C20 I Am Not Ugly

Qiao An cocked her head and asserted with earnest, "I am not ugly."

She couldn't quite grasp why she was discussing her looks with a man she had met only twice.

Yet, she harbored a certain confidence in her appearance; she may not be a ravishing beauty, but she was certainly pleasant to look at.

Without a second thought, she snapped back in response to his comment.

Huo Chengzhou paused, a flicker of bewilderment crossing his striking face, as Huo Feng chuckled from the driver's seat.

Qiao An blushed, "I mean... I can't be that ugly. I'm speaking the truth."

Huo Feng chimed in, "Miss Qiao, you are indeed not ugly."

What more could Huo Chengzhou say? A spark of amusement lit up his usually stoic face. He glanced down, a faint smile playing on his lips, his soft laughter barely audible, yet it clearly indicated his cheerful mood.

Huo Feng breathed a sigh of relief and felt a surge of happiness.

Despite the season being late autumn, with leaves drifting to the ground, it felt as though spring had arrived.

More specifically, it seemed Mr Cheng's spring had come.

At the Huo family mansion.

The sixty-year-old Huo Qingshan was vibrant and robust, his face etched with the wisdom and depth that came with age, in addition to the wrinkles.

The sunlight was perfect at that moment as Huo Qingshan busied himself in the glass greenhouse with his beloved flora.

Dressed in a simple white jacket, gray trousers, and black cloth shoes, his attire was unassuming. Yet, his high status imbued him with an aura that was compelling and authoritative.

The butler, Uncle Huo, entered, announcing, "Sir, the Second Young Master has returned with the Young Madam."

"Have them come to the living room," Huo Qingshan directed, stepping back to inspect the bonsai he was pruning.

"Understood," Uncle Huo replied, yet he remained stationary.

Huo Qingshan set aside the shears and began to wash his hands, inquiring, "What's the matter?"

"Second Young Master has brought back Miss Qiao An from the Qiao family," Uncle Huo informed him as he offered a towel, adding, "She is blind."

Huo Qingshan maintained an unreadable expression, showing neither joy nor anger. He simply responded in a subdued tone, "Hmm, I just want to find someone to keep him company so he can concentrate on his career. Who it is doesn't really matter."

"Understood," Uncle Huo replied. "Should we continue looking into Qiao An's background?"

"We still need to investigate," Huo Qingshan affirmed. "Anyone joining the Huo family must have an impeccable background."

"Alright," Uncle Huo agreed, carefully placing the towel before respectfully stepping out ahead of Huo Qingshan.

Qiao An, gripping her guide staff, followed closely beside Huo Chengzhou's wheelchair as they made their way through the successive courtyards toward the main house. She could sense the weight of history in the air, indicative of an ancient quadrangle dwelling.

Huo Chengzhou's wheelchair progressed slowly. Huo Feng trailed just behind them, attentively scanning the ground and cautioning the pair to be mindful of their surroundings.

Upon reaching the main room, a servant greeted Huo Chengzhou with respect, "Second Young Master."

Huo Chengzhou acknowledged with a nod, "Hmm."

Shortly after, Uncle Huo arrived in the main room and saw to the serving of tea and a selection of fruit and pastries.

Qiao An sat beside Huo Chengzhou on the couch, feeling a persistent twinge of nervousness.

Huo Chengzhou, noticing her tense posture, casually lifted his hand to ruffle her hair, reassuring her, "I'm right here, what's there to be afraid of?"

Though Huo Chengzhou had tousled her hair before, this time it brought Qiao An a distinctly vivid sensation, like a jolt of electricity spreading swiftly from the crown of her head.