Volume One, Chapter 75: In This Family, You Must Protect Her

At these words, the expressions of everyone present changed.

All the members of the Huo family realized that Huo Winter was admonishing Huo Cong, but no one dared to speak rashly—after all, the Ninth Master was a senior among seniors, the very pillar of the Huo clan. He seldom appeared at family gatherings, but whenever he did, it was a sign that something significant was afoot. Regardless of when he arrived, whether for the main branch or the offshoots, the family would go to great lengths to push their children before him, hoping he might offer a few words of wisdom. It was as if anything Huo Winter uttered was golden, a decree that could determine a child’s fate.

He was a man of few words, always concise and to the point, rarely betraying any emotion. This was the first time anyone had seen him sternly rebuke someone. How could anyone not be anxious?

Madam Huo's heart was in her throat as she stood quietly at the doorway, holding her breath.

Yet Huo Winter was not angry; he even appeared patient. Nonetheless, his words carried considerable weight. “Just because your mother loves you and shows you kindness, you mustn’t take advantage of her. Joining others to hurt her is not the way a son should behave. She’s gentle with you because she loves you, but that is not a reason for you to hurt her.”

Huo Cong’s heart thudded heavily in his chest.

“In this family, you are the one closest to your mother. You must protect her.”

Huo Winter’s voice was low and calm, yet it compelled one to listen. “A child can be willful, but not excessively so. You are young now, but you will grow up. Don’t do things you’ll regret in the future.”

Huo Cong suddenly looked up at Ye Sheng, taking in her pale face and reddened eyes. He pressed his lips together tightly. Had his words just now really hurt her?

His hand clenched involuntarily...

Ye Sheng was the first to notice. She reached out and gently loosened his fist. “Don’t clench your hand so tightly. You’ll hurt yourself.”

The concern and anxiety in her eyes did not escape the child’s notice. Huo Cong’s lashes trembled. That man had said... she loved him, cared for him, and was soft-hearted toward him. Was it true?

Beside him, Huo Xiaobei was also terribly anxious. Though he had never been scolded by his father in public, he had seen Professor Huo reprimand students—students much older than himself, some even brought to tears. How could Huo Cong, still just a boy, be any different? Still, he felt Huo Cong had indeed been in the wrong and needed to be corrected. He was also worried that Ye Sheng was truly hurt by Huo Cong’s harsh words. Huo Xiaobei could only sigh inwardly, fretting for them both.

“Sheng Sheng, Huo Cong just has a sharp tongue, but he means no harm. I know him,” Huo Xiaobei said earnestly, playing the peacemaker. “You came to see him when he was sick—he was definitely happy, just too shy to say so.”

After comforting Ye Sheng, he turned and patted Huo Cong’s shoulder.

“Huo Cong, don’t be afraid. Everyone makes mistakes. We’re just children; we don’t always understand things. It’s normal to make mistakes, as long as we correct them in time. Sheng Sheng shouldn’t have hit anyone, but she wouldn’t have lashed out unless she was really provoked. She has such a gentle temper—imagine what it must have taken for her to act that way. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I’m sure she fought with your aunt only because of you.”

“…”

Huo Shuting, standing in the back, was dumbfounded.

What did he mean by saying Ye Sheng had a gentle temper, that she wouldn’t strike without reason... Was she saying that getting beaten up like this was all her own fault?

“Watch your mouth, boy!” Huo Shuting, spoiled and pampered all her life, had never learned restraint. She rushed forward to scold Huo Xiaobei. “This is my house—do you think you can cause trouble here?”

“Enough, Huo Shuting!”

Two sharp, resounding shouts rang out, followed by a crisp slap. Madam Huo struck Huo Shuting so hard she was stunned.

Both Huo Xiaobei and Huo Cong stared wide-eyed in shock at the sound of that slap.

Madam Huo, abandoning her usual elegance, sternly reprimanded her daughter. “What boy? That is your uncle! The elders are present—how dare you interrupt? Why did Cong’er get so upset he fell ill? Wasn’t it because you threw his hat and started all this?”

At this, Huo Winter understood the situation completely. He ignored Huo Shuting, who stood clutching her face in aggrieved silence, and turned to Huo Mingtian.

“Huo Cong and his mother have grown apart. Does that please you?”

Huo Mingtian’s face stiffened slightly. How could he possibly be pleased? According to the family rules, a junior must answer when questioned by an elder. “No, I am not pleased.”

“Then do not allow it to continue. The problem starts with you.”

Huo Winter’s tone was cold and severe. “If you cannot even show proper respect to your child’s mother, how can you expect the child, who learns by example, to do any better?”

Huo Mingtian’s brows drew together. It was the first time he’d heard such a perspective, a view from an outsider...

Was it truly so?

He gazed at Ye Sheng’s slender back and, for the first time, began to reflect.