Chapter Forty-Six: The Huo Residence

It was not until six in the evening that the film crew finally wrapped up for the day. For the legendary head of the Huo family, time was money, and yet he had waited the entire afternoon without so much as shifting his seat. Under the increasingly anxious gazes of the crew, Huo Lingtian finally took his precious treasure home.

Many believe that waiting is the most tedious thing of all, but Huo Lingtian felt differently. Rong Qing, when acting, was not the same as in daily life—she was ever-changing, radiant in her dedication to her role. Even though Huo Lingtian knew nothing about the craft of acting, he could sense the subtle tenderness and the helpless defenses she carried, both on and off the stage. The flicker in her eyes, every frown and glance, seemed to tug at his heart, making him yearn to gather that lonely silhouette into his arms. Even as she played “Ling Fei,” Huo Lingtian found himself irrationally jealous of the oblivious “Chen Hao.”

Watching Rong Qing slumped in her seat, drifting into sleep, Huo Lingtian was struck by how bright and exceptional she was. He almost wanted to hide her away, so that only he could witness her light.

“Qing... Qing... wake up, we’re home.” Gently, Huo Lingtian carried her into the hall, his voice soft as he tried to rouse the sleeping Rong Qing.

Her long lashes fluttered, the corners of her eyes still damp, her lovely face wrinkling in sleepy annoyance at being disturbed. At this moment, she resembled a pampered Persian cat, stubbornly refusing to open her eyes. Deprived of support, her delicate body leaned directly against Huo Lingtian. Her warm breath caressed his neck, and that unruly little troublemaker squirmed in discomfort, making it impossible for him to leave.

“Qing, be good, listen.” Huo Lingtian coaxed her patiently. At last, his little princess was willing to open her eyes. “I have to go back to the main Huo estate tonight and won’t return until tomorrow. I’ve ordered takeout for you—make sure you check who it is before opening the door, and eat well. Don’t go to bed without dinner. And lock the doors…”

His nagging voice droned on, and Rong Qing grew annoyed... How exasperating, just like an old nanny! After making sure everything was in order and locking the door, Huo Lingtian gave Rong Qing a long, meaningful look before driving away from the villa.

With a soft thud, Rong Qing collapsed onto the sofa, quickly sinking into a deep sleep.

The main Huo estate was located in the city’s most prestigious district, covering over a thousand acres and built in the late Qing dynasty in the style of a Suzhou garden. Dense rows of French plane trees surrounded the manor, forming a natural barrier, while more than a hundred surveillance cameras monitored the area from atop the walls. The estate was divided into the main residence, secondary quarters, and the outer zone. The main residence housed the direct descendants of the Huo family and was heavily fortified; even during times of war, the ancient mansion remained unscathed. The secondary quarters were for the family’s collateral branches, while the outermost area was reserved for servants and craftsmen.

Generation after generation, the Huo family grew and prospered, eventually hiding their brilliance and becoming a family of concealed wealth. Arriving at the Huo estate, visitors were subjected to the most rigorous security checks at the gate.

Huo Lingtian drove his car into the estate. From top to bottom, everyone knew that the head of the Huo family had finally returned. The silver BMW swept through the main gates—only the top figures in the family had this privilege. With a graceful drift, the car stopped steadily in front of the main residence.

“Welcome home, young master,” the servants at the door greeted him respectfully.

Huo Lingtian strode through the corridor, handing his coat to a servant, and hurried into the brightly lit main hall. The warm light gave this century-old family a touch of softness.

On the sofa sat an old man with graying hair and reading glasses, holding the evening paper. His expression was calm and kind, showing none of the iron-blooded ferocity of the legendary general he once was—Huo Zhan.

“Grandfather...” Huo Lingtian stepped forward, his eyes unusually gentle.

“Lingtian, you’re home!” The old man immediately pulled his eldest grandson to sit down beside him. Huo Lingtian’s parents had died young, and it was his grandfather who had raised him. Usually cold and distant, Huo Lingtian was like a big child only in his grandfather’s presence.

Also present in the living room were his second uncle, Huo Qidong, his third uncle, Huo Qiming, and his aunt, Huo Zhen. Huo Qidong, nearing middle age, had a son and a daughter, was honest and reliable, and managed his businesses well. The third uncle, Huo Qiming, was cunning, lazy, and lecherous, of little consequence, and merely held a deputy manager position in the family. His aunt, Huo Zhen, had a highly ambitious and ruthless son with a sharp mind; though her husband was unimpressive, he was obedient, and their electronics business flourished.

After the fierce struggle for the family headship five years ago, the scattered Huo clan was gradually unified under Huo Lingtian. Huo Qiming and Huo Zhen, having suffered heavy losses in that battle, had come to respect Huo Lingtian’s authority—at least on the surface, like ripples on a placid lake.

Huo Zhen’s eyes were red, clearly from crying, her once immaculate makeup ruined, and her usual competence tinged with weariness. Seeing the cause of her misery return, her resentment only swelled.

“Dad… look at my poor son, his leg is injured, he’ll probably be a cripple for life… What am I supposed to do?” Huo Zhen sobbed, her face full of sorrow. In front of Huo Lingtian, she dared not act out, but with the old patriarch present, she wouldn’t let her son suffer in vain.

But for all her calculations, Huo Lingtian was not just the family head—he was also the old man’s own grandson. There was no place for an outsider.

“All right, all right, enough with the crying. Find a good hospital and get him checked out—better than having him idle every day.” Huo Zhan waved his hand impatiently. His daughter was always too competitive, but such struggles brought her nothing in the end.

------ Author’s Note ------

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