Old Master Huo appeared in the doorway. Huo Qingshan froze. “Father I thought you had gone out on business.”
“I came to see my eldest grandson before I left.” Old Master Huo said. “Instead I find you shouting at him like this. Who would dare speak to him so anywhere else? You took no interest in raising him when he needed you. Now that he does not need you you suddenly decide to interfere?”
“Father how can you say that?” Huo Qingshan protested. “I have only his best interests at heart. The Xia family have long favoured him. Xia Yin is an excellent girl and truly devoted to him. Jingnian has been stationed away and advancing in his career so we did not speak of it but everyone understood it was settled. Then he goes and does something so foolish purely out of pique with Jingchen. Could I not be angry?”
Huo Jingnian rose and offered his seat. Old Master Huo sat down and spoke firmly. “Jingnian is not Jingchen and he is not you. His future does not depend on any woman. Besides your taste in wives is so poor you ought not meddle in his affairs.”
Huo Qingshan stared at him in disbelief. “What is wrong with my judgement?”
“Zhiwei is far more beautiful than Xia Yin. If you cannot see such an obvious difference then your judgement is indeed poor.”
Huo Qingshan was struck silent. It was true. “But Father you taught me differently. You said a wife should be chosen not only for character but also for family standing.”
Old Master Huo smiled. “I did. Yet you did not listen. You chose Jingnian’s mother for her wealth and beauty.”
“Father please do not say such things before them.” He still had his pride.
“Enough.” Old Master Huo said. “Fortunately you did choose well. Jingnian has inherited his mother’s beauty and advantage. Otherwise we should have only Jingchen who is handsome yet lives on others favours.”
“The Qiao family is ruined.” Huo Qingshan insisted. “Zhiwei has nothing left but her looks.”
Old Master Huo laughed. “That is all she needs with Jingnian. He has wealth and position enough for both. Jingchen is a different matter. And Zhiwei is far more than just a pretty face.”
Huo Qingshan felt his patience fraying. “Father I am speaking seriously.”
“Do I look as though I jest?”
“I will not have him marry her.” Huo Qingshan said helplessly.
Old Master Huo stood up. “I am still here and you do not decide this.” He turned to Huo Jingnian. “Come we shall write the application together.”
Huo Jingnian followed him out. Huo Qingshan remained seated and sighed deeply. Chen Qingmei entered. Seeing him dejected she knew the matter was lost. She was secretly pleased but pretended to comfort him. “He is a grown man now. He has his own mind. Zhiwei is not foolish. She sees this marriage as protection nothing more. Her heart is still with Jingchen. She would not bear seeing him married to another and living nearby. It will not last.”
Huo Qingshan had not considered this. “Could she turn the brothers against each other?” He dreaded the scandal.
Chen Qingmei smiled. “You do not know your own sons. Jingchen has always been her whole world yet she would let him go. Jingnian is acting out of hurt and seeking your attention. You have neglected him all these years. The more you oppose him the more determined he will be.”
Huo Qingshan remained uneasy. “Military marriage is not easily dissolved.”
“Not easily but not impossible.” She soothed. “He would remain a highly eligible match. And there is always Jingchen for the Xia family.”
“Jingchen?” Huo Qingshan frowned.
“Why not?” She said. “He is betrothed to the He family only because he felt he had no choice. He has no real affection there. The Xia family would be proud to have him.”
“They would never agree.”
“Jingchen is brilliant and handsome. There is no finer match in the capital. Xia Yin turned to Jingnian only because he was already spoken for. She would never compete with another girl.”
Huo Qingshan gave her a sharp look. “The Qiao family were never capitalists. They gave generously to the war effort.”
“That is just a name.” She dismissed. “They have left nothing but debt and disgrace. Where is the patriotism in that?” Seeing him silent she continued. “Jingnian will not suffer. His maternal family and we shall all support him. He can afford to be generous. Jingchen has no one but you.”
Huo Qingshan felt somewhat reassured. “Very well. Make the necessary arrangements.”
“It shall be my pleasure.” She said dutifully.
“See that it is done properly.” He added.
“I shall.” She said. “I only hope Zhiwei proves worthy.”
Meanwhile Qiao Zhiwei and Qiao Zhilan had finished their evening meal and retired exhausted. They now shared a room since the creditors began coming. Zhilan could not sleep. She turned to her sister. “Do you truly mean to marry Jingnian? Will the Huo family change their minds?”
Zhiwei smiled. “They would pay a price if they do. I believe Jingnian will stand by his word.”
“I hope so.” Zhilan said. “But we still have debts. We have only the five thousand from Grandfather Huo and that must pay for the wedding too.”
“If they will give us time we shall repay everything.” Zhiwei said. “And we need no grand feast we have no guests left to invite.”
“Together we shall manage.” Zhilan agreed.
“Sleep now.” Zhiwei said. “We have much to do tomorrow.”
Early next morning as they opened the door they found a group of creditors waiting. He Gang stood at the front. Zhiwei looked at him coldly. “Did you not go to the police station yesterday?”
He Gang grinned. “Why wish me in trouble? Who would trust you to repay anything then?”
“Have you paid on our behalf?” She knew he could not have done.
“Marry me and the He family stands behind you.” He said turning to the others. “Would we let the debt be lost?”
“No we trust the He family.”
“There are other girls.” Zhiwei reasoned. “Why fix on me?”
“I have set my heart on you.” He said. The men behind laughed and jeered. “No other man in the capital would be so devoted.” “Marry him and he may forgive the debt.” “How long should we wait on two girls?”
Zhilan clenched her fists. “You have no right to speak so. We shall pay.”
“She has spirit.” One man sneered. “If not money then the daughters may serve as payment.”
“You speak as though we lived in the old days.” Zhiwei said calmly. She was no longer afraid.
“Debt is owed in any age.” The man retorted angrily.
“We do not refuse payment.” Zhilan said loudly. “We only ask for time.”
Just then the gate opened again. It was their uncle Qiao Luwen. He had not shown himself since the creditors came. Their cousin Qiao Xiaowan followed. He Gang welcomed him. “Uncle Qiao.”
Qiao Luwen nodded and addressed the crowd. “Please go home. I shall speak with them and we shall settle everything.”
Zhilan looked at him with contempt remembering his public notice disowning them. “By what authority do you speak?”
“Is that how you speak to an elder?” He chided. “Times are hard. We are still family. That notice was only for show.”
Xiaowan stepped forward. “Father has been so worried about you both. He has not slept or eaten properly.”
“Why come now?” Zhiwei asked.
Qiao Luwen looked embarrassed. “Let us go inside. It is not proper for strangers to hear.”
“Did He Gang promise you something?” Zhiwei asked directly.
He was caught off guard. “I do this for your own good. With the He family as surety they will not press so hard.”
Zhiwei smiled. “Is not the Huo family better surety?”
Xiaowan looked at her as if she were foolish. “A promise is only words. But as He Gang’s wife you would be one of them. How can they compare?”
Zhiwei drew a breath. “Then what if I were to marry into the Huo family?” She was grateful indeed she had accepted Huo Jingnian.
He Gang laughed as if she had said something ridiculous. “Do not be foolish Zhiwei. You are a burden no one else would take.”
Xiaowan nodded eagerly. “Jingchen is betrothed to Manman. You must not cling to him still.”
“Have you been promised a position as accountant in the He family factory?” Zhiwei asked.
Xiaowan looked flustered. “I speak for your own good not my job. Jingchen will never marry you.”
Zhiwei’s heart sank. Her father had always been kind to this cousin. She had been given every advantage. Yet now she stood against them. “Who said anything about Jingchen?”
“Who else is there?”
Zhilan spoke up loudly. “She is marrying Huo Jingnian.”
The crowd fell silent and looked at each other. Xiaowan stared in disbelief. “Are you mad? He is far above your station. Even Xia Yin does not presume.”
He Gang stepped closer. “You say anything to escape me do you not Zhiwei? I have been patient. I have brought your uncle to reason with you. All I ask is that you marry me and the debt is settled.”
Zhilan faced him. “You want our house and my sister. You fear Jingnian that is all.”
He Gang flushed with anger and stepped threateningly forward. “I hope you speak the truth Zhiwei. Or next time I shall not be so polite.”
“What did you mean by that?”
A cold voice came from the gate. Huo Jingchen stood there tall and imposing. He walked in and took his place behind Qiao Zhiwei.