Fuyuan was intimately familiar with her father's character. She hadn't anticipated that all matters would eventually entwine around herself, a connection she had never considered before. Previously, she only viewed Li Panpan as overly indulgent and scheming to remove her through her authority - a situation filled with resentment yet without genuine pain, merely regret over failing to fully capture Qin Yuxiong's heart and failing to bear his child.

The revelation that the Qin family had gifted two hundred million to Ning Yunhuan ignited an unbearable surge of bitterness within Fuyuan. With such tangible evidence before her eyes, how could she possibly blame herself when Ning Yunhuan effortlessly acquired everything? The notion of a conspiracy between Ning Yunhuan and Li Panpan immediately took root in her mind.

"Shameless! Definitely your collusion with Li Panpan to ruin me... why don't you just die..." Fuyuan's thoughts spiraled into madness as she lunged toward Ning Yunhuan. But Ai Fen, though not stupid, clearly recognized the menacing presence of Lanling Yan nearby - he feared further family disgrace would bring catastrophic consequences for the Fu household, so he forcibly restrained his daughter.

"How long will you indulge in childish tantrums?"

Fuyuan's world tilted at hearing her father accuse her of petulance when Ning Yunhuan was clearly scheming against them. Before she could shriek in fury, Madam Fu finally lost control - yanking her hair back while delivering a resounding slap. "Cursed star! What misery you've caused us!"

Unable to physically harm their daughter for propriety's sake but harboring no such reservations themselves, Madam Fu continued beating Fuyuan without mercy once the family's future in the capital was ruined by this betrayal.

The Fus had always favored their son over Fuyuan since birth, a fact that had long eroded her self-esteem. Though they publicly displayed affection for their daughter when guests were present, now with facades stripped bare and Lanling Yan watching nearby as Madam Fu assaulted her in broad daylight, Fuyuan's fury intensified. She screeched while dodging blows, hatred burning fiercely toward Ning Yunhuan.

Ning Yunhuan no longer feared Fuyuan - the Rhee family had already been dismantled by Li Panpan's machinations. In this life she retained divine favor despite past suffering under Gu Yingxi, but when it came to mere mortals like Fuyuan... noticing her hostile gaze, Ning Yunhuan merely raised an eyebrow.

"Madam Fu wishes to discipline your daughter? Perhaps you'd prefer to wait until I've finished inventorying these assets?"

Ai Fen's face turned ashen at this challenge while Madam Fu bit back homicidal impulses, using the excuse of fixing her hair to compose herself. Lanling Yan remained silent but cast icy glares toward Fuyuan.

"Yunhuan, Uncle Fu has raised you since childhood, and everyone knows my integrity - surely you trust me?" Ai Fen forced a smile when Ning Yunhuan showed no reaction, then redirected his attention to Lanling Yan."May I know the gentleman's name? You've been married for some time now. If you'd given notice earlier, we could have shared in your wedding feast."

Though countless had sought favor from Lanling Yan before, he usually ignored such attempts. However, recalling Ai Fen's mention of attending their nuptials, Lanling Yan found himself slightly interested despite his usual indifference - at least the man had spoken sense.

"Shenzhou," Lanling Yan provided after a pause. While not actively engaging in conversation, he avoided overt hostility, allowing Ai Fen to breathe easier before attempting further overtures. But Fuyuan and Madam Fu were already shrieking as they tried extracting valuables from their persons - only for security personnel to forcefully remove necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

"Your account has been credited," Ning Yunhuan said coolly. "Given your eagerness to depart the capital, I won't delay further. Safe travels." With that, she gestured for the Fus' expulsion before surveying the main hall.

The Fu residence was familiar territory - though only in her previous life when she first developed conflict with Fuyuan before becoming friends with Gu Yingxi. She had never imagined this house would ultimately fall into her hands.

Nearby lay the Ning estate, so after concluding business they drove there for lunch and to see parents. As soon as they entered the car, Lanling Yan pulled Yunhuan into his embrace, brushing kisses against her forehead before stating firmly:

"We've been married over a year with Lin Yi now one year old. The wedding photos were taken pre-Christmas. Should we hold the ceremony after your semester ends?"

The tone left no room for discussion - Lanling Yan wasn't seeking consensus but demanding compliance. Yunhuan hesitated, recalling Ai Fen's earlier comment about attending their wedding. "But..."

Lanling Yan said nothing more, only fixing her with a stare that made her reconsider. After deliberating briefly she reluctantly replied, "I haven't graduated yet - perhaps after graduation?"

"Not everyone waits for graduation to marry," Lanling Yan smiled coldly. "If privacy is your concern, we can hold an exclusive ceremony. Those who should know will remain silent."

The chill in his tone made Yunhuan's scalp prickle. She tried feebly, "But your parents just left..."

"If you wish for them at the wedding I'll notify them," he replied smoothly though his expression darkened. His father merely resided temporarily with the Dragon Alliance - not far away at all.

Yunhuan sensed immediate danger from his icy demeanor and softened gaze. She had always known this man's patience was endless... except when it came to marriage. For over two years of careful courtship, even ice would have melted in his arms yet she remained distant like a phantom in his grasp - afraid him perhaps?

"Shenzhen," Lanling Yan's voice suddenly deepened as he tightened his embrace. "You claim not wanting a wedding?" His laughter reverberated through the cabin until it fell silent save for their heartbeats and fading chuckles.

The desire to crush her rose unbidden but was forcibly restrained - his hands gripped her waist with lethal force, terrified of accidentally snapping her delicate neck.

"Have I ever asked your opinion?" he demanded as she trembled in his arms. Their relationship had diverged sharply from their initial dynamics. While he became increasingly possessive, Yunhuan remained unchanged - no haughty attitude from favoritism nor softened demeanor from affection. Even now with Lin Yi born and her technically his wife, she still sought escape.

This was the first time Yunhuan witnessed Lanling Yan's fury in two years. Panic prickled at her spine as she recalled exactly how dangerous he could be - these past years of indulgence had lulled her into forgetting fundamental truths about him.

Lanling Zhen viewed her trembling form with familiar affection, yet this was his weakness. He had allowed her to live for years rather than hide her away safely, permitted others to see what was his despite knowing the risks. But she still sought escape...

His expression darkened with killing intent as his fingers traced her face down to her throat. Yunhuan fought back tears - two years of leniency had made her dangerously forgetful. She instinctively curled inward but he pulled her closer.

When their lips met, Lanling Zhen's anger began ebbing away like receding tides. His hands drifted lower until they found purchase on her trembling torso. For once, Yunhuan didn't resist or flee - a rare moment of compliance that emboldened him further as he claimed dominance.

Even now she couldn't refuse his advances despite flushed cheeks and buried face in his chest. The car grew increasingly charged as her body gradually relaxed under his ministrations. When Lanling Zhen's hardness refused to soften, she nervously urged him on until the danger faded into distant memory.

Lanling Zhen took pleasure in not forcing her but allowing self-paced intimacy - though discretion was unnecessary given their vehicle's discreet design and modified shielding. Their actions remained undetectable even by attentive drivers ahead.

Approaching Ning residence, Lanling Zhen still hadn't softened completely. When Yunhuan grew anxious, he simply ordered the driver to make additional loops until satisfied. Unlike usual gentleness during her discomfort, this time he showed no mercy - each penetration was agonizing yet inevitable until exhaustion rendered her legs too weak for movement.

The car reeked of intimacy when Lanling Zhen finally released her, though neither had used protection. As he cleaned them both and redressed her with care, Yunhuan hesitantly leaned against him while silently fearing the consequences of his next words:

"Never again consider flight," he warned coldly. "Even if you could take wings, I would pluck them from your back."

This wasn't idle threat but calculated control - a bird on a string given limited freedom to fly before being reeled in should it stray beyond limits.

Though inexperienced with romance previously, Lanling Zhen had learned his lesson: excessive pampering only pushed her further away. Now he understood that dominance was the path forward - whether she resisted or feared him, all versions of Yunhuan were his to claim.

Even if forced, even if only body possession remained, he would create a heart where none existed through sheer willpower. His gaze darkened as he tightened their embrace, and Yunhuan's resolve crumbled entirely.

Regret flooded her - comparing past leniency with current dominance made her realize how blind she'd been to his true nature. Had she only agreed when he first suggested a wedding...

They arrived at Ning residence midday just in time for lunch. If not pre-announced, parents might have finished eating already. As Yunhuan descended the car, shaky legs nearly sent her sprawling had Lanling Zhen not caught her.

"Darling, you're falling," Madam Ning laughed but quickly softened when seeing son-in-law's swift assistance. "Come inside - your father has been pacing anxiously, watching for your arrival."

Yunhuan blushed furiously yet said nothing while Lanling Zhen observed his wife with renewed amusement before retreating to the sofa where she refused to move.

Dad Ning began chatting with Lanling Zhen about business: "Have you truly bought out the Fu household?"

Yunhuan merely sighed at being mentioned, exhausted from earlier exertions. Lanling Zhen's eyes never left his wife but only replied cryptically: "Let her play."

Madam Ning, overseeing meals in kitchen, smiled approvingly. Both parents were delighted to see such obvious favoritism toward their daughter.

"But she's just a child playing with expensive things," Dad Ning added pragmatically. "You should manage the affairs for her - don't waste money on frivolities."

Yunhuan glared silently at Lanling Zhen who merely smiled knowingly, having already decided to let his wife "play" with whatever assets she desired.

Later when asking about Ning Yuncheng's troubles, Yunhuan immediately triggered a shift in parental moods.

"Don't mention that matter—it's just infuriating! Your father and I have been worried about your eldest brother's health, so yesterday we secretly went to the Gu family to check on him. What we didn't expect was encountering another man at their place—someone who appeared quite intimate with Gu Yinxie." The moment Lady Ning mentioned this, Lord Ning nearly lost his temper entirely.

Though Ning Yuncheng's refusal to consult them about such a significant decision as kidney donation made him seem unfilial, how could they truly act as sternly as their words suggested? After all, he remained their son. Despite their anger, yesterday evening they still went to visit the Gu residence out of concern for their son. However when they arrived at the temporary home where the Gu family was currently staying, they unexpectedly saw Gu Yinxie returning from the market with a man who clearly wasn't her spouse—laughing and chatting as they carried vegetables together. Lord Ning could scarcely believe his eyes. Only after those two had left did he specially inquire with some neighbors resting downstairs, at which point he learned this stranger was Gu's boyfriend.