focused expression instilling a belief that if anyone's assigned task deviated even slightly, they would be thrown out in the next moment.

Lei Tianyi gazed contentedly at his masterpiece, a small crystal palace. From design to construction, he had personally overseen every detail. His little girl had expressed a desire for a crystal palace of her own, and he was more than willing to indulge her dreams.

He didn't ponder why he felt compelled to undertake a task that his subordinates could have easily handled. He chose to ignore the strange feeling stirring within him; his sole focus was on ensuring his little girl's happiness.

Today marked the completion of the small crystal palace. Lei Tianyi would be returning home later than usual. Suddenly, an inexplicable wave of panic washed over him, but it was swiftly overshadowed by the joy that tomorrow promised. Tomorrow, he would bring his little girl here to let her name this place. He would present it to her as a gift.

As for why it was built in the amusement park, it was simple: Lei Tianyi wanted his little girl to experience the childhood fun she had missed out on. He was certain she had never visited an amusement park. The thought pierced his heart. "Little girl, I'll give you the entire amusement park." While the park was indeed a Lei family property, from tomorrow onward, it would have a new owner.

In high spirits, Lei Tianyi returned to the villa, ascending the stairs with light steps. "My little girl should be asleep by now?" He gently opened the bedroom door, greeted by a sea of blue. His gaze swept over to the large bed. As he had done on previous days, his deep, dark eyes searched for that familiar figure.

"Where is she?" His heart raced as he failed to see the silhouette he recognized. His anxious eyes darted around every corner of the room.

Han arrived promptly, his bag slung over his shoulder. Upon seeing Leng Youlan, he frowned. "We need to get her temperature down," he stated firmly, moving to examine her.

As he checked her pulse and temperature, Lei Tianyi hovered anxiously nearby, his eyes fixated on the doctor's hands. "Is she going to be alright?"

He asked, gripping the edge of the bed.

Dr. Han nodded. "She'll be fine, but we need to keep her cool. A sponge bath should help." He opened his medical kit and began gathering supplies.

Lei Tianyi felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "Thank you, Dr. Han," he said sincerely, watching as the doctor got to work.

The worry etched on his face softened as he observed Leng Youlan lying there—so fragile yet so important to him. He gently brushed a stray hair from her forehead, his heart full of determination to keep her safe.

Dr. Han was the vice president of S City Hospital under Youming, a true medical expert who managed hospitals across the Youming realm. Only the Youming Emperor, Lei Tianyi, could accurately determine his whereabouts.

"Master, the madam caught a chill last night, and her body has been somewhat weak, but it's nothing serious." 

"A weak body? My girl has always been healthy," Lei Tianyi said, puzzled.

"The madam is weak because she is pregnant. I will prepare special meals to ensure the health of the madam and the young master," Dr. Han said respectfully.

"Pregnant? Young master?" Lei Tianyi asked in surprise, stunned by the news.

"Yes, the madam is indeed two weeks pregnant," Dr. Han emphasized.

Lei Tianyi was overwhelmed with excitement, a wave of spontaneous joy rushing through him. "I'm going to be a father! My girl is carrying my child! I'll give them the best in the world!" he shouted, his joyful voice resonating throughout the villa. He quickly rushed back into the room to share the news with his girl.

Dr. Han wiped the sweat from his brow.

Since the announcement of Leng Youlan's pregnancy, the villa had transformed into a bustling environment. Nurses were on duty around the clock, a team of chefs rotated daily to prepare meals, and gifts from around the world arrived continuously.

What frustrated Leng Youlan the most was the heightened security; layers of guards made any escape impossible.

Leng Youlan had never expected to be pregnant. Mommy, she was only 17!

The thought of pregnancy gave her a headache. When Lei Jing and Lei Yun heard the news, they even canceled their travel plans. She had to coax and scare them away. However, she believed they would be in good spirits once they saw the exciting world outside.

But without Lei Jing and Lei Yun around, her days were far from peaceful. Lei Tianyi, under the pretext of caring for her, stayed close constantly, making escape nearly impossible. On top of that, she had to endure the daily power struggle between Lei Tianyi and Fei Luo.

"No, I'll accompany you outside, or would you prefer to stay home with me? Choose one," Lei Tianyi declared, sensing a change in his girl, though he couldn't quite identify what had shifted; he simply didn't want her to leave his sight.

"Yi, I think we should be apart for a while?" She couldn't bring herself to tell him that she wanted to leave him forever, fully aware of Yinming Di's ability to control everything. But at the very least, she wanted to rebuild her broken heart. 

"What did you say?" 

Lei Tianyi looked at her in disbelief, surrendering to the determination reflected in her eyes. "Why?"

"Being with you feels like a dream, a dream that might abruptly end at any moment." She couldn't fathom what would happen upon waking up. First, she was his sister, then his woman—what would come next?

"You feel insecure being with me, right?" Lei Tianyi reminded himself that books say pregnant women tend to overthink, so he shouldn't get angry. But he was on the verge of exploding.

"Yes!" Hearing her response made Lei Tianyi feel as if he couldn't take it anymore. "Fine, fine! I make you feel insecure? I, the mighty Yinming Di, cause someone to lack that damn sense of security?" He paced restlessly around the room, his fists clenched tightly. 

Leng Yulan watched Lei Tianyi as he paced, her heart aching terribly. Suddenly, her vision darkened, and she lost consciousness.

Leng Yulan slept from morning until evening.

When she woke up, she saw Lei Tianyi standing by her bed, gazing at her with eyes filled with pain.

After the doctor examined her, Lei Tianyi watched quietly. When she fainted, it felt as though his heart might leap from his chest.

He decided that if he couldn't make her feel secure, he would let her go—not for any other reason, but out of pure love for her.

However, he wouldn't give up on his girl. He simply wanted to prove to her that he was the one who could provide her with the utmost security. He would always protect her.

Lei Tianyi slowly walked to the window, staring at the night sky, and bitterly said, "Tomorrow, I'll have someone send you away." His heart told him that his girl would eventually return to his embrace, that she was only leaving temporarily, yet his heart ached with pain.

Leng Yulan heard Lei Tianyi's voice but felt no joy—only deep sorrow. Observing his sad silhouette, she felt a sense of cruelty. She whispered, "Yi, is your heart hurting?" But her wounded heart didn't allow her to retreat now. She forced herself to adopt a calm tone, "Yi, thank you!"

In the matters of the world, emotions are the hardest to sever.

Leng Yulan lay quietly in bed, reaching for food at the bedside. It was empty, and she was acutely aware that she had left the man who doted on her just two days ago. A bitter feeling welled up in her heart.

"Little Lan Lan, why are you sighing?" Fei Luo asked with a childlike expression.

Since being brought to this urban home by Lei Tianyi two days prior, Little Lan Lan had clearly become more subdued, constantly looking sad and sighing frequently enough to worry him.

"It's nothing! Old man, bring it over?"

"Oh, okay. The doctor said eating more fruits is good for children." Fei Luo said happily when Leng Yulan finally agreed to eat. This fruit had been peeled by Lei Tianyi, and he believed that once Little Lan started eating, she wouldn't be able to stop. Little Lan had been eating far too little over the past few days.

Suddenly, the earring in Leng Youlan's ear trembled slightly, causing her to feel a surge of anxiety. However, she maintained her composure and calmly said, "Old man, I just remembered something. I'm going to the study for a moment. Leave this here; I'll come back to eat later." She glanced at the alarm clock next to her and added, "When lunch is ready, just eat by yourself and don't let anyone disturb me." With that, she got up and walked toward the bedroom door.

"Little Lan, I..." Fei Luo started to say, "If you don't eat, how can I explain this to Lei Tianyi?" But before he could finish, Leng Youlan had already vanished through the door.

Leng Youlan quickly entered the study and turned on the computer.

"Old man, I'm going abroad to relax for a while."

She rose from the table, leaving Fei Luo with his meal, and hurried to her bedroom to prepare for her trip, putting aside thoughts of food as she focused on her mission.

"You can stay here and play for a while."

"Little Lan, take me with you?" Fei Luo paused his chewing to look at her.

"No, I'm going alone," Leng Youlan replied firmly. She didn't want Fei Luo to be at risk.

Hearing her resolute tone, Fei Luo pouted, "Fine! Fine! I won't go with you."

"Old man, take this. I heard the Glan Fen Food Festival is starting. Go have fun." Leng Youlan handed Fei Luo a gold card. He accepted it and said, "Okay!" before returning to his battle with the delicious food.

Leng Youlan stood up and walked to her bedroom; it was time to start packing.

Once she entered the room, Fei Luo picked up the phone. "Hello, Little Lan is going abroad."

A steady voice on the other end replied, "I know."

Fei Luo hung up and continued enjoying his meal.

Our female protagonist is executing a plan for her trip abroad, which includes both tourism and an exhilarating side activity.

Leng Youlan never imagined that upon boarding the plane, she would encounter such an exhilarating post-event activity. While thrilling, it was just shy of being truly exciting! To be honest, she felt quite pleased. What she loved most in life was taking down those despicable individuals. However, her plans would need some adjustments, but that was fine. Ultimately, having a good time was all that mattered.

At 3 PM sharp, Leng Youlan entered the boarding hall of S City Airport, pulling an expensive large suitcase. She wore a loose white oversized T-shirt, gray casual pants, and a black baseball cap that concealed her waist-length black hair. Notably, large black-framed glasses covered half of her exquisitely beautiful face.

Leng Youlan noticed the occasional glances in the airport hall, which were merely fleeting. She was secretly pleased with her outfit, which made her look like a typical poor student. The only thing that slightly displeased her was the expensive suitcase trailing behind her.

Alas! She had no choice. She had spent little time contemplating how to deal with the bodyguards sent by Lei Tianyi. Yet, all her carefully laid plans went unused. She hadn't uttered a word, and the bodyguards had automatically allowed her to leave. Reflecting on this, a wave of sorrow washed over Leng Youlan's heart, silently whispering, "It seems Yi is truly letting me go." Why did getting her wish only bring her sadness?

Taking a deep breath, Leng Youlan steeled herself. She was going to France and decided to thoroughly explore the world.

Filled with anticipation, Leng Youlan walked toward the boarding gate. The airport was already announcing her flight.

Seated in economy class, she noticed many well-dressed men and elegantly attired women crowded into this section.

"Hey, Director Liu, who could have bought out the first-class cabin?" a man in front of her remarked to his companion.

"Director Xiang, to be honest, I had originally booked first class, but just before boarding, the airport informed me it had been bought out. They asked if I wanted to sit in economy. I immediately refused, but the airport manager said that economy class was in high demand and those seats were hard to come by. All the original economy passengers were moved to another flight."

The conversation continued as they discussed their unexpected seating in economy class and the upcoming Leight family's evening party.

Leng Youlan closed her laptop and turned to the window. Sighing, she decided to take a nap. Since becoming pregnant, she had been much sleepier.

Suddenly awakened by someone shoving her, she drowsily opened her eyes.

"If you want to chat, find someone else," Leng Youlan said, preparing to return to sleep.

"Who wants to chat with a poor student! I want you to switch seats with me," the woman declared loudly.

Fully awake now, Leng Youlan glared at the woman with bright eyes. The woman, thinking Leng Youlan hadn't understood her demand, repeated it.

Hearing the woman's arrogant tone, Leng Youlan felt her anger rise. No one had ever had the right to be so arrogant towards her, and no one would.

"I heard you, but unfortunately, I also like the window seat," Leng Youlan replied coldly, curious to see what tricks this arrogant woman might try.

"How dare a poor student talk to me like that?" the woman retorted angrily.

"Should I not dare to?" Leng Youlan responded.

Hearing Leng Youlan's still cold voice, the woman felt overlooked, and her anger flared even more.

"Do you know who I am? Offend me, and you can forget about staying in S City," the woman warned with a sinister expression.

Looking at the woman's grotesque face twisted by malice, Leng Youlan thought to herself, "My goodness, how did I run into such a person? Today, if I don't teach her a lesson, people will think my ghostly boss is just for show."

Leng Youlan spoke coldly, "I don't know who you are, and I'm not planning to return to S City. However," her tone suddenly sharpened, "if you provoke me, I'll ensure that you can't find a place to stay anywhere in the world."

Leng Youlan's deliberate increase in volume cast an eerie silence over the crowded economy cabin. Passengers turned their heads, and a strange tension filled the cramped space.

The woman was taken aback by Leng Youlan's sharp words, feeling a sense of panic. She tried to read the woman opposite her, but the large black sunglasses obscured Leng Youlan's icy eyes, and her usual cold demeanor was further hidden by the black baseball cap and black-framed glasses.

Unable to detect anything unusual about Leng Youlan, the woman glanced at the onlookers, many of whom were connected to her family's business network. 

Gossip in high society spreads rapidly. If she lost face now, she feared her family would become the subject of ridicule as soon as the plane landed.

Yet, she could also sense the intimidating aura radiating from Leng Youlan. Gritting her teeth, she decided to take a chance. Even if things went poorly, she believed her family's influence would mitigate the fallout from the threats.

"Is that so? Then let's see," the woman's tone grew more aggressive.

A cold smile flickered in Leng Youlan's lively eyes as she replied, "You're overestimating yourself."

The woman felt another wave of panic. The person in front of her was too calm, too cold, as if they were merely discussing the weather. But she reassured herself that this was just her first encounter with someone willing to challenge her, and that the person opposite her was nothing special.

After calming her thoughts, she forced herself to respond nonchalantly, "Who's overestimating themselves? We'll see."

Leng Youlan closed her laptop and turned her gaze toward the woman whose face had drained of color.

"I believe Miss Xing's additional reason for attending the Leight family's dinner party on behalf of her father—one not mentioned in the documents—is to seduce Haleigh Leight."

Cold sweat continued to drip down Xing Yumeng's face as her hands trembled while she typed on the keyboard. She couldn't fathom the impossibility of finding any information. The main obstacle was that to investigate the woman beside her, she first needed to know her name; however, all her attempts to leverage connections for information about the woman at the airport were in vain.

Leng Youlan glanced at Xing Yumeng and immediately sensed she had discovered nothing, coldly stating, "Found nothing?" She had expected Xing to at least recognize her as the "Cold Princess" of Saint Lydia Academy.

"Miss Xing, you should contact your father now. I'm sure he'd appreciate knowing why Liwei Group's stock prices have suddenly plummeted."

In a luxuriously decorated room, Lei Tianyi watched the scene unfold on the monitor, a smile involuntarily tugging at the corner of his mouth. His girl was as commanding as ever. This was precisely how she should be. He was particularly pleased with her outfit. As for the woman who had offended his girl, a bloodthirsty glint flickered in his deep, dark eyes. "Xiu, go handle what the madam instructed."

Xiu raised his eyebrows in delight and quickly nodded before leaving the room. He was thoroughly impressed by the madam's performance. Truly, this woman alone was deserving of their master.

Entering the cabin with complex emotions, Leng Youlan's lively eyes eagerly scanned the area through thick black-framed glasses. However, the person she anticipated was not present. A strong wave of disappointment washed over her. She silently encouraged herself, "Isn't this what you wanted? Leng Youlan, stay calm, calm." Taking a deep breath, she continued her walk.

"Madam, please follow me," a muscular man said respectfully upon seeing Leng Youlan enter, immediately standing to greet her. He was incredibly curious about her, secretly observing as his initial dissatisfaction transformed into curiosity, leading to an inexplicable admiration.

He thought to himself, "This woman is not simple."

"Sir, have you finished looking?" Leng Youlan said coldly as she sat in the seat the man indicated. Positioned by the window, she added icily, "Finished looking? Please return to your seat," then turned her face towards the window.

The flight continued for several hours and concluded in a somewhat dramatic manner.

Leng Youlan was escorted out of the aircraft, walking confidently at the front and center, naturally drawing everyone's attention. People speculated about why someone dressed in such expensive attire would be following a young woman who resembled a poor student.

The business elites on the same flight as Leng Youlan felt fortunate yet increasingly curious about her identity.

Outside the airport, five black stretched Rolls-Royces were parked, creating a scene that left onlookers gasping. The area was teeming with spectators, all waiting with bated breath.

Youlan glanced at the watch on her arm and said, "It's time. Notify them to come out and welcome the master." Youlan was in charge of Youming in France.

"Yes," the driver in front replied respectfully.

She adjusted her short skirt, resolute in seizing this opportunity.

Her fox-like, seductive eyes reflected determination as she slowly exhaled and opened the car door to step out.

Just as Leng Youlan's group exited the airport, a man immediately approached the tall woman waiting outside. He said to Youlan, "Lian, this is the madam."

Youlan looked in surprise at the woman, who appeared to be a poor student making the introduction. Doubts flooded her mind. Wasn't the master supposed to be coming? Who was this woman?

Leng Youlan noticed the woman's confusion and discreetly assigned her a low score for her reaction. As she was addressed as "madam," she naturally held a position of authority. However, the current situation needed to be addressed first. "Can we go?" Leng Youlan asked coldly.

Upon hearing Leng Youlan's icy tone, Youlian quickly regained her composure and replied, "Yes, madam."

The black Rolls-Royce glided through the picturesque streets of France. Its opulent exterior prompted passersby to speculate about the important person onboard, with many assuming the vehicle was transporting guests to the Leight family's evening party.

While Leng Youlan did plan to attend the Leight family's soirée, her intention was not to partake in the festivities, but rather to stir up trouble. She was already anticipating the thrilling evening ahead.

However, before that, Leng Youlan still had to meet with three women.

Isedele Castle, situated on the banks of the Seine River in Paris, is renowned and spans nearly a thousand hectares. It is one of the most sought-after venues among the elite in Paris.

The castle had been purchased by a mysterious figure six months prior, igniting curiosity about the true identity of the owner. Unfortunately, the owner only resided there for a week before leaving it in the care of a housekeeper.

Rumor had it that this enigmatic individual held an extraordinary status. During their brief stay, the French president had made a secret visit, and influential political, business, and underworld figures had sent their daughters to work as maids there in hopes of winning the mysterious person's favor. However, none had succeeded, turning it into a hot topic within high society.

The long black Rolls-Royce slowly passed through the gilded gates of Isedele Castle. From the entrance, the expanse of the castle seemed endless. The car glided smoothly along the stone pathway, flanked by a meticulously maintained garden.

As Leng Youlan gazed at the scenery outside the window, she felt a sense of satisfaction with everything around her.

After about fifteen minutes, the car stopped in front of the main building.

The first thing Leng Youlan noticed was the fountain nearby, which involuntarily reminded her of the demon fountain she had created, causing a sharp pain in her heart.

"Madam, this is the house of the master. You will stay here during your time in France," Youlian said respectfully, her smile not reaching her eyes. Her slight pause when saying "master" added an intriguing nuance to her words.

"This is my house?" Leng Youlan replied coldly yet with certainty, recognizing the implication behind Youlian's statement.

If Leng Youlan hadn't covered most of her face, Youlian likely would not have dared to speak to her in this manner. She answered respectfully, "Yes," though a complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

Youlian felt she no longer needed to remain here, as the person who could assist her was not present. Sadness briefly crossed her gaze before she quickly masked it. "Madam, if there's nothing else, Youlian will take her leave," she said with a bow.

Leng Youlan noticed the emotion in the woman's eyes. Her instincts told her this woman could be of help. "I'm not familiar with this place. Please stay and accompany me," she said calmly.

"Madam, I have many things to handle," Youlian replied, unwilling to spend time on these matters.

The elderly housekeeper stood prominently, flanked by three elegantly dressed women.

Leng Youlan looked at the approaching old man and asked calmly, "You're the housekeeper?"

The old man glanced around, not seeing the handsome man he had anticipated, and politely responded, "Yes, may I ask when the master will arrive?"

Leng Youlan's gaze shifted to the three women beside the old man, feeling a wave of disgust at Lei Tianyi's entanglements with women. If she knew these three were his mistresses, he would never see her or the child again.

Ignoring the housekeeper's question, she raised an eyebrow at the three women and asked, "What are these three for?"

The housekeeper pointed to the women beside him. "This is Miss Lifanya from the Leight family, Miss Dali from the Caluda family, and Miss Eugène from the Heisda gang."

Cold Yulan thought to herself how conveniently these ladies from various circles had gathered. Dali appears to be Mili's sister as well? She sneered, "I'm asking what they do, not who they are."

The old man hadn't expected such a frosty response and silently chastised himself for underestimating her. As a housekeeper, he couldn't afford to offend anyone sent by the master.

Looking at the three haughty women beside him, he awkwardly said, "They are servants I hired."

"We are the master's exclusive servants," the hot-tempered Eugène declared proudly.

"Exclusive servants?" Cold Yulan's eyes began to blaze.

"Yes," Dali replied.

"How exclusive?" Cold Yulan approached the living room sofa, feeling exhausted. Even if she could endure, her precious child could not.

"In ways you can imagine," Lifanya Leight said with an edge of hostility.

Cold Yulan surveyed the three women, particularly satisfied with Lifanya Leight's response. "Not bad. The Leight family's reputation is well-earned."

"Who are you?" Eugène demanded sternly, seeing Cold Yulan settle onto the sofa as if she owned the place.

"Don't..." Chong began but fell silent at Cold Yulan's gesture.

"Me? I'm the master of this place."

"You're the master?" the three women and the housekeeper exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yes! I'm the sister of the master you speak of, so naturally, I am the master here." Noting their astonishment, she let out a mental sigh of relief. Secretly, she thought, Let me have some fun with my new toys.