Chapter 170: Meeting Zhou Huijiao again
The hoa.r.s.e, humourless laughter grates on the ears of everyone within earshot. Although a stupefied expression is displayed on the unfamiliar woman"s face, deep envy and hatred swirl in the depths of her eyes. She glares at Huo Zaiyuan as though wishing to tear him apart, body trembling with rage as both hands clench.
"Haha…Huo Zaiyuan, you - you actually ask who I am… You…it"s all because of you that I fell to this state! You are the one who harmed my son!"
Finally giving in to her anger, the woman throws herself at Huo Zaiyuan, hands poised as if to strangle him.
Fortunately, as soon as Huo Zaiyuan notices the madness on her face, he was already on guard. The moment she charges towards him, he leaps up onto his chair and kicks it towards her whilst flipping up into the air. In a flicker of silver light, he places a distance of five meters between them.
"You are…" Narrowing his eyes at the crazed woman, it takes him a while to finally realise who she is. "You are Zhou Huijiao."
"Heehee…unexpected, right? Never thought you would run into me? It"s all your fault…it was foretold years ago that you will steal away Huo family"s a.s.sets and try to harm me. Why are you so cruel? Even if you don"t like me as a stepmother, but Jiabao…Jiaobao is your blood brother!!" Zhou Huijiao screams at Huo Zaiyuan.
Originally, the restaurant is already rather packed. But with Zhou Huijiao screeching and raving, a large crowd is drawn to watch the spectacle, though no one steps in.
Gazing silently at the woman, Huo Zaiyuan"s face is calm and tranquil. On the other hand, Li Qing, who was half scared to death by the sudden yell finally reacts, his temper exploding. Stomping over so he is standing in front of Huo Zaiyuan to block this detestable b.i.t.c.h"s line of sight, he scoffs coldly.
"Ai…old auntie, you really have no sense of shame. Everyone knew very well how you, this pair of mother and son, treated little Yuan during that time. And no one else knows it better than me. Even after he left home, you continued hara.s.sing him. After Uncle Huo"s death, you immediately want to chase him out of the Huo family. Has your son ever treated Huo Zaiyuan as his older brother and shown him proper respect?!"
Li Qing has always been rather short-tempered. Even after suffering General Long"s "demon training" for more than a year and mellowing out a lot, pushing the right b.u.t.ton will still be able to incite his fury. Seeing this Zhou Huijiao cursing his best friend, he naturally cannot remain calm.
"You…you are Li family"s b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Our Huo family affairs are none of your business…" The words of whispered discussions surfacing amongst the crowd cause Zhou Huijiao"s vision to redden in anger again. Spitting mad, she lunges at Li Qing, intending to slap him away.
Before her palm can touch Li Qing, the woman"s wrist is caught by someone.
"Excuse me, Miss, please don"t lay a hand on a customer of our establishment," the person states in a low tone, eyeing Zhou Huijiao warningly before letting go of her. A slender figure slips between Li Qing and the woman, protecting the two youths from further attacks.
Zhou Huijiao"s expression becomes even uglier. Rubbing her sore wrists, she draws a deep breath and continues spitting out unpleasant words. "Who the h.e.l.l are you?! What status do you have to block my way? Scram! Or else I will beat you up as well!"
"Based on my status as the boss of this establishment." The man"s voice grows cold. "Drag this person who is making a ruckus out!!"
Immediately, two burly men appear to grab Zhou Huijiao by her left and right arm, pulling her out of the restaurant.
"Filth! Huo Zaiyuan…just you wait! You repulsive, disgusting child! Illegitimate b.a.s.t.a.r.d! I will definitely not let you off…!" Struggling against the man, she continues shouting at the top of her lungs. Simply judging from her speech and actions, it is as though she has truly gone mad.
After Zhou Huijiao is dragged away, Lian Xiang slowly turns around to smile radiantly at Huo Zaiyuan.
"Rare is it when the eloquent, righteous Taoist remains silent when faced with false accusations. You really have changed." The words are delivered in a teasing tone, but carries a sense of seriousness.
Huo Zaiyuan flashes a small, answering smile. "I am not "him". I owe you once more."
"Un. Even if you are different from "him", you are still my close friend. That is a fact," Lian Xiang states firmly. "I heard you returned yesterday, so I made plans to visit the military district to see you. Unexpectedly, you delivered yourself to my doorstep. Order whatever you like, I"ll treat you."
Glancing at the half-eaten dishes on the table, Lian Xiang then turns to talk quietly with Mo Junfan who appeared beside him sometime during the commotion. The latter sweeps a thoughtful gaze over Huo Zaiyuan before nodding his head and departing with a few subordinates.
"Little Yuan, who is he? He looks rather remarkable. When did you make friends with such a dignified older brother…?" Li Qing asks, curiosity piqued.
"He is Lian Xiang. Didn"t you hear what he said before? He is my first friend," Huo Zaiyuan says as he pats Li Qing"s shoulder. Stepping around the mechanic, he walks towards Lian Xiang.
Glancing between the other two youths, Li Qing heaves a helpless sigh. "First friend, huh? Then between childhood friend and first friend, which one is closer? Ai…why do I feel like I"ve just been abandoned…"
"Little Qing, why are you still standing there daydreaming?"
"Ah, coming!"
~~~
"If you dare cause a scene in our establishment again, we will definitely not let you off! Old auntie, grow a pair of eyes!" Shoving Zhou Huijiao away from him, one of the two burly men snorts coldly.
"Tch, if little boss wasn"t around, Boss would have already strangled and buried you in a pit," the other sneers. "Count your mongrel-self lucky!"
Glaring at the retreating backs of the two men, Zhou Huijiao remains on the ground where she fell, dark hatred gleaming in her eyes as her hands clench into fists.
"Huo Zaiyuan…I will never let you off. I will definitely not let you of… You made me fall to this extent…I will definitely make you suffer before dying. That"s right…suffer…heehee…suffer before dying…"
~~~
Outside the entrance of the command centre with a knitted cardigan wrapped around him, Huo Zaiyuan stands there, staring blankly at the doors.
Looking at the youngster who has not moved for a while, the handful of guards exchange glances, communicating silently through their eyes and a few gestures.
Huo Zaiyuan being Long Zhanye"s lover is a fact every soldier knows. In addition, his formidable Taoist skills have saved their hides on more than a few occasions. Hence, regarding this "eldest sister-in-law", the troops are more than willing to treat him with the same respect they give the demon king.
After a brief exchange of silent communication between them, a young soldier with a military baton at his hip and a camouflage-patterned cap on his head jogs over. Clicking his heels and saluting in greeting, he speaks up with a dazzling smile.
"Eldest sister-in-law, h.e.l.lo!"
Startled out of his musing by a loud call of "eldest sister-in-law", Huo Zaiyuan blinks at the soldier in front of him before his face is filled with black lines.
He knows that Long Zhanye"s group of lackeys loves causing trouble and being noisy, but…what makes them think that he is the wife! Being addressed as "eldest sister-in-law" gives him gooseb.u.mps ah.
"Er…my name is Huo Zaiyuan. Don"t call me eldest sister-in-law. May I ask what are you here for?"
"Reporting to eldest sister-in-law. It"s nothing." The soldier shakes his head, completely ignoring Huo Zaiyuan"s attempt to change their form of address. Still smiling brightly, he continues, "Eldest sister-in-law, are you here to find Boss? He is currently still in his office. You can go up directly, or this subordinate can help you inform him of your arrival."
Huo Zaiyuan shakes his head, partially given up on trying to coax the soldier to use his name. "No need, I was just pa.s.sing through. He is busy working right now, so I wouldn"t interrupt."
Zhou Huijiao"s sudden appearance caused him some distress. Being jittery, he naturally couldn"t focus on meditating, hence he came out for a walk around the city. Only, his subconscious mind brought him here, in front of the command centre.
After Long Zhanye"s injury and consequent capture, he spent quite a few days in recovery and helping Huo Zaiyuan to break through to the seventh level in the interdimensional s.p.a.ce. As a result, the amount of work waiting for him when he got back to the safe zone is piled high. Huo Zaiyuan doesn"t wish to interrupt him and draw his attention away from more important matters.
Although he does miss Zhanye, standing for a moment out here is sufficient…
"No, no. Eldest sister-in-law, the weather is cold. You will freeze if you continue standing out here. Boss will tear our limbs off if something happened to you. How about coming in to rest in the lounge? I will prepare some hot tea for you!"
"I…that wouldn"t do. I"ll be bothering you."
"Not at all, not at all. Being able to service eldest sister-in-law is our honour!" The soldier"s smile widens further, before respectfully leading Huo Zaiyuan into the building.
Seeing the man"s minion-like expression, the originally gloomy Huo Zaiyuan can"t help giggling softly. Ah, this short interaction really lifts his mood a little. "Thank you."
Just as Huo Zaiyuan gestures for the guard to lead the way, the soldier"s eyes widen and his expression changes in a split-second. Before the youth can react, the man throws himself at Huo Zaiyuan with a cry of alarm.
Bang!
Immediately, the crack of a pistol firing breaks the peaceful air within the military district. Blood splatter onto the ground below, followed by a maniacal shriek. "Illegitimate b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Go die!"