Huo Guanchen’s voice filtered through the Bluetooth earpiece. It sounded slightly weary. “It is the first day of the lunar new year today, Shaoheng. Will you be coming home?”
Huo Shaoheng had initially not intended to go back. However, hearing how Huo Guanchen sounded, he instinctively felt that there was a hidden meaning behind his words.
“How is grandpa?” Huo Shaoheng asked casually.
“Not very good. On the eve of the lunar new year yesterday, he threw a fit because there was no one at home. Then, we realized that his mouth was slacking to one side this morning. The doctor from the military hospital just left. He told us that he had suffered a mild stroke.” Huo Guanchen was extremely worried. “The old man is getting on in years. He only wants everyone to gather during the lunar new year. Come back and visit him for a bit.”
Huo Shaoheng nodded calmly. “I will come back immediately. I still have two hours left before going on duty.” After Huo Shaoheng hung up the call, he turned to look at Gu Nianzhi. “I am going to see the Huo family for a lunar new year visit. Will you come with me?”
Gu Nianzhi actually did not feel like going. However, seeing that little glimmer of hope in Huo Shaoheng’s eyes, the words of rejection that were about to come out of her mouth turned into an “okay.”
The furrow between Huo Shaoheng’s eyebrows loosened up all of a sudden. His lips curled upwards into a handsome smile, and his face lit up like a painting filled with colors. He looked extremely handsome in an instant and was so attractive.
Gu Nianzhi looked away and followed Huo Shaoheng to the car they had driven to General Ji’s living quarters in.
“Let me drive.” Gu Nianzhi stuck her hand out at Huo Shaoheng. “Give me the keys.”
Huo Shaoheng had drunk alcohol earlier. Gu Nianzhi did not wish to call the chauffeur at this time. Therefore, she decided to be the chauffeur for the day.
Huo Shaoheng stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked at Gu Nianzhi quietly. His deep-set eyes seemed like they could speak. They looked like they were filled with questions.
Gu Nianzhi smiled and answered his queries. “I am your nurse today. Of course, I will have to protect you all the way.”
Huo Shaoheng took out the car keys and handed them to Gu Nianzhi. They opened the doors and got into the car. Gu Nianzhi took the driver’s seat, while Huo Shaoheng took the passenger’s seat.
Those who thought that they had broken up had their doubts cleared when they saw this. Everyone thought that the relationship between these two was abnormal. No one really believed that they had broken up.
Moreover, everyone could tell that although Huo Shaoheng said that he had injured his arm, he had no problem eating or drinking. Therefore, he would definitely be fine with driving.
However, Huo Shaoheng let Gu Nianzhi drive this time around. This proved that Huo Shaoheng did not see Gu Nianzhi as an important person in his life. Most likely, she was just a person who was passing by in his life…
Anyway, Huo Shaoheng and Gu Nianzhi were both single. No matter if they were lovers or flings, it was not a problem and that would violate any rules.
Of course, Gu Nianzhi could not be bothered by these people. She had also come to terms with herself about them. It was not important how others saw her. What was important was whether or not she could be strong enough for herself.
Gu Nianzhi really liked her career planning. She would be able to reach the peak of her career in a short time, then she would be able to marry someone who was tall, rich, and handsome…
…
The living quarters of the Huo family was in the same military compound as General Ji’s, but it was in the other direction. If they were to walk over, it would take about twenty-odd minutes.
Therefore, Huo Shaoheng and Gu Nianzhi drove over.
After driving for about seven minutes, they arrived at the metal gates of the Huo’s mansion. As compared to General Ji’s traditional-looking mansion, the Huo’s mansion was a western-looking one with artistic floral metal gates out front.
Huo Shaoheng guided Gu Nianzhi to park the car along the lanes near the mansion. After parking, they walked to the entrance of the Huo’s mansion. The soldier on duty at the entrance knew Huo Shaoheng and Gu Nianzhi. He saluted Huo Shaoheng immediately. “Happy New Year, sir.”
Huo Shaoheng nodded in acknowledgment. “Happy New Year. You have worked hard.”
Gu Nianzhi had intentionally fallen a step behind. She would not have to accept the salute that way. She was not in the army and therefore was not qualified to accept any forms of a salute from the soldiers. Gu Nianzhi respected soldiers a lot. No matter if they were generals or recruits, they were the same to her.
…
Entering the house with Huo Shaoheng, Gu Nianzhi felt emotional. What had happened at last year’s Lunar New Year Eve felt as though it had just happened yesterday. Now that she had returned here, she felt so distant. Huo Shaoheng looked calm as he walked ahead of Gu Nianzhi in big strides.
Upon entering the living area, they realized that there were a few guests in the house.
On the three-seater, pearl-gray sofa was Huo Guanchen, Tan Guiren, Cai Shengnan, and Mrs. Prime Minister Madam Cai Songyin.
Huo Shaoheng realized that his father tricked him yet again.
However, since he had already entered, turning around and leaving in front of these people would be extremely impolite. Huo Shaoheng’s professional habit was to not lose his manners in any situation.
Even if he wanted to make things awkward for a person, he had to make it seem graceful. When he put people down, there should not be any profanity in his speech, as doing so would tarnish his reputation.
He walked over with a slight smile and greeted everyone in the living area. “Happy New Year, everyone.”
Then, he turned to his father Huo Guanchen. “General Huo, where is grandpa?”
Seeing that Huo Shaoheng did not greet him as “father: in front of guests, Huo Guanchen felt embarrassed. With a stern face, he said, “Who were you talking to? Such horrible manners!”
Seeing the situation, Tan Guiren quickly said, “Uncle Huo, please do not say that. By calling you General Huo, Mr. Huo was merely respecting you and showing closeness at the same time.”
“Oh really? I can hear the respect, but how did that show closeness? Cousin, you cannot be biased to such an extent, you know?” Cai Shengnan clapped as she responded to Tan Guiren’s words, acting like she was really keen to know more while winking at Tan Guiren.
Tan Guiren blushed slightly and said daintily, “Children and youths nowadays like addressing their parents this way. Instead of calling ‘mom’ or ‘dad’, they prefer calling them by their names or honorifics. I personally also feel that such addresses are much more intimate.”
“Oh, I see. There is something to that…” Huo Guanchen laughed. His impression of Tan Guiren improved.
He looked similar to Huo Shaoheng. He was also one of the people with the highest rank in the army. Although he was getting on in age, when he was not putting on a straight face, he looked extremely handsome.
Even Cai Shengnan, who had seen many people, had been stunned by his looks when she’d first set her eyes upon him.
“Miss Tan is really good with words.” Huo Guanchen was extremely polite towards Tan Guiren. Turning to Cai Songyin, he said, “Mrs. Tan really brought her daughter up well!”
Previously, Song Jinning had openly expressed that she did not want Tan Guiren to be her daughter-in-law. Cai Songyin was actually fuming over it. She felt that Song Jinning had no manners by saying such things in public. She had only forgiven them after Huo Guanchen apologized over and over again sincerely.
Of course, she had also forgiven them because she respected Tan Guiren. If Tan Guiren was not interested in Huo Shaoheng, they would be ostracizing the Huos right now.
Being the Prime Minister of the cabinet, even after going through the impeachment, Tan Dongbang had stabilized his position back at work.
Cai Songyin believed that nothing could waver the position of their family, and therefore did not see the point of bootlicking the Huos anymore. Moreover, Cai Songyin’s family controlled the media industry. It would be an easy task to sabotage the reputation of a family.
They could let the Huos become the topic of discussion just by accusing them of something bad.
It was solely because Tan Dongbang had just managed to survive the impeachment. Therefore, Cai Songyin did not wish to rock the boat and create too many enemies as of yet.
With the factors added up, she did not pursue the matter with the Huos any further. Had it not been for Tan Guiren hearing that Huo Shaoheng was injured and insisting upon visiting, Cai Songyin would never have set foot in the Huo’s home no matter what.
She had her pride.
“Alright, I still have things to do at the Prime Minister’s mansion. I shall make a move first.” Cai Songyin had sent Tan Guiren to their place and had intended to go back. Turning to Cai Shengnan, she said, “Shengnan, your cousin is naïve and kind. She is not a scheming type of person and would not be a match for people like these. Look after her for me and do not let others take advantage of her.”
Tan Guiren blushed furiously and said uneasily while rubbing her hands together, “Please do not say that, Mommy. No one is taking advantage of me here.”
Cai Shengnan agreed readily. “Please don’t worry, aunt, I will definitely protect cousin well!”
Huo Guanchen stood up along with her. “Mrs. Tan, do you not wish to leave after the meal?”
“It is alright. The Prime Minister’s work cannot go without me.” Cai Songyin smiled politely, her round and fair face exuding an air of mature elegance.
When she walked past Gu Nianzhi, Cai Songyin stopped in her tracks and smiled. “Miss Gu, isn’t it? If Guiren offends you later, please be forgiving towards her, and do not stoop to her level. She had been spoiled since she was young, and has not gotten in touch with the society yet. She is a naïve girl and does not have bad intentions.”
Gu Nianzhi chuckled. “Mrs. Tan’s words are so contradictory. If you say that your dear Miss Guiren is naïve and does not have bad intentions, then how would she offend me? You know as well that I have no one to depend on. I would never make things difficult for anyone. That is… unless someone stirs things up to make my life difficult.”
Cai Songyin’s expression changed and she snorted. “You are only good with words and nothing else.”
