Looking at the little girl’s timid and pitiful look and how she did not dare to cry, her heart felt as though it had been stabbed with a knife.
In her dream, she ran as fast as she could, wanting to hug the little girl and protect her in her arms. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not move at all. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.
The little girl was taken away.
As the little girl turned her head and looked at Feng Lingxue with watery eyes, she extended her hand – Mommy, Mommy…
…
Feng Lingxue gradually opened her eyes and the luminous tears fell from the corner of her eyes, swiftly disappearing into her hair at the sides.
The pillowcase was already damp from her tears.
She was dreaming again.
The room was pitch black, and her lower part of the body beneath the blanket was icy-cold and devoid of warmth.
Pain throbbed throughout, she was hurting all over. She did not know if she was hurting from the cane marks, his kick or his slap. She was turning numb from all of the pain she was experiencing.
Stretching out her hand, she slowly felt around under the pillow, wanting to take out her small stone. It was her only source of comfort.
But it was empty.
She did not feel anything.
Where was her stone?
Feng Lingxue leapt up from the bed. She lifted the pillow to search for the stone, but to no avail.
Where was the stone?
She quickly got down the bed and searched the floor. She combed every single corner in the darkness meticulously and anxiously, just for her precious stone.
But she still could not find it.
What should she do?
She had lost her stone. She could not recall where she had misplaced her stone.
Her body fell down from the wall weakly and she curled herself up into a ball in the corner. Her hands clutched her hair in desperation and hopelessness. Why was she so stupid and useless?
Feng Lingxue wrapped her arms around her knees and muttered dazedly, “Mu Mu, don’t cry… Mommy’s here… Mommy will find you very soon…”
She buried her face in her knees and let the cold darkness envelop her.
…
The next morning.
Mo Mo opened the door and entered the room, bringing breakfast along with her.
Feng Lingxue was sitting by the vanity table. She had already changed into her maid uniform. As the days passed, she was becoming slimmer and more gaunt, her ravishing face looked extremely pale and wan.
“Miss Feng, it’s time for breakfast,” Mo Mo said without any expression on her face. Everyone here was very aloof and cold, and even the air was chilly.
As Feng Lingxue looked up at Mo Mo, she asked in a hoarse voice, “Mo Mo, where’s my stone?”
“Young Master has taken it away.”
He had taken away her stone.
Feng Lingxue looked down.
“Miss Feng, I’ve already advised you very early on not to be too obstinate with Young Master. If you take the initiative to placate him, your days will be much better.”
Placate him? Feng Lingxue smiled in a self-deprecating manner and looked at Mo Mo. “Mo Mo, can you lend me your cell phone? I want to… call Master.”
Mo Mo took out a cell phone and passed it to her. “Isn’t it better now that you have come to your senses? I’ll go and get some medicine to apply on your face. Your face is the most valuable asset right now, so don’t let Young Master get tired of it.”
Mo Mo walked out.
Feng Lingxue sat by the vanity table for a while, then she tapped on the cell phone and dialed a number.
The melodious sound of the cell phone ringtone rang once, and the person on the other line picked up the phone. “Hello.”
A familiar voice came through the phone. It was low and irresistibly magnetic. Feng Lingxue gripped the cell phone tightly and did not say a word.
The other party was silent for a few seconds and then the man said, “I don’t have time to waste. I’m hanging up now.”
“Hello,” Feng Lingxue was startled and replied hastily.
The other party did not hang up nor make a sound. It was obvious that he was waiting for her to continue speaking.
“Master, I want to go out. I want to… see you. Can I?” She had softened her hoarse voice, but it still sounded stiff.
The other party did not answer.
Feng Lingxue gripped the phone so tightly that her knuckles were white. “Master, sorry, I’ve learned my lesson and I won’t dare to commit any mistake again. I will… be obedient.”
She apologized in a low voice, and she seemed like a soulless puppet.
A few seconds later, the man’s low and magnetic voice came through the phone. “I’ll send someone to fetch you later.”
He immediately hung up the phone.
…
Feng Lingxue clutched the phone and sat in a daze for a while. Just then, the room door was pushed open and Mo Mo entered. “Miss Feng, Young Master said you can go out. The chauffeur is already waiting outside and you can go and meet Young Master now.”
Xuan Ying was not at the Snow Mountain Residence.
“Oh.” Feng Lingxue rose and exited the room.
Mo Mo saw that she had not touched her breakfast and said, “Miss Feng, have your breakfast before you go.”
Feng Lingxue did not turn back. “No need, I’m not hungry.”
After exiting the main door, Feng Lingxue got into the car. Half an hour later, the car stopped. It seemed to be some kind of celebration party.
The guests at the party were the most influential and powerful people of Country A. Everyone was holding glasses of red wine and chatting away merrily.
A few beautifully dressed socialites were talking amongst themselves.
—- Silver Mask King is really brave and fearless. He could actually decimate those bandits at Jing Zhou. Today the South Duke is holding a celebration party for the Silver Mask King.”
—- I heard that although this is a celebration party, it’s actually a matchmaking event. The South Duke is going to choose a wife for the Silver Mask King.
—- The Silver Mask King is blessed with devastatingly handsome looks. He’s such a heart-throb…
—- Get real. All the ladies here today fancy the Silver Mask King and want to be his wife. He will never set his eyes on you.
—- I wonder what kind of woman the Silver Mask King likes?
—- It must be someone young, beautiful, educated and brave. Oh and definitely someone coming from a prestigious family. Only a lady of such caliber can match up to the Silver Mask King…
Feng Lingxue stood numbly by the side listening to the gossip. Just then, a waiter escorted her upstairs.
The door was pushed open and as Feng Lingxue entered the room, she immediately caught sight of a tall and handsome figure standing by the full-length window.
Xuan Ying.
It was the celebration party today and Xuan Ying was dressed in a black uniform that resembled a military uniform. The premium material of the uniform was ironed perfectly without any creases and the silver tassel at his chest shimmered resplendently. His muscular waist was cinched by a black leather belt and he was wearing black trousers and army boots. He was so handsome that one could barely look away from him.
The fashion designer was adjusting his clothing and the make-up artist was fixing his hair, while his expression remained impassive all the while. He was the most coveted Silver Mask King.
Many ladies from prestigious families desired him and longed to marry him.
Feng Lingxue stopped in her tracks. Although both of them were physically close to each other, they were worlds apart on all levels.
She quietly stepped aside.
Xuan Ying glanced sideways and his dark eyes landed on her. Soon later, he frowned and said, “I don’t need a blockhead here. If you’re not coming over, then get lost!”
Head snapping up, Feng Lingxue promptly looked up upon his admonishment, only to see Xuan Ying pushing aside everyone else and looking straight at her.
