The inner compound felt like it was holding its breath. Alarm bells had died hours ago, but the silence was worse—thick, suspicious, waiting for blood. Lin Feng walked the lotus path to Lady Mei Lin's pavilion like he owned the place, hands loose, face calm. Guards at the entrance didn't even blink—just stepped aside. Their eyes followed him like they already saw a corpse.
He pushed through the silk screens.
Inside, the air was heavy with sandalwood and rage. Low red lanterns cast bloody light across the room. Mei Lin sat on the raised platform like a queen on her throne—crimson robes perfect, hair pinned high with jade, face painted flawless. But her knuckles were bone-white on the armrests and her lips were a thin, furious slash.
She didn't rise.
"Sit, mongrel," she said, voice dripping venom.
Lin Feng didn't sit.
He stopped dead center, hands behind his back.
"You summoned me," he said quietly.
Mei Lin's eyes raked him head to toe, like she was looking for the crack she could break.
"Lin Wei saw fire this morning," she said slowly. "Real fire. From a card that turned real. The pillar exploded. Flames that weren't qi—they were alive." She leaned forward, lantern light catching the hate in her black-jade eyes. "And he heard you say fifteen cards. Fifteen. From the mongrel bastard who shouldn't even have one."
Lin Feng didn't blink.
Mei Lin's voice turned sharper. "You think a little fireworks makes you something? You think it washes away what your whore mother did? Spreading her legs for my husband like a cheap tavern slut? You're still filth. Cards or no cards."
Lin Feng tilted his head. "Filth who can make real fire."
Her laugh was short and vicious. "Real fire doesn't change blood. It doesn't change that you're a mistake my husband refuses to claim. And now you're sniffing around Wang Xue? Touching what belongs to my sons? You mongrel dog—stay in your gutter."
Lin Feng took one slow step closer.
Mei Lin stiffened—but didn't call the guards.
"You hate me," he said softly. "You've hated me since the day I was born. You made sure every slap, every insult, every cold shoulder came from your side. You sent Lin Wei to spy. You told him exactly what to say when he caught me with Wang Xue."
Mei Lin's jaw clenched so hard a muscle jumped. "And?"
"And I'm wondering," Lin Feng continued, voice dropping low, "why the great Lady Mei Lin cares so much about who I touch. Is it because Wang Xue is promised to your precious heirs? Or is it because… you saw the fire too?"
Her eyes narrowed. "I saw smoke. Nothing more."
Lin Feng smiled—small, cold. "Smoke from a pillar that doesn't exist anymore. You were watching from your balcony. Don't lie, Mei Lin."
Mei Lin's breath hitched—just a fraction.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, but the ice in her voice cracked.
Lin Feng took another step. Close enough now that the incense smoke curled between them like a dying breath.
"You saw it," he said. "And you felt something. That's why you summoned me alone. No guards. No witnesses. Just you and the mongrel you've spent years trying to bury."
Mei Lin's chest rose faster. "You arrogant little—"
Lin Feng cut her off with one final step.
The Lust card in his core pulsed—once, hard, hot.
A faint crimson aura leaked out—soft, invisible, but thick enough to feel. It rolled off him in slow waves, wrapping around her like warm velvet.
Mei Lin froze.
Her pupils blew wide. Her lips parted. A sudden flush crawled up her neck—fast, uncontrollable. Her thighs pressed together under the robes like she was fighting a tide rising inside her. A tiny, broken whimper slipped from her throat.
Lin Feng saw every second of it.
He leaned in, voice a low murmur.
"You hate me," he said. "Call me mongrel. Call me filth. But right now… your body is begging."
Mei Lin's hand lifted—shaking—and brushed the front of his robe. Fingers curled into the fabric like she couldn't help it.
She yanked back hard.
But she didn't retreat.
The crimson aura thickened—waves rolling stronger. Her breathing turned shallow, ragged. Nipples hardened visibly under the silk. Eyes went glassy, pupils blown.
"What… what are you doing to me?" she whispered, voice cracking.
Lin Feng didn't touch her.
He just stood there.
The Lust card pulsed again—deeper.
Mei Lin swayed forward, eyes locked on his mouth.
"You think you can control me?" she hissed, but it sounded like a plea. "You're nothing. A mongrel bastard."
Lin Feng smiled—slow, dangerous.
"Then tell me to leave," he said. "Call the guards. Scream. I'll walk out right now."
Silence stretched—thick, electric.
Mei Lin's hand lifted again.
This time she didn't pull back.
Her fingers curled into his robe, pulling him closer—slow, trembling, like she was drowning and he was the only thing solid.
Her voice was barely a breath.
"…Don't go."
Outside, the silk screens fluttered in the wind.
Inside, the woman who had spent years trying to erase him… suddenly looked very small.
Very fragile.
And very much like prey caught in a trap she didn't want to escape.