Bella Qin, That Certain Someone’s Fiancée Classmate

Lance Quinn followed his previous method, driving silver needles one by one into Serena Feng’s chest and the inside of her thighs. Judging by the locations, several needles were not placed at acupuncture points, and more than a few were at especially sensitive spots.

That’s why Lance Quinn had to strip Serena Feng completely—this detox method was bizarre, almost malicious. The Emperor clearly meant for her to suffer.

If no doctor came, Serena Feng would simply burn with fever from the poison—until she died or her mind was destroyed.

If a doctor did come, things weren’t much better. Serena was suffering from an ordinary heat toxin, and the only way to detoxify was to pierce these specific points with silver needles to draw the poison out.

By then, the poison would be gone, but Serena herself would be ruined. Maybe she wouldn’t care, but others would—and that alone would be enough for the mainstream to shun her. Unless she chose a life of total isolation, she’d never be accepted by society again.

Rumors already swirled—maybe she’d lost her chastity before marriage, maybe she was involved with Ninth Royal Uncle, maybe she had tangled with the eldest Su son. These could be dismissed as hearsay or disproved with evidence.

Truth was, Serena Feng hadn’t lost her virginity—she was still untouched. If she could swallow her pride and let the palace matrons examine her, all those rumors would collapse. But if a doctor saw her naked during treatment, that was something she could never deny.

If this really happened, it would be the last straw that crushed Serena Feng.

"The Phoenixfield clan always believed girls should be cherished. From birth, Phoenixfield daughters are treasured by their elders, pampered like pearls and jewels. Their status is second only to the Lan clan, and even when they marry, it’s considered marrying down—their husbands wouldn’t dare disrespect them. A Phoenixfield girl is noble and adored all her life, her rank nearly equal to a princess. But you, you’re the exception."

Lance Quinn swept away the long hair tangled around Serena Feng’s neck, his fingers gliding over her soft skin, lingering despite himself. But he couldn’t linger for long…

At first, blood only beaded at the needle sites, but soon it welled up more and more. Within half an hour, Serena Feng’s body was smeared with blood—not as dramatic as being pulled from a pool of it, but enough to be frightening, almost as if someone had painted her with it.

The blood on Serena’s skin was brighter and more vivid than usual, and far hotter to the touch.

As the blood flowed out, Serena’s face returned to normal—no more unnatural flush, and her fever faded.

"Looks like she’ll be fine." Lance Quinn let out a breath, removed the silver needles one by one, and dressed Serena Feng. He didn’t bother wiping away the blood—not only was it inconvenient, but he couldn’t afford to linger in Feng Manor.

After tidying up, Lance Quinn tucked Serena in and brushed the bangs from her forehead, revealing a smooth, unblemished brow. "When you wake up tomorrow, you’ll know what happened. Doctors aren’t supposed to treat themselves, but I trust you—you should be able to handle the rest of the poison on your own."

Lance’s detox method hadn’t purged all the poison at once—she’d still need medicine. But it wasn’t convenient for him to stay; Feng Manor was no longer the free place it used to be. Coming tonight was a huge risk.

He checked Serena over and over, making sure nothing was wrong, then slipped out into the night. In a few quick moves, he was out of Feng Manor and at Storm Cloud Bu’s lookout post. Seeing Storm Cloud Bu unresponsive, Lance grabbed him by the collar. "Let’s go."

"Cough, cough…" Storm Cloud Bu staggered, nearly falling from the tree. He glared at Lance Quinn. "Quinn, you really don’t know how to treat a lady. Were you just as rough with Serena Feng? You’d better be careful—if you left any bruises on her, she’s so cautious she’ll notice, and then you’ll be in trouble."

"Will you die if you stop talking?" Lance Quinn suddenly stopped and shot Storm Cloud Bu a fierce glare, startling him so much he clutched his pounding chest and jumped back.

Scared half to death—Quinn’s aura really was intense. After checking to see Lance wasn’t actually angry, Storm Cloud Bu grinned, clapped him hard on the shoulder, and acted like they were old friends meeting far from home.

"Soulmate, soulmate! Quinn, how did you know? If I don’t talk, I’ll suffocate! Quick, tell me—did the detox go smoothly? Is Serena Feng in danger? When will she wake up? What’ll happen to her?"

His words sounded caring, but his eyes were full of gossip.

Lance Quinn didn’t bother shaking Storm Cloud Bu off, but Storm was like a dogskin plaster—impossible to get rid of. Lance had no choice but to drag him along.

Storm Cloud Bu was the type who’d shine with just a little sunshine. Even though Lance Quinn kept a cold face and didn’t push him away, Storm shamelessly kept asking about all sorts of gossip.

"Quinn, you really have to take responsibility for Serena Feng. Sure, nobody else knows, but I’m a witness—even if I didn’t go in, I know what you did. A man and woman alone in a room—you’ve ruined her reputation. You have to marry her now."

Storm’s words weren’t sincere—there was a hint of warning and probing underneath. Lance Quinn was so annoyed he finally snapped: "Enough, Storm Cloud Bu! Can’t you think of anything else? All you ever do is obsess over this nonsense!"

The thing Lance hated most was talking about Serena Feng’s reputation. Back then, he’d watched coldly as others smeared her name and did nothing. Now, he’d compromised her reputation himself, and the thought weighed on him.

Storm Cloud Bu nodded seriously, his eyes flashing with a strange light, and said innocently, "I really can’t help it. I’m bored lately—besides romance, there’s nothing else to think about. Quinn, don’t dismiss these matters of the heart. Don’t forget what you promised your master and mistress."

Storm’s words made Lance Quinn’s face change—not in anger, but suddenly grave.

Some things he hadn’t cared about before. But now? Could he still be as indifferent as he once was?

Seeing Lance like this, Storm Cloud Bu’s tone grew serious too, with a hint of reproach: "Quinn, you haven’t really forgotten, have you? You promised your master you’d marry your junior sister, Bella Qin. Don’t be a heartless man."

After all that, Storm Cloud Bu was really warning Lance not to forget his fiancée, Bella Qin.

"I haven’t forgotten. I’ll keep my promise to my master—I’ll marry Bella Qin." Lance Quinn answered stiffly, half explaining, half convincing himself. "Serena Feng is an outstanding doctor. She once spoke of the art of heart-mending, and I think she can do it—maybe she can cure Bella’s illness."

Lance’s words were vague, as if he was fooling himself as much as Storm Cloud Bu. Storm saw through his uncertainty but wisely didn’t press further, returning to his usual joking manner.

"Why so serious? You and Bella have been together for over ten years—I understand. Your master and mistress would be happy for her, wherever they are."

Bella was born frail, but after years of careful care, she now seems almost normal. I don’t think you should keep her hidden away in the valley forever. You two are engaged—it’s not against tradition for you to bring her out now."

Storm Cloud Bu smiled as he tried to persuade Lance, but only he knew his own heart was bleeding…