In the hall of a shop, a girl dressed in white from head to toe strolled down the stairs very casually as if she owned the building. Zhou Hua Fan did not look back when she exits the warm store and reenters the freezing outdoors. Her left hand that was in her pocket curled up as tight as possible, holding on tightly to a box that hardly fit into her small hand. As expected her grandfather's men were already waiting for her outside the store surrounding her car. Each one looking out seriously in different directions for danger "Young miss, the old master sent us to escort you back home." They all simultaneously lower their heads to the young girl who dismissively hummed acknowledgment. "Mn." She was not surprised to see this shocking scene that turned many heads. But others were and were curious to know who this rich little miss was.
Even driver Yang did not expect a whole entourage of bodyguards waiting for them outside. Was there something he was missing? Safely in the car, Hua Fan sat in the back and pretends to not see one of the bodyguards slip into the front passenger seat. This action of the bodyguard made driver Yang gulp nervously, however seeing as the girl didn't say anything about it he began driving in silence. "How was the situation dealt with?" She asks the bodyguard who did not hesitate to answer her honestly. "The people responsible have been dealt with properly by Assistant Wan. We have yet to find who is the person behind it though." Hua Fan gave her reflection a bitter smile not exactly blaming them for their failure but not pleased by the outcome as well.
"You do not have to look far. The only ones who dare to frame grandfather and I so obviously are not many." The bodyguard took a moment to think before he bluntly says, "Does the young miss mean the Xing family?" Hua Fan laughs faintly a hint of mockery coating her next words. "Little do they know our family has long been in discord. And our home has not been harmonious since Feng Meng married Yun Yi. The dirtiest of waters always resides in the backyards of the rich and frivolous." The two who sat in front of the car wisely do not comment on Hua Fan's way of addressing her mother and father by name. As if those two had no relation to her at all by blood or status.
Hua Fan sneers "The heir of the Xing family will not sit still, watch and see. We only need to sit back and enjoy the show. Tell grandfather to not worry, that boy is not someone to be underestimated and will even take the initiative to come forward to apologize personally." Indeed, not even a second later Hua Fan's phone rang with an unfamiliar number. She picks up the call with a stone expression, she did not say a word to the person on the phone. The line was so quiet one could hear the background more clearly than the breathing of the two on the call. Driver Yang and the bodyguard also didn't question her behavior. The other person gave in first, his tone coaxing and seeming to implore Zhou Hua Fan to go easy on him. "....Bao Bei." Her lip curls into a thin smile while her eyes flash with a hint of annoyance and mockery.
"Xing Qiu Shen, I expect a satisfying conclusion before this week. Did you think I wouldn't know who was responsible for today's events? Feigning innocence while trying to lay your hands on a person who my ye ye and I clearly did not like but didn't dare touch. Do you people think that you are allowed to dig into matters inside our Zhou family and sow discord? My ye ye is not happy, and when ye ye is not happy neither am I." Xing Qiu Shen ran a hand through his hair with a troubled and irritated expression, across the room from the handsome teen was a red-faced older man. The older man was glaring at him with accusation and blame yet his grandson paid no mind to him at all upsetting him even more.
Blatantly ignoring the fuming old man in front of him the teen focuses on coaxing the girl who was speaking to him in an even colder manner than before. "Bao bei they have already long been dealt with once my grandfather found out what they did. Do not be angry." She gave a robotic laugh not buying his words at all "Haha. I did not think you were capable of being tricked and played being a fox yourself. Who knew the capable and intelligent Xing Qiu Shen would fail to supervise a few wild dogs?" He could not help but smile helplessly hearing her mocking words not taking them to heart, but he also felt annoyed by his extended family's actions this time too so he could only say to appease the girl. "I have yet to clean up the trash in our home because I was too lazy before. It was my fault, it won't happen again ok? How about I compensate you and Chairman Zhou for the trouble?" Hua Fan could faintly hear in the background the sound of something shattering and a person shouting that he was shameless.
"No need." Her tone was cool and indifferent despite the loud background. "Instead it is better to compensate Lee Li Wei. Since I am sure he would have never given you my number willingly." There was only one person Xing Qiu Shen could afford to bully who had her number, Lee Li Wei was the only one who doesn't have a prominent background. She knew this tyrant must have harassed Lee Li Wei and threatened the other teen into giving in with gritted teeth. Lee Li Wei was someone who also had a lot of pride and wouldn't have willingly given in to someone arrogant and annoying like Xing Qiu Shen unless forced. Qiu Shen was not guilty in the slightest despite being caught and seen through so he agreed to her condition quickly.
He was eager to try and win back some of her trust since from the way she gave him a way to compensate meant she was still willing to give him a chance to pursue her. "I'll give him a new phone and send his family a gift as an apology for the trouble." "Unfilial!!!" The roar was the last thing she heard before Hua Fan ends the call and went back to staring outside with an insincere smile. Qiu Sheng sighs and moves the phone away from his ear after realizing the girl had hung up on him. She must really be mad. The handsome boy smiles bitterly staring at his phone with hints of regret. Perhaps he should still send a gift to Chairman Zhou after all? "You-! What are you smiling so uselessly for?!"
"-Was that the daughter of that no good dog Zhou Feng Meng?! You still dare to show such an expression after what you did before?!" Qiu Shen gave the old man a roll of his eyes not in the least afraid of the enraged man. "Grandpa if you keep getting angry like that your vessels are sure to burst this time." The veins bulge even more under his provocation and he raised a finger pointing at the carefree-looking Qiu Shen furiously. "You-! You-! You have been bewitched!! Bewitched by that Zhou girl! Kneel!!" Qiu Shen grins like an arrogant little lord, he teased his grandfather. "If I kneel will you allow me to marry her then?" Qiu Shen quickly escaped to deal with the matter he promised Zhou Hua Fan while the old man was stunned by his bold and shameless response. "XING QIU SHEN YOU UNFILIAL BRAT!"
~~~
Zhou Jian Kong sat on the living room chair with a dark expression, and Shuang Hui Ning helplessly stood on the sidelines waiting for Zhou Hua Fan to come back and soothe his old friend's worries. When Jian Kong heard where Hua Fan went and found out something big had happened in the store she had gone to, he was first worried then after finding out she was safe he was infuriated. Nothing Shuang Hui Ning said could calm down Jian Kong who was as silent as death. Though his friend was quiet, through experience, Hui Ning knew a volcano was threatening to blow up inside the other man. When Hua Fan walks through the door with the help of a maid seeming in a good mood Jian Kong's brow twitched and Hui Ning gave Hua Fan a tiny smile welcoming her back in his place.
"Young miss, welcome back." Hua Fan rose her arms as the maid took the jacket off for her, her cheeks were as pale as snow without the flush of a young girl who recently went out in the cold. In her hands was a small box that Hui Ning curiously glances at, she gave him a smile in return as if unable to sense the tense atmosphere in the house. "Mm, I'm back. Has grandfather eaten yet? It's rather late." Hui Ning gave a tiny cough and glances at the silently fuming Jian Kong with a seemingly hopeless glance. "Old master was waiting for the young miss to come back to have dinner together." Hua Fan waves a hand at him showing she understood which relieved Hui Ning somewhat as soon after, she went to sit beside her grandfather with a lovely grin. "Ye Ye, I'm home! I bought Ye Ye a gift while I was out, does Ye Ye want to try it on?"
Hui Ning, being dismissed by the girl knew that the two must want some privacy and after hearing her first few words to Jian Kong he was no longer worried. The miss may be young but she knew how to coax Jian Kong. Hui Ning exchanged glances with the others and lead them out, he was holding back a chuckle of amusement. Knowing Jian Kong, after hearing his granddaughter had thoughtfully gone out to get him a gift. His reaction would most likely be... Jian Kong's dark frown and the wrinkles above his brows ease up. He did not say anything but silently eyed her with disapproval. Yet after hearing her words by now his anger had already been dispersed by more than half but he was still upset by her previous actions.
"Still know how to come home?" Hua Fan held in a laugh and opened up the box to reveal handsome jade cufflinks. With one look anyone could tell they were expensive, they were also rather heavy so you could tell the jade was genuine and very high in density. She said sincerely blinking cutely up at him, "I did not know something would happen while I was there, I'll try to never put myself in danger again and worry ye ye, can ye ye forgive Fan?" Her voice was especially sweet and childish as she said this. Jian Kong stared into her starlight eyes for awhile seemingly conflicted but eventually, he gave in and sighs while raising a hand to pet her head affectionately.
Hua Fan lowers her head enjoying his affection while a tiny smile "Don't lie to me, I have lived longer than you have and can tell when a person lies or doesn't. I know you have your own thoughts and plans, just promise Ye Ye next time you will bring more people with you." His tone was extremely doting, and Jian Kong's expression was especially gentle when speaking to this precious granddaughter of his. What could be done? He only had this one grandchild... "I will not question your actions or the reason you risked your safety today for that boy. But know if you get seriously hurt one day due to him, I cannot promise I will keep my word on protecting him as you requested before." Hua Fan tries not to choke or show how much his words affected her. She could only smile at him and agree lightly and quickly to appease the old man.
"Mmn, Fan will listen to what Ye Ye says." His anger fully dispersed now after seeing her sensible reaction. Jian Kong smiles softly though it was very faint, even if his outer appearance was still stern and fierce his gaze became much warmer. "Good child." The hidden feelings in her heart were buried deeper and further inside her till she felt as if her heart was being squeezed. Was this feeling that slowly ate at her soul and heart considered hurting? Seeing him take her gift with such care and even subtly praising its quality Hua Fan felt an overwhelming sense of guilt that was hard to swallow. Her right-hand trembles, and the feeling in her chest resembled a sharp squeezing pain. But in front of Jian Kong's benign love, Hua Fan could only smile sweetly.
What else can she do but smile and distort the truth? If it can bring her Ye Ye happiness instead of pain and loneliness she will continue lying to herself until it becomes true and tops the shame and disdain in her heart towards herself. Hua Fan would continue to twist her words and smile. She rose and held her grandfather's arm as they happily made their way to the dining room. Seeing the faint smile on her grandfather's aged face made her heart hurt further. En. Even if it hurt. Even if she was dying inside. Even if she was suffering in silence. Hua Fan would continue to smile and nod along to whatever Ye Ye wanted to hear. Ye ye is the only one who loves her, ye ye is the only one she needed to love. Her grip on Jian Kong's arm tightens but the old man did not seem to mind. Hua Fan hesitates before leaning her head against his arm as they walked surprising Jian Kong who finally senses something off about Hua Fan. "Are you ill? Shall I have the cook prepare you something light for dinner instead?"
Hua Fan shook her head and held onto her Ye Ye childishly, her head lowering almost shyly in his eyes so he could not see her face but her sweet voice dashed away the concern and brought him warmth instead. "No. Fan just missed Ye Ye a lot is all. Can Ye Ye spend new years with Fan instead of going to work?" Convinced by her words, Jian Kong chuckles and lovingly pats her head. "Mm? Why not? If Fan'er asks for it then Ye Ye has no choice but to oblige." He had already planned to spend new years with her but being asked by her made him especially happy. As his only grandchild naturally Jian Kong would be willing to spend more time spoiling her. Hua Fan felt tears gather in the corner of her eyes, her voice was unwavering and happy. Though in complete contrast she felt that hesitant feeling for Huang Gou Heng's matter bubbling under the surface threatening to expose itself. "Ye Ye really loves Fan most..."
En, only her Ye Ye should matter to her. No one else. Don't waver Zhou Hua Fan. Do not give in. The Huang Gou Heng in your past life doesn't exist anymore...He doesn't love you anymore.