The Qiao sisters were also stunned.
Over the years, Huo Jingnian had been a name often heard of but rarely seen within the Huo family. He had followed Old Master Huo in the military year-round and seldom returned home. His sudden appearance here was truly unexpected.
“Let her go,” Huo Jingnian said in a deep voice as he looked at He Gang.
Only then did He Gang realize that he was still gripping Qiao Zhiwei’s arm. He immediately let go, as if burned.
Qiao Zhilan stepped forward to support Qiao Zhiwei and said with a trembling, tearful voice, “Brother Jingnian, if you had come any later, my sister would have… would have…”
He Gang didn’t know why, but at this moment he was extremely frightened. He hurriedly explained, “It’s not like that. I’ve liked Weiwei for many years. I just came to talk to her about dating. I even got Jingchen’s consent for this.”
“The Huo family is not Jingchen’s place to make decisions yet. Are you going to the police station to turn yourself in, or do you want me to take you there?” Huo Jingnian’s gaze fell on He Gang, carrying a palpable pressure.
Even though Huo Jingnian was alone, He Gang inexplicably didn’t dare resist. In the end, he stiffened his neck and said, “I came to collect a debt. The Qiao family owes our He family twenty thousand.”
Qiao Zhiwei immediately retorted, “Is this how you collect a debt? Just now you threatened Zhilan’s life and even laid hands on me.”
“Other people smash, rob, and beat when collecting debts. I just pulled her a bit—”
Before He Gang could finish speaking, his collar was slowly lifted by Huo Jingnian. Terrified, he quickly blurted out, “I… I’ll go myself.”
Huo Jingnian loosened his grip. He Gang’s feet hit the ground, and he collapsed there, taking quite a while before he came back to his senses.
No wonder people called him the Jade-Faced Yama. He had a pretty face, but that aura was truly terrifying.
He hurriedly shouted to the few lackeys behind him, “Why are you still standing there? Let’s go!”
Once they left, the room instantly became quiet.
Qiao Zhiwei also let out a breath of relief and said to Huo Jingnian, “Thank you, Brother Jingnian.”
Huo Jingnian gave a slight nod. “You’re welcome. Our Huo family handled this improperly and caused you distress. You can’t stay here anymore come back to the Huo residence with me first. Grandpa is on his way back. If you have any grievances or requests, you can bring them up to him later.”
Qiao Zhiwei looked up at him. “I went to the Huo residence this morning.”
Huo Jingnian looked at her slightly reddened eyes, his long lashes lowering. “Grandpa and I weren’t there then. I came specifically to pick you up now. Other than the matter of your marriage with Jingchen, don’t you have anything else you want to discuss with Grandpa?”
Of course Qiao Zhiwei did. She immediately nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Jingnian.”
“Mm.” After responding, Huo Jingnian turned around. The sisters followed him, got into the car at the door, and left together.
The car stopped at the entrance of the Huo residence. The three got out and went inside.
At this time, everyone in the Huo family was present except Huo Jingchen.
When Madam Huo saw Huo Jingnian, she quickly said warmly, “We just got a call from your grandfather, so we’ve been waiting in the living room. How is it are you tired? I’ll go make you a cup of tea right away.”
Huo Jingnian replied indifferently, “Thank you, Aunt Chen.”
Huo Jingchen and Huo Jingnian were half-brothers. After Huo Jingnian’s mother passed away, Huo’s father married Chen Qingmei. Soon after she entered the household, she became pregnant with Huo Jingchen, while Huo Jingnian was sent to live with his maternal grandmother.
Because of this, Huo Jingnian had no strong feelings toward this stepmother neither liking nor disliking her and the way he addressed her had never changed.
Huo’s father stood up to greet the Qiao sisters and asked his daughter, Huo Jingli, to pour them some tea.
Huo Jingli was Huo Jingchen’s younger sister. She shot Qiao Zhiwei a glare, clearly dissatisfied, but when she met her father’s stern gaze, she reluctantly stood up anyway.
Looking at Qiao Zhiwei, Huo’s father smiled and said, “Weiwei, when you came this morning, only your aunt was at home. If there was any offense, please be understanding.”
“If Aunt Huo was merely relaying the facts to me this morning, then that can hardly be considered an offense,” Qiao Zhiwei replied calmly, suppressing her emotions. She was here to solve the problem, not to vent her feelings.
Huo’s father paused, then asked, “You mean Jingchen’s engagement with the He family?”
“Yes,” Qiao Zhiwei answered succinctly.
Huo’s father smiled. “Weiwei, I know you’ve always treated Jingchen well. He studied diligently for many years and has finally returned after completing his education. He’s about to take up a post at a university. During this time, his reputation and public image are especially important.”
“So he needs to hurry up and sever ties with the Qiao family?” Qiao Zhiwei found his earnest persuasion both laughable and disappointing.
“There’s really no other choice. I know you’re a sensible child,” Huo’s father said with a helpless expression.
Qiao Zhilan trembled with anger and was about to stand up to argue, but Qiao Zhiwei gently stopped her. Then she looked at Huo’s father, her gaze clear and steady. “In that case, let’s settle the accounts properly and part on good terms.”
Huo’s father hadn’t expected Qiao Zhiwei to dare bring up settling accounts under these circumstances. Somewhat surprised, he thought for a moment and said, “Weiwei, we remember the kindness your Qiao family showed to the Huo family. Jingchen and I never intended to abandon you. Would you like to hear what Jingchen and I have in mind?”
Qiao Zhiwei didn’t believe he had any good ideas, but since she and her sister were still in the Huo residence, she said, “Then please go ahead, Uncle Huo.”
“I’ll arrange for someone to safely send you sisters out of the capital. How about that?”
Qiao Zhiwei smiled. “Uncle Huo truly lives up to working in banking you’ve calculated this account very well. Once we leave, no one will trouble the Huo family again. As for the Qiao family’s bad reputation, or what might happen if creditors find us again in the future, that would have nothing to do with you.”
Huo’s father’s face darkened instantly.
Just then, Huo Jingli came out with the tea and happened to hear Qiao Zhiwei’s words. She was furious. “Qiao Zhiwei, your family doesn’t owe twelve thousand it owes one hundred and twenty thousand! Such a huge debt are you trying to drag my brother down with you for life, never to recover?
“Besides, my brother’s engagement has already been arranged. The wedding is on the first day of next month. No matter how unwilling you are, you can’t change that.”
Huo Jingnian, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke in a deep voice. “They haven’t even entered the bridal chamber yet. Calling off an engagement isn’t difficult for our Huo family.”
After saying that, he looked at Qiao Zhiwei. “Do you want to settle accounts with Jingchen, or do you want him to break off the engagement? If you want to settle accounts, then start tallying them up we’ll let Grandpa see the ledger and the outcome when he gets back. If you want him to call off the engagement, then just sit here calmly. Ignore whatever they say and wait for Grandpa to decide.”
“Jingnian!”
“Big brother!”
Father and daughter shouted at the same time.
Huo Jingnian glanced at his father. “Jingchen and Jingli were probably spoiled by you.”
“How can you speak to your father like that?”
“Is it no longer allowed to tell the truth in this family?” Huo Jingnian said calmly.