"Mr. Ning, you're here, please take a seat!"
When Huo Qiuran saw Ning Fan being seated by the maid, she was as delighted as a young woman, completely lacking the usual aloofness and dominance she displayed in front of her subordinates, and very enthusiastically pulled out a chair for Ning Fan. After he sat down, she began to enthusiastically introduce the dishes on the table.
The maid standing behind her was dumbfounded, having never seen Huo Qiuran act this way before. In that moment, her heart was filled with shock, unsure who this Mr. Ning was to receive such attention from Huo Qiuran.
"There's no need for the seat of honor, I'm not here to eat. Your complexion looks quite good. You didn't use the excuse of being ill to trick me into coming, did you?"
Ning Fan's tone was cold, and he spoke bluntly.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, drenching Huo Qiuran completely.
Although Ning Fan was cold toward her, Huo Qiuran's eyes momentarily darkened, but she quickly returned to normal,
smiling as she said, "This illness of mine comes and goes unpredictably, baffling many renowned doctors at major hospitals. If it was so simple to cure, I wouldn't dare to trouble Mr. Ning with my visit."
Huo Qiuran spoke softly, her eyes suddenly lighting up with a sparkle, smiling as she said, "Mr. Ning, eating with music is much better, right? Wait here for a moment, I'll be right back!"
After saying this, Huo Qiuran tiptoed and ran into the bedroom, completely without the decorum expected of her.
Soon, Huo Qiuran emerged carrying her violin, her eyes slightly squinted and her long eyelashes fluttering on her eyelids, reminiscent of the black keys on a piano.
As the soft, soothing music started, Ning Fan could no longer keep his composure!
Because the piece was the very one that Ning Fan had taught Huo Qiuran years ago!
"I must hold back, or continuing this entanglement will only lead to endless troubles,"
Ning Fan warned himself internally, forcibly reining in the slight emotions that had appeared on his face.
When the music ended, Ning Fan found himself in a daze.
"Mr. Ning, did I not play well?"
Huo Qiuran asked softly, her eyes cautiously fixed on Ning Fan, observing his expression.
"Oh... yes, very good, it was very pleasant to listen to!"
Ning Fan responded belatedly.
"Won't you give me some applause, Mr. Ning? You're being too stingy."
After saying this, Huo Qiuran pouted, her eyes still on Ning Fan.
Ning Fan clapped somewhat awkwardly.
As the applause sounded, Huo Qiuran's face showed a satisfied smile.
In her heart, she was 99 percent certain that Ning Fan was the person she had been searching for.
But since Ning Fan refused to acknowledge it, she felt it inappropriate to press him too hard.
The incident from the past had caused Ning Fan too much harm, and Huo Qiuran truly felt guilty and even at one point dared not face Ning Fan.
But now, she had gathered enough courage, hoping to make up for her past mistakes.
After playing the violin, Huo Qiuran also sat down to dine, and the two chatted casually about the weather, politics, and other trivial matters while eating, creating an atmosphere that seemed quite relaxed.
Huo Qiuran's demeanor was indeed very strange, making Ning Fan somewhat uncomfortable.
No matter what Ning Fan brought up at the dinner table or what opinions he expressed, Huo Qiuran admired his views immensely, as if she had suddenly become his little fan girl.
If this had been an ordinary underage girl, perhaps Ning Fan would have understood, but given Huo Qiuran's life experience and background, this was completely unscientific.
Now Ning Fan could say anything and she would agree, as if a domestic woman was admiring her husband speaking confidently, filled with warmth.
"We've about finished eating, I should treat you now. After that, I can go back and rest early."
Ning Fan wiped his mouth and stood up to speak.
He really couldn't continue chatting with Huo Qiuran in this ambiguous atmosphere.
He feared that if it continued, he would really give himself away.
After all, their relationship had been so close back then; every word and action seemed as if they were made for each other...
Perhaps, if that incident hadn't happened, they really might have become a couple.
Ning Fan sighed inwardly.
"Sure, Mr. Ning, please come this way."
Huo Qiuran's face still bore a warm smile as she instructed the maid to clear the table, then led Ning Fan to her bedroom.
After taking her pulse and observing her, Ning Fan frowned slightly and said somewhat discontentedly, "Miss Huo, please don't joke with my time. I see you're not sick at all."
Hardly had Ning Fan spoken these words when Huo Qiuran, who was sitting on the stool, stood up excitedly, pointing at her chest and said, "How can I not be sick, I am sick, I have a heart disease! A heart disease needs a heart medicine, and you are the medicine in my heart!"
"Since you are not sick, please don't waste my time. I have other things to attend to when I get back. Farewell!"
Ning Fan didn't dare to look into Huo Qiuran's tearful eyes; he turned resolutely and prepared to leave her private estate.
However, just as he took a step to leave, Huo Qiuran suddenly hugged him tightly from behind!
"Ning Fan, I know I was wrong about what happened years ago and that it hurt you badly, but I swear to heaven, it wasn't my intention. Can you forgive me?"
Ning Fan was silent for a while, then softly said, "Miss Huo, I think you've mistaken me for someone else. I don't understand what you mean by these words."
"Ning Fan, I know you are the person I've been looking for, I truly know my mistake. If possible, I am willing to give up everything I own to make it up to you, just please don't leave me again, okay!"
Huo Qiuran sobbed like a little woman, her past strength and stubbornness disappearing in that moment.
Ning Fan's expression was stern as he slowly pried Huo Qiuran's arms from his waist and said coldly, "Since you know it hurt me deeply, why bring it up again? Let bygones be bygones; why disturb each other any further? Take care of yourself."
Having said that, Ning Fan left the private estate without looking back.
Though he had ultimately admitted he was the person Huo Qiuran had been searching for, their relationship could never return to what it was!
Watching Ning Fan's departing figure, Huo Qiuran felt as if all her strength had been drained in that instant, collapsing on the sofa, tears unknowingly sliding down her cheeks...
Everything in the past had been destroyed by her own family, and after years of living in darkness, Huo Qiuran thought she had seen hope...
But what she faced was a cold rejection.