The matter of dividing the family property had been discussed earlier, so Mother Huo didn’t beat around the bush.
Once they reached downstairs, she asked Father Huo to gather all the family members in the living room.
"We’ve been talking about dividing the family property for a while, but it was delayed because of all the trouble caused by the Yang family," she said.
"Now that the issue is resolved, and since all of you are free today, I’ve decided to settle the division on your behalf."
When everyone remained standing silently, Mother Huo asked, "What’s the matter?"
The family members exchanged glances, and finally, Second Brother Huo spoke on behalf of everyone.
"Mom, we still haven’t heard anything about Eldest Brother. Shouldn’t we wait a little longer before dividing the property?"
Eldest Brother had been abandoned at an orphanage by that despicable man when he was just a child. Whether he was alive or dead, whether he was living well or not—no one knew.
If they divided the family now, it would leave a bitter taste in everyone’s hearts.
But Mother Huo’s next words left them both shocked and overjoyed.
"There’s no need to wait. Your Eldest Brother won’t be returning to Capital City for now, but his share will be kept for him until he comes back."
It took them a long moment to process her words. "Mom, are you saying Eldest Brother—"
"That’s right. Your Eldest Brother is alive."
Mother Huo wasn’t entirely clear about what had happened, so Father Huo explained the details to everyone.
Back then, after Yang Zhiqi had switched the babies, he had planned to abandon the real Eldest Brother Huo.
But Dong Lihua had kept both children by her side day and night ever since she recovered from childbirth, leaving him no opportunity.
As time dragged on, the child grew older.
According to Yang Zhiqiang’s confession, he had initially considered keeping the boy.
On one hand, the switch had already been made, and Eldest Brother Huo was now their nominal son.
If raised properly, he could eventually support them in their old age.
On the other hand, Eldest Brother Huo had been an exceptionally well-behaved child.
Even at just three years old, if he had any food in his hands, he would always offer it to his parents first.
But a casual remark from a neighbor made Yang Zhiqiang change his mind and decide to send the child away.
It was then that he realized the two boys were starting to look more and more alike.
Especially when standing beside him—anyone paying attention would notice that Huo Tingtao’s facial features and bone structure bore a striking resemblance to his own.
At first, Yang Zhiqiang had even considered killing the boy.
But whether it was because he had developed some attachment after raising him or because he feared the consequences of taking a life, he changed his mind at the last moment.
What happened next was already known to everyone—he abandoned Eldest Brother Huo at the gates of an orphanage in Capital City.
After confirming Eldest Brother Huo’s whereabouts, Father Huo immediately contacted Dean Qi of the orphanage.
Though nearly thirty years had passed, Dean Qi still remembered Eldest Brother Huo vividly.
The reason Dean Qi recalled him so clearly was that, in those days, most children abandoned at their orphanage were either sick or had physical or mental disabilities.
A child like Eldest Brother Huo—healthy, bright, and exceptionally well-behaved—was a rare find.
Because of this, almost every family who came to the orphanage hoping to adopt a child had set their sights on him.
At that time, Eldest Brother Huo had already been at their orphanage for over a year. The four-year-old child had begun to develop a faint awareness of his own.
So Dean Qi left the choice to Eldest Brother Huo.
Perhaps it was fate, but among the crowd, Eldest Brother Huo chose a middle-aged couple.
The husband was also a soldier who had been injured in battle, leaving him unable to have children, which was why the couple decided to adopt.
Afterward, Eldest Brother Huo followed them back to their hometown in Xinjiang Province.
Fortunately, in those days, travel required an introduction letter. With the couple’s exact contact address in hand, Father Huo immediately reached out to the head of the Xinjiang military district.
Huo's fourth uncle also played his part by contacting the local police station where the couple was registered.
Thanks to the efforts of all parties involved, good news finally arrived from Xinjiang the afternoon before last.
The local police had successfully contacted Eldest Brother Huo’s adoptive parents!
Father Huo had initially been worried that the adoptive parents might resist the idea.
After all, they had raised the child for over twenty years. Suddenly, someone appeared out of nowhere claiming to reclaim him.
Who would willingly accept that?
To his surprise, after learning the full story, the adoptive parents immediately informed Eldest Brother Huo and even proactively contacted Father Huo.
Over the phone, the adoptive parents said, "You didn’t abandon him intentionally. If it were our child who went missing, we’d spare no effort to find him too."
"We may not be his birth parents, but we share the same goal—as long as he’s happy, we have no objections."
They then shared some details about Eldest Brother Huo’s life with Father Huo.
Father Huo relayed, "Your eldest brother is now called Lu Zhankai. He currently serves as the battalion commander of the 59th Tank Battalion under the Fourth Armored Regiment in Xinjiang."
"He got married five years ago. Your sister-in-law, Fang Yuan, was an educated youth who went to Xinjiang to support its development."
"The year after their wedding, they had a son, and last year, they welcomed a daughter."
"..."
Hearing that their eldest brother had not only grown up safely but had also built a family and career in Xinjiang, the entire Huo family was moved to tears.
Grandpa Huo and Grandma Huo cried until their eyes were as red as a rabbit’s.
"Mom, Dad, this is good news. No more tears, alright?"
After comforting her in-laws, Mother Huo wiped her own tears and quickly called for everyone to settle down.
"Alright, your eldest brother is doing well. Once he finishes his training, he’ll reach out to us."
"Dry your tears. After we finish dividing the family assets, let’s go out for a meal."
"Your father’s treating today, so eat to your heart’s content—don’t hold back on his account."
Father Huo’s eyes, already stinging with emotion, now threatened to spill fresh tears for a different reason.
He had painstakingly saved up less than twenty yuan in secret over half a year—wasn’t life hard enough?
Like father, like sons.
Second Brother Huo and the fourth son took one look at Father Huo and knew their old man was strapped for cash.
But their own situations weren’t much better.
What little they had saved came from trading cigarette coupons at work.
After a quick discussion, the brothers each chipped in ten yuan to support their father.
Seeing this, Jiang Si quietly added another ten on behalf of Huo Tingzhou.
The commotion caused by the group wasn’t exactly loud, but it wasn’t quiet either.
Mother Huo couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle when she saw it, quickly pressing a hand to the wrinkles at the corner of her eye.
“Alright, alright, everyone sit down now.”
“Got it, Mom~~”
The group nodded obediently and took their seats on the sofa across from Mother Huo.
Without wasting time, she spread open the account book.
