Fang Yuan sent a message to Huang Xuanming that evening, arranging to meet at Xuejia Restaurant the next day at the hour of You (7-9 PM).
Xuejia Restaurant was on Quyu Street, almost at the edge of the city. It usually had few customers, and the staff, from the proprietor to the waiters, were all lethargic and negligent.
Fang Yuan booked the most expensive private room, which was over twenty square meters. A tall folding screen decorated with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums divided it into two areas: an outer tea room and an inner resting area.
Wang Qingyao hid behind the screen, completely out of sight.
Exactly at the hour of You, Huang Xuanming knocked and entered.
Wang Qingyao, using her clairvoyant eyes, saw clearly the look in his eyes as he regarded Fang Yuan. It was evident he still harbored feelings for her.
He had gained about two pounds since they last met during the Qingming Festival, making him appear more approachable.
Perhaps it was the contentment of having a child.
People with Huang Xuanming's appearance rarely inspired wariness, especially now that he had become plump and fair-skinned. It inexplicably made one want to get closer to him.
Fang Yuan, who had been a little nervous, suddenly felt at ease. She smiled at him, "You've gained weight."
Huang Xuanming looked a bit embarrassed.
He sat down opposite Fang Yuan, his back directly to the screen, making it even less likely he would notice someone hiding behind it.
Fang Yuan had originally intended to reminisce and mourn her lost love. Now, however, it suddenly seemed unimportant. Like an old friend, she directly asked, "What did you want to see me about?"
Huang Xuanming looked at her, his expression hesitant and conflicted.
Fang Yuan: "Need to borrow money?"
Huang Xuanming shook his head with a wry smile.
"Ran into trouble?"
Huang Xuanming shook his head again.
Fang Yuan couldn't think of any other reasons. She stared at him with her large, clear eyes, looking at him in confusion.
Huang Xuanming was momentarily lost in thought. He recalled the happy times he and Fang Yuan had shared in the past.
He took a deep breath and said, "Miss Fang, I have something very important to tell you."
Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows and nodded, signaling him to continue.
Huang Xuanming opened his mouth but said nothing. He hesitated again.
Wang Qingyao, hiding behind the screen, grew anxious. "So indecisive, what kind of man is this?"
Fang Yuan was more patient. She encouraged him gently, "It's alright, whatever difficulty you're facing, just tell me."
She still thought Huang Xuanming had run into trouble and was too embarrassed to speak to her about it.
Huang Xuanming underwent further mental preparation and finally spoke hesitantly.
"That child... it's not mine..."
Fang Yuan's mouth opened slightly. Her expression was one of bewilderment and surprise. She didn't quite understand what Huang Xuanming meant.
The first step is always the hardest. Once Huang Xuanming uttered his first sentence, the rest became much easier.
"Six years ago, I had an accident and was injured... The doctor said I would never be able to have children again. My parents don't know about this, and my aunt only found out by chance. She instigated me to approach the only daughter of Duke Zhongyong's mansion, which is you. She said that I am the sole heir of the Huang family, and as long as I could win your heart and marry you, she would find a way to conceal my condition, get you pregnant, and make everyone believe the child was mine."
"At first, I genuinely intended to please you, but gradually, I truly became attracted to you. You are kind, lively, and lovely. Being with you allowed me to forget my troubles. I often thought that such a good girl like you shouldn't be ruined by me. Coincidentally, at that time, some old woman named Zhu appeared, bringing a child with her. I went along with it, acknowledging the child... Since I wouldn't be able to have children in the future, I decided to raise this child as my own."
"...Originally, I never intended to tell you these things. I thought I'd keep them buried forever... letting you believe I was that kind of heartless and unfaithful person. But sometimes, when I thought about it, I felt unwilling..."
"Young Master Zeng is a good man, talented and noble in character. He is very well-matched with you. I only hope you and he live a happy and harmonious life together. If that's the case, I will be at peace. However, regarding my aunt, your mother, you must be more vigilant... I know you consider her your own mother, and it must be difficult for you... After you marry, don't be so naive anymore, letting your guard down with everyone... Take good care of yourself, and learn from your brother. He's an old fox..."
Fang Yuan sat there, stunned, like a petrified statue. Her expression could no longer be described as mere shock.
The impact of Huang Xuanming's words was too great. She hadn't recovered yet.
Wang Qingyao, hiding behind the screen, was equally shocked.
She never imagined that Huang Xuanming would reveal his biggest secret to Fang Yuan.
A man's self-esteem...
A man's pride...
He had abandoned it all, just so Fang Yuan could see the true face of the Huang family.
This was true love!
Wang Qingyao looked at Huang Xuanming with newfound respect!
Fang Yuan felt as though she had been struck by lightning several times. For a moment, she didn't know which was more heartbreaking and infuriating: "my ex-boyfriend deliberately approached me," "my ex-boyfriend is impotent," or "my stepmother, whom I considered my own mother, plotted against me."
"Miss... Miss Fang?" Huang Xuanming thought Fang Yuan was terrified and said guiltily, "I deceived you. You can hit me or scold me as you please; I won't utter a word of protest."
"Ah?" Fang Yuan finally came back to her senses. Her first sentence was, "Don't worry, I absolutely will not reveal your secret."
Huang Xuanming: "..." He gave a bitter smile. "Thank you."
She was truly kind and pure. He had deceived her first, yet her immediate thought was to keep his secret for him.
Huang Xuanming's nose stung. He felt a sense of melancholy, a feeling of "it was only then that I was lost in confusion."
Fang Yuan took a breath and exhaled heavily.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't angry. One was her former lover, and the other was the stepmother she had treated as her own mother. These two had colluded to deceive and plot against her. If she had actually married Huang Xuanming, even more disgusting and terrifying things would have awaited her...
Just thinking about it made her heart ache and feel cold, but also filled her with a sense of relief at having escaped.
At this moment, she should have berated Huang Xuanming and slapped him twice.
But looking at his cautious gaze, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Forget it, forget it. Considering he had her best interests at heart and had confessed everything, she would be magnanimous and not hold it against him.
"I will be careful of Mother," she said.
Fortunately, when the Huang family had plotted against Wang Qingyao last time and it was discovered, she had already prepared herself mentally, so it wasn't too difficult to accept.
Huang Xuanming let out a soft "Mm." They looked at each other silently for a moment. He said, "I should leave now. Be careful on your way back."
Fang Yuan nodded and said softly, "Thank you."
Huang Xuanming smiled. As he stood up and turned towards the door, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from a distance, finally stopping outside their private room.
Wang Qingyao, using her clairvoyant eyes, exclaimed, "Holy crap, it's Zeng Huai!"