17 Chapter Seventeen

It was quiet afterward as the flirtatious little lord from the Xing family suddenly became too busy to bother Zhou Hua Fan. Not that she minded, after expressing her intentions to break off their interactions with each other she was even a bit relieved he was too busy to bother her. And not to mention, she had a hunch that her grandfather had a hand in the busy Xing family after being notified his granddaughter's engagement was being converted by his archnemesis. With his missing oppressive aura, other people slowly dared to speak to Hua Fan again to try and win favor.

Although Li Ai Chen and Lee Li Wei were somewhat confused by this playboy's disappearance they didn't question it too much, Xing Qiu Shen never respected them in the first place and always considered them to be unworthy of Zhou Hua Fan's time and attention. So why would they bother to speak up or ask for him? Seeing that Zhou Hua Fan was also unaffected and didn't say anything as well they tactically agree to not speak of him. For a while, the older boy was not seen and the break was coming closer and closer.

Soon the students would all have winter break and spend new years with their families back home. Snow covered the streets and buried fallen leaves in a layer of white making the world resemble a blank portrait. Those from high society were busy thinking about the up-and-coming socialite parties that were closing in on them quickly, while those from more humble families were talking about visiting family from both sides with groans of annoyance. Lee Li Wei and Li Ai Chen had already subtly told her their plans for the break and she wordlessly exchanged Weibo accounts with them making their faces brighten.

Hua Fan had never owned one before since back then she didn't have anyone to exchange numbers with being as isolated as she was, but after hearing Lee Li Wei hinting a few times about the benefits she finally gave in. Li Ai Chen even gave her a smile after she realized that she was one of the first to be added to Hua Fan's new account, which Hua Fan found odd. But then again the stone-faced girl with her dangerous background most likely never experienced exchanging numbers with another person similar in age to herself too. So Hua Fan allows the young girl to delude herself as she was the one to approach her in the first place. On the last day, Hua Fan stood from her desk and placed her books into her bag in a leisurely manner.

Completely unlike the others who were in a rush to leave school Hua Fan took her time and didn't care if she got out faster than the rest. When she arrives at the exit Shuang Hui Ning was already at the school door with her coat in his hands and smiled in her direction. "Young miss, the old master said to bring you directly to the company since he will be leaving earlier today." These days seeing how fragile and pale his granddaughter was Zhou Jian Kong could not help but worry about her every day.

So in order to be more sure of her safety he sent housekeeper Shuang to pick her up at the front door of the school every day. If Hua Fan got into an accident during school Hui Ning would make sure that Zhou Jian Kong would be the first to know. "Bao bei wait up!" Being called out to, Hua Fan arms that were being helped into the coat by Hui Ning went stiff for a second before relaxing again. It had taken her a moment to place the voice so she was angry for a second at the person who dared to call her in such an intimate fashion. But after realizing who it was she could only lament her bad luck.

Seeing this Hui Ning pretends not to notice but he does take a good look at the boy who so boldly called the young miss by such a misleading nickname. His gaze was cold and his smile was full of derision, yet after recognizing who it was there was a bit of surprise on his face but he recovers quickly. Xing Qiu Shen was a bit breathless running in the cold but his handsome face with false warm blue eyes was capable of making people swoon right into his arms if he asked for it and dismiss his disrespectful attitude.

Hua Fan rose her pretty hands up for Hui Ning to help put her gloves on for her while eyeing the breathless Xing Qiu Shen with an indifferent look. "Qiu Shen, stop panting like a dog and tell me what you want, ye ye is waiting for me so I can't waste time on you right now." Qiu Shen smiles bitterly for a moment because of her indifference towards his efforts and stood up straight after catching his breath. His tone was teasing and full of complaint.

"Zhou Hua Fan, it can't be that you are angry with me right?" Hua Fan chuckles, "I do not have time to be angry at someone who is as insignificant as you." Hearing her cruel words Shuang Hui Ning furrowed his brows but smoothed them over after remembering the boy's inappropriate behavior. He straightens up and opens the door for the girl not bothering to greet the Xing young master. "Young miss, old master is waiting."

Hua Fan smiled at him and took a step forward only to be pulled back by Qiu Shen. Hui Ning frowned immediately with a dangerous light in his eyes as he sent the boy a dark look. "Young master Xing is rather bold to take advantage of our young miss like this. I will only tell you once, let go." Qiu Shen did not pay this person any mind and placed a beautifully wrapped present in Hua Fan's hands.

When she fully turned around to narrow her eyes at him angrily he quickly spoke before she could scold him. His tone was gentle and placating, "Hua Fan, you may think I'm not serious in my pursuit and thought that I was running away after being warned by your old man. But when you open this you will understand why I was gone for so long. That is all I wanted to say." His handsome blue eyes curve into a crescent and his lips rose into an almost gentle grin.

She could see indulgence and a hint of adoration in his eyes which she did not believe at all, but when she glances down at the expensive wrapped box in her hand curiosity won over her anger. This type of person is not gentle without reason. "Xing Qiu Shen, do you take me for a fool?" Hua Fan narrows her eyes at him not believing his excuses one bit, she even held disdain towards him for trying to treat her like an easily flustered girl. But the teen merely grins at her mischievously, winking at her not exactly like how she expected him to react, expressing his sincerity and tickling the center of her palm. "Happy new year." Hua Fan's anger turned into confusion then coldness. But she did not throw off his hand or his gift which made him pleased.

Letting her go he casually left the two without giving Shuang Hui Ning a moment of his time meaning he did not take Hui Ning as a threat at all displeasing the older man. But not lowering himself to a child's level Hui Ning merely stared at the Xing heir's back with a dark look. Although he was not close to the young miss the girl was still his master's granddaughter. She was especially not someone others could casually touch or call out to. Hua Fan gave the bright red box in her hand another glance full of reluctance, but since she had already accepted it she could only hold it onto it.

Her thoughts were unknown to everyone but herself as she gazed at this box almost cautiously. Should I just toss it? But the things that someone like Xing Qiu Shen gave shouldn't be cheap, and if he deliver them in person it was also not thoughtless. But the only question is, what exactly was the gift? Her eyes unwittingly watch as the arrogant teen left in his family car without looking back once as if his job was finished and he was confident in whatever was in the box to convince her. She gloomily exits the school in a foul mood, in the end, the box was held tightly in her own hands.

Forget it, if it was something inappropriate she could dispose of it safely away from prying eyes. In the car driver Yang saw something was not right and didn't say anything for fear of incurring the young miss's wraith. When he saw Hui Ning's expression was also not right he becomes a tad bit worried that the two encountered something unpleasant. Would something big happen in the future he would have to prepare for? Hua Fan examines the box thoughtfully, it was held together with a red and gold ribbon. The box was a deep red color that really gave off a festive air from its sturdiness and quality.

Even Hua Fan could tell this box was custom-made at a glance and purposely made to match her aesthetics. When Hua Fan opened the box her heart almost stopped but she appeared calm on the surface after seeing the "gift". Inside the beautiful box sat a beautiful pure red coral bracelet that could take one's breath away, though the style wasn't new and it was clearly old it was still fitting for a girl like herself whose skin was snow-white contrasting the lovely bracelet. Its clear and smooth coloring was proof of the meticulous care the previous owner took of it, very obviously it was not some simple bracelet. Hua Fan's heart stutters, but instead of being swayed due to its beauty, she became even more cautious in accepting this bomb that infuriating Xing Qiu Shen casually gifted her. Under this bracelet was a note which she read in silence.

Hui Ning was curious about the gift but didn't lean over to look into the beautiful red box so he could only rely on Hua Fan's reaction. Yet the girl had no expression seeing the gift and even read the note in the deafening silence. After reading, Hua Fan felt somewhat conflicted with herself. She folds the note and places it beside the bracelet showing an indecisive expression. For a while, the car was full of tense silence until Hua Fan finally turns to face the window to watch the snow-covered building past her quietly. This "gift", Hua Fan did not know if she could accept the offer he was giving to her.

No, it was more like she was reluctant to take this beneficial offer that would make her life easier. Yet, it would also cause her plenty of headaches and may even make her grandfather scold her until her ear bled. She knew that the Xing boy was a mischievous and cunning person in the future. But to think he would be that way even at this young age. Hua Fan was wary that he would cause her grandfather more problems than he was worth.

Although she was tempted at first to pull some favors from him, after deciding to cut him from her side a few days ago she had let go of her greed. Yet, I didn't expect him to actually offer to make our relationship more than that of acquaintances. Thinking about it more Hua Fan was reluctant to accept but also more reluctant to turn it down without considering the repercussions of offending that devilish young master. "Housekeeper Shuang, I will ask you to not say anything to grandfather about this matter." Thinking the girl had been swayed by the handsome boy Hui Ning furrowed his brows worriedly.

"Young miss that boy is-" "I know, do not worry. I promised you I will never drag Ye Ye into my problems." She looks up at him through the rearview mirror, her eyes were firm. "Ye Ye will never have to deal with the repercussions of my actions. You can trust me when I say this." He saw the stubborn light in her eyes and bitterly swallowed anything he wanted to say to persuade her otherwise. His warm eyes grow a bit distant and he bluntly told her. "I cannot hide the fact that the Xing heir has made contact with you again." Hua Fan relaxes and she gave him a thankful smile, him saying this was already more than she could ask for. "That's alright, I expected as much anyway. Thank you."