edited April 8, 2024
As long as Huo Yu is willing to marry into the Zhou family today for the sake of his mother’s efforts, then the only one who would end up being mocked here is Xia Wan.
As he pondered this, a faint smile graced his lips. To outsiders, his expression appeared warm and friendly. However, he couldn’t help but notice Huo Yu’s gaze, which was focused and intense.
“I believe,” Huo Pei added the weights gradually. “Mr. Zhou has been residing in France and is well-versed in the market there. Furthermore, the Zhou family shares a connection with our Huo family. Zhou Wen is a suitable match for Yu’er. I would like Mrs. Wen and Mr. Xue to act as witnesses and arrange the marriage for these two youngsters. By uniting our forces, we can provide Yu’er with an opportunity to expand and cultivate our overseas business.”
Xia Wan was focused on cutting the abalone. When he heard this, the blade of the knife struck the dinner plate, creating a crisp sound.
Wen Yunzhi and Huo Peixue shared a brief, almost comical moment as they looked at each other, feeling a hint of absurdity.
The relationship between Xia Wan and Huo Yu is widely known here, yet Huo Peixue openly expressed his intention to marry Huo Yu in front of Xia Wan, as if he didn’t consider Xia Wan’s feelings at all.
This was too much, to bully the child just because he lacked family background.
Wen Yunzhi felt discontented, but she understood that this was ultimately a matter concerning the Huo family, and she and Xue Chong couldn’t openly object.
Wen Yunzhi forced a smile, attempting to conceal her disappointment. “What era are we living in? When it comes to matters of marriage, you should listen to your children’s opinions.” After all, they are the ones whose lives are directly affected.”
To her, it seemed unfair to Xia Wan, who clearly had feelings for Huo Yu, but her concerns were tangled with a sense of helplessness.
Wen Yunzhi cared for Xia Wan and felt for her situation, but she knew it wasn’t her place to openly voice her discontent. So, she kept her feelings to herself, hoping that somehow, the decision would be reconsidered, or perhaps Xia Wan’s feelings would be taken into account more compassionately. For now, she could only offer her support to Xia Wan and silently hope for a better outcome.
Huo Peixue’s anticipation grew upon hearing those words. He knew that as long as Wen Yunzhi and Xue Chong didn’t voice their objections, the plan would proceed smoothly. It would be considered settled, and the news would spread widely in the future. The relatives present would serve as witnesses to the agreement.
As for Huo Yu, he could guarantee that he would never pass up the opportunity to reclaim “Yan Yu.”
Turning his attention to Huo Yu, his voice softened, “Yu’er, your thoughts on this?”
At that moment, Xia Wan was fully absorbed in savoring the delicious abalone when he suddenly raised his hand, resembling a diligent student, and politely asked, “May I speak up first?”
Huo Peixue expressed his disapproval with a frown, but Huo Yu agreed: “Let Wanwan speak first.”
With Huo Yu’s approval, Xia Wan didn’t talk to Huo Peixue. Instead, he spoke directly to Huo Yu and said, He didn’t talk to Huo Peixue, but instead spoke directly to Huo Yu: “Didn’t your parents leave Huo and Yan Yu to you? Creating a subsidiary company seems unnecessary. I’ve never seen a chairman leaving the main company and handling a small branch, so you could assign it to someone else casually. Isn’t that sufficient as an individual?”
When he mentioned this he was quite passionate and had caught the attention of many people. At this moment, Xia Wan even spoke louder.
While speaking, he shifted his gaze towards Huo Lin, Xia Wan’s eyes held a playful glint as a subtle smile curled his lips he suggested, “What about sending Huo Lin?”
Over time, the true ownership of Huo had become obscure to many. Even though they might have suspected that the true authority rested with Huo Yu, no one dared to openly acknowledge it. Surprisingly, Xia Wan fearlessly pointed it out during this event.
There was a moment of silence in the room, and numerous pairs of eyes turned towards their table.
As camera flashes from reporters illuminated the scene, Huo Peixue felt his blood pressure rising in response to the attention and scrutiny.
“Who do you think you are?” Li Yun’s anger had escalated upon witnessing Xia Wan’s audacity. She then called out to the security guard, “Remove this person immediately.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Wan reacted swiftly, like a startled small animal. He quickly turned around and sought refuge in Huo Yu’s arms, wrapping his arms tightly around his neck and burying his face in his chest.
“Who dares to do it?” Huo Yu shielded Xia Wan and surveyed the room with a cold gaze. Then, he directed his attention to Li Yun and replied to her question, “Wanwan is my legal partner.”
With a nod, Xia Wan’s hands trembled slightly as he hurriedly retrieved the marriage certificate from his backpack. Standing in stark contrast to Li Yun’s fierce demeanor, Xia Wan appeared vulnerable and helpless in the eyes of the onlookers. He whispered softly, his voice carrying a mixture of emotions, “See, it’s legitimate.”
The sight of the prominent red marriage certificate left Li Yun equally taken aback, momentarily stunned by its presence. Before she could react, Zhou Ke, with a mix of anger and disbelief, stood up and confronted Huo Peixue, exclaiming, “Huo Peixue, are you joking with us?”
Zhou Wen’s face flushed even deeper with embarrassment, feeling utterly mortified and at a loss. He clung to his father’s sleeve, his eyes welling up with tears.
Amid the commotion, the situation took a sudden turn as Huo Peixue lost consciousness. Amidst the chaos, Huo Lin acted swiftly, catching his falling father and urgently shouting, “Quick, someone call Doctor Li!”
Within moments, a middle-aged man maneuvered his way through the crowd and inquired, “Do you have any antihypertensive medication?”
Li Yun’s realization dawned, and she swiftly retrieved the antihypertensive medicine from her bag, handing it over in haste.
Dr. Li skillfully attended to Huo Peixue, administering the necessary treatment and promptly providing him with antihypertensive medication upon his recovery.
“Dad,” Huo Lin anxiously knelt beside his father, his voice filled with concern, “Are you feeling okay now?”
Huo Peixue’s gaze wandered in confusion for a week until he finally locked eyes with Xia Wan, his expression gradually worsening.
“You…little rascal..” Li Yun’s anger flared, and she attempted to grab Xia Wan’s hair, but Huo Yu swiftly intervened, grabbing her wrist to stop her.
“Auntie,” Huo Yu’s expression turned serious, “I request you to show respect to my partner.”
“Respect?” Li Yun’s voice was sharp, frustration evident in her tone. “After nearly killing your uncle, you expect respect?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Huo Yu’s gaze remained icy as he spoke in a low, measured tone, “Wan Wan was merely speaking the truth.”
Li Yun sneered dismissively, “You want your uncle dead as well, don’t you? You think you can seize control of the Huo family if he’s gone? Not a chance!”
“Enough,” Huo Peixue had to raise his voice to halt Li Yun from uttering more senseless words.
Still nestled in Huo Yu’s arms, Xia Wan couldn’t resist leaning closer to his ear and whispering, “Your uncle is just pretending, right?”
Feeling his breath tickling his neck, Huo Yu unconsciously took a step back. However, he quickly relented and pulled him back into his arms again.
“Behave,” Huo Yu whispered softly, his voice equally hushed, “Go with Shen Yan for now and wait for me at home.”
“Okay,” Xia Wan replied, understanding the gravity of the situation. He realized that his words had almost caused harm to someone, so it wouldn’t be right to stay there and potentially escalate tensions further.
“Huo Lin,” Huo Peixue’s voice weakened, exhaustion evident in his words, “Please go and deal with those two reporters, ask them to delete the photos.”
The Huo family had meticulously organized this grand banquet to achieve three specific objectives.
One objective was to showcase Huo Lin’s capabilities to the public, another was to utilize the occasion to promote the Huo family’s new project, and the third was to announce the marriage between Huo Yu and the Zhou family.
Therefore, Huo Peixue not only invited celebrities from Beijing and China, but also specifically invited a few reporters.
Once the article was published, it would not only enhance his personal reputation but also promote the company. So, why not go for it? He saw this as a golden opportunity and it was like a perfect plan.
Furthermore, once Huo Yu’s incident was reported in the newspaper, it would be difficult to alter the narrative afterward.
However, things took an unexpected turn due to the Huo Yu incident. This incident had thrown everything into chaos.
Originally, he wanted the reporter to take more pictures, but now he had to collect them and delete them.
Huo Peixue’s frustration was beyond words. He had been looking forward to the article that would showcase his success and highlight the event’s grandeur. It was a chance to shine, both personally and professionally.
But now, with the potential newspaper coverage looming over him, he felt helpless. He understood that the situation was no longer under his control. The reporters, who had initially been so eager to capture every moment, now had to be restrained. Their cameras had to be kept away, and the photos they had taken had to be deleted.
“Can you delete mine too?” When Xia Wan caught wind of Huo Peixue’s words, a sudden realization struck him. He turned to Huo Yu in a hurry, his expression a mix of concern and uncertainty.
Huo Yu gazed at Xia Wan with unknown emotions: “Are you worried about our photo getting out?”
“Not exactly,” Xia Wan sheepishly touched his nose, “I’m more concerned that if this news spreads, people will focus on the gossip rather than recognizing my actual business skills.”
It was unclear whether Huo Yu believed Xia Wan’s explanation or not. He looked down at Xia Wan for a brief moment before letting out a dismissive snort: “Business skills? You mean the art of eating, right?”
Xia Wan’s expression was a little pitiful: “Please, Eldest master.”
Huo Yu glared at him, and finally asked Shen Yan to help delete the photo.
Xia Wan didn’t eat much at the banquet.
After returning home, he opened the bag of broad beans that Huo Yu had given him earlier.
The broad beans were incredibly crispy, and with each bite, they released a delightful aroma and a gentle sweetness.
The sweetness lingered in his mouth, prolonging the freshness.
Among all the brands he had tasted so far, this one was undoubtedly the finest.
“Huo Yu really has a good eye for this,” Xia Wan affirmed as he continued eating.
After eating, he clapped his hands and sorted out the issues he wanted to communicate with the manufacturer before heading into the bathroom to take a shower.
Then, he grabbed a book and went downstairs to wait for Huo Yu.
Without Huo Yu, the house seemed especially quiet. Xia Wan couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy sitting alone on the sofa. Pausing for a moment, he put on his slippers again and turned on all the lights on the first floor, feeling more at ease.
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, until he was about to fall asleep, there was finally movement at the door.
Xia Wan hurriedly stood up and greeted him. After sitting for too long, his legs and feet were a little numb. As he approached the door, he couldn’t help but stagger. Huo Yu quickly grabbed his waist and helped him before he could barely stand still.
“How did it go?” he asked anxiously.
Through a layer of thin and smooth fabric, Huo Yu’s hands covered Xia Wan’s warm and soft waist, almost giving the illusion of being pressed directly against the skin.
He looked at Xia Wan for a moment and sighed softly for some reason.
“Did things not go well?” Xia Wan’s nerves ratcheted up a notch as he picked up on the undertone.
“Went well.” Huo Yu finally said.
Xia Wan stood there for a moment, surprised by the unexpected reply. Then, he quietly asked, “Yes?”
“Hmm,” Huo Yu said quietly. He threw the coat off his arms and poured himself a glass of water.
“Really?” Xia Wan asked again, then he let out another “wow,” and a smile broke out on his originally solemn face. “Congratulations, Eldest master.”
The Huo family’s reputation took a major hit because of how the banquet unfolded.
Huo Peixue’s plan to achieve many things at once fell apart. He didn’t get what he wanted, and he also lost his supporters.
Even though the photographs taken by the reporters had been deleted, the past that had been buried in the dust seemed to resemble the seeds of a dandelion, taking root and spreading far and wide with just a gust of wind.
In this situation, Huo Peixue had no choice but to take drastic action to protect himself, otherwise, who knows what kind of news would spread.
The matter was a delicate balance; on one side was his personal reputation, and on the other, the potential impact on the business which could have far more impact.
“So, how do you plan to thank me, eldest master?” Xia Wan asked Huo Yu with a grin, a hint of self-satisfaction evident in his expression. “After all, I played the role of a big hero tonight.”
“A hero in appearance only. What kind of reward are you expecting?” Huo Yu said as he started to head upstairs. However, he took a few steps and then stopped unconsciously. He noticed that Xia Wan looked upset but didn’t dare to say anything. He had his cheeks puffed and was secretly glaring at him.
“What do you want?” Huo Yu couldn’t help but chuckle, amused by Xia Wan’s action. After a moment, he softened his expression and added, “Take some time to think about it, and then come to me. I’ll consider your request.”
Although Huo Yu didn’t promise to grant Xia Wan’s request, just the fact that he said he would consider it made Xia Wan incredibly happy.
“Thank you, eldest master,” Xia Wan said gratefully as he followed Huo Yu upstairs and went into his bedroom.
As he sat cross-legged on the bed, Xia Wan contemplated his desires. He realized he wanted quite a bit, yet not too much from Huo Yu.
After pondering for a while, Xia Wan’s thoughts turned to “Yan Yu.”
He stood up and opened his laptop. He searched for information about “Yan Yu” online.
The official website hasn’t released any new products for a while, and the jewelry available doesn’t match the current fashion trends. In particular, the pearl products look outdated.
Before coming here, Xia Wan’s family was involved in the jewelry business.
Back in his school days, Xia Wan had initiated his own venture into the jewelry business. His brand, “Xia Li Jewelry,” not only held a prominent position in the local market but had also gained recognition internationally. It was considered a trendsetter in the industry and one of the few recognized solely for its design sense.
Every new item that rolled out was etched in Xia Wan’s memory.
When he was a child, he loved beautiful and shiny things. The new product catalogs would be delivered to him as soon as they were available each year.
If there was something he liked, his grandfather would bring it back for him. He could wear it or use it as a toy however he wanted.
So Xia Wan could tell at a glance that “Yan Yu” was indeed just an empty shell.
He thought for a moment, then opened the search engine and looked for news from previous years.
In the early years, the style of “Yan Yu” was obviously very high-end, and the craftsmanship was also very exquisite. Even now, some of the products still look beautiful and not outdated.
As Xia Wan continued to move the mouse on the screen, he accidentally stumbled upon a piece of news from many years ago.
Above the article, there was a photo of Huo Peifeng and Yan Wei participating in an international jewelry exhibition.
Though time had passed, the image of the tall and handsome man remained vivid within the photograph. Beside him stood Yan Wei, wearing a beaded hairband that made her appear not like a mother but rather like a young girl of eighteen or nineteen.
The two stood together in perfect harmony, naturally leaning towards each other, as if each had a magnetic field that attracted the other.
Anyone looking at them would assume they were a very loving couple.
And Huo Yu… He seemed more reminiscent of his father, with sharp and commanding features that lacked the softness of Yan Wei.
Xia Wan gazed at the image and saved the photo before continuing to scroll down.
When he was almost finished, he couldn’t help but feel stunned.
It would be too difficult to bring such a mess back to life..
First, the design department had to be completely overhauled.
“Design…” As if he had thought of something, Xia Wan’s eyes suddenly lit up. He stood up and walked out.
“Eldest Master,” Xia Wan gently knocked on the door, his voice soft and subdued. It was late at night, and making too much noise seemed inappropriate. His soft call was like a gentle cat’s meow.
After a brief pause, the door swung open.
Huo Yu stood backlit, the light casting a shadow over his features. Although Xia Wan couldn’t discern his expression in that instant, he could unmistakably sense that his demeanor wasn’t a cheerful one.
“What are you doing?” As expected, Huo Yu’s voice came out coldly. He raised his hand to towel-dry his wet hair and questioned Xia Wan, “Knocking on the door is enough; why did you have to keep calling the name?”
“I’ve figured out what I want!” Xia Wan replied excitedly, seemingly unfazed by his demeanor.
“What do you want?” Huo Yu tossed aside the towel in his hand and leaned lazily against the door frame.
His posture was slightly tilted, and the light cast a glow over him. The collar of his bathrobe was open to a thin line, revealing his strong and bulging muscles.
Xia Wan bit his lip and was almost blinded by the sight of beauty in front of him.
“Um, Eldest master,” he stammered, “I have thought about the reward I want.”
“Tell me what you want.” The place where Xia Wan’s eyes had just touched felt inexplicably itchy. Huo Yu looked at him with intensity. I’ll consider it carefully.”
“I want to be the designer of ‘Yan Yu’,” Xia Wan declared boldly. Under the light, his beautiful face was lifted, his eyes blazing.
Huo Yu was stunned for a moment. Under his gaze, he found himself unable to utter any of his usual teasing remarks.
Being a jewelry designer is a specialized skill,” he attempted to remind Xia Wan. “It’s not something you can do just by being good at drawing.”
Xia Wan had never really considered switching careers to become a jewelry designer.
His intention was simply to capture the sparkling gems from his previous world’s memories and recreate them in art for Huo Yu. It was a way to preserve precious memories.
Moreover, he wondered if Huo Yu’s past downfall might have been due to the absence of Yan Yu’s glory.
If he could help Huo Yu do a good job with Yan Yu, would Huo Yu’s chances of success increase?
Xia Wan blinked slyly. “If you’re worried about money,” he said, “I don’t need a basic salary. You can pay me based on commission for the work I do.”
Huo Yu looked at him for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile and gently push him on the forehead. After a pause, he asked, “Are you only interested in money? Are you even good at calculating?”
Xia Wan’s smile widened as he asked “Can you handle it, eldest master?”
Huo Yu raised his hand to rub his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. It seemed like there was no stopping Xia Wan’s persistence.
“Let’s talk first. If your design isn’t chosen, don’t cry,” Huo Yu said sternly. “I dislike people crying in front of me.”
“Am I really that much of a crybaby?” Xia Wan retorted, feeling a bit offended. Then, he quickly regained his composure. “So, does the eldest master agree?”
“Would it matter if I didn’t agree?” Huo Yu snorted. “If I don’t agree, I’ll just stand here and let you stare at me?”
Xia Wan clenched his teeth, feeling his cheeks getting warm. He had just looked at Huo Yu for a second, why does Huo Yu seem to notice everything? Why are his eyes so sharp? It’s a bit embarrassing.
“Eldest… eldest master,” he stuttered a little, “I’m going back to bed.”
“Hold on a moment.” Huo Yu’s warm voice came from behind, causing Xia Wan to pause in his tracks. Before he knew it, Huo Yu had taken hold of his wrist and tried to pull him into the room.
Startled, Xia Wan tried to resist, pressing his back against the door to prevent himself from being drawn in further. However, Huo Yu’s grip was firm yet gentle, and Xia Wan found himself unable to free himself despite his efforts.
“You… you… what are you doing?” Xia Wan stammered, shocked, as he leaned against the door, refusing to move forward.
“What do you think I’m going to do?” Huo Yu looked down at the panicked expression on Xia Wan’s face and couldn’t help but let out a low laugh.
Xia Wan unconsciously bit his lip, leaving a small white mark on his red lips. Although he didn’t say anything more, his cheeks slowly turned red.
Huo Yu originally just wanted to tease Xia Wan, but somehow, Xia Wan’s expression reminded him of the sensation of Xia Wan’s eyes on his skin just moments ago.
Feeling itchy, hot, and uncomfortable, Huo Yu shifted uncomfortably under Xia Wan’s gaze.
He pursed his lips, then slowly opened the palm of his hand that he had been holding.
In his palm, he held a ring, almost identical to the one he wore on his left hand.
Upon closer look, one would notice a carefully carved swallow on the ring’s face. The delicate bird, captured mid-flight, appeared to hover above the water, its lifelike form coming alive in the light.
“It’s truly exquisite,” Xia Wan’s voice held a touch of wonder. His knowledge of jewelry was extensive, and he had never seen such a piece before. He couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship before him.
Huo Yu’s gaze shifted, and he gently lifted Xia Wan’s left hand. A string of Buddha beads encircled the delicate wrist, making the skin beneath appear even whiter and more delicate.
“This ring belonged to my mom,” Huo Yu said softly as he placed the ring on Xia Wan’s ring finger, gently sliding it to the base of the finger., “Remember, I promised you, I’d help you put it on myself.”
Oh~
Thank you for the chapter!
🥺🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
0///0
So sweet, I love it!!!
Thank you for your translation 💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟
SMITTEN!
Thank You for the new chapter (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡