Lin Qinghe was filled with confusion.
What was going on? Why had the progress bar suddenly increased?
Lin Qinghe looked back and saw You Rong emerging from the house, walking towards her with a displeased expression. He reached her side, grasped her hand, and whispered, "Wangfei, we are returning to the manor!"
Lin Qinghe instantly understood, her eyebrows twitching slightly as she chuckled inwardly.
He was quite the jealous type. Seeing her sit with Ye Qingyan had already soured his mood.
Lin Qinghe suppressed the smile on her lips and deliberately feigned an apologetic tone towards Ye Qingyan, "Young Master Ye, I am truly sorry, but I must return today. I promised to teach you chess but haven't had the chance. How about this... I'll come over tomorrow to teach you, alright?"
Ye Qingyan replied nonchalantly, "As you wish."
You Rong's eyes darkened, and he was extremely displeased.
A man and a woman alone, teaching chess? Didn't she understand? That man must have ill intentions!
You Rong snorted coldly and said, "There's no need to teach him. He won't learn anyway, so why should Wangfei waste her efforts? Divine Doctor Feng also said his chess skills are terrible! Terrible!"
This remark infuriated Ye Qingyan, his face darkening. "You fool! What did you say?! Say that again if you dare!"
"Your chess skills are terrible! Just as Divine Doctor Feng said!"
"Ah! You idiot, I'll break your arm today!"
Ye Qingyan rolled up his sleeves, genuinely wanting to beat You Rong. You Rong's eyes flickered, and when no one was paying attention, he picked up a chess piece, held it between two fingers, and flicked it with slight force. The chess piece flew out and struck an acupoint on Ye Qingyan.
Ye Qingyan realized he had been acupoint-sealed and immediately assumed Feng Jing Tian was responsible. He cursed furiously, "Stupid old man! Unseal my acupoints! What business is it of yours what happens between me and this idiot! Unseal me quickly, or I'll disown you!"
You Rong sneered and ignored Ye Qingyan, who was roaring in anger. He pulled Lin Qinghe and, without further ado, they left the Misty Rain Tower and rode back to the manor in their carriage.
Inside the carriage.
You Rong held Lin Qinghe's hand, his face grim, and said, "Wangfei, I... do not wish to go to the Misty Rain Tower again!"
He especially disliked seeing Lin Qinghe smile at that effeminate man. Her smiling face... should only be seen by him!
Lin Qinghe stifled her laughter, frowned, and deliberately chided, "Wangye! This is not right. Divine Doctor Feng is treating your illness; how can you not go? Also, how you treated Young Master Ye just now was wrong. Young Master Ye is not only Divine Doctor Feng's disciple but also saved both our lives. He is our benefactor. When we go next time, you must apologize to him for your rudeness."
"..."
You Rong's thin lips parted, as if about to speak but swallowed his words. Suppressing his anger, he said, "We have many treasures in the manor. We can give him some as thanks. As for the treatment... I simply don't want to go to the Misty Rain Tower. We can invite Divine Doctor Feng to our manor!"
He was jealous, but refused to admit it.
Lin Qinghe maintained a stern face, feigning seriousness. "Wangye! Are you not listening to me? You promised to obey me above all else; have you forgotten?"
"This Wang..."
You Rong considered revealing that he had regained his sanity multiple times but ultimately held back. Over the past two years, You Jing had consolidated considerable power that rightfully belonged to him. He needed time to contact his trusted confidantes. Otherwise, as soon as his sanity was announced, You Jing would spare no effort to kill him, and he wouldn't even be able to protect her.
You Rong reluctantly said, "This Wang will listen to Wangfei and go to the Misty Rain Tower. However... Wangfei must promise this Wang one thing."
Lin Qinghe asked, "What is it?"
"This Wang does not permit you to smile at that Ye Qingyan. This Wang dislikes it!"
"Ah? Why?"
"No reason, just... Wangfei is not allowed to smile at him. This Wang doesn't care; you must promise this Wang!"
Lin Qinghe frowned, showing a hint of difficulty and confusion. "You cannot be unreasonable! Young Master Ye is a very nice person..."
Seeing that Lin Qinghe had not agreed, You Rong's expression changed. He had no choice but to take Lin Qinghe's hand and place it on his face, rubbing it against her palm and saying softly, "Wangfei, you promise this Wang that you will not smile at him again in the future. Will you promise this Wang? Wangfei, Wangfei..."
He remembered that she had always been unable to resist such pleas. As long as he asked, she would agree to anything.
Lin Qinghe truly couldn't resist You Rong's coaxing, especially knowing he had regained his sanity. Her eyes full of amusement, she pinched You Rong's cheek and conceded, "Alright, alright... I promise Wangye. I won't smile at him, only at Wangye. Is that okay?"
You Rong narrowed his eyes, continued to rub against Lin Qinghe's palm, and lazily replied, "...Mm."
At the same time, the system's prompt sounded again: "Progress bar increased by two percent, total progress at forty-four percent."
Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze to You Rong, suddenly feeling that You Rong in this world was truly likable. He didn't infuriate her to the point of jumping up and down.
Lin Qinghe couldn't help but secretly wonder how to trigger the system's reward drops. It would be wonderful if You Rong in every world were as likable as this.
Upon returning to the manor, You Rong secretly strengthened his resolve. He would contact his confidantes as soon as possible. Once everything was ready, he would confess to Lin Qinghe that he had regained his sanity.
Within three days, You Rong had contacted many of his former confidantes. He ordered Fu Sheng to secretly bring them into the manor's study, where they discussed collecting evidence of You Jing and Consort Xiao's crimes.
Lin Qinghe had not seen You Rong in a day within the master bedroom, guessing he was busy. Nevertheless, she casually asked Madam Xu, "Where is Wangye? Where has he gone to play?"
Madam Xu replied truthfully, "Wangfei, Wangye seems to have gone to the study to play with Steward Fu."
"Oh? Is that so?" Lin Qinghe's lips curled into a mischievous smile, a sudden interest piquing. She decided to go and surprise You Rong. "Let's go, this Wangfei will go and see what Wangye and Steward Fu are playing in the study."
"Yes, Wangfei."
As Lin Qinghe approached the study, Fu Sheng saw her and his expression panicked. He quickly clasped his hands in greeting and said loudly, "Your servant greets Wangfei! May I ask why Wangfei has come?"
"Oh, nothing much. I heard Wangye and Steward Fu were playing in the study, so this Wangfei came to take a look. Is Wangye in the study? Is he playing hide-and-seek with you?"
Fu Sheng stammered, "R-returning to Wangfei, yes, Wangye is hiding in the study, waiting for this servant to find him."
"Oh? Then this Wangfei will go in and find him."
Fu Sheng quickly blocked Lin Qinghe's path. "Wangfei, this is not appropriate..."
"There is nothing inappropriate about this. Move aside, this Wangfei must go in."
"Yes, Wangfei."
Fu Bo followed behind Lin Qinghe, his heart filled with anxiety.
He wondered if Wangye and the esteemed gentlemen in the study had heard Wangfei arriving.