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Chapter 91: He had always hoped that Mr. Huo could get married as he wished.
Jiang Cai pondered for a moment and then asked, “So what do you think I should do?”
She waited until Amanda went out to ask the waiter for tissues before speaking up.
Chen Wengang simply said, “All you can do is study hard, for your own sake. Even though others may not treat you as their own, as long as you don’t cause trouble, no one will give you a particularly hard time. The rest, we’ll just take it step by step.”
Jiang Cai was still thinking when he added, “Later, when you go to college, they should send you abroad to study.”
Just like Huo Niansheng back then, sending her far away overseas was the easiest way—out of sight, out of mind. Plus, there was an added benefit, being so far away, even if she caused trouble, negative news wouldn’t easily make its way back, saving her from the paparazzi.
But Jiang Cai wasn’t happy; she was terrified of going abroad.
For her, English letters were like a group of incomprehensible tadpoles, she neither had the aptitude for learning nor the interest. Living abroad for an extended period was worse than death for her: “I don’t want to go.”
Chen Wengang comforted her, “You can stay in Chinatown, where Chinese people gather, and live comfortably just speaking Chinese.”
But she responded quickly, “But I didn’t need to suffer from that foreign sin in the first place! Why do I have to go out and suffer willingly!”
He asked, “Do you want to stay in the country?”
Jiang Cai did indeed want that, “Can you help me with that?”
Chen Wengang said, “Do you remember what I told you before? Providing necessary assistance to you is because you are still a minor. As for other requests you may have, I can consider, but we still have to abide by the law.”
Jiang Cai agreed, waiting for him to continue.
Chen Wengang went straight to the point, “In terms of blood relations, Huo Niansheng is your brother. Living in the Huo family, you may be deliberately or inadvertently used by others in the future. No matter what others urge you to do, even if it’s something small, like asking you to inquire about his whereabouts or saying something related to him, you cannot comply. When necessary, you must tell me. You can never stand against him.”
Jiang Cai pouted, “I’m just a little nobody, how could I harm him… So does that mean I don’t have to go abroad?”
Chen Wengang scooped up some beef for her and said, “For now, all I can say is I’ll try to help you.”
“Then can I guarantee; I can write you a letter of assurance.”
When Amanda opened the door and came in, she heard Jiang Cai ask again: “By the way, what happened to your hand?”
She looked over and saw that Chen Wengang’s hand was fine. He held the ladle, and a silver ring on his slender ring finger was very eye-catching.
As they reached the end of the hotpot meal, Jiang Cai ran to the bathroom.
Chen Wengang and Amanda settled the bill first and waited for her at the door, speaking a few words alone only now.
Chen Wengang remembered their bond, even though they weren’t close yet, “You’ve been following her abroad for some time now, it must have been hard.”
Amanda was also friendly toward him, “No, I’m responsible for helping the boss with daily life.”
She paused, tentatively looking at his fingers again, “It’s Mr. Huo’s birthday soon, do you need help picking out a gift?”
Huo Kaishan was on his sickbed, but his birthday was coming up, he would turn eighty. According to traditional customs, such a milestone birthday should be celebrated grandly. This might be his last birthday, so by asking this, she tacitly acknowledged that Chen Wengang would also attend.
Anyway, Huo Niansheng never bothered to think about gifts himself, he always let his assistant handle it every year, so she could do it for him.
This year, actually, it doesn’t matter what gifts are given. Besides appearing filial and dutiful to others, how much can Huo Kaishan really enjoy? He might not even bother to look at them. In this lifetime, we come empty-handed and leave empty-handed.
Chen Wengang nodded, “You can ask your boss about it. Also, see what Jiang Cai would like as a gift and help her get it.”
Amanda acknowledged.
***
Rings are a conspicuous accessory, especially for men.
Many men don’t like to show that they belong to someone, whether in love or marriage. Like Huo Zhenfei, except for his wedding day, he probably never wore one. Therefore, when they met, he discreetly glanced at Chen Wengang’s fingers several times.
The two discussed business in the teahouse, and Chen Wengang once again conveyed Jiang Cai’s wishes.
Huo Zhenfei took a sip of tea and said, “If she can get into a domestic university, of course, I don’t want to spend time and effort sending her abroad.”
Chen Wengang smiled faintly, “Are you arranging for her to study abroad, or settle down? Do you plan to have her come back in the future?”
Huo Zhenfei adopted the demeanor of a patriarch, resembling his father, Third Uncle Huo. The answer was already obvious.
Chen Wengang said, “She was never a child who loved to study. Sending her abroad might not turn her into an elite. Without anyone watching over her, she might not even graduate. You just don’t want her to cause trouble, so why not let her be? After all, this is where she was born and raised.”
Huo Zhenfei’s tone was somewhat mocking, “Father wants you to be the bridge of communication with her, and you seem quite concerned about it.”
Chen Wengang pretended not to understand, “I’ve always been concerned about matters related to Niansheng.”
Actually, he agreed to intercede. Even if there was a result, even if Huo Zhenfei didn’t relent, Huo Niansheng still had the right to speak.
Meeting with Huo Zhenfei was a gesture of communication, indicating that it wasn’t an arbitrary decision.
The two finished a pot of chrysanthemum Pu’er tea.
Before Chen Wengang left, Huo Zhenfei glanced at his slender figure and finally asked, “Given to you by Huo Niansheng, huh?”
Chen Wengang followed his gaze and looked down, then chuckled, “Why not guess that I gave it to Huo Niansheng?”
Huo Zhenfei showed a surprised expression.
He had been busy for a while and hadn’t seen his cousin for some time, so he hadn’t noticed if Huo Niansheng had acquired anything extra on his hand.
But regardless, to get a playboy like him to settle down—definitely not an easy task. If the next time he sees him and finds out that Huo Niansheng is actually wearing a ring and not letting go of it, Huo Zhenfei would almost be impressed.
He sat upright in his chair, watching as the other’s figure disappeared at the staircase.
Exiting the teahouse, Chen Wengang grasped his own left hand.
If he had just announced that they were engaged, Huo Zhenfei might have been even more shocked.
Of course, they hadn’t planned to tell anyone yet, and he still didn’t feel the reality of it himself.
When the ring was first put on, it felt like there was something foreign stuck at the base of his finger, but he got used to it and didn’t feel anything anymore.
He was unsure if marriage was the same, but marriage is a big deal for anyone. In Huo Niansheng’s mouth, it became just a casual mention—like discussing where to go for a holiday, and then they hastily made a decision, without any flowers, music, or kneeling proposals.
It was fortunate they didn’t, as Chen Wengang might not have known what to do if he had gone all out.
Zheng Yucheng used to pay attention to these romantic gestures in his previous life. Like going to meaningful restaurants for Valentine’s Day, celebrating every anniversary of their acquaintance, and even seriously contemplating what kind of wedding they would have in the future—whether it would be on a lawn or a beach, wearing black or white clothes, who to have as groomsmen, which guests to invite…
Sometimes Chen Wengang didn’t know whether to describe him as romantic or childish, but he didn’t want to dampen his spirits and always cooperated gently.
Huo Niansheng was different. It’s not that he couldn’t create romance; it’s just that he did everything arbitrarily and unconventionally.
Just like now, saying something like going abroad to get married, and then urging Chen Wengang to set a date.
The only thing missing was a sign on his face saying that he meant it seriously.
After Amanda returned to the country, she worked non-stop to help her boss arrange the itinerary. Passports and visas were necessary, along with various related documents.
Once the dates were set and flights booked, only then sis Chen Wengang had a feeling of awakening, as if from a dream, when she asked Chen Wengang for his
ID number.
Chen Wengang secretly informed Luo Suwei that he might need to take some time off for a trip. She agreed but found it odd since there weren’t any upcoming holidays. “This is so sudden. Where are you going?”
Chen Wengang didn’t specify the destination, “It’s something I decided with a friend on the spur of the moment.”
His colleague teased, “Is it with Mr. Huo? It looks like you guys are making progress?”
But nobody suspected their true purpose, their imagination not daring enough to guess the truth.
Returning to his home on Jiangchao Street, Chen Wengang found Huo Niansheng absent. He turned on the lights to an empty and cold house.
He could have stayed at Yunding Tower, where the conditions were better, but ever since the last time they warmed the room together, Huo Niansheng seemed to enjoy the feeling of being cramped together here—smaller space, more intimate, where they could see each other with just a turn.
Chen Wengang opened his computer and did some research.
Las Vegas was a clichéd option, known for quick marriages. The advantage lies in its convenience, speed, freedom, and efficiency. Marriage was a common business there; you could pick up a package upon arrival and get married on the spot, just as easily as cooking a meal at home.
Of course, such marriages might not be recognized in places that don’t approve of US marriage certificates. He made an appointment to meet with Lawyer Zhu.
Lawyer Zhu explained some legal knowledge and precautions to Chen Wengang in the office: “You don’t need any materials other than valid passports from both parties. Fill out the form on-site and obtain a marriage license. Remember, the certificate they issue to you has an expiration date. Marriages in Nevada are only protected and effective under US law, so don’t forget to register at the city hall.”
Chen Wengang made a joke, “So you’re saying if the other party wants to trick me into marriage, they could actually exploit this loophole?”
Lawyer Zhu smiled, “That’s correct. For various purposes, they might deceive you into thinking they want to get married but not actually go through with the procedures.”
It’s just that Huo Niansheng probably had nothing to deceive him about.
Lawyer Zhu tapped the paper with a pen and continued, “Also, even if this marriage is valid in the US, it’s essentially invalid in places that don’t recognize same-sex marriage. Your marriage certificate might just be for your own enjoyment when you bring it back.”
“But it’s valid locally?”
“Yes.”
Lawyer Zhu waited for him to clarify the purpose. Chen Wengang was very polite, “Then I’ll trouble you to draft a prenuptial agreement.”
Lawyer Zhu agreed, uncapping his pen, and casually asked, “You suddenly want to get married, is there any news?”
Chen Wengang was taken aback, “What?”
Lawyer Zhu also paused, “Nothing. I must have been mistaken.”
However, the words were already out, and under Chen Wengang’s gaze, he hesitated and continued, “Just a bit of gossip—do you know that Mr. Huo has been frequently modifying his will in the past six months?”
Chen Wengang naturally didn’t know.
Lawyer Zhu thought for a moment and explained, “This indicates that he’s hesitant about inheritance distribution. As far as I know, he has always hoped that Mr. Huo could enter into marriage according to his wishes. If Mr. Huo really gets married, the clauses in the will might be more favorable to him.”
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