Aside from the Lan family, Feng Suyin wondered who else the Feng family offended. Someone as ambitious as her adopted father, Feng Xian, she refused to believe that he didn't make any enemies along the way. He had always been a shrewd businessman, willing to cut corners and step on anyone who got in the way of his success. He spent years cutting deals and climbing the social ladder with ease.
When she was growing up, she rarely saw her father at home. Hearing him arguing with Li Xinlian was usual for Feng Suyin. From a young age, she knew her adoptive parents didn't marry out of love. They were simply two ambitious souls looking to use each other to their advantage. It was a cold and distant partnership devoid of any warmth or affection. Feng Suyin often wondered if her father could feel love at all.
Only after Feng Yilan was born did she see her father having a gentle side, too. He treated Feng Yilan like a pearl in his hand. He poured everything he had lacked in warmth and love for his wife and Feng Suyin into little Yilan. The contrast was stark and unsettling, leaving Feng Suyin with a bitter taste in her mouth. She could only watch as her father doted on Yilan, showering her with gifts and attention that had always been absent when Feng Suyin was adopted.
She knew Feng Xian tolerated her because Li Xinlian wanted a child, but he never failed to remind Feng Suyin that she didn't deserve to bear his family name. She couldn't help but feel jealous whenever she saw how tenderly her father treated Feng Yilan.
As she grew older, Feng Suyin became more attuned to the intricacies of her father's dealings. She noticed how he would smile charmingly at business partners while his eyes gleamed with a ruthless ambition that sent shivers down her spine. A darkness within Feng Xian belied his smooth facade, and Feng Suyin was acutely aware of the danger that lurked beneath his polished exterior.
Now that she was the mayor of Longyu City, Feng Xian would attend more social gatherings and political events, showcasing the power and influence he held over the city. Feng Yilan's reputation would surely rise along with it. Feng Suyin knew she needed to act quickly before Feng Yilan got the upper hand against her.
As she was musing about her options, Feng Suyin overlooked Lan Ruoxing and his cousin, Lan Fengjin, walking toward her. She made her way to the nurse station to check the charts of her assigned patients. She noticed its presence only when she heard Lan Ruoxing call her name.
"Dr. Feng," Lan Ruoxing gave her a curt nod.
Feng Suyin arched a slender brow at him.
"What happened to your 'Miss Feng' last night?" She said in return, unaware of the curious look she was receiving from Lan Fengjin.
Lan Ruoxing smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.
"Ah, I just remembered I should use your proper title. We are in the hospital, after all."
"Little Ruo, you know each other?" Lan Fengjin gave Feng Suyin a suspicious look.
Feng Suyin wasn't offended because she knew that her being the adoptive daughter of the Feng family put her on the wrong side of the Lan family members.
"Ah, I recently got acquainted with Dr. Feng," Lan Ruoxing shrugged as if being acquainted with Feng Suyin wasn't an issue.
"She helped me deal with a problem." He added with a boyish grin. "I didn't know you were working here, Dr. Feng. What department are you in?"
Feng Suyin glanced at Lan Ruoxing, her expression unreadable.
"I work in the surgery department." She replied cooly.
"Well, it seems fate has brought us together again," Lan Ruoxing said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Perhaps I'll have the pleasure of seeing you more often now. I'm sure you already know, but my Mom is confined here."
Feng Suyin nodded but didn't comment. She wasn't sure what to make of Lan Ruoxing's sudden interest in her. She knew the Lan and Feng families had a complicated history filled with contempt and disdain. Yet here was Lan Ruoxing, acting friendly and casual as if the past meant nothing.
"I hope your mother's condition is stable," she finally responded, keeping her tone civil.
Lan Ruoxing's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure.
"I hope so," he said, almost a whisper. "She's been sick for as long as I can remember. It's a constant worry for our family."
Feng Suyin could see the worry in Lan Ruoxing's eyes.
"If there's anything I can do to assist with your mother's care, feel free to reach out." Feng Suyin offered, surprising herself along with Lan Ruoxing and Lan Fengjin.
Lan Fengjin narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her.
"Why would someone from the Feng family help my aunt?" he asked. "Isn't it enough that your mother hurt my Aunt Qinglan?"
"Fengjin!" Lan Ruoxing silently reprimanded his cousin. Although Lan Ruoxing was younger than Lan Fengjin, one could tell that he was more mature in handling delicate situations.
Feng Suyin raised a hand, stopping Lan Fengjin's further outburst. She looked at him calmly, hiding the turbulent thoughts in her mind.
"I understand there is animosity between our families," she began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "But as a doctor, my duty is to provide care regardless of personal history. Your aunt deserves proper medical attention, and I am more than capable of offering my assistance in that regard."
Lan Ruoxing's gaze softened, a flicker of gratitude crossing his eyes. He nodded appreciatively, acknowledging the unexpected offer of help.
"Thank you, Dr. Feng," he said earnestly. "I will remember your kindness."
He then shot Lan Fengjin with a warning glance. Meanwhile, Lan Fengjin huffed and looked away, knowing Feng Suyin was right.
Seeing how he reacted, Feng Suyin knew that a simple apology from her mother couldn't easily resolve the rift between their families. She understood that mending it would take more than a gesture of goodwill. But Lan Fengjin was mistaken if he thought she was doing it for the benefit of the Feng family. Because if there's anything she wants, it would be the ruination of the family who killed her in her past life.