Feng Family Manor
In the spacious living room, Chen Fan sat alongside the members of the Feng family, all gathered around the same table. The atmosphere was thick with curiosity, a mix of emotions playing across their faces as they studied him closely.
"Are you Master Li's disciple?" Feng Yuehan finally broke the silence, his tone steady but probing as he sought to confirm Chen Fan's identity.
"Yes, Mr. Feng," Chen Fan replied with a polite nod. His master's name was Li Qiang, a man whose reputation preceded him.
"Are you really my sister's fiancé?"
The sudden, lively question came from Feng Yuehan's left, spoken in a youthful voice full of intrigue. Turning toward the source, he saw a beautiful girl with long, silky black hair cascading down to her waist. A small mole beneath her left eye added an extra touch of charm to her already stunning face. Chen Fan had noticed her the moment he arrived and couldn't help but silently marvel at her beauty.
'There really are so many beautiful girls in this city,' he thought, comparing her striking appearance to that of Wang Yue.
"Yanyan," a calm yet firm voice interrupted her from the other side of Feng Yuehan.
The source was a graceful, mature woman who looked to be in her early thirties. Her neatly tied black hair framed a sharp yet elegant face that carried an air of authority.
"I'm just asking, Mom," Feng Yanyan grumbled in protest, pouting slightly.
"Hm?" The mature woman shot her a pointed glance, one that spoke volumes without uttering another word.
"Ugh, fine." Feng Yanyan huffed, crossing her arms but falling silent under her mother's watchful eye.
"It's fine, Mrs. Feng," Chen Fan said with a reassuring smile, his calm demeanor softening the atmosphere. "I can indeed be considered her fiancé."
"See? He doesn't mind at all, Mom," Feng Xueying quipped, her tone light but confident.
Mo Qinglan, the elegant and poised mother of Feng Xueying and Feng Yanyan, cast a glance at her daughter, momentarily thrown off by her boldness. Then, without a word, her gaze shifted to Chen Fan, scrutinizing him quietly, as if trying to uncover the depths of the young man claiming to be her daughter's fiancé.
"Young man, what should we call you?" Feng Yuehan, their father, stepped in, aiming to mediate the playful banter between his wife and daughter.
"I'm Chen Fan, Uncle," Chen Fan replied politely.
"I'm Feng Yanyan! Can I call you Brother Chen?" Yanyan chimed in enthusiastically, seemingly forgetting about her mother's presence entirely.
"I don't mind," Chen Fan said with a chuckle.
"Then you can call me Yanyan!" she declared cheerfully.
BAM!
Before Chen Fan could say another word, the door flew open, and an elderly man with flowing white hair appeared, his face lit up with excitement. His energy was palpable, his joy unmistakable.
"Where is he? Where is my grandson-in-law?" The old man's voice rang with an unmistakable cheer.
The unexpected entrance left Chen Fan and the others looking bewildered, as though they were witnessing a reunion between long-lost loved ones.
The old man's sharp eyes quickly scanned the room, and when they landed on Chen Fan, a broad smile spread across his face.
"Hahaha! You finally arrived, my boy!" With remarkable speed for his age, he strode toward Chen Fan. In turn, Chen Fan quickly stood up to meet him.
"Hello, Mr..." Before Chen Fan could finish his greeting, the old man placed a hand on his shoulder, cutting him off.
"Just call me Grandpa!" the old man said with a beaming smile. He paused for a moment, looking at Chen Fan with great admiration. "Looking at you, I can already tell—you'll be a dragon among men, destined to dominate this era!"
Feng Yuehan's mouth twitched in disbelief. Is this really the first time he's meeting him? he thought to himself.
Chen Fan, still slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm, quickly adapted, smiling warmly at the old man's grand welcome.
"Alright, Grandpa," he said with a chuckle.
"Hahaha! That's my boy!" The old man laughed heartily, his joy infectious.
Feng Jun looked at the young man before him, his heart brimming with happiness. Memories from two decades ago resurfaced—the humble yet significant origin of this engagement. It was not a tale of grandeur but one rooted in gratitude.
Years ago, Chen Fan's master, Li Qiang, had saved Feng Jun's life, healing him from a near-fatal illness. In return for this life-saving act, Feng Jun not only bestowed generous rewards but also proposed an engagement between his three-year-old granddaughter, Feng Xueying, and Li Qiang's future disciple. Even then, Feng Jun was certain the child would be extraordinary, as Li Qiang's disciples were bound to surpass their peers.
At the time, Li Qiang had yet to find a worthy successor, but Feng Jun insisted on keeping the promise, trusting that day would come.
Feng Jun's high regard for Chen Fan stemmed from his deep respect for Li Qiang. Knowing Li Qiang's brilliance and wisdom, he had no doubt that his chosen successor would be nothing short of remarkable.
"Mom, are you sure Brother Chen isn't actually Grandpa's real grandson? Were we just…picked up by mistake?" Feng Yanyan asked nervously, her voice trembling.
"What nonsense are you spouting, you silly girl?" Mo Qinglan sighed and flicked her daughter's forehead lightly, unable to believe the wild imagination of the younger girl.
But Feng Yanyan wasn't ready to drop the matter. She took a deep breath and, with a serious expression, said, "Tell me the truth, Mom. I'm ready."
Mo Qinglan decided to ignore her daughter's theatrics, shifting her gaze instead to Chen Fan and her father-in-law, Feng Jun. As she watched the old man's delighted reaction, a flicker of doubt crept into her own mind. Could Yanyan be onto something? Did we really pick the wrong child back then? Is Chen Fan actually our real son?
She quickly dismissed the thought with a shake of her head. She knew the family history well and understood the origins of Chen Fan's connection to them. However, even with that knowledge, she was taken aback by Feng Jun's overwhelming enthusiasm.
Compared to the old man's sheer joy, both Mo Qinglan and her husband harbored more complicated emotions. They had no intention of meddling too deeply in their daughter's personal relationships, but knowing Feng Jun's stubbornness, they were well aware he would insist on keeping the engagement intact.
When Chen Fan arrived, their primary concern had been to gauge what kind of man he was. So far, his first impression was undeniably positive—he carried himself with confidence and a sense of maturity. However, they both knew first impressions only scratched the surface. There was much more to uncover about the man who could potentially become part of their family.
Watching the old man enthusiastically bombard Chen Fan with question after question, the three Feng family members found it nearly impossible to interject. They could only stand there awkwardly, exchanging glances as the one-sided conversation continued.
"Where's Xueying?" the old man suddenly asked, finally acknowledging the others in the room.
So you do still remember us, they thought collectively, their expressions tinged with subtle exasperation.
"She should be on her way here," Feng Yuehan replied politely.
"Tell her to hurry up. We need to set the wedding date immediately," the old man declared, his words dropping like a bombshell in the room.
The three Feng family members froze in shock, their disbelief mirrored even on Chen Fan's face.
"Isn't that a bit…hasty?" Feng Yuehan asked cautiously, his expression a mix of awkwardness and surprise.
"Hasty? If I had my way, we'd have the ceremony tomorrow!" the old man dismissed his son's concern with a wave of his hand. Turning to Chen Fan, he grinned broadly, his excitement palpable. "I can't wait to hold my great-grandchild in my arms!"
"Grandpa," Feng Yanyan chimed in, her tone teasing but with a hint of genuine concern. "Shouldn't you, I don't know, give Sister Xueying a chance to even meet him properly before planning their entire future?"
"Nonsense!" Feng Jun huffed, waving her off. "Look at him!" He gestured at Chen Fan as though presenting the greatest treasure. "A fine young man like this—confident, capable, and undoubtedly destined for greatness. What's there to wait for? Xueying will understand immediately. The Feng family doesn't let opportunities like this slip by."
Chen Fan, still caught in the whirlwind, finally managed to clear his throat. "Grandpa Feng, while I appreciate your… enthusiasm, shouldn't we consult with Xueying first? It's only fair that she has a say in this."
Feng Jun nodded solemnly, as though he had just been presented with a wise piece of advice. "True, true. She needs to be here to set the date, after all."
Chen Fan internally sighed in relief, only for Feng Jun to add with a grin, "But once she's here, no more delays!"
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. Standing there, slightly breathless but composed, was none other than Feng Xueying herself.
Her sharp eyes scanned the room, first landing on her parents and sister, then on the old man beaming like a child at a festival, and finally on the unfamiliar young man standing awkwardly in the center of it all.
"Is it you?"