Knowing he could get in.
Old Master Huo finally breathed a sigh of relief deep down. He understood that bowing to someone so much younger—almost a generation below him—would surely invite ridicule and gossip.
But it had to be this way!
Only then could he truly show his sincerity.
Back in his days of hard work, he had done all sorts of embarrassing things.
Face and pride were just useless things to eat or drink, accumulated over so many years.
Now was the time to pay them off!
As he stepped into the mansion, Old Master Huo felt even more at ease. Though he didn’t recognize the place, its style was unmistakable—luxurious decorations that clearly weren’t cheap. At a glance, there were even bodyguard-like figures around... All signs pointed to Su Ning’s formidable strength.
“Watch your step.”
With that warning, the door opened.
The moment Su Ning saw Old Master Huo, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.
Sure, his hair was white.
He looked old, no doubt about that.
But his complexion was rosy, his limbs strong—he looked like he could live another twenty years easily. So why was he leaning on a cane?
Of course, being polite, Su Ning wouldn’t ask such a blunt question.
So she casually commented on how nice the cane looked, then naturally asked about it.
But clearly, others didn’t understand her genuine curiosity.
The atmosphere instantly tensed.
Countless eyes, both overt and covert, fixed on Old Master Huo. Yet his expression didn’t change in the slightest.
He even smiled as he began to explain about the cane.
Then he sighed:
“Miss Su, you’re young. You probably don’t realize that people my age may look energetic on the outside, but in reality, we’re prone to little ailments and lack the energy. This makes it easy for those beneath us to be insincere—just like what happened last time, and even today.”
“I truly wanted to clear up the misunderstanding with you, Miss Su. But I didn’t expect that fool Huo Xiang, so reckless and ignorant, would offend you all because of a woman.”
As he spoke, he looked at Su Ning sincerely:
“That’s why, once I heard the news, I couldn’t wait and came here unannounced—just to apologize. As for Huo Xiang, I leave him in your hands.”
Anyone hearing this would feel the genuine sincerity in his words.
Su Ning’s expression remained calm and indifferent.
“So that’s how it is. I thought the Huo family was just looking down on me, trying to size me up.”
“Not at all.”
Seeing the people in the room and thinking about the industries they represented, Old Master Huo now had a clearer, more concrete understanding of Su Ning’s importance.
Therefore,
His dissatisfaction with Huo Xiang—still nowhere to be seen—grew even stronger, almost turning into hatred.
Who does he think he is?
Lucky to have been taken in by the Huo family, raised in comfort and given the best education, yet he doesn’t think about repaying it. Instead, he dares to stir up trouble under the Huo name.
Who does he think he is?
Thinking about his real grandson—whether alive or dead, and if alive, how much suffering he must have endured—
Old Master Huo’s heart felt like it was being rubbed raw by sandpaper—aching and itching at the same time.
This was also why, no matter how filial or outstanding Huo Xiang was, he just couldn’t bring himself to like him.
Listening to Old Master Huo’s explanation,
Su Ning thought:
It could all be summed up in one sentence—It’s all Huo Xiang’s fault. Nothing to do with the Huo family or with him!
Such a cold, heartless attitude.
But
She liked it.
Su Ning’s expression softened considerably, and finally, she nodded. “I’m not unreasonable. Every injustice has its culprit and every debt its debtor. Rest assured, since this is solely Huo Xiang’s problem, I won’t take it out on you or the Huo family.”
That meant only one thing: go after Huo Xiang.
Without the backing of the Huo family, it was obvious he stood no chance against Su Ning.
Old Master Huo didn’t even bat an eye.
Just as he wished.
What he had said earlier was sincere. As one grows old, it’s easy to be surrounded by sycophants. Both inside and outside the family, people treated him like he was on his last legs and regarded Huo Xiang as the “crown prince.” He had seen all this clearly and stored it in his heart.
He was just waiting for the right moment to make his move.
“Hmph, crown prince?”
The Huo family belonged to his own grandson. As long as he was alive, there was hope!
At that moment, he heard Su Ning say, “With such a reasonable grandfather like you, it’s strange that Huo Xiang hasn’t learned a thing. But I heard he was adopted. Like father, like son; like dragon, like phoenix; a rat gives birth to a child who knows how to burrow — no wonder things turned out this way.”
Old Master Huo nodded in agreement.
He couldn’t help but mention that he actually had another biological grandson, but… sigh.
Upon hearing this,
Su Ning showed a look of sympathy and then offered to help find him. She thought Old Master Huo would be overjoyed and agree immediately.
But to her surprise, he refused.
Su Ning: ???
“Hahaha!” The system burst into wild laughter. After laughing its fill, it said, “Host, don’t you see your reputation? This is like a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken — clearly up to no good.”
A dagger straight to the heart.
Su Ning was furious. What did that mean? She was obviously acting with good intentions… Although she did have some motives, they weren’t directed at the Huo family. Yet she was misunderstood.
She refused to accept it!
But no matter how much she resisted, Old Master Huo saw the flicker of anger in her expression and his caution shot through the roof.
“Do you look down on me?” Su Ning suddenly asked.
Old Master Huo was startled and hurriedly denied it, asking why she would think that way.
“Otherwise, how do you explain this? I’m well aware of my resources — I have people and influence domestically, internationally, even in the South Seas. Not to mention Su Shipping. If you didn’t look down on me, why refuse my help in finding someone? Or perhaps, Old Master, your longing for your biological grandson is just a pretense, and what you truly care about is Huo Xiang. Mentioning your biological grandson is just a cover-up in front of me. Besides these two possibilities, I can’t think of any other reason for your refusal.”
Wrong. It’s because he thinks you have ill intentions!
Old Master Huo thought to himself.
But on the surface, he could only say that he didn’t want to trouble Miss Su too much.
“No trouble at all.”
Su Ning cut him off firmly. “I’m a kind-hearted person who can’t bear to see tragedy. You can trust me with this. The more help, the better. Who knows? Maybe we’ll find him.”
Having said that much,
Old Master Huo had no choice but to “trust” her.
Lin Sen, standing nearby, took the opportunity to speak up. His tone was gentle but firm as he requested the information and details needed to find the person.
“...Having these will increase the chances of success. I will arrange for someone to come and collect them tomorrow. Please have the backups ready.”
Old Master Huo, wanting to stall: ...
“No need to be in such a hurry.”
“It’s necessary.”
Lin Sen gently interrupted. “With the ongoing turmoil and wars both at home and abroad, the sooner we start searching, the safer Huo Gongzi will be. You wouldn’t want any regrets, would you?”
Old Master Huo certainly knew what this regret referred to.
A sigh escaped his heart.
He agreed.
At the same time, he cast an extra glance at Lin Sen. Truly worthy of being a Su Ning man—probably about the same age as his grandson, yet already so outstanding.
No one was allowed to help find the person.
Then he would help by force!
In the end, Su Ning, having achieved his goal, revealed a satisfied smile.
A conversation took place.
Everyone was pleased—the hosts and guests alike—all had achieved what they wanted. Isn’t that a beautiful future for all?
At this moment,
they suddenly remembered Huo Xiang.
…………
The Zhuo family’s birthday banquet was lively and bustling.
Above, an opera troupe was performing—one must understand, finding an authentic opera troupe in Nanyang was far more difficult than in China.
But the effect was undeniable.
Not only did the guests praise the Zhuo family’s generosity, even the coolies, who were excused from work to enjoy a good meal, occasionally poked their heads out to listen to the operatic singing.
“How do you think the performance is?”
Concubine Zhuo was dressed exceptionally beautifully today, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow. Her eyes looked at Huo Xiang with such softness it seemed they might drip with tenderness.
“Not bad,”
Huo Xiang replied casually.
Hearing this, Concubine Zhuo quickly had the rewards distributed, then pressed close, resting her face on his shoulder, biting her lip as she said, “Sir, do you know? I’m so happy today, so happy I’m afraid I’m dreaming—I keep thinking I’ll wake up.”
Then she felt a pinch on her cheek.
“Now you know you’re not dreaming, right?” Huo Xiang chuckled lightly.
“Ouch, that hurts,”
Concubine Zhuo complained playfully, but Huo Xiang, who had just received a surge of fortune points, paid no mind.
“I really can’t believe it... Sir, why are you so good to me? You just came back and are already willing to accompany me to pay respects to Grandma on her birthday?”
Mentioning this,
Huo Xiang’s mood darkened. When he first arrived in China, he encountered several people with fortune points. Among them, a couple’s fortune was the most abundant he had ever seen. Just as he was about to make his move, a series of urgent telegrams summoned him back home.
All because of Su Ning!
That old, stubborn man wanted him to go apologize.
“Because I like you, my precious little treasure. Cherish it well—maybe tomorrow I won’t like you anymore.”
“Ugh, Sir, you’re joking again.”
But he wasn’t joking.
The fortune points coming from Zhuo Yun were steadily decreasing; it seemed they were about to run out. Honestly, being with one woman, coaxing her every day, was already tiresome.
Just a few more days.
At this birthday banquet, this silly woman would probably be so elated she’d give all her fortune points away.
Then he could ignore her.
Huo Xiang calculated absentmindedly. With these fortune points, he could use them when meeting Su Ning, gradually winning him over step by step.
Others didn’t know what he was thinking.
They only admired.
“Young Master Huo really dotes on Concubine Zhuo.”
“Concubine? Maybe soon we should call her Young Madam Huo.”
“Yeah, it’s because Master Zhuo raised such a good daughter, so we all benefit. No matter how formidable that person is, they have to respect the Huo family.”
“Of course, a strong outsider can’t overpower the local tyrant.”
Master Zhuo’s face flushed with pride from the compliments.
Suddenly,
an old man with a swollen face, mouth bleeding, staggered in, sobbing, “Master Zhuo, you have to do something for me!”
This situation caught Huo Xiang’s attention immediately.
His brow furrowed deeply.
