Huo Jingnian pressed his thin lips together and looked toward the two sisters. I will get you some persimmons.
Qiao Zhilan did not look at him and her tone was sharp. I do not like persimmons.
Qiao Zhiwei stood up. Grandfather Huo Lanlan and I should be going now.
Stay and have a meal with us.
I cannot I have other matters to attend to. No one here truly welcomed them and there was no point staying where they were not wanted.
Huo Jingnian rose to his feet. I will see you home.
He turned and left without looking back. Qiao Zhiwei offered an apologetic smile to Old Master Huo and Huo Jingnian then hurried to catch up with Qiao Zhilan. Huo Jingnian waited until her figure disappeared from sight before returning to his seat.
Old Master Huo gave him a stern look. You really are hopeless could you not have spoken differently? Jingchen would have handled this far better than you.
Oh so I do have ways where I fall short of my elder brother? Huo Jingchen’s voice carried a note of teasing.
Old Master Huo shook his head at the sight of him. Go on now do not bother your brother.
Huo Jingchen narrowed his eyes as he glanced at Huo Jingnian noticing how worn he looked. He let out a quiet tut and turned to leave.
When it was finally time for dinner the table was filled with guests. Huo Jingnian and Huo Jingchen did not appear.
Chen Qingmei said to Huo Jingli Go and call your elder brother.
She was about to stand when Old Master Huo stopped her. Leave him be missing one meal will not hurt him.
Chen Qingmei could not bear the thought of her son going hungry. Before Old Master Huo could say more she walked to Huo Jingchen’s study and called out Jingchen it is time to eat.
There was no response. She called again Everyone is waiting for you.
Still there was no answer. She was about to turn away when the door swung open. Huo Jingchen looked at her lazily. From the sound of it everyone would go hungry if I do not join you?
Must you always speak so carelessly?
Huo Jingchen stepped out into the hallway and replied casually I am being perfectly serious.
He took his seat greeted everyone politely and offered an apology. Forgive me I was caught up translating a magazine article and lost track of time.
Liu Shuyi studied him closely. Years had passed and he had grown into an exceptionally handsome and refined young man. His complexion was softer and clearer than her own daughter’s. Yet he seemed so unsteady and irresponsible. It appeared engagements had been broken off not once but twice.
Huo Jingchen felt her gaze and lifted the corner of his mouth in a faint smile. Is there something written on my face Aunt Liu that you are examining it so closely?
Liu Shuyi was stunned into silence.
Chen Qingmei tapped his hand with her chopsticks in embarrassment. What is wrong with a relative looking at you with concern? Watch how you speak to your elders.
Huo Jingchen pulled his hand away quickly. Only a moment ago Grandfather was praising me for being better at this than my elder brother.
Xia Yin smiled gently. Jingchen studied abroad so it is only natural that his way of speaking is a little different. Grandfather has excellent judgment and his praise is well deserved.
Her words pleased Chen Qingmei greatly. You are always so understanding Yin unlike the rest of this family who give me nothing but worry.
Huo Jingchen glanced at Xia Yin and understood immediately. She spoke and acted exactly the same way he did. In Qiao Zhiwei’s words she was nothing more than a scheming woman though not a particularly skilled one. She tried so hard to win Grandfather’s favor without seeming to yet she did not know him at all. Such flattery worked well on his parents but not on the old man himself. He judged people not by what they said but by who they were. If Qiao Zhiwei yawned while speaking to him he would simply say she worked so hard and was so tired yet still sat there politely to keep him company.
Seeing that Huo Jingchen offered no reply Xia Yin smiled and asked How is the translation coming along?
About halfway through. I will have Jingli deliver it to you tomorrow.
Do not skip meals just to finish the work Xia Yin said kindly. Take care of yourself.
Chen Qingmei was pleased by her concern. He will take whatever you say to heart Yin.
Liu Shuyi nodded in satisfaction.
Huo Jingchen said nothing and continued eating as if he had not heard a word.
After dinner Huo Jingli walked into the study with Xia Yin. Second Brother could you let Sister Xia Yin look over what you have translated so far?
If she understood the work well enough to check it she would not be paying me to do it Huo Jingchen replied without looking up. If there is nothing else do not distract me from my work.
Xia Yin’s face paled but she kept her composure. Do you have some grievance against me Jingchen?
I am simply stating facts yet you claim I hold a grudge Huo Jingchen closed the magazine he was reading and looked her directly in the eye. You want to win Grandfather’s approval and you want Huo Jingnian. Then fight for them yourself. Do not try to use others to get what you want. In this family only Jingli is foolish enough to fall into your schemes. Neither of my parents are blind they each have their own interests at heart. And let me make this clear Qiao Zhiwei is my former fiancée she is not my enemy. I will never join anyone in making her feel unwelcome or ashamed. Do not waste your time trying to turn me against her.
Have you lost your mind speaking to her like that? Huo Jingli swept books and a pen holder from his desk onto the floor.
Xia Yin steadied herself and pulled Huo Jingli back. That is enough Li it is my fault. I will not trouble him again.
She turned to Huo Jingchen. We have barely spoken and hardly know one another so I do not understand where these suspicions come from. I am a guest in this house so I will say nothing more. Good evening.
She left the room.
How could you speak to her like that? Huo Jingli demanded. It was uncalled for and rude.
Huo Jingchen looked at her and smiled. I have explained everything clearly yet you still think I am being unreasonable. You are the kind of person who would be sold and still count the money for the buyer. What do you think Huo Jingnian would do if he learned who started all those rumors?
I am not that stupid! I did not go around spreading them on purpose. Even if I said nothing people would still talk.
Who would talk? Xia Yin? Huo Jingchen paused and added You are not nearly as clever as you think you are. The truth is obvious. Have you never heard the saying the speaker may not mean it but the listener will? No rumor spreads faster or sounds more believable than one shared by someone inside the family.
He had been thinking about the phone call from Zhou Yu who had told him about seeing Huo Jingli and Xia Yin at the photography studio and how the misunderstanding over the photographs had come about. He had asked Why are you telling me all this?
Zhou Yu had replied Because I did not want you to misunderstand me the way Miss Yin does.
Huo Jingchen knew how deeply Xia Yin cared for Huo Jingnian and he never believed she would give up so easily. Now it seemed he had been right. He did not care for Huo Jingnian’s affairs but if she intended to drag him into them he would not stand idly by.
Huo Jingli grew angry and said Xia Yin is intelligent and sensitive. It is only natural that she would notice things. She has done nothing to hide her feelings. Unlike Qiao Zhiwei who seems to have nothing but schemes in her head.