Chapter 286: Why Fear?

A sharp scream suddenly erupted in the bedroom, carrying an indescribable shock, and rang straight out the door.

Xia Chunyuan, who was standing at the doorway, heard the scream and had no time to think, flinging the door open and rushing in.

"Aunt! Aunt, what's wrong!"

He shouted while hurrying to the bedside.

When he saw Xia Junlan's opened eyes, Xia Chunyuan was first stunned, then his face burst with uncontrollable joy.

"Aunt, you're awake! You're finally awake! Wonderful! Truly wonderful!"

The worry that had hung over Xia Chunyuan settled completely at that moment.

He didn't even care why his aunt had let out a shocked scream, because as long as she could wake up, that meant more to him than anything.

But Xia Chunyuan's excitement didn't last long before he sensed something was off.

Xia Junlan ignored him entirely, staring dead at Jiang Feng standing by the bed, her eyes filled with shock.

Her body still trembled slightly, her lips quivering.

After a while, she finally pointed at Jiang Feng and shouted urgently to Xia Chunyuan.

"Chunyuan, who is he? Tell me who he is!"

Xia Chunyuan was stunned for a moment, then realized his aunt had just woken and might not recognize Jiang Feng.

He quickly turned his head and gave Jiang Feng an apologetic smile.

Then he explained to Xia Junlan.

"Aunt, please stay calm. This is Jiang Feng, Master Jiang, the doctor we specially invited for you! If Master Jiang hadn't intervened to save you, you might never have woken up!"

Fearing his aunt might say something to offend Jiang Feng, he quickly added.

"Master Jiang's medical skill is superb, and his strength is unfathomable. Being able to invite him this time is a blessing for our Xia family!"

Following Xia Chunyuan's words, Xia Junlan looked at Jiang Feng again.

She stared at Jiang Feng for more than ten seconds before slowly calming down.

But Jiang Feng knew that the fear Xia Junlan had shown earlier didn't seem false.

Why, then, was that?

Seeming to realize her lapse, Xia Junlan suddenly inhaled deeply, looked at Jiang Feng, and spoke with a hint of solemnity.

"Earlier it was my fault for neglecting to thank Mr. Jiang for saving my life."

After speaking, she turned her head and said lightly to Xia Chunyuan.

"Chunyuan, you go out first. I have some matters to discuss alone with Mr. Jiang."

Though her voice was low, it was full of authority.

Hearing this, Xia Chunyuan furrowed his brows slightly, feeling a bit worried.

He didn't know why his aunt's attitude toward Jiang Feng was so strange.

She should not have known Jiang Feng before; could it be that the near‑death escape left her dazed?

He wanted to stay, but seeing Xia Junlan's resolute eyes, Xia Chunyuan dared not bring it up.

Xia Chunyuan hesitated briefly, then finally nodded.

Then he gave Jiang Feng a deep look, his gaze carrying a hint of pleading.

Jiang Feng knew Xia Chunyuan was asking him not to quarrel too much with Xia Junlan.

But Jiang Feng was also curious what Xia Junlan wanted to say, so he returned a reassuring glance.

At that moment, Xia Chunyuan finally felt at ease and said to Xia Junlan,

"Alright, Aunt, then rest well; call me anytime if you need anything."

After speaking, he clasped his fists to Jiang Feng and then tiptoed out of the bedroom.

Inside the bedroom, only Jiang Feng and Xia Junlan remained.

The air instantly fell silent, leaving only the two of their breaths.

Xia Junlan lay on the bed, slightly turned her body, and gazed calmly at Jiang Feng.

Her eyes held a trace of inquiry and a barely perceptible wariness.

Jiang Feng said nothing, just standing by the bedside, his expression serene as he waited for her to speak.

After a while, Xia Junlan finally spoke slowly.

"Master Jiang saved my life; I suppose you must know why I fell to such a fate, right?"

Her tone was very calm, revealing little emotion, as if she were speaking of something unrelated to herself.

Jiang Feng heard this, shrugged, his face still expressionless.

"I've probably heard bits. You, for the Xia family, forced the Divine Mechanism Prediction seven times, incurring Heaven's Dao Backlash. With your modest Nine-Pin Grandmaster cultivation, resisting seven backlashes and still keeping your life is already a miracle."

He paused, looked at Xia Junlan, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

"I hope you will no longer commit such Defying Heaven Acts. The Heavenly Dao has Reincarnation; everything has Predetermined Fate. Forced interference only brings fire upon oneself. Of course, you may choose not to heed me."

He saved Xia Junlan, but didn't want to be tainted by the cursed reputation of the Youth-Preserving Pill.

As for whether Xia Junlan will act foolishly again, that is her own choice; he will not interfere much.

Xia Junlan heard this and a faint bitter smile appeared on her face.

After a long while she finally spoke slowly, her tone bearing a hint of world‑worn melancholy.

"Life brings what joy, death what fear. Having lived to this age, I have long let go. The Xia family is my only attachment in this life; for the Xia family, even another backlash, even an immediate death, I would have no regrets."

In her life, for the Xia family, she has sacrificed far too much.

She has almost given everything she has to the Xia family.

Jiang Feng looked at her demeanor, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

He did not expect Xia Junlan's obsession with the Xia family to be so deep.

But he said little, only turned the conversation.

"Since that's so, when you first saw me, why were you especially surprised? You seemed… very Fear I will Injury you?"

This was the part Jiang Feng found most puzzling.

He saved Xia Junlan, and they were strangers with no grudges, why would she be afraid of him?

Upon hearing Jiang Feng's question, Xia Junlan's body suddenly stiffened, and the fingers placed on the Quilt curled up with subconscious Awareness.

Jiang Feng took in everything with his eyes, and his heart grew more puzzled.

It seemed she noticed Jiang Feng's observation; Xia Junlan's Pupils slightly contracted, staring tightly at Jiang Feng, once again becoming wary.

After a full half Minute, Xia Junlan slowly released her fingers, and a trace of None bitter Laughter appeared on her face.

"Indeed… nothing can be hidden from you, Mr. Jiang. That's right, when I saw you just now, I was indeed very Fear."

Her Tone was very frank, with no Silk hint of concealment.

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow, gave a faint smile, and asked further,

"Why?"

He actually wanted to hear, where exactly he made her feel Fear.

Could it be that she calculated what life‑and‑death great hatred between Jiang Feng and her existed?

Xia Junlan looked at Jiang Feng's calm eyes, took a deep breath, as if she had made a huge decision.

Her gaze became exceedingly solemn, and word by word, she said with Clarity:

"Because within the Heavenly Mechanism I once glimpsed, the person who will in the future annihilate my Xia Family is you!"

"And you are also the greatest reason why I am so persistent in probing the Heavenly Mechanism seven times!"