She just found out these things.

The old man was also pleased. The Huo family unexpectedly became wealthy. They relied on this mine and other mines to get rich and settled in Kyoto. Their family was actually nouveau riche and did not fit in with the true upper class. They always wanted to connect with the upper class.

Originally, he did not agree to let Xu Rong’s son stay with them, but when he heard the child had a close relationship with Mr. Song Zhen, he quickly changed his mind.

The old man reminded, “Remember to bring more gifts. If you have anything good, just take it. Don’t be polite.”

Huo Yian nodded, saying, “This is natural.”

Hearing this, Huo Cheng could not listen anymore. He sneered, “You are so eager; people may not appreciate it. It’s really shameful.”

The old man interrupted him angrily, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Huo Cheng said, “If you don’t believe me, ask my uncle. Do you think Xiao He wants to come to the Huo family? I went to find him today just to get to know him, but he ignored me and told me to get lost!”

Huo Cheng was the eldest grandson and was highly valued in the old man’s eyes. He immediately turned to Huo Yian and asked, “Is this true?”

Huo Yian felt nervous and could only say dryly, “Xiao He may just be upset. After all, we haven’t looked for him for so many years.”

“She’s already this big; it’s too late for you to look for her now.” Huo Yian shot a secret glare at Huo Cheng. Why did this kid have to be so mischievous?

The old man’s expression darkened slightly, but recalling Mr. Song Zhen, he was reluctant to give up. “I will go there myself tomorrow!” he declared.

Huo Yian felt restless, remembering the time they were kicked out by Song Zhen. He wanted to refuse but couldn’t argue against the old man’s determination.

Once they left the living room, Xu Rong tugged at her husband’s sleeve, her brow furrowed with worry. “Yi An, will everything be okay?”

Huo Yian shook his head, his expression grim. “I can only hope that your son will give me some face.”

If not, the old man would never let someone disloyal to the Huo family inherit it. It was unfortunate that he could not have children; otherwise, he wouldn’t have to rely on Xiao He, this naïve boy.

As for letting his nephew inherit? That was out of the question. The Huo family’s current glory was largely due to his efforts, and he couldn’t bear the thought of his brothers and nephews, who only knew how to enjoy life, taking that from him.

*****

Mr. Huo said he would come, and he truly did. The next day, he arrived at Song Zhen’s doorstep, carrying an assortment of fine jade.

Considering his age, Song Zhen didn’t treat him the same way he treated Huo Yian. He said little and simply ordered them to take everything, including the items Huo Yian had left behind last time.

“These were given to you, so keep nothing for yourself,” he insisted.

In his long life, Song Zhen had learned that the food from merchants was seldom satisfying, often leaving a bitter aftertaste. Even though he wasn’t skilled in socializing, he understood this well.

The old man stood there for a long moment, cane in hand, too shocked to react. He struggled to maintain the facade of a loving grandfather. “I haven’t seen Xiao He yet. Mr. Song, where is he?”

Song Zhen narrowed his eyes, calm as ever. “He went out to play. He should be back soon.”

“Then I will wait,” the old man replied eagerly.

“Random,” Song Zhen remarked, not rushing them out. He poured tea for them and let them sit while ignoring the old man’s attempts at flattery.

They waited until nearly noon. Mr. Huo was growing increasingly uncomfortable, almost ready to collapse, when he finally heard a lively commotion.

Song Zhen quickly rushed to open the door.

“Grandpa, we’re back!” a bright voice rang out. The old man turned to see a pretty girl of about thirteen or fourteen leading a handsome boy with striking features. Behind them was a calm, mature young man, likely in his late twenties.

Song Zhen, renowned in the art world, lit up with joy. “Oh, Mr. Zhang has come to visit!”

Zhang Rui scratched his head, a sheepish smile on his face. “Uncle, stop teasing me. I’ve been quite busy lately; otherwise, I’d be here every day to report.”

“Come on,” Song Zhen rolled his eyes and ushered them in, briefly explaining the Huo family’s visit.

As they entered the main room, Mr. Huo fixed a sharp gaze on Xiao He. “This is Xiao He, right?”

Xu Rong and Huo Yian nodded in unison. “Yes, Xiao He, this is grandpa. Hurry and call him grandpa.”

Xiao He looked from Xu Rong to Mr. Huo, the smile fading from his face. “Mr. Huo,” he replied in a calm voice.

Mr. Huo’s warm smile faltered. “Child, are you blaming grandpa for not bringing you here earlier?”

Xiao He shook his head. “You and I have nothing to do with each other.”

Mr. Huo was momentarily speechless.

Watching the exchange, Huo Yian felt a mix of amusement and relief. Though he had been scolded before, he found solace in witnessing his father’s embarrassment. He quickly interjected, “Dad, Xiao He isn’t familiar with us.”

Mr. Huo turned to Xu Rong.

She lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of shame. She had been part of the Huo family for so long yet had never revealed that she had a child. It was only after Huo Yian’s concerns about not having children that she had finally hesitated and mentioned Xiao He’s existence.

Years of silence weighed heavily on her conscience.

Old Master Huo couldn’t hide his disdain for Xu Rong’s timid demeanor. He quickly redirected his attention to the only girl present.

“Isn’t this Jiaojiao? These two children were childhood sweethearts; they truly look like a perfect match,” he remarked, attempting to charm them.

While not particularly sharp, he had seen enough to understand the situation. He assumed that allowing the two children to maintain such close contact at their age meant they were either engaged or planning to be.

No one had ever suggested such a thing about them before.

Tian Jiao felt a surge of shock, instinctively wanting to deny the implication. Even at school, their close friendship was innocent—everyone understood they were too young for anything more serious.

But before she could protest, Zhang Rui jumped in, “That’s right! Xiao He is handsome, and my daughter is beautiful. It’s such a delightful sight!”

Tian Jiao’s face flushed crimson as she stared at her father, astonished. “Dad!”

Zhang Rui’s smile faltered, and he silently looked away. Things had been going well lately, and he was in high spirits. He had casually agreed with Mr. Huo’s comment without considering that his daughter was present. Little girls could be very shy, and he felt a twinge of guilt.

Tian Jiao glanced at Zhang Rui, understanding everything. Yet, she felt her cheeks growing warmer, and the hand she had once held comfortably now felt uncomfortably hot. It was a sensation she hadn’t experienced before, and it confused her. Even without sweat, her palms were clammy at this moment.

Tian Jiao moved her fingers, trying to pull her hand away. However, Xiao He refused and held on even tighter. Tian Jiao’s eyes widened a little, and when she looked over, she noticed Xiao He’s fair face was slightly blushing. When he looked at her, he smiled and kept his gaze steady.

Now that she looked closely, it seemed incredibly soft.

The adults watched the two children’s small movements. Xu Rong looked complicated. She thought they were too young but felt the Zhang family wanted her son to marry into their family. She wanted to speak up but didn’t dare.

Mr. Huo smiled and joked, “Don’t be shy, little girl. It looks like your father has already accepted it.”

Tian Jiao laughed nervously and glanced at Zhang Rui, her face red. Zhang Rui confidently looked at their joined hands and said, “You two are like this. As your father, I can only support you.”

“You…” Tian Jiao wanted to argue back but couldn’t find the words. She stomped her foot in frustration and said to Xiao He, “You tell him.”

Xiao He didn’t understand how things had gotten to this point. He was from the Huo family and looked a little annoyed. But at that moment, he cleverly said, “Uncle, we are still young.”

Zhang Rui laughed proudly and said, “I know. If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t. Everyone knows.”

After some time, Tian Jiao calmed down and looked at him with no expression. “If you know, then fine. But nothing is certain about the future. Who knows what will happen?”

Song Zhen shook his head. “You are so stubborn.”

Tian Jiao pouted, but the hand that was holding hers tightened. The pink color faded from Xiao He’s face, and she pouted unhappily.

There was silence for a moment.

Mr. Huo was surprised, thinking their relationship was not yet clear. He assumed that seeing them hold hands so naturally meant they were already together.

So, he smiled and changed the topic, asking about Xiao He’s life and studies over the years.

This simple question revealed that Xiao He was actually Li Mu’s closest disciple. Everyone in the business world knew the names Li and Mu. The Huo family had become wealthy by chance, but the Li family had truly gained wealth through Li Mu’s hard work. They were on a completely different level of success.

It’s said that comparing can lead to dissatisfaction.

Mr. Huo was confident in himself, but after hearing about Li Mu, he felt defeated. He decided to treat Xiao He like an ordinary relative from now on. Bringing him home was not an option. He wouldn’t give up Li Mu’s resources for the Huo family. It just wasn’t worth it.

After leaving the Song family, Mr. Huo questioned them, “Don’t you know that Xiao He’s master is Li Mu?”

Huo Yian awkwardly touched his nose. “He didn’t say.”

Mr. Huo looked at Xu Rong again.

Xu Rong lowered her head and spoke softly, “I didn’t dare to ask. I haven’t cared about it for so many years. I was afraid of hearing something I didn’t want to hear.”

She truly feared it. After all, she felt guilty. At first, she could say it was a seizure, but later she woke up. However, she never thought about taking her son back. In her memory, that son who couldn’t speak and was slow was her shame and crushed her hopes. In the end, for him, she gave herself to a man like Sun Hong.

She wished those memories would disappear.

Mr. Huo sighed heavily, then regained his composure. “It seems he doesn’t blame you. Just treat him like an ordinary relative. It’s enough for him to meet Mr. Song.”

Finally, he looked at his youngest son and said, “Go adopt a child.”

Huo Yian could only nod. “Okay.”

****

Not long after sending off the Huo family, Zhang Yanran returned with her brother Jiang and a lot of ingredients. As soon as she walked in, she shouted, “Come on, let’s eat hot pot today! Authentic Chongqing hot pot. I went to Chongqing to learn the craft. Uncle, do you have a suitable place? If we open a hot pot restaurant, the business will definitely be good.”

Zhang Rui, sitting with his legs crossed and talking to Song Zhen, immediately lit up. “Of course, come and try it first. If you don’t want it, I won’t invest.”

Zhang Yanran smiled confidently. “I made it, so how could it be bad?”

Meanwhile, after the guests left, Tian Jiao returned to her room alone. She lay on her bed, listening to the noise outside and thinking to herself.

When did the whole family start thinking this way?

When she was a child, she ignored Zhang Rui’s teasing. But now she was a teenager and would soon be an adult. It was normal for most people to get married early, even at age fourteen.

Was this a joke, or was it serious?

Based on her understanding of Zhang Rui, he seemed really serious.

So, when did she and Xiao He give others the impression that they were together?

Tian Jiao looked up with big eyes, pondering. She raised her hand and examined her soft palm.

Her palm was a little chubby, with some flesh on it. When she stretched her hands, little dimples appeared on the back, looking very cute.

Her ten fingers, though not slender, were symmetrical and tightened, recalling a familiar touch.

Thinking back to Xiao He’s appearance and how they usually interacted…

Tian Jiao’s face began to turn red again.

Was it true?

Xiao He treated her differently, and she felt differently about him too. Initially, she traveled to this world for him.

So, could they end up together?

Tian Jiao asked herself this question and instinctively answered, “Yes, they can.”

It’s normal for them to be together.

He likes her, and she likes him too!

In this case, there was no need to be together anymore.

She laughed, covering her hot face with her hands. She pouted her lips and whispered, “Tian Dao Daddy~~~”

Tian Dao hadn’t come for a long time. He had a lot to do and couldn’t come every day. Whenever Tian Jiao needed him, she just had to call, and he would appear.

This time was no different. Tian Jiao called once, but no one answered. She shouted a second and third time…

Finally, she felt a familiar force pinch her face.

Tian Jiao smiled, opened her eyes, and said with a blush, “Tian Dao Daddy, Jiaojiao has someone she likes!”

After saying that, she felt the temperature of her whole body drop a little. Was it possible that Tian Dao didn’t like her having someone she liked?

But Zhang Rui, her father, seemed very happy about it. He had always told her that he would find a live-in son-in-law for her.

She didn’t understand why the two fathers reacted so differently.

Of course, they were different. One was about finding someone for her, while the other was about accepting that his daughter liked someone. Any father would feel sad about that.

Just then, Zhang Yanran’s hotpot was ready. Hotpot is easy to make. You prepare the ingredients, make the broth, and boil it in water. Soon, it was time to eat.

Xiao He naturally went to call her.

“Jiaojiao!” As soon as he shouted, he tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground. He tried to get up when something dripped on his head. Then a bird cried, “Ti-ti-ti-ti——”

No need to guess; it had to be bird droppings.

The people in the main room burst into laughter: “Haha, this kid is too unlucky!”

“Why am I so unlucky all of a sudden?”

Zhang Rui laughed the hardest.

Tian Jiao heard the noise and opened the door. She saw Xiao He getting up but then falling again. A strong wind blew, and dust flew up, hitting Xiao He’s face.

Tian Jiao couldn’t help but twitch her mouth. She looked at the sky and said angrily, “Tian Dao Daddy! If you do this again, Jiaojiao will be mad!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the wind stopped, swirling on the ground before disappearing.

Song Zhen was amazed: “This wind is indeed spiritual.”

Zhang Rui stopped laughing and looked at his daughter. He saw the anger on her face. On this sunny day, it felt like thunder was rumbling. It wasn’t real thunder; it was just his daughter glaring at him, making the noise stop.

He fell silent for a moment, picked up his drink, but realized something was off.

Maybe the reason his girl didn’t show her true self was that she was afraid of scaring him.

-The End-