Chapter 154: Punishing the White Lotus

Ji Mengran brought her phone out from her bag, planning to capture the moment she discovered anything strange with Ji Nuan so she could bring it back to show Mo Jingshen.

Yet, after walking in for so long, she still did not hear any noise. Cars could not enter the narrow path ahead, yet the car did not drive out. If it could not continue heading inwards, where was it parked?

The paths within this abandoned district were complicated like a small maze. Ji Mengran had walked for ten minutes when she came to a dead end.

The sky gradually turned dark, and her heart felt uncertain. She turned around and began to head back. Just as she was about to use her phone to light up the path ahead, all of a sudden, a tall and thin figure suddenly appeared from the side, obstructing her path.

Ji Mengran jumped in surprise, stopping in her tracks. She raised her head to see it was actually the female bodyguard that had blocked her way in the studio today. Her back instantly felt cold.

Previously, in the parking lot, she did not notice there was someone else in the car. From a distance, she could only see Ji Nuan's car being driven away and had quickly followed. She completely did not expect this female bodyguard would also be inside!

"You..." Ji Mengran took a step back as she was confronted by Feng Ling's cold gaze.

"Meng Ran, you were following me?" She had only just taken two steps backward when she abruptly heard Ji Nuan's voice from behind. It was extremely close.

Ji Mengran abruptly stiffened, her body trembling. She did not dare to turn around to face her.

She took another look at the female bodyguard in front of her and came to the realization that she had been tricked by Ji Nuan!

Feng Ling stood before her and did not speak, smiling coldly. The panic caused Ji Mengran to loosen her grip around her phone. Feng Ling stretched her arm out and slammed it against Ji Mengran's wrist.

"Ah!" A numbing, sharp pain ran through Ji Mengran's arm, and her phone fell from her hand. Feng Ling quickly grabbed her phone and casually tossed it in her pocket.

"What are you doing! Return my phone to me!" Ji Mengran was alarmed and rushed forward to snatch it back.

However, she could not match up to Feng Ling's speed. She had only rushed forward when the short-haired woman had already taken two steps back, causing her to almost fall to the ground.

Ji Mengran barely steadied herself, forcefully suppressing the anxiety in her heart. After thinking about it, she glanced back and upon meeting Ji Nuan's composed gaze, she subconsciously curled her hands into fists.

Noticing Ji Mengran's frightened countenance, Ji Nuan mildly curved her lips.

From the instant the car had left the studio, she had noticed the car following them. Previously, Feng Ling had informed her of Ji Mengran's visit during the day. She easily came to the conclusion that Ji Mengran was overly suspicious and had secretly followed behind.

The whole detour took them through so many winding paths toward the most isolated and abandoned area in Hai Cheng. Yet, Ji Mengran was still far too curious and had chased the whole way without considering if it would be dangerous.

Ji Nuan smiled without much warmth, coldly saying, "After following me for so long, did you find out anything?"

Ji Mengran could no longer treat Ji Nuan as she used to. She diligently and fearfully began to explain herself, "Big sister, don't misunderstand me. It was Dad who was worried that you wouldn't be able to manage after taking over a studio. He wanted me to come and help, but I was blocked by your people at the door today."

Ji Mengran carefully glanced at that female bodyguard.

Feng Ling coldly eyed her. Ji Mengran immediately felt guilty and shifted her face back to Ji Nuan.

"Earlier, I was near your studio when I saw your car driving away. I was curious, so I followed behind. After all, Dad previously said he was worried you would lose all the money you've invested and feared you would meet some difficulties in the business world where everyone is constantly trying to outwit one another."

Ji Nuan crossed her arms around her chest, smiling mildly at her without saying a word.

Even though Ji Mengran knew her excuse was somewhat clumsy, she could only stubbornly hold onto her words. She broke out in a cold sweat despite the biting wind blowing by.

"The sister that is eager for me to embarrass myself in front of the Mo family would actually spare the effort to show concern for me just because of a few words from Dad?" Ji Nuan raised her brows, smiling. "So, it turns out Dad is really concerned I might embarrass him. I'll have to give him a call tonight to reassure him."

Hearing that Ji Nuan planned to give their father a call, Ji Mengran's expression instantly stiffened.

"Big sister, I know the previous incident at the Mo family was my fault. Dad has already reprimanded me for it, and I was also punished to stay at home for several days." Ji Mengran spoke as though she had suffered through many grievances, "If it weren't because Auntie Shen had begged on my behalf, perhaps I would still be locked at home. Will you please forgive me, it's not as if you suffered any harm from that incident. Both of us are sisters, let's not hold onto such a small conflict..."

Ji Nuan stared at her mildly, dragging her words out. "Forgive you? Just like how when you stole my favorite dress away when we were young and begged for my forgiveness after dirtying it; the next day, you were unrepentant and continued taking my other dresses?"

Hearing Ji Nuan bringing up their childhood, Ji Mengran borrowed the topic to say, "Big sister, we're blood-related sisters. We lost our mother when we were young and grew up together. So..."

"Enough." Ji Nuan had lost all patience for her. "I don't have the mood to act as a pair of affectionate sisters with you."

Ji Mengran was startled. When she understood Ji Nuan did not plan to give her anymore face, she angrily began to shout at her, "Ever since you married into the Mo family you've completely placed yourself above others, haven't you? You stopped me from entering the Yu Garden without any proper reason, repeatedly acted guarded around me, and even targeted me when you returned to the Ji home! I only wanted to embarrass you at the Mo home because I was unhappy with you, but you've actually remembered it and bear a grudge against me!"

"Ji Mengran, your ability as a thief to scream, 'stop the thief,' is indeed formidable," Ji Nuan lightly mocked. "Do you really have no idea why I stopped you from visiting the Yu Garden?"

Ji Mengran's expression did not change, but her eyes were warily fixed on Ji Nuan...

"Did you actually think Mo Jingshen would read the messages you sent him? That I've really been taking the medicine prescribed by the 'so-called' psychiatrist? Do you really think your little schemes are so well-hidden?" Ji Nuan lowered her eyes and coldly sneered.

Ji Mengran was startled. Her lips moved, but she could not come up with an explanation in time.

Ji Nuan approached her, carefully looking at her 'so-called blood-related sister.' Her lips then curved into an enigmatic smile.

Seeing her smile, Ji Mengran instinctively tried to take a step back. However, the female bodyguard suddenly moved closer, frightening Ji Mengran into shouting, "What are you guys trying to do!"