Chapter Two: Give Him Two Hundred Thousand

The words left everyone present rather shocked. Lin Fei hesitated for a moment, then warned sharply, “There are so many eyes watching you here. If you dare do anything to that child, you can forget about leaving easily!”

“Enough. If you keep talking, the child won’t survive much longer,” Qilin said coldly, casting a frosty glance at Lin Fei. He then took the child from the woman’s arms. After a brief examination, he seemed to have made up his mind.

Composing himself, Qilin’s gaze suddenly grew as sharp as a blade. He placed his right palm on the child’s tiny foot and slowly moved his hand upward, tracing along the leg.

Suddenly, something miraculous happened.

The child, who had just lost consciousness, began to wail loudly, white, viscous foam bubbling from his lips, but color was returning to his cheeks.

Seeing this, everyone present breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Qilin withdrew his hand, his expression unchanged. “The child will be fine. Give him some warm water and let him rest. Don’t disturb us again—next time, I won’t be so accommodating.”

With that, he turned and retreated straight back to Carriage No. 10, instructing the conductor to lock the door behind him.

Lin Fei had harbored doubts, but seeing the child lively and spirited, with only a bit of mess around his mouth and otherwise perfectly healthy, she couldn’t help but marvel at how astonishing it all was—truly a miracle!

After some thought, Lin Fei reminded the woman, “Even though he looks fine, just to be safe, you’d better take your child to the hospital for a checkup when you get to East City.”

The woman nodded gratefully, visibly relieved, and returned to her seat with her child.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Lin Fei looked thoughtfully at the tightly closed carriage door, unable to suppress her curiosity—just who were the two people in Carriage No. 10?

...

Five hours later, at the Huo Family residence in East City.

Chen Fan, plainly dressed, stood before the grand gates, smiling politely. “Gentlemen, I am Chen Fan, the youngest son of the Chen family. I’ve come to ask for Huo Yuling’s hand in marriage, to fulfill the engagement arranged long ago. Would you kindly announce me?”

No sooner had he finished than the two guards barring his way doubled over with laughter.

“Haha, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day! You think you’re worthy of marrying our young lady? You should go look in a mirror!”

“Exactly. Some toad who doesn’t know his own limits!” the other chimed in.

A flash of coldness flickered in Chen Fan’s eyes. He was about to explain when a Lamborghini pulled up outside.

The two guards immediately grew serious, waving Chen Fan away hurriedly.

As the car rolled closer, Chen Fan stepped directly into its path, forcing it to stop.

“What’s your problem? Got a death wish?” a young man with trendy clothes and dyed red hair leapt from the car, cursing at Chen Fan.

Suppressing his frustration, Chen Fan forced a smile. “Huo Yuzun, is your sister at home?”

The name made Huo Yuzun stiffen. He took off his sunglasses and scrutinized Chen Fan, puzzlement on his face. “Chen Fan?”

“Yes. Is your sister at home? I’ve come back to discuss our marriage.”

Chen Fan nodded, stating his purpose once more.

Huo Yuzun was momentarily taken aback, then looked him up and down—disheveled hair, a yellowed white shirt, and faded jeans so worn they’d nearly turned pale. He looked like a migrant worker, a far cry from the once-dominant young master of East City.

Unable to help himself, Huo Yuzun laughed outright. “Alright, just wait here. I’ll go inside and let the family know that the great Young Master Chen is here to propose marriage!”

“Thank you,” Chen Fan replied, ignoring the disdain in Huo Yuzun’s eyes and nodding gratefully.

His humble tone only deepened the contempt in Huo Yuzun’s expression as he got back in the car and drove through the gates.

Watching the car’s silhouette recede, Chen Fan murmured to himself, “Is a person’s heart truly so fragile under scrutiny?”

At the same time, in the Huo family’s living room, a discussion about Huo Yuling’s marriage was underway.

Huo Dongnan smiled and said, “Yuling, both the Qin and Jiang families have come to propose. One is Qin Tianhua, the third son of the Qin family, and the other is Jiang Chen, the second son of the Jiang family. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“Oh, I really don’t know. Both Qin Tianhua and Jiang Chen treat me well. They’re both outstanding, and they understand my likes and dislikes. I honestly don’t know which one I prefer,” Huo Yuling replied, shaking her head, unable to give a clear answer.

Her mother, Yang Lijuan, chimed in, “What’s so difficult? Just see which family offers the better betrothal gifts. Whoever gives more obviously cares for you more, and that’s the man worth entrusting your life to.”

Huo Yuling found herself at a loss for words.

Just then, Huo Yuzun entered the living room, still chuckling. “Sis, it’s not just those two anymore. The once-famous Young Master Chen is back—and he says he wants to marry you and fulfill the engagement!”

His words caused a visible shift in the atmosphere.

Huo Dongnan immediately asked for confirmation. “Yuzun, are you sure Chen Fan is back?”

Without hesitation, Huo Yuzun nodded. “If you don’t believe me, he’s waiting at the front gate right now!”

At this, Huo Dongnan’s face grew grave, and he remained silent for a long while.

Seeing this, Yang Lijuan exclaimed, “Dongnan, you’re not seriously thinking of letting Chen Fan and Yuling marry, are you?”

“This engagement was arranged by our father and Chen Hanshan. I thought Chen Fan had died somewhere after all these years, which is why I considered letting Yuling find another husband. But now that he’s returned, we—”

Yang Lijuan cut him off impatiently, “We what? Ever since that accident with Chen Fan’s parents, the Chen family has been a sinking ship, barely holding together. The fact that we haven’t kicked them while they’re down is already generous. Now you think we should marry our daughter into that mess? Absolutely not!”

“I understand all that, but if we simply renege on our promise, what will people think of the Huo family?” Huo Dongnan replied, his expression heavy. Having a connection with the Qin or Jiang family was far more advantageous than linking with the now-ruined Chen family.

At this point, Huo Yuzun made a suggestion. “If you ask me, just give Chen Fan a sum of money as compensation. When I saw him at the gate, he looked utterly destitute. He probably needs the money.”

Yang Lijuan agreed, adding, “Give him two hundred thousand, and publicly announce that Chen Fan was the one who broke off the engagement. That way, no one can accuse the Huo family of being untrustworthy.”