Volume One, Chapter 73: The Ninth Lord Arrives

This was the first time Lin Dong Huo set foot in the Huo Residence.

The entire household was on high alert, anxious and apprehensive. Madam Huo personally went out to greet their guest, instructing the butler to summon the Chairman back home, regardless of where he was or what he was doing!

She urgently ordered, “Tell Mingtian and Yesheng to come down immediately! Today is not the day for them to quarrel—no matter what, they must at least put on a harmonious front for me!”

In the living room, Shu Ting Huo was surrounded by servants tending to her wounds. Seeing her mother receiving their guest with such ceremony, she curled her lips in disdain.

This… felt like the emperor himself was visiting.

A Maybach pulled into the grand courtyard, trailed by two more vehicles: a black sedan and a medical van. The driver and black-suited bodyguards got out first, forming a barrier around the cars, allowing no one to approach—and no one dared to, anyway.

Lin Dong Huo stepped out of the car.

Madam Huo was about to greet him with a smile when she saw Ninth Master turn and lift a child from the car.

The moment the child appeared, everyone was visibly shaken.

Rumors had reached the Huo family that, upon this return to the capital, Ninth Master had brought a child with him. But where the child had come from, and who the mother was, no one knew. And no one dared to inquire.

Madam Huo had quietly tried to find out. Word was the child had been adopted by Ninth Master. But as soon as she saw the chubby-cheeked, exquisitely pretty boy, she dismissed that notion immediately.

How could he be adopted?

One look, and it was obvious—this was a child of the Huo family!

He looked so much like Ninth Master, and like the late Old Master Huo as well.

But when had Ninth Master ever dated, married, and had a child? All of it was wrapped in mystery. Just like the man himself: unfathomable, elusive as a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail.

“Ninth Uncle.” Madam Huo carried herself with the grace of a lady of the house, smiling kindly at the boy. “This must be your youngest?”

Lin Dong Huo introduced him with a cool indifference. “My son, Xiaobei.”

He set Xiaobei Huo down on the ground and took off his down jacket’s hood, revealing a blue knit cap underneath.

Madam Huo was momentarily taken aback by the familiar hat.

Was this little blue cap such a trend this year?

“Hello, Madam,” Xiaobei greeted her politely and sweetly.

Madam Huo smiled and reached out to pat his head, but Xiaobei subtly adjusted his hat and edged closer to Lin Dong Huo.

Whenever he didn’t want to be touched, he always made such small gestures.

His father understood.

Lin Dong Huo shielded him without hesitation. “He’s shy with strangers.”

“They’re all like this. My grandson too,” Madam Huo replied without embarrassment. She bent down to introduce herself to Xiaobei, “In terms of family ranking, I’m your third sister-in-law.”

Third… Xiaobei struggled to get the words out.

He looked at Madam Huo, thinking: Aren’t you Cong Huo’s grandmother?

How can I call you sister-in-law? Wouldn’t that be taking advantage of Cong Huo?

Xiaobei managed a polite, if awkward, smile, and secretly squeezed Lin Dong Huo’s hand—he was here to see Cong Huo!

“Ninth Master, your arrival is a great honor—I should have come to greet you sooner.” Mingtian Huo strode out to welcome them, and he and Madam Huo quickly ushered the guests inside. Lin Dong Huo stated their purpose succinctly: Xiaobei was worried about his deskmate and wanted to pay a visit.

“Xiaobei and Cong’er are classmates?” Madam Huo looked at her son in surprise. “Why didn’t you mention it?”

Mingtian Huo’s eyes flickered with surprise—he had only just found out himself.

“Xiaobei Huo!” Cong Huo and Yesheng came down the stairs one after another, and the moment Cong Huo saw Xiaobei, his spirits lifted.

“Cong Huo!” Xiaobei laughed and ran to hug him. “I missed you so much!”

The two wrapped their arms around each other, about the same age and height, looking for all the world like real brothers…

At that moment, everyone present felt the same way.

“Yesheng.” Lin Dong Huo’s gaze fell to the other side. Yesheng called out, “Brother Lin,” and walked over, clearly surprised to see him.

Lin Dong Huo immediately noticed the scratch marks on the back of her hand, his expression darkening.

“What happened to your hand?”

Yesheng glanced down, unconcerned. “A chicken claw did it.”

The chicken claw in question, Shu Ting Huo, raised her voice in protest, “You’re the chicken claw! Who are you calling names?”

“Shu Ting,” Madam Huo and Mingtian Huo both looked displeased. Madam Huo shot her daughter a warning glare. “There are elders present. Mind your manners and stop shouting.”

Shu Ting’s cheeks were still flushed, her heart full of grievances, but she dared not speak up. Her lips stuck out so far a spoon could hang from them.

Lin Dong Huo only needed a glance to understand the situation.

He ignored Shu Ting Huo, focusing on the back of Yesheng’s hand. “Do you need a rabies shot?”

Everyone: “…”