After Su Ming's departure, the tense atmosphere lingered, refusing to dissipate. Breaking the awkward silence, Chen Fan finally spoke, his calm voice cutting through the stillness.
"Miss Feng, may I speak with you privately?"
By now, Feng Xueying had regained her composure, suppressing her earlier emotions. Though she still felt uneasy looking at Chen Fan, she decided to hear him out, curious about what he wanted to say.
"All right. Let's talk in the garden," she replied coolly, stepping outside. Chen Fan followed her, leaving the others behind in silence as they watched the two figures disappear through the door.
Feng Jun sat motionless, his mind heavy with worry. Observing his granddaughter's reaction and Chen Fan's composed demeanor, he understood that the chances of this engagement proceeding were slim, no matter how much he wished otherwise. With a deep sigh, he slumped into his chair, his energy drained as the weight of disappointment settled on him.
Mo Qinglan and Feng Yuehan exchanged glances, equally shaken by the rapid chain of events. From start to finish, everything had unfolded far too quickly, leaving them struggling to process it all. Given Feng Xueying's temperament, they believed the engagement was likely doomed. Noticing Feng Jun's weary and aging demeanor, they decided to console him in an attempt to ease his frustration.
Meanwhile, Feng Yanyan's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying Su Ming's earlier words. The revelation he had hinted at was so startling that she couldn't wrap her head around it, even after some time had passed.
"Brother Chen and I, husband and wife in the future?" Feng Yanyan murmured to herself, her cheeks tinged pink at the idea.
As the thought deepened, her blush intensified.
"Does that mean that if their engagement is called off, I'll be the one engaged to him instead?" Her face turned a deep crimson as she recalled Chen Fan's handsome face and mature demeanor, sending her imagination into overdrive.
----
In the garden, Chen Fan and Feng Xueying sat facing each other, their emotions carefully concealed behind calm expressions.
"Have we met before?" Chen Fan asked, his gaze fixed on her, trying to catch any subtle shift in her demeanor.
"No," Feng Xueying replied without hesitation.
Observing her composed demeanor, Chen Fan was certain she was telling the truth. He didn't recall meeting her either, which left him puzzled by the unusual hostility she had shown during their first encounter. While it was natural for her to be displeased with the engagement, her reaction had been so extreme that he couldn't help but suspect there was more to the story.
"I see." Chen Fan's voice was steady. "Then let's break off this engagement." He had no intention of prolonging the conversation.
Feng Xueying was momentarily taken aback by his straightforwardness but quickly regained her composure.
"All right," she replied.
Chen Fan silently took out the engagement letter, placing it on the table between them. Feng Xueying's gaze lingered on him, her emotions more complex than she let on.
From the beginning, the idea of having an unknown fiancé had been a source of discomfort for her. Hearing the story behind the engagement, she had suspected it wouldn't last—that perhaps the old man who saved her grandfather hadn't found a successor, and the arrangement would eventually be canceled. Because of this, she hadn't given much thought to the engagement at all.
But after hearing Su Ming's inner voice about her future, something shifted. Known as a talented and proud individual, Feng Xueying had always believed she could shape her own destiny. The idea of being controlled by some unseen force, as if she were a puppet in a predetermined play, ignited a deep anger within her. With no clear outlet for her frustration, she had directed it at Chen Fan during their first meeting.
Now, reflecting on her earlier behavior, she realized how outrageous she must have seemed to others. Even so, she had no intention of continuing the engagement. She was determined to take control of her own fate.
"I'm sorry for my earlier behavior," Feng Xueying said, her tone soft and apologetic, a departure from her usual coldness.
Chen Fan was momentarily surprised by her apology but quickly masked it.
"It's fine," he replied evenly, sliding the engagement letter toward her. "Do whatever you want with it."
Initially, Chen Fan had hoped to form a friendly relationship with her, but after everything that had transpired—whether due to misunderstandings or not—he had lost interest in getting to know her any further.
Let's just be strangers, he thought silently.
After Feng Xueying took the engagement letter from him, a moment of silence hung heavily between them. Neither spoke, their gazes briefly meeting before turning away.
"Let's head back," Chen Fan said, breaking the stillness as he stood, signaling the end of their conversation.
Without a word, Feng Xueying nodded and followed him, the weight of their exchange lingering in the quiet garden.
-----
In the living room, Feng Jun silently accepted the outcome, despite the bitterness weighing on his heart, as his son and daughter-in-law offered their comfort.
"Father, it's fine," Feng Yuehan said, trying to ease his father's disappointment. "Even without the engagement, can't we still maintain a good relationship with him? You know Xueying's temper—forcing her will only cause more trouble."
Mo Qinglan nodded quietly in agreement. She had known from the beginning that Feng Xueying had no interest in the engagement.
Meanwhile, across the room, Feng Yanyan absentmindedly snacked, her gaze drifting into the distance as her mind seemed preoccupied with something.
Soon, the two figures of Chen Fan and Feng Xueying appeared at the door. Seeing them approach, Feng Jun still held onto a small hope for a miracle, but it faded when he saw their distant yet close demeanor. Their expressions made it clear that their conversation had not been a pleasant one. Before he could ask, Feng Xueying's words cut through any remaining hope.
"We've decided to break the engagement, Grandpa."
Feng Jun's heart sank into depression. When he first heard that Li Qiang's disciple was coming to the door, he had hoped for a day of joy and celebration—dreaming of welcoming a future son-in-law. But after the series of events, he realized there was no benefit in forcing this.
Sigh, it's fine. It's fine. Your decision is what matters after all.
Seeing her grandfather's dejected expression, Feng Xueying felt a twinge of pain in her heart but steeled herself.
"Xiao Fan, if you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out. You can always call me," Feng Jun said, still hoping for a good relationship with Chen Fan despite the outcome.
"Thank you, Grandpa Feng. Don't worry, even without the engagement, I'll still come back for your tea—it's the best I've ever had," Chen Fan replied with a smile, attempting to lift Feng Jun's spirits.
Hearing this, Feng Jun brightened up considerably. "Hahaha, that's good! We've got even better tea. Be sure to come before I finish it!"
Feng Yuehan and Mo Qinglan exchanged a grateful glance at Chen Fan's lighthearted words. As they observed the young man, remembering his earlier demeanor, they couldn't help but reflect on how beautiful their daughter was. Yet, despite this, they saw no sign of lust or possessiveness in his eyes—only a calm, mature presence that seemed worlds apart from his supposed inexperience. When Su Ming arrived and shot him a hostile glare, there was no trace of anger or mockery in Chen Fan's eyes; his composure only further impressed them. Hearing his words just now, they realized that he was an easygoing person. All in all, they found no noticeable fault in him. As these thoughts lingered, a slight regret appeared in their hearts, but they quickly shook it off, focusing instead on the young man's admirable qualities.
"Xiao Fan, you just came down from the mountain, right? Why don't you stay here for a moment? I will help you find a place to stay later." Feng Jun's words caused a slight ripple in Feng Xueying's and Feng Yanyan's eyes.
"It's fine, Grandpa. I plan to meet a friend I made earlier," Chen Fan replied, oblivious to their thoughts but sensing it would be awkward to stay longer. He decided to use Wang Yue as an excuse.
"Alright, then let's exchange contact information. Be sure to call me," Feng Jun said, not pressing further. As he reached for his phone on the table, he glanced at Feng Yanyan, and a bold idea formed in his mind.
Feng Yanyan seemed to understand his thoughts and couldn't help but remember her previous conjecture. She quickly looked at the food below and ate the snack quickly, avoiding Feng Jun's eyes.
'Don't see me. Don't see me. Go away.'
Feng Jun, sensing her discomfort, decided to put the idea on hold. He knew he couldn't rush things and would need to plan carefully in the future.
After some more conversation, Chen Fan excused himself and left, feeling a mix of emotions as the Feng family watched him go.