Chapter 958: Chapter 947: Situ Qingfeng
After saying goodbye to Xu Rongfei, Ning Fan walked down the street, the cool night breeze brushing against him.
It was supposed to be a refreshing evening, but Ning Fan’s mood was anything but light. Instead, it was endlessly complex. The events of today had left him unsettled, and he still hadn’t recovered from it all.
As if the icy sensation on his cheek still lingered, Ning Fan instinctively touched his face. The cigarette dangling from his lips had unconsciously burned halfway through.
“It’s getting late, I should head back…”
Checking the time, Ning Fan realized it was already late into the night. Looking at the deserted streets, he finally understood why the roads were so empty; the night had grown old.
Except for the night market, everywhere else was devoid of people.
Dragging his tired body in the direction of home, Ning Fan had no idea that someone whose pain was far deeper than his own was lying on a bed at this moment, silently crying.
As expected, she was rejected. Although Xu Rongfei had anticipated his reply, hearing Ning Fan’s answer for real left her feeling utterly despondent.
“You already knew, Xu Rongfei, then why are you still so foolish?!”
Rather than lamenting reality, Xu Rongfei was chastising herself. She truly felt that no one in the world could be more sorrowful than she was at this very moment.
The only thing that could give Xu Rongfei some solace now was the fact that she could still quietly love Ning Fan.
But even so, Xu Rongfei didn’t feel she deserved to stand before Ning Fan anymore.
“Miss Xu, if you’ve decided, feel free to call me anytime. We’d be happy to have you join us!”
At this moment, Xu Rongfei recalled something someone had said to her yesterday.
She had received an invitation to further her studies abroad—a rare and valuable opportunity. That place wasn’t one many could access. Being offered the chance had taken Xu Rongfei by surprise.
This, in fact, was what had prompted Xu Rongfei to confess her feelings to Ning Fan.
“Whether or not I succeed, I must go there. As I am, I am no longer worthy of standing behind him…”
Yes, from the very beginning, Xu Rongfei had resolved to leave for overseas regardless of Ning Fan’s response. She understood clearly that she was not yet good enough. Even if she wanted to quietly love Ning Fan and support him from afar, she needed to become a better woman first.
“Xu Rongfei, get it together. If this goes on, you might as well die!”
Though she said this through gritted teeth, the pain Xu Rongfei was enduring now was perhaps worse than death.
Yet Xu Rongfei also knew that continuing like this was no solution. If she didn’t find strength, not only would she lose the resolve to secretly love Ning Fan, but she might also never have the chance to return to Zhonghai in the future.
Thinking this through, she wiped her tears away. Rising from her bed, she gazed at the suitcase she had prepared long ago.
She had done everything she wanted to do. Xu Rongfei knew it was time to get ready. Instead of dwelling in anguish, perhaps she could transform her sorrow and anger into strength.
As some sense of release crept into her heart, Xu Rongfei’s mood lightened significantly compared to before.
…
Situ Manor—a place abandoned and utterly desolate following Situ Yuanhua’s death.
The sprawling estate, unmanaged and left to ruin, now resembled nothing more than a massive haunted house. Its master had met a tragic end within its walls.
Recently, rumors had circulated about vengeful spirits roaming the manor. Strange and inexplicable noises were said to echo through the night, instilling fear in anyone nearby.
Deep within the manor, a dimly lit room emitted an eerie glow, adding to the sinister atmosphere. No one knew if there was anyone inside.
The rumors seemed increasingly credible—but who could be lingering here?
Just then, a figure dressed in a red robe stepped out from the room. In an instant, the entire Situ Manor burst into light, regaining its brilliance.
“Electricity has been restored. Next, we need to clean up this place…”
A silver-haired man emerged from the room and slowly ascended to the highest point of the manor. From there, he could survey its entirety, taking in the exposed contours of the estate.
The man was Situ Qingfeng, the elder brother of Situ Yuanhua—the former manorial master. He had spent years developing his career abroad. Upon learning of Situ Yuanhua’s death, he rushed back home immediately.
But he had arrived too late; not even able to see Situ Yuanhua one last time. What remained as his sole memory of family was this estate.
“Damn Ning Fan, I will settle this score with you no matter what!”
Situ Qingfeng cursed bitterly, his jaw clenched. He had uncovered the truth: Ning Fan was the one responsible for his brother’s murder. There was no more likely suspect than him.
Eager to avenge Situ Yuanhua, Situ Qingfeng’s hatred for Ning Fan burned deeply. If Ning Fan stood before him now, he wouldn’t hesitate to strangle him without mercy.
“Master, shall I arrange for someone to clean up the manor?”
Behind Situ Qingfeng stood an elderly servant—a trusted aide who had served him for over a decade, much like a housekeeper might. Situ Qingfeng had intentionally brought him back from overseas to assist with matters.
“Clean this place thoroughly!”
Leaving that command behind, Situ Qingfeng turned and headed into Situ Yuanhua’s old room.
In there, he could still sense traces of his family’s presence, but ironically, those he missed most were no longer alive.
“Come here.”
Though the elderly servant wasn’t nearby, Situ Qingfeng issued the command. A shadow silently appeared behind him.
The figure was shrouded in darkness, exuding a venomous and oppressive aura like a snake coiled in the shadows, its presence radiating danger.
“Investigate thoroughly—find out everything about the people around Ning Fan, every detail!”
Situ Yuanhua’s death was a grudge Situ Qingfeng could never let go of. Avenging his brother was an unyielding vow; he couldn’t rest until Ning Fan paid. Situ Yuanhua and his son had both died by Ning Fan’s hands—this was a vendetta beyond reconciliation.
However, Situ Qingfeng hadn’t been back in the country long, and lacked sufficient resources domestically. He couldn’t uncover anything definitive just yet. Revenge, for now, remained stymied. A cautious man, Situ Qingfeng wouldn’t act rashly unless the timing was perfect.
And what he wanted most was to make Ning Fan suffer the same fate.