"Thank you so much for today, Fei Han."

"And you are?"

"My name is Liang Anya."

Fei Han silently mouthed her name, his expression as warm and clear as sunshine, seeming to light up the night: "Serenity, elegance. In Chinese, aren’t these two words used?"

It seemed like this could help him remember her name more clearly.

She laughed, "Looks like your Chinese is pretty good."

Fei Han’s words quickly closed the distance between the two of them.

The young man in front of her lacked the typical European aloofness and cold detachment.

Liang Anya’s questions became bolder: "Do you really live near Beiming Hall? Why would you live in such a place? Aren’t you afraid of the people from Beiming Hall?"

Fei Han’s eyes, as pure and distant as gemstones, blinked as he smiled, "Why should I be afraid of the people from Beiming Hall?"

"The people from Beiming Hall are fierce, and their Hall Master is a tyrant. Living close by, if you offend them, aren’t you afraid they’ll cause you trouble?"

As she spoke, she twirled her fallen strands of hair, muttering.

"Huh, aren’t you a guest of Beiming Hall? Why do you sound so resentful of the Hall Master?" Fei Han smiled knowingly.

"...Uh," she hesitated.

Although she was naturally sociable, this was her first meeting with Fei Han. Even though he had saved her and they could talk well together, it wasn’t enough to open up about her matters with Si Yuheng. After a pause, she ambiguously said, "Even as a guest, it doesn’t mean I came willingly."

"It seems you don’t have an ordinary relationship with the Hall Master of Beiming Hall." Fei Han could hear the grievance in her voice, his eyes shimmering.

Liang Anya fell silent.

Fei Han scrutinized her with an inquisitive gaze: "It’s rumored that the Hall Master of Beiming Hall has many women. Are you his..."

"No!" she interrupted quickly, a shadow unexpectedly clouding her heart, "I’m not his mistress, don’t misunderstand."

She understood, however, how feeble such an explanation was.

Saying she’s not his mistress, it might only fool herself—no one else would believe it.

Who would believe that Si Yuheng would bring an Asian girl back to his country for no reason and even let her stay in his castle?

"Did you have a fight?" Fei Han picked up a branch and poked at the fire in front of them, the crackling flames reflecting a face with a barely noticeable smile.

"No." Liang Anya denied it outright.

"It’s said that when a woman says ’no,’ she actually means ’yes,’ and when she says ’don’t,’ she means ’I want to.’"

"...Not only is your Chinese good, but it seems you also like to analyze women’s psychology."

"It looks like I was right. When a woman purposely changes the topic, it shows she’s feeling guilty."

Liang Anya felt defeated by him.

"You went out to clear your head because of the argument and got lost?"

Fei Han’s eyes had a mesmerizing allure that made one want to confide, and Liang Anya finally conceded.

However, an argument?

If it were just an argument, that would’ve been better.

The problem was, she wasn’t even qualified to argue with Si Yuheng. It was even more frustrating.

Luckily, Fei Han didn’t ask further: "Don’t be this silly next time. Since this forest is for hunting, there are many wild animals released here. If such a beautiful Asian beauty were to end up in a beast’s stomach, I’d guess the Hall Master of Beiming Hall would be heartbroken. If you want to clear your mind, you can come in through the west side gate next time. The woods there usually have no guards, no beasts, and are relatively safe."

Liang Anya paused, then smiled: "It seems you often sneak in here to hunt and are quite familiar with Si Yuheng’s private grounds."

"Yes, actually, if you walk straight through the west gate, you’ll eventually walk out of the forest and reach my little cabin nearby." He was honest and didn’t hide anything.

"...You’re telling me everything, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the people from Beiming Hall?" she deliberately teased him.

He shrugged confidently: "You Chinese have a saying, ’to repay kindness with enmity.’ I believe I won’t be unlucky enough to meet such a person."

She blinked her eyelashes and said nothing more.

Fei Han took out a sports water bottle from his backpack and tossed it over: "Catch!"

Liang Anya reacted quickly, catching it skillfully. After the busy day, she was actually already thirsting. She unscrewed the bottle and eagerly took a few gulps. It was then she remembered something, looked at Fei Han, and wiped the corner of her mouth with the glistening liquid: "Did I drink yours? You haven’t drunk it yet, have you?"

"No worries."

"How could it not matter? I see your lips are dry. After accompanying me for so long, you must be thirsty..." Liang Anya quickly handed back the bottle, feeling it was impolite, she was about to use her sleeve to wipe the bottle mouth.

However, Fei Han didn’t mind; he took the bottle, drinking directly from the mouth where she had drunk, his gaze still on her.

A small gesture, it was like an indirect kiss, exuding a touch of ambiguity.

Undeniably, this man was indeed charming, every move carrying that unique nobility and mystery of Western aristocrats.

Such a typical European gentleman must be quite popular with women...

Liang Anya withdrew her gaze, just as she did, she heard voices coming from afar.

It was the sound of someone calling her name!

The people from Beiming Hall had come looking for her!

Her heart, which had just calmed, suddenly panicked, and instinctively she said to Fei Han, "You should go quickly, they’re coming for me. If the people from Beiming Hall see you hunting in Si Yuheng’s private forest, it could be troublesome!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Knowing Si Yuheng’s temperament, she couldn’t predict how he’d punish someone trespassing on his private territory.

Fei Han gazed at her, worried about him, and his lips curved into a crescent.

He stood up, unhurriedly tucked the bottle into his backpack, slowly approached her, leaned down, and gently planted a kiss on her left cheek.

Liang Anya knew this was the most common Western gesture, the usual cheek-kiss between friends to bid goodbye, but she still couldn’t help but be stunned.

Fei Han had already turned around and left, and in just a few seconds, his tall figure was hidden in the dense forest.

Meanwhile, the sound of hurried footsteps and voices came closer:

"The fire is over here—"

"Miss Liang... Miss Liang is here!"

"Woof woof woof—"

And there was the familiar barking of dogs!

Several men in black suits, familiar faces from Beiming Hall, had already rounded the dense forest and rushed in front of Liang Anya.

Liang Anya saw the Queen they were holding by the leash and was delighted: "Queen—"

So, the Queen hadn’t abandoned her but had seen her fall into a trap and had run back to the castle to call for help?!

The Queen raised her front paws high, barking joyfully at Liang Anya.

Just as she intended to ask if they had found the King, suddenly, a domineering silhouette taller than everyone else parted the subordinates with a large hand, appearing in her vision.

The man’s ghostly face, the cold gaze cast over, the wild and untamed eyes now desperately restraining a turbulent gloom!