Chapter 610: No Way Out
Xiang Caiping had no other way. This was the only and best solution she could think of.
Huo Jinyao sat in the car seat with his arms crossed in front of him. He leaned over, then took out a bottle of juice from the mini fridge in the car and handed it to Xiang Caiping.
“Auntie, drink some juice first and calm down.”
Xiang Caiping didn’t take the bottle of fruit juice. She couldn’t calm down at all.
“Jinyao, I’m begging you, really. I swear that I will take her far away from here, okay?”
“I’m sorry, Auntie.” Huo Jinyao’s voice was slightly cold. He looked at Xiang Caiping with a gentle expression, but his eyes were especially determined.
“I can’t agree to your request.”
“Jinyao?” Xiang Caiping stood there in a daze. She stared at him blankly.
“Su Peizhen has done some things to hurt Qingsang. You know that Qingsang is my bottom line. I won’t allow anyone to hurt her.”
He looked at the dazed Xiang Caiping and placed the bottle of juice into her palm.
“Auntiem Su Peizhen needs to learn a lesson and reflect on herself. I won’t agree to your request. Also, if she still wants to go against Qingsang again after five years, I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Xiang Caiping stood there with the bottle of juice in her hand. Her face was pale and she looked dejected.
Huo Jinyao glanced at her and lamented in his heart.
“Auntie, if there’s anything else you need help with, you can look for me or Qingsang.”
Xiang Caiping didn’t seem to hear him. Huo Jinyao wasn’t willing to help, and Su Peizhen was going to jail for sure. This was a huge blow to her.
Huo Jinyao didn’t say anything further and gestured for Yang Wenchang to drive.
Just as they were about to reach the office, Huo Jinyao’s phone rang. It was a call from Liu Tongjia.
Huo Jinyao looked at the number and picked it up. When he heard the voice from the other side, his face immediately turned serious.
“Go to the hospital.”
Old Master Huo was too emotional just now. After Huo Jinyao left, he really fainted. At this moment, the rest of the Huo family had already sent Old Master Huo to the hospital.
Huo Jinyao rushed to the hospital. The doctors were still performing resuscitation on Old Master Huo. Everyone from the Huo family stood in the corridor. In the courtroom just now, they couldn’t do anything to Huo Jinyao. Now that they saw him coming, their eyes full of dissatisfaction, they all glared at him.
Upon seeing that he had come, Huo Mingguang, who was standing at the outermost corner, strode over. Wanting to give him a slap, he raised his hand at Huo Jinyao.
Huo Jinyao raised his hand and blocked Huo Mingguang’s movement.
Huo Mingguang missed, and his face turned pale as he glared at Huo Jinyao with hatred.
“Now that you’ve become all high and mighty, you can do whatever you want, right? You don’t have to care about your family anymore, right?”
Huo Jinyao didn’t speak, and his hand was still holding Huo Mingguang’s hand. Huo Mingguang glared at him, as if he wanted to burn a hole through his face.
“Your grandfather was so angry that he fainted. He’s still in resuscitation. We don’t know what’s going on yet. Are you happy that things have turned out this way?”
They were in the hospital after all, Huo Mingguang’s voice was very light, and there was a hint of despondence in it.
Huo Jinyao’s brows furrowed. He released his hand with some force, and Huo Mingguang’s hand was flung away by him.
Huo Mingguang’s expression was ugly, but Huo Jinyao wasn’t afraid at all. He took a step forward, and he was half a head taller than Huo Mingguang.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and in that instant, he was full of intimidation. Even Huo Mingguang could only retract his hand sheepishly.
“Dad, you seem to have made a mistake.”
“From beginning to end, I wasn’t the one who did the wrong deed. It was Huo Yifan.”
“If he hadn’t been a traitor first, if he hadn’t stolen my proposal first, then he wouldn’t have had to face all of this today, and naturally grandfather would be fine.”
“If I was the traitor who stole the proposal, I believe that Huo Yifan wouldn’t be any more lenient than me. I’m afraid that he would be even more ruthless.”
“You’re blaming me instead of finding fault with him? Isn’t that laughable?”
Huo Jinyao’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough to be heard by every member of the Huo family in the corridor.
His gaze was very sharp, especially when he looked at Huo Mingliang’s family. There was no need for him to say anything further, but everyone could understand what he meant.
Nian Chunya moved her toes and was about to head in Huo Jinyao’s direction. Liu Tongjia, on the other hand, seemed to have coincidentally blocked her way.
Nian Chunya came from a humble background. Whether it was her upbringing or her educational background, she couldn’t compare to Liu Tongjia. In front of her, she seemed to have lost some of her imposing att.i.tude.
Liu Tongjia’s indifferent gaze swept across the faces of everyone present.
As the wife of Huo Mingguang and the wife of the current head of the Huo family, everyone immediately understood what her att.i.tude meant.
Huo Jinyao noticed Liu Tongjia’s actions. His furrowed brows didn’t seem to relax as he looked at Liu Tongjia meaningfully.
Huo Mingguang was very filial. Now that his father was hospitalized due to anger towards Huo Jinyao, he was filled with anger.
However, in the face of Huo Jinyao’s repeated questioning, Huo Mingguang’s anger just now was stuck in his chest. He couldn’t let it out no matter how hard he tried.
“You –”
Huo Jinyao ignored him and looked in the direction of the emergency room.
Old Master Huo was still in the emergency room, and he felt very ambivaleent as well. He didn’t think that he was at fault, but in the Huo family, Old Master Huo was the person who treated him the best ever since he was young. He really didn’t want anything to happen to Old Master Huo
Half an hour later, the doctor came out and looked at the group of people outside.
Everyone knew the status of the Huo family in Rong City. The leading doctor walked towards the Huo family.
“The old man had a minor stroke. Fortunately, he was saved in time and is now fine. However, the old man is old and his vital signs are on the high side. If possible, it’s better not to provoke him.”
Their eyes filled with obvious criticism, the rest of the Huo family looked at Huo Jinyao.
Huo Jinyao acted as if he didn’t see it. Old Master Huo was in the VIP ward. Wanting to behave well before the Old Master woke up, the others immediately followed him.
Only Huo Jinyao was walking at the back.
Liu Tongjia was also walking at the back. She was one step slower than Huo Jinyao. Seeing that the ward was just around the corner, she suddenly called out to Huo Jinyao.
Huo Jinyao stopped in his tracks and looked at Liu Tongjia silently.
“Jinyao, come here for a moment.” As she spoke, she took the lead and walked towards the end of the corridor.
Huo Jinyao didn’t move for a few seconds. He paused for a moment before walking forward and following behind Liu Tongjia.
At the end of the corridor, there was a window that faced the lawn outside the hospital. The weather wasn’t bad today. The sun shone on the lawn, and patients were moving around in twos and threes while accompanied by their family members.
Liu Tongjia turned around to look at Huo Jinyao. Under her almost deliberate neglect, her son had already grown so much.
He had grown from the age of twelve to the age of thirty-one. More than ten years seemed to have pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye, but it also felt like a long time had pa.s.sed.
She thought of her broken heart when she lost her beloved daughter and eldest son, and also of her anger when she blamed everything on Huo Jinyao because of the irreconcilable hatred in her heart.
Liu Tongjia’s emotions were very ambivalent. She stared at Huo Jinyao blankly and didn’t speak for a long time.
Huo Jinyao stood there motionlessly. If it weren’t for Liu Tongjia’s actions just now, he wouldn’t have followed her. Seeing that she hadn’t spoken, he frowned slightly.
“Mom, what’s the matter?”
Liu Tongjia came back to her senses. Upon seeing Huo Jinyao’s expression, she felt a wave of pain in her heart. However, she knew that she couldn’t allow this situation to continue.
“Since your grandfather’s life is no longer in danger, then you don’t have to care about what happens next. Do what you want to do.”
Huo Jinyao frozee. For a moment, he couldn’t believe his ears. Liu Tongjia couldn’t help but continue.
“Huo Yifan has indeed done some things that aren’t right. He brought this upon himself. Six and a half years isn’t a long time. It’s better to let him reflect on his actions inside.”
These words didn’t seem like something that Liu Tongjia would say. Thus, as if he wanted to know her true intentions, Huo Jinyao stood there and looked at her with an inquisitive gaze.
Since Liu Tongjia finished what she wanted to say at the beginning, the rest of her words weren’t so difficult to say.
“Jinyao, from now on, you can do whatever you want. I won’t interfere in your matters anymore.”
Liu Tongjia was unusually gentle. Huo Jinyao’s expression didn’t change as he stared at Liu Tongjia.
She felt uncomfortable under his gaze. Huo Jinyao was clearly her son. However, she still felt a sense of guilt.
“It’s alright now. Go see your grandfather.”
It was really difficult to apologize. She wanted to ease the tension between them, but she didn’t know where to start.
Huo Jinyao gazed at Liu Tongjia deeply. He knew what she wanted to but didn’t say. He was a little surprised, but he didn’t believe that Liu Tongjia had really changed.
Time would tell.
When Huo Jinyao entered the ward, the three Huo siblings and their third-generation grandchildren were guarding the ward.
It was a good thing that the VIP ward was crowded.
Nian Chunya’s face darkened when she saw Huo Jinyao enter the ward. She wanted to say something, but she held it in.
Not long after, Su Qingsang arrived as well. She had been in the clinic earlier and came over immediately after hearing that Old Master Huo was in the hospital.
She looked at Huo Jinyao worriedly as soon as she entered the ward. She had already heard about Old Master Huo’s condition from her colleagues. It wasn’t serious, but it wasn’t light either.
All of this depended on the later stages of care and Old Master Huo’s own health. Huo Jinyao gave her a look. Their eyes met, and they understood the meaning in each other’s eyes.
A group of people stood guard in the ward. No one thought of leaving first. Old Master Huo didn’t stay in a coma for long. He soon woke up.
He didn’t respond to the expressions of concern from the people in the ward. After looking around, he waved his hand.
“Get out.”
Old Master Huo’s voice was a little hoa.r.s.e. But he was very determined.
Everyone looked at Huo Jinyao, especially Huo Yiyang and the others. Their eyes were filled with schadenfreude.
Huo Jinyao stood still, while Su Qingsang looked at him worriedly.
“Get out.”
Grandfather Huo spoke again. Huo Jinyao’s eyes were lowered, and the emotions in his eyes was hidden. No one could see through his thoughts.
He lifted his feet and was about to walk out when Huo Jinyao spoke again.
“All of you, get out. Jinyao stays.”
Huo Yiyang’s expression turned ugly. The others were even more so.
However, it was only for a moment. Given the current situation, Huo Jinyao was definitely going to teach Huo Jinyao a lesson. With that thought in mind, the others filed out and left.
Su Qingsang stood still. She wanted to stay, but she could only cast a worried glance at Huo Jinyao before leaving.
This was the VIP ward, and the soundproofing was very good. Once the group of people left the ward, they could no longer hear the sounds coming from inside.
Su Qingsang came out and stood in front of Liu Tongjia. She noticed that Liu Tongjia’s eyes appeared a little worried. She was a little surprised, but when she thought about how Liu Tongjia had specially given Huo Jinyao a birthday cake yesterday, she could vaguely guess Liu Tongjia’s thoughts.
If Liu Tongjia really wanted to improve their relations.h.i.+p, that would be great.
While her imagination was running wild, Huo Jinyao had already come out of the ward. The moment he came out, the rest of the Huo family headed to the ward.
“Grandpa said that he’s tired and needs to rest. There are doctors and nurses here, so you guys can go back first.”
“What right do you have to say that? Huo Jinyao, why is Grandpa in the hospital? You’re the one who angered him into such a state. What do you think you’re doing now?”
Nian Chunya couldn’t take it anymore. Just as she finished speaking, Huo Mingmei also spoke up.
“That’s right. Jinyao, the one sleeping inside is my dad. What? Are you still thinking of ordering us around in his name?”
“Grandpa is really tired and needs to rest. You guys should go.” Huo Jinyao blocked the door of the ward forcefully.
Huo Mingmei was furious. She turned to look at Huo Mingguang and said, “Big brother, take a look. Take a look.”
Huo Mingguang glanced at Huo Jinyao and said, “Your Grandpa can’t possibly refuse to let me in, right? Move aside, I’ll go in and take a look.”
Huo Jinyao glanced at him and moved a little to the side. “You go in alone.”
“Big brother, go in quickly and tell dad that I want to go in and see him.”
“Yes, me too,” Huo Mingliang and Huo Mingmei also interjected. Huo Mingguang showed a rare hint of impatience. He glanced at them and entered the ward.
However, Huo Mingguang didn’t stay for long and came out very quickly. After he came out, with an ambivalent expression in his eyes, he glanced at Huo Jinyao first.
“You guys should go. Dad said he’s tired and needs to rest.”
Since Huo Mingguang had already said so, the others couldn’t stay even if they wanted to. However, Huo Mingmei wasn’t willing to accept it. “Hmph. Dad was angered by you, Huo Jinyao. You’re really a good descendant of the Huo family.”
“That’s right. If it weren’t for you, how could such a thing have happened to Grandpa?”
Huo Jinyao stood still and acted as if he didn’t hear their criticism. Huo Mingguang, on the other hand, looked gloomy.
“Are you done talking? If you’re done talking, then leave. Let Dad rest.”
Since the eldest had spoken, the others had no choice but to leave. The corridor quickly became empty. Su Qingsang glanced at Huo Jinyao.
“Grandpa’s really sleeping?”
“Yes.” The Old Master was getting old. After such a long morning, he almost had a stroke. He indeed wasn’t in good spirits.
“Jinyao, don’t worry. I’ve asked Dr. Huang. Grandfather will be fine.”
Dr. Huang was the doctor who diagnosed Old Master Huo just now. Since he said that Old Master Huo was fine, then he should be fine.
Huo Jinyao glanced at her and reached out to hold her in his arms. He pressed his chin against her hair, but he didn’t say anything.
He thought about how Old Master Huo was clearly in bad spirits just now, but he still insisted on finis.h.i.+ng what he wanted to say.
“Jinyao, you’re really old now. You have your own ideas.”
“I was indeed very angry, but now that I think about it, I don’t think I should be angry.”
He cared about the Huo family’s reputation, but he forgot to consider the bigger picture. With Huo Yifan’s personality, if he didn’t teach him a lesson, he would probably cause trouble in the future.
“You’re more capable now. After so many years, you’ve also gained experience. I was a little worried about you at first, but now that I think about it, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
Old Master Huo let out a long sigh. “It’s my fault for not thinking things through. Let Huo Yifan and the others do whatever they want in the future.”
“Jinyao.” Old Master Huo looked at Huo Jinyao. This was the heir that he had personally groomed. He would also be the future successor of the Huo family.
“I’ll have lawyer Chen come over later. I’ve decided to make a will first.”
“Grandpa, don’t say things like that.” Huo Jinyao had thought that Old Master Huo made him stay to blame him. He was even prepared to retort.
But now, Old Master Huo’s words made him completely at a loss for how to respond. “You’ll live to be a hundred years old. Why make a will? There’s no need.”
“I’m getting old. After what happened today, I’ve moved on. My children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. I can’t be bothered to worry about it anymore.”
“Grandpa –”
“Alright. Go out. I need to rest for a while.”
To Huo Jinyao, he was indeed unwilling to help Huo Yifan reduce his crime. He was even willing to put up a fight with the rest of the Huo family in the long term.
However, the current situation was beyond his expectations. First, Liu Tongjia expressed her stance, and then Old Master Huo expressed his stance.
With their stance, even if Huo Mingguang and the others had any objections, there was nothing they could do.
After all, Old Master Huo was the most powerful person in the Huo family now. With his support, the others would have to worry about Old Master Huo even if they wanted to do anything.
There was no need to tell Su Qingsang these words. She only needed to know that he was fine. Regardless of which aspect, the problem had been resolved.
No, it hadn’t been completely solved yet. Huo Jinyao thought of the two people who still wanted to appeal, and his eyes resumed its usual sharpness.
Sure enough, Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen filed another appeal the next day. The two of them appealed from the munic.i.p.al court to the provincial court.
Huo Jinyao knew that they wouldn’t give up easily and let them do whatever they wanted. In the end, the second trial upheld the original verdict. Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen would still have to spend the next few years in prison.
After the second trial ended, time went on for more than half a month. Rong cIty was already getting hotter and hotter.
Huo Jinyao looked at Qi Xiwei, who had a big belly. After not seeing her for nearly a month, her belly seemed to have gotten bigger.
Not only was her belly bigger, her face was also a lot paler.
“Thank you for this time’s incident. If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I would have been able to make Huo Yifan pay so easily.”
He could have used other methods to send Huo Yifan to prison, but with Qi Xiwei’s help, that was the fastest and easiest way.
“Jinyao, we’re cla.s.smates and good friends. You don’t have to be so ceremonious.”
“I’m not being ceremonious. I just think it’s only right.”
As Huo Jinyao spoke, he looked at Qi Xiwei with concern. “Why do I feel that your complexion is worse than the last time? Did you go for a checkup?”
“It’s okay. Pregnant people are always like this.”
Qi Xiwei smiled. However, her face was too pale, and that smile looked rather feeble.
“Is that so?” Huo Jinyao didn’t believe it. He thought of Su Qingsang, who had always wanted to have a child.
However, if Su Qingsang was also like this when she was pregnant, he really didn’t want Su Qingsang to get pregnant.
“Of course. Don’t worry, I know my body. I’m really fine.”
Qi Xiwei said so, but Huo Jinyao decided to ask someone to come here next time if she refused to go out.
Perhaps he could go back and tell Su Qingsang about it.
Huo Jinyao left Qi Xiwei’s villa and got into the car. Only then did he remember that he had bought Qi Xiwei a thank-you gift before he came. It was to thank her for her help this time.
He took the gift and got out of the car. He planned to give it to Qi Xiwei and leave.
But before he reached Qi Xiwei’s villa… he saw a man heading towards Qi Xiwei’s house as well.
The man didn’t seem to notice Huo Jinyao, who was behind him. Huo Jinyao had just left and the door was ajar. The Auntie who was taking care of Qi Xiwei had just gone out to buy groceries and wasn’t back yet.
The door wasn’t closed and the man walked straight in. Huo Jinyao watched the man enter the house by himself and followed behind the man without thinking.
“I’ve finally found you.”
The man’s words made Huo Jinyao stop in his tracks. Soon, he heard Qi Xiwei’s voice.
“What are you doing here? Get lost.”
Qi Xiwei’s voice sounded higher than usual, as if she was very agitated.
Soon, he heard the man’s voice. “You’re pregnant with my child. What do you think I’m doing here?”
“This child is mine. I don’t want to see you. Get out.”
“The child is yours? Heh, ridiculous. Without me, how could you give birth to a child?”
The man’s voice sounded arrogant and smug. Qi Xiwei’s voice became more and more agitated.
“I don’t want to see you. Get lost.”
“It’s easy for me to get lost. Give birth to the child in your belly and hand it over to me. I’ll naturally leave.”
“In your dreams. I won’t give the child to you.”
Before Huo Jinyao could leave because of this conversation, he heard Qi Xiwei cry out in a low voice.
He didn’t care about anything else and rushed into the house quickly.
The man just now was standing less than two meters away from the door. Qi Xiwei was originally sitting, but now her face was pale and she was clutching her stomach with one hand.
“What are you playing at this time?”
His voice full of mockery, the man stood there motionlessly.
Huo Jinyao glared at him. He had no time to teach him a lesson now. He quickly walked to Qi Xiwei.
“Xiwei, are you okay?”
“I, I…” Qi Xiwei exchanged a few words with him, and her face turned even paler.
“Xiwei, how are you?”
“Jinyao, I, I think I’m going to give birth.”