48 Chapter Forty Eight

With the snow gone and spring coming along, the days grew windy and a slight bit gloomy. But with the constant rain came Zhou Hua Fan's maturity and capabilities. Half a year had gone by before anyone even realized. Rumors of the "Abandoned Flower" no longer existed as Hua Fan tosses her title of "vase" and shined brightly without reserve. Her temper was terrible, but now, who would dare mock her?

If the Hua Fan back then was a "vase" with a bad temper and no ability. The Hua Fan now was a dangerous rose who sapped the nutrients of her prey without holding back. Also in this short period, the Zhou company leaders and biggest shareholders changed. Not only that but it was rumored that Chairman Zhou even rewrote his will. This came as a shock to most people since he was not the type of man to take back what he said.

In a sense, Hua Fan was similar in that way too. In a popular cafe where many rich second generations gathered to play and hang out with their friends, this not-so-small bit of information was being talked about as the latest and most interesting new gossip. The cafe was considered the place to be for the younger generation. There weren't many rules besides respecting the staff and owners, and since they were backed by the Shen family it was obvious no one would cause trouble on purpose. The Shen family owned most cafes in the city, with a few here and there not part of their land.

But otherwise, you could say this was their territory just like how Pearl Hotel and SS(Seventh Star Mall) were Zhou family territory. But although they owned the place, that didn't mean they could disrespect any giant who rested in their nest. Such as this scene in the cafe currently, though the Zhou family was capable and powerful they were not completely unchallenged. Or at least, there existed a few people who still butted heads with them foolishly. Zhou Hua Fan sat properly in the center of the booth while casually sipping at her milk tea, beside her sat a handsome man with black-framed glasses. Her eyes were looking around in boredom looking much like an aloof miss who held no interest in the people beside her or the ones who tried speaking to her.

Each time she took a bite of the snack on the table the person beside her would occasionally whisper something in her ear resulting in an impatient expression. Yet she recovers and tosses the cookie she had taken a bite out of back onto the table making the handsome man smile humorously. The cookie would then be picked up by the same man, placed back into a napkin, and tossed into the trash before any unsavory person got any ideas. Other than the pretty young miss and handsome man there was also Yang Li Wei, and Li Chen Ai. Being a boy it was obvious Liang Zhong Zemin did not allow Li Wei to sit beside Hua Fan so he was forced to the side one seat away from her.

On Hua Fan's left was Chen Ai who was politely speaking to Hua Fan in a low-toned voice while swiping through her pad. The girl nods her head once in a while to acknowledge her words, the aura was serious and professional but when paired with the curious and playful atmosphere of the people around them it was more of like fans staring up at their idols from afar. "-Although the base of the ring is finished and I can have it sent to you right away I wanted to ask if you wanted something engraved into the inside of the ring." She ponders for a second after hearing this, although she was tempted to have her last name engraved she liked it to be more simple. So after a few seconds of contemplating, she waves her hand dismissively.

"No, just leave it as it is." Chen Ai hesitates and then asks her a bit carefully to make sure not to anger the girl with her doubt. "Is Miss Zhou sure? This ring is rather expensive and if someone snatches it-" Hua Fan sneers, who would dare? "If someone snatches it then they will experience hell on earth. Only a fool would provoke me and my grandfather." Chen Ai was somewhat unconvinced, although Hua Fan was her grandfather's precious heiress it did not cover the fact that she was still a fragile pampered girl. If she was bullied one day and lost the ring who knows where it would end up without proper branding?

Seeing her doubt Hua Fan naturally turns to look over at Zhong Zemin who was watching their exchange on the side with a slight smile. She frowns at him seeming annoyed, "Would you let someone take my things?" Zhong Zemin's smile became mocking as a hint of amusement entered his gaze. "If I dare not to then who would?" She turns back over to Chen Ai in a haughty manner, her actions smooth and spoiled.

"Although I am young like you do not assume we are the same, grandfather's people and my own will not allow anyone close enough to even sniff my perfume." Chen Ai frowns at having been spoken against by the man and for a second her brow twitches at the indulging manner in which the man treats the girl. She knew the type of person Hua Fan was and wanted to help educate her about to world outside of her bubble but for someone to spoil her efforts with a single sentence was aggravating. Seeing her annoyance Zhong Zemin's smile deepens just to annoy her further. This girl seems to assume Hua Fan is a brainless and arrogant little heiress, though she isn't far off it isn't her place to try and educate her. "What is this ring you two are speaking of?"

When he asked this Hua Fan gave him a sly lazy glance, her tone suddenly chilly. "None of your business." "Well, if it isn't the "famous" Zhou flower!" Butting into their conversation was a pretty girl with exaggerated nails and red lipstick. Unlike Hua Fan's natural beauty, this girl loved to be flashy and colorful. Each nail was decorated with diamonds and her dress was a limited edition from a popular designer Her purse was a bit plain compared to her clothes but in reality, it was the most expensive brand in the city.

Her brown hair was curled prettily and if one follows the strands of hair down they would see the ends fade into a dark purple. Her face wasn't average, but it wasn't as exquisite as Hua Fan's either. The only thing that ruined her looks in comparison to Hua Fan's was the arrogant smirk on her face all the time. When she turns and sees this face Hua Fan sneers while doing her best to stay seated. To think I would meet this bitch today, I truly have the worst luck.

"I thought this place had standards, turns out there are still a few pesky insects that made it into the place." Xu Daiyu's smirk only rose after seeing her sneer, she dismissed the insult thrown at her rather happy to earn Hua Fan's ire. Popping out a hip she casually held up a hand to admire her nails while Hua Fan snorted at her behavior. "See, I thought we had an understanding the last time we met. If you don't recall, it was I who managed to get engaged to Shen Haoyu, not you."

"So although I'm usually an understanding and generous person." Her left brow rose proactively at the other girl as she feigned sympathy. "I really don't like seeing used goods returning to the shelf where they don't belong. I'm sure Fan'er understands my meaning?" Used goods? She was implying I came here to try and win back that no-good Shen Haoyu? How childish and stupid! Hua Fan held back the urge to teach her a lesson and sat back. She crosses her legs making her skirt ride up slightly to reveal thin snow-colored legs which Zhong Zemin wordlessly covers up with her jacket. She was still a child, after all, he did not want anyone to have any ideas about an underaged girl. Her sneers turn into a half-grin although her eyes were not smiling at all.

Since she says so then why not do as she says? It's your own fault for reminding me you exist in the first place Daiyu. Don't regret it later. Though Zhong Zemin did not understand what was going on he frowned a tiny bit. Even girls this young knew how to fight over boys? He did not find it necessary to scold children but hearing the girl's evil words he felt a small urge to scare her a bit.

But a cold pale hand reaches over to tug his sleeve back a bit. Hua Fan's group bristled angrily meanwhile Hua Fan just laughed harshly while covering her mouth. Her eyes showed her disdain and mockery, "Used goods? I agree! I too like to consider myself generous and big-hearted. But for Brother Shen to actually be kind enough to pick you up in replacement for me. I too have to admire his "courage"." Zhou Hua Fan you two-faced slut! Are you trying to say I'm the one who's covered in dirt?! Xu Daiyu's eyes flash with anger but her smile never leaves even if her brow twitches betraying her smiling facade. She gave a forced laugh that failed to hide her anger at Hua Fan's mocking reply.

"Haha! Haoyu loves me lots that's why he chose me over you. Sorry for taking him away, it's just that you can't force true love." Feeling a bit better as a sense of satisfaction fills her heart Hua Fan sweetly giggles into her hand. The words the girl uttered would have made the past Hua Fan burst into a rage back then. But now after experiencing worse things, she knew to at least tolerate this much. This little girl was nothing compared to what she suffered in the past, she had no room left in her heart for her and her old crush.

The only thing she wanted to see right now was Xu Daiyu's face twist into an ugly expression. "Daiyu it's almost been an entire year since your engagement. Don't tell me you two been thinking about me all this time? It's been hard on brother Shen." This time the smile on her face completely fell, and her cheeks turned bright red with anger. All this time you two have been thinking about me nonstop? What a shame I did not put you two in my eyes and did not think of you at all. Zhong Zemin chuckled and also sat back in his seat in a relaxed manner beside Hua Fan. Gritting her teeth she glowers at the relaxed Hua Fan and decidedly drops her act.

"Don't act all smug! Everyone knows you've liked Shen Haoyu since we were kids and he rejected you! Just because I have what you don't doesn't mean you can splash dirty water over me!!" Hua Fan had the urge to let out a bark of laughter, and she did. Her eyes widen with mock surprise and she laughs merrily confusing Xu Daiyu and the others watching. Feeling her cheeks grow warmer and her ears growing hot the girl hisses at her. "What are you laughing at?!" Hua Fan laughs so hard that she even rests a hand on Zhong Zemin's arm to catch her breath. "Hahah!! Nothing I just-! Haha!!" Unable to stop her laughter for awhile the pretty girl even wipes a fake tear.

When she looks up with a cheshire-like grin Xu Daiyu feels hesitancy for the first time and feels as if she had willingly stepped onto a landmine. "Nothing much. It's just that since he rejected someone as beautiful as myself for someone who looks like YOU. It truly MUST be "true love"!" "Pfft!" Someone behind the infuriated Xu Daiyu lets out a small puff of air and coughs to cover it up.