"I’m leaving the family, Han Lin," Lu Feng said quietly, anticipating any reaction from Han Lin but for a minute or two, it never came.
There was silence all over the courtyard after Lu Feng declared his departure to his maid who simply sat there, frozen. She was so caught off guard that she simply couldn’t comprehend his statement for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, there still was no sound which caused Lu Feng to force out a cough. "Ahem!"
"Han Lin?" Lu Feng called out, trying to get her attention and pull her out of whatever thoughts were closing her mind.
Her head snapped in his direction almost immediately. "Yes, Young Master. You called my name?" She asked, the shocked expression now replaced by the look of someone who was genuinely worried about her master.
Lu Feng sighed and shook his head. She was probably too shocked to react how he’d expected so he was going to ask her directly.
"Don’t you have anything to say about me leaving the family?"
Han Lin remained silent for a few more seconds, staring into his eyes as much as he did to hers. Eventually, she spoke. "Are you... are you truly leaving?"
Lu Feng nodded with a bitter smile. "I don’t want to repeat myself but yes, I’m truly leaving. The elders have made it clear that my existence within their estate is something they’ve become tired of. With how they presented their complaint to me, I’d rather die somewhere unknown than die within this godforsaken estate of theirs. They can have it all and die within its four walls for all I care."
Han Lin had lost her appetite right from the moment he made the first statement but hearing his explanation, she dropped her chopsticks to the side of the table and sighed. She’d completely given up on eating anymore and was now genuinely concerned about her master’s wellbeing.
She watched his expressions for a moment before her voice echoed through the courtyard again. "Will you be fine, Young Master?" Her question was filled with nothing but pure concern and worry for the young man she’d served for over three years now.
She was a year older than he was and as they spent time together, their relationship had taken a large leap in a different direction. Despite being his maid, Han Lin saw him as her little brother and cared deeply for him.
Lu Feng saw her in a similar light. She was closer to him than even his siblings. It wasn’t a stretch to say she was the closest being to him so he also cared deeply for her. "I’ll survive, Han Lin. The real question we should focus on is whether you will survive here in the estate after I leave or not."
Han Lin shrugged. "Young Master, I was selected amongst a dozen maids to serve you and in this estate, that is my sole purpose. To tend to all of your needs. I’ve been doing that for the past three years. If you choose to leave the family now, only three paths are left for me to choose from, although the third is what I would choose without a doubt."
Lu Feng remained silent but nodded, his gesture telling her to proceed with the three options she claimed she would have to choose from.
"The first is that I’ll be relieved of my duties and become free of the Lu Family. That’s basically saying I’ll become a free woman but as an orphan, I have no family member to return to. The second option is that I remain in the Lu Family, serving another master that isn’t you." A frown appeared on her face as she spoke of the second option.
She seemed disgusted and disappointed by that option as though it was the one she hated the most.
Lu Feng also seemed to pick up on her reaction and forced a small smile as he asked. "And what about the third option?"
Han Lin took a moment to exhale deeply before answering. "Why of course, the third option is that I continue to do what I was initially employed to do. The third option is that I continue to serve you even after you leave the family."
Lu Feng’s face turned into a frown for a moment. It wasn’t that he didn’t think of this option of hers. The problem was that even Lu Feng had no idea where he was headed after leaving the family estate. He wouldn’t dare to risk Han Lin’s life the same way he was doing with his.
He soon shook his head and a sigh escaped his lips. "Han Lin, I don’t even know where I’m headed after leaving this place. I wouldn’t dare risk your life on the chance of a better future without guarantee. It’s way too dangerous for a young master like me. It’ll be much worse for a beautiful lady such as yourself."
"That’s a risk I’m willing to take." Han Lin added the moment Lu Feng finishes speaking. "It’s not a risk you dare to take but I do. I dare to take it. I’d rather perish with you, the only person who’s looked at me as a human rather than a slave, than remain here. I am very certain if I remain here, my new master wouldn’t treat me anywhere near as nice as you do."
She wasn’t lying. Lu Feng already had an idea of who would take her in if she was left with the family. He also wished he could change that but in truth, the only way he could change that outcome was if she left with him.
She wasn’t done speaking though. So she shook her head twice and continued. "It doesn’t matter if I’m a free person or a maid serving another master here in your family. As long as I’m not with you, then that is not the freedom I desire."
Lu Feng opened his mouth to argue further, hoping to explain more reasons why it would be better for her to remain here rather than go with him even though he knew he would most likely fail to convince her. However, the moment the first word formed in his head, he saw the shadow of someone walking in the courtyard and approaching them from his left side.
Lu Feng turned towards the figure and immediately he did, he recognised the man with a swollen stomach. It was none other than his third uncle, Uncle Lu Bao, escorted by two of the guards assigned to him as a high ranking member of the Lu Family.
Lu Feng grinned as he saw his uncle approaching. It all clicked in his head now. Why his uncle had been the most excited about him getting thrown out and why Han Lin refused to stay in the family. It was because his perverted uncle was after her and she was trying to avoid him to the best of her ability.
That was also why she said she wouldn’t be free as long as she doesn’t leave with Lu Feng. Simply being with him was her freedom. Now he understood it clearly.
His uncle wasn’t here to shed tears on behalf of Lu Feng neither was he here to bid him farewell in good health. If there was someone who wanted Lu Feng to die from sickness, it was Third Uncle Lu Bao. It hadn’t always been like that though.
His uncle has hated him from the start but only recently, three years ago, did his hatred become so open. He didn’t even bother to hide it anymore. Everyone in the family was basically aware of it.
The way his uncle was currently staring at Han Lin told him that his uncle could barely contain his growing need to claim Han Lin for himself and Lu Feng was happily going to ruin that.
Amongst the lecherous men of the family, Third Uncle Lu Bao being their leader, there had been numerous occasions where they ranked the most beautiful females within the family and each time, they all had one unanimous agreement. That position would belong to Han Lin for as long as she remained within the family. No one came close.
Lu Feng had often encountered them during their usual meetings and even though he wasn’t like them, he also agreed with their decision. She indeed was the most beautiful.
She has the perfect curves, skin like polished jade, a face that looked like a goddess’s, and a smile that could steal the light from the sky.
Third Uncle Lu Bao was aiming to claim her for himself so he would be praised by the others. Since Lu Feng had declared that he would be leaving, Third Uncle Lu Bao believed Han Lin didn’t belong to him anymore and sort to take her before others set their sights on her.
’How greedy.’ Lu Feng sighed.
Third Uncle Lu Bao soon arrived in front of them with a creepy smile. "Well well... you’re still here, little freak. With how bold you spoke, I thought you’d be halfway to your death door already."
Lu Feng didn’t plan on staying longer than today and he also didn’t plan on being gentle with his uncle today either.
A smile revealed itself on his face as he asked. "Third Uncle, to what do I owe this pleasure? You’ve visited me twice today. That has never happened before. Are you by chance wishing you for to bond better with me, Third Uncle?"
Each time he made a sentence, he made sure to mention his uncle by his position, emphasinh the "third" every time. It always got into the skin of the shallow figure that called himself his Third Uncle.
However, the man seemed immune to it this time. He snorted at Lu Feng’s remark and turned to Han Lin. "My dear, Han Lin. Since my wayward nephew has decided to leave the protective custody of the family, rather than have you sent out to the streets of the city, I have decided to show compassion."
His creepy smile worsened. "I cannot sit still and watch a talented orphan like yourself get thrown out to the streets so I have decided to welcome you into my personal quarters."
Lu Bao was married to two wives and has four concubines already. However, for someone like him who had wealth and the backings of himself Lu Family, he could add more without worrying. He was hoping to add Han Lin to his list of concubines or better still, make her his third wife.
As he spoke, Han Lin’s face twisted into a frown with each word while Lu Feng simply remained silent as he already knew what her reply would be. "From today forward, you will serve me directly. I know you’ll love that, won’t you?"
Han Lin had been respectful enough to let him finish. She was still a maid of the family. Being disrespectful even though she was the direct maid of another family member was a sure way to get punished.
However, now that he asked her that question, she could answer. "I refuse."
Third Uncle Lu Bao was about to say something else when she replied to his question, catching him off guard. "Pardon? You refuse what?"
"I said I refuse your offer. I will not move in to your quarters and I will not be serving you directly." Han Lin said, explaining with such clarity that would have him question his hearing.
"You are a servant of the Lu Family! You’re to do as you’re told! Go where you’re told and obey instructions without questions!" Lu Bao snapped.
Han Lin shook her head. "I was a servant of the Lu Family. My Master is leaving the family so I have no reason to remain behind. I will be leaving with him as I have been ordered to serve Young Master Lu Feng from the beginning. He’s willing to have me, so why not?"
Without waiting for his reaction or response, she walked into the small house to pack up her items.