After an unknown length of time, Huo Linyuan finally turned off his phone screen.
Huo Jinchen really didn’t want to continue kneeling here all night.
Not only was the ancestral hall eerie and gloomy, but the stone floor was also cold and hard.
If he really knelt here all night, his knees would probably be ruined.
Fortune favors the bold, and besides, children’s words carry no harm. Even if he, Huo Jinchen, said something, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
Before Huo Linyuan could speak, he put on an eager smile and began flattering him.
“Uncle, am I going to have an auntie soon?”
The air fell silent for a moment.
Even breathing seemed to freeze. Huo Jinchen wore an ingratiating expression on his face, but inside, he was extremely nervous. He was afraid his flattery might backfire, and his eyes were fixed eagerly on Huo Linyuan, waiting for his response.
Unexpectedly, the man sitting in the main seat merely raised an eyebrow in surprise, his dark phoenix eyes glimmering with a hint of amusement as he asked,
“What did you call her?”
Seeing that Huo Linyuan wasn’t truly angry, Huo Jinchen knew he had guessed right.
His tone grew even more eager, his voice more urgent.
“That’s wonderful! If Grandpa and Dad find out Uncle has someone he likes, they’ll definitely be very happy!”
Huo Linyuan didn’t interrupt him. Instead, he rested his elbow on the armchair and even gestured with his eyes for him to continue.
Huo Jinchen’s voice grew even more cheerful and excited as he tried his best to impress:
“I really hope Uncle can bring Auntie home soon!”
“For so many years, Uncle has been alone, without anyone close by his side. In recent years, Grandpa has been urging Uncle to go on blind dates, hoping he would settle down sooner.”
These things weren’t secrets in the Huo family, so Huo Jinchen spoke about them naturally.
“Now it’s great! Uncle has found someone he truly cares for, and we’re all happy for him!”
Huo Linyuan’s thin lips curved slightly.
He seemed to smile, though there might have been something else hidden in that smile. But Huo Jinchen didn’t have time to analyze it. He racked his brains, flattering and expressing his blessings for his uncle and future auntie:
“I really hope Uncle and Auntie can get married soon! That way, I can get two red envelopes during the New Year!”
The man leaning against the boundless darkness spoke lazily, his tone indifferent as he asked,
“You want me to bring her back as soon as possible?”
Huo Jinchen nodded so vigorously it seemed as if his neck were attached to a spring. He nodded frantically, his voice filled with just the right amount of excitement and joy.
“Yes! If I could meet Auntie soon, that would be even better!”
A soft chuckle echoed in the air.
A moment later, the man sitting in the main seat suddenly stood up. His tall figure exuded an overwhelming presence, and his narrow phoenix eyes swept over Huo Jinchen’s face.
“Well said. It seems you have some filial piety.”
The man’s spotless leather shoes tapped against the floor as his long legs strode past him. His voice remained lazy as he said,
“No need to kneel tonight. Go back to your room, copy the family rules once, and then go into confinement.”
Huo Jinchen was overjoyed. “Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Uncle!”
Facing the figure about to disappear into the darkness, he flattered with all his might, expressing gratitude to the auntie he hadn’t even met yet.
“And thank you, Auntie! I wish Uncle and Auntie an early marriage and a lifetime of happiness!”
Huo Linyuan’s figure had already vanished.
Huo Jinchen’s legs were numb from kneeling. He called out for a while, but no one answered. Only then did he realize that the people guarding the ancestral hall had probably been sent away by his uncle again.
The usually arrogant Eldest Young Master of the Huo Family somewhat awkwardly supported himself on the chair as he stood up, letting out occasional sharp intakes of breath with each movement.
He had no idea how long he had been slumped in the chair when hurried footsteps finally sounded from outside.
His father, who had been waiting outside the ancestral hall courtyard, arrived with his mother and servants, anxiously inquiring about his condition.
Huo Jinchen wore a smug expression. “Dad, I told you it would be fine this time!”
Huo’s father supported him with a pained heart, asking repeatedly, “Your uncle is deep and calculating—don’t go saying anything careless in front of him.”
“Did you say it exactly as I taught you?”
“Yes, yes, yes—”
Huo Jinchen was growing impatient, but he also wanted to show off, his tone brimming with self-satisfaction.
“I said it exactly as you taught me at first, but Uncle didn’t react at all.”
“It wasn’t until I later said I’d cut ties with those two women that Uncle finally paid attention to me.”
As soon as these words left his mouth, Huo’s father pinched his arm.
“You foolish child, why are you always so full of yourself?”
Huo Jinchen yelped in pain, acting as if he were in charge. “Why did you pinch me, Dad? Shouldn’t you be praising me?”
The ancestral hall fell silent, and Huo’s father lowered his voice.
“After you came back, you didn’t know what happened at school.”
“It wasn’t until you were punished with kneeling in the ancestral hall that I heard the news—apparently, your uncle helped your girlfriend Jiang Youwan at school, using his influence to force a third-year female student to drop out.”
Huo Jinchen was also taken aback.
When he was exposed at school, he had been too preoccupied with worrying about himself to notice many details.
Like how his uncle had defended Jiang Youwan.
His uncle had never been the warm-hearted type. Today, he had not only taken Jiang Youwan to the hospital but also avenged her—this was completely out of character for him.
It was just too strange.
Huo’s father was also exasperated. “I spent the afternoon thinking it over and finally figured out the key point.”
“No wonder you have such a thick skull—you just rush into things and mess everything up, thinking you’re so clever!”
“Last month, your uncle acquired Shengtong Cultural and Creative Group and even set aside a piece of land, supposedly to open a gallery. He’s planning to steer the Huo family into the art world.”
“Isn’t your girlfriend studying painting? I heard she’s doing quite well academically?”
Huo Jinchen still didn’t understand. “So what?”
Huo’s father explained, “If your uncle wants to make money in the art world, he’ll definitely need a public-facing figure. Your little girlfriend—excellent grades, pretty face, and I heard she’s won a few awards, big and small. She comes from a poor family and doesn’t even have a mother. Girls like that are easy to control—just a little kindness and they’ll latch on. She’d be the perfect mascot to put on display.”
“Once we do some marketing, she’ll definitely become famous nationwide. Then, won’t the Huo family’s art ventures be set?”
Huo Jinchen thought what he said made sense, but something still felt off.
“Does it have to be Jiang Youwan? There are so many influencers online—couldn’t we just package one of them?”
“Would you date one of those influencers we just package up?”
Huo’s father was exasperated, lecturing his son:
“Dating the future heir of the Huo family—what explosive news would that be? That’s way more effective than any marketing!”
“Look at you, with your thick skull—you’re not even a fraction as clever as your uncle! And you broke up with Jiang Youwan! I told you to break up with Jiang Youwan!”
Mr. Huo raised his hand to strike, but Mrs. Huo quickly stopped him, her voice filled with concern,
“What does a child know? Jinchen is already very sensible!”
“It’s just a girlfriend, isn’t it?”
Mrs. Huo supported her son, offering him advice on the side,
“Young girls just throw tantrums sometimes. You need to coax her more, buy her some luxury items, and give her gifts. What’s her status compared to yours? Wouldn’t she want to be with you? Wouldn’t she want to be the future daughter-in-law of the Huo family?”
“If she didn’t want to marry into the Huo family, why would she meet your parents?”
“Let me tell you, I’ve seen plenty of girls like her. They act all reserved and put on airs, but deep down, they know exactly what they want. They’re full of schemes!”
“Just apologize and admit you were wrong, and she’ll forgive you for everything!”
Huo Jinchen’s heart stirred.
He had indeed pursued Jiang Youwan for a long time, but he hadn’t even gotten close to her.
Feeling unwilling to give up, he reluctantly agreed with his mother’s words:
“Alright, I’ll keep pursuing her after my confinement ends.”
The Huo parents gave him an approving look.
As the group walked out, Huo Jinchen suddenly slapped his forehead:
“Oh, right, Mom and Dad.”
“Uncle seems to be in a relationship. I wonder which family’s daughter it is.”
“Instead of lecturing me, you two should find out who she is.”
“With Uncle’s status, my future aunt will become the prestigious Mrs. Huo once she marries into the family. By then, it’ll be too late for you two to try to curry favor!”