Volume 1, Chapter 40: Though their faces were identical, their temperaments were worlds apart.

Only one thought remained in the maid’s mind: she was doomed.

It turned out that someone had been in the room the entire time. They just hadn’t shown themselves.

"E-Eldest Young Master..."

"Come into my room."

Upon hearing this, the maid’s expression froze, and her body swayed as if she were about to collapse. Soon, footsteps approached from afar. With every step that drew nearer, the maid’s face turned a shade paler.

"What’s going on?"

Li Feng walked in, and upon seeing the scene in the room, he immediately guessed what had happened. Without a word, he stepped forward and restrained the maid.

"I want to know who told her to bring Miss Tang to my room. You have ten minutes."

Hearing this, Li Feng inwardly clicked his tongue. This matter involved Tang Ruan? It seemed this wouldn't end well.

"Don't worry, Eldest Young Master, it won't take ten minutes," Li Feng said in a chilling tone.

The maid’s legs gave out, and she slumped to the floor. She was filled with regret, wishing she could go back in time and slap herself hard. How could she have been so bewitched as to agree to help set up Tang Ruan? Now, she had offended the Eldest Young Master.

Subconsciously, she reached out and grabbed the hem of Huo Yu’s trousers. "Eldest Young Master, I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!"

Huo Yu moved his leg, pulling his trousers away without a shred of mercy.

Li Feng appreciated her willingness to cooperate and his expression softened slightly. "Speak."

The maid stammered out the story of who had instructed her to trap Tang Ruan.

"Ji Tianqing?"

The maid nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, it was her, Eldest Young Master! She likes the Second Young Master, so she’s been at odds with Miss Tang since they were children. Later, when Miss Tang got engaged to the Second Young Master, she viewed her as a thorn in her side and often badmouthed her behind her back."

"The Ji family even sent her abroad because of this, and she only just returned." Having been in the Huo household for years, the maid naturally knew some of the inside stories.

"E-Eldest Young Master, I’ve told you everything I know. Can you, can you be the bigger person and let me go?" Even though she guessed her fate, the maid still clung to a shred of hope. What if? What if the Eldest Young Master saw her sincerity and the fact that she had stopped before things went further, and decided to show mercy?

"Take her away." Huo Yu waved his hand, his calm face revealing no sign of joy or anger.

Li Feng hauled the maid up. "Let’s go."

Once disloyal, never trusted again.

***

Tang Ruan hurried back to the backyard, arriving exactly at eight o'clock.

Thankfully, she wasn't late. She let out a long breath, adjusting her breathing while searching for Lin Jie and Tang Zhenguo.

"Ruanruan." Lin Jie took the initiative to approach her.

Just then, Tang Ruan spotted Tang Zhenguo and Jiang Wanyu, and she led Lin Jie toward them. Along the way, the air was filled with hushed whispers.

"What’s going on? It’s past eight, why hasn't Eldest Young Master Huo arrived yet?"

"Is he late?"

"That shouldn't be. To be late for such an important event, isn't this Eldest Young Master afraid of infuriating Old Master Huo..."

Everyone knew that Old Master Huo was a stickler for punctuality.

"Could he have been delayed by something?"

"I suspect that’s likely."

***

"Uncle, Auntie," Lin Jie greeted them politely.

Tang Zhenguo and Jiang Wanyu responded with smiles. Jiang Wanyu even took her hand, whispering a compliment: "Jiejie, you’ve become even more beautiful lately."

Lin Jie blushed, embarrassed by the praise. "Oh, Auntie, don't say that."

"Mom, Dad, what’s going on? Hasn't Eldest Young Master Huo arrived yet?" Tang Ruan scanned the area and asked in a low voice. Even she, an outsider, knew that Old Master Huo valued punctuality; it was impossible that his own grandson didn't know. To be late on an occasion like this was a blatant slap in the face to Old Master Huo.

Tang Ruan looked toward the Old Master and saw, as expected, that his expression was quite grim. With Huo Yanchuan lurking like a tiger, and now inciting the displeasure of Old Master Huo, she shook her head, lamenting silently that the path ahead for this Eldest Young Master would likely be even more difficult.

Tang Zhenguo gave a brief, concise acknowledgment.

Jiang Wanyu was also murmuring to herself, "Old Tang, surely the Huo family’s child wouldn't drop the ball at such a critical moment, would he?" If he were truly a fool, how could Old Master Huo have brought him back to the Huo family and announced it to the world with such fanfare? The Huo and Tang families were old family friends, and Jiang Wanyu had likely guessed the Old Master’s intentions. The return of this Eldest Young Master was likely aimed at him taking over the entire Huo enterprise in the future.

Tang Zhenguo’s expression was somber; he shook his head. "I don't know." He couldn't fathom it either. If he had seen the person himself, he might have been able to guess a thing or two, but until now, he hadn't even laid eyes on him, making it impossible to speculate.

"Dad, I told you that boy was unreliable. Look, he even dared to be late for such a major event." Zhang Shuqin seized the opportunity to sow discord.

Huo Qingjun chimed in, "That’s right, Dad. Huo Yu is too arrogant; he has no concept of time at all!"

The two went back and forth, not noticing that Old Master Huo’s face was even darker than before.

"Enough!" Old Master Huo interrupted in a deep voice. "Do you want to make the Huo family the laughingstock of everyone here?!"

The child hadn't arrived, and instead of showing any concern, the parents were doing everything they could to smear his reputation.

Fortunately, the guests were seated at a distance; otherwise, if these words got out, the Huo family would surely become the talk of every tea party!

Huo Qingjun and Zhang Shuqin looked sheepish after being scolded. Zhang Shuqin rubbed her nose, muttering unhappily, "Dad, I’m not lying." Everything she said was true. So what? If Huo Yu could do it, why couldn't she talk about it? If he didn't want to be gossiped about, he shouldn't have done something so disgraceful!

Old Master Huo shot her a sharp glare. Zhang Shuqin silently covered her mouth.

Huo Hongjun’s phone rang. He glanced down, his furrowed brows relaxing, and he leaned over to whisper something in Old Master Huo’s ear. The Old Master’s expression softened significantly.

"Hongjun, what did you say to Dad?" Huo Qingjun leaned in.

Huo Hongjun stated truthfully, "Xiao Yu was schemed against and delayed, but it’s fine. He has already resolved it and will be here shortly." After saying this, Huo Hongjun gave Huo Qingjun a pointed look.

Huo Qingjun: ?

"Why are you looking at me like that? You don't suspect me, do you?"

Huo Hongjun said nothing. He did indeed have his suspicions, but he would investigate the truth once the welcoming banquet was over.

"Hongjun, you can't go around making groundless accusations like that!"

"It wasn't me! No matter how much I dislike him, I know what’s important." Being late at a time like this would cause the entire Huo family to lose face. As a member of the Huo family, how could he do something so stupid as to harm others while destroying himself in the process?

"Alright, Elder Brother, he’s here."

Huo Yu had appeared in the backyard at some point. The perfectly tailored suit clung to his tall, straight frame, making him look elegant and outstanding. As he appeared, the previously bustling backyard fell silent, and all the guests’ gazes converged on him simultaneously.

The moment they saw his face, everyone was utterly shocked. This face, isn't this...

As soon as this thought emerged, it was quickly suppressed by another. This was not the Second Young Master. Although their faces were identical, their temperaments were worlds apart. The person before them moved with a detached, composed, and unhurried grace. Although there was a smile on his lips, it carried a perfectly measured sense of distance. It made people feel a sense of awe, yet simultaneously drew them in.

"Ruanruan, Ruanruan, look!"