Feng Suyin felt her breath catch at Lan Ruoxing's words. She hadn't expected Li Xinlian to be close to Shen Qinglan, Lan Ruoxing's mother. She had always known there was tension between the Feng and Lan families. But she never imagined it went back to such a tragic event.
"My mother... was involved in your sister's death?" Feng Suyin's voice wavered. "Are you sure there's no misunderstanding? That's quite a serious accusation."
Lan Ruoxing nodded solemnly, his gaze never leaving hers.
"I wish it weren't true, but the evidence is clear. My father was away on a business trip. My mother decided to visit Li Xinlian at her home. She was in her seventh month of pregnancy around that time."
He fell silent, as if the mere thought weighed heavy on his heart. Feng Suyin studied his face, seeing pain and determination etched in his expression. She knew there was more to this story. A deeper layer that only Li Xinlian and Shen Qinglan had known.
"Mom said she and Li Xinlian got into a heated argument that escalated quickly. In the chaos that ensued, an accident occurred. My mother fell down the stairs... and my sister paid the ultimate price."
Feng Suyin gaped in shock, her mind reeling.
She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She knew Li Xinlian was selfish and arrogant. But she never thought her mother could viciously harm someone and cause such a tragedy.
She was lost for words. Unable to speak a word to comfort Lan Ruoxing. Her thoughts raced, trying to reconcile the woman she knew as her mother with the horrifying image painted by his account.
"When my father returned, it was too late. My mother was barely clinging to life, and my elder sister was dead. Li Xinlian said it was just an accident—that my mother wasn't the only one who lost a child, because she also delivered a stillbirth baby after the accident." Lan Ruoxing continued. "Since then, our families have been embroiled in a bitter feud. My father never forgave Li Xinlian for what happened to my sister and my mother. Li Xinlian refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing. That drove an even deeper wedge between our families."
Feng Suyin listened intently, wondering if she could use this information to her advantage. She wanted to ruin the Feng family to the point they couldn't recover. To the point they would rather wish for death than continue living in shame.
She knew she had to tread carefully. Use the volatile history between their families to her advantage. With Lan Ruoxing confiding in her, she saw an opportunity.
"I'm so sorry for what your family has gone through. I also apologize for asking so recklessly. It must have been hard for you." Her voice carried genuine compassion.
Lan Ruoxing looked at her, his eyes searching her face for any hint of sincerity. Seeing what he hoped was genuine empathy, he nodded slowly. His guard slightly lowered in that moment of vulnerability.
"Thank you," he replied quietly. "I'm relieved to see that you are far from the rest of the Feng family."
Feng Suyin raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"There were rumors about you, Miss Feng. Some say you hide from the public because you can't meet everyone's expectations as the adoptive daughter. Others claim you have never practiced a single day despite graduating from med school with flying colors. They say you're the black sheep of the Feng family. That you spend your days holed up in your mansion, avoiding the world." He paused. "But I see something different in you. I see someone who knows pain and deals with it in her own way."
Feng Suyin's jaw clenched at the mention of the rumors.
She knew the whispers and gossip that followed her every move. But she never expected Lan Ruoxing to bring them up in this context. Despite her usual composure, she felt a flicker of insecurity. The thought of her reputation being tarnished even further by baseless speculation.
She took a moment to collect herself before meeting his gaze head-on.
"Rumors are often born out of ignorance and malice. I have no interest in fulfilling anyone's expectations but my own."
Lan Ruoxing studied her intently, a flicker of respect glimmering in his eyes. He chuckled and leaned against the wall behind him.
"Everyone admires your little sister. But I think you are more interesting than her, Miss Feng."
"You think so?" Feng Suyin asked, amused. She found it intriguing that Lan Ruoxing—who came from a family with such a tragic history involving hers—would find her fascinating. It was a rare sentiment she hadn't encountered often.
"Don't let my sister hear that." She smiled at him. "Yilan hates it when people pay more attention to me than her."
Lan Ruoxing laughed softly. The tension of their earlier conversation dissolved into a comfortable ease between them.
"Well, I suppose it's good that she's not here then. We wouldn't want to incur her wrath."
Feng Suyin enjoyed the banter. A welcome distraction from the weight of their previous discussion. As they continued talking, she couldn't shake the thought of using this newfound connection to further her agenda. Lan Ruoxing had unknowingly handed her a tool she could exploit to bring down the Feng family.
But amidst the scheming thoughts that swirled in her mind, a small voice whispered caution.
Lan Ruoxing had bared his family's tragedy to her. Trusted her with his vulnerability. Despite her determination to manipulate the situation, she couldn't ignore the empathy that tugged at her heart.
As the evening drew to a close and Lan Ruoxing bid her farewell, Feng Suyin watched him disappear into the night. His form illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights.
She knew their paths would cross again.
And when they did, she would have to choose.
Exploit his trust for her own gain?
Or forge a genuine connection that transcended their families' feuds?