Father Huo fell silent. Before this moment Qiao Zhiwei had not really known Huo Jingnian. She had not expected him to speak with such sharp precision and not a single wasted word.
It was only natural that she knew so little. She had met him exactly three times. The first was when Old Master Huo was recovering from injury. He had been fourteen then and she had been only twelve.
The second time was at Old Master Huo’s birthday banquet when the formal betrothal between the Qiao and Huo families was arranged. Old Master Huo had smiled and asked her “I hear you are a girl who knows her own mind. If you have no objection to this match you may choose between Jingchen and Jingnian.”
She had been sixteen then. Jingchen was fifteen and he was eighteen. Jingchen had always been gentle and obedient around her. He had never shown any sign of the rebelliousness common to boys his age. He had sat there smiling at her the very picture of a refined and quiet young man.
Huo Jingnian had sat upright and proper beside him. His bearing was straight and his features handsome. He had worn no expression yet his presence was like that of a young military officer stepped straight from an oil painting.
In appearance and temperament both were outstanding yet Huo Jingnian stood above the rest. But he had been too cold and Qiao Zhiwei had not liked that. Besides she had not truly been only sixteen years old. Huo Jingnian at eighteen had already gained admission to the nation’s top military academy. He was talented capable and highly favoured the heir Old Master Huo had groomed and kept always at his side. He was destined for high office and his future wife would never be an ordinary girl.
Old Master Huo had offered her the choice as a courtesy and she had been sensible enough not to pick Huo Jingnian.
The third time was when he was twenty. The Huo family had held a banquet and several young women had openly competed for his attention causing a most unpleasant scene. When word was brought to him Huo Jingnian had remained entirely aloof as though the affair had nothing whatsoever to do with him.
Back then Qiao Zhiwei had congratulated herself on choosing Jingchen. She had told herself that she would have been subjected to such humiliations constantly had she chosen otherwise. Now however it seemed she had understood too soon. Jingchen would never have made her suffer until he did and then he made her wish she were dead.
With that thought she spoke calmly “Very well then let us settle the accounts. Since Jingchen has found a better match I shall step aside.”
Huo Jingnian glanced at her but said nothing. Father Huo let out a breath of relief.
Qiao Zhiwei continued “All of Jingchen’s expenses during his four years of study abroad were met by my family. The total comes to thirty thousand. If Uncle and Aunt believe I have invented this I have kept the receipts and may show them to you.”
At the mention of such a large sum Huo’s wife nearly fainted “He was only studying not building a factory or investing in business. How could he have spent so much?”
Her words carried more than one meaning. Huo Jingli also looked alarmed “Do not make things up! Even if he had feasted on delicacies and dressed in silks every day he could not have spent so much.”
Qiao Zhiwei smiled “Your brother was in Country E. Developed nations have a very different cost of living from our own. He needed to broaden his horizons and seek instruction from renowned masters. Which of those comes free of charge? Do you truly believe he achieved all that he has through hard work alone? That he could return home so young and take up a teaching post at a leading university?”
Father Huo’s hand trembled “Zhiwei your family was never one to count every penny. Besides Jingchen and I have no intention of abandoning you. There is no need to be so difficult.”
Qiao Zhiwei replied “That is very well said Uncle Huo. I too wish to remain on good terms. If you expect me to overlook all that has happened will you in turn overlook the twelve thousand my family owes outside? May we not remain as we always have?”
Madam Huo was displeased but with Huo Jingnian present she held her tongue and tried instead to soothe matters “Let us not speak of such upsetting things now. We shall wait for the Old Master to return and decide. Dinner will be served soon and Jingchen will be back shortly. Zhiwei if you have grievances speak with him then.”
Qiao Zhiwei said no more. Madam Huo hurried upstairs entered Jingchen’s study and made a telephone call. When her son answered she asked quickly “Jingchen how do matters stand with your appointment?”
“Everything is proceeding smoothly.”
“Your brother has returned and has brought the Qiao sisters with him. Zhiwei is sitting downstairs in the sitting room and demanding an accounting. She says she sent you thirty thousand yuan during your studies.”
Huo Jingchen frowned “She would bring that up now?”
“Did she send it or did she not?”
Instead of answering directly Jingchen said “Wait for me. I am coming home now.”
“Speak gently to her and calm her down.”
“I understand.” Jingchen hung up and returned shortly. He stepped into the hall saw his parents and asked immediately “Where is Zhiwei?”
His mother looked unhappy “Your brother has had her shown to the guest room to rest.”
His father glared at him “Go and speak with her at once. Your grandfather will be home in half an hour.”
Jingchen nodded and knocked at the guest room door. Qiao Zhiwei said “Come in.”
He entered and looked at her. She appeared thinner and more worn than when he had last seen her scarcely two weeks before. She ignored him and sat reading at the table. He met Qiao Zhilan’s fierce glare and smiled “Zhilan I have a few words to say to your sister alone. Would you walk in the garden for a while?”
“What will you say to upset her now? I warn you Huo Jingchen…”
“It is all right Zhilan please go out.” Qiao Zhiwei said softly. This was still the Huo family home. No matter how just their cause they were guests under another’s roof. Zhilan shot him a hateful look and left.
Jingchen sat down opposite her still wearing that familiar guise of the gentle younger brother “Zhiwei-jie are you angry?”
“Of course I am. You broke your word and then you struck me when I was down. You sent He Gang to humiliate me.”
“What is wrong with He Gang? He is the only one who can settle your debt.”
Qiao Zhiwei burned with anger “You shameless creature.”
Jingchen did not take offence “Zhiwei-jie that debt is twelve thousand. Who else can bear such a sum? I know you do not like He Gang but what marriage is based on affection? I have put aside my own feelings for the sake of my future. Cannot you do the same and marry someone who can help you?”
Qiao Zhiwei stared at him and gave a short bitter laugh. He had been abroad and seen the world yet he had been frightened by a sum of money. He did not know that she had managed her family’s chemical plant alongside her father from the very beginning. If he truly knew what she was capable of she would never have seen his true nature revealed so clearly. He was a master of pretence.
Jingchen took her silence for hesitation “You know what they say a forced fruit is never sweet. Even Grandfather will not change things. If you cannot abide He Gang what of the plan Father proposed?”
Qiao Zhiwei said coldly “Keep your rotten fruit. I would not accept you now even if you were sliced and served to me.”
Jingchen remained as smooth and unruffled as ever though his mind was full of schemes “Very well then. I shall do whatever you wish so long as you do not hold me responsible for that debt. I have only just taken up my post. Even once I begin earning my salary will be scarcely two hundred a month. To demand repayment now is merely to make things difficult. Do you hope to force me to marry you?”
He rested his chin in one hand and looked at her with a playful sparkle in his eyes his tone almost wheedling. Qiao Zhiwei looked at him and felt only pity. He was perfectly suited to this kind of life. He had thick skin he could bend and he could be utterly faithless and yet feel entirely righteous about it.
“Do not flatter yourself.” She said “From the moment you decided to marry He Manman I ceased to have any such wish.”
He raised an eyebrow “You have cast me aside so quickly and completely. It seems you never cared for me as much as you claimed.”
He spoke without shifting his gaze his eyes still fixed upon her face. Qiao Zhiwei gave him a cold look “We are much the same you and I.” Then she added “Huo Jingchen please do not speak to me in that tone from now on.”
He merely lowered his hand sat up straight and smoothed his clothing. He was wearing a long tunic and every movement was deliberate and polished “Why should I change?”
“Because He Manman might misunderstand and I would not wish to cause trouble. I suggest you break the habit now.”
Jingchen laughed “Why would she misunderstand? Circumstances have changed between us it is true yet you have done so much for me and helped me along my path. I shall always treat you with the respect you deserve.” Just as he had always done he would never speak sharply or show anger in her presence.
“So you do have some sense of decency.”
“I am not entirely without wits.”
Qiao Zhiwei could not quite describe what she felt. Jingchen was exceptionally good at winning people over even now. But she had lived a lifetime already and was not ruled by sentiment “Whether you are or not I shall lay the full account before Grandfather.”
Jingchen remained unperturbed “Grandfather holds high rank but he has always served with clean hands. The Huo family does not have that kind of money.” He paused and then added “Though it is not entirely hopeless.”
“I care nothing for hope. If the He family presses for payment I shall look to the Huo family.”
His eyes glinted “I could persuade the He family to hold off for a time. But what of your other creditors?”
“If others press I shall come here. My family owes the He family twenty thousand but you owe me thirty thousand.”
He shook his head gently “You are being very cruel.”
“You are no different.”
“Everyone seeks what is best for themselves.” He said “Had your family remained prosperous I would never have married anyone else no matter who asked. Blame your father for being too rash. He has brought ruin upon us all.”
Qiao Zhiwei had never met anyone who could make self-serving baseness sound so noble. She smiled to herself “You bring nothing but shame upon this family. Do not call me Zhiwei-jie from now on. Address me as Miss Qiao.”
He looked at her face “You must be regretting ever having chosen me. You must be asking yourself how you could have been so blind.”
“You imagine too much.”
“I have been spoken to harshly all my life by Grandfather and by Father.” He said “I have lost face many times already. One more occasion will not destroy me. If Miss Qiao is determined I shall not stand in your way.”
His voice gave nothing away and for the first time Qiao Zhiwei saw a side of him she had never known. But it did not matter. She no longer cared whether he was angry or not.
He stood up “I shall leave now. If you change your mind you know where to find me.”
“I have nothing to reconsider.”
He paused “The Huo family has no money but my maternal grandfather’s family does. You could weep before Grandfather perhaps. He might be moved to ask Jingnian to provide it.”
“You are utterly shameless!”
Jingchen laughed “Is that not a little severe? I may lack principle but I am not without all decency. Were I truly so I would simply deny the debt. Remittance slips are not legal contracts. I could explain those funds away in any number of ways. I might be criticised morally but I could not be compelled by law. And everything I have suggested the marriage to He Gang sending you away from the capital has been intended to help you find a solution.”
“Get out.” She burst out “You heartless ungrateful man.”
He did not argue and left quietly. Once he had gone the room fell silent again. Qiao Zhiwei sat at the table planning her approach with Old Master Huo. The door opened letting in bright light and then closed again. Qiao Zhilan looked at her sister with concern “What did that scoundrel say to you?”
“He asked me not to demand the thirty thousand.”
Zhilan’s face burned with indignation “What a hypocrite. A greedy opportunist through and through. How could we have been so blind…” She stopped and apologised quickly “I do not mean you made a bad choice sister. It is impossible to know what is in a person’s heart. And he did have a most convincing appearance of virtue. I am only worried about you. I do not see how we can ever recover that money given the Huo family’s circumstances.”
Qiao Zhiwei smiled “Do not worry. I have a plan. He wishes to marry me to He Gang to be rid of me and to prove his loyalty to He Manman. Very well then I shall turn that to my advantage. I shall hold the debt over him and oblige him to keep the He family in check. If He Manman wants a permanent solution she may well persuade the He family to settle the thirty thousand themselves. It will take time and patience but we shall manage. For now we must keep things steady. Everything will improve in time.”
Zhilan looked at her sister with renewed hope “I knew you would find a way.”
At that moment they heard Aunt Liu at the door “Ladies Old Master Huo has returned.” Both sisters stood up at once.
Qiao Zhiwei whispered “Zhilan no matter what is said however unfair you must keep your temper. Look as though you have suffered deeply and say nothing.”
She adjusted her expression “Like this?”
Zhilan smiled “I could never look so pitiable. I shall simply keep quiet.” Then she added “But you do look truly sorrowful. Grandfather will be deeply moved. He has always been fondest of you.”
Qiao Zhiwei composed her face “Come then. Let us go.”