Chapter 133

The controversy surrounding Rong Qing’s withdrawal from the entertainment industry had gradually faded, and life flowed on in tranquility. Her abdomen became increasingly prominent, and the various signs of pregnancy began to manifest. Five months into her pregnancy, Rong Qing grew both hungry and sleepy, often feeling utterly exhausted.

Within the entire Huo estate, the most cherished and protected individuals were undoubtedly the oldest and the youngest of the main house. Huo Zhen, the highest-ranking elder of the family, was well advanced in years and was naturally the precious treasure whom everyone catered to. As for the young mistress of the main house, she had become the apple of the family head and the old master’s eye. Carrying the direct heir to the next generation of the Huo family, she was treated as if she were made of glass—held with such care that they feared she might shatter, and cherished so deeply they feared she might melt. Every path Rong Qing walked was lined with soft rugs, and the furniture was replaced with collision-proof alternatives. Naturally, these two protected individuals were also the most leisurely members of the family, and this pair—one old, one young—found comfort in each other’s company, far from lonely.

The Huo main residence, specifically Huo Zhen’s quarters, was the oldest and most luxurious, characterized by a low-key opulence. As the weather in X City grew hotter, the afternoon heat became intense, making it difficult to sleep. The Huo mansion was equipped with the most advanced cooling systems, which in the sweltering summer should have provided a cool and refreshing environment. However, because Rong Qing was pregnant, all air conditioning was strictly forbidden to ensure her well-being. Huo Zhen endured the heat in the steaming main room, merely having his attendants fan him, a testament to his boundless doting and profound care for Rong Qing.

Rong Qing had become prone to drowsiness lately. After lunch, she would play a few rounds of chess with the old master before drifting off to sleep. Huo Zhen, doting on his granddaughter-in-law, had a special set of bedding prepared for her in his study. Often, one could see the vibrant old man sitting upright while a breathtakingly beautiful young woman curled up at his feet, sleeping soundly. It was a scene of quiet, tender affection.

On this quiet afternoon, the main residence was particularly serene. With the mistress of the house asleep beside the old master, the servants instinctively softened their footsteps, quickly clearing the chess table from the small daybed while carefully preserving the unfinished game.

Huo Zhen picked up a velvet silk blanket and gently draped it over Rong Qing’s abdomen. Having her company filled his lonely hours and brought him true peace of mind. Thus, Huo Zhen sat quietly reading a history book while the girl beside him slept sweetly, making even the long summer days feel less arduous.

The family doctor visited weekly to check on Rong Qing. Although her drowsiness did not affect her health, the doctor suggested more exercise. Yet, whenever the old man looked at Rong Qing’s sleeping face and saw the pitiable expression she wore when woken, he felt as if he had committed a grave error. He couldn't help but indulge her, and in the end, Rong Qing was always allowed to sleep until she naturally woke up.

"Get out of the way! Don't you know who I am? How dare you stop me!" A sharp, shrill female voice broke the silence of the room. Rong Qing’s brows furrowed slightly, as if sensing something, and her curled-up body shifted.

A woman dressed in high-fashion attire stormed in. Huo Zhen could never have imagined that in all her years, she would be blocked from entering her own father’s room. She scoffed inwardly, cursing the traitorous servants outside; one day, she would make them pay. Her sharp high heels clicked loudly against the floor, echoing through the spacious hall. Ever since Rong Qing moved into the old master’s quarters, he had issued a strict rule: everyone must change into soft slippers upon entering, and nothing was to disturb his precious granddaughter-in-law’s rest. Once, even Huo Lingtian himself had been barred at the door with the excuse: "The young mistress is resting; please return another day."

Unable to do otherwise, the head of the family had been forced to pace outside for over an hour before the old master finally invited him in.

It was no wonder Huo Zhen was unaware of the new rules; she had been away on a business trip in Europe for a month, closing a significant deal, which had left her feeling rather arrogant. Upon her return, she hadn't expected the Huo estate to have changed its ways—the mistress was now someone who could not be disturbed by just anyone!

Huo Zhen’s previously relaxed brow furrowed deeply, and the history book in his hand lowered. As he had aged, he had shed much of his former dominance, becoming more cheerful and kind—which was why the younger generation of the Huo family vied to be near him. But now, his eyes were clouded with gloom. The harsh clicking of heels grew louder, and the culprit appeared at the doorway of the inner chamber with a fawning smile.

"Dad! How could those people stop even me? They are truly ungrateful wretches," Huo Zhen said in a syrupy, affected tone. This fawning voice did not evoke any affection from the old master; instead, it sounded grating and unpleasant.

Huo Zhen stood in the doorway, her eyes fixed hungrily on the familiar figure on the daybed. Suddenly, all her emotions curdled into jealousy and madness. Like a roaring tigress, she shouted at her father, the elder of the Huo family: "Why is this woman here? Are you keeping me out because of her?!" Her almond eyes narrowed into angry triangles.

Well, Rong Qing, who had not been sleeping soundly to begin with, was thoroughly startled awake. Even though she tried to remain composed, the roar left her breaking into a cold sweat, her flushed little face turning pale and piteous. She looked helplessly at the woman in the doorway and rubbed her aching temples. How was it that she was like a persistent fly, finding a way in everywhere? It was truly exhausting.

*Bang!* Before anyone could react, a heavy history book was hurled at Huo Zhen. A shrill scream and a muffled thud followed.

"Get out!" Huo Zhen glared, his eyes stern and piercing. "How dare you run wild in the Huo main residence! I have spoiled you too much; you are a reckless, ungrateful thing!" Huo Zhen’s reprimand was severe, and Huo Zhen, after her initial scream, retreated outside the door.

The corner of the book had struck Huo Zhen’s forehead, drawing blood. Having been a high-and-mighty young lady of the Huo family her entire life, she had never suffered such humiliation. Yet, she could not argue back against the man who had thrown it. The forty-something-year-old woman stood outside the door, whimpering and sobbing.

"Throw her out! I want to see who dares to barge into my residence again!" Before long, the whimpering ceased, and Huo Zhen was dragged away.

Rong Qing watched the farce with cold eyes. Her original respect for Huo Zhen had been worn away by repeated harassment. Since Huo Zhen had been targeting her all along, she felt no obligation to help the woman. Rong Qing sat blankly on the bed, rubbing her belly. *Oh, am I hungry?*

Seeing Rong Qing’s dazed movements, the old master, who spent every day with her, understood immediately. The unhappiness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a doting smile as he summoned the servants to prepare a meal.

Rong Qing and Huo Zhen moved to the garden courtyard. The afternoon sun was no longer scorching, bathing them in a warm, comfortable glow. Rong Qing squinted, leaning back against a soft cushion, stirring a cup of hot milk tea. Beside the table, tea snacks emitted a sweet, delicious aroma.

In these afternoon hours, whether playing chess to pass the time or enjoying afternoon tea—be the beverage classic Chinese Longjing, premium Maojian, English black tea, or rich milk tea—it had become a shared pleasure. The old master discovered in Rong Qing’s company that those strange, sugary things were not so unbearable after all.

"Grandpa, am I taking up too much of your time? Am I disrupting your life?" Rong Qing asked suddenly. Today’s incident made her realize that Grandpa Huo should have his own social circle; how could he spend every waking moment with a pregnant woman?

The old master took a sip of the fragrant milk tea, frowned, and promptly set it aside. Indeed, those sugary concoctions did not suit an elderly man’s palate. "Qing, who else would be willing to keep a crusty old man like me company? Only you are happy to stay by my side!" The old master had no intention of letting his precious treasure leave; otherwise, having to maintain a stern face toward his servants all day would be pure torture!

"Alright then, I can't go out anyway, so the two of us will just have to rely on each other!"

That evening, Huo Lingtian picked Rong Qing up. After a bath, Rong Qing lay against him. Her once slender waist had become fuller, and her rounded belly lacked the aesthetic grace she once had, but whenever Huo Lingtian saw her like this, his face was filled with tenderness. With the mother and child in his arms, no matter his status or the vast wealth he had created, he would never know a moment of greater satisfaction or happiness.

His rough, thick hand rested on Rong Qing’s belly, where his closest kin resided. Even a man as cold-hearted as he was became soft in such moments. He held his ultimate treasure in his arms, and he leaned down to affectionately kiss her smooth skin.

Rong Qing lay there, rolling her eyes. Her belly was all wet; every night, this man had to kiss the little thing inside. *Hmph, isn't he annoying?* The small-minded woman was feeling a pang of jealousy.

"It tickles," Rong Qing shrank back. Her body had become increasingly sensitive recently, and the warm breath against her belly felt itchy.

Huo Lingtian stroked her long hair, his eyes filled with doting care. He rubbed her abdomen gently with both hands, and under his warm touch, Rong Qing couldn't help but hum softly.

"Oh!" Rong Qing gasped in surprise. Her beautiful eyes widened, round and bright. She looked at Huo Lingtian, grabbed his hand, and stared at him with astonishment and joy. "Lingtian… Lingtian, did you feel that? The… the little one moved!"

Huo Lingtian, with his hands resting on her belly, could not help but feel it. The light sensation fluttered against his palm, and the iron-willed man felt himself melting like spring water. His restrained nature kept his expression calm, but the waves of tenderness in his eyes were overflowing, his love threatening to drown Rong Qing.

"There, there, baby," Rong Qing whispered, her hands interlaced with Huo Lingtian’s. The immense love she felt made her whole being grow even softer. Although the little one stopped kicking, the two of them lay on the bed for the rest of the night, filled with a sense of wonder and the boundless love they held for their unborn child.