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Ye Fan clenched his fists, his nails digging so deep into his palms that blood seeped out, staining his sleeves. His gaze burned with hatred, a chilling killing intent radiating from his whole being.
———
In Room "Wu."
Su Chen was lounging in his chair, one leg casually crossed over the other, with Chu Yanran nestled against him. Before them stood a respectful auction house attendant.
If Ye Fan were here, he would have instantly recognized her. Yes, this was the same attendant who had previously escorted Xia Qingxue and her friends into Room "Hai."
"Young Master Su, here is what you requested," she said, pulling a memory jade from her robes and handing it over with deference.
Su Chen nodded, taking the jade into his hands and immediately sending his spiritual sense inside. Everything that had happened in Room "Hai" was soon playing out vividly in his mind.
A slow, wicked smile crept across his lips. "Ye Fan... Ye Fan. You really can't break that habit of showing off, can you?" he muttered.
Phrased nicely, one might call it pride. Realistically, it was just a desperate need to flaunt.
It's a sickness, really. A sickness that needs treatment.
Back in the original storyline, the dog author—and the readers—seemed to love watching Ye Fan flaunt his power, smacking down one enemy after another. But now that he was here, wearing the mantle of the antagonist, there was no way he'd let Ye Fan go on with that tiresome act.
He wouldn't just slap Ye Fan's face—he would crush his pride beneath his heel.
"Since you love to show off so much, Ye Fan," Su Chen chuckled coldly, "I'll gladly help you put on a show."
Withdrawing his gaze from the memory jade, Su Chen looked up at the attendant with a calm expression. "You did well. I'm pleased."
The attendant's face flushed with joy, and she dropped to her knees, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Young Master, for your praise!"
As she bent forward, her ample curves—not by accident—brushed against Su Chen's leg. He felt the soft warmth against his calf and looked down, his eyes narrowing with a wry smile. The intent behind her actions was all too clear.
As the young master of the Su family, a man of high standing and vast influence, to catch his favor would mean rising from obscurity to wealth and luxury beyond imagination. No wonder this servant girl was going to such lengths.
But unfortunately for her, she was out of luck.
Ever since meeting Chu Yanran, he'd been utterly spoiled by her unmatched beauty. No matter how fair another woman might be, they simply couldn't catch his eye.
He was not a man given to whims.
Or rather, if he were to let himself go... then perhaps even he wouldn't recognize the man he would become.
Seeing that her subtle move failed to stir any reaction, the attendant's face turned pink with embarrassment. She quickly lowered her gaze, heart pounding.
"Here, ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, as a reward for your loyalty," Su Chen said, tossing her a storage ring.
"Thank you, Young Master!" She trembled as she picked up the ring, her eyes bright with excitement. Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones—an unimaginable fortune that could elevate her status overnight.
Truly, the wealth of the Su family was astonishing. Just a small reward from the young master was worth more than a lifetime of labor.
She cast a shy glance at Su Chen, biting her lip with a hint of regret. If only the young master were interested in her. She would gladly have offered herself to him, body and soul.
But Su Chen waved a hand, dismissing her. "You may go. Continue your duties."
"Yes, Young Master!" She bowed again and retreated, leaving the room.
In his embrace, Chu Yanran watched the woman's retreating figure with a look of distaste.
"Yanran, something wrong?" Su Chen asked, noting the slight frown on her lovely face.
"It's nothing," she said, pursing her lips in irritation. "Just... such a cheap woman isn't fit to serve you."
With a pout, she pressed closer to him. "That servant had her eyes on you the whole time, trying to use her body to get your attention. Disgusting. Our Su family doesn't need that kind of woman around."
Wrapping her arms around him possessively, she added with a mischievous glint, "You're my husband. As long as I'm here, those vixens can keep dreaming!"
Her tone left no room for argument; she clearly staked her claim.
Since marrying into the Su family, Chu Yanran had come to realize just how vast and powerful her husband's family was. Her world had seemed small in comparison. And with the recent arrivals of Su Meier and Xia Qingxue, two women with grace and beauty that rivaled—if not exceeded—her own, an unsettling sense of competition had stirred within her.
Especially Su Meier. With her allure and charm, it was no wonder she could captivate Su Chen to distraction.
To hold her place by his side, Chu Yanran knew she had to secure her position in his heart. After all, she had been the one to awaken his desires in the first place. Men might forget many things, but they rarely forget their first love.
"You're absolutely right," Su Chen murmured, stroking her silky hair. "I belong to you, in heart and body."
A radiant blush spread over her face, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Hmph, you shameless rogue!" She punched him playfully, though her smile betrayed her happiness.
Su Chen chuckled, seizing the opportunity to snake his arm around her waist, his hand drifting to where her body curved most enticingly.
"Ah! You're teasing me again, husband!" she exclaimed, wriggling in his grasp, only to find herself held firmly in place.
She tried to hide her fluster, nuzzling into his chest, letting him continue his gentle caresses.
Su Chen's gaze lingered on her, his fingers tracing her soft form with satisfaction. "Hmm, you've grown a bit, haven't you?"
Chu Yanran's cheeks turned scarlet as she looked up to pout at him. "It's your fault! My dresses don't even fit properly anymore, all thanks to you."
"Blaming me, are we?" he teased, tapping her nose. "I'm just making sure you're well-prepared to feed our future son."
Her blush deepened at the mention of children. "You rogue! Stop with the nonsense."
She couldn't help but recall her mother-in-law, Qin Xinran, who had often hinted that she was eager for a grandson to carry on the family line. The thought made Chu Yanran's face feel as though it were on fire.
Though she truly did want to bear Su Chen's child, this was hardly something that could be rushed. After all, a child wasn't something that appeared on a whim.
As her thoughts trailed, she murmured to herself, "The soil may be fertile, but without seeds... nothing will grow."
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