"Have you eaten yet?" he asked calmly.
Chen Anya looked at him with disbelief. "Why are you asking me that?"
"I'd like to take you out for a meal," he replied.
Before she could protest, he turned toward the driver and said calmly, "You can go back. I'll personally take her home later."
The driver hesitated and looked at Chen Anya for confirmation. After a brief pause, she reluctantly gave a small nod. The driver had no choice but to leave.
Soon, Fang Yiren led her toward his Maybach G7 sports car. The door opened automatically, and he gestured for her to sit inside.
Once she was seated, he walked around to the driver's side and got in.
While he started the car, Chen Anya quietly took out her phone and sent a message to Su Ning explaining the situation.
A reply came almost instantly.
"Play along and enjoy yourself."
The message was followed by a teasing drooling emoji.
Chen Anya's face instantly turned bright red. She hugged her purse tightly and turned toward the window in embarrassment, silently complaining about Su Ning's mischievous teasing.
However, she decided to follow the advice. If the Royal 6 were planning something, then pretending to cooperate might help her understand their intentions.
As the car began moving through the city streets, Fang Yiren glanced at her thoughtfully. He had to admit that Chen Anya was truly pretty. Her gentle features and quiet temperament made her stand out from the many girls he had met before.
His thoughts briefly shifted to Su Ning. The entire group had already seen everything about her on social media. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but her wealth and identity was threatening. If she couldn't be an ally which he was sure was no longer possible, she was an enemy that needed to be taken out.
But that was exactly why she was dangerous.
And Chen Anya… was the easiest path to get closer to her.
Lost in his thoughts, Fang Yiren suddenly leaned slightly toward her.
Chen Anya noticed the movement and froze instantly, her heart beating faster as his shadow moved closer, wondering if she should kick him or scream.
But instead of doing anything inappropriate, he simply reached past her shoulder and pulled the seatbelt across her body, fastening it securely.
"Relax," he said with a light chuckle.
Chen Anya let out the breath she had been holding and turned away with an annoyed scoff.
About twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of an extremely luxurious restaurant. To Chen Anya's surprise, the place appeared completely empty. It seemed Fang Yiren had rented the entire restaurant.
After they sat down, he handed her the menu politely and asked, "What would you like to eat?"
Remembering Su Ning's advice to enjoy herself, Chen Anya decided not to hold back. She began ordering dish after dish, listing nearly everything on the menu.
The waiter looked shocked, but Fang Yiren only nodded with amusement and told him to prepare everything.
Soon the table was filled with plates of exquisite food. Chen Anya began eating enthusiastically, deliberately ignoring Fang Yiren's gaze.
Watching her eat with such focus, Fang Yiren chuckled quietly. "Can you eat all of that?"
She ignored him and continued to eat. She barely had a plate when she was full. But even when she was, she pretended she wasn't and continued poking randomly at different dishes, placing food in her mouth until her cheeks bugged.
Fang Yiren saw this, chuckling and thought she was quite cute and decided he wanted to play with her as none of his previous flings were as cute as her.
Fang Yiren sighed softly and replied, "I wanted to apologize for how I treated you before."
Clearly not believing any of his word, she continued to force food into her mouth until she couldn't take it anymore. Finally, she placed her spoon down and picked up a napkin from the table, gently dabbing the corner of her lips.
Looking at him again, she repeated firmly, "So tell me the truth. Why did you bring me here?"
Fang Yiren reached across the table and gently held her hand. His expression softened slightly as he said, "Anya, I really do want us to be friends."
Chen Anya stared at him for a moment before laughing incredulously.
"You expect me to believe that?" she asked with disbelief.
He smiled calmly and replied, "I mean it."
She quickly pulled her hand away and stood up from her seat.
"It's Chen Anya," she corrected coldly. "And I want to go home now."
"Of course," he replied politely as he stood as well.
They soon arrived at Azure Lake Residences, the car slowing smoothly as it approached the grand entrance of the residential area. After the security recognized the vehicle and the visitor clearance, the gates opened and allowed them inside. A few minutes later, Fang Yiren's car rolled to a gentle stop in front of Chen Anya's villa.
Chen Anya immediately reached for the door handle, clearly intending to get out and end the awkward outing as quickly as possible. However, before she could step out, Fang Yiren spoke calmly from the driver's seat, his voice carrying a casual firmness.
"I'll take you in," he said.
Chen Anya frowned slightly and turned to look at him, clearly not pleased with the idea.
"That's not necessary," she replied quickly.
But Fang Yiren only smiled as if he hadn't heard her refusal. Without giving her another chance to protest, the front gate opened automatically. The car then drove slowly into the compound.
Chen Anya huffed softly in annoyance.
The car stopped near the entrance of the villa, and she pushed the door open before stepping out quickly, clearly eager to escape the situation.
Fang Yiren also stepped out from the other side of the car.
For a brief moment, he stood still and quietly surveyed the surroundings.
The elegant landscaping, the spacious compound, the tasteful architectural design of the villa, and the refined atmosphere of the entire estate immediately told him that this was no ordinary residence.
He had not expected this.
The reason he had insisted on driving Chen Anya home was simple—he wanted to know exactly what kind of background she came from. Now that he was standing here, however, the answer was far more impressive than he had imagined.
He knew about Azure Lake Residences very well.
His cousin's family lived in the same estate, so he was familiar with the value of the properties here. Each villa cost close to a hundred million yuan, and only extremely wealthy families could afford to live in such a place.
It seemed he had seriously underestimated Chen Anya's family.
He turned his gaze toward her thoughtfully.
So she had been hiding this well all along.
A faint smile formed on his lips as he studied her quietly, a deeper curiosity growing inside him.
At that moment, Chen Anya suddenly felt a strange chill run down her back. It was as if someone was staring at her too intensely. She instinctively rubbed her arm slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable under his gaze.
Before either of them could say anything else, the sound of an engine approaching interrupted the silence.
Both of them turned their heads toward the gate.
Just then, the automatic gate opened again, and a sleek red Ferrari Roma drove sharply into the compound. The elegant sports car came to a smooth stop nearby.
The door opened, and a woman stepped out.
It was Chen Anya's mother, Liu Ting.
She looked refined and elegant as always. She wore a navy blue tailored suit paired with flared trousers, and a pair of striking red pointed heels added a bold contrast to her professional outfit. The jewelry she wore, her earrings, necklace, and watch subtly radiated luxury and taste.
It was the first time she had ever seen her daughter being dropped off at home by a boy.
Her eyes briefly swept over Fang Yiren, instinctively evaluating him. From the expensive car he drove to his confident posture and refined appearance, it was clear that he came from a wealthy and influential family.
Part of her felt relieved seeing that Chen Anya was finally socializing with people and stepping out of her usual quiet routine.
But at the same time, she remained cautious.
She knew her daughter's personality very well—gentle, kind-hearted, and sometimes too trusting. The last thing she wanted was for Chen Anya to get hurt by someone with questionable intentions.
Still, Liu Ting did not reveal any of these thoughts.
Instead, she approached them with a calm and polite smile.
"Mom!" Chen Anya exclaimed as soon as she saw her.
She quickly walked over and wrapped her arm around Liu Ting's arm affectionately, as if instinctively seeking comfort from her presence.
Meanwhile, Fang Yiren observed the elegant woman standing before him and felt even more impressed.
He stepped forward slightly and bowed politely.
"Good evening, Auntie," he greeted respectfully.
Liu Ting looked at the young man standing before her.
He was indeed quite handsome, and his manners were impeccable. However, something about him felt slightly off to her.
His smile seemed just a little too gentle. His politeness felt somewhat exaggerated.
Based on his appearance and the luxurious car he drove, someone from a wealthy background like his would normally carry a certain level of arrogance or pride. Yet Fang Yiren appeared almost overly courteous.
Liu Ting immediately sensed that he was putting on a façade.
However, she did not reveal her suspicions.
Instead, she returned his greeting with a soft smile.
"Hello," she replied politely.
After a brief moment, she spoke again.
"Would you like to come inside and have some tea?"
Before Fang Yiren could respond, Chen Anya suddenly interrupted.
"Mom, he was just about to leave," she said quickly.
As she spoke, she moved over to Fang Yiren and lightly held his arm. Her gesture looked natural on the surface, and she even nodded toward him with a polite smile, silently encouraging him to agree.
Fang Yiren had originally intended to accept Liu Ting's invitation.
However, Chen Anya's sudden closeness caught him off guard for a moment. His attention shifted completely to the light touch of her hand on his arm.
Without thinking much, he simply nodded.
"Yes, I should get going," he said.
Liu Ting looked between the two of them for a brief moment before nodding calmly.
"Alright," she said.
She then turned and walked into the villa.
The moment Liu Ting entered, Chen Anya immediately released Fang Yiren's arm and stepped back, putting a noticeable distance between them.
Her expression returned to its usual guarded look.
"Thanks for the meal and the gifts," she said politely but without warmth.
Then she added firmly, "But I could have paid for my own things."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Good night. I won't see you off."
Before Fang Yiren could respond, she quickly turned around and hurried toward the villa.
Within seconds, she disappeared through the door, leaving Fang Yiren standing alone in the quiet compound.
Fang Yiren let out a low chuckle as he stood there, watching the direction Chen Anya had disappeared into. The sound of the villa door closing echoed faintly in the quiet compound. His eyes slowly darkened with interest, a sharp glint flashing within them.
No girl had ever treated him the way she just had. From the moment they met until now, she had shown him nothing but wariness, defiance, and clear dislike. Instead of being offended, however, he found the entire experience strangely thrilling.
A faint grin slowly spread across his face as he slipped his hands casually into his pockets. The image of her fiery eyes when she glared at him replayed in his mind, and it stirred something inside him that he rarely felt, excitement.
Most girls he encountered were either overly eager to please him or too intimidated by his identity to behave naturally. Chen Anya, however, had done the exact opposite. She resisted him openly, pulled away whenever he touched her, and made it clear that she did not trust him at all.
Rather than pushing him away, that stubborn attitude only made him more determined.
His heart began to beat a little faster as the thought crossed his mind. He wondered, almost curiously, whether that same spark in her eyes would still remain after he was done with her. The idea alone made his blood stir with anticipation.
A deeper smile curved on his lips as he turned around and walked back toward his car. The sleek Maybach waited quietly, its polished surface reflecting the soft evening lights. When he stepped inside and closed the door, the quiet hum of the engine filled the car as it started smoothly.
Still smiling to himself, Fang Yiren placed his hands on the steering wheel and drove away from the Chen family villa. The powerful car accelerated smoothly before disappearing down the road, leaving the quiet estate behind.
Inside the villa, Chen Anya had already entered the living room with her mother.
Liu Ting looked at her daughter as she poured herself some wine and took a sip with a thoughtful expression, clearly still processing everything she had just witnessed outside. The elegant woman slowly walked toward the sofa and sat down.
Chen Anya went out and sat down beside her. She took a small breath before explaining everything that had happened with Fang Yiren. She also told her about the ROYAL 6 and what they had done before.
As she spoke, Liu Ting listened quietly without interrupting. Her expression remained calm, but her eyes occasionally narrowed slightly as she considered the details.
When Chen Anya finished, Liu Ting finally spoke.
Her voice was gentle but firm.
"Anya," she said carefully, turning to look directly at her daughter, "you must be very careful around people like them."
Chen Anya nodded slowly. She already understood what her mother meant.
"Those families are not ordinary," Liu Ting continued. "And from what you described, that young man's behavior doesn't feel simple. People from families like theirs rarely do things without a reason."
Chen Anya lowered her gaze slightly and nodded again.
"I understand, Mom," she replied softly.
Liu Ting reached out and gently patted her daughter's hand.
"It's best if you keep your distance from them," she added calmly. "Avoid meeting them whenever possible. They must be doing this because of Ning, ensure you don't say anything about Ning to them."
Chen Anya agreed without hesitation.
"I won't," she said resolutely.
At that moment, her eyes shifted toward several large shopping bags neatly placed in the living room. They had been arranged carefully beside the sofa, most likely by the driver who had delivered them earlier after returning from the mall.
She stood up and walked over to them.
"I'll take these upstairs," she said.
Liu Ting nodded. "Alright. Come down to eat once you are done."
Chen Anya smiled lightly and picked up several of the bags before heading toward the staircase. One by one, she carried them up to her bedroom.
Once inside, she placed the bags neatly on the floor beside her bed and stretched her arms slightly, feeling a bit tired from the long day. Without wasting time, she walked into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
Warm water washed away the slight fatigue she felt from the day's events. When she finished, she changed into a set of comfortable home clothes and returned to her bedroom.
After drying her hair, she sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up her phone and called Su Ning.
The call connected quickly, and as soon as Su Ning answered, Chen Anya immediately began recounting everything that had happened, from the moment Fang Yiren appeared at the mall to the dinner and finally him driving her home.
On the other end of the phone, Su Ning listened quietly before suddenly bursting into laughter.
"So the great Young Master Fang personally paid for your shopping and took you to a private dinner?" she teased playfully. "That sounds like quite the romantic treatment."
Chen Anya's face instantly turned red with embarrassment.
"Ningning!" she complained softly. "I'm being serious."
Su Ning chuckled again, clearly enjoying the situation.
"Alright, alright," she said between laughs. "I'm just teasing you."
Chen Anya sighed, still feeling slightly flustered. After a moment, however, her expression grew more serious.
"But what should we do?" she asked quietly. "I'm sure they approached me to target you. I must be Gu Yingying's idea."
Her voice carried a trace of worry.
On the other side, Su Ning's tone became calmer and more reassuring.
"Don't worry about it," she said confidently. "I'll handle it. By next week, you won't have to worry about them anymore."
Hearing the certainty in Su Ning's voice immediately eased the tension in Chen Anya's chest. She trusted Su Ning completely.
"Okay," she replied softly.
The two of them chatted for a little while longer, exchanging casual jokes and light conversation. Eventually, after saying their goodbyes, they ended the call.
The room fell quiet again.
Chen Anya set her phone aside and looked down at the many shopping bags spread across the floor beside her bed.
Letting out a small breath, she slid off the bed and sat on the carpet. One by one, she began opening the bags, carefully taking out the dresses, shoes, and accessories she had bought earlier.
Then she reached for the small jewelry box containing the friendship bracelets.
She paused for a moment as she opened it, her fingers gently touching the delicate pieces inside.
A soft smile slowly appeared on her face.
After admiring them briefly, she placed them carefully on the bed and continued sorting through the rest of the things she had bought.