C31 Niannian You're in Danger Young Master Huo Come Quickly!

"It's right here. My wrist hurts, so I can't help you. You'll have to move it yourself," Gu Yufei said imperiously as she swung open the cold room door.

Inside, an array of premium ingredients were meticulously arranged. Several large white boxes were stacked near the entrance—presumably the seafood and beef Grandpa had set aside for her and Gu Tingshen.

With a nod toward the boxes, she continued, "Grandpa knows you're not accustomed to such extravagances. So go ahead, take them all. He won't mind, and we certainly won't laugh at you."

Huo Niannian felt a sting of embarrassment; Gu Yufei's arrogance was like a silent slap to her face. Grandpa's intentions were good, but to onlookers, she must look like a simpleton from the countryside.

Despite her usual optimism, Huo Niannian had her dignity. The sting of Gu Yufei's mockery was deeply upsetting. But leaving now would upset Grandpa.

Deciding to casually take a few items, Huo Niannian faced Gu Yufei's ridicule with a smile and said calmly, "You're right, I haven't experienced much fine dining. But if someone believes that indulging in luxury food entitles them to look down on others, then they're just a gilded rice bucket, aren't they?"

"Who are you calling names?"

"I'm referring to you," Huo Niannian responded, her face a mask of indifference. Suddenly, Gu Yufei felt an odd reversal, as if she were the reprimanded servant and Huo Niannian the esteemed Miss.

Seething, Gu Yufei gritted her teeth and, with a dark look, pushed Huo Niannian into the cold room.

Huo Niannian staggered. Before she could turn back, the door had slammed shut behind her.

"Gu Yufei!"

She spun around to bang on the door. The cold room's icy touch numbed her fingers after just a few attempts. From outside, Gu Yufei's cold laughter echoed, "I'd love to see if you can keep up your smart talk once you're frozen solid!"

"If you kill me, Grandpa won't let you off easily!"

"I'm not foolish enough to admit to it."

Gu Yufei's footsteps faded into the distance, leaving Huo Niannian fuming with frustration and utterly helpless. She reached for her phone, desperate to call Gu Tingshen, but the screen showed no signal.

Shivering, Huo Niannian tried to figure out what to do next. She remembered the desolation of the path she'd taken here; even if she screamed until her throat was raw, no one would hear her.

If Gu Yufei had persuaded Grandpa and Uncle Zhang that she had already picked out the ingredients and left, no one would think to search for her in the cold storage room.

Perhaps the chef would come looking for ingredients for dinner, but that was still hours away, and Huo Niannian couldn't count on anyone showing up.

Her only hope was to be discovered before it was too late. To keep warm, she curled up tightly, wrapping her arms around her knees.

She regretted wearing such a light skirt and longed for the warmth of pants...

Her mind returned to Gu Yufei's brazenness, her reckless confidence—did she really think she could escape the consequences?

As the cold intensified, Huo Niannian's anger began to fade, replaced by the biting chill.

Sleepiness started to take hold. She knew she couldn't give in to it, but as the cold burrowed deeper and her eyelids grew heavy, she huddled in the corner, her energy ebbing, until she could no longer keep her eyes open.