Lan Ling Yan wasn't familiar with the flustered girl, yet her reaction to seeing him was so abnormal that he couldn't feign ignorance. His beauty was renowned, and even the most perceptive women rarely reacted this way when they saw him. Her sheer terror was evident in her wide eyes, a fear that transcended mere apprehension. Though Lan Ling Yan's nature was ruthless, those who had witnessed his cruelty were usually either corpses or on death's doorstep. This girl, however, exhibited such prescience that it intrigued him.

"Where do you think you're going?" A voice softened with amusement broke through the air as a firm arm wrapped around Ning Yunhuan's waist. His grip was unyielding even though his touch felt like silk against her dress. The lift sent her toes barely grazing the floorboards before she was fully hoisted into his arms.

The moment that voice reached her ears, Ning Yunhuan nearly lost her mind. Her heart threatened to rupture as panic surged through her veins. Just as she began struggling violently, her captor anticipated every move. One hand secured her waist while the other pressed against her skull, forcing her face against his chest. With a detached glance at the shop around them, he simply strode out with Ning Yunhuan cradled in his arms.

Several hulking men clad in black followed behind without question before disappearing into the store after him.

Fuyuan's eyes nearly overflowed when she caught sight of Lan Ling Yan up close. His striking features were matched only by the commanding aura he exuded, an intensity even a fool could recognize. Just moments ago Ning Yunhuan had claimed not to know him, yet now they appeared intimately entwined! A surge of jealousy twisted in Fuyuan's chest as she impulsively ran toward the exit.

"I'm Fu Yuan... I'm Huanhuan's friend..." Her voice wavered with nervous energy. The girl's flushed face bore adoration that made Lan Ling Yan's lips curl into a knowing smirk. He could feel Ning Yunhuan shudder in his arms when Fuyuan introduced herself and mentioned the other woman's name.

Lifting her higher, he buried his face against her neck. The delicate perfume mingling with faint sweat was an intoxicating combination, yet instead of releasing her as usual, he held on tighter. When he noticed Ning Yunhuan shivering violently in response, a chuckle escaped him before he turned toward the exit.

The sight of this tender embrace ignited Fuyuan's frustration into something raw and burning. She yearned to chase after them, but the imposing figures blocking her path radiated such menace that she lost all strength from her legs. Meanwhile, Lan Ling Yan had already vanished beyond the store entrance with Ning Yunhuan in his arms.

"This... this is illegal..." The girl mumbled from deep within a modified SUV, curled into herself like a frightened animal. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she struggled to understand how she'd become entangled with such an ominous figure when her destined protagonist should still be basking in single life's pleasures.

"Oh?" Lan Ling Yan watched the shivering form before him with growing irritation. While his expression remained unreadable, his fingers twitched toward her in invitation. She recoiled instantly, teeth chattering audibly as her skin paled to an unnatural shade.

He was accustomed to adoration in his eyes, but Ning Yunhuan's reaction was an entirely new experience - both fascinating and amusing. Whether it stemmed from unusual perceptiveness or simply keen intuition, either trait warranted further investigation.

"I-I'm... not well..." A tear slid down her cheek as she tried to explain her condition without revealing too much. Yet the words caught in her throat when she remembered she shouldn't even know about his laboratory this time around. Her legs only curled tighter toward her chest as a silent plea.

"Where exactly are you unwell?" Lan Ling Yan extended a hand toward her. His fingers, long and pale with distinct knuckles, should have looked elegant - the kind that would grace piano keys. Instead, Ning Yunhuan saw only bloodstained digits from memories of his gun aimed at someone's skull, making her tremble even harder.

"Ah?" The sharp line of his jaw tightened dangerously as Ning Yunhuan instinctively thrust her hand into his grasp. Like holding a cowering puppy, he tugged until she collided against him. As dizziness washed over her, she blurted out apologetic words without thinking.

"I'm sorry." Fear had seeped into her bones from past lives where Lan Ling Yan was an unstoppable force. This rebirth had seen her plotting revenge against Ning Yuncheng and vowing vengeance on the original protagonist, yet with this man it was different. His power and cruelty were etched so deeply within her that even in innocence she felt compelled to atone first.

Somehow, she sensed defiance would spell disaster worse than anything from her previous life. If he grew truly displeased...

Watching her desperate desire to submit, Lan Ling Yan's lips quirked into a bemused smile - this was certainly proper behavior.