Grandma Huo noticed Jiang Si listening attentively, so she took the opportunity to recount all the affairs of the Huo Family's various branches.
Time flew by as they chatted, and before they knew it, the sky had grown considerably darker.
Seeing that Mother Huo hadn’t returned after over an hour outside, Jiang Si excused herself from the elders and headed toward the residential compound’s entrance.
From a distance, Jiang Si spotted Aunt Huo clutching her chest, shouting agitatedly, with Mother Huo standing beside her.
Strangely, a man in a navy-blue work uniform stood to Aunt Huo’s right.
His back was turned, so Jiang Si couldn’t see his face immediately, but she estimated from his height that he wasn’t Father Huo.
Father Huo stood around 182 cm tall, while this man was only slightly taller than Mother Huo, who was 170 cm—at most 173 cm.
Just then, a military truck roared past Jiang Si from behind.
Likely to avoid hitting anyone, the truck honked twice and flashed its headlights.
Not just Jiang Si, but the group ahead instinctively moved closer to the roadside at the commotion.
It was then that the man glanced back slightly.
A single look, and Jiang Si froze.
Though she only caught a glimpse—a mere two or three seconds—his side profile was uncannily familiar…
Snapping out of her daze, Jiang Si hurried forward.
But it was too late. The man had already helped Aunt Huo into a three-wheeled taxi.
Mother Huo turned and saw her daughter-in-law, her previously gloomy mood visibly lifting.
By late October, the Capital City was quite chilly, with a significant temperature drop between day and night.
Noticing Jiang Si’s light clothing, Mother Huo quickly pulled her toward home.
"Let’s hurry back," she urged.
Jiang Si nodded. "Mom, who was that man just now?"
Mother Huo didn’t hide it. "Your aunt’s husband."
So it was him!
The answer didn’t surprise Jiang Si.
But as the old man had once said, in this era where personal sacrifice was expected and dedication was the norm, most people wouldn’t dare take time off unless seriously ill.
For a couple to take several days off in a row was truly unusual.
Could he also be here for the family division?
Jiang Si’s guess was spot on. After dinner, Mother Huo revealed that Aunt Huo and her husband had come to the Capital City precisely for this matter.
Aunt Huo’s husband, Yang Zhiqi, worked with her at the Lang City Steel Plant.
Back then, Father Huo and Mother Huo had pulled countless strings to secure their jobs, even footing the entire cost.
Not just that—Mother Huo had personally prepared dowries for their daughters when they married.
Yet despite all this, Mother Huo still carried a deep guilt over the past.
"Zhiqi came too?"
The news left Grandma Huo stunned for a long moment before she spoke.
"They haven’t visited in years. Last time, during Lao Si’s wedding, only Li Hua showed up. Why are they here now?"
"Why else? For the family division," Mother Huo said bitterly, her emotions flaring again.
"Li Hua said she opposes splitting the family. If it must happen, she demands sixty percent of the savings go to Tingtao—and worse…"
She couldn’t bring herself to repeat the rest until the old man insisted.
"She said the deed to this house belongs to you and Mom, and it must be left to Tingtao."
The old man scoffed. "They’ve got some nerve."
Father Huo quickly tried to soothe them. "Don’t let it upset you. They can say whatever they want, but the final decision is ours."
"This time won’t be so easy," Mother Huo countered. "They’ve taken half a month off. They’re clearly digging in for a fight."
Sure enough, Dong Lihua arrived before nine the next morning.
But no matter how much she ranted, Mother Huo refused to budge.
The argument grew so loud it gave Jiang Si a headache, driving her downstairs.
Before the outburst, Jiang Si had sympathized with Aunt Huo’s plight.
But now, she saw only entitlement.
If that was the case, there was no need to spare her feelings.
Jiang Si went straight for the jugular:
"Auntie, Mom won’t agree to your terms, and honestly? It’s all your fault."
Dong Lihua was baffled. "My fault? How?"
"Exactly—how is it your business?" Jiang Si arched a brow. "This is the Huo Family’s matter. You’re a Dong. Why are you meddling? What does this have to do with the Yang or Dong families? Why are you speaking for the eldest branch?"
"Of course it concerns me! Tingtao’s affairs are mine."
Jiang Si feigned shock. "Goodness, Auntie, anyone would think Tingtao was your own son!"
Her eyes locked onto Dong Lihua, scrutinizing every microexpression.
But the reaction disappointed her.
Dong Lihua remained unfazed.
"Even if he’s not my blood, you’d grow attached to a dog after seven years, let alone a child! I raised him—he called me ‘Mom’ for seven years. Isn’t it natural I’d care for him?"
She turned to Mother Huo.
"Sister-in-law, my stance hasn’t changed. If not for you, my son wouldn’t be lost. I ask for nothing else—just give Tingtao what’s owed. This is your debt to me."
The words made Jiang Si’s skin crawl.
Frankly, she pitied Mother Huo. How had she endured this without snapping?
Jiang Si certainly couldn’t.
"You keep saying the Huo Family owes you. But what about what you owe them?"
"You grew up in this house! They fed you, educated you, found you work! Without them, how many lives would you have had to survive?"
"Have you ever once thanked them?"
"Clearly not. If you had, you wouldn’t keep twisting the knife."
Jiang Si knew the elders couldn’t say these things—so she became their voice.
"You blame the Huo Family for losing your son, resent them endlessly. If you truly meant it, you’d cut ties for good."
"But no—you whine about grievances while pocketing every compensation!"
Jiang Si snorted coldly, "Is this really about blame? Or are you just using it as an excuse to achieve your own goals?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Dong Lihua's face turned livid with anger.
"What nonsense? Go ask anyone on the street—if a child goes missing, shouldn’t the first person you blame be Eldest Brother?"
"If it weren’t for Eldest Brother, your child wouldn’t have been lost."
"Think carefully—am I wrong?"
Jiang Si didn’t care whether her provocation had any effect. As long as she’d said it, she felt satisfied.
And it wasn’t just her. The others in the living room also felt the weight in their chests finally lift, as if a knot had been untied—even their grievances seemed to melt away.
Having said her piece, Jiang Si still had other matters on her mind. With a yawn, she headed upstairs.
But the moment her bedroom door closed, her eyes instantly sharpened, all traces of her earlier willful and unreasonable demeanor gone.
After a few seconds of contemplation, Jiang Si took out drawing paper and a brush.
For the rest of the day, she didn’t leave her room. By evening, she had finally sketched out a portrait that perfectly aligned with the laws of genetics.
Holding the drawing, she went back downstairs.
"Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma—take a look. Does this person seem familiar to you—?"
