24 Chapter Twenty Four(Huang Gou Heng's Ring)

Zhou Hua Fan ignores the people around her staring at her curiously and assuredly walks up to the nearest worker with a neutral expression. "I'm looking for a gift for my grandfather." The woman only took a moment to compose herself from the favor given to her by the rich little girl before beaming. From the way she acted and dressed it was obvious the girl was not a simple person and had lots of money to spend. If she served herself well maybe she could get a big bonus from her purchases! "You've come to the right place! May I know the young miss's name before I have a room cleared for you?" Hua Fan did not answer her right away and as if looking for trouble, suddenly her lip curls up with derision. White teeth bared like fangs she grins at the older woman "You don't know even know who I am? What a useless person." The woman's cheeks burn red with embarrassment and her smile became forced as shock entered her heart at being blatantly insulted for seemingly no reason.

"Pa-Pardon?" She could only convince herself that she most likely heard wrong. This pretty girl would not have such a poisonous tongue, right? Did I offend her before? Hua Fan clicked her tongue but before she could say anymore and cause more trouble alone driver Yang hurriedly enters with flushed cheeks after running in the cold to catch up after her. Seeing him, her eyes held a trace of annoyance at being interrupted and she admonishes for no reason. "Driver Yang, I taught you better than this. What will others think when seeing you in such a state? They will think that I am unnecessarily cruel to my people and have no manners." Driver Yang, after being stopped many times by people walking in front of him and at the green light at the crossroads felt a bit bitter and tired of having to chase after his little miss.

In a mini blizzard non the less! His first thought was to question how Hua Fan had managed to arrive faster than him in her fragile body and tiny legs and the next was to make sure the miss was unharmed before he fully gave a breath of relief. Only after catching his breath did driver Yang bend over and apologize to Hua Fan. Not holding must grievances towards the young girl since he knew how eccentric his miss was in the first place. "Apologies Miss Zhou, I will do better next time." Her scolding only just registers before he slowly and sincerely responded to her baseless accusations. Hua Fan was in a better mood seeing he was sensible so her glare eases and she humbly accepts his apology. "Don't do it again." He kept his head lowered so he did not see the ripple effect that happened after he uttered her last name. "Yes, Miss." The eyes of the customers in the store who all looked at the driver now turn to look at Hua Fan with disbelief and hesitation.

This was the rumored Zhou Hua Fan?! The one who was replaced by a mistress's child?! They all take in the pretty petite girl and felt it a pity that her father's eyes were blinded by cow manure. They had seen the "mistress's child" just now and although the boy was good-looking this girl was much better. Despite the fact that she was arrogant and unreasonable, her voice was light and addicting to listen to, even when it scolded others one couldn't help but be allured to her beauty. It was also understandable why she was the way she was since most likely the people around her spoiled her to death and gave way to her every whim. Even after hearing how her father boosted the reputation of an outside child instead of his own daughter, they wanted to get close to this "Abandoned Flower".

The boy was good-looking and smart but so what? He was raised in the slums and did not even know the basics of their world. He would only embarrass Zhou Feng Meng in the future. Meanwhile, his daughter already had the air and attitude of a rich pampered miss. Zhou Hua Fan unlike Huang Gou Heng was raised to blend into their social circle and was easy on the eyes, her looks very much satisfied the elderly who wanted a good-looking girl for their grandsons. Some of the braver customers even showed their intentions of casually entering Zhou Hua Fan's sights to flatter or get her attention. Seeing the not-so-good situation an employee had already gone to get the manager as he could see from their greedy eyes that they were thinking of trying to sink their fangs into the girl and reacted quickly. If the famed Zhou Hua Fan left their store without buying anything it would be a bit shameful, especially when the Zhou family was known to be frivolous and generous with their money. So when the manager arrived he hurriedly leads Hua Fan away with a bright smile not giving them the chance to take snag this flower from under his nose. 

The people in the front of the store were left disappointed and curious about her appearance, but they weren't stupid enough to be reluctant to let her leave. Some ponder her coincidental appearance on the same day, time, and place as the mistress's son. Was it planned for the two to arrive here on the same day? Or was it a mere coincidence? But what is a little girl doing here instead of somewhere more fitting of her gender and age? Most people could not help lingering even longer in the store, just to see if there would be a show to watch after they both found out the other was there. Hua Fan was settled into a room with refreshments and offered a glass of water she did not even glance at the offerings and turned to driver Yang. Ordering in an overbearing manner to the man. "Go get me milk tea from the same shop from before." Driver Yang hesitated on leaving Hua Fan alone and felt the need to remind her that she already drank one just an hour ago. Was it healthy for her to have so many sweet drinks in one day?

  Seeing her so comfortable in her seat as well as her attitude of not taking no for an answer, the driver obediently utters a reluctant "Yes, Miss." Hua Fan paid no mind to the manager who was still smiling even after she had ignored his attempts at hospitality and picks up a magazine to flip through in a bored manner. It's not like she was really here to shop. "Does Miss Zhou have anything specific in mind she wishes to see? Although we specialize in men's clothes we also have a few rare pieces of jade Chairman Zhou may like." Hearing this Hua Fan's gaze rose from the magazine in her hands to the smiling man momentarily, he didn't falter meeting the girl's distant and calculative gaze. So the corner of her mouth quirks up to one side. Jade? Was he trying to bribe her due to guilty conscience or did he really want the Zhou family's patronage?

Though the people down below were stupid this person was not. He even knew her grandfather enjoyed jade and did not like tacky things like gold and silver, unlike most stupid businessmen who liked to show off during parties and get-togethers. Putting down the magazine she no longer had an interest in Hua Fan gave him her full attention. She liked smart and calculative people like this the most. So with a hint of amusement and allowing him the chance to cure her boredom Hua Fan waves a hand at him. "Ok, show me what you have." She was not originally here to shop but since he offered she mind as well look at a few and see if they really were fitting of her grandfather. The manager beams at her and calls in some staff to bring in a few pieces of only the best quality they had on hand.

So Hua Fan had no choice but to admit that he successfully managed to entertain her as she went through the accessories seriously since they were pretty decent. He must really want to make a good impression on me and ye ye. It was just too bad nothing but a pair of jade cufflinks caught her eye which she bought without having to think about it which made the manager smile even happier than before. But very soon afterward no matter what he showed her, Hua Fan's attention started to wane again and she began looking around the room with a hint of boredom. Yet since she already bought an expensive item, the manager didn't mind her inattentiveness or take offense to her actions. However, he never neglected his duty and continued to patiently bring in items for her to glance at. Although Hua Fan originally had no interest in the accessories brought in after, soon her eyes caught hold of something that made her heart ripple subtly. Seeing the change in her expression, the man smartly brought the item closer for her to inspect raising his voice so she could hear better, speaking in an eloquent manner. 

"This ring was carved from a single fist-sized jade found in Siberia. Unique in color along with its handsome hue this ring has a constant cool feeling. We were lucky to acquire this from-" She paid no mind to his explanation of the item and raises a trembling hand to lightly brush against the ring. With his ramblings in the background, Hua Fan held her breath as recognition and realization set in. This was...Heng's ring... As if burned Hua Fan's hand jerked back from it's cool surface her heart racing due to her agitation though on the outside she did her best to keep calm despite her trembling. Hua Fan shakingly went to grab the water at her side to cool the burning sensation in her chest and calm the nervous fluttering in her stomach.

Doing her best to remove her gaze from the ring that made her eyes sore and stung her heart. Zhou Hua Fan, calm down. Yet she found that no matter how hard she tried, her eyes never stray far from the jade ring that pulled at her heart and soul almost violently. So, without being able to stop herself Hua Fan impulsively announces in a flat tone "I want this one too." ?! A bit shocked by her mouth blurting those words out loud without her permission before she could stop it. Hua Fan knew it was too late to regret and she could only grit her teeth and hold her tongue since she was a person who refused to go back on her words. Similar to Zhou Jian Kong, Hua Fan was reluctant to take back anything she says. Unaware of her internal dilemma the manager on the other hand was very pleased with her words and his smile became all the more genuine seeing she had a good eye. And she was not like those other people who pretended to not want something expensive so he would lower the price.

Just like how Hua Fan liked dealing with smart people. He liked customers like her who were rich and not stingy with their money. "Miss Zhou has good taste! Would Miss Zhou like to have it wrapped up in a bag or have it delivered to a certain address?" She took a small deep breath and forced herself to look away stiffly placing the water back down as if the ring lost her attention and she was once more bored of their merchandise. Even though her soul yearned to stare at it longer Zhou Hua Fan's troubled heart and mind could only focus on calming down. He isn't here. He doesn't exist in this plane. Right now, that Huang Gou Heng doesn't exist. "No. Just place it in a box and bring it to me." Her tone was bland as if she didn't care about where the ring ended up. 

The manager left to personally deal with the purchase while Hua Fan sent the appropriate amount to the store from her phone and sat back in a daze. I could still see it. Even when I blink I could clearly see those pair of hands that held my picture so tenderly. Even though the person who wore that ring was long gone.  "...." Her hands that rested upon the sides of her chair shook violently, Hua Fan closes her eyes and bit her bottom lip enduring the flood of emotions. 'Fan....are you finally at peace?' His whispers beside her ear made her flush a shade of pink and her eyes sting, growing warm. Huang Gou Heng, you... Her nose crinkles but a knock on the door caused this expression to be wiped clean from her face and forced herself to take a deep breath gathering her scattered state of mind. "Enter."

Her tone and facial expression forcefully become indifferent as the girl recovers before driver Yang could see her vulnerability. In his hand was a cup of warm milk tea he hands over to her which she took with little interest still somewhat shaken by the ring's appearance. "What took you so long?" Driver Yang kept his head lower and apologized a bit nervously. "There's been an accident across the street causing a lot of traffic, I had to find a parking place farther away." Hua Fan seemed unconcerned by this piece of information and only responded faintly while raising her drink to soothe her dry throat. "Oh? Then next time we should not come to a place like this again where accidents occur all too regularly." Driver Yang was puzzled by her strange words but knew better than to ask her what she meant since Hua Fan seemed to have already moved on from the subject and had gone back to reading through a magazine. Not too long afterward the manager returned with her purchase which she took personally.

This stunned driver Yang who was prepared to carry her things for her and made him unknowing of what to do since he couldn't exactly ask her for the box. Ignoring his conflicted look and predicament she places the beautifully wrapped box into her coat pocket and then feigns realization looking up at the manager with a smirk. "Oh right. I heard something rather curious when I was downstairs earlier. A little bird told me that my "brother" arrived a bit before I did. You did not treat him badly I hope?" As expected the manager's brows furrow momentarily before smoothening and he answers her honestly. "I did not know this. I will have someone attend to him properly." Hua Fan saw his attitude was actually really good. She then felt a bit reluctant to leave someone so capable in a castle full of holes, especially when she knew what would happen in the future to this store and the people behind it.

Gesturing to driver Yang, she said a bit nonchalantly. "Grandfather's card." The manager watches with a hint of surprise as the girl daringly used a pen she took from his shirt pocket to write something on the legendary Chairman Zhou's card. When she hands it to him as he was again in for another shock as Hua Fan says casually, pushing her hair back behind her ears. "When you get tired of this boring life and want something more fulfilling for someone as ambitious as yourself. Call this number. Of course, you can also call my grandfather's number but you would have to answer to housekeeper Shuang instead." Overwhelmed by favor the manager was momentarily unable to process her words wordlessly staring at the unique one-of-a-kind card given to him.

Perhaps it was the only one in the world that would ever be seen! A card with both the Zhou heiress and Chairman Zhou's number. His hands which took the card slightly tremble as if he was handed a treasure. Before Hua Fan could make fun of him the man hurriedly recovers and bows low to the girl half his age. "Thanking Miss Zhou for the favor!" He would be stupid to decline her offer! Although his gratitude was short and formal Hua Fan did not dislike him for it. She hums lightly and made to leave. Driver Yang held it open for her and sent a lingering pitying glance at the still-bowed head of the young manager who was trembling with excitement. He foresaw another poor soul who would have to suffer under the young miss's bipolar temper...