Yue Ning raised her brows when she caught sight of Xu Yuelan. Beside her, Huo Feng calmly retracted his gaze, his expression cool and utterly indifferent, as though Xu Yuelan was no more significant than a passing servant. The hall was silent for a few seconds. Dozens of eyes lingered on Xu Yuelan. Color rose and fell across her face before she forced a polite smile. "I am sorry, everyone. My hands slipped. Please, enjoy the banquet," she said quickly, bowing her head. Without waiting for anyone’s reply, she nearly stumbled in her haste to leave the scene. Murmurs spread as they watched her leave. Yue Ning lowered her eyes to hide the amused curve of her lips. Beside her, Huo Feng reached for the serving spoon again, his broad hand steady as he placed food onto her plate with the same ease as if nothing had happened. His composure made the moment dissolve faster than whispers could spread. Lu Ran leaned closer, his gaze following the fleeing figure. "What happened to her?" he muttered. Yue Ning shrugged her shoulders lightly. "I wouldn’t know." Her attention shifted back to her family table. "Mom, are Dad and Elder Brother not coming?" she asked. "They will be here soon," Lu Ting replied warmly. As if on cue, the hall grew quiet again. The Patriarch of the Xu family finally descended the grand staircase, held by his son and Madam Xu. The sight of Madam Xu made Lu Ran’s expression harden. A shadow crossed his features, cold and sharp. From his seat, Huo Feng noticed, and his brows furrowed ever so slightly. What could cause such a reaction? His sharp eyes narrowed, but for now, he said nothing. Meanwhile, Yue Ning’s gaze was drawn to the old man himself. Xu Ming might be sixty-five, but his presence carried the weight of decades of struggle and triumph. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel·fire·net His back was straight, his golden cane striking the marble step with each firm and deliberate move. His aura was undeniable—commanding respect without speaking a word. Even the servants stood taller in his presence, and businessmen leaned forward as if eager to catch the faintest of his glances. "Xu Ming, the respected Patriarch. He is a man worth admiring," Huo Feng murmured from beside Yue Ning. His voice was low, yet it carried clear reverence. Yue Ning tilted her head toward him. His eyes which were usually cool and unreadable, now held a spark of genuine respect. For a man like Huo Feng, who rarely praised anyone, that alone was telling about who Xu Ming was. Her lips lifted softly. It was rare to see him this way, and somehow, it made him seem more human. Xu Ming took his place at the center of the platform, offering a smile as he addressed the guests. His words were gracious, polished from years of leadership, thanking everyone for honoring his birthday celebration. At first, Yue Ning listened. But as the minutes dragged, her focus waned. Her eyes wandered across the hall—the businessmen whispering behind raised wine glasses, women competing with their jewels and gowns, younger guests sneaking glances at one another under the chandeliers. Suppressing a yawn, she leaned slightly toward Huo Feng. "I’ll be right back," she whispered Huo Feng turned instantly, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. "Do you need me to accompany you?" he asked, the worry evident in his tone. She chuckled helplessly. "I am not a child, Huo Feng. I think I can manage to walk on my own." He didn’t look convinced. His gaze lingered on her as though memorizing her every detail, but when she stared at him pointedly, he finally relented with a low exhale. "I’ll be back soon, Mom," Yue Ning assured Lu Ting before slipping away from the table. From where she was seated, Xu Yuelan noticed her departure, and her eyes darkened. Silently, she rose as well, following after Yue Ning like a shadow. The garden was cool and serene, a sharp contrast to the noise of the banquet hall. Lantern light mingled with silver moonlight, spilling over the flowers in a gentle glow. The night air carried the fragrance of blossoms which were soothing. Yue Ning inhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing, free from the tension. "This feels so much better," she murmured, tilting her head up at the moon. Her moment of peace, however, was short-lived. "Are you going to stand behind those flowers forever?" She said all of a sudden The rustling of leaves betrayed Xu Yuelan’s presence as she stepped out, her jaw clenched with her posture stiff. Yue Ning turned slowly, her expression calm, though her eyes sharpened. "How long have you known I was here?" Xu Yuelan demanded. "Since you started following me," Yue Ning replied smoothly. "You weren’t exactly subtle." Color flooded Xu Yuelan’s cheeks. Her fingers tightened around her clutch as she drew a breath. "I am sure you know about the engagement between Huo Feng and I. You are my cousin, Yue Ning. I don’t want our families to be torn apart because of this. I think it would be best if you divorced him." Yue Ning folded her arms, her brow arching slowly. "And what gives you the right to make that request?" Her tone dropped colder with each word, mockery evident in each word. "I am his fiancée," Xu Yuelan declared, lifting her chin proudly. "Ex," Yue Ning corrected sharply. "You are nothing but his ex-fiancée. So what if you were engaged once? He never married you." "Let me tell you something," Yue Ning cut in, stepping forward. Xu Yuelan stumbled a few steps back. "If you try to play tricks on me again, or sow discord between Huo Feng and I, I won’t hesitate to teach you a lesson myself." Xu Yuelan’s throat worked. She tried to maintain her defiance, but Yue Ning pressed closer, her voice smooth yet dripped with venom. "Huo Feng doesn’t like you. He never did, and he never will. He’s the type of man who takes what he wants. If he had the tiniest bit of affection for you, you’d already be married to him. He wouldn’t even chaste Yue Chen. Get that into your head." The words struck deep. Xu Yuelan’s face drained of color, her lips trembling as tears welled in her eyes. She had thought to intimidate Yue Ning, but instead, she had been stripped bare of her illusions. "You will pay for this!" she choked, before spinning on her heel. As she fled, one hand was pressed to her face to hide her tears. Yue Ning watched her leave, the corner of her mouth lifting in amusement. "Pathetic," she muttered under her breath. But her small triumph was short-lived. A familiar chime echoed in her mind. "I’ll check it later," she whispered, brushing the thought aside as her gaze lifted back to the sky. The full moon glowed brilliantly above, peaceful and distant. But that peace shattered with a sudden voice behind her. "Why aren’t you inside the banquet hall like everyone else?" Yue Ning spun, her brows knitting together at the sight of a stranger emerging from the shadows. The moonlight caught his face, one she had never seen before. Her heart skipped a beat.