Chapter 16: 016 What are you afraid of?

In a place so lavish, there’s only one in Yong City.

The esteemed First-Class Fragrance, reputed to host feasts like those within the palace walls.

It’s well known that First-Class Fragrance exudes an ancient charm and is fondly called the ‘Imperial Royal Kitchen’.

Not only are the dishes exquisite and delicious, but the decoration inside is also completely antique, with pavilions, towers, pools, and waterside pavilions, all quietly elegant and beautiful.

It’s packed every day, and there are no vacant seats.

To get into First-Class Fragrance, it’s no longer a question of money; anyone must wait and book in advance.

Yet now, not long after Fu Qiyuan had left the sickroom, delicacies from First-Class Fragrance had already been delivered to her.

The dean’s respectful attitude…

The exceptional service of First-Class Fragrance…

This man…

–

This bout of cold came suddenly, due to a viral infection. In the latter part of the night, Su Ran’s fever had surged to nearly forty degrees. Just before dawn, she finally fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up again, it was already afternoon.

Two consecutive days of high fever left her looking very weak and feeble.

She leaned quietly against the head of the bed, unable to even step outside to breathe some fresh air, sighed softly, and helplessly placed a hand on her forehead. As she lifted her head, she saw a person standing at the door.

Su Xinyan was dressed in a sick outfit, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, her skin like creamy jade, bright eyes and white teeth, a man’s suit jacket draped over her shoulders, and a layer of bandage wrapped around her left wrist which, upon closer inspection, seemed to be stained with traces of blood.

Su Ran raised her eyebrows, her spirits instantly lifted.

“What are you here for?”

Standing at the doorway, Su Xinyan looked at Su Ran’s delicately beautiful face, and a faint frown appeared between her brows. Her body exuded an arrogant and defiant aura, which, even in weakness, radiated a cold and noble air, as if her blood was naturally superior. This notion had once driven Su Xinyan to such jealousy that she was nearly driven mad.

An absolute waste unworthy of public attention, why did she deserve this?

However, looking at the cold, empty sickroom and the inescapable frailness suggested by her delicate and slender figure–as if a mere gust of wind could knock her over–Su Xinyan’s lips curved into a smirk of triumph, almost as if flaunting, she casually pulled on the jacket over her shoulders.

“How does it feel, sister? It’s unpleasant to be stepped on, isn’t it?”

Without Gu Heng present, Su Xinyan couldn’t be bothered to keep up appearances. She crossed her arms, raised her eyebrows, and laughed coldly as she proudly approached Su Ran. The drip stand by the bed and the long IV tube accentuated her gaunt frame, making her appear all the more frail and weak, a pitiful and pathetic sight that brightened the smug smile on Su Xinyan’s face.

Su Ran didn’t speak, her eyes lifted subtly, watching her quietly.

“Do you think you’ve won?”

Su Xinyan laughed lightly, looking at her somewhat pitifully.

“Still unwilling to face reality, Su Ran? Dad despises you, Grandma acts like you don’t exist, and now, even Brother Heng has abandoned you. If I were you, I’d rather stay home and not go out, so as not to embarrass myself.”

Su Ran’s lips curled ever so slightly, her expression meaningful.

“Then what are you afraid of?”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Su Xinyan’s eyes turned cold, as if her thoughts had been exposed, and she ground her teeth, cursing inwardly.

Su Ran watched her playfully, her gaze slowly falling to the bandaged wrist, the irony clear in her eyes.

Su Xinyan’s face stiffened slightly, her lips clenched, and her eyes revealed unabashed resentment and malice.

“I don’t mind a loser mouthing off. For my sake, Brother Heng still called off your engagement.”

She smirked triumphantly, approached Su Ran’s bedside, and bent down to speak.