Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot-Chapter 760 - 466 Huo Family’s Invitation, Wuye’s Inner Calculations_2
When Jiang Jinsang pulled up to the Huo Family’s doorway, he furrowed his brow slightly, the cars outside... seemed a bit numerous!
Were the Huo Family throwing a party today?
"Sir, please get out of the car; I will park it for you," a staff member of the Huo Family was already waiting outside.
"Mm." Jiang Jinsang got out of the car and asked, "Are there a lot of family members home today?"
"Not really, just some relatives and friends. Since the lady and others are not often in Beijing, it’s also related to the Liang Family’s business. Knowing that they are home, they came especially to pay a visit. However, they didn’t stay for lunch, just stopped by to say hello."
"Say hello?" Jiang Jinsang held Tang Wan’s hand, caressing it twice within his palm, "Their timing seems quite concentrated."
The Huo Family staff member gave a forced laugh, "Indeed... what a coincidence!"
Even a fool could tell that this was no coincidence; it was surely because they knew Shen Shuci was coming and specifically rushed over to sneak a peek.
"Auntie..." Jiang Jinsang turned his head to look at the person walking beside Tang Wan, "The Huo Family’s relatives..."
"There are quite a few!"
"Be prepared."
"Hm?" Shen Shuci was doubtful, her gaze briefly sweeping over the cars outside; seven or eight of them. However many relatives there were, could there be that many?
Before the three of them even entered, Huo Qinqi had already come out to greet them. He saw Shen Shuci wearing a white dress and a flash of something different crossed the depths of his eyes. She caught this scene just in time and couldn’t help but tug at the hem of her dress. This style wasn’t really hers, too ladylike.
"Huo Big Brother." Tang Wan greeted him with a smile.
Jiang Jinsang just frowned, unsure of how to address him, and decided to play dead.
"Let’s go inside," Huo Qinqi said as he walked over to Shen Shuci’s side, giving another inconspicuous glance at her dress.
The two of them were like a young couple who hadn’t yet found their way to interact with each other, a bit green.
Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang walked ahead but kept an eye on the movements behind them. Why weren’t they talking?
In fact, everyone was curious about what their relationship was like.
After a few seconds, Huo Qinqi cleared his throat forcefully, "The weather is nice today."
"..."
Tang Wan snorted with laughter. Was this how they date?
Jiang Jinsang pinched the bridge of his nose. At this rate, it seemed like they wouldn’t need his mediation, negotiation, or interference, and even then, it might not last.
After the four of them entered the living room, apart from Huo Zheng and his wife, there were quite a few others—all men, mostly in their early twenties. They didn’t look very distinguished and weren’t particularly similar in appearance. Maybe people from the Huo Family naturally had a unique presence...
To an outsider, it was clear they were from the same clan.
"Fifth Brother!" A group of them stood up to greet Jiang Jinsang; they obviously knew him.
"You guys probably haven’t met Xiao Wu’s wife yet..." Liang Yun was about to make introductions.
"No need for introductions; we all know her. We’ve seen her on TV, and the Fifth Sister-in-law is much prettier in person than in the videos." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
On TV? Tang Wan thought about herself appearing on television, but that was never good news. She subconsciously tightened her grip on Jiang Jinsang’s hand.
"That’s for sure. Fifth Brother has always had high standards."
"Congratulations to Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law—we heard that Fifth Sister-in-law is pregnant."
...
The Huo brothers, all talkative and eloquent, were quite the contrast to Huo Qinqi’s reticence. Though they were speaking with the couple, their gazes steadfastly remained on Shen Shuci, almost shining with intensity.
Shen Shuci had assumed that the relatives of the Huo Family would be like Huo Zheng or even Huo Qinqi in character. Who knew they would be so different?
Even if she remained composed, she couldn’t stand the host of men scanning over her, especially not when her dress wasn’t her style today, making her feel uneasy all over.
At this moment, Liang Yun felt that the crowd was centering around Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang, inevitably overlooking Shen Shuci, so she introduced her with a smile:
"This is Shen Shuci, she’s also a guest today."
Liang Yun hadn’t quite figured out her son’s relationship with the woman, and hadn’t rashly introduced her as Huo Qinqi’s girlfriend, merely giving her the status of a guest.
But the Huo brothers exchanged looks, smiling ambiguously; they were astute enough not to introduce her in a way that could embarrass her, and so they addressed Shen Shuci as Miss Shen.
However, Huo Qinqi subtly shifted his body to block the line of sight of the others.
Huo Family brothers:
Tsk—so boring!
People are meant to be seen, why block the view?
And who says others can’t look?
At that moment, accompanied by the sound of footsteps that hadn’t yet reached the room, a cheerful laughter was heard:
"I heard my sister-in-law is here, let me have a look!"
The young man rushed into the living room from the backyard, only to be scolded back by Huo Qinqi with a cold gaze.
Tang Wan raised her eyebrows slightly, for this young man was different from the other Huo brothers.
He had dyed his hair red.
With an easy charm, the red hair suited him perfectly, not looking out of place or alternative at all.
"Hehe... oh yeah? My mom just called me, told me to come home for dinner, uncle and aunt, bro, I’m heading out," said the young man as he left, making sure to greet Jiang Jinsang and specifically complimented Tang Wan on how pretty she looked.
"I’ll walk you out!" The young man hadn’t gone far when the group of Huo brothers soon found various excuses to leave the contentious spot.
Since people were seen, there was no need to stay and endure Huo Qinqi’s cold looks.
On their way back, they discussed Shen Shuci at length in a chat group established by the younger Huos. Huo Qinqi wasn’t included, so their conversation was unrestricted.
"The plum blossoms are blooming in the backyard, why don’t you all go take a look? Once Yanting’s family arrives, we can eat," Liang Yun said with a smile.
"I’ll show you," Huo Qinqi stated bluntly.
Originally supposed to be a foursome, Tang Wan excused herself, claiming to feel lazy and not up for it, and naturally, Jiang Jinsang stayed to keep her company. The backyard blossom viewing eventually turned into a private date for Huo Qinqi and Shen Shuci.
Tang Wan wanted to give the two a chance to be alone, considering that Huo Qinqi’s return to Beijing was no small matter, and it was uncertain how long he could stay. When there was time, the pair should be encouraged to interact more.
The Huo family understood her intentions and found Tang Wan to be very considerate.
"You entertain them, I’ll go check the kitchen," Liang Yun reminded Huo Zheng, to look after the guests.
"Auntie, let me help you," Tang Wan got up, feeling it wouldn’t be right to just wait around to be served in someone else’s house.
"No need to be formal at your auntie’s house, sit down. You’re pregnant, you need to rest more."
Huo Zheng, looking at the couple, exchanged a succession of prolonged stares. Just as Jiang Jinsang was about to break the silence, Huo Zheng beat him to it:
"Don’t just sit, have some tea!"
"..."
"Cough cough—" From the kitchen, Liang Yun subtly hinted to her husband.
Huo Zheng cleared his throat and after quite a while managed, "Have some fruit."
...
Holding her tea cup, Tang Wan leaned close to Jiang Jinsang and whispered, "Uncle Huo’s personality is really just like Big Brother Huo’s..."
Jiang Jinsang smiled without saying a word, attributing it to the strength of the genes.
"Who knew the Huo brothers were so many?"
"Did you think the Huo family of Hexi only referred to them individually? They’re part of a clan, but they’re usually so busy and scattered across the country it’s rare for them to meet."
Tang Wan nodded.
"I wonder how Big Brother Huo and Auntie are doing." Tang Wan sipped her tea, "Xiaowu, you’re not going to make trouble, are you?"
Having been together so long, day in and day out, Tang Wan could clearly understand Jiang Jinsang’s feelings, and it surely unsettled him to become an uncle to his own brother.
"Do I need to stir up trouble?" Jiang Jinsang teased, arching an eyebrow, "The way those two were getting along when we came in..."
"I don’t even need to do anything. I’m afraid their relationship won’t last long," he said slyly.
Given Huo Qinqi’s habitual behavior, even if Auntie had a strong psychological fortitude, she’d probably find it hard to tolerate.
Tang Wan gritted her teeth, knowing there was truth in what he said.
But what Jiang Jinsang didn’t realize was that someone was treating Shen Shuci in a way he had never seen before.
