MCSCPM -Chapter 220 Acting Like a Rogue

Suddenly, Leng Feng seemed to have a spark of realization in his head. But when he asked her this, how could a young lady not feel shy? Ding Ying quickly turned away and said, “I… I know it’s all because of me. If something were to happen to you, I would feel guilty.”

“Is it really just because of that?”

She nodded. “Yes. Only because of that.”

Ding Ying’s words stirred something in her heart, though she didn’t realize it herself—she just felt shy and assumed it was merely that.

Leng Feng naturally believed her. After all, he was nothing if not simple-minded.

By noon, Leng Feng began feeling hungry. Thinking that Ding Ying must be hungry too after the whole morning, he asked, “Ding Ying, I’ll take you somewhere delicious. You must be hungry. I know a place that’s especially good.”

“Anywhere is fine,” she replied.

At the Teahouse

Yin Qingyue had been sipping tea here for half an hour. She expected Leng Feng would bring Ding Ying, so she came early to wait.

Soon, she saw the two of them arrive. Yin Qingyue sat behind a curtain, so neither Leng Feng nor Ding Ying noticed her.

Leng Feng led Ding Ying to the second floor and chose a table by the window.

“The food here is especially good. My Prince used to love coming here,” he said.

“Your Prince would come to a place like this?” Ding Ying asked.

“Yes. Don’t let his usual solemn demeanor fool you. In front of Miss Yin, he drops all airs and bears any hardship. Whether it’s this teahouse or a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, he’s willing to go,” Leng Feng said carelessly, signaling the waiter for dishes without noticing Ding Ying’s expression.

Ding Ying listened, thinking: For Miss Yin, he’d go through knives and fire? What a beautiful sentiment! Although she had already let go of any improper thoughts about Prince Jing and gradually moved on, hearing this still touched her heart a little.

Yin Qingyue, too, overheard everything clearly. “Knives and fire,” she thought—this was intense. Could Chu Jingcheng really go through mountains of knives and seas of fire for her? She was half doubtful, half convinced, yet recent experiences with him made her cautious. Shaking her head, she reminded herself that the most important thing now was Leng Feng.

Leng Feng ordered a table full of dishes, praising each one.

“You probably rarely leave your home. You must have never eaten this kind of food. You have to try it all.”

“Mm.”

Ding Ying had eaten outside food before, but never a table full like this. It was a first for her.

After finishing, Ding Ying ate sparingly, but Leng Feng cleared nearly half the table.

Yin Qingyue, observing him, thought: If I were sitting across from him now, I’d turn and leave. But Ding Ying stayed quietly, watching him eat carefully without a fuss.

Suddenly, a commotion outside drew Ding Ying’s attention. Peering out, she saw children and adults carrying beautiful lanterns, running and laughing joyfully in the streets.

“Why is everyone holding lanterns?” she asked.

Leng Feng put down his chopsticks, looked outside, and smiled. “Tonight is the Lantern Festival. People are preparing lanterns now. It’ll be lively tonight.”

“Really? A lantern festival tonight? Can I stay and watch?”

Seeing her smile and the wonder in her eyes, Leng Feng nodded, patting his chest. “Sure, I’ll stay with you until you’ve seen the lanterns.”

“Thank you, Leng Feng.”

“Ding Ying, don’t thank me so much. I should be thanking you,” he said.

Ding Ying didn’t reply, her eyes drawn outside. Yin Qingyue also felt happy seeing the lanterns.

“Mei’er, we’ll also stay out a bit later tonight,” she said.

Mei’er worried, “Miss, will it be safe to return so late? It’s a long way from the city.”

“No problem,” Yin Qingyue replied calmly. Deep down, a voice told her that even if something happened to her, Chu Jingcheng would find her—though she didn’t fully admit it to herself.

At the Prince’s Mansion

Leng Yi returned and relayed the news to Chu Jingcheng.

“Prince, there’s a lantern festival tonight. Ding Ying wants to stay and watch, so Miss Yin stayed too.”

Chu Jingcheng smirked mischievously. “A lantern festival, huh? Looks like I can’t just stay in the mansion tonight.”

“Your meaning, Your Highness?”

“Miss Yin is going. Should I just dawdle in the mansion?” He laughed wickedly, thinking: Yin Qingyue, tonight you won’t escape me.

The lantern festival was lively. Streets were filled with red lanterns from one end to the other, and everyone had come out to enjoy them. The streets were crowded but cheerful. Lanterns came in all forms, some with riddles—truly a festive scene.

Ding Ying gazed up at the dazzling display, smiling brightly. It was her first time in such a crowd—she was thrilled.

Leng Feng stayed close to her, wary of anyone bumping into her. Walking slightly behind, he shielded her whenever someone approached.

“Beautiful, Leng Feng. Was it always like this?”

“Every year, always beautiful. You missed so many years because your father worried too much.”

“I’m his only daughter. Of course he worries. I don’t like crowds much either.”

“Don’t worry this time. I’ll stay by your side and keep you safe.”

Ding Ying smiled, understanding he had been protecting her. She turned back to continue admiring the lanterns. At a flower stall, she pointed at a colorful bunch and asked the vendor, “What flower is this?”

The vendor, seeing her with Leng Feng, quickly brought the bouquet over. “It’s called Jiuzhe. You two must be a perfect couple. Sir, why not buy it for this lady?”

Ding Ying blushed and quickly explained, “You misunderstand—it’s not like that.”

But Leng Feng had already paid for the flowers and, in his typical awkward way, handed them to her.

“Ding Ying, this suits you. Take it.”

“Do you know what a Jiuzhe flower symbolizes?” she asked.

“No, what?”

“It… symbolizes everlasting love,” Ding Ying said softly, not revealing it outright. She held the bouquet, heart racing.

Leng Feng didn’t know the meaning. To him, giving a girl a flower was no big deal.

Yin Qingyue, though enjoying the festive scene, didn’t join the crowd. Sitting at a quiet tea stall, she watched the red lights across the river. Smiling softly, she recalled previous nights wandering the city with Chu Jingcheng, enjoying the night market—clay figurines, glutinous rice balls—just as lively as now.

Suddenly, strong hands grabbed hers, pulling her off balance into someone’s embrace.

Startled, she widened her eyes. “Who?”

“Only been a day apart, and you don’t recognize me?”

It was Chu Jingcheng—only he would treat her so roughly.

Seeing his handsome face, she relaxed. “How did you know I was here?”

“Nothing escapes me, especially concerning you.”

“Let go first.” She tried to push him away but couldn’t match his strength.

He smiled devilishly, increasing his grip. “Yin Qingyue, once you fall into my hands, there’s no escaping.”

“Are you too confident?”

“Yes, I’m certain,” he said, every word sincere.

Yin Qingyue turned her head, holding her hands in front. “Prince, don’t make a scene. There are many people around; someone might see us.”

Chu Jingcheng glanced around. Though some noticed, he ignored them, pushing her hands aside with a teasing tone. “Yin Qingyue, are you afraid now? When you stripped me and took my money before, didn’t you think someone might see?”

“Rogue.”

“Today, I will truly act like a rogue,” he said.

“What are you going to do?”

Before she could finish, he forcefully kissed her, giving her no warning.

His kiss was passionate and deep. In that moment, it felt as if Yin Qingyue was his entire world, and he wished he could strip her clothes too.