DLRAS Chapter 96

Chapter 96: A brief revival before the end.

The album was not thick, and it took about ten minutes to flip to the bottom.
　　
Photos are frozen moments in time, looking back gives a strange feeling.

It seems that Huo Niansheng doesn’t like taking photos, but there were still different people who left some old images of him at different times.

Chen Wengang leaned over the bedside, his fingers touching the photo paper. This album was something he hadn’t seen in his previous life, perhaps taken away by someone else for processing.
　　
Huo Niansheng’s childhood already showed traces of bright eyes and eyebrows, and in adolescence, there was added arrogance in his expression.

At that time, he liked to lift his chin, looking at people with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, much like now, causing Chen Wengang to show a faint smile.
　　
The album stopped at the last page, with a photo of them taken in Las Vegas —
　　
Huo Niansheng had his arm around him, looking languid, while Chen Wengang leaned on his shoulder, with Lawyer Zhu helping to press the shutter.

Chen Wengang felt a warmth in his heart, not knowing when Huo Niansheng had sneaked up on him.
　　
He smiled and asked, “How come my solo photo is also included?”
　　
Huo Niansheng rested his chin on his shoulder, pretending not to understand, “I don’t know, must have sneaked in.”
　　
“Well, let’s take it out then.” Chen Wengang pretended to reach for it, but he held it back, and the two of them wrestled over the album until suddenly Huo Niansheng leaned over and kissed his ear, making Chen Wengang cover his itching ear, laughing and patting his sturdy back.
　　
He flipped through the album from back to front again, this time noticing more details.
　　
“Is this the graduation dance? Who’s the person you’re dancing with?”
　　
“I don’t remember, just a female classmate I didn’t usually talk to. How about you?”
　　
“I also danced with a female classmate I wasn’t very familiar with. We happened to be standing together at the beginning; I didn’t want to be rude and not invite the girl.”
　
“I see.”
　　
Huo Niansheng went to open the stereo.

He took a few records from the shelf, compared them, and chose one. The melody of a waltz floated out.

Chen Wengang understood, moved his legs off the bed, and walked toward him.
　　
Huo Niansheng held his hand, his other hand around his waist.
　　
Their bodies were close together, and they turned on the carpet.
　
Huo Niansheng asked, “I thought you’d mention dancing the first dance with Zheng Yucheng. Was he jealous that you danced with a female classmate?”
　　
Chen Wengang found that they could now talk openly about these things, “Don’t remember, we hadn’t established a relationship back then.”
　　
“I’m several years older than you guys.” Huo Niansheng expressed regret, “Otherwise, maybe I would have pursued you back then.”

“So it’s a pity that I met you too late, we wasted a lot of time,” Chen Wengang said.

“But looking at it from another perspective, no matter what happened, I didn’t miss out on you. Heaven still favors me. I’ve always felt like a lucky person.”

They danced in the room, as if they were in a missed graduation dance.

On this night without outsiders, the conversation became endless, even mentioning Huo Zhenfei’s century wedding.

Huo Niansheng admitted, “Huo Yingfei is right; the most important thing for wealthy families is to make a show. I’ve seen their grandeur back then; you can also find it in the news. Have you ever thought, this is how other people’s weddings should be like?”

He joked, “You’re just easy to please, being satisfied with a perfunctory gesture, sneaking out of the country, handling some paperwork, and being content.”

Chen Wengang smiled at him, “Have you ever thought, being under the scrutiny of the public would be even more pressure? That’s not what I want.”

Huo Niansheng whispered, “If we—”

Unconsciously, their dance steps stopped.

Chen Wengang held onto his arm, stopping the words that were about to follow.

Huo Niansheng lowered his head, his neck slowly tilting forward, until he captured his lips, soft and warm. Chen Wengang closed his eyes, welcoming his kiss. His lover in front of him was like a cup of aphrodisiac absinthe, carrying poisonous spells, tempting one to take a sip and fall into the abyss.

The sky exploded with a thunderous roar.

Chen Wengang was startled, the curtains rattled, suddenly lifted by the wind.

Torrential rain poured down, clamoring against the glass door.

He released Huo Niansheng’s hand, quickly went to the balcony, and reached out to close the French window.

Chen Wengang stood there, looking up at the dark sky. “The weather forecast didn’t mention thunderstorms.”

Huo Niansheng came over and hugged his waist, also looking up. Lightning tore through the sky, followed by another thunderous roar.

“When has the weather forecast ever been accurate?”

The dance couldn’t go on, the music was no longer melodious, and the ears were filled with explosive bangs, like some ominous omen.

Huo Niansheng said, “Let’s rest early.”

The thunder intensified, rolling through the night. It started with explosions every two minutes, making people’s hearts race, and making it difficult to fall asleep.

Chen Wengang couldn’t sleep, he pressed against Huo Niansheng’s chest, knowing that the other person hadn’t fallen asleep either.

The two of them silently embraced in the darkness, feeling each other’s breath.

Eventually, the thunder became less intense, turning into a deep rumble, rolling far away, the sky seeming to have endless trains passing by.

It wasn’t until close to midnight that Chen Wengang dozed off amidst the roaring rain.

In a daze, he heard twelve chimes, Huo Niansheng kissed his forehead and said, “You sleep, I’ll go see what’s happening.”

Outside the door, Uncle Zhong was knocking.

Huo Niansheng put on his clothes and followed him to Huo Kaishan’s bedroom door, where Huo Zhenfei, Huo Yingfei, Huo Jingsheng, and others were already standing in a row. They had all gone in to see their grandfather, and Huo Zhenfei gestured to Huo Niansheng, “It’s your turn.”

Huo Niansheng pushed the door and entered.

Huo Kaishan lay on the bed, his face looking up, his bedroom still converted into a makeshift ward. He was fitted with monitoring equipment, propped up on a pile of pillows, his spirits surprisingly good, even more radiant than he had looked at lunchtime.

A term appeared in Huo Niansheng’s mind.

A brief revival before the end.

At this moment, Huo Kaishan resembled an ordinary grandfather, discussing some matters with his grandson. As he spoke, he eventually fell into reminiscence, “I took a nap this afternoon, I don’t know why, but I dreamed that Feng Lailai came to see me. Can you understand? No matter how many children one has, the feeling of being a parent for the first time is always different. When your father was born, he was so tiny. The nurse handed him to me; he was so soft, I didn’t dare to exert any force. I thought, this is my son. I, Huo Kaishan, have a son…”

Huo Niansheng’s lips curled slightly as if listening, but his eyes were devoid of any expression.

Huo Kaishan was immersed in his embellished memories of his eldest son. He began to become confused and waved to Huo Niansheng, “Come closer.”

Huo Kaishan waved to Huo Niansheng again, “Come closer.”

Huo Niansheng approached a bit, bending down toward him.

Huo Kaishan frowned, his eyes unfocused. The transition from being spirited to becoming confused seems to happen in an instant.

He looked at Huo Niansheng for a moment, then sighed softly, “Fenglai…”

Huo Niansheng calmly left the room and found the medical staff, “Go see if there’s any need for further resuscitation.”

Second Uncle Huo, who was smoking, put out his cigarette, and Third Uncle Huo hurried inside.

Huo Niansheng returned to the bedroom and started getting dressed. Chen Wengang was awakened again, sitting up and asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Grandfather’s condition has worsened,” Huo Niansheng patted him, “It’s okay, we already knew. Just stay lying down.”

“I’ll go with you,” Chen Wengang yawned and went to find his clothes.

“No need.”

At that moment, Huo Zhenfei knocked on the door, followed by the anxious Huo Yuxiang.

It was natural for the children to be afraid. Footsteps were chaotic in the corridor, medical staff rushed about, and the ambulance was parked at the door, flashing with glaring red and blue lights in the silence. In fact, it was just going through the motions, as the doctor upstairs had already shaken his head.

Second Uncle Huo requested that his father be sent to the hospital for further emergency treatment, and Third Uncle Huo couldn’t refuse, so it was decided.

The father patted his son’s back, indicating that he should stay in this room.

Huo Zhenfei looked at Chen Wengang. “We’re all going to the hospital now, my wife is going too. We won’t let the child come with us, but there won’t be any adults at home. Could you please stay at home and watch him?”

Chen Wengang hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, reaching out to hold Huo Yuxiang’s hand.

The ambulance quickly started, leaving the Huo residence empty, surrounded by silence.

Before long, there were two knocks on the door. Jiang Cai, wrapped in a blanket, timidly poked her head in. “Can I stay with you guys?”

She continued on her own, slipping in quickly. “I don’t ask for much, just give me a sofa to sleep on.”

Chen Wengang asked, “Aren’t you going with them?”

Jiang Cai looked confused. “I don’t know what to do. Nobody informed me, nobody cares about me. Anyway, I’m just an outsider. I might not even have food to eat until tomorrow morning.”

Huo Yuxiang was tucked into Huo Niansheng’s bed, and Chen Wengang lay down fully clothed, patting the child and coaxing him to sleep for a while.

Huo Yuxiang couldn’t sleep. “Is Grandpa going to die?”

Chen Wengang replied, “It’s possible.”

Jiang Cai, indifferent, felt like she was watching a fire from across the river. “So, tomorrow will be lively, huh?”

Chen Wengang said, “Yeah.”

And so it became morning; indeed, it was lively. Reporters finally got what they were waiting for, with headlines covering the news of the passing of veteran shipping magnate Huo Kaishan. Chen Wengang waited for Huo Niansheng’s call. His tone was still calm and composed. “Have you eaten?”

“Yeah, I have. There’s food in the kitchen,” Chen Wengang replied.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

Chen Wengang looked out the window, the rain pouring down heavily, it seemed as if even the heavens were lamenting. “Okay, be safe on your way back.”

He didn’t have much to worry about. The death of the head of the Huo family at this time didn’t really concern him. According to the trajectory of his previous life, when the will was announced, Third Uncle Huo naturally won. Although Second Huo wasn’t not be convinced, he himself didn’t have the power to successfully seize control.

He stayed at the Huo residence simply because he was burdened with two responsibilities—Huo Yuxiang was still young and clung to him, not letting him leave, and Jiang Cai, amidst the solemn and somber atmosphere, even with a bystander mentality, felt a little reassured having someone to rely on.

Chen Wengang stayed until the afternoon, unexpectedly seeing Huo Yingfei return home first. “Oh, you’re still here.”

Chen Wengang nodded as he and Huo Yuxiang were in the living room reading an English book.

Huo Yingfei’s eyes were red. Regardless of whether it was genuine or not, it seemed like he had been crying. His expression was indifferent, but his eyes told a different story. He was about to go upstairs when he suddenly remembered something and turned back. “Do you remember what I told you yesterday…”

Chen Wengang furrowed his brows. “Which sentence are you referring to?”

Huo Yingfei glanced at his nephew, but didn’t repeat what he said in front of him. Instead, he wore a knowing expression and said, “Actually, it’s a piece of information I heard—although grandfather’s final will hasn’t been announced yet, according to his intentions during his lifetime, there’s a high possibility that he set up such a clause. As long as Huo Niansheng enters into a normal marriage, in other words, if he finds a woman to marry, as a reward, he won’t miss out on his benefits. If they have children again, following what I said yesterday, you can guess how much his wife can get.”

Chen Wengang chuckled, “Are you saying all this because you think Huo Niansheng will compromise?”

Huo Yingfei also laughed, “Do I hope to see him get an extra two billion for nothing? I actually hope he doesn’t compromise.”

Chen Wengang gave him a glance but didn’t say anything.

Huo Yingfei stared at him maliciously, “Anyway, according to grandfather’s temperament, the kind of marriage you two have is impossible to pass off as genuine. He started having my father help Huo Niansheng find suitable marriage candidates several years ago. The old man is very stubborn, when he gets stubborn, everyone has to listen to him, so how could anyone just give up if someone else says so? Therefore, you keep insisting that you two have true love, but now you can only choose between the benefits and true love. Which one do you think Huo Niansheng will choose, or will you agree to a marriage of convenience with him?”

Huo Yuxiang, listening from the side, asked, “What’s a marriage of convenience?”

Chen Wengang put his hand on his head and said, “It’s a fake marriage, you’ll understand when you’re older.”

Huo Yingfei, feeling the weight of his reproachful gaze, shrugged, “Sorry, I actually have a grudge against Huo Niansheng, that’s why I’ve been provoking you time and time again, but this is also an early warning for you. Think about it yourself.”

With that, he stomped upstairs.