Huo Jinyao married a girl whom she didn’t like. Since getting married, the girl did nothing to make Liu Tongjia dislike her less.
First of all, she disliked Su Qingsang for her family background. At first, she disliked that the girl was an illegitimate daughter.
Later on, she became the daughter of Li Qianxue and Su Chenghui, but what does that matter? She had a father like that, meaning that she was probably just as much of a schemer as him. How many tricks did she play to make Huo Jinyao marry her?
Who would know?
Liu Tongjia also didn’t like Su Qingsang because of Huo Jinyao.
She said and said with a slightly helpless tone, “Father, I’ve been trying to tell you that you have spoiled him. You wouldn’t listen. See how that went? He’s grown up and started to make mistakes.”
She still didn’t point out what Huo Jinyao did wrong. Old Master Huo started to run out of patience.
“Just tell us what happened, and don’t beat about the bush.”
Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao both looked at Liu Tongjia. The first thought that popped in Huo Jinyao’s mind was that his mother was going to talk about what Su Qingsang’s father did and use that against Su Qingsang.
Thankfully, he had talked to his grandfather about that beforehand. His grandfather wouldn’t be upset about that now.
Also, what Su Chenghui did had nothing to do with Su Qingsang.
“Father…” thinking about what Huo Mingmei said last night, Liu Tongjia twisted her lip corners in a sarcastic smile.
“You may not like what I’m about to say.” she turned to Huo Jinyao, her eyes full of discontent. “Look at Jinyao. What did he say yesterday? He said babies are precious gifts to their parents. I thought he really wanted to have a lovely baby to fulfill your wish of meeting your great-grandson. But earlier, I found out that he was lying. He doesn’t want children at all.”
On hearing her words, both Huo Mingguang and Old Master Huo turned to Huo Jinyao.
Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang were both stunned. They didn’t expect Tong Tongjia to talk about that.
“Father, Jiang told me something after cleaned their room this morning. I was unaware that they’ve been using birth control until then.”
Liu Tongjia snorted coldly, glaring at Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang.
“How could you lie to your elders like that? Is that fair for your grandfather who loves you both so much?”
Like Old Master Huo, Liu Tongjia also wished that Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang could have a baby as soon as possible. As much as she didn’t like Huo Jinyao, she did want grandchildren.
In Rong City, the children of many people at Huo Jinyao’s age were already in kindergarten. Unlike them, Huo Jinyao married late.
Huo Jinyao married at the age of thirty, which was much later than usual. Even so, he didn’t intend to have a baby immediately.
“He told his grandfather that he wants a baby, yet secretly uses birth control. What does that say about him? That’s not what he told us before.”
This was exactly why Liu Tongjia didn’t like Huo Jinyao; he always lied. Thinking of what he had done before, her voice grew even colder.
“You could have just told us that you don’t want a child. Why did you lie to us?”
Liu Tongjia’s voice wasn’t loud. She had lowered her voice on purpose while some house workers were still in the kitchen or outside. However, everyone in the living room heard her loud and clear.
At that point, Old Master Huo began looking upset. Huo Minguang was also looking at Huo Jinyao with discontent.
Su Qingsang sat there under the gazes of the elders, feeling as if countless long needles were piercing into her back.
She never thought that Liu Tongjia would find out about that. She was already feeling sorry for Old Master Huo, so now she didn’t even know what to say.
The guilt made her feel uncomfortable. Huo Jinyao gently squeezed her hand to signal for her to relax.
How could she possibly relax? She gave him another glance, and Huo Jinyao squeezed her palm again.
Liu Tongjia had surely noticed their interaction, which further ignited her anger.
Like Su Qingsang, Huo Jinyao was surprised to hear what Liu Tongjia said. He looked at his grandfather and parents, pressing his lips together.
“I don’t want a child yet because I’m not ready to be a father.”
“You are not ready to be a father?” Liu Tongxia tittered, “Is it you who’s not ready, or her?”
“It’s me.” Huo Jinyao didn’t mind if Liu Tongjia knew, “Mom, I decided to not have a baby now. You have no right to drag Qingsang into this.”
“I dragged her into this?” She was not blind. She saw their small, secret interactions just now.
“I’ve already told you that it was my decision.”
Huo Jinyao seemed a little upset, and Liu Tongjia looked even unhappier.
“Alright.” Liu Tongjia nodded. Noticing how protective her son was to Su Qingsang, she said to him, “You said you’re the one who doesn’t want a child, but what did you say to your grandfather yesterday?”
Old Master Huo remained silent. He had no idea how much time he had left. His wife seemed very healthy before she left, yet she passed on so suddenly.
He considered himself healthy, but as an elderly person, he honestly couldn’t tell how many more years he had left. He wanted Huo Jinyao to get married years ago.
Finally, Huo Jinyao got married. Of course, Old Master Huo wanted him to have a baby as soon as possible so he could meet the fourth generation of his family before he dies.
He did not expect Huo Jinyao to lie to him.
Not only did Old Master Huo’s face appear sullen, but Huo Mingguang also looked displeased with what his son has done.
He could have told his family that he didn’t want children instead of lying to them.
“Do you see your family as unreasonable? Can’t you tell us how you truly feel?” Liu Tongjia said with a cold voice, obviously disappointed with Huo Jinyao and his wife. “No matter what happens, you can talk to your parents and grandfather about it honestly. But what did you do?”
This time, Huo Jinyao didn’t say anything. Su Qingsang dropped her head and stayed quiet. Liu Tongjia’s tone of speaking was harsh, but what she said made sense.
Looking at Su Qingsand, Liu Tongjia continued with, “You said it has nothing to do with her, but do you expect me to believe that? Isn’t she the one who doesn’t want to have children?”
As Huo Jinyao seemed to say something, she glared at him with a warning. “Don’t always speak for her. She’s an adult. Doesn’t she know how to speak? Su Qingsang, tell me now, which one of you doesn’t want children?”
Su Qingsang looked at Liu Tongjia, then at Old Master Huo. Her face was a little pale. Sensing the disappointment in Old Master Huo’s eyes, she dropped her head with guilt.
“Grandpa, I’m sorry.”
Liu Tongjia looked at Old Master Huo, said, “Father, did you see that? Don’t you see what’s happening? What else is left to say?”
Old Master Huo didn’t say anything. Huo Mingguang knitted his brows.
Huo Jinyao looked at Su Qingsang and held her hand tightly. “Mom, you don’t need to make this such a big deal,” he said to his mother, “Qingsang is still young, and neither of us is ready. Besides, what’s so wrong about having children later? I didn’t marry Qingsang just for her to bear my children.”
“You think what you did was right?” Liu Tongjia was so angry that she almost laughed, “You say she’s young, but aren’t we all? You didn’t marry her to let her bear children, so that gives you the right to lie to us?”
“I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t want to hurt you. We will have children when we are ready. Why won’t you just be patient?”
“Sure, you will have children when you are ready. When that day comes, however, your father and I might…”
“Enough!” Old Master Huo scolded. Liu Tongjia didn’t finish speaking.
Looking at Old Master Huo in the eyes, she shut her mouth.
Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao both dropped their heads, looking a little guilty.
Old Master Huo looked at his grandson and his wife, whom he truly liked, and gave a long sigh in his head.
“I’m old. You’re not listening to what I said anymore. You don’t respect me, but I don’t blame you for that.”
“Grandpa…” Old Master Huo’s words made Su Qingsang feel so ashamed.
Huo Jinyao looked uneasy too. He looked at Old Master Huo and wanted to say something, but he stopped on second thought.
“You can do as you please.” Old Master Huo stood up and glanced at Huo Jinyao. His eyes were filled with disappointment.
Noticing the look in his eyes, Su Qingsang suddenly grew anxious. She hurriedly stood up to explain for Huo Jinyao. “Grandfather…”
Old Master Huo waved a hand to stop her. He didn’t want to hear it.
“Go eat breakfast. I’m going back to my room.”
“Grandpa…”
Without giving her a response, Old Master Huo turned and went upstairs.
The atmosphere in the living room instantly cooled down. Huo Jinyao stood up, prepared to go upstairs to check on Old Master Huo.
“Sit down.” Huo Mingguang said to him.
Su Qingsang sat down. Both she and Huo Jinyao wore a deep frown.
Su Qingsang felt especially guilty at that moment. Old Master Huo was an open-minded person.
She and Huo Jinyao could have told him that they didn’t want children. They really shouldn’t have lied to him.
“Don’t you listen to me anymore?” As Huo Jinyao didn’t move, Huo Mingguang’s voice grew deep. It was rare for him to be so harsh to Huo Jinyao.
It was the first time Su Qingsang saw her father-in-law lose his temper. She pulled Huo Jinyao’s sleeve, signaling for him to sit down.
As Huo Jinyao sat down, Huo Mingguang didn’t say anything to him immediately. Instead, he called Mr. Cheng the butler and asked him to send the breakfast upstairs to Old Master Huo himself.
Mr. Cheng had been serving the family for tens of years. Old Master Huo was willing to talk to him and listen to what he said.
Mr. Cheng didn’t hear what they said in the living room just now, but he could still easily tell that his master wasn’t in a good mood. After receiving the order, he quickly left.
Huo Mingguang looked at Huo Jinyao. Like Old Master Huo, he was satisfied with Huo Jinyao.
Because of what happened earlier, he would never say to Hu Jinyao’s face that he was satisfied with him. He was sometimes very strict with Huo Jinyao, but he always knew that Huo Jinyao was an outstanding boy.
This was the first time he believed that his son did something wrong.
