The driver paused for a moment.
“How should he be raised…?”
“That… depends on how Mr. Feng sees him.”
Feng Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly, his long, sharp gaze darkened.
“Of course, as someone to be protected by Third Master Feng’s reputation—a person of leisure.”
The driver frowned.
“Does this kid owe Mr. Feng a favor?”
Feng Lin exhaled smoke, then slowly said one word:
“Sort of.”
The driver understood. A small smile appeared on his lips.
“In that case, just bring him to a few events so people can know him. If you value him, others won’t dare to treat him badly.”
Feng Lin turned toward the car, giving the driver some instructions as he walked.
After about half an hour, the car passed the blocked tree road.
Xia Xunqian sat quietly.
A few minutes into the ride, he noticed Feng Lin constantly scratching and rubbing the pads of his left hand.
Though Feng Lin’s face looked cold, he was clearly getting impatient.
Xia Xunqian lowered his gaze toward Feng Lin’s hand. The redness and swelling were obvious—it had been stung by the poisonous vine.
That thing would make animals avoid it. Touching the skin felt like needles piercing all over, making even calm people restless.
Xia Xunqian had been stung before; Feng Lin’s reaction was surprisingly calm.
Suddenly, Xia Xunqian reached out and grabbed Feng Lin’s scratching hand.
He carefully examined Feng Lin’s fingers for a moment.
“Let me see.”
His voice was soft, quiet, almost hypnotic.
Xia Xunqian looked into Feng Lin’s eyes, his cool gaze filled with concern.
He gently pressed the edge of Feng Lin’s swollen fingers.
Before Feng Lin could react, Xia Xunqian brought the fingertip to his mouth and sucked lightly.
Feng Lin’s pupils flickered.
The warm touch sent a strange sensation through him, each gentle motion brushing against him repeatedly.
It was slightly ticklish.
Not just slightly.
When Xia Xunqian let go, his eyelashes lowered.
“This is an old-fashioned method.”
Feng Lin glanced at his finger; the previous irritation seemed to have eased considerably.
He withdrew his hand, his expression indifferent.
“You should mind your own business more.”
Xia Xunqian lifted his eyes. Clear as spring water, captivating, he said,
“You care for me, so I care for you.”
Feng Lin’s expression darkened slightly.
“I care for you because I have the ability to. What do you have?”
He stared directly at Xia Xunqian, the atmosphere sinking to its lowest point.
“If I felt you did it on purpose, taking advantage of you, what would you do?”
Xia Xunqian pressed his lips, quietly saying,
“If I dare to start, then I am willing…”
Feng Lin glanced at the car window. Their atmosphere had become subtly tense after Xia Xunqian’s words.
Invisible tension, magnetic push and pull.
The window was open; Xia Xunqian’s words were carried away by the wind before Feng Lin could hear them clearly.
But he didn’t ask again.
The car passed the small path and several long alleys, finally arriving at the Feng family estate.
The Feng family patriarch lived traditionally in the ancestral home.
The courtyard was much larger than Xia Mansion. It was a proper noble estate: spacious front yard, layered greenery in the courtyard. Among chaotic old estates, this one was luxurious, with gold and jade, but also wild, tangled roots and thorny branches—definitely not a quiet place.
That day, Xia Xunqian went from one large estate to another.
At the gate, Second Master Feng was leaning, as if waiting for someone.
Feng Jianjue saw Feng Lin arrive, a playful smile on his lips. Standing under the lantern, he said,
“Third Brother, why are you so late today?”
At that moment, Feng Jianjue noticed Xia Xunqian standing behind Feng Lin.
His gaze was curious and unreadable. Feng Lin rarely brought outsiders home, so it was natural he studied Xia Xunqian carefully.
Feng Lin walked toward the door, lips curled coldly.
“Was held up on the road.”
Feng Jianjue crossed his arms, eyes fixed on Xia Xunqian.
“Third Brother, this is…”
Feng Jianjue was a well-known playboy in the capital, skilled with both men and women.
His sharp gaze made Feng Lin’s expression darken.
Feng Lin glanced sideways at Xia Xunqian and noticed the boy holding onto his coat.
Seeing Feng Jianjue’s murderous expression, Xia Xunqian’s fear was no surprise.
Feng Lin suddenly grabbed Xia Xunqian’s hand. Gentle strength, yet warm.
He didn’t answer Feng Jianjue, but softly said to Xia Xunqian,
“Let’s go.”
His action served as the reply.
He tightened his grip and led Xia Xunqian inside.
Feng Jianjue watched Feng Lin with Xia Xunqian in tow, fingers brushing lightly.
The scent of orange leaves—how rare.
At home, Feng Lin arranged a room for Xia Xunqian.
In the east courtyard.
He gave clear instructions to his staff:
“Give him whatever he wants.”
“Check what medicine he’s been taking and buy the best.”
“Buy new clothes, whatever he likes. His living expenses come from my personal account.”
“If he wants to go out, have a servant take him.”
Suddenly thinking of something, Feng Lin’s expression darkened.
“His father said he wouldn’t live past thirty. Don’t treat him badly—fulfill all his requests as much as possible.”
The butler took notes carefully.
“I think the boy is obedient.”
Feng Lin’s gaze drifted. Xia Xunqian’s face appeared in his mind.
He really was obedient.
Feng Lin’s eyes shifted indifferently.
“Too obedient, he can’t protect himself.”
The butler nodded.
“Yes, yes.”
After giving instructions in the study, Feng Lin went out again.
Xia Xunqian stayed in the east courtyard room.
The next morning, the butler brought breakfast.
Xia Xunqian sat in the courtyard, looked at the butler, and asked carefully,
“Where is Mr. Feng?”
“Oh,” the butler smiled, “You mean Third Master? He went on a business trip to Shanghai.”
“Left last night.”
Left last night…
Xia Xunqian’s expression darkened slightly, eyes narrowing.
“Did he say when he’ll return?”