C35 The Mother and Son Conflict

Feng Yingshu spoke with a mix of concern and firmness, "I'm doing this for your own good, and of course, it's also for the sake of the Loong family."

Long Tianqi remained silent, casting a stern glance at Yi Lanyou.

Yi Lanyou felt unjustly implicated; after all, she hadn't coerced him into coming.

"I've attended the banquet, and now I'm leaving. Upon my return, I expect to find Vera safe and sound at home, waiting for me. Don't fool yourselves into thinking I'm without leverage," Long Tianqi declared before departing.

Feng Yingshu's brow furrowed as she turned to Yi Lanyou. "I apologize for the spectacle; he's been headstrong since childhood."

"It's alright," Yi Lanyou replied with a smile, sensing that he was simply cornered.

"All I wish for is for you two to get along; that would put my mind at ease," Feng Yingshu said, gently patting Yi Lanyou's hand.

Yi Lanyou nodded in apparent agreement.

Checking the time, Feng Yingshu announced, "I should go find Long Hanmo and head back with him."

"Of course, Auntie, safe travels," Yi Lanyou responded.

With a smile, Feng Yingshu turned to find Long Hanmo. Yi Lanyou watched her leave, feeling a tumult of emotions. Long Tianqi seemed at odds with her mother. Who exactly was Vera? She hadn't heard of these people in her past life. Now she wondered if Long Tianqi's lack of pursuit over the broken engagement was because he, too, wished to call it off, possibly due to Vera.

Despite her contemplation, Yi Lanyou couldn't make sense of it all. She decided to head back to her room but was abruptly stopped by two figures blocking her path.

"Don't think you can stay smug for long," Yi Rui'er spat out with a venomous tone.

"Indeed, once the Long Family learns of your true character, they'll surely annul the engagement," Fang Yuan added.

Yi Lanyou regarded Fang Yuan and Yi Rui'er with a placid gaze, then calmly sidestepped them and continued on her way.

Yi Rui'er watched as Yi Lanyou ignored her, biting her teeth in frustration before saying, "Don't get too cocky."

Yi Lanyou halted in her tracks, turning to face Yi Rui'er. "I can think of a few words that perfectly describe how you're feeling right now," she said, pausing for effect before continuing, "Envy, jealousy, hate."

Her words struck a nerve, and Yi Rui'er could feel her ears burning with embarrassment, yet she retorted, "Jealous of you? Please, take a good look at yourself."

"Do you dare talk to me like that? Has your back stopped hurting?" Yi Lanyou's pointed reminder instantly took effect, causing Yi Rui'er to instinctively step back as she remembered the injury she had forgotten in her rage, now throbbing painfully.

Fang Yuan clenched her teeth and began, "Don't be so smug, you—"

Yi Lanyou cut her off, "Looking to be sent away again, are you?"

Fang Yuan was left speechless with frustration.

Then, the sound of applause drew their attention.

"You really have a way with words," Fang Lian said, approaching with a smile.

Seeing Fang Lian, Fang Yuan straightened up as if she had found her pillar of support, tilting her chin defiantly at Yi Lanyou.

As Yi Lanyou noticed Fang Lian's arrival, she commented, "It's getting late. Be careful on your way home; nighttime walks can lead to unexpected encounters."

Fang Lian responded graciously, "I appreciate your concern, but a part of me is excited. I've encountered enough dull people; seeing something different might be a welcome change." After finishing her thought, Fang Lian turned to Fang Yuan, "Let's go, our parents are waiting."

Fang Yuan nodded, and hand in hand, they left the garden.

Yi Lanyou, unconcerned with the still fuming Yi Rui'er, turned and went back to her room.

Once in her room, Yi Lanyou felt a twinge of regret. She had sensed an underlying plot between Long Tianqi and Feng Yingshu and could have listened in on their innermost thoughts. They were all entangled in her affairs, which seemed the safer option now. Although she was unaware of the side effects of her ability, she believed using it just once or twice shouldn't pose a problem.

Yi Lanyou pondered for a moment. The next time she encountered them, she resolved to probe further into their thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that their relationship was more complex than that of just a rebellious son and his concerned mother.

Turning to gaze at the full moon outside the window, Yi Lanyou's thoughts drifted to Vera. She wondered how Vera was faring.

Meanwhile, Long Tianqi had returned to his residence in Z City. Shortly after his arrival, Vera used her key to enter the home.

"How are you doing?" Long Tianqi inquired with concern.

Vera, trying to evade Long Tianqi, replied, "Don't worry about me. She wouldn't dare do anything. It's late; you should get some rest."

The more Vera evaded, the more Long Tianqi's concern grew. He reached out and firmly grasped her chin, noticing the bruising around her eyes and the swelling on her cheek. "You've been hit," he stated.

"It's nothing. I just ran into the door frame while trying to escape," Vera reassured him. "Don't worry. I've weathered many storms over the years; this is nothing."

"I'm going to confront her," Long Tianqi declared, his fists clenched in fury as he headed for the door.

"Stop!" Vera blocked his path. "You can't play your hand until the very end. Don't you still want revenge?"

Long Tianqi halted, weighed down by his vendetta, knowing he couldn't afford to be impulsive.

"There's no need to worry about me," Vera whispered, resting her forehead against Long Tianqi's shoulder. "The overall strategy takes precedence."

Long Tianqi, frowning, remained silent.

At the same time, Feng Yingshu was on the phone, overlooking the night scene. "It's easier to handle him in Z City than in Jingdu. I don't want him going back to the capital. Take care of it for me."

"Understood," the man's deep voice responded from the other end of the call.

After the call, Feng Yingshu turned toward the bathroom, where the sound of running water echoed. She began to undress, making her way to the bathroom and opening the door. "Let's take a bath together," she suggested.

Long Hanmo gave a wry smile.

Feng Yingshu's smile was tinged with playfulness. She was deeply in love with her husband, and she was determined that anyone who stood in the way of her happiness...

would have to pay with their life.