Serena Feng looked up, carefully sizing up the boy in front of her, until her gaze made him so nervous that he clutched his sleeve tightly before she finally looked away.
Serena Feng shrugged indifferently, lowered her head, and continued eating the snake soup, acting as if nothing had happened.
She really didn’t want to scare the pretty boy.
To ease the tension, Serena Feng put on a considerate look. "Eat something first. Whatever needs to be said, we’ll talk after we finish eating."
Serena Feng genuinely felt sympathy for this boy.
This boy’s eyes were clear—he was definitely not some scheming villain. The fact that he brought her the snake after taking her money only proved how simple-minded he was.
The occasional flicker of wariness and fear in his eyes was just like a young deer stepping out of the herd—uneasy, but full of hope.
In this boy, she saw the shadow of the old Serena Feng.
Framed by others, forced into a dead end.
The difference was, the old Serena Feng chose death, while this boy fought to survive.
She was always willing to help those who dared to challenge fate; for her, it was just a matter of wielding a scalpel, but for this boy, it could change his whole life.
Just like when Nolan Dongling handed her that robe.
A simple gesture, yet it allowed her to keep her last shred of dignity.
Additionally, Serena Feng deeply despised the practice of branding words onto a person's body as punishment.
The character 'base' carved into his flesh divided people into ranks.
This boy looked like a flawless piece of jade—Serena Feng simply couldn’t see anything 'base' about him.
Of course, the most important thing was that this boy was perfectly suited to stay at Feng Manor.
Where else could she find someone so good-looking, who did chores for free?
The boy looked at Serena Feng, still wary and suspicious, but his stomach betrayed him with a loud rumble.
Although he was anxious about whether the brand on his body could be removed, seeing Serena Feng focused on eating, he could only wait.
He sat down to eat the steaming, delicious snake soup, but it tasted like wax in his mouth. After a few bites just to fill his stomach, he was about to ask Serena Feng something when footsteps sounded nearby.
Someone's coming?
The boy froze, shrinking himself defensively.
This was his instinctive reaction to strangers—a wariness he couldn't hide.
Serena Feng stood up; although she didn’t know who was coming, anyone who dared to visit Feng Manor at this time was definitely not ordinary.
Don’t be afraid. You’re not a base-born or a vagrant anymore. Now… hmm, you’re my cousin. By the way, what’s your name?
I… my surname is Zhou. You can call me Zhou Xing." The boy hesitated before giving this name.
Knowing it was a fake name, Serena Feng didn’t press further. "Zhou Xing, remember, from now on you’re my cousin. Call me sister from now on."
With that, she turned to face the newcomer.
A richly dressed young man approached, bathed in the gentle glow of the setting sun.
Vincent Su?' Serena Feng blinked.
Vincent Su’s presence was dazzling; at the morgue, he’d been gloomy because of his brother’s accident.
Now, all traces of the day’s gloom were gone. Every move radiated noble elegance, and his glow was almost blinding.
Miss Feng, I apologize for Vincent entering the inner residence without permission.' Vincent Su nodded apologetically.
Actually, it wasn’t really his fault.
The vast Feng Manor didn’t even have half a servant left.
No worries, it was my poor hospitality. I failed to greet you properly.' Serena Feng returned the courtesy, her manner polite yet distant.
Sensing Serena Feng’s distance, Vincent Su felt a pang of bitterness and disappointment.
Deep down, he disliked being treated as a mere guest by Serena Feng. But what else could she see him as?
Vincent Su couldn’t say. He only knew he didn’t want to keep such a distance between them—he wished they could be closer.
Miss Feng, I came to apologize for what happened earlier today—and to thank you for saving my brother’s life.
After speaking, he solemnly bowed.
Serena Feng was startled and quickly stepped aside. "Mr. Su, that's too much. We already cleared things up earlier—it was just a misunderstanding. As for saving your brother, I’m a doctor; saving people is my job, and all I ask for is the medical fee. If you don’t mind, just pay me for the medicine."
She was dirt poor—she didn’t even have money for food tomorrow. Now that a fat sheep had come to her door, she wouldn’t let it go.
She was robbing Vincent Su’s wealth to relieve her own poverty.
Huh?' Vincent Su thought he’d misheard and looked at Serena Feng.
This girl was asking him for the medical fee?
He, Vincent Su, had come in person to apologize, but Serena Feng only wanted money.
For some reason, a nameless anger flared up in his heart, but he didn’t know how to vent it.
Vincent Su forgot that in the past, he always solved such matters with money. In his eyes, everything and everyone had a price—only the amount differed.
But today, Serena Feng’s attitude—just wanting money and clearly distancing herself—infuriated Vincent Su.
If you don’t want to pay, that’s fine—it was no trouble. Don’t worry about it.' Serena Feng waved generously when she saw his reluctance.
She always understood you couldn’t fight the authorities—especially in this country.
From ancient times, the nobility always had privileges. Although she was technically part of that class, with no one to rely on, she was worse off than a commoner.
How much do you want?' Vincent Su suppressed his disappointment and looked at Serena Feng coldly.
Vincent Su was very angry—the consequences would be serious.
Just give me a thousand taels, I don’t mind.' Serena Feng said generously, clearly seeing the contempt and anger in Vincent Su’s eyes.
But so what?
She was desperate for money. If she didn’t ask, she’d starve.
She never intended to ingratiate herself with these young lords.
Wasn’t Vincent Su the one who called her impure and filthy? Shouldn’t she quietly step aside?
"Give her a thousand taels of gold." Vincent Su gestured to the servant behind him.
With those words, he no longer lingered and turned to leave.
In Vincent Su’s eyes, Serena Feng was a woman who didn’t know how to appreciate kindness.
He, Vincent Su, had ignored all the rumors and humbled himself to visit Serena Feng. Not only did she refuse to flatter him, she even acted so indifferent.
What an infuriating woman!
You want money? Fine, I’ll bury you under a thousand taels of gold.
Let her see what kind of opportunity she’s missed!
If she’d latched onto Vincent Su, a thousand taels of gold would be just the beginning.
"You made him angry." Zhou Xing pointed at Vincent Su’s departing figure, looking at Serena Feng in confusion.
He’d heard plenty about Serena Feng in the imperial capital.
Shouldn’t a woman like her seize the chance to hold onto Vincent Su and turn her fate around? Why didn’t she?
Serena Feng waved the banknote in her hand, unconcerned. "Doesn’t matter. I never planned to deal with him."
She was just a doctor—curing people and getting paid was only natural. It was only a matter of how much.
Clearly, Vincent Su was a generous client.
Serena Feng glanced around the rundown Feng Manor and nodded resolutely.
"Zhou Xing, focus on getting healthy. I’ll help you erase that branded mark soon."
Now that she had money, Feng Manor could finally be repaired. Zhou Xing was a perfect choice…
Everyone should be put to good use—Serena Feng didn’t support idlers.
"Really? That’s wonderful! Thank you, Miss Feng, thank you! Your kindness is beyond measure, and I’ll repay you with my life!"
"No need for grand repayment—just clean up the table." Serena Feng smiled sweetly and strolled leisurely back to her room.
With money in hand and a helper by her side, her new life was finally looking up…