Volume 1, Chapter 27: Why Don't We Bring Him Back?

Huo Qingjun tried to play the emotional card. "Old Tang, consider the years of friendship between us..."

Tang Zhenguo gave a cold laugh. "If it weren't for that friendship, do you think Huo Yanchuan would have left the Tang Corporation in one piece?"

Huo Qingjun: "..."

"I'm hanging up."

Tang Zhenguo ended the call abruptly.

Listening to the busy signal, Huo Qingjun’s expression grew increasingly grim. He hadn't expected Huo Yanchuan to be so reckless as to attempt to slap Tang Ruan right in front of Tang Zhenguo. This was effectively burning every bridge with the Tang family!

Although the Huo family had accumulated far more wealth and power than the Tang family, their current situation could not withstand any further scandals. If things continued this way, the position of Nancheng's top family would inevitably have to be ceded to the Tangs. Was the hard-earned legacy of several generations of the Huo family to be undone in a single day? He could not bear that responsibility.

Huo Qingjun sighed heavily, rose from his chair, and strode out of the study. This matter required consulting the Old Master.

Aside from Zhang Shuqin, Huo Qingjun also summoned his younger brother, Huo Hongjun. After explaining the cause and effect of Tang Zhenguo’s threat to cut ties, the elder Mr. Huo was furious.

"That brat!" He was determined to ruin himself! And not content with his own destruction, he had to drag the entire Huo Corporation down with him.

"Where is he?" Mr. Huo struck his cane against the floor with a thunderous thud.

Huo Qingjun lowered his head. "He hasn't returned yet." He had tried calling him, but the line remained busy.

"Tell him to crawl back here!" When he committed a foolish act, he didn't think of how to remedy it, only how to hide. Does hiding solve anything?

Huo Qingjun lowered his head further, wishing he could disappear into his own chest. Seeing this reaction, Mr. Huo knew exactly what was going on. A surge of blood rushed to his head, and he felt a wave of dizziness.

"Dad, Dad, what's wrong?" Huo Hongjun, who had been silent, stepped forward to support him.

"Dad!" Huo Qingjun and Zhang Shuqin also crowded around.

After a moment, Mr. Huo regained some composure. "Qingjun, Hongjun, do you have any good ideas to resolve the Huo family's current predicament?"

For the past few days, the Huo family's stock had plummeted due to Huo Yanchuan's scandals. They had considered various solutions, but none had been effective. If this continued, the Huo Corporation would suffer a crippling blow.

Huo Qingjun’s face was grave. He had thought of every possible solution, but the public remained stubborn, refusing to listen to the corporation's explanations and dismissing them as mere sophistry.

"Dad, big brother, sister-in-law, I actually have an idea."

Three pairs of eyes immediately locked onto Huo Hongjun.

Huo Hongjun rubbed his nose, feeling a bit unaccustomed to the attention.

"Speak."

Huo Hongjun hesitated, seemingly struggling with his words.

Mr. Huo commanded, "Go on! Just say it!" At a time like this, there was no room for hesitation.

Under their hopeful gazes, Huo Hongjun curled his lips. "Big brother, you don't just have Yanchuan..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood the implication. "And Dad, big brother, sister-in-law, you know as well as I do that he is much more level-headed than Yanchuan."

He had been thinking these past few days: if they had kept the other child back then, would the Huo family be in a better position today? The answer was likely yes. That child had displayed extraordinary business talent even as a teenager. Unfortunately...

Huo Hongjun's words left the other three in silence. He was right. That child was indeed far superior to Huo Yanchuan—humble, refined, and possessed of a keen business mind. Had he been there, the marriage with Tang Ruan would never have encountered so many complications. Regret began to stir in everyone's hearts. If only, back then...

"Dad, why don't we bring him back?" Huo Qingjun proposed.

Mr. Huo pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No."

"Have you forgotten the words passed down by our ancestors?"

Huo Qingjun was struck silent. Of course, he hadn't forgotten; otherwise, he wouldn't have secretly sent the child away and announced to the world that Huo Yanchuan was their only son.

"But in the current situation..."

"Tomorrow, you will take Yanchuan to the Tang family to apologize in person." The Tang and Huo families could not afford to sever ties, at least not yet.

"Yes, Dad."

Once the matter was settled, the three checked on Mr. Huo’s health for a while before leaving the room once he seemed weary.

After walking a short distance, Huo Qingjun turned around. "Hongjun, why did you suddenly bring that child up?" He eyed his brother suspiciously, trying to detect a flaw in his expression. If he remembered correctly, that child and Huo Hongjun had been very close during those years. Bringing him up now—could it be that he wanted to help that child return to the family?

Huo Hongjun smiled. "Big brother, Dad taught us long ago that if one account is ruined, you just start another. Surely you haven't forgotten that?" Moreover, the other "account" didn't even need to be trained; he had grown up perfectly well. As for those who stubbornly clung to one ruined account, it was only because they had no other choice. But the Huo family had options.

Huo Qingjun frowned and tilted his head. "But the words passed down by our ancestors..."

"Brother, do you really believe that?" He certainly didn't. It had been passed down for so many years; perhaps it had been corrupted over time, or perhaps it was a false prophecy to begin with! He could never bring himself to send his own child abroad to fend for himself based on such rumors.

Seeing Huo Qingjun’s darkening expression, Huo Hongjun dropped his dismissive tone and offered another possibility. "Big brother, have you ever considered that it wasn't that child who would bring about the downfall of the Huo family?"

Not that child? Then who—

"What are you implying?"

This time, Huo Hongjun said no more. He waved his hand. "I have an appointment, I'm off, brother." Trying to trick him into saying it? Not a chance!

—

As the night deepened, Huo Yanchuan returned to the Huo estate. He parked the car, pushed the door open, but as his foot hit the ground, he stumbled and nearly collapsed, catching himself on the door frame to steady his balance.

"Oh, my dear young master!" The maid, Auntie Wen, rushed out to support him. The stench of alcohol was so strong it nearly knocked her over. She held her breath and asked anxiously, "Young master, how could you drive after drinking?"

It was so dangerous. Moreover, the Huo family was in a precarious state, with countless eyes watching them, waiting for a mistake to tear off a piece of the pie or take their place.

Huo Yanchuan slurred, "Couldn't... couldn't find a designated driver." If he had found one, he wouldn't have driven back himself. Having said that, his head lolled to the side, and he passed out in Auntie Wen's arms.

Auntie Wen struggled to move him toward the house. But as a woman of average stature and advanced age, she lacked the strength. Even with all her effort, she only managed to get him to the entrance. She looked at the eight steps ahead and fell into a dilemma. She could manage on flat ground, but there was no way she could get the young master up the stairs.

With no other choice, she left Huo Yanchuan on the ground and went to the servants' quarters to call for help. Shortly after, two young men followed her back—they were the gardeners who tended to the estate.

"Help the young master to his room."

The two gardeners lifted Huo Yanchuan and carried him inside.

—

The next morning, Huo Qingjun was checking the news on his phone as usual when he saw a headline that struck him like a bolt of lightning. Only one thought echoed in his mind: The sky has fallen.