Chapter Seventeen: Yan? Yan!

Qin Feng could not find Old He, as the steward had already followed Qin Tianzheng to meet with Huo Zhengxiong.

At this moment, Qin Feng had completely calmed down and realized he might have caused quite a bit of trouble. The martial contest for marriage had stirred the town, yet he had unintentionally stood up both Huo Zhengxiong and Huo Siyen—leaving Huo Siyen behind and running off himself.

Looking back, he knew he was in the wrong.

It was hard to blame Qin Feng, though; for him, Yan was practically a nightmare incarnate. That peerless face—he would recognize it even if it turned to ash. To suddenly see another who looked so much like Yan—he was already doing well not to strike out on the spot.

"But why do they look so much alike? Could there be some connection between Huo Siyen and Yan?"

A series of doubts rose in Qin Feng’s heart, but he could not make sense of it. This was a riddle he had been unable to solve even in his previous life.

And in this life, it seemed that mysterious dark hand still hadn’t let him go.

But just as Qin Feng was racking his brain, Old He—whom he had been searching for—suddenly appeared before him, worry etched across his face.

"Young Master Qin Feng, the master is looking for you! This time, you’re in serious trouble!"

There was a trace of reproach in Old He’s tone, but it warmed Qin Feng’s heart. Before becoming the Qin family’s steward, Old He had received kindness from Qin Feng’s father, and since then, he had looked after the only son of the family as if he were his own child.

Qin Feng was well aware of this. Sometimes, reproach was just another form of care.

"Did the Huo family arrive?"

Catching a glimpse of Old He's stern gaze, Qin Feng asked cautiously.

"Indeed, the master is busy cleaning up your mess, and here you are, hiding like nothing happened. Come with me at once!" Old He nodded, still stern-faced, though a hint of pride flickered in his eyes. He knew the full story of the recent events—how Qin Feng had defeated Ye Wuyin, the number one disciple of the White Tiger Ye family.

Qin Feng’s perseverance over the years had not gone unnoticed by Old He. Even with severely blocked meridians, he had persisted in his cultivation—a feat not many could achieve. To witness the young master finally shed the label of "good-for-nothing" and soar to prominence among the younger generation of Luoyang Town, Old He was genuinely happy.

"A tiger’s son is no dog," he sighed, dragging Qin Feng toward the main hall.

Though Qin Feng still felt uneasy about facing Huo Siyen, he understood that problems had to be faced eventually. Since they had come to his home, hiding any longer would be most unmanly.

So, though he was a thousand times reluctant, Qin Feng braced himself and followed after Old He.

"Ah, I really don’t want to see that face again. To others, she’s a celestial beauty, but to me, she’s a demon reborn!"

He sighed to himself.

"What are you muttering?" Old He, walking ahead, seemed to hear something and turned to ask.

Qin Feng froze, rubbing his nose awkwardly.

"N-nothing… I was just wondering, is Huo Siyen really Huo Zhengxiong’s granddaughter? Looking at that bear-like Huo Zhengxiong, it’s hard to believe he’d have such a stunning granddaughter."

Qin Feng asked offhandedly, but Old He’s answer nearly made him turn and run again.

"No, not by blood. I believe Huo Zhengxiong picked her up as an orphan on a journey more than ten years ago. For reasons unknown, he treats Huo Siyen even more dearly than his own kin… Why are you asking about this?"

"Nothing… Just curious!" Qin Feng replied, sweat beading on his forehead.

…

The Qin family’s council hall was a grand, lavishly adorned space. In each corner stood pillars of pure white marble, entwined with fierce dragons. The walls were built of white stone, inlaid with blue-green carved orchids blooming enchantingly.

Qin Tianzheng, the family patriarch, sat in the seat of honor. To his left were Huo Zhengxiong and his kin; to his right, the Qin family elders—all with grim faces, casting a tense and strange atmosphere across the hall.

The moment Qin Feng entered, countless eyes turned to scrutinize him, making him profoundly uncomfortable. But he had steeled himself for this.

He first saw his grandfather, Qin Tianzheng, glaring at him with anger that, deep down, held more pride than reproach.

Looking further, he spotted Huo Zhengxiong, face flushed with anger, and behind him stood Huo Siyen, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with unshed tears—her gaze more aggrieved and confused than angry.

Even with a heart of stone, Qin Feng felt a pang of guilt.

Even if she bore the face of a "devil."

"You little rascal, what are you waiting for? Apologize to Brother Huo and Miss Huo at once!"

Qin Tianzheng’s performance was convincing, his stern face and threatening gestures flawless. Qin Feng understood his grandfather was trying to smooth things over. After all, Huo Siyen was an exceptional match, and the old man was eager to see this marriage go through.

Qin Feng awkwardly rubbed his nose. He had realized that Huo Siyen merely looked like Yan, the woman from his past life, but was not her. His reaction had been the instinctive response of someone who had survived trauma.

Now, he genuinely regretted his behavior.

Without pretense, he stepped forward, face full of remorse, saluted, and said earnestly, "Elder Huo, Miss Huo, I was reckless earlier and failed to consider the Huo family's honor. Please, punish me as you see fit."

"Hmph!" Huo Zhengxiong snorted, but his tone softened. At least the Qin family had given the Huo family an out and restored some dignity. Huo Zhengxiong knew not to push too hard lest it harm Huo Siyen’s reputation.

"Punishment isn’t necessary. This is a matter between you young people. If Siyen can forgive you, all will be well."

He, too, was eager to let the matter rest.

Qin Feng forced a smile and stole a glance at Huo Siyen, knowing her response would decide his fate.

Their eyes met.

It reminded Qin Feng of that final moment before his death in his past life, lying beside the corpse-bride Yan, staring into her eyes—a memory that sent a tremor of fear through him once more. He managed to restrain himself this time, though cold sweat still beaded his brow.

Sensing his unease, the others assumed he was simply nervous in the presence of such a beautiful girl. Only Huo Siyen knew better.

Her curiosity about Qin Feng grew all the more intense.

When all eyes turned to her, she did something unexpected. Her lips parted in a faint, mischievous smile.

"Qin Feng, may I ask you a few questions?"

"It’s coming," thought Qin Feng, seeing the confusion in her eyes. Huo Siyen was shrewd and would not let this go. With all eyes upon him in the Qin family’s great hall, he could not escape.

He spread his hands and nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Seeing his assent, Huo Siyen’s smile deepened.

"Qin Feng, tell me, why did you run when you saw my face? Do you find me so unattractive that you think you deserve better?"

"Uh…" Qin Feng was speechless, but then grew solemn and replied sincerely, "Of course not. Your beauty is unmatched in this world. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Then why did you flee?"

"Because… you resemble someone. Someone I fear."

Qin Feng had a sudden urge to probe further and replied through clenched teeth.

"Who? And who says I look like her?" Huo Siyen pressed.

"That’s… a secret of my heart. I can’t say," Qin Feng said with difficulty.

"What is her name?"

"Yan…"

At this, Huo Siyen’s expression flickered.

Qin Feng, too, was taken aback. He had only meant to test her, but her reaction made him wonder if she had mistaken "Yan" for "Yan" as in "Siyen."

Everyone in the hall was now watching the back-and-forth, turning their heads with each exchange.

The silence was palpable; no one dared interrupt.

"When did this happen, and where did you meet her?"

"Eighteen years ago… in a dream."

…

The hall fell silent for several seconds.

Then, a girlish shout rang out, "Scoundrel!"

A slender figure, her cheeks flushed, ran from the Qin family’s main hall.

Everyone present suddenly understood and burst into laughter. Grandfather Qin Tianzheng rose, chuckling with mischievous delight, and gave Qin Feng a friendly slap on the shoulder. "You rascal, you certainly take after your grandfather when it comes to winning hearts!"

Qin Feng was left standing there, utterly baffled.

Inwardly, he wondered—

"What on earth does that mean?"