Chapter Thirteen: The Gathering Storm
Upon learning of Ye Feng’s death, Ye Lan could not accept the reality; her vision darkened, and she collapsed into Xiao Feng’s arms. Xiao Feng was heartbroken. No matter what had happened, Ye Lan was innocent. As a fragile woman, she had already endured so much. Having just emerged from the shadows, losing her son dealt her a devastating double blow, one she could no longer bear.
Xiao Feng carefully cradled her, gently calling out, “Auntie, Aunt Ye, please wake up…”
His voice was tender yet resolute, as if it could pierce through the fog clouding Ye Lan’s heart. Her eyelashes quivered softly, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was vacant and confused, but when it met Xiao Feng’s worried face, a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer appeared. She spoke sorrowfully, “My child, I…”
“Aunt Ye, please don’t grieve so much!”
“My child, why must I be so cursed? Twenty-five years ago, when Ye Feng was just born, his father died in a car accident. I raised Ye Feng with such hardship, only to now see a parent outlive their child…”
Indeed, Ye Lan’s life had been far from easy. Twenty-five years ago, the Ye family was still at the center of turbulent times and was not yet one of the four great families. Ye Lan had to care for Ye Feng alone while managing the Ye Group. Just as her career flourished and Ye Feng grew into adulthood, such a tragedy struck—no one could accept this.
Xiao Feng choked back his emotions as he comforted her, “Auntie, you have endured so much. Please take care of yourself…”
Ye Feng’s death shattered Ye Lan deeply. After the incident, Cheng Tianna moved into the Ye family villa and treated Ye Lan with great kindness. “Auntie, although Ye Feng is gone, I will care for you as if you were my own mother.”
Ye Lan was comforted by this, “Dear child, but won’t this burden you?”
“If you don’t mind me, then I’m your daughter now. May I call you Mom?”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ye Lan embraced Cheng Tianna tightly, tears of gratitude flowing, “My dear daughter…”
When the Ye family was struck by such calamity, Grace was the first to inform Megan Venturi. Far away in Northern Europe, Megan Venturi worried deeply about Grace’s safety. Sitting uneasily in her office, she dialed Xiao Feng.
Xiao Feng was pacing the courtyard, lost in thought. He sensed that all these events were interconnected. He had once warned Ye Lan that someone sought to usurp her position. Now, with Cheng Tianna moving into Ye Lan’s villa under a respectable pretext, this threat might indeed become reality—and the consequences could be far worse. With the matter beyond his immediate control, he felt helpless. Just as his mind swirled with confusion, Megan Venturi’s video call came through. Upon answering, Xiao Feng instinctively knelt, deeply moved, “Master, I’m kneeling before you. How are you in Northern Europe?”
“Xiao Feng, aren’t you with Grace?”
“Master, sister is taking a bath.”
“What are you doing wandering the courtyard?”
Xiao Feng shared his worries and analysis with Megan Venturi, saying with concern, “Master, right now, I fear the four great families might be in danger first.”
“Don’t worry about anything else. Protecting my daughter is the top priority.”
“Please rest assured, Master. I will stay by sister’s side at all times.”
“That’s good.”
“Master, when will you return?”
“When things are settled, I will come back. Goodbye.”
“Hmm.”
Only after hanging up did Xiao Feng dare to stand. Returning to the living room, Grace emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a silk towel, her hair still dripping wet. Like a lotus blooming from the water, her beauty was indescribably enchanting. Xiao Feng’s eyes were fixed on her.
Grace instinctively covered her chest. Her golden bracelet shimmered with radiant light, the magical crystal’s glow even more intense. “Little slave, what are you staring at? Be careful, I might gouge out your eyes!”
“Sister, your beauty is so noble, like a celestial descending to earth!”
“Wait until I change; then I’ll deal with you.”
Xiao Feng, eager to please, obediently said, “Then your little slave will kneel in the living room, awaiting your punishment!”
Grace acted spoiled and domineering, but inside she was delighted. Returning to her room, two beautiful maids helped her dress. She wore a fitted, long-sleeved pullover of pale blue silk on top, pure white casual jeans below, sheer white stockings, and red high-heeled sandals—a look both pure and regal, simple yet refined.
Sitting proudly on the sofa, she declared to the servants, “Listen up! From now on, when I’m not around, Xiao Feng represents me. He can come and go freely and make any decisions in the house. He can use the money on the third floor as he pleases!”
“Understood, Miss!”
Xiao Feng asked excitedly, “Sister, how much money is there on the third floor?”
“What, are you scheming something?”
“Sister, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just asking because I worry if anything goes missing, you won’t accuse me unfairly!”
Grace smiled, “I have no idea how much there is, but those rooms on the third floor are packed full!”
Xiao Feng admired, “So much? Sister, our wealth gap is huge!”
“Don’t be sad. Besides, you’re a slave—why would you need money? Your job is to keep creating wealth for me.”
“Yes, sister, you’re always right!”
Xiao Feng never argued or contradicted her. In his heart, Megan Venturi would forever be his master, and Grace was the woman he loved most. No matter how Grace treated him, his loyalty to her would never waver.
“Drive me to the jewelry district!”
“As you command, my most beautiful sister!”
Xiao Feng drove Grace to the jewelry district. Along the way, Grace excitedly planned the district’s prospects. Xiao Feng felt awkward, “Sister, didn’t you say I shouldn’t know about your family affairs?”
“Does it matter if I tell you?”
“What can I do? It just proves you and Master don’t treat me as an outsider. I’ll be even more loyal! But sister, I have to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
Xiao Feng sighed, “It’s about your bracelet—you must keep wearing it.”
“I know what you mean. This bracelet protects me, right?”
“Sister, my abilities are limited. Even if I fail, this magical crystal will surely keep you safe!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re going to be my slave for life!”
Of course, Xiao Feng wanted to stay with Grace forever. He could feel that both Grace and Megan Venturi genuinely cared for him. Though Megan treated him like less than human, and Grace saw him as a slave, their feelings for him were sincere.
After dropping Grace off at the jewelry district, Xiao Feng didn’t get out. “Sister, I’m going to take a walk.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to buy some ingredients to cook you a few signature dishes tonight.”
“Good idea. If you don’t have time to pick me up, I’ll have Ye Linna and Jie Linna bring me, and they can taste your cooking too.”
“That’s great, sister. You go ahead—I’m off!”
Grace spoke coquettishly, “Keep your phone on at all times. I want to keep control over you!”
“As you command…”
“Our family is not short of money. Buy yourself some clothes, shoes, underwear, and socks you like!”
“Thank you, sister. I’m going now…”
Xiao Feng drove to the mall. Following Grace’s instructions, he first went to the clothing section. He was casual by nature and had a delicate appearance, so formal wear would look awkward on him. Instead, he chose two sets of matching gray long-sleeve pullovers and straight-leg sweatpants, paired with casual white sneakers. The look was effortlessly commanding. He didn’t even change out of the clothes after paying.
The cashier’s eyes widened. “Young man, you’re so handsome. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Xiao Feng’s sole desire was to remain loyal to Grace; marrying was never on his mind. He replied politely, “No, why do you ask?”
“Then why don’t we exchange contacts?”
“No need. My sister definitely wouldn’t agree. Let’s just hurry up and check out.”
The cashier looked disappointed. “Alright then.”
After paying, as Xiao Feng turned, he spotted Li Ao following a beautiful woman, also shopping. Li Ao saw Xiao Feng as well. Xiao Feng didn’t want to engage, but the woman’s eyes lit up, staring at him intently. Xiao Feng was puzzled, “Miss, is something wrong?”
The woman approached excitedly, “Little brother, you’re so handsome. I like you already. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Xiao Feng was stunned, surprised by his unexpected charm with women. Looking at her, his confidence soared.
The woman was indeed beautiful, with a high ponytail, long eyebrows, peach blossom eyes, rosy cheeks, and translucent lips. She wore cream-colored yoga clothes and white sneakers—truly stunning. Just as he was about to respond, he sensed a threatening presence. Glancing aside, he saw Li Ao glaring darkly at him.
Sensing the tension, Xiao Feng said tactfully, “Li Ao, do you need something?”
Li Ao’s face was iron-gray with fury but dared not confront the woman. Instead, he vented his anger on Xiao Feng, cursing, “Damn it, Xiao Feng, just wait. I’ll get rid of you sooner or later!”
“Oh, did I provoke you? Or annoy you?”
“This is my girlfriend, Shi Enxin!”
“Then what does that have to do with me? She approached me first; am I not allowed to talk?”
“If you dare challenge me, you’re asking for death!”
Shi Enxin laughed, “I just like talking to little brothers. What’s wrong?”
Then she shot a provocative glance at Li Ao. But Li Ao didn’t dare lose his temper—after all, Shi Enxin was his girlfriend now, and he was probably her devoted admirer.
“Enxin, please don’t be like this…”