CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: YUE CHEN’S MALICIOUS THOUGHTS.

Yue Ning froze, stunned by the sudden weight in his words.

"Mr. Huo..." she called softly, her gaze lifting to meet his darkened eyes.

"No one is allowed to bully you," Huo Feng said firmly. "Tomorrow, I’ll go with you. Besides, you are injured, it won’t be right to leave you with them."

"Ah..." Yue Ning blinked, startled, giving him a puzzled look.

"What?" he asked.

"Aren’t you busy tomorrow? Why do you have to accompany me?" Her voice wavered with confusion—though deep down, she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to take back his words or insist on them.

"You don’t have to worry about me. Since I said I will go with you, then you should put your mind at rest." Huo Feng answered her.

"You should rest," he said to her as he helped her lie on the bed. He didn’t forget to cover her with the bedsheets.

Picking the plate, he walked out of the room. Meanwhile, Yue Ning’s gaze lingered on the door.

She thought about his actions, and she found it strange. Huo Feng was... different. She didn’t know what to think about it.

Throwing everything to the back of her mind, she decided to sleep.

_____________

The next morning, the car pulled up before the Yue Mansion.

Yue Ning stepped out slowly, her injured leg still bandaged. Even with Huo Feng’s hand at her side, her limp was still visible.

The servants immediately rushed forward, bowing deeply to Huo Feng. Instead, they ignored her.

Huo Feng’s gaze swept coldly over every single one of them, and they shivered.

"Your Young Miss has returned, shouldn’t you accord her the respect she deserves?" Huo Feng coldly asked.

The servants broke out in cold sweat as they turned to look at Yue Ning who had a nonchalant smile on her face. It wasn’t bad to have someone take revenge for her.

Forcing a smile on their faces, they had no other option than to bow to Yue Ning who didn’t care.

After all, her so-called parents treated her horribly. It was only normal for the servants to treat her the same.

Tugging at his clothes, Yue Ning said, "let’s go in."

Huo Feng’s gaze softened as he guided her in.

Inside, the members of the Yue family had already gathered. Yue Ning frowned when she saw a few unfamiliar faces.

’They are members of the family. They are from the other branches.’ The system’s mechanical voice rang out, informing her of the identities of the people.

"But they weren’t mentioned in the novel," Yue Ning replied, her frown deepening.

’Remember Host, butterfly effect.’ The system clicked its nonexistent tongue, and Yue Ning rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile, the members of the Yue family all had smiles on their faces as they saw Huo Feng. They never expected that he would show up with Yue Ning.

"Young Master Huo, we weren’t expecting you here. I do hope Yue Ning isn’t causing trouble for you."

Father Yue approached him with a fawning smile. His eyes trailed down, and he frowned.

"Do you still need Young Master Huo to hold you? Can’t you stand on your own?" Father Yue yelled at Yue Ning who flinched at his outburst.

Huo Feng’s expression darkened. "Mr. Yue, you’re not blind—she’s injured. And so what if I hold her? She is my wife." His words rang cold and final.

The hall fell silent. Father Yue’s face stiffened, color draining as he was openly insulted by his junior. He forced a strained smile. "Please, sit."

Huo Feng ignored the shift in the air and calmly helped Yue Ning into her seat, sitting beside her.

Yue Chen’s nails dug into her palm, though her lips curved in a sweet smile. "Brother Huo, why did you come with Sister?"

Huo Feng only glanced at her before turning away. The smile on her face faltered by his lack of response.

From the side, Yue Wan laughed. "He’s your brother-in-law. Why wouldn’t he accompany Sister Ning?"

Yue Ning’s eyes flicked toward the girl—young, sharp, and unafraid.

"Yue Wan!" Yue Chen snapped, pointing at her. "Mind your own business."

"And if I don’t?" Yue Wan shot back, her tone mocking. She had never liked Yue Chen. She acted as though she was righteous, but she knew that it was false.

Mother Yue quickly intervened. "Yue Chen, enough. Go and prepare tea for your sister and brother-in-law."

"Mother..." Yue Chen’s voice wavered with protest, but at Mother Yue’s sharp look, she could only swallow her anger and leave.

Turning back, Mother Yue plastered on a smile. "Xiao Ning, mother missed you. How have you been?"

Goosebumps prickled Yue Ning’s skin. Even Huo Feng’s brow creased at the false sweetness.

"If you missed me," Yue Ning said clearly, "you would have called."

Silence fell. Mother Yue’s face flushed red, her smile freezing in place.

"It would be best if you stop the fake love. It doesn’t suit your personality." Yue Ning added.

She didn’t care if Mother Yue was embarrassed by her words. She wasn’t the Yue Ning who would take whatever was given to her.

Yue Wan burst into laughter. She was in a good mood. Yue Ning turned her attention to her, and she stopped laughing.

She only scratched her head awkwardly while Smith sheepishly. "Does Cousin remember me?"

Yue Ning stared curiously at her. She honestly had no idea who she was. After all, the novel never mentioned any other family members.

Yue Wan smiled. "I am Yue Wan, your cousin."

Before Yue Ning could respond, footsteps sounded. Yue Chen returned carrying a tray of tea, her smile was wide, but the gaze in her eyes was cold.

"Brother Huo, Sister, please have some tea."

She bent slightly, holding the cup out—but instead of placing it on the table, her wrist angled just enough that the steaming liquid hovered above Yue Ning’s bandaged leg.

The air in the room grew tense. Everyone noticed it, but no one spoke. Some looked away, pretending not to notice as they discussed among themselves.

Others watched with thinly veiled amusement. They were waiting for a good show.

Yue Ning’s brows furrowed as she pulled back slightly. Yet with her injured leg, she couldn’t move fast enough.

"Chen, that’s—" Yue Wan started, brows furrowed.

But before she could finish, Huo Feng’s hand shot out, fingers closing over Yue Chen’s wrist.

The sudden crack of porcelain rang out as the teacup shook in her grip, hot tea spilling over the rim.

"Enough." His voice was low, dangerous.

The room fell into silence, and Yue Chen froze under his gaze.