How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Knowing that Master Song was coming that evening, Yan Ru couldn't muster any enthusiasm and let the little thing and Du Juan help her wash up and change her clothes.

She wasn't used to having so many people surrounding her at first, with even her private bathing time exposed to others. But in just a few days, she's already gotten used to being surrounded by servants.

Habits, oh habits, what a terrible thing.

Yan Ru had just finished bathing, her whole body was flushed red, and even after she had changed her clothes and waited for a while, her skin still had a pinkish glow.

With her long hair loosely draped over her shoulders, she lay down on the chaise lounge, letting her hair air dry while catching up on some sleep.

When Master Song entered Yanru's boudoir again, he was no longer as cautious as before. Whenever he wanted to come, he would simply push the door open and enter.

Seeing that Yanru was sleeping peacefully, he went over and gently shook her, calling out, "Yanru, I'm here."

Yan Ru was a light sleeper, and this commotion woke her up, but she didn't get up and remained lying down. "I know you're here. It's so boring that I have to send someone to tell you every time you come." Since the two of them had broken off their relationship, Yan Ru had become much more casual.

"This is the rule, to prevent you from being caught off guard, isn't that good?"

Yan Ruyan said insincerely, "How is it bad? It's very good."

When Mr. Song noticed her lack of interest, he put his arm around her and said, "I know this is unfair to you, but as long as you follow the rules of the house, I will do whatever you want."

"What if I simply don't want to follow the rules?" Yan Ru asked frankly.

Master Song was taken aback, then laughed awkwardly, "Which rule in the family don't you want to abide by?"

Yan Ru lowered her eyes, playing with the tassel on a fan pendant. "I don't want to be confined to one corner, like a frog at the bottom of a well. I want to have my own world."

Master Song did not answer, but only hugged Yanru even tighter.

A sense of disgust flashed through Yan Ru's heart. She hated herself for her weak will and wishful thinking when she gave herself to him that day, and she hated Master Song for taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Gently pushing Mr. Song away, she said softly, "I've been in this building long enough. I didn't know your family's rules before, but now that I do, I absolutely cannot follow them. I know that surviving outside is incredibly difficult, but don't forget that I went to school. There's a saying that goes, 'Life is precious, love is more precious, but freedom is the most precious of all.' Mr. Song, I also yearn for freedom. I grew up under a free world. If you confine me, it will only suffocate me."

She spoke earnestly, her eyes filled with tears, her suffering unspeakable.

Master Song could only say, "Don't be sad. If you want anything else, I'll grant your wish. But if you want to break the rules of the family, that's not allowed. From the second concubine to you, haven't we all gone through this? You'll get used to it."

Yan Ru said, "I'm not used to it, and I won't get used to it. Mr. Song, are you going to break your promise to me?"

Master Song recalled what Yan Rulai had said about saving her father, but it was just a casual remark, and there was no need to offend the Guo family for a woman.

So he pretended to be angry and said, "Why do you always spoil my fun? Other women never question me. If you still don't know how to be compliant, then I'll just stop coming."

Yan Ru snorted coldly, "Not coming? So be it, Master Song. We have no matchmaker or betrothal, which is nothing. I've lived in your Song residence and eaten your food, and that's enough to repay you. That jade pendant, even if it's not priceless, is at least quite valuable; it should be enough to cover your room and food expenses for a few days. As for saving my life, I've already given myself in return. If you want my life, then take it. I know I'm just a nobody, and your promises don't count, but all I want is to protect my father, that's all. I think I still have the nickname 'school beauty,' so if I go out and say I want to get married, there are still people willing to risk their lives to marry me."

These words were spoken quickly and harshly, catching Master Song off guard. "You're already mine, how could you still harbor such thoughts?"

“Why not? I’m just staying temporarily. Mr. Song, don’t think that just because I slept with you, I’m yours. The husband I want to marry doesn’t care about rank or status, but he must be trustworthy and respect me. If he only treats me like a toy, then I will treat you like a toy too.”

Unexpectedly, she had such backbone, which angered Master Song. "With your aloofness and arrogance, I'd like to see who dares to accept you. In this Sifang City, no one dares to disregard me."

"Go to whoever takes you seriously. I will never give myself to you. If you think I'm just a prostitute for your amusement, then you've misunderstood. I was indeed foolish that day, and in a moment of fear, I gave myself away... Oh well, it's all in the past. Consider it repayment. Let's part ways here, and from now on, life and death will have nothing to do with you."

She described that day's events in such a shameful way. Master Song, who was already only mild-mannered, was now enraged and wouldn't back down an inch. "Irrelevant? This is irrelevant, that is irrelevant, is your life worthless?"

"It may be valuable, or it may not be valuable, it all depends on who sees it."

Master Song pulled Yan Ru by the shoulder, forcing her to look at him. "Yan Ru, in your eyes, am I so unreliable?"

His gaze was unfriendly, containing both accusation and a hint of hurt. Yan Ru looked away, her heart cold. "You and I are already far apart. You want me to go against my own heart? I can't do it. I've told you, what I care about most is my family. Whoever can save my father is the one I can entrust with my life. You promised me, but you can't keep your word. What's the point?"

After pondering for a while, Master Song finally conceded and said, "You can stay here in peace. I will take care of your father's affairs. After all, he is your father-in-law."

Yan Ru turned her back and hid in the shadows. "No need. Mountains may crumble, and people may run away. I can't always rely on others. I have to be able to do things myself first so that I won't be controlled by others."

Looking at Yanru, Master Song was truly heartbroken. He had only ever wanted to possess her before, but now he had to re-evaluate her. It turned out that no matter how gentle or naive she was, she could instantly become clear-headed when facing her family.

We can no longer fool her out of ignorance.

The fact that Master Song had so many women in his harem shows that he was somewhat of a womanizer. Yan Ru was beautiful, but she was more than just pretty.

It takes skill to make the proud and aloof plum blossom willingly pluck it.

He began to have feelings for Yanru that were different from those for others, which made him think more about things related to her.

So he feigned deep affection, saying, "Yanru, I truly love you, but I didn't know you thought of me this way, your words like knives, completely denying everything. Ask yourself honestly, haven't I been devoted enough to you? It's just that your father's matter is difficult to handle, which is why there's been no news yet. I don't want to disappoint you, and I won't easily say anything until it's resolved. Can't you understand that?"

Yan Ru's eyes flickered a few times. "I don't need this bit of sincerity. I've already thanked you as much as I should, and we're even."

“You…” Old Master Song did not expect her to be so stubborn and was at a loss for what to do with her. “Yanru, I am telling the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Your father offended Commander Guo and is still alive today. It is only because I intervened. But I still have the Song family. I have to consider all aspects when I do things. I cannot get anything done by acting on impulse.”

Yan Ru knew that pushing people too far would likely backfire, so she remained silent, feeling wronged.

Master Song added, "Don't worry, I take your matter to heart and I will never let you down."

Yan Ru now understood Master Song's modus operandi. He seemed to agree to many things, but in reality, he never followed through on any promises. Therefore, she began to sob softly, "Don't bully me, don't force me. My mother died early, and my father raised me single-handedly. Now that he's in trouble, how can I just sit idly by? I'm powerless, I only have myself. I just want to save him, am I wrong? I just want my family to be reunited, am I wrong? My father entrusted me to you, not so that you... Master Song, you've gone too far."