"Huo Family Head?"
Nan Yu looked toward the unfamiliar man in the wheelchair at the doorway.
A half-black mask concealed his right face, revealing pale and thin lips; his left face had a defined contour, his expression indifferent.
He carried an innate sharpness about him, daunting to all who looked his way.
His eyelids slightly lifted, and he gazed at Nan Yu, piercing through the thick crowd.
A powerful sense of oppression fell on her head, slowing her breathing.
The voice of Li Qingjia continued to reach her ears.
"This Huo Family Head is the ruler of the Huo Family. He rarely shows himself and does not attend any banquets, always remaining mysterious."
"Few have seen beneath his mask, but those who have say there’s a vicious scar like that of a centipede under his right face—more terrifying than a ghost."
Nan Yu’s gaze was indifferent as she met his eyes head-on.
The next second, the wheelchair moved toward them.
It drew closer to her, stopping only when it was a step away.
The man was dressed in a dark suit, his legs covered with a white woolen blanket, his demeanor cold yet noble.
Then he turned his dark eyes toward Li Qingjia, who stood beside Nan Yu.
His thin lips parted slightly, his voice cold, like the crisp, white snow of midwinter.
"Madam Song, happy birthday."
As his words fell, the assistant next to him, holding a scroll, stepped forward.
In front of everyone, she unrolled the scroll.
A vividly lifelike Crane Longevity Painting appeared before all eyes.
The entire place was astounded.
"This is a debut work by the master of traditional painting, Guan Nan—the ’Crane Longevity Painting’!"
"Look at this spirited crane, perched atop the green pine, as if really alive, offering blessings to the old madam!"
"This was Guan Nan’s work from ten years ago, painted specially for her grandmother’s birthday. Later, when her grandmother fell ill, she had no choice but to sell it to pay for medical expenses."
"Yes, I remember that year this painting appeared at an auction and immediately sold for ten million, skyrocketing Guan Nan’s fame to where her paintings became exceedingly rare."
Seeing this painting, Li Qingjia was completely astounded, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Her eyes filled with warm tears, "This is the first time I have ever seen a genuine work by Master Guan Nan. I thought I would never see one in my lifetime."
Sitting in the wheelchair, Huo Juanyan spoke lightly, "I heard you’ve always admired Guan Nan’s paintings. It’s a small gift, nothing much to speak of."
Li Qingjia, wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, gratefully said, "Huo Family Head, you have gone to great expense."
She quickly called over Yu Lan.
"Yu Lan, take good care of the painting."
Yu Lan, who had just come down after changing her clothes and redoing her makeup, was stunned by the painting, her eyes widening.
She carefully received the painting from the companion’s hands.
All eyes followed the painting, filled with envy.
Only Nan Yu sat calmly as if accustomed to such sights, without a single superfluous glance.
Huo Juanyan noticed Nan Yu, who was different from the one he had met last time in the bar.
This time, she was quiet and graceful, like a noble princess, with a touch of nonchalant beauty.
Seemingly sensing his gaze, she lifted her head and smiled sweetly at him.
Like a spring breeze shedding peach blossoms, it stirred a slight ripple in his tranquil heart.
Huo Juanyan’s gaze darkened as he forcefully suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and abruptly turned his head to Li Qingjia.
"Madam Song, I came here today to ask about something."
Li Qingjia asked with a puzzled look, "Huo Family Head, what do you want to ask?"
Huo Juanyan cut to the chase, "Where is Ghost Doctor?"
Li Qingjia looked baffled, "Who is Ghost Doctor?"
Huo Juanyan said sternly, "The person who saved your life that night, where is she?"