Chương 34: Chapter 34: The Dinner
Feng Yan arrived at the Feng Manor in the evening, her face as cold and unreadable as ever. As she stepped into the grand dining hall, the Feng family was already seated, waiting for her. The atmosphere was thick with tension. The moment they laid eyes on her, a wave of anger and disgust flashed across their faces, only thinly veiled by their forced expressions.
Feng Liang, Feng Yue's father and the head of the Feng family, was the first to speak. He quickly composed himself, putting on a rehearsed smile filled with fake warmth. "Ah, Yan'er, it's good to see you after so long. Come, sit with us," he said, gesturing toward an empty seat at the table. His voice was sweet, but the cunning in his eyes betrayed him.
A servant immediately brought an additional bowl and set of chopsticks for her. As Feng Yan took her seat, she felt the stares of Feng Yue and her mother, Gu Li, burning into her. Their faces were twisted with hatred, but neither dared to speak, having clearly been warned by Feng Liang to hold their tongues. Instead, their hostility radiated through their glares, their expressions speaking volumes of their disdain.
Feng Yan, however, remained indifferent. She could sense the malice dripping from them but knew it was just a prelude to something more. This dinner wasn't an innocent invitation—it was a setup, a game of manipulation, and she was prepared to play it.
She glanced down at the food placed in front of her. With her knowledge of medicine, she carefully analyzed each dish, checking for signs of tampering. After a few moments of scrutiny, she confirmed that the food hadn't been drugged—at least not tonight. They had other plans. She calmly waited, knowing they would soon reveal their true motives.
As expected, Feng Liang began with pleasantries, his voice full of fake concern. "Yan'er, how have you been? We haven't heard much from you since you moved out. It's a shame, really. After all, we're still family, aren't we?" His smile didn't reach his eyes.
Feng Yan gave him a curt nod, her face impassive. She knew better than to trust his words.
Feng Liang then shifted gears, his eyes narrowing slightly as he carefully broached the real reason for this sudden dinner. "By the way, there's something that has been puzzling us. Why didn't you tell us about your identity as Butterfly? Such a prestigious title... and you're also a member of the Artist Association, aren't you?"
The room fell silent as Feng Liang's question hung in the air. Feng Yue and Gu Li exchanged looks, their expressions darkening with jealousy and spite. Feng Yan could feel their irritation. They had always seen her as nothing more than an adopted outsider, someone who didn't deserve the spotlight. But now, Feng Liang was clearly trying to figure out how to use her status for his own benefit.
Feng Yan's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She had expected this. Of course, the Feng family wasn't truly interested in her well-being—they wanted to exploit her newfound recognition.
"Why should I?" Feng Yan replied calmly, her voice icy yet elegant. "It's my personal life. I didn't think it was necessary to inform you."
Her directness caught Feng Liang off guard. His smile faltered for a split second before he regained his composure. "We're family, Yan'er. We could have celebrated your success together. After all, the Feng family's reputation is closely tied to yours. Wouldn't it be better if we worked together?"
His attempt at manipulation was painfully transparent. Feng Yan could see through his every word. He was testing her, trying to find a way to pull her back under the family's control, to use her status as Butterfly and her connections in the Artist Association to his advantage.
Feng Yan's gaze met Feng Liang's, her eyes as cold and sharp as ever. "I don't see how my achievements have anything to do with the Feng family," she replied bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Everything I've accomplished, I did on my own."
Feng Yue, who had been silently fuming the entire time, couldn't hold back any longer. Her voice trembled with suppressed rage as she spoke. "You're just an adopted daughter! Don't forget that! Everything you have is because of this family! If it weren't for us, you'd be nothing!"
Gu Li, sensing her daughter's outburst might escalate the situation, reached out to grip her arm, but it was too late. Feng Yue's outburst hung in the air, heavy with resentment.
Feng Yan remained unfazed. She slowly turned her head to look at Feng Yue, her cold gaze freezing her in place. "Is that what you think?" she said softly, her voice dripping with quiet menace. "Then perhaps you've forgotten. I owe this family nothing."
Feng Yue's face turned pale, her bravado instantly crumbling under Feng Yan's withering stare. Feng Liang, sensing the tension rising, quickly intervened. "Now, now, let's not get carried away. This is supposed to be a family dinner," he said, his voice strained. He was trying to maintain control, but it was clear that things weren't going according to plan.
Feng Yan gave him a dismissive look. She had seen enough. "Thank you for the dinner," she said, rising from her seat. "But I have other matters to attend to."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left the dining hall, her presence leaving a heavy silence in her wake. As she walked out of the manor, she couldn't help but smirk to herself.
Let them stew in their own schemes. The real game has only just begun.
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