"Daddy Daddy, you're back"
The excited voice of Huo Moshe rang through the Huo Mansion as he hurtled into his father's arms.
As promised, Huo Shen had come to visit his family home. His 4 year old son Huo Moshe was thrilled to see him. His unreliable father always took off abandoning him! This time, Huo Moshe was determined to go back home with his father.
"I missed you so much" he murmured holding his father in a tight hug, his legs dangling mid air.
"Missed you too brat" chuckled Huo Shen affectionately. "Now, let me take a look at you. Have you grown? Are you listening to your grandma?"
Huo Shen gently tousled his son's hair and led him up the stairs back into his house - listening with a smile to his son's excited chatter.
For a minute, his serious and deadly aura fell away and a soft look replaced Huo Shen's face. At that moment, the devil on the battlefield who made his enemies quake, the absolute madman of high-society, was just a loving young father who was reunited with his son.
"Mother. Father. I am back" he greeted his parents politely as he walked in to the luxurious grand hall of the Huo Manor.
As the top family in the capital, the Huo mansion was the epitome of understated opulence. Antique calligraphy scrolls graced the walls, Qing dynasty porcelain gleamed under the chandelier light, and every object spoke of old wealth and impeccable taste.
The Huo couple sat at the head of the drawing room, with their family around. Today was an "intimate" family gathering meant to welcome Huo Shen back home. Su Wanqing had worked hard, making sure the kitchen made all of Huo Shen's favorites and the home was decorated well.
She wanted her son to feel loved and important - and hopefully mend the rift between them.
"Shen'er is here" she smiled warmly, getting up to go greet him. She gave him a hug and pulled to seat him right next to her husband - a seat of honor at the table.
"Duoduo sits with grandma" she laughed and shepherded her youngest grandson into the seat next to her.
Qin Yuerou, her eldest daughter-in-law saw the blatant favoritism her mother-in-law showed and gritted her teeth.
Her husband Huo Ruijie worked hard as the CEO of Huo Corporation and brought in immense wealth. She tirelessly took care of the elders and the home and has raised two excellent children. Yet, no one put them in their eyes.
She and her children were sitting far away down the table, with her husband sitting in a spot below Huo Shen. On what basis?! Qin Yuerou was not reconciled. Why did that short-lived madman get more attention?
At the very least, her son Huo Yichen, who was now a Major in the army should've been considered. Why was it that no-name bastard's turn to sit close to honor?!
If her husband thought the same, he didn't let it show.
"Little Brother looks well" remarked Huo Ruijie happily and helped him get settled in. He went on to enquire about his brother's health and made small talk, sharing stories about the company and giving updates.
"Mother was so worried. This time the recovery time was too long. Xiao Shen, what did the doctor advise about your health this time?" Huo Ruiyi, Huo Shen's elder sister asked with fake concern.
The Huo family was a family of vultures - with only the fittest and the strongest surviving. Under Huo Jingchen the eldest branch, the family flourished and as his eldest son, Huo Ruijie was automatically considered the heir apparent.
His sister Huo Ruiyi wasn't too bothered then - the family was big enough with power both in the military and business. If the elder brother as the heir followed father into the military, there was still the family business - it made it easier for her and her husband to inherit the Huo corporation.
Unfortunately, the family dynamics changed with the birth of Huo Shen, who was then named Huo Ruishen. Not only was he doted upon by both his parents, he was so intelligent and skilled, he became the automatic consideration for the role of the heir.
Even when he contracted an illness at a young age, the family kept the information locked down and didn't change his position. Huo Ruishen, for his part, showed formidable skill in both military and business and shot up the ranks.
By the age of 21, he was the CEO of Huo Corporation - the youngest yet, and was also a Major General in the army. Some said his meteoric rise up the ranks was because of his father. However, those were just jealous voices.
The real veterans knew his worth, his skill, and how formidable a force he was. As a Major General, he predicted and controlled the rise of the Black Lotus. He commanded multiple troops and kept enemies in check. His espionage was unparalleled - and the kind of information that came out of his office helped the Nation win in International Politics.
As the ruthless and cold young master of the Huo family he was society's most eligible bachelor.
His unshakeable power and might gave the Huo family members in his generation a sense of crisis. Qin Yuerou wanted her son Huo Yicheng to succeed and enjoy military success. She also wanted her husband to have a bigger role in the company.
Likewise, Huo Ruiyi wanted a share for her family. Her husband, who could only live off the handouts of the Huo family, naturally deserved to be taken better care of. And she wanted to plan for her son's future as well.
They tried their best to influence the patriarch - but it was useless. There was simply no one else who was even half as smart as him.
But then, heaven was jealous of talents - and like an answer to their prayers, crisis hit Huo Ruishen. Till today, no one was clear on what exactly happened - only that Huo Ruishen was blamed for the leak of top secret dossiers and was demoted to a mere Captain.
And, to make it worse, his illness, which was tightly hidden by the Huo family, was made public.
Overnight, he was branded a traitor and a madman - and his popularity fell. Things came to a head when he brought his son home and the Huo family elders refused to accept him.
That day, Huo Ruishen renounced his name, became Huo Shen and cut off inheritance rights in the family. He resigned from the company, and moved out to live by himself and raise his son - surviving only on the wages given by the military. The supreme and untouchable son of heaven became just another fallen heir.
And looks like his health is getting even worse, rejoiced Huo Ruiyi silently. Once he dies, it wouldn't be too hard getting rid of the bastard child.
If Huo Shen picked up on her thoughts, he didn't let on. "Thank you sister for your concern - but I am better" he gave a noncommittal response.
"Thank you for watching over Duoduo during this time mother" he continued, turning to his mother. "I owe you."
"Nonsense! How can I not pamper our own grandchild! It was wonderful to have a baby again in the house" laughed Su Wanqing happily.
"Duoduo is not a baby" frowned Huo Moshe. "I am 4 yrs old now and can go to school. And when Daddy finds a mommy for me, they will give me a little sister so Duoduo will be a big brother" he declared proudly.
There was an awkward silence at the table.
Huo Shen, completely unaffected, off-handedly reprimanded him "Duoduo, don't talk nonsense".
"Duoduo is not talking nonsense" protested Huo Moshe indignantly. "Grandma said she will find me a mommy soon - and will gift her all her paintings so she won't run away from you daddy" he finished, flashing his grandmother a big smile.
This time, the silence was rather tense.
The Su family was a legendary literati family. They were renowned for recruiting talents and any artistic of intangible cultural heritage of the country would rest with them. The paintings Duoduo spoke about were part of Mother Su's dowry, handed down by the family. It was worth a huge fortune and would command even more in royalty every year.
Qin Yuerou clenched her fists. Favoritism again! Those paintings should rightfully belong to her girl - Huo Yixuan. As the rightful daughter of the eldest son, she absolutely deserved it and also because her Yixuan was so exceptional.
She would be graduating from the National Defense Academy in 2 years and Qin Yuerou wanted her to marry into the Tang family - one of the 3 top families in the capital.
To marry into such a family, having the Su family paintings as dowry would give them a lot of face. How dare that be given away to an unknown vixen, for marrying this short-lived ghost!
"Mother! That is too unfair - the paintings are mine" burst out Huo Ruiyi. She had been eyeing the paintings for a long time. The older brother's family got the business, their elder son got into Military. It was obvious that she should get the paintings. "We don't even get as much dividends from the company anymore - really, just because I am a daughter you are biased against me".
Su Wanqing was annoyed "those paintings are mine. I can choose how I want to deal with them. It is not for anyone to say or guide me" she said with finality.
Yixuan, who till now was supremely confident about her place in the family felt a vague sense of unease. As the Huo family's only youngest miss, she had been pampered since young. Her grandma doted on her and showered her with jewlelry and bags.
Being the only girl, and being her grandma's favorite, she naturally thought she would get all of her grandma's things - the heirloom jewellery and the paintings. Looks like she needs to coax her grandma more.
"Of course grandma is right." she smiled gently, the very picture of innocence. "If we can get ourselves a little auntie to take care of little uncle, wont that be the best?" she finished, insinuating that her little uncle wouldnt be able to find a bride otherwise.
Her aunt took the bait! "We have no problem with finding a bride for third brother." cut in Huo Ruiyi furiously. " Why should it be at the cost of my paintings? It's not our fault brother is so incapable. With his illness and the blackmark with the army, even with the paintings, which good family's girl would be willing to marry him? Mother, listen to me, don't waste…"
SLAM
Huo Jingchen silenced the tirade with his mighty fist. "Enough! How vulgar. You are all behaving like cheap village shrews, fighting for benefits. Where is the demeanor of a refined family? The paintings and our money are handled by your mother. She can choose what to do with them. I will not hear anymore on this topic again" he thundered.
Huo Jingchen was a patriarch for a reason. When he spoke, the family listened. The table once again fell into silence, with Huo Ruiyi flushing red.
"Thank you mother for your concern. But I am not interested in finding a wife" cut in Huo Shen evenly. If the family's assessment of his career or status bothered him, he didn't let it show. "I have Duoduo. It is enough".
"Shen'er with you being ill so often, Duoduo needs another person to take care of him - to ground him as family" tried Su Wanqing. She knew her son doted on Huo Moshe and wouldn't grudge him anything. "Duoduo is still young and needs a woman's care."
"Mother's right" suddenly chimed in Qin Yuerou."I am sure there are a few eligible girls in my family - I can ask…"
Huo Ruiyi snorted. Does she really think no one can see through her plan?! If she wants to keep the riches in her family, I can do it too!
"We have a few in my husband's Zhao family too. As his sister I can introduce him…"
"Shen'er thanks sister-in-law and elder sister for their trouble, but it is really not necessary. Mother, Father, I am full. Duoduo, come we are leaving". Huo Shen smoothly got up to leave.
"Shen'er, but…" Su Wanqing's eyes filled with tears. Her son was here for barely a meal but was already leaving.
"I will visit mother again soon." Huo Shen promised gently. "And don't worry mother, I am doing well." he reassured her. And, after nodding politely to his father, he left.
Silence fell across the table once again. No one knew what to say to break it.
A hot tear trickled out of Su Wanqing's eyes and splashed on her arm.
"Qingqing…" Huo Jingchen was heartbroken to see his wife so upset. He tried to reach for her hand.
"Are you all happy now?" she choked, pushing away her husband's hand.
"You, Ruiyi, when have we ever shortchanged you? Do you forget the generous dowry I gave you when you married out? Or have you not had generous loans from me every time your business needed it?"
"Eldest son, you know how much Shen'er helped you with the company. And, do you really think your son Yichen would've progressed so quickly if not for him? How could you all be so calculating?"
"And you" she turned her burning gaze to her husband. " You and your foolish family pride have reduced our family to this! All you've taught and trained your children is to chase glory. Take a good look at what they have become" she whispered.
Su Wanqing slowly got up from the table, feeling every inch of her years. "I am so disappointed in all of you." and walked away, her back upright, yet showing a deep heartache.
"She's right" Huo Jingchen muttered wearily. "Since when did our mighty Huo family have to fight for benefits? Take your time eating." he said and left the table.
"I need to leave too - I have to get to the base" Yichen moved to leave. He deeply resented the insinuation that his little uncle had helped him in his career.
Huo Yichen was proud of how far he had come, and was confident of his skills. Infact it would be lucky if little uncle didn't bring him down. Huo Shen's blackmark as a soldier was something he was keenly aware of - and made sure to distance himself from his uncle at work.
He also didn't think any woman in his right mind would be willing to marry his uncle. Currently, He, Huo Yichen was one of the most eligible bachelors in the Capital and had women throwing themselves at him at every turn.
Which one of them would be foolish enough to marry a man who couldn't even do well for himself?