In the private box, Ning Fan, still dressed in his designer suit, stood with his back to the entrance of the box in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of red wine in his hand. His demeanor was striking, embodying the unmistakable aura of a Superior.
The bright red wine swayed in the glass, reflecting Ning Fan's confident smile on his face. The entire box was silent until the moment when Lao Huo opened the door.
Lao Huo pushed the door open and walked in, instantly captivated by Ning Fan's formidable aura. When he saw Ning Fan slowly turn around, his expression became excited.
Ning Fan looked at Lao Huo, a trace of an indescribable expression flashing in his eyes.
From the moment Lao Huo had called him "Brother" at the academy, Ning Fan had remembered this figure of Mount Tai in the dance world.
Unfortunately, Ning Fan had no recollection of this, his mind completely devoid of any memory of the man.
Lao Huo, however, kept calling him 'Brother Ning', behaving as if they were familiar, which gave Ning Fan a glimpse of hope in finding a connection to his past experiences.
Thus, Ning Fan had contacted Brother Nine to look into Lao Huo's itinerary, which had led him here.
"Brother Ning, will you remember me?"
Lao Huo looked at Ning Fan, his eyes shimmering with reminiscence, admiring the now powerful aura emanating from Ning Fan.
Compared to earlier in the day, Ning Fan seemed much more profound at the moment, not only in demeanor but also in the atmosphere around him, having undergone a dramatic transformation inside and out.
But recalling Ning Fan's reaction during the day, Lao Huo was still worried whether Ning Fan truly remembered him.
"Lao Huo, we're all family here, no need for formalities!"
Ning Fan watched Lao Huo with an unrevealing expression, a faint smile on his face, warmly greeted him, and then gestured for Lao Huo to make himself comfortable.
The table was already filled with a lavish spread. Ning Fan sat next to Lao Huo and poured him some red wine.
Ning Fan elegantly raised his glass, while Lao Huo's face was covered in smiles, his eyes filled with excitement.
It had been ten years since they last met. Ning Fan had shed the immaturity of ten years ago, yet he looked just as Lao Huo remembered him.
"Brother Ning, I thought you had forgotten me."
Lao Huo said excitedly, his face flushed.
Previously, when Ning Fan was at the academy, he had acted very unfamiliar with him, which made Lao Huo think that he had completely forgotten him.
But now, not only had Ning Fan taken the initiative to invite him, but he was also behaving so warmly, which surprised Lao Huo, and made him wonder if Ning Fan was hiding something, otherwise he would not have pretended not to recognize him earlier in the day.
"Ten years can change a lot, but some things are important, and are not so easily forgotten!"
Ning Fan sighed, Lao Huo felt there was a double meaning in his words.
However, Lao Huo did not ask further but clinked glasses with Ning Fan to enjoy the wine. There were some things that, if Ning Fan wanted to discuss, he would naturally bring them up without Lao Huo having to pry.
"It's been ten years, and now that I'm back, I've only encountered you. I wonder how our master and others are doing..."
Ning Fan said wistfully, the corners of his eyes constantly gauging Lao Huo's reactions.
"Brother Ning, what is this?"
Lao Huo looked surprised, wondering what had happened to Ning Fan over these ten years.
"Ten years of wandering and hardship is not something good to talk about, and I don't know where my master is now?"
Ning Fan shook his head and put down his wine cup, finally voicing the concern that had been on his mind.
Since Huo Lao referred to himself as a senior brother, was their master still alive?
If he was still alive, and if he could find the master, perhaps he could also recover more of his memories.
But Huo Lao, hearing this, showed a troubled face, "It's really shameful, I haven't seen the master for ten years. Today, seeing you, my brother, I thought you had news of the master!"
Meeting Ning Fan again after ten years, Huo Lao was quite excited, but likewise, he had not seen their master for ten years.
"Weren't you always with the master, Brother Ning?" Huo Lao looked regretful and had many questions in his mind.
Why had Ning Fan been wandering for ten years, and why didn't he have any news of the master?
Various doubts filled Huo Lao's mind.
Ning Fan sighed deeply, a look of disappointment inevitably crossing his face. He had hoped that Huo Lao would have a clue about the master, yet he hadn't expected this answer.
It seemed the lead on the master was lost, but since Huo Lao recognized him, he must know something about his past, right? Ning Fan was not ready to give up and thus asked Huo Lao again,
"I've been wandering for ten years, now everything has changed. After coming back, I don't even know where my relatives and friends have gone. Do you have any clues, Junior Brother Huo?"
Now that Huo Lao was his only clue at hand and he had finally met someone from his past, Ning Fan was not ready to give up just yet.
Huo Lao looked troubled once again, awkwardly shaking his head as if he knew nothing about it.
"Ah!" Ning Fan heaved a deep sigh. Now not only was the lead on the master lost, but was there really no gain at Huo Lao's end either?
Ning Fan gazed resignedly at his own reflection in the deep red of the wine, wondering who he really was.
Seeing this, Huo Lao asked anxiously, "Brother Ning, what exactly happened? You seem so worried; did something go wrong?"
Thinking of Ning Fan drifting outside for ten years, Huo Lao felt even more that there must be some hidden story.
Ning Fan shook his head with a bitter smile, his eyes sharp, and said, "A mishap happened back then."
Huo Lao's expression changed, worry flickering in his eyes.
What was the mishap that had kept Ning Fan wandering for so long? Huo Lao's heart tightened as he worriedly watched Ning Fan.
But Ning Fan didn't elaborate further, instead urging Huo Lao to continue drinking.
"Today, on this rare gathering, let's not dwell on unhappy matters. Let's drink!"
With a carefree laugh from Ning Fan, Huo Lao felt even more ashamed.
Having been outside for ten years, Ning Fan must undoubtedly miss his family and friends dearly, but unfortunately, Huo Lao could provide no help.
"Brother Ning, I'm truly ashamed. We met at our master's place back then, and I really can't assist with any information on where your relatives and friends might be now," Huo Lao confessed.
Although both were disciples of the same master, Huo Lao only knew Ning Fan through their master and had no clue about his background.
Thinking of his inability to help Ning Fan, Huo Lao picked up his cup to drink a penalty cup.
"It's fine, meeting Junior Brother Huo today is a great blessing in itself. Tonight, let's drink heartily!"