Ning Fan caused a huge stir in the Shangguan Family, and the news had already reached Zhonghai.
When he returned, Chen Fengnan had even called him specifically, asking if he needed help; Chen Fengnan was also ready to deal with the Shangguan Family.
Although Chen Fengnan's proposal was very appealing, Ning Fan still declined. It was his personal affair and he should resolve it himself. So Ning Fan simply acknowledged Chen Fengnan's goodwill in his heart and ultimately declined the offer tactfully.
After returning to Zhonghai, Ning Fan went to Huo Qiuran's house to meet with her.
Seeing Ning Fan's arrival, Huo Qiuran's originally cool and elegant face instantly warmed up, bringing on a sweet smile.
She went up to greet him and directly embraced Ning Fan, greedily breathing in his scent.
But after just a few seconds, Huo Qiuran's look turned sorrowful again.
Ning Fan noticed the expression in Huo Qiuran's eyes and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
He was about to share the outcome of his trip to Jiangcheng with Huo Qiuran, which was good news, but before he could speak, he noticed something was off with her, and Ning Fan was puzzled.
Huo Qiuran hesitated for a moment, recalling the words Huo Yuanshan had told her.
Previously, when Huo Yuanshan had called, he said that he would no longer oppose her relationship with Ning Fan. Moreover, he apologized profusely, admitting that all the past opposition was his fault, and he should not have been so against it.
In the end, to gain Huo Qiuran's forgiveness and to help her mediate the conflict between Ning Fan and the Huo Family, he was even prepared to atone with his death.
Of course, Huo Yuanshan's words did not make Huo Qiuran completely believe him. As his daughter, and having been "sold" several times by him, she knew all too well.
For the so-called family interests, Huo Yuanshan had no qualms about losing face.
It was precisely because of Huo Yuanshan's shameless character that Huo Qiuran found herself in a dilemma when facing Ning Fan.
Huo Qiuran truly didn't know if she should matter with Ning Fan.
Although she had decided to sever ties with the Huo Family, the connection of blood was not something that could be easily cut off: blood is thicker than water, and Huo Yuanshan had hit the nail on the head.
Ning Fan sensed the conflict in Huo Qiuran's heart and a gentle smile appeared on his face. He stroked Huo Qiuran's hair and softly said, "Whatever it is, just tell me. For you, I can do anything."
Huo Qiuran was moved, her lips slightly parted, and her bright lips trembled, "My dad, he called me..."
"Oh, what did he say to you?"
A flash of surprise crossed Ning Fan's eyes, astonished that Huo Yuanshan had come back into contact with Huo Qiuran, his thoughts immediately taking a sinister turn.
It couldn't be helped, both Huo Yuanshan and the entire Huo Family had a history, and Ning Fan had to be cautious.
Learning that Huo Yuanshan had contacted Huo Qiuran again, Ning Fan's first instinct was to wonder if that guy was trying to bring her more bad news, trying to force Huo Qiuran to return.
Huo Qiuran saw what Ning Fan was thinking and immediately shook her head, explaining, "He said he doesn't oppose us being together anymore, and that all the issues in the past were his fault, that the blame should be on him alone, and he even said... he could atone with his death, as long as you forgive the Huo Family."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fan was stunned for quite a while, and it took several seconds before he understood what Huo Yuanshan was attempting.
It must have been because he caused a scene at the Shangguan Family's home that Huo Yuanshan got scared, worried that Ning Fan might come after them to settle accounts. Now that the Huo Family had already offended the Shangguan Family, there was no way they could return to amicable terms with them, especially since Huo Qiuran was by Ning Fan's side.
But things were different on Ning Fan's side, after all, Huo Qiuran was still Huo Yuanshan's daughter. Through this relationship, Huo Yuanshan hoped to resolve the conflict between Ning Fan and the Huo Family.
After clearing up the rationale behind it, Ning Fan couldn't help but give a wry smile, and it was only a while later that he finally spoke, "I'll listen to you; this matter is entirely up to you."
Huo Qiuran was somewhat surprised. She had thought that Ning Fan, because of past incidents, would get angry after hearing about this, and might even refuse the Huo Family's apology. But she had not expected Ning Fan to actually give her the choice.
"Yes, if you want to forgive them, then forgive them. I'll listen to you," Ning Fan said with a smile. He had turned the Shangguan Family's world upside down, and the Huo Family, in comparison, was nothing to him. His initial thought was as long as the Huo Family didn't bother them, he wouldn't care.
However, this time Huo Yuanshan went to great lengths to mend the rift between the Huo Family and himself, which made Ning Fan curse Huo Yuanshan for his impudence inside his mind.
Nonetheless, he had no other ideas as the Huo Family was still Huo Qiuran's relatives. How to decide was best left to Huo Qiuran, and this decision was also partly because of the guilt he felt for the misunderstandings he had about Huo Qiuran before.
Huo Qiuran was momentarily undecided, uncertain whether or not to forgive Huo Yuanshan, and she fell into a dilemma once more.
Seeing Huo Qiuran's tangled appearance, Ning Fan couldn't help but chuckle. He drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead solemnly, saying, "No matter what you decide, from now on, no one will be able to separate us again!"
The steadfastness in Ning Fan's tone made it clear that his feelings for Huo Qiuran had returned to where they once were, giving her a sense of bitter hardships turning to sweet rewards.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Huo Qiuran cried tears of joy, and a string of teardrops escaped her eyes, pouring out ceaselessly.
"Silly girl, what are you crying for..."
Ning Fan held Huo Qiuran tight, and she pressed against his chest, grabbing onto Ning Fan's shoulders and shaking her head repeatedly.
"It's just... I'm so happy!"
Having finally heard these words, how could Huo Qiuran not feel elated? Her voice even changed noticeably because of her excitement.
Ning Fan patted her back and, feeling both guilty and increasingly resolute about his affection for her, decided that he would never let go of this woman no matter what.
Thinking back on his neglect of Huo Qiuran, and the pain it caused her, Ning Fan's heart couldn't bear it. But at last, their misunderstandings had been cleared up.
"Ning Fan, I love you!"
Huo Qiuran lifted her head, her moist face slightly flushed, her eyes conveying a certain look as she gazed into Ning Fan's eyes, tiptoeing and leaning in for a kiss.
One second later, Ning Fan felt a cool touch on his lips, a fragrance rushing forth, directly crashing into his heart.
The two held each other tightly, as if the world only consisted of the two of them.
Ning Fan responded to Huo Qiuran's feelings.