Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Confrontation
Song Recommendation: Go Hard By Twice
"What do you mean?" Yue Ning asked, her eyes narrowing, a flicker of unease crossing her face.
She forced a polite smile as guests continued to congratulate her one after another, their words and well-wishes blending into a warm, cheerful hum around her.
’Be careful,’ the system warned, its voice unusually grave. ’That is all I can say for now.’
Yue Ning’s expression darkened, the shadow of unease creeping into her otherwise poised demeanor. She could feel the weight of the system’s warning pressing against her thoughts.
Huo Feng, sensing the change, stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her attention. His presence was steady, grounding and gained her attention.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly, his voice low but laced with concern. "You should be happy."
Yue Ning exhaled, her gaze lifting to meet his. "I know..." she murmured. "But I can’t shake this feeling... this calm feels too perfect. Something huge is coming. I just don’t know what."
The look in Huo Feng’s eyes deepened. He always knew that Yue Ning was sensitive and observant.
His arms tightened around her as she assured her. "With me here, you don’t have to worry." His voice dropped lower, steady and filled with confidence. "Come what may, I won’t let anything happen to either of us."
Yue Ning glanced at him, and breathed softly. It felt nice to have Huo Feng by her side.
The night deepened, and the banquet became more lively. Although it was her introduction banquet, it was still a place where businessmen built alliances.
Yue Ning got bored, and slipped away from Huo Feng’s side. She walked to the garden with a glass of wine in her hands.
She raised her head, and looked at the sky which was filled with stars, and her lips curved faintly.
"We meet again, Mrs. Huo, and the same way as well."
Yue Ning snapped her head, and her eyes met with... Song Kai.
Yue Ning’s brows furrowed instinctively, and she took a step back. The soft glow of the lanterns outlined Song Kai’s figure, but it did nothing to soften the sharpness in his gaze.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her tone steady, controlled, but icy enough to warn him off.
"I’m here to congratulate Mrs. Huo," Song Kai replied smoothly, stepping forward. "But it seems... she’s always well protected by her husband." His voice carried a subtle teasing, as if testing her patience.
Yue Ning’s lips pressed into a thin line. "And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t be here. This isn’t your business."
Song Kai chuckled lightly, the sound low and mocking. "Oh? And yet it is. I have every right to be concerned. Huo Feng—he’s arrogant, reckless and those around him will always suffer because of him. Don’t tell me you’ve been blind to that."
"Blind?" Yue Ning’s voice sharpened, her hand tightening around her wine glass. "I see perfectly well. I see how dangerous you are, Song Kai. And I see exactly why you’re here. You are trying to intimidate me so you can get to him, but that won’t work."
He smirked, eyes glinting with maliciousness which he quickly masked. "You’re quick to judge, aren’t you? Still, I can’t help but respect that you care about him so much. Maybe that’s why you’re even more entertaining."
Yue Ning stepped closer, her posture firm and unyielding. "Listen carefully. You can threaten me, threaten anyone you like, but you can’t do that to Huo Feng because he’s untouchable. Not because of me, but because of him. You’re not getting to him, and you’re not getting through me."
Song Kai’s expression darkened, the amusement fading into something colder. "Bold words... but bold words can be dangerous, Mrs. Huo. You do realize that, don’t you?"
"I do," Yue Ning said, her gaze unflinching. "But I also know when to fight. And right now, I’m standing between you and the person you want to harm. That’s all you need to know."
A tense silence stretched between them, only broken by the distant hum of the party inside.
Then, the air seemed to shift. Huo Feng’s presence descended before either of them could sense it. His steps were silent, yet they carried authority. He appeared beside Yue Ning, his dark eyes narrowing at Song Kai.
"Song Kai," Huo Feng said, his voice low and controlled, but cutting through the tension like a blade. "It’s been a long time."
Song Kai froze for a moment, his smirk returning, but there was a flash of something unreadable behind his eyes. "Indeed," he replied, his tone as sharp as Huo Feng’s. "I didn’t expect to meet you this way."
Yue Ning’s hand brushed against Huo Feng’s, a subtle, grounding touch. She didn’t speak because she didn’t need to. Her stance had already made her loyalty clear.
Huo Feng’s gaze returned to Song Kai, steady and unyielding. "You’re out of place. This is her birthday. Leave, before you make a mistake."
Song Kai tilted his head, his smile now tinged with a dangerous edge. "Careful, Huo Feng. You’re always so confident but confidence can be fatal."
Yue Ning stepped forward slightly, her voice cutting through the tension. "I warned you, Song Kai. Back off. Tonight isn’t about you. It’s about celebrating life, and if you have nothing good to say, then leave."
For a long moment, Song Kai and Huo Feng stared at each other. The unspoken history, the rivalry, the stakes—they all hung thick in the air. Then, with a slow, deliberate smirk, Song Kai backed away, his eyes still locked on Huo Feng.
"This isn’t over," he said softly, but they could hear him. "Not by a long shot."
And with that, he turned and vanished into the shadows of the garden, leaving Yue Ning and Huo Feng standing close together under the lantern light.
Huo Feng exhaled, his dark gaze softening as he looked at Yue Ning. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
Yue Ning nodded, though her heart still raced. "I’m fine. He won’t get to you—not if I’m here."
Huo Feng’s lips curved into a faint, approving smile. "Good. Stay by my side tonight."
As they returned to the hall together, Yue Ning couldn’t shake the feeling that Song Kai’s arrival was only the beginning. Something far bigger was coming—and this time, there would be no warnings.