To My Dear Mr. Huo

“Why are you here? Are you willing to come back?”

Huo Yangping’s voice didn’t sound old. It was actually quite vigorous.

Huo Jinyao stepped forward and stood beside him. “Grandpa, your calligraphy is getting better and better,” he said.

“Don’t flatter me.” Huo Yangping glanced at him and it was hard to tell whether he was angry or happy from his expressionless face. “I’m too old for that.”

“Grandpa, what are you talking about? I’m not just flattering you.”

Huo Jinyao pointed to the characters written by Huo Yangping and said, “Look here and here. These strokes are so powerful and sharp. Seriously, Grandpa, your calligraphy is getting stronger day by day.”

Huo Yangping stepped back, sat down in the chair, and picked up the teacup. He took a sip.

“Huo Jinyao.”

Huo Jinyao stood up straight. Every time Huo Yangping called him by his full name, it meant that he was quite angry.

“Grandpa, just say anything you want to say. You don’t have to say my name so forcefully.”

“If you’re afraid I’m too forceful, then don’t do anything that makes me angry.”

“What did I do that made you angry?”

Huo Yangping was over eighty years old, but he was still full of spirit. Looking at Huo Jinyao playing dumb, he laughed

“You think I don’t know about all the things you have done in Lin City?”

“Grandpa—” Huo Jinyao took on a tone that suggested he was begging for mercy.

“I’m old, and you’re used to having your own ideas, so I don’t want to say anything about it. Tell your father yourself.”

Huo Jinyao’s expression changed slightly and he nodded. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. As long as you do not object, I have nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?” Huo Yangping gave him a look and said, “If she is really a good girl, bring her here. She is the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Huo Family. Do you have anything to hide?”

“Grandpa—” He would like to bring Su Qingsang back, but not now.

“Don’t blame me only telling you now, but your mother has already set aside a person for you.”

Huo Jinyao’s expression changed completely. He pursed his lips and furrowed his eyebrows.

“I see. Thanks, Grandpa.”

...

Huo Jinyao took a bath and changed his clothes. He went back to his study and handled some documents.

At dinner, Huo Jinyao’s parents came back. A servant came up and told Huo Jinyao to go down for dinner. When Huo Jinyao went downstairs, his parents, Huo Mingguang and Liu Tongjia, were already sitting at the table.

“You are willing to come back, huh?”

This had been the exact same opening remarks as Huo Yangping had made. Huo Mingguang looked at his son, with obvious dissatisfaction in his eyes.

“Dad, what are you talking about? This is my home. Of course, I should come back.”

“So, you know this is your home?” Huo Mingguang snorted coldly. “I thought you weren’t sure where your home was.”

Huo Jinyao smiled at Liu when he saw her pulling a chair up for him, as if he had not heard his father. “Thank you,” he said.

Turning around to look at Huo Mingguang, he raised his eyebrows and looked puzzled. “How could I not know this is my home? The Huo Mansion is such a distinctive place, that I’m afraid the whole city knows it. I, certainly, am no exception.”

Liu Tongjia got angry seeing him act like this.

“That’s enough. Stop clowning around. How old are you? Behave yourself.”

Huo Jinyao touched his nose and deliberately sat upright with his hands on his knees. He turned around to look at Liu Tongjia and mimicked zipping his mouth. Liu Tongjia was so angry with him that she almost vomited blood.

“Huo Jinyao.”

“Yes? I am not deaf.”

She became so angry that her chest heaved violently and she took several deep breathes to try and calm down.