This time, she came for two reasons. First, Liu Qiqi wanted to see Huo Jiusi. And second, she had a favor to ask of Huo Yingnian.
Her youngest son had run into some trouble, and the other party just wouldn’t let it go. She figured that since Huo Yingnian held such a high position now, he could resolve this with just a single sentence. She was just about to bring it up when Liu Qiqi came running in crying.
“I’m not home much, so Jiusi gets looked after by Old Yue next door. Their place is lively during the New Year with all the family around.”
Huo Yingnian had barely finished speaking when Liu Qiqi started sobbing loudly. “Great-Uncle, make Jiusi Gege come back and play with me! I came all this way just to see him!”
“And he needs to apologize to me! How could he say that to me? How is it none of my business?”
“Qiqi!”
Huo Yingyue scolded Liu Qiqi half-heartedly, but when she turned to Huo Yingnian, she said, “Brother, we’ve been here for a while now, and I’ve really missed Jiusi too. Why don’t you have him come back?”
“Jiusi knows you’re here. He’ll come back when he wants to.” Huo Yingnian’s tone was indifferent.
“Brother, you can’t spoil him like this. I know you’re still grieving over Xiaoyun.”
“And really, this is all Xiaoyun’s fault. Why did she have to marry so far away? And to some foreigner we didn’t even know!”
“And you’re just as much to blame. You could have had a second child back then, but you had to go and spoil her and only have this one. Now look at—”
Huo Yingyue was cut off mid-sentence by the look in Huo Yingnian’s eyes—so icy it made her too afraid to continue.
“Who is ‘her’?” Huo Yingnian’s voice was freezing cold.
Huo Yingyue stayed silent. Huo Yingnian slammed his teacup down heavily. “I asked you—who is ‘her’?”
“Brother, it’s the New Year! I came all the way from Jiangning to see you, and this is how you treat me? Jiusi treats Qiqi like that, and now you’re treating me like this. Are we your punching bags?”
Huo Yingyue felt deeply wronged. Every time that woman was mentioned, he became this terrifying person.
“Brother, I’m your own flesh and blood sister! And you treat me like this for an outsider!”
“Yueyue is your sister-in-law. She’s my wife. She has never been an outsider!”
Huo Yingnian couldn’t understand it—Yue Fenglan was such a wonderful person, so why did Huo Yingyue have such animosity toward her, always filled with so much ill will?
Huo Yingyue turned her face away and said nothing. Huo Yingnian’s mood also plummeted.
“Grandpa!”
A voice came from the courtyard—it was Huo Jiusi. “Yaya is here to wish you a Happy New Year!”
As his voice trailed off, Huo Jiusi carried Yaya inside and only put her down when they reached Huo Yingnian.
“Grandpa Huo, Happy New Year! May you have a safe and smooth year, good health and happiness, eat well and sleep well, and always have a smile on your face!”
Yaya clasped her hands together, bowed three times to Huo Yingnian, and recited her blessings.
Huo Yingnian’s mood instantly brightened. He took out the red envelope he’d specially prepared for Yaya and handed it to her with a warm smile.
“Yaya, Happy New Year to you too. May you be happy and joyful every single day of the new year.”
Huo Yingnian ruffled Yaya’s hair, and she looked up at him with a sweet smile. Turning to Huo Jiusi, she said, “Grandpa Huo, with Little Demon around, I’m happy every single day!”
Hearing Yaya say that, Huo Jiusi broke into a delighted smile.
“Grandpa Huo, Grandpa sent me to come get you to eat with us.”
Yaya tugged at Huo Yingnian’s hand, signaling him to lean down.
Huo Yingnian bent over and tilted his head. Yaya cupped her little hand beside her mouth and whispered in his ear, “Grandpa Huo, there’s so much delicious food today—a whole table full!”
“Grandma said Grandpa can have one drink, and Grandpa said if you come over, Grandma might let him have two more.”
Huo Yingnian had figured that Yue Guohuai would invite him over for a meal. Since he’d thought it would just be him and Jiusi, he hadn’t really prepared any New Year’s provisions.
And Huo Yingyue hadn’t given him any notice before coming either—she’d just shown up bright and early this morning with Liu Qiqi.
Huo Yingyue never came without a reason. The fact that she’d rushed over so urgently during the New Year meant this matter was probably quite serious.
But since she wasn’t bringing it up, Huo Yingnian couldn’t be bothered to ask.
“Grandpa Huo will be over in a little while.”
Huo Yingnian gave Yaya a peck on her little cheek. “Are you going back with Jiusi, or do you want to go up to the second-floor study to read?”
“Yaya wants to go read.”
Huo Yingnian’s study was packed with books. Yaya came over every day with Huo Jiusi to spend some time reading.
At first, Huo Jiusi would read with her, but later Yaya learned how to use a dictionary and would look up any characters she didn’t know on her own.
They’d split up and read different books separately. Yaya liked storybooks, while Huo Jiusi read Das Kapital and Game Theory.
She’d glanced over at his book once out of curiosity, and before she knew it, she’d fallen asleep leaning against him.
So there really was such a thing as a “book from the heavens” in this world.
“Great-Uncle, Grandma, I want to go too!”
Liu Qiqi ran over to Huo Jiusi’s side. “Jiusi Gege, if there’s something I don’t understand later, will you explain it to me?”
Before Huo Jiusi or Huo Yingnian could say anything, Huo Yingyue waved at Liu Qiqi with a smile. “Go on, go on!”
Huo Jiusi picked up Yaya, didn’t spare Liu Qiqi so much as a glance, and turned to go upstairs. Liu Qiqi hurried after him, not forgetting to complain, “Jiusi Gege, why won’t you wait for me? Hold on!”
“Jiusi’s such a child. As an older brother, he really should know how to give in to his younger sister.” Huo Yingyue’s words carried a double meaning.
“An older brother also has to consider what kind of younger sister he’s dealing with.” Huo Yingnian stood up. “There’s food in the fridge. If you’re hungry, make something yourself. Old Yue’s called me over for a game of chess.”
“Brother, it’s the New Year! You’re making me cook for myself?”
Huo Yingyue was stunned. Then, realizing Huo Yingnian was about to leave, she quickly blocked his way. “Brother, don’t go—I need to talk to you about something.”
“Didn’t you just come to wish me a Happy New Year?” Huo Yingnian raised an eyebrow at her.
He’d known she had something on her mind the moment she walked in. He’d even asked her about it, but she’d said she was just there to pay him a New Year’s visit.
“To wish you a Happy New Year, and also a small matter.” Since she needed his help, Huo Yingyue’s attitude improved considerably.
Huo Yingnian sat back down. “What is it?”
“Xiaoming’s run into a bit of trouble. He got arrested. Could you maybe put in a word and have him released?”
After Huo Yingyue finished, Huo Yingnian frowned. “If he got arrested, it means he broke the law. How can I bend the rules for that kind of thing!”
“It’s nothing serious. He fancied this girl, but she wouldn’t have him, and she even cursed at Xiaoming. What man would just take that lying down? So he… he made a momentary lapse in judgment.”
“That girl lost her virtue and still had the nerve to go around telling people—absolutely shameless!”
“I think you’re the one who’s absolutely shameless!”
Huo Yingnian shot up from his seat, his face livid as he pointed at Huo Yingyue. “What Xiaoming did was clearly rape! And you have the nerve to blame that poor girl! With the way Xiaoming loafs around all day with his head in the clouds, what decent girl would ever want to marry him!”
He knew both of his nephews’ characters all too well—one was always looking for shady shortcuts, and the other was a complete scoundrel.
And yet Huo Yingyue doted on them endlessly, thinking they could do no wrong.
