Huo Jinyao was really pressed for time these few days, and not just due to his company’s business.
Both Huo Yifan and Huo Yiyang have been stepping over the boundaries recently. He was not afraid of them, but unfortunately, Huo Mingguang favored his nephews and had time and again cut them a lot of slack.
“Then you two enjoy yourselves. Just let the tour guide know where you would like to go and what activities you would like to do.”
“Sure, I will.” Su Qingsang could hear the fatigue in Huo Jinyao’s voice. “Are you exhausted? You sound a little hoarse. You need to take time to rest too. Don’t overwork yourself.”
“Thank you, dear, for your concern. I will.”
Huo Jinyao glanced at the time while he was speaking, and saw the hour just turned eleven. He suddenly blurted out, “Happy new year.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s new year’s eve tomorrow and Japan is an hour ahead of China, so it should be new year’s day now. Happy new year.”
Su Qingsang was momentarily stunned. It was too quiet at her side; so quiet that she had forgotten about that. Today is the last day of this year.
“Happy new year to you too.”
Huo Jinyao seemed satisfied. “I think I’m the first person to give you a new year’s greeting, am I not?”
“You are.” Su Qingsang nodded. “Would you like me to give you a call at twelve later so that I can be the first person to give you a new year’s greeting too?”
“There’s no need. You should sleep soon. If not, how will you have the energy to take a tour tomorrow?”
“Okay.” He was always so thoughtful. Su Qingsang felt genuine warmth in her heart.
Huo Jinyao saw Yang Wenchang coming in with a set of data. He seemed a little somber.
He gave a hand signal and spoke softly to Su Qingsang on the other end of the line.
“It’s late now, go and rest.”
“Okay, you too.”
As he hung up, the gentle look on Huo Jinyao’s face dissipated. His eyes were bright as they bore into Yang Wenchang’s. “How did the investigation go? Any results?”
Yang Wenchang took a few steps forward and held out the papers in his hands to Huo Jinyao. “President Huo, I have done an investigation, but there seems to be something amiss.”
“What is amiss?”
“Have a look at the data first. You will see for yourself.”
Huo Jinyao took the papers from him and there was a dark look in his eyes after he randomly flipped through a few pages.
“President Huo?”
Yang Wenchang was a little unhinged by the look in his eyes. Huo Jinyao gave a wave of his hand. “Leave me and go to your work.”
Yang Wenchang nodded and left the room.
Huo Jinyao turned to look at the night scene outside the window. There was a strange look in his eyes.
…
Su Qingsang fell asleep quickly after her call with Huo Jinyao the previous night. She woke up early to have some specialty noodles in a restaurant situated near the resort with Xiang Caiping.
After their meal, they listened to their tour guide’s recommendations of places of interest near their resort.
Su Qingsang nodded and was getting ready to board the vehicle that the tour guide had arranged for them in advance when she realized that she had forgotten to bring along her cell phone.
“I’ll go and get my phone.” Su Qingsang looked at the tour guide and Xiang Caiping. “Wait for me here for a while. I’ll be back soon.”
“Do you want me to go? I can get it for you myself.”
“Mother, I’m not a kid. It’s just crossing the road to get my phone. Wait a little while for me. I’ll return very soon.”
Su Qingsang hurried into the resort and to her room to retrieve her phone. When she stepped out of her room after that, she ran down the corridor after shutting her room door. At the same time, there was a person heading in her direction.
The person’s footsteps were not hurried, but Su Qingsang’s were. They ended up colliding with each other.
Su Qingsang stumbled two steps back and before she could steady herself, she heard the annoyed voice of a female. “Don’t you look where you’re going?”