Volume 1, Chapter 37: Your brother is coming back soon, didn't you know?

Lin Jie didn't wait for the other person to finish before she couldn't help but curse, "To hell with your mother!"

"Are you out of your mind, you dog? Sending bloody photos to people for no reason—why don't you just go die?!"

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a tentative, "You... are you Lin Jie?"

"It’s your great-aunt here!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Lin Jie suddenly realized something. This voice—why did it sound so much like Huo Yanchuan?

"Huo Yanchuan?"

"It's me."

It really was that bastard! Lin Jie gritted her teeth so hard they creaked.

"Give the phone to Tang Ruan."

Lin Jie sneered, "In what capacity are you speaking to Ruan Ruan? As her ex-fiancé?" She emphasized the words 'ex-fiancé' with sharp intent. Even without being face-to-face, she could imagine how ugly Huo Yanchuan’s expression must be.

"Lin Jie, don't go too far!" Huo Yanchuan threatened in a cold, sinister voice. "Your surname is Lin, not Tang." He couldn't touch Tang Ruan, but it would be effortless for him to ruin the Lin family or Lin Jie.

Lin Jie laughed. "Hahahaha. Huo Yanchuan, do you still think you're the only eldest grandson of the Huo family, the guaranteed future successor?"

Huo Yanchuan was stunned for a moment, instinctively asking, "What do you mean?"

"Your brother is coming back soon. Didn't you know?" Fearing he might be in the dark, Lin Jie explained helpfully, "Your twin brother is returning from abroad, and the Huo family is holding a welcome banquet for him in three days. Don't you know that, Second Young Master Huo?"

"You're lying!"

Lin Jie wasn't offended. "Whether I’m lying or not, we shall see." Three days would pass quickly enough anyway.

"Lin Jie, if you spout such nonsense again, I will destroy your Lin—"

Not wanting to hear any more of his empty threats, Lin Jie hung up. She forwarded the MMS to herself, deleted the record from Tang Ruan’s phone, and then returned it. "Don't worry, Ruan Ruan. Huo Yanchuan's good days are coming to an end."

From Huo Yanchuan’s reaction, it was clear he didn't know of this eldest brother's existence. Since they were twins, it was impossible for Huo Yanchuan not to know he existed. Therefore, the other man was likely just an illegitimate child of the Huo family who possessed enough talent to be officially recognized by the family.

Tang Ruan nodded, took a medicine bottle from her drawer, poured out a pill, and swallowed it. Lin Jie handed her a glass of water at just the right moment. After taking the medicine and resting for a while, Tang Ruan felt less uncomfortable.

—

Huo Family Manor

"Ah!" The more Huo Yanchuan thought about it, the angrier he became. With a sweep of his arm, everything on his nightstand crashed to the floor. The clattering noise startled the servant outside, who rushed in, thinking something had happened. "Young Master, what’s wrong?"

As soon as she approached, she was met with Huo Yanchuan’s vicious glare and instinctively stopped in her tracks.

"Give me my phone!" Huo Yanchuan roared.

The servant bit her lower lip, looking troubled. "Young Master, Mr. and Mrs. Huo said you are not allowed to use your phone for the time being."

"Are you treating my words as wind?! Get it now!" Huo Yanchuan grabbed the nearest object and flung it at the servant. It was the air conditioner remote control. It struck the servant directly on the forehead, and blood began to trickle down her temple. The servant clutched her forehead, not daring to let out a breath, terrified of further provoking him.

Zhang Shuqin entered the room just as she heard Huo Yanchuan shouting. Seeing the chaos on the floor and the blood on the servant’s forehead, she quickly guessed what had happened and waved her hand. "You go out first."

"Yes." The servant, as if granted a pardon, hurried away.

Zhang Shuqin sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "What status do you have to be getting so worked up over a servant?"

"Mom, fire her. She ignored my orders." Anyone who didn't listen to him wasn't worth keeping!

"Fine, I’ll fire her later."

Huo Yanchuan felt slightly better. "Mom, give me my phone." He needed to see if what Lin Jie said was true.

Zhang Shuqin’s movements faltered, and she turned her head to avoid his gaze. "Rest well first. You can play with your phone once your health improves."

Huo Yanchuan’s heart plummeted into an icy abyss. He curled his lip. "Mom, you’re hiding something from me." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"Yanchuan..."

"You’ve decided to let him come back, haven't you?"

Zhang Shuqin’s lips parted, but in the end, she couldn't say anything. Huo Yanchuan stared at her steadily, his expression shifting from hopeful to utterly disappointed. He already knew the answer.

"You’ve decided to abandon me."

Zhang Shuqin shook her head frantically. "No, Yanchuan! Your father and I haven't abandoned you!" How could they ever abandon him? In their hearts, no one could replace his position. It was just... they couldn't go against the old man's iron will.

"It’s Grandfather’s idea?"

Zhang Shuqin nodded slightly. Huo Yanchuan’s fists tightened.

Zhang Shuqin whispered, "Yanchuan, set your mind at ease. With him there, you will never have to worry about wealth for the rest of your life." That child had such a sharp business mind; under his leadership, the Huo family would only continue to rise.

Even if Huo Yanchuan didn't manage the company, he still held shares. The annual dividends alone would be a significant sum. Moreover, after she and her husband passed away, all their assets and properties would be left to him. With all that, he could live a life of luxury without ever doing a day's work.

Huo Yanchuan curled his lip. "I understand, Mom."

"Mom, give me my phone. I can't go anywhere right now, and I’m bored." Seeing her hesitation, he continued, "Don't worry, Mom. I’ve thought it through. He’s capable, and he’s more suitable to inherit the Huo Group than I am."

"You really think so?"

Huo Yanchuan nodded. "Yes."

Seeing that he truly understood, no one was happier than Zhang Shuqin. "Good, as long as you understand." She stood up. "I’ll go get your phone now."

"Do you want your tablet, too? If your eyes get tired from the phone, you can watch TV on the tablet."

"Yes."

"Alright." Zhang Shuqin smiled dotingly. Before long, she returned with his phone and tablet.

—

Three days passed quietly. During this time, all of Nancheng was abuzz with speculation about who this mysterious eldest young master of the Huo family might be. The family had protected him so well that they only announced his name, withholding every other detail. For a while, no one knew if he was tall or short, thin or fat, or what he even looked like.

The welcome banquet was set for eight o'clock in the evening. By the time Tang Ruan’s family arrived, it was only seven. The Huo manor was already filled with guests, all prominent figures in Nancheng. As soon as Tang Zhenguo arrived, a steady stream of people came up to greet him. Those he knew, he chatted with; those he didn't, he dismissed with a few polite words.

Tang Ruan glanced at her phone. "Mom, Dad, I’m going to the entrance to wait for Jie." Lin Jie had texted to say she was almost there.

Tang Zhenguo and Jiang Wanyu nodded. "Go ahead."

Tang Ruan was very familiar with the Huo manor. She navigated the path easily and found a quiet corner in the garden near the entrance to wait. From this spot, she could clearly see anyone arriving. Today's occasion required high heels, and they had one major drawback: her feet hurt after standing for too long. So, whenever she had the chance, she would sit and rest.

A breeze blew, and a few petals drifted into her palm. Tang Ruan stared at them, lost in thought.

"Oh, if it isn't Miss Tang?"