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Chapter 69: Tell me, does he have someone by his side?
Huo Jingsheng, while feeling disdain in his heart, concealed this disdain on his face.
After the last time, he once again carefully examined Chen Wengang.
He put on a mysterious and inscrutable expression in front of him.
Chen Wengang smiled faintly, remaining impassive, and lifted the teacup to his lips. From this, Huo Jingsheng detected a subtle flattery.
He believed that this excellent facade was enough to deceive Huo Niansheng, but he didn’t expect him to be so ambitious, wanting to keep people in his grasp. Two men, how long could they hold on? When charm fades and love weakens, do they still want to spend a lifetime together?
However, amidst his disgusted imagination, Huo Jingsheng seemed to experience an indescribable sense of pleasure—
Wasn’t he supposed to be noble? Even Huo Niansheng treated him as a treasure.
In this world, people laugh at poverty but not at promiscuity. There were no truly noble people!
So, his buttocks remained firmly planted on the chair without rushing to leave. Huo Jingsheng also sipped his tea, quietly sinking into thought.
To say that he wants to see Huo Niansheng live exceptionally well would be a lie. There was no need to hide it. Whether Second Uncle instructed him to persuade Huo Niansheng to accept the marriage alliance or to persuade Chen Wengang to remove obstacles, how did he say it again?
He said that there were only eternal interests, no eternal enemies. It was better for us to win over your eldest brother than for him to form a stable alliance with the third brother. Huo Jingsheng didn’t refute this and habitually obeyed because he and Second Uncle were always like two grasshoppers on the same rope.
But once, twice, or three times, if something happened again and again, he couldn’t help but think more about it. Yeah, everyone was thinking about their own interests; who would consider him, Huo Jingsheng, as a person?
Over the years, Huo Jingsheng also understood that, to Second Uncle, he might be just like a piece of chicken ribs, tasteless to eat yet a pity to throw away. Saying to let go seemed unnecessary; saying to reuse would never happen either. He was always being strung along with a few carrots.
If Second Uncle really got what he wanted and formed an alliance with Huo Niansheng, where does he plan to place him then?
Even if we set aside all this, does he really want to see Huo Niansheng have a happy family life? Chen Wengang also noticed Huo Jingsheng’s unpredictable expression.
Then he smiled and said, “Guess why I understand your feelings? In a way, I’m also like you. Just like that, having someone around in a situation similar to yours means you two are destined to become competitors. Of course, it’s not nice to say it directly. Let me give you an analogy, which may not be appropriate–the placenta supplies nutrients to the fetus, but the mother’s nutrients are limited. If she’s pregnant with twins, there are two embryos squeezing in at the same time. Nobody is born understanding Kong Rong’s ‘sharing the pear’; from the beginning of survival, they have to compete for resources, survival of the fittest. Even if one is too strong, it might absorb the other directly, treating it as its own nutrient.”
Chen Wengang pushed the cup back onto the table and tapped the tabletop with his slender fingertips.
Huo Jingsheng was slightly startled but pretended to remain calm. “Oh, so what?” he said.
Chen Wengang replied: “It’s nothing. I just want to point out that not being able to see others prosper is a natural law.”
Huo Jingsheng maintained a poker face, but he was not untouched, nor was he unfeeling. In life, there were misfortunes, abandonments, loneliness, and hardships everywhere, and every place was a battlefield, requiring constant struggle. This bloody metaphor, upon careful consideration, was surprisingly accurate. Since he was brought to the grand estate of the Huo family at a young age, he and Huo Niansheng might indeed be like two embryos in the same placenta.
Suddenly, even some of the things he had done had reasonable explanations.
He was not as strong as Huo Niansheng. But he just didn’t want to be absorbed.
Huo Jingsheng still put on an air of superiority. “Even if you said so much, don’t expect me to help you with anything.”
Chen Wengang smiled and said, “You misunderstand. I didn’t actually want you to do anything.” Facing Huo Jingsheng’s uncertain gaze, he poured tea for him again. “Moreover, what can I expect from you? Help me stage a chance encounter? I’ve seen your level before.”
He might as well have said he deserved a raspberry award. Huo Jingsheng felt displeased. “So, after all this talk, what’s your point?”
Chen Wengang encouraged him, “Relax, things aren’t that complicated. I just hope you can casually let your family know about my existence. In the future, if there’s a chance, you can acknowledge me in front of everyone; that’s all.
And then?
“The rest, I’ll handle myself.”
“I mean, you don’t think that by gaining my family’s approval, you’ll just waltz in, right?”
“What does it matter? Success or failure is my own business.” Chen Wengang didn’t care. “In the end, it boils down to this: you don’t want to see Huo Niansheng happily married, right? You and I don’t need to like each other; we just need to agree on this matter.”
Huo Jingsheng remained silent, raised the teacup to his lips, and took a sip, only to realize it was empty.
He put down the cup.
Chen Wengang smiled at him. “Of course, I still need to remind you to be discreet. I know about the current situation in the Huo family, but you should know better than me. It can’t withstand the scrutiny of the media. Just talk about it privately; don’t spread it around.”
“I’m not that stupid.” Huo Jingsheng interrupted arrogantly, “But I can’t promise to do anything for you.”
“Just let things take their course.” Chen Wengang’s gaze deepened as he raised his teacup-like gesture towards him. “And don’t take today’s request as pressure. I will deal with many people from the Huo family in the future, won’t I? Consider this meeting as an advance in our relationship.”
***
After leaving the teahouse, Huo Jingsheng headed to the hospital.
They took turns visiting Huo Kaishan regularly; it was the schedule he and Second Uncle had agreed upon.
At the hospital entrance, he encountered Huo Yingfei, who was dressed neatly with his hair meticulously groomed. From behind, his silhouette resembled Huo Niansheng standing there casually. As they drew closer, Huo Yingfei turned around, revealing a different face.
His handsomeness couldn’t be denied; the genetic advantage was still there, but what people feared was comparison with themselves. Even from Huo Jingsheng’s perspective, he seemed a bit slick now, devoid of the agility and vigor of his former youth.
Reporters were ruthless, often calling him lecherous, and perhaps speaking too much made it a reality.
Thinking of the image of a gentleman and gentle jade from years ago, Huo Jingsheng felt ironically amused as he recalled his recent meeting.
Chen Wengang had successfully crafted a good image for himself. Before leaving, Huo Jingsheng mocked him, “Today was quite fruitful. I didn’t notice it before. Did you plan this day meticulously, aiming for a particular target?”
Chen Wengang replied with a smirk, “That’s a misunderstanding and prejudice against me. When I do good deeds, they come from the heart. You can’t deny that everyone has multiple facets. I want to give Huo Niansheng a better life, and I am indeed a good person. What’s the contradiction?”
His self-confidence momentarily left Huo Jingsheng speechless.
Seeing him arrive, Huo Yingfei hooked his shoulder, and they walked inside together. “Why are you late? Dad and I have been waiting for you for a long time.”
Huo Jingsheng clicked his tongue inwardly and forced a smile. “I had an appointment with a friend, which delayed me a bit.”
He brought along a few items for the visit, and Huo Yingfei naturally took a fruit basket. Huo Jingsheng moved his lips but didn’t speak. He watched as Huo Yingfei pressed the elevator button and, after they came out, they met Second Uncle at the nurse’s station.
“Dad.”
“How’s Grandpa doing recently?”
“Still the same as before?” The second uncle sighed. “It all depends on how long this drags on.”
But this dragging on made the grandchildren restless.
Huo Kaishan’s consciousness fluctuated, changing his will five or six times. The final version was known only to him and his trusted lawyer, and it might change again. It’s as if he hadn’t settled every thought of his life yet.
As the deadline approached, many hesitations arose, disturbing the household. Everyone tried to spend a little more time with him, and every slight favoritism sparked jealousy. Huo Jingsheng entered the ward last and saw Huo Kaishan put a photo frame on the bedside table. Here we go again, he thought. Whose photo frame is this now?
The second uncle and Huo Yingfei approached, chatting with the old man as if checking his pulse. Huo Kaishan, with tubes all over him, waved his hand laboriously. Today, however, he asked Huo Jingsheng to stay behind alone.
Huo Jingsheng was taken aback, but Huo Kaishan asked the nurse to raise the head of the bed slightly. The second uncle and Huo Yingfei’s eyes lingered on him as they left the room. He stepped forward and called out, “Grandpa.”
Huo Kaishan struggled to breathe for a while before gesturing for him to pick up the photo frame. Huo Jingsheng saw his father’s face.
More accurately, it was a photo of his father and his never-met grandmother. His biological father was charming, but he indeed had an impeccable appearance. Huo Jingsheng rarely looked at the images he left behind, but now he realized his brother resembled him more.
The person in the photo had captivating eyes, almost like they were carved from the same mold as Huo Niansheng.
Huo Kaishan’s voice was hoarse with phlegm as he said, “Jingsheng.”
His speech was strained, so Huo Jingsheng leaned closer to his mouth to hear.
“Lately, I often wonder when I’ll see your grandmother and your father. it would be considered a family reunion…”
“Don’t say that. We still hope you live a long life.”
“Don’t try to placate me, you all wish I’d go sooner. Fenglai left too early, back then, it was a case of the older generation mourning the younger one…”
Huo Jingsheng recalled that Huo Fenglai was his father’s name.
Huo Kaishan asked, “Your second brother has been busy for so long… Be honest with me, does your brother have someone he’s interested in?”
“He…” Huo Jingsheng hesitated, “Now that you’re ill, this delay…”
“Don’t think I don’t know. Is he unwilling to marry, or is your second brother not serious?”
“Grandpa, you shouldn’t say that. Big brother’s heart can’t settle, and you’ve known that for a while.”
“Same old story again. It’s gotten to this point… Well, let’s not dwell on the past. I asked you to stay because there’s another matter, don’t try to hide it from me either. Tell me, has he kept someone by his side.”
***
As night fell, Huo Niansheng returned to Yushui Bay and once again saw his cousin Huo Zhenfei training his son.
This scene was not uncommon: “You wanted to take horseback riding lessons; didn’t you demand it yourself? Now who taught you to give up halfway?”
It wasn’t until his sister-in-law came out to save the day, saying, “He hurt his leg and was scared, you know that. Why do you insist on leaving him with a shadow?” Huo Yuxiang was finally saved from further trouble. Huo Zhenfei reluctantly let him go and turned his gaze to Huo Niansheng.
The two cousins sat down at the bar.
This time, Huo Zhenfei poured two glasses of wine, one of which he pushed toward Huo Niansheng.
Huo Niansheng leaned his elbows on the table, swirling the wine in his glass, and chuckled softly, “What else do you want to discuss with me?”
Huo Zhenfei said, “It’s Grandpa who’s worried about you. He’s been talking about you lately, asking why you haven’t settled down yet.”
Huo Niansheng raised an eyebrow, “To be blunt, does he even know what he’s saying now? There’s no need to take it seriously.”
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