After Xing Wai-Ning and Xing Qiu Shen left, Zhou Hua Fan attempted to put Zhou Jian Kong in a better mood with Rong Rou Shu. "Ye ye granduncle Rong said something about an auction? I want to go too, will ye ye go with me?" Jian Kong eyes her from the corner of his eye which only made her smile brighter as if trying to blind him with her charm. Rong Rou Shu was slightly taken aback by the intimate address the Zhou girl gave him but when he looks over to his friend only to see Jian Kong really didn't mind. Rong Rou Shu's impression of Zhou Hua Fan became even better and his smile was a bit more genuine. I thought this stingy old man would protest but surprisingly he let it pass? Back then when sister-in-law was still alive he would have always fallen into an irritable mood if someone so much as talked to saozi for a second longer than necessary.
Recalling the past for a moment, Rong Rou Shu felt another wave of sympathy wash over himself towards his friend after once more being unable to help but admire the uncanny resemblance between the young Zhou heiress's face and her deceased grandmother. If sister-in-law were still alive... Ha. It's better not to recall painful things. "Since Hua Fan wants to go, why don't we all go together? My family's grandson can even accompany Hua Fan so she won't be bored going with a bunch of old people." Hua Fan glanced at Rong Rou Shu after the man mentioned his grandson but looks away a second later without giving him any hints about her thoughts on the matter. He wants to deliver his family's innocent child right into the tiger's den? How fearless.
Jian Kong must have thought the same and frowned at him disapprovingly unlike Hua Fan who felt she still needed to give her elder some face. "Your grandson doesn't have a single bone of ambition in him and you want to bring him along? Forget it, my Fan'er would swallow him whole." Jian Kong waves at him refusing his kind offer without another thought. Although it was rude and even considered degrading Rong Rou Shu's grandson in public if one considered the relationship between the two families it could be considered being kind in another way. After all, Zhou Hua Fan was confident in her looks and proud of the way she held herself attracting people's adoration and love was as natural to her as breathing air.
And she wouldn't deliberately turn down her charm just to be considerate of another person. Why should she? It wasn't her fault she was born beautiful. Sitting up straighter Hua Fan held in her giggle but Rong Rou Shu chokes with wide eyes directed at the pair before he gave a boisterous laugh. "You're that convinced my grandson is meeker than your family's Zhou Hua Fan? You haven't seen him since a few years ago how are you so sure?" He teases Zhou Jian Kong who scoffs in his face not being kind at all with his rebuttal and conviction. "If he were half as talented as my Fan'er you would have long ago groomed him as you did your eldest daughter."
Admittedly, Rong Rou Shu chuckles thinking to himself, my girls indeed only know how to indulge their children without any intentions of letting them grow bitter and greedy over the family business. Having no need to worry over who would inherit since I only have my two gentle daughters it was only natural his eldest would take over when he passed. Compared to other families, Rong Rou Shu could only thank the gods he was blessed with a gentle wife and two sensible girls instead of conniving family members who were willing to stab him in the back the moment he let down his guard. Thinking of his lovely and understanding wife he again thanked his lucky stars to have married such a capable woman.
"You're scolding my wife for raising unambitious children?" Jian Kong calmly took a sip of water answering in a leisurely manner similar to how Zhou Hua Fan did earlier without even looking back at him. "Scolding you for passing your genes too well." Rong Rou Shu finally choked for real as the other people sitting around them after being ignored laughed out loud good-naturedly and began teasing Rong Rou Shu as well. "Rou Shu, you once more get a taste of your own medicine haha! Who told you to try and find fault with stingy Zhou?" Hua Fan giggles under their banter as Rong Rou Shu sat under their line of fire and could only send them helpless looks.
"Right right, I deserved it. Then how about your own children? They can hardly raise their heads in comparison to Zhou Jian Kong's only grandchild too." Their tablemates all stiffen and show sour looks seeming to have swallowed bitter fruits making Rong Rou Shu reveal a somewhat unfitting childish satisfied expression on his face. Laughing at me? Let's all hurt each other. Compared to my grandchildren aren't all of yours much worse? Hua Fan stares at her cool grandfather with some awe at his ability to change their line of fire without so much as a change in expression to which Zhou Jian Kong responds with a brief but small knowing smile in her direction.
Having successfully distracted the others into babbling and childishly arguing back and forth the atmosphere finally became more breathable and active. Seeming used to this type of atmosphere her grandfather silently observes them without partaking much besides confirming or adding fuel to the fire when the others refer to him for proof. Zhou Hua Fan only now realized that besides keeping to himself, her grandfather seemed more at home with this group of people than with his own family. She watches without so much as a peep as he grandfather's cold-hearted expression became more and more relaxed as time went by under the group's influence. "..." Hua Fan didn't dare hold onto his arm again and lowers her head.
Knowing she had poor skills in properly hiding her fluctuating mood; compared to the table of experienced business partners and friends who seemed to have gone through highs and lows together. Zhou Hua Fan could only do this. Below the table where they couldn't see, the girl's delicate palms almost drew blood with how tightly wound up they were. No one but Zhou Hua Fan herself could understand the complicated thoughts running through her head. For once you can actually be considered tactful and smart with your actions. Indeed, as one of the reasons for your grandfather's unhappiness, it's only right you be ashamed of your behavior. Her shoulders go stiff immediately upon hearing the being's familiar and sarcastic voice in her head.
Is it your plan to bloody the floors at your feet in a public space? Though we won't stop you it's still not recommended. Hua Fan sneered but her dazed gaze was successfully refocused upon the being's reminder and she quickly loosened her fist clearing her thoughts and snappishly replying. What of it if it was my plan? You are merely a creature who cannot interfere directly with human beings' decisions, laughing at our demise and chortling at our misery. Why are you here? Just to laugh at me again? The being also scoffs at her thankless attitude, Who would care about you? HE is the one who wished for me to appear. If it had been my choice I would have happily let you bleed yourself dry until you learn your lesson.
She could almost see his unnaturally beautiful face twist into an ugly sneer along with his eyes crinkling with disgust at her. -I still do not see what is so special about you that he worries so, just a mere mortal who's a little good-looking but completely rotten on the inside. The being could see the girl's soul twitch with irritation at his cruel and blunt words but she merely scoffs at him and refused to say any more. Childish. He scoffs back, Hua Fan purses her lips and pretends to be deaf despite him speaking in her mind. Seeing that she really was intent on ignoring him fully the being finally utters the reason he was there. He wanted me to tell you that that person which you are trying to avoid had been staring at you this entire time and saw the whole thing.
As expected Zhou Hua Fan's whole body went stiff and a brief hint of disbelief flashed across her lower gaze, she almost lifted her head to look for him until recalling her own situation. The being felt an uncomfortable emotion flit through his heart seeing the difference in her reaction towards the male mortal's presence. The girl's soul falters in their presence, yet when that other human is near her heart moves with him in mind. How obviously and disappointingly biased. So you do mind that he witnessed your flirting with that little devil after all. The being drawls after dismissing the strange feeling in himself, unaware his tone held hints of bitterness.
Why would I mind? Who said I care? If that's all you want to say then make yourself scare once more! She refutes angrily which the being snorts at before doing as she said seeming not to want to talk to her anymore as well. "Fan'er are you alright?" Noticing that his high-profiled granddaughter had kept her head lowered towards her lap for a while now; Jian Kong lowers himself to her level whispering with a little bit of concern and bewilderment in his heart. Aware that she was worrying her grandfather Zhou Hua Fan wore a tiny smile on her lips and lifts her head to soothe his concern. "I'm alright, I was just a tiny bit dizzy for a second and looked down to avoid a headache." Hearing this Rong Rou Shu took the initiative to have someone bring over more water and snacks, "It's our fault for being inconsiderate. Although we are used to mingling amongst each other you must be tired of having to listen to our rambling."
He felt a bit guilty for forgetting the girl was still just a child and couldn't follow along with their jokes and conversation. Jian Kong also frowns worriedly down at her, but Hua Fan shook her head denying his words firmly. "I have always been fragile since birth there's no need to blame yourselves." Standing up Hua Fan had the intention of refreshing herself in the bathroom so she wouldn't worry them reassuring the older folk with a polite smile. "Ye ye I'll be back once I freshen up in the ladies' room." However, after she turned around Hua Fan's smile fell flat and her expression became cold upon seeing someone approach their table.
Zhou Feng Ming wearing a loving grin stood in her way, his gaze upon the indifferent girl was warm. "Fan'er and father are also here? If I knew that you both also came I would have sat with you all instead. Why didn't Fan'er tell me?" Hua Fan sneers at him without fearing tearing his face off, "Tell you what? Tell you that I'm alright with being discarded for a child whose blood doesn't even share a shred of our Zhou family? Do you still think you have the face to appear in front of me after what you did?" Her words full of venom and hatred seemed to startle the people around her who were listening in with rapt attention.
Not thinking that Zhou Hua Fan would actually expose the dirty laundry to everyone present Zhou Feng Ming's whole face froze and he jerks back with shock, flushing red with embarrassment which didn't escape everyone's notice. Without needing an explanation, everyone suddenly understood something and glanced at the silent boy behind Zhou Feng Ming thinking their own silent thoughts. Zhou Feng Ming recovered rather quickly and although his smile was strained, "What are you saying? Heng'er is also pitiful after losing his parents, as a father I can't just stand back and watch the child of a close friend suffer in silence. Fan'er can blame me but Heng'er is innocent."
Zhou Jian Kong was frowning at Zhou Feng Ming who was trying to paint his own daughter black, and only Rong Rou Shu could see the complicated feelings filtering through his old friend. Disappointment, anger, and slowly those emotions became indifferent. Hua Fan laughs maliciously drawing her grandfather's gaze. "Indeed, everyone but me is innocent. I am the bad one, I, Zhou Hua Fan, am the unwanted child right? Haha!" Right, I am the bad guy. In your eyes, I am the one who should be shoved aside right? You, a disgusting human being who finds me to be an eyesore? Zhou Feng Ming, you are still as infuriated and revolting as ever. Her laugh sent chills down their backs as it was sharp and painful on the ears.
The little girl's eyes seemed to be set ablaze, Zhou Jian Kong then realized his granddaughter was not in her right state of mind as if stimulated by her own bitter grievances. With anger clouding her judgment, Zhou Hua Fan's mouth opened of its own accord. Even back then, when I was a but a child you never had me in your eyes. Who gives you the right to use me now?! "You still dare call yourself my father? You disgusting-" "Fan'er that's enough." Her grandfather's tone was neither scolding nor soft but it was powerful enough to pierce through her cloud of hate momentarily. Hua Fan's burning heart went cold, realizing she had lost her calm the girl's whole body felt numb.
Hua Fan only then realized she had still not come to terms with her own hatred towards Zhou Feng Ming and although perturbed she did her best not to show it. Her heart felt hot and her throat was sore full of unspoken words and curses. Zhou Feng Ming glowers down at her as she stares up at him with an unnerving sense of alienation. He doesn't deserve your words. Sensing her disdain and quickly indifferent attitude, Zhou Feng Ming felt out of control of this daughter of his, and his face twisted with anger. "You-You white-eyed wolf-!" *bang! Her grandfather with an incandescent expression slaps the table in a rare show of anger making everyone jump. Not including Hua Fan who knew he was not angry at her. She merely continued to imperturbably stare up at the startled Feng Ming while others panicked to steady their own drinks. "I said ENOUGH!"
Zhou Hua Fan's eyes wander briefly to the boy standing behind Zhou Feng Ming who, like her didn't jump upon facing Zhou Jian Kong's imposing command. Only to see the boy was already looking at her, unconsciously her nose sours. Huang Gou Heng was staring at her and caught her every action, the girl standing there valiantly scolding her birth father while ignoring himself. It was only for a second but Huang Gou Heng caught a strange emotion other than hatred in her eyes upon seeing him.