817: Chapter 806: Do You Want to Be the Original Partner or the Mistress?
817: Chapter 806: Do You Want to Be the Original Partner or the Mistress?
“Should I say, as expected of my man, embarking on yet another perilous adventure…”
Huo Qiuran murmured softly.
Fortunately, Ning Fan had succeeded this time; she could hardly imagine what the consequences might have been if he had failed.
If anything had happened to him, she wouldn’t have had the will to continue living.
Although Huo Qiuran didn’t say it outright, Ning Fan could sense her concern for him.
Instinctively, he pulled Huo Qiuran into his embrace.
He stroked her silky hair, resting his chin on top of her head and breathing in the fragrance emanating from her locks.
Ning Fan quietly enjoyed the moment, feeling exceptionally at peace.
The matter had caused quite a stir, and coupled with Ning Fan’s absence for three whole days without any updates, it was impossible for Huo Qiuran not to worry.
Although she knew how formidable Ning Fan was, the inability to contact him only made her anxiety worse.
Not knowing his situation meant she couldn’t be absolutely certain of his safety.
“Didn’t I come back unscathed?”
Ning Fan said softly, his voice incredibly gentle.
He hadn’t been harmed this time, so Huo Qiuran didn’t have to worry.
However, hearing those words, Huo Qiuran couldn’t help but retort with a hint of anger: “If something really happened to you, I’d follow you to the grave!”
“Pfft!
Pfft!
Pfft!
Why are you saying such unlucky things?!”
Ning Fan felt deeply moved but instinctively refuted her words playfully.
What he did wasn’t just for himself but also for the safety of the people around him—especially Huo Qiuran and the others.
The looming threats from the Yunteng Family and Umbrella made Ning Fan feel suffocated with worry.
He feared the day when members of the Yunteng Family or Umbrella might suddenly appear and, as they had done before, snatch away someone like Xu Ruolan or Huo Qiuran—those he held most dear—as leverage against him.
Though they had managed to avert disaster in the past, Ning Fan didn’t believe he could continue relying on sheer luck.
At times, the best course of action was to strike first, snuffing out threats at their roots.
This operation against the Yunteng Family had gone exceptionally well.
Ning Fan was satisfied; the family’s submission and Teng Feiyue’s stance were like a calming reassurance.
Yet, this was no time to lower his guard—not while Umbrella remained a clear and present danger.
“You must be careful, more careful than ever, and never go adventuring alone again!”
Huo Qiuran looked at Ning Fan with pleading eyes.
She understood clearly that Ning Fan had gone alone to Zang City to deal with the Yunteng Family this time.
No matter how powerful someone might be, their strength has limits.
Huo Qiuran hoped Ning Fan would make use of allies, relying on capable people by his side—trusted arms and support—so he wouldn’t need to take all the risks himself every single time.
Ning Fan naturally understood what Huo Qiuran was worried about, but the situation wasn’t as simple as she imagined.
Right now, manpower was a glaring issue—especially within the country.
Talents like ancient martial artists were scarce and highly valued within the Shadow Team.
This was precisely why, despite his dislike for Tulip, Ning Fan didn’t oppose Ouyang Feifei’s suggestion to recruit her.
Although the establishment of an outer circle had temporarily alleviated personnel shortages, it didn’t mean that the issue was resolved immediately.
“It’s fine.
Things will slowly improve.
I promise you, my chances of risking myself will only decrease in the future!”
Hearing Ning Fan’s assurance, Huo Qiuran didn’t press the matter further.
“How long are you planning to stay here this time?”
“Uh…
Why are you suddenly asking me that?”
Detecting the faint trace of grievance in Huo Qiuran’s tone, Ning Fan forced a wry smile.
He could tell there was an underlying edge to her question.
Huo Qiuran pouted, raising her head like a spoiled child, and said to Ning Fan, “You’ve been gone so long this time.
Don’t you owe Xu Ruolan an explanation?”
Currently, Xu Ruolan was still Ning Fan’s principal partner, while Huo Qiuran felt more like his lover.
Although they had once been a couple, the misunderstandings between them had led to their somewhat awkward current dynamic.
Thinking about Xu Ruolan only made Huo Qiuran more jealous.
Though she hadn’t spoken of it before, it didn’t mean she didn’t care.
As a woman, imagining her man being intimate with another naturally made her jealousy flare.
“This is a trap question…”
Ning Fan muttered to himself.
Of all days, Huo Qiuran had chosen today to inquire about Xu Ruolan—it was truly unlucky timing.
Although he knew she wasn’t looking to confront him, the mere thought of answering her question made Ning Fan’s head pound.
To him, it wasn’t a simple question; it felt more like a potential minefield.
Even worse, the words about to spill from his mouth dissolved under the pressure of Huo Qiuran’s enigmatic gaze.
Was this the hidden combat prowess of a woman?
Ning Fan sighed inwardly.
Just as he was about to respond, Huo Qiuran suddenly burst into laughter, saying, “Look at you fretting.
Do you really think I’m some desperate mistress trying to make you abandon your wife?”
“Mistress?
What nonsense are you saying?
Don’t you know what our relationship is?”
Ning Fan chuckled wryly; her description wasn’t accurate.
No matter what had happened, they had once been a pair of immortal lovers.
Even if Xu Ruolan was currently in the picture, Ning Fan would never see Huo Qiuran as some petty third party—it would be an affront to their relationship.
“I’m just asking if you’re in a rush to leave.
If you’re not, then stay with me tonight…”
Huo Qiuran said with a playful smile, pretending to act calm.
But the slight blush creeping onto her cheeks completely betrayed her.
Seeing her cheeks flush, Ning Fan immediately understood her intention, teasing playfully, “Who would’ve thought the strong-willed Zhonghai Queen was capable of such shyness?
If word got out, I wonder how many men would be utterly shocked!”
“You’re insufferable!”
Huo Qiuran snapped, rolling her eyes.
Her fierce demeanor was merely a facade she’d built to protect herself after losing Ning Fan.
She rarely displayed such strength when in his presence.
Still, if that was what Ning Fan liked, Huo Qiuran wouldn’t mind playing the role of a queen for him.
“My Queen, has anyone ever told you that your shy side is truly captivating?”