CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: NOVEL FUN FAIR.

And then...

"Oh?" A low, amused voice resounded in the dining room. "And what exactly is she blushing about?"

Both women stiffened. Yue Ning’s hand, which had been fiddling with her teacup, went still.

Slowly, she turned, only to see Huo Feng leaning casually against the doorway, wristwatch glinting under the morning light. His gaze, however, was anything but casual as it was fixed solely on her, carrying a hint of mischief.

Her heart gave a betraying thump. "I thought you went to the office." She whispered, but loud enough for him to hear.

He arched a brow, clearly savoring her unease. "I did. But I forgot something, so I came back." He paused.

"Who knew I’d stumble upon such... scenery?" His lips curved faintly, his voice teasing but threaded with something heavier.

Yue Ning pressed her lips together, heat creeping up her neck. Huo Yan had already embarrassed her once, and now this man had caught her red-handed in that same state.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, pretending to focus on her plate, but the action only made her look more flustered as she could feel his heavy gaze on her.

"Ahem." Huo Yan loudly cleared her throat, slicing through the tension.

Huo Feng’s expression cooled as his gaze shifted toward his sister. But instead of retreating, Huo Yan propped her chin in her palm and smirked at him.

"Brother, didn’t you come to pick something up? Then why are your eyes glued to sister-in-law?" She wiggled her brows playfully. "Or did you lie just so you could come back and stare at her?"

A dangerous silence stretched. Huo Feng’s stare darkened, but Huo Yan only stuck out her tongue in open defiance.

Without giving in to her bait, he turned on his heel and strode away, his tall figure disappearing down the hall.

The moment he left, Huo Yan burst into laughter, collapsing against the table as though she’d been holding it in all along.

Yue Ning exhaled and shook her head, her earlier tension melting into reluctant amusement.

"Your brother is impossible," she murmured, though a trace of warmth lingered in her chest.

"No, he’s shy," Huo Yan countered cheekily. "You two are more alike than you think." She casually muttered.

Yue Ning gave her a look, but she couldn’t help smiling. "You’re playful."

"Obviously. So..." Huo Yan leaned forward, eyes shining. "Are you coming to the novel fun fair with me?"

"The fun fair?" Yue Ning blinked. "I forgot to ask when it was being held." She smacked her forehead due to her forgetfulness.

"Today!" Huo Yan announced, practically bouncing in her seat. "There’ll be music, stalls, fireworks, and of course, novels... you’ll love it."

Yue Ning chuckled at her excitement, nodding in agreement.

Moments later, steady footsteps returned. Huo Feng appeared once more at the doorway, jacket draped over one arm, his composure restored.

"Ah Si will drive you to the fair," he said flatly. His eyes flicked briefly to Yue Ning before sliding away. "Don’t get into trouble. Have a nice day."

And with that, he was gone again.

The dining room fell quiet for a beat before Huo Yan leaned over with a mischievous grin. "See? He really does care. He just pretends otherwise."

Yue Ning’s hand stilled on her teacup, her heart betraying another small, quick thump.

The dining room fell quiet for a beat. Yue Ning stared at the spot where Huo Feng had stood, her fingers tightening around her teacup.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, his words lingered, echoing louder than they should have. It wasn’t just the teasing, it was the way his gaze had brushed over her, deliberate and unreadable, as though he saw more than she wanted to reveal.

_______________

Once it was afternoon, Ah Si drove them to the fair’s venue. They arrived by late afternoon, and the festivities had already begun.

The entrance was framed by tall archways shaped like open books, faint lantern light spilling across the ground. Inside, stalls lined the walkway, some selling rare editions, others offering handwritten verses or illustrations.

The crowd was made up of young men and women, their voices low but animated as they discussed favorite authors and debated stories. A small stage stood ahead, where a storyteller adjusted his robes, preparing to speak.

Yue Ning slowed down, taking it in. The air carried the scent of paper and ink, the quiet hum of anticipation more powerful than any noise. It was perfect for novel enthusiasts.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Huo Yan whispered, eyes gleaming, and Yue Ning nodded. "Wait until you see the pavilion inside. They say manuscripts glow under the lanterns." Huo Yan continued, a yearning look appeared in her eyes.

Yue Ning smiled faintly, letting her tug her deeper into the fair. She knew she would have fun today, and perhaps, the fair would be perfect for her to forget about Huo Feng’s actions in the morning.

"Sister-in-law, let’s check out the stalls." Huo Yan eagerly said, practically pulling Yue Ning along.

They stopped first at a stall where an old bookseller displayed worn manuscripts under glass.

Huo Yan leaned over eagerly, pointing at titles while chatting with the vendor.

Yue Ning only glanced at them, her mind elsewhere, but the faint smell of ink and paper brought a quiet calm. Her mind was on Huo Feng.

"Come on," Huo Yan urged again, tugging her toward the crowd gathering by the stage.

A storyteller stepped forward, voice clear as he began reciting a tale. His words echoed through the air, pulling the audience into the world he painted.

Huo Yan listened with wide eyes, completely absorbed, while Yue Ning found herself watching the people instead... the way they leaned in, silent, as though the story had caught them in a net.

Later, they passed the pavilion Huo Yan had mentioned. Lanterns glowed softly inside, illuminating scrolls and fragments of calligraphy pinned along the walls. The air was hushed, reverent.

"It feels like stepping into another time," Yue Ning murmured.

Huo Yan smiled knowingly. "I knew you’d like it."

But the happy atmosphere between both of them was interrupted by Huo Fei’s presence.

"If it isn’t my darling cousin. You are here again this year, ready to have your ass whooped?" Huo Fei’s condescending voice could be heard, gaining the attention of the two.

Huo Yan frowned, and glared at her.

"You don’t have to be too confident. We never know what might happen." She countered.

"Who knows, I could defeat you this year."

Huo Fei chuckled mirthlessly. "Ever since we knew about this fair, you’ve always lost. What makes you think you can win this time around?"

"Forget it, I’ll be waiting for you to try." A sly smirk appeared on Huo Fei’s lips as she walked away. She had successfully angered Huo Yan.

Huo Yan, on the other hand, stomped her feet harshly while glaring at Huo Fei’s retreating back.

Yue Ning watched the confrontation between both ladies, and she finally understood why Huo Fei could continually defeat Huo Yan.

"If you are not easily angered, who knows, you might be able to defeat her."

Huo Yan hurriedly looked at Yue Ning after her words. "Do you know something?" She asked impatiently.