22 Chapter Twenty Two

Happy New Year! Thank you readers for all your support!!! -Proud Author

Driver Yang hurries into the car with a small cup of milk tea that was held tightly in his hands as he was afraid would spill it with his speed of returning. Once in the car he carefully hands the drink to the girl in the back who was as pale as a ghost. There was hardly even a trace of blood in her cheeks, so he could not help urging her with words of concern. "Miss Zhou hurry and take it, it was so cold out and you have been standing outside for so long. This subordinate is worried you'll get sick." The bundle of fur, Zhou Hua Fan took his offering with a tiny smile and joked with him because she was in a rather good mood after meeting Liang Zhong Zemin. "The car is like a sauna and I'm wrapped up in so much fur I resemble a fat cat. Driver Yang you worry too much." He was a bit taken aback she was joking with him but still could not help giving her more worried looks over his shoulder. "Miss Zhou, it's still best to be careful to avoid doing this type of thing in the future. Next time allow this subordinate to wait outside alone instead for whoever it is miss wants to meet in the future. The old master wouldn't let me live long if anything were to happen to you under my watch."

In answer, Hua Fan graced him with a faint almost bored hum before sipping her milk tea and staring outside her window in a small trance. Not knowing if his words were taken seriously or not driver Yang could only sigh and focus on driving. In the end, he was only an employee, there was not much he could say or do that would be considered out of line. It was already enough the young miss even took the time to listen to him worry about these things. On the ride back Hua Fan didn't say anything or request him to go anywhere so he assumes she just wanted to go back home. Lost in her own thoughts, the girl's eyes become glassy and dazed while staring out the window.

It was rare for the young girl to be so tranquil and reticent wearing such a lonely look on her face so the man couldn't help taking more looks through the rearview mirror. Is she sad? He ponders to himself feeling a tad distressed for his young miss's sake. From what he recalled, these past few days his young miss rarely took the initiative to go out with the other young girls from before anymore. Zhou Hua Fan used to laugh haughtily in the back with a few classmates as they sang praises into her ears while attending parties together. Her head would tilt up full of pride and with a smirk on her face, she would smugly brag about how her father and mother bought her whatever she wanted.

She would wantonly spend money on frivolous dresses and jewelry filling the trunk and another car full of clothes and accessories making common people look on with envy and jealousy. His heart went out to the girl who once laughed in a carefree manner now quietly sitting alone in the backseat without even a smile on her face. Yet now, although her status was the same and she still had the resources she was born with, it was as if she had forgotten to smile without the old master present... He sighs to himself. If only the miss was born to more capable and loving parents.

Once she arrived back home Hua Fan was met outside by one of the maids and hurried into the house with an extra coat over her shoulders. Seeing they were overreacting but unable to soothe their worries Hua Fan could only go along with it with a weary begrudging expression. "Young miss how did you become so pale?! Perhaps we should call the old master and take you to the hospital?" They were worried about the frail girl who looked like she would fall over if someone even looked at her the wrong way. Since that day Zhou Hua Fan seemed to become deathly pale without the common youthful baby fat on her cheeks and although it wasn't obvious to outsiders, for people who saw her every day it was something to worry about since they could see the difference as the days go by.

Not to mention it was their job to serve Hua Fan properly and observe her for any changes and difficulties before reporting to Zhou Jian Kong. Hua Fan did not take their concerns to heart and persuaded them halfheartedly that she was fine before asking where her grandfather was. Although reluctant to let the matter rest they did not wish to agitate or annoy her so they could only go along with her change of subject. "The old master had a matter in the company come up, he told us to tell the young miss to not worry and to eat lunch and dinner without him." Hua Fan allowed this to sink in fully and thought about it carefully before she stood up and put her coat back on with the intention to go out again. "Young miss?" They were confused by her actions but Hua Fan didn't even look at them so, in the end, they did not ask her anything and helped her put on the rest of her clothes. "I want to go out. Call driver Yang back, and pack some sandwiches for lunch for us as well. I will be back before dinner."

Bewildered they all quickly do as she says. So, before Shuang Hui Ning could even see the girl once he was finished with his errand he gave the staff all stern looks after realizing the house was empty again. He rose a brow at the women who were assigned to accompany Zhou Hua Fan throughout the day that had been heartlessly left behind and harshly questions them. "Where is the young miss?" The maid who had assisted Hua Fan inside and back out again nervously stepped up to bat since no one dared to answer the terrifying housekeeper for her. She made sure to not meet his eyes and with a guilty conscience said. "The young miss said she wanted to go out and...told us to tell you she would be back before dinner." Hui Ning gave a heavy sigh seemingly full of disappointment for their meek behavior towards the willful girl and merely shook his head before going back to his duties without another word.

He would have to discipline them more on how to control the young miss and deal with her temper. They were too afraid to offend her and were indulging Hua Fan due to her good looks and princess complex. They couldn't even ask her where she has headed, what use are they if they can't even do that much? The old housekeeper couldn't help sighing again as he prepped the ingredients for dinner while deciding on what would be served tomorrow to the picky grandfather and granddaughter pair. Hua Fan strolls along with the snow-covered gardens with driver Yang following her with an umbrella and mini hand oven.

Though it was old-fashioned and a burden to prepare, it was the only thing available since Zhou Hua Fan arrived rather abruptly and without warning the owners in advance. Not only did they have a few relics from the olden days but the whole store was actually an old siheyuan that was fashioned into a scenic garden. The family which owned this residence had a genius idea to turn their ancient siheyuan into a fairy-like home letting people reminisce about the old days. The garden was rather a popular place to gather for old folk to gossip and live out their days in a leisurely manner if they were too afraid to be alone at home with no one to converse with. Zhou Hua Fan admired the flowers that were forced to bloom during such cold weather and brought them outside of their greenhouses for her pleasure.

It was unknown why but the girl who wore a faint smile on her face as she arrogantly strolled the halls of flowers taken out for her amusement suddenly frowns and gestured behind her to Driver Yang. He in turn glances over to the owners who followed along anxiously behind them to quickly come to their side with their heads lowered respectfully. "Is there something that the miss likes or requires help with?" Hua Fan had thought she would be able to find what she wanted here yet she could not, it disappointed her since this was said to be the best garden in this city. Shuang Hua Ning even praised it for its rare plants and good service. "Is this all you have?" Sensing her distaste and disappointment the owner hurries to appease this little boss in front of him. Everyone knew that the miss of the Zhou clan wasn't easy to please and was quick to anger. If their garden was spoken badly about directly from the mouth of this little miss wouldn't their business suffer tremendously?!

"Actually this is only a third of our shop's best, most of the flowers in our care have already gone dormant and aren't as easily coaxed to grow." Hua Fan's expression still did not seem pleased with his explanation and she utters a small huff of annoyance eyeing the taller human with disdain. "Is that so? Then I do not need anything here, let's go." She said this to driver Yang who smartly nods his head in accordance with her wishes thus effectively causing the staff members to become alarmed that they had made the princess of the Zhou family unhappy. "Wait, Miss Zhou! If there's a flower you're specifically looking for our shop will be more than happy to find it for you! I can assure Miss Zhou that you will find no shop as good as ours in the city!"

  Hua Fan pauses in step and shows a deliberately pensive expression on her delicate features as if contemplating their offer. The owner bit his lip nervously and anxiously waited for her answer while emphasizing and selling their services to her in a flattering manner. "Miss Zhou I assure you that our staff and resources are only the best of the best! Not only that but we can even offer to freely take care of your flowers for you and deliver them right to your doorsteps. No one but us will be able to provide you with this kind of promise in the city. Someone like Miss Zhou naturally deserves the best and we are one of the best there is." Hua Fan was finally convinced much to his relief, though she looked reluctant and she eyes the staff with some distrust. "Then I want a pot of Jade Vines and Middlemist's Red. Can you do this or not?" The face of the owner who held a smile stiffens, and Hua Fan could see their shock and alarm towards her request. She held back a laugh when he even held back from flinching and a hint of pleading and regret enters their gaze towards herself. Jade vine a-and Mi-Mi-Middlemist?....

The owner shakily mutters a small protest, his voice shaking under the pressure of her heavily expectant gaze. "Th-This...Miss Zhou I-" Hua Fan viciously smiles at him with a hint of taunting, faking anger the girl harshly reprimands the trembling owner. "What? You take it back? Is everything you boasted about a lie? You actually dare to lie to my face you are the best of the best?!" The staff quickly bowed twice in a hurry, "No! No! This one doesn't dare! If Miss Zhou wishes for a pot of these flowers it is only our duty to help fulfill the Miss's request!" He felt like coughing blood as he was forced to comply with her demands under her blaming glare. He could only grit his teeth and bear it with a stiff grin. Isn't it just a pot of flowers and vines?! As long as I pull some strings this should be nothing! Although he said this in his head, his heart bled at the fact that he knew he would have to pull some favors to get the seeds of those rare plants just to appease a girl in a bad mood.

  Hua Fan laughs, each ha ha pierced the staff's heart and made him regret ever insisting on helping the girl with her flowers. He cursed whoever put this demoness in a bad mood and sent her in his direction. If I ever find out who sent this ticking time bomb into my hands I'll strangle them to death! When she was escorted back to her car by the pale-faced man who was forced to wear a smile in her presence while cursing on the inside, Hua Fan was now in a very good mood after bullying people. Recalling his twisted expression after hearing her ask for Jade Vine and Middlemist Red. She giggles to herself in the back seat making driver Yang send her a few looks full of helplessness and weary caution. Although his knowledge of plants and flowers was not good, from the expression on the owner's face he knew his miss was making trouble on purpose for them. He just did not know why.

And he knew that even if he asked the girl she would only give him a creepy smile or ha ha ha at him as well so he kept his mouth shut and his curiosity in check. It's better to be on the sidelines in case he put himself in her line of fire. Thank goodness the miss didn't make him her target. He could only pity the people she vented her anger at from a distance. He watches as the girl with a faint smirk on her face became lost in her own world with no intentions of speaking her thoughts or intentions. Driver Yang was also afraid that if he asked her why she took out her anger on innocent people that her answer would be so shocking it would make him cough blood in place of the poor owner. Having had her fun Hua Fan finally told him the real destination of her outing granting him a satisfied grin because of her good mood. "Take me to the central park."

Driver Yang hesitates despite knowing better and observes her quick to change facial expression discreetly. "Miss Zhou at this time of year most likely the park will be covered in snow and isn't a good place to take a stroll. The old master's garden is much better and more convenient..." But seeing that Hua Fan's smile instantly turns into a frown he didn't dare continue. She impatiently waves a hand at him snapping irritably like a bipolar patient "You're telling me what to do?" He could only sigh again and give into her demands patiently. "Of course not young miss." She gave him one last warning glance before turning her attention back outside this time without giggling madly like a nut case wearing an unhappy expression.