The two sisters returned to the living room and saw Old Master Huo seated in the main chair. Huo Jingnian was sitting to his left, while the two seats on his right were empty.
The other members of the Huo family were seated on both sides.
When Old Master Huo saw Qiao Zhiwei, he immediately beckoned to her. “Big Qiao, Little Qiao, come here quickly and sit beside me.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Huo.”
Qiao Zhiwei went along naturally and sat close to Old Master Huo’s right, with Qiao Zhilan taking the next seat.
“This matter is the Huo family’s fault we let you suffer. What is there to thank us for?” Old Master Huo said in a booming voice.
As he spoke, his gaze swept toward Huo Jingchen.
Huo Jingchen sat beside Father Huo, upright and refined, saying nothing.
“Dad, we didn’t deliberately want to wrong Weiwei. It’s just that the Qiao family’s situation is truly difficult far beyond Jingchen’s capacity,” Chen Qingmei hurriedly explained when she saw the old man’s displeased look toward her son.
“There’s no place for you to speak here.”
As soon as Old Master Huo said this, Huo Jingli who had been itching to speak immediately fell silent.
“Weiwei, I know how much you’ve done for Jingchen over the years. If you want him to turn back, I will absolutely not allow a woman from the He family to enter our home.
“After Jingchen did something so despicable, are you still willing to forgive him?” Old Master Huo asked.
Qiao Zhiwei’s eyes reddened, her voice gentle. “Grandpa Huo, I don’t blame Jingchen. Anyone would hesitate when faced with something like this.
“After all, a debt of one hundred and twenty thousand isn’t a small sum. Asking Jingchen, who has just graduated and returned from abroad, to shoulder such a burden with me really would be cruel.
“Since he has chosen a young lady from the He family and is already engaged, let him marry smoothly.
“I practically watched him grow up. Given the years of affection between us, if I didn’t even have this bit of generosity to help him achieve happiness, then all these years of him calling me ‘Sister’ would truly have been in vain.”
Huo Jingchen: !!!
Was this really the same woman who had just spoken to him coldly and told him to get lost?
Seeing her look so pitiful for the first time, he actually felt a twinge of reluctance.
In the past, she had always carried herself like an aloof elder sister distant and untouchable.
Huo Jingnian lifted his long lashes slightly, the corner of his lips curving almost imperceptibly before he quickly withdrew his gaze.
Father Huo, Mother Huo, and even Huo Jingli all let out a sigh of relief.
Hearing this, Old Master Huo felt miserable inside. “You silly girl Jingchen has wronged you so badly, yet you still think of him at every turn.”
Qiao Zhiwei pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Old Master Huo continued, “Back then, your father saved my life. Over the years, you’ve also helped Jingchen so much. No matter what, this debt must be repaid.
“And if you hadn’t waited all these years for Jingchen, you wouldn’t still be unmarried at twenty-five.
“Given the Qiao family’s circumstances back then, and your own qualities, marrying someone even better than Jingchen wouldn’t have been difficult.
“No matter how you look at it, our Huo family delayed you. So even if you forgive Jingchen, I must still give you justice.”
“Dad, what about the one hundred and twenty thousand in debt?” Father Huo finally couldn’t help asking.
Old Master Huo cast him a sidelong glance. “If we’re family, we’ll find a way. We can always pay it back.
“Don’t rush to sever ties and add insult to injury before even trying.
“Besides, Weiwei is a sensible, thoughtful child. She knows what to do.”
“No matter how sensible she is, she’s still just a girl in her twenties,” Father Huo sighed.
“That’s enough,” Old Master Huo cut him off.
Seeing the old man angered, Qiao Zhiwei immediately said softly, “Grandpa Huo, please don’t make things difficult for Jingchen and Uncle Huo.
“If you truly pity Lanlan and me, then please have Jingchen return the thirty thousand I sent him while he was abroad. It would help us through our immediate crisis.”
Old Master Huo looked at Huo Jingchen in disbelief. “You actually spent thirty thousand of Weiwei’s money? Were you swallowing gold abroad?
“You’re truly useless more harm than help.
“Do you think just because I’m old, I can’t discipline you anymore?”
As he spoke, he moved as if to strike Huo Jingchen, but Qiao Zhiwei and Chen Qingmei rushed forward to restrain him.
“Grandpa Huo!”
“Dad!”
Father Huo turned to his eldest son. “Jingnian, Grandpa’s old. Hurry and persuade him.”
Huo Jingchen glanced at Huo Jingnian, who remained seated and unmoving, and irritation flared in his heart.
He shouted, “Grandpa, have you ever truly considered my situation? In your eyes, I’ve been an embarrassment since childhood never good enough.
“You were the one who owed the Qiao family back then, not me. Why should I be the one to repay it?”
Old Master Huo froze, then asked after a long pause, “Then why didn’t you refuse back then?”
“I was only fifteen. What could I refuse?”
“Even at fifteen you should have known better. Saying this where does it leave Weiwei and me?”
Huo Jingchen let out a bitter laugh. “Exactly because I knew better. I knew clearly that in your heart, if one grandson had to be sacrificed between my brother and me, it would definitely be me.”
Hearing this, Qiao Zhiwei felt as if her heart had been pierced by a needle. Even though she had once considered things that way herself, she had truly treated Huo Jingchen with sincerity over the years.
Yet in his eyes, he was the sacrificed one.
Old Master Huo stood there, his face ashen.
At that moment, Huo Jingnian finally stood up. He walked slowly to Huo Jingchen and looked down at him from above, his voice cold and detached. “So you’ve really been wronged all these years?”
Huo Jingnian’s presence was overwhelming, but Huo Jingchen didn’t shrink back. He rose leisurely from his chair and calmly adjusted his collar. “If Big Brother wants to thank me, why not help repay the thirty thousand to Weiwei instead?”
After waiting a moment without a response, he added, “Big Brother can’t afford it?”
Huo Jingnian lowered his gaze to him and gave a light laugh. “What do you think?”
On the surface, this younger brother looked gentle and obedient, but deep down he was ruthless, willing to do anything to reach his goals.
Calculating, patient, flexible someone who could bend or stretch as needed.
“So Big Brother just doesn’t want to pay?”
Huo Jingnian nodded. “Mm. I’ve heard of sons repaying their father’s debts, but never brothers repaying brothers’ debts.
“Besides, we’re only half-brothers.
“As for the grievances you claim to have suffered over this marriage, I see none of them. On the contrary, you seemed to enjoy it very much.
“Chen Auntie and Jingli were the same.”
After speaking, he looked at Chen Qingmei. “You two have received quite a few clothes and pieces of jewelry from the Qiao family over the years, haven’t you?”
Chen Qingmei and Huo Jingli were instantly speechless.
Huo Jingchen’s skin was thick. Even after losing face, he wasn’t angry and continued smiling. “Big Brother really doesn’t hold back when lecturing people, does he—even with family?”
Sooner or later, he would make Huo Jingnian bow before him. Why, from the moment he was born, had he always been overshadowed and ranked lower?
“If we’re family, then we should speak openly. What face is there to save?” Huo Jingnian replied.
“I don’t need face. But Grandpa owing the Qiao family such a great favor thought of sacrificing a second grandson to strengthen ties, only to find that this grandson turned out to be a bastard.
“Now not only can the favor not be repaid, even the money can’t be returned.”
Huo Jingnian fell silent for a few seconds, then spoke in a deep voice, “Who says it can’t be repaid? As long as Qiao Zhiwei is willing I’ll marry her.”
The moment the words fell, everyone was shocked, including Qiao Zhiwei.
Yet each person felt something entirely different.
Old Master Huo looked at Huo Jingnian in surprise for a moment, then nodded with a face full of satisfaction. “Well done. You haven’t disappointed Grandpa’s years of training and trust.”
Huo Jingli bit her lip, glaring resentfully at Qiao Zhiwei. Brother Jingnian belonged to Sister Xia Yin.
Over the years, Xia Yin had given her so many things just to get news about Brother Jingnian.
Moreover, Xia Yin’s father worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs she was perfectly matched with Brother Jingnian. What was this fallen family worth?
Father had said it himself: after Grandpa retired, the Huo family’s future would rest on Brother Jingnian’s shoulders.
Chen Qingmei, however, let out a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t her son, everything was negotiable.
She was even rather pleased.
If Huo Jingnian married Qiao Zhiwei, then there would be no chance of an alliance with the Xia family.
Huo Qingshan had always wanted Huo Jingnian and Xia Yin to form a powerful union. For Huo Jingnian, that would have been like adding wings to a tiger Jingchen would have been trampled underfoot his whole life.
Unexpectedly, Huo Jingnian took over instead. That was wonderful.
This way, her son didn’t need to rush into marrying He Manman to get rid of Qiao Zhiwei. He could wait patiently and see if there was still a chance with the Xia family.
Thinking this, her mood instantly brightened, and a smile appeared on her face.
Father Huo, Huo Qingshan who had been sitting still, suddenly stood up and roared, “Jingnian, have you lost your mind?”
Huo Jingchen’s lips curved slightly, his brow lifting almost imperceptibly.
Qiao Zhilan looked at Qiao Zhiwei in shock and delight and cried out excitedly, “Sister!”
She wished she would agree on the spot.
Qiao Zhiwei lifted her eyes and swept them lightly over the room. She knew that aside from her sister and Old Master Huo, not a single person truly wanted her to marry Huo Jingnian.
She looked at Huo Jingchen and met his eyes, filled with amusement at the spectacle.
Huo Jingchen’s lips curved faintly. He knew that someone as self-aware as Qiao Zhiwei would never agree.
But in the very next second, Qiao Zhiwei gently nodded. “Alright.”
Huo Jingchen froze for a moment, then stepped closer to Huo Jingnian and chuckled softly. “Congratulations, Big Brother.”
“Thank you,” Huo Jingnian replied.
Old Master Huo returned to his seat and said to Huo Jingnian, “In that case, submit the marriage application immediately.”
“Alright.” Huo Jingnian answered, then turned and sat back down.
Qiao Zhiwei looked at Huo Jingnian. His face was calm she couldn’t sense any emotion at all. Hesitating, she called out, “Brother Jingnian.”
His gaze fell on her, his voice cool yet gentle. “Go on.”
“I have a few things I want to discuss with you alone. Is now convenient?”
Before Huo Jingnian could reply, Old Master Huo chuckled. “Since you’re about to get married, it’s only right to whisper a few private words.”
Huo Jingnian nodded, stepped forward, and led her into the study.
It was Qiao Zhiwei’s first time being alone with Huo Jingnian. He sat upright behind the desk, his long fingers interlaced before him, his gaze resting on her face respectful and formal.
She felt inexplicably nervous. “I know that making such a promise just now was partly to save Grandpa’s face and partly to show me respect.
“I should have politely declined.
“But I was greedy. Still, I won’t hold you back for long. One year then I’ll return your freedom.”
After she finished speaking, there was no response for a long time. She looked up and met his deep, abyss-like gaze. Afraid to hold it, she quickly looked away.
“Alright,” Huo Jingnian agreed.
Qiao Zhiwei let out a breath of relief. “Then thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” After a pause, Huo Jingnian added, “Tonight I’ll send the marriage application by telegram to the military district and have it expedited. It should be done in about five days. Get ready.”
“Don’t make it a big affair,” Qiao Zhiwei said. She didn’t want to trouble him further.
“If it’s not publicized, how will those creditors and He Gang know that you’re my wife?”
Embarrassed that he’d seen through her intentions, she quickly changed the subject. “What do I need to prepare?”
“There’s no need for much. Just be ready to take wedding photos tomorrow. I’ll handle everything else.”
There was a faint, barely perceptible gentleness in his cool voice, giving her an inexplicable sense of security.
“Alright.” Qiao Zhiwei stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my sister home.”
“I’ll see you off,” Huo Jingnian said, standing.
She didn’t refuse. “Thank you.”
Back in the hall, Qiao Zhiwei went to say goodbye. Old Master Huo smiled and asked, “Won’t you stay for dinner before leaving?”
She knew that some people would love nothing more than to swallow her whole, so she didn’t want to stay and invite discomfort.
“No, there are some matters at home that need to be handled.”
Old Master Huo nodded. “Mm, you should go back and prepare properly. Wait for me a moment.”
He went back to his room and returned with a kraft paper envelope, which he handed to Qiao Zhiwei. “Take this and buy some new clothes for you and Lanlan.”
“No need, Grandpa Huo. Lanlan and I still have plenty of clothes and shoes we haven’t even finished wearing them. Many are brand new.”
Ignoring her refusal, Old Master Huo stuffed the envelope into her hand. “Take it. No matter how new the old ones are, they’re still old. This is Grandpa Huo’s goodwill.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Huo.”
Since it was the old man’s heartfelt gesture, she could only accept it and thank him sincerely.
Huo Jingnian stepped to her side and said warmly, “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
“Alright.” She didn’t decline.
Huo Jingnian drove the sisters back to the Qiao residence before leaving.
However, as soon as he returned home, Aunt Liu greeted him. “Young Master, Mr. Huo is waiting for you in the study.”
Huo Jingnian nodded lightly. “Understood.”
He walked to Huo Qingshan’s study and knocked on the door.
“Come in!”
Huo Qingshan looked at his son and, after a moment of silence, asked, “What did Weiwei talk to you about just now?”
“Discussing the wedding date.”
Hearing this, Huo Qingshan could no longer contain his anger. “Utter nonsense! Just to spite Jingchen, you’re willing to throw away your bright future.
“Do you hate your father that much?”
Huo Jingnian lifted his eyes calmly. “What do you think?”
Huo Qingshan frowned. “Are you still blaming me for sending you to your maternal grandmother’s house the year Jingchen was born?”
After a brief silence, Huo Jingnian said, “No.”
Huo Qingshan nodded. “Good. I’ll call Weiwei and explain.”
“Explain what?”
“That what you said earlier was only out of respect and protection for her. She’s smart she’ll understand.”
Huo Jingnian looked at him. “Dad, do you want outsiders to think the entire Huo family are people who go back on their word?”
Suppressing his temper, Huo Qingshan said, “You’re not unaware of the Qiao family’s situation.
“Even back then, letting Jingchen marry into the Qiao family was only out of respect for Grandpa. The Qiao family knew this too otherwise, would Qiao Zhiwei have invested so much effort in Jingchen all these years?
“Let alone now, when the Qiao family owes such a huge debt.
“And whatever the Huo family owes her doesn’t need you to repay it. I’ll find a way to fulfill her conditions as soon as possible.
“You should focus on your career. Also, your mother and I have arranged dinner with Madam Xia and Yinyin. You should go.”
Huo Jingnian fell silent for a moment. “Dad, you could take Jingchen instead. Between the Xia family and the He family, Jingchen knows how to choose.”
At those words, Huo Qingshan completely lost control and exploded. “You unfilial brat! Do you think your wings are hardened now, that you can speak sarcastically to your own father and brother?”
As his words fell, the door was pushed open, and a loud, commanding voice rang out.
“What are you trying to do?”