CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: PLANS TO INVESTIGATE.

Huo Feng froze. He never expected that this was the question she would ask.

With a low voice, he said. "The uncanny resemblance between you and Madam Lu can’t be denied." He paused for a while as he observed her.

She had her head lowered as her long lashes drooped slightly. She seemed vulnerable, and there was a faint tug at Huo Feng’s heartstrings.

"Would you like it if I helped you investigate?" After a brief silence, he asked her carefully.

Yue Ning finally raised her head to stare at him.

"Would you help me?" Her eyes searched his, testing his sincerity.

"If you’d let me," he answered.

Yue Ning smiled softly. "Then, I’ll have to trouble Mr. Huo."

"There’s no need to thank me. You are my wife, so it’s only natural for me to help you," Huo Feng corrected her, and she beamed.

Throughout the ride, Yue Ning was distracted. She thought about everything which had happened today, and she sighed softly.

For the first time during that day, she felt uncertainty creep into her.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiang and Lu Ting sat in the living room with their two sons after the guests had dispersed.

"Mom, Dad, are you sure you saw right? Young Master Huo’s wife had a semblance to you?" Lu Quan, the eldest son of the couple asked with knitted brows.

"Of course! If I was the only one that saw it, then I could have been hallucinating. But your dad saw it as well. It isn’t a lie."

Lu Ting explained, a hint of panic in her voice.

Lu Ran, the younger son sighed.

"Mother, could you be thinking she’s Ning?" He asked, and the atmosphere turned silent instantly.

After a while, Lu Jiang spoke up. "I had a conversation with her, and I was able to find out that her maiden family is Yue."

"Quan er, I’ll have trouble you to investigate this matter thoroughly. It should also be done in secret, lest we alert the enemy." He ordered.

"Rest assured. Dad..." Lu Quan nodded. "I’ll do my best to get to the bottom of this."

Lu Jiang patted his son’s shoulders. "Then, I’ll be counting on you."

"If Mrs. Huo is really our daughter, then it would be best to acknowledge her immediately."

Lu Quan nodded, understanding his father’s words.

And so, while Huo Feng began his own inquiry, the Lu family launched their search as well—two forces, unknowingly converging on Yue Ning’s hidden identity.

_______________

Huo’s Mansion

By the time they returned home, Yue Ning was extremely exhausted. She was surprised to still find Huo Yan seated on the sofa as if waiting for them.

"You haven’t slept?" Yue Ning asked surprisedly.

Huo Yan, on the other hand, pouted her lips, as he hurriedly held Yue Ning’s hands.

"You didn’t even inform me you were attending a birthday banquet. You left me alone," she complained while blinking her eyes.

Huo Feng frowned, whereas, Yue Ning chuckled.

"You aren’t a baby anymore. Allow your sister-in-law to have a change of clothes before you begin your whining." He scoffed, walking away, while Huo Yan glared at his retreating back.

Huo Yan turned to look at Yue Ning with pleading eyes.

After spending some time with Huo Yan, she understood that the latter needed some help.

"What do you need?" Yue Ning asked with her brows raised.

Huo Yan’s face brightened up after her question.

She led Yue Ning to sit while she was all smiles.

"Before I say anything, I’ll have to say that sister-in-law looks absolutely stunning." Huo Yan praised, and a slight blush appeared on Yue Ning’s face.

"You have a sweet mouth, hurry up and say what you want to say." Yue Ning urged.

"There’s a novel fun fair tomorrow," Huo Yan said eagerly. "A place where fans of novels gather, play games, and compete. Brother won’t let me go unless you’re with me. And..." she lowered her voice conspiratorially, "...Huo Fei always beats me in the competition. But if you’re there, she won’t stand a chance!"

Yue Ning arched a brow. The name of the fun fair stirred unease. Huo Yan’s tragic death in the original story had been tied to this very event. The memory tightened her chest.

But now, she was here. She would not let that fate repeat itself.

"Fine," Yue Ning said, smiling as she stroked Huo Yan’s hair. "Tell me the time, and leave your brother to me. I’ll convince him."

"Thank you Sister-in-law. I know that you treat me best," Huo Yan stuck out her tongue childishly. Yue Ning only smiled.

The warmth of the moment faded briefly as Yue Ning recalled the author’s description of her death, but she steadied herself. Not this time.

’Hmm, the host’s presence changes all things.’ The system’s voice echoed in her mind, and her lips curved faintly.

"Sister-in-law, hurry up and change your clothes. I’ll inform you about the date later. You need to rest first." Huo Yan urged her, practically pushing her to the stairs.

_________________

The next day, Yue Ning woke up quite late. Huo Feng had already left for the office by the time she woke up, and therefore, she couldn’t discuss with him about Novel Fun Fair.

Once she got out of bed, she saw a paper on her vanity table.

She picked it up, curiosity stirring within her..

Wife, it read, if you are reading this, I’ve already left for work. I overheard your talk with my sister—you both may attend the fun fair. Take Ah Si along. I’ll begin the investigation today and share the results with you soon. Have a wonderful day.

Love, your husband—Huo Feng.

Yue Ning’s breath caught. Husband. Perhaps the first time he had called himself that.

Her cheeks warmed as she pressed the note against her chest, unable to stop the smile spreading across her lips.

Yue Ning had a smile on her face throughout her morning routine. She even hummed a song as she strode to the dining table with ease.

The chef had already prepared breakfast, and Huo Yan was already seated at the dining table.

"It seems Sister-in-law woke up on the right side of the bed today. What’s making you smile?" Huo Yan asked. Her eyes was fixated on Yue Ning, and there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

After being questioned by Huo Yan,.Yue Ning’s face reddened as she hurriedly took a seat.

Putting on a stern face, she said. "Even if I told you about it, you wouldn’t understand." She paused, eyeing the younger girl, "after all, you are... single."

Huo Yan pouted. "Sister-in-law! That’s cruel."

Her mock indignation quickly shifted into a sly grin. "But then, why are you smiling so much this morning? Don’t tell me it has something to do with my brother?"

Yue Ning’s smile faltered. Heat rushed to her cheeks as the image of the note—Love, your husband—flashed through her mind.

Huo Yan’s eyes widened, and she slapped the table in excitement. "Ah! You are blushing! It really is about him!"

Yue Ning tried to hide behind her teacup, but the tips of her ears betrayed her.