Chapter 75: I might mistakenly think you are targeting me.
The hot spring area was wide and open, and the overlapping sounds carried a slight echo. The tone became hazy, yet it seemed resonant and deep.
As they soaked in the pool, the hem of the bathrobe floated up, absorbed the water, and then gradually sank down.
Huo Niansheng’s face was half-hidden in the light, his expression shifting between clarity and obscurity.
The water flowed warmly over his skin, the steaming heat causing a thin layer of sweat to rise, quickening the blood flow, making him feel slightly light-headed.
Yet, Huo Niansheng seemed oblivious to it all. He was entirely focused, staring intently at Chen Wengang.
…
An attitude of meek submission. Huo Niansheng thought to himself, but when it came to making decisions, he never hesitated.
…
“You deserve it.” Huo Niansheng smiled slightly, speaking slowly, but he still scolded him, “You tell me, aren’t you just asking for trouble? Hmm? Is Huo Zhenfei a good person? They’re all old foxes who know all the tricks, yet you insist on dealing with them. Aren’t you just bringing this on yourself?”
Chen Wengang couldn’t respond, holding onto him with helpless, soft eyes.
But Huo Niansheng knew this helplessness and weakness was all for him to see. He had a sense of something slipping out of his grasp, and the violent tendencies within him began to rise. Deep in his desires, how much he longed to have complete control over his people. But that was just a desire, a hope, not reality. Who in life could have so many certainties? Even a deity might not be able to achieve that.
…
Chen Wengang’s Adam’s apple moved twice, revealing a pitiful look.
But Huo Niansheng had no intention of showing mercy. His gaze was devoid of compassion, his breath hot and clear as it hit his teeth. After a long time, a sheen of moisture reflected under the light.
Huo Niansheng brought his hand in front of him… his expression unreadable.
Suddenly, Chen Wengang raised his hand and grasped his.
The dome of the hot spring building was towering, and the transparent glass offered a view of the starry sky. Streaks of stardust crisscrossed like a net, gathering all the suppressed emotions within.
Huo Niansheng looked at him again. Chen Wengang lifted his other hand, wiping the corner of his mouth, and raised his head to meet his gaze directly.
The skin, soaked in the hot spring for so long, had turned pale, almost transparent, as if the blood vessels, bones, and nerves beneath were all laid bare. His amber eyes were clear and bright, like two cups of aged wine stored for years. The liquid had fermented in silence over time, and no one could know its taste until the bottle was opened.
Huo Niansheng brushed aside his wet hair, unable to resist kissing his eyes, tasting the sourness and bitterness in that wine.
Chen Wengang nonchalantly pressed Huo Niansheng’s hand away and, pushing himself up with both hands, lifted himself out of the water and sat by the edge of the pool.
“What time did you get back?”
“A little past five, by high-speed rail.”
“Were there many people on the train?”
“Not too many.”
“Of course, there wouldn’t be many in business class. But wouldn’t a private jet have been more convenient?”
Huo Niansheng caught the thick teasing tone. “Wouldn’t that be too extravagant? One has to be a bit thrifty in everyday life.”
“I must have a skewed perception of how rich people live.”
Chen Wengang leaned against the edge of the pool, casting a knowingly mischievous glance at his face. Huo Niansheng finally chuckled, his hand slipping from his hair to the back of his neck, suddenly giving it a firm squeeze. The sound of his neck cracking was that of overworked bones, and Chen Wengang hissed in pain.
Huo Niansheng, satisfied, said, “I told you, you can’t sit for so long when you’re studying.”
Chen Wengang shifted his posture, moving closer to him. “Give me a massage.”
Huo Niansheng actually put his hand on his shoulder and neck, kneading it twice, but his position was awkward, and it became difficult to apply force. Chen Wengang burrowed into his arms, mimicking the movement and tracing a line across him. “It was Huo Zhenfei who dragged me into this; you can’t blame me.”
“Wasn’t it you who first wanted to mess with him?” Huo Niansheng looked down at the person in his arms.
“You know what I want.” Chen Wengang met his gaze. “This is something I’ll have to face sooner or later.”
Huo Niansheng could only relent. “Alright, I won’t blame you, but the timing this time is bad. People will think you and Jiang Wanxia are conspiring together.”
Chen Wengang, with a hint of spoiled arrogance, replied, “That depends on how well you can protect me. I don’t have much to worry about, after all.”
Huo Niansheng wrapped his arm around his shoulder. “How rare, when did you start having such confidence in me?”
Chen Wengang kicked at the water, then sat up straight. “Lately, dealing with Jiang Wanxia, she said something we all disagreed with. She thinks everything she does is for her daughter, but to others, it just seems selfish. But when you think about it carefully, people are often hypocritical. I, too, want to say something similar: everything I’ve done has been for you. It sounds a bit ridiculous. Do you believe it?”
Huo Niansheng said, “It sounds very touching. Now that you’ve said it like that, how could I not believe you?”
Chen Wengang glanced at him sideways. “You don’t believe it.”
Huo Niansheng paused.
He still held a grudge—just a while ago, Huo Niansheng had doubted his loyalty. “If you truly believed me, you wouldn’t need to knock me down on purpose.”
Huo Niansheng’s heart skipped a beat. He admitted defeat and leaned in to kiss the center of his brow. “It was my fault. I was wrong. I apologize… I apologize, okay? No matter what, I shouldn’t have said that. I must have been out of my mind…”
As he spoke, his head lowered.
Soft and gentle.
The rough stone slabs by the hot spring pool were heated. Even through the bath towel, the warmth pleasantly tingled against their backs, making it comfortable to lie there.
Until they were interrupted by an unexpected guest: “Whoa, take it easy, you two.”
The two of them sat up.
Huo Yingfei appeared, his lower half wrapped in a bath towel, walking along the wooden pathway. “Even if you didn’t run into any elders, there are still media and guests staying here overnight that were invited today. Niansheng, you don’t want a video of you from your own newly opened venue making the rounds, do you?”
Huo Niansheng was indifferent, half of his bathrobe soaked, which he pulled off and casually threw by the hot spring.
Chen Wengang’s gaze was equally cold when he looked at Huo Yingfei, not even bothering to put on an act.
Huo Yingfei didn’t pick up on the hostility aimed at him. He stepped closer, still wearing that fake smile.
“Sorry, it seems I interrupted something. Not exactly welcome, huh?”
Huo Niansheng only gave him a look as if watching a monkey perform.
Huo Yingfei’s throat tightened, though he understood the meaning behind that gaze.
When he was younger, he prided himself on being handsome and upright, wanting to win everyone’s praise with his behavior—especially in front of Huo Kaishan. Every word he spoke had to be measured, and even uttering a single crude word felt like it would tarnish his noble image.
…
Later, he was accused of sexual harassment. The media mocked him for his fall from grace, and everyone’s gaze toward him changed.
What could Huo Yingfei do? The most he could do now was harden his heart and pretend he didn’t care anymore.
It didn’t matter much to him now, so he stopped pretending and showed his true colors. His life was more genuine that way. But he couldn’t stand that even Huo Niansheng dared to mock him, calling him nothing more than a debauched scoundrel!
Huo Niansheng lazily raised his head. “The hot spring house is so big, with so many pools. Can’t you find one that accommodates you?”
Huo Yingfei put on a tough front, looking down at him. “Why are you so eager to kick me out? It’s rare to get a chance to meet your beloved. Forget about me; everyone is curious, really. By the way, what… what’s your name again?”
He turned to Chen Wengang with the last sentence. “The surname Wen is quite rare.”
Chen Wengang, uninterested, leaned against Huo Niansheng, turning his head away like a pampered canary.
Huo Yingfei thought to himself, “Even this little thing dares to look down on me?” but didn’t show it. “Looks decent, but quite the temper. Niansheng, you might need to teach him some manners. Bringing someone so impolite into your home, isn’t that asking for trouble?”
Huo Niansheng said, “You’d better keep your distance.”
Huo Yingfei retorted, “Why? Is this something we can’t talk about?”
Huo Niansheng had already stood up, placing one hand on Huo Yingfei’s shoulder, shoving him backward. Before Huo Yingfei could react, his head buzzed, and then he felt a sudden blow to his abdomen. The force was so unexpected that even Chen Wengang was stunned. When he regained his senses, he only heard a loud splash as a huge wave of water erupted from the nearby medicinal herb pool.
*
Back in the room, Chen Wengang finally thought to take out his phone. A message from Huo Jingsheng had come through: “What’s gotten into Huo Niansheng?”
It was hard to tell through the text if there was any schadenfreude. The sound of water came from the bathroom. Chen Wengang glanced up—Huo Niansheng, the one who had thrown the punch, was now showering. After hitting Huo Yingfei at the hot spring, he had dragged Chen Wengang straight back to the room, leaving Huo Yingfei fuming behind them.
Chen Wengang rubbed his forehead and placed his phone beside him, not bothering to reply.
In the eyes of outsiders, this kind of reckless behavior could only come from Huo Niansheng.
After a while, a message from an unsaved number came in: “Can you take a call?”
Chen Wengang replied, “I’m available.”
Just as he saved Huo Zhenfei’s name in his contacts, the phone rang.
Huo Zhenfei’s voice was still steady. “What just happened? Why did Niansheng hit Yingfei?”
Chen Wengang calmly said, “There was a little argument at the hot spring house.”
“The reason? Was it because of you?”
“Is that what Huo Yingfei said?”
“He was the one who got hit, so of course he didn’t say anything nice about you. I helped cover it up, told him not to stir up more trouble, so Dad and Second Uncle don’t know about it.” Huo Zhenfei sighed, speaking earnestly. “But, Wengang, I don’t think I need to spell it out. This time, so many people from the family are here. They’re not just watching Jiang Cai; they’re also watching you… Do you understand what I’m saying?”
He didn’t need to explain further—they wanted to see what kind of person Huo Niansheng was involved with.
Chen Wengang smiled. “I understand. Sorry, but in that case, I think you also understand why Niansheng was so ‘furious’ on my behalf. I know, it’s a bit melodramatic, but take it as something close to the truth.”
Huo Zhenfei said mildly, “Yes, I understand that.”
Chen Wengang added, “What you want to warn me about is that your family is using this opportunity to assess me—whether I’m male or female, square or round.”
Huo Zhenfei said, “Yes.”
Chen Wengang continued, “But if I had received the respect I deserved, I believe Niansheng wouldn’t have needed to act out today.”
Huo Zhenfei was momentarily at a loss. “You’re very sharp.”
At that moment, Huo Niansheng suddenly took the phone from Chen Wengang’s hand. “Then don’t try to be too clever.”
He had only dried his body, his hair still damp. Chen Wengang curled his legs, moving further onto the bed to make space for him.
Huo Niansheng held his hand and kissed it.
Hearing his voice, Huo Zhenfei switched to a slightly reproachful tone. “Niansheng, I’m just advising you not to be impulsive. What’s the point of hitting Huo Yingfei? Was it just to show everyone not to mess with your people, or else there’d be consequences like this?”
Resting his head on Chen Wengang’s lap, Huo Niansheng showed a faint, careless smile, though Huo Zhenfei couldn’t see it.
Huo Zhenfei continued, “I’m sure Wengang doesn’t even agree with what you did.”
Suddenly, Huo Niansheng called out his full name through the phone: “As a shareholder, I signed a concerted action agreement with Third Uncle, your father—not with you. Of course, even with the agreement, that doesn’t mean I’ll always move in lockstep with you.”
Huo Zhenfei paused for a moment, not saying anything.
Huo Niansheng added, “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like threatening people. I just suddenly remembered this little fact. You’re my cousin, and I actually like maintaining our friendly relationship. It’s just that sometimes, when we’re too familiar with each other, we might lose some boundaries. I’ve always been a bit of a boundary-less person, but you’ve always been better at handling things. You’re good with people. But, Huo Zhenfei, if you keep trying to step on my people, I might mistakenly think you’re targeting me. But you wouldn’t do that, would you?”
After a long silence, Huo Zhenfei finally said, “Of course not. I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately, and my temper’s been a bit short. After this is all over, I’ll invite you and Wengang out for a meal.”
__
Author’s note:
Huo Niansheng hitting Huo Yingfei wasn’t impulsive. He’s always played the role of a careless person in the family, so doing something outrageous fits his character. His over-the-top actions were a warning to others—don’t try to test him, or there will be consequences.
There’s so many undercurrents I’m getting dizzy. What is CWG actually doing? Why contact HNS’s lil bro? And all this stuff happening in the resort?? 😵💫
I DON’T UNDERSTAND!!!
To have known his presence, and integrating in MLs family matters, so something happens with ML, he is beside him or get some information beforehand
Although I don’t quite understand, but it was mentioned that huo niansheng death in past life was because of his family stuff, is this the reason why he want to enter ML’s family, because idk maybe he wants revenge??? Or just to watch them closely just in case someone planned to do it again??
Names are mixed up so much. It’s getting more and more confusing because the plot isn’t clear either.