Ch9 Be unscrupulous
The hospital ward had been specially renovated, so the lights were slightly dimmer than in other wards.
Huo Yu placed the flowers on the coffee table before raising his hand and pushing the door open.
The nurse who was feeding Huo Chuan dinner looked up when she heard the movement. "You are..."
For some reason, she felt that the other person looked familiar, as if she had seen him before. After a while, she realized that he was from the Huo family, the one who had only shown his face once before.
The eldest grandson of the Huo family.
Back then, the other party looked a lot younger. He had been wearing simple jeans and a plain white shirt, but even with such a simple outfit, he looked very elegant and attractive. Especially his features, they were so striking that people couldn't help but keep looking at him. And this was same for her.
Because of that memory, she didn't immediately realize that the calm and mature young man standing in front of her now was the same person she had seen back then.
It felt like he was a completely different person from before.
The nurse quickly stood up and respectfully greeted him, "Eldest Young Master."
Then she turned to Huo Chuan, lowered her head slightly, and gently said, "Sir, the Eldest Young Master has come to visit you."
When he heard this, Huo Chuan slowly turned his head. There was still some soup at the corner of his mouth that had spilled. He looked completely different.
The other party was no longer the sharp and shrewd man Huo Yu had known in the past.
"You can leave, I'll feed him," Huo Yu said. "I'll call you if I need anything."
"Yes," the nurse replied softly.
She carefully placed the rest of the meal on the cabinet beside the bed, then quietly stepped back and left the room without making another sound.
"Yu... er..." Huo Chuan looked at Huo Yu.
His hand, weakened and thin from old age, trembled like a dry branch in the wind as it slowly lifted from beneath the quilt. The movement was slow and unsteady, as if every inch of movement drained the little strength he had left.
"You..."
After a long struggle, he managed to force out a single word with his voice quiet, raspy, and barely audible.
Huo Yu walked over to the bed and gently took Huo Chuan's trembling hand. With care, he tucked it back under the thin quilt.
Speaking softly, like a devoted grandson, he said, "I'm back."
Yet, despite his gentle voice, his eyes remained cold, lacking any trace of emotion or warmth.
Huo Chuan swallowed, his eyes wide as he gazed at Huo Yu's face.
It had been a long time since they last saw each other, but instead of feeling happy, his face showed nothing but worry and caution.
It was obvious that he didn't have an ounce of trust in Huo Yu.
"What's the matter?" Huo Yu asked, his gaze unwavering as he looked straight into Huo Chuan's eyes. His expression was calm, almost emotionless, but there was a hint of something colder beneath the surface.
A faint, mocking smile began to play at the corners of his lips, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
He leaned in slightly, his voice slow and deliberate.
"Grandpa," he said, his tone light, almost playful, but the sharpness in his voice made the words feel like a challenge. "Aren't you happy to see me?'
He picked up the half-bowl of soup from the table, his eyes lowering as he stirred it slowly with the spoon. His movements were calm, but the tension in the air was thick.
"Can you go back..." Huo Chuan struggled to speak, his voice weak and trembling. He could barely manage those four words, the same words he had once forced Huo Yu to obey four years ago.
After speaking, he sank back against the pillow, his chest rising and falling unevenly as he gasped for air, clearly drained from the effort.
Huo Yu raised a spoonful of soup to Huo Chuan's lips, but Huo Chuan kept his mouth firmly shut -as if he wouldn't open it no matter what, unless Huo Yu agreed to his unfinished request.
Huo Yu looked at Huo Chuan for a moment and said in a low, indifferent voice, "No."
Hearing Huo Yu's response, Huo Chuan jerked his head sharply to the side, the sudden movement causing the soup to spill over, soaking his blanket and staining his shoulder. He glared angrily at Huo Yu, who remained motionless.
"I said no." Huo Yu repeated, his voice remained cold.
He looked down, watching the soup slowly soak into the white cloth, leaving dark stains and a few egg pieces scattered on it, before repeating his refusal again. This time, his voice was colder, laced with malice and a hint of gloating. There was clear, almost cruel satisfaction in his tone, as if he reveled in Huo Chuan's frustration and despair, enjoying the helpless expression on his face.
"You unworthy brat!" Huo Chuan's voice grew louder and sharper as his anger took over. "I truly regret
But before he could finish his sentence, a violent cough suddenly stopped him. The force of it made his whole body tremble, and for a moment, he struggled to breath, the words stuck in his throat.
Meanwhile, Huo Yu stood calmly, watching as his supposed grandpa's face turned red from constant coughing. Slowly, he curled his lips into a faint, sarcastic smile, "Do you regret raising me, or do you regret not killing me when you had the chance?"
As Huo Chuan continued to fight for air, his face almost turned white, and he was on the verge of passing out. But Huo Yu stood there silently, unmoved, showing no sympathy or concern for the man struggling in front of him.
He continue to play with the thin white spoon in his smooth, jade-like hands, making a soft, crisp sound every time it touched, adding an eerie liveliness to the otherwise silent room.
"What are you afraid of?" Huo Yu asked with a smile, his deep, dark eyes were like bottomless holes. Even though they were beautifully shaped, they still made Huo Chuan feel a sense of fear. "Go on, tell me slowly what you're afraid of. If I'm in a good mood, I might even help make it all come true."
"You bastard-!" Huo Chuan tried to yell, but he couldn't catch his breath. His vision started to fade, and before he knew it, he collapsed.
Huo Yu gazed at Huo Chuan's weakened body for a moment, a mix of emotions flickering across his face.
Huo Yu looked down at Huo Chuan for a moment, as if he found his embarrassed expression somewhat amusing, yet also deeply ironic.
He slowly placed the soup bowl back on the table, then, without hurry, picked up a tissue and wiped his hands. Once he had cleaned his fingers thoroughly, he stood up and pressed the button at the bedside to call the nurse.
Meanwhile, on the other side, it was only half a morning, but Xia Wan had already grown fond of his campus life.
In fact, this was the kind of life he had dreamed of for a long time, and he couldn't ask for more.
Once everyone had finished lunch, they all retreated to their beds for a nap.
Xia Wan hadn't slept well the night before, and just as he was starting to drift off, he heard a soft voice from above calling him, "Wanwan."
The sound was enough to pull him from his drowsy state.
"Mmm?" he turned over towards the sound and saw Fu Ling lying on the bed above, staring down at him with wide eyes.
"What is it?" Xia Wan asked, his voice groggy. He turned onto his stomach, resting his head on his hands as he looked up at Fu Ling, speaking softly.
"Can you lend me some money?" Fu Ling whispered quietly.
Such a simple request. Xia Wan had plenty of money, but just as he was about to ask how much was needed, he suddenly remembered that he wasn't the same as he once was.
He was no longer the rich Xia Wan he used to be. His situation had changed, and he hesitated for a moment.
"How much do you need?" he
asked.
"Two thousand," Fu Ling said. "Is that okay?" He looked at Xia Wan, waiting for a response.
Hearing this, Xia Wan pursed his lips.
He had just gone over his finances at lunch, and there was only about two thousand left, which was likely all the pocket money he had for the entire month.
"What about a discounted price?" he asked.
"What's the discount?" Fu Ling asked, leaning in closer.
Xia Wan hesitated for a moment, then silently held up one finger.
Fu Ling rolled his eyes and poked Xia Wan's forehead with his finger.
"I'll ask Tangtang after he's done talking to his aunt," Fu Ling said. "His aunt spoils him and gives him extra allowance every month."
They were still chatting when Su Tang finally hung up the phone after a long conversation.
Noticing both of them staring at him, he asked in a hushed voice, "Did I bother you guys?"
"No," Fu Ling said, shaking his head. "I want to borrow some money from you. My
grandfather's 60th birthday is next week, and I want to buy him a massage chair for elderly people. But it's pretty expensive, and I don't have enough. Can you lend me some?"
Su Tang shook his head in a dramatic motion, one that Xia Wan couldn't help but envy, and asked, "How much?"
"Two thousand," Fu Ling said, holding up two fingers.
"No problem." Su Tang picked up his phone, and within two seconds, Fu Ling's phone buzzed with a message.
"Tangtang," Fu Ling glanced at the screen and frowned. "Did you send the wrong amount? This is three thousand."
"Get something nicer from your dad," Su Tang said arrogantly.
Fu Ling was so moved that he wished he could fly over to hug Su Tang: "Dad."
Su Tang smiled, but for some reason, he seemed wary of Shen Xing. He quickly glanced to the side, as if checking something.
Xia Wan and Fu Ling slept head to head, while Su Tang and Shen Xing slept foot to foot. Seeing Shen Xing sleeping peacefully with his earphones in, Su Tang whispered, "You got lucky. My aunt just sent me some extra allowance."
Su Tang's aunt was well-known for her deep affection for him.
She cared for him more than his own parents ever did. It wasn't just pocket money-she had been sending him food and clothes since he was little, always making sure he had everything he needed.
"Your aunt is so nice," Fu Ling said, his voice full of envy. "She must really adore you. It's probably because you're so cute that she showers you with all that love and attention."
"I am cute," Su Tang agreed, then glanced toward Shen Xing again. "But it's not just because of that why my aunt loves me."
As the three of them chatted, they gradually became more lively. Fu Ling and Xia Wan leaned in close, their heads touching as they looked at Su Tang expectantly for more details.
At first, Su Tang seemed a bit unsure, but after a moment, he spoke up. "Actually, after my older cousin was born, my aunt had another baby, my little cousin. He's just a month younger than me."
"Why haven't you ever mentioned him? I haven't heard you talk about your little cousin much," Fu Ling asked curiously.
Indeed, that was so true. Su Tang often spoke enthusiastically about his aunt and older cousin but he had never mentioned anything about his younger cousin.
At the mention of his younger cousin, Su Tang's face grew somber, his eyes losing their usual spark. After a brief pause, he spoke softly, "He went missing when he was two."
Listening to this, the room fell silent for a moment.
Fu Ling noticed the shift in Su Tang's mood and immediately regretted his question. He quickly looked at Su Tang, his voice filled with concern as he said, "I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I didn't mean to make you upset."
"It's alright," Su Tang waved his hand. "It's been eighteen years now."
"After all these years, you still haven't found him?" Xia Wan asked, his voice filled with empathy. Having recently left his own family after transmigrating, he could relate to the pain Su Tang's aunt and family must have gone through.
Su Tang sighed heavily, looking lost in thought. "My aunt and uncle searched everywhere. They turned everything upside down. But it's like my cousin just vanished into thin air. Back then, the surveillance system wasn't as advanced as it is now. Despite all these years, they still haven't been able to find him."
"So, now your aunt showers all the love she had for your younger cousin on you," Fu Ling said, understanding the situation.
Su Tang nodded in response.
Just then, Shen Xing's phone vibrated, and Su Tang stopped talking about this.
After afternoon classes, Xia Wan had his first meal at the cafeteria with his three dorm mates.
After that, Fu Ling went out to tutor, Shen Xing went to boxing, and Su Tang was picked up by his aunt."
After a long day, Xia Wan was the only one left in the dormitory.
Taking advantage of the quiet time, Xia Wan sat at the desk and began going through the original owner's things.
He carefully organized all the Information he could find-previous artwork, painting tools, chat records, and message logs.
He also went through the social media apps and discovered that the original owner had an account on a video platform.
It was an account the original owner had created specifically to document his painting journey. However, after posting two or three paintings, the account was abandoned due to lack of interest.
Over time, it was forgotten and left inactive.
Xia Wan stared at the computer screen for a moment, thinking it over. After a while, he realized that the old account could actually be useful for him.
While he may not be confident in many things, but when it comes down to art and design that was totally different.
They were his strengths, his true talents.
Though he wasn't the type to brag about it, painting was something he never had to struggle with it came naturally to him.
Before coming to this world, his family had an impressive background.
His grandfather and brother ran a world-renowned jewelry company, while his mother was an internationally acclaimed painter. Even her casual sketches were worth a fortune. On top of that, his father was a well-respected professor in the field of archaeology.
Because of his family, Xia Wan was surrounded by art and beautiful things ever since he was little. Plus, thanks to his mother's guidance, he became pretty good in painting.
During the countless days when he couldn't get out of bed and go outside because of his illness, he would spent most of his time with a drawing board in his hands, constantly painting one thing after another.
So, over time, painting became an intrinsic part of his life. It was as natural to him as breathing.
Whenever he had free time, his hand would reach for a brush, and he'd start painting. Whether he was happy or sad, painting was his way of expressing himself.
In addition to painting, he also thought about starting a mukbang account.
The idea popped into his mind when he saw the original owner's video account.
Why not?
Eating was so enjoyable. During his live streams, he could also sell products, just like the anchors he had seen before. It would not only fill his stomach but also give him a chance to make some money. There was no harm on giving it a shot!!
He really wanted to create a mukbang account, but after thinking it through, he couldn't help but hesitate.
First of all, the incident with Huo Lin at the party had caused quite a stir. While he wasn't afraid of trouble, there was still the chance that someone from the party might recognize him.
In the worst-case scenario, people with malicious intent could take advantage of the situation. If that happened, it would inevitably lead to even more problems.
Secondly, there was Huo Yu he needs to consider...
If he were to cooperate with Huo Yu in the future, it would be better to discuss this matter with him first and understand his opinions. That way, there wouldn't be any problems or misunderstandings later on.
As of now, he didn't have much money, but it was enough to cover his living expenses. Moreover, there wasn't anything particularly important in the chat history or on social media. He still had a few painting tools and some supplies left...
Once Xia Wan finished organizing everything, he took the original owner's drawing board and began to draw.
While everything else was average, the original owner's tools were remarkably professional. Even though he had only used them for a short time, Xia Wan felt surprisingly comfortable with them.
Soon, a crane appeared on the paper.
Its wings were spread wide.
almost like sharp fans cutting through the air. The long, slender legs and sharp, bold lines of its head gave it a powerful, sleek look. The crane seemed to slice through the sky, its body polsed and graceful, as if it could fly
right off the paper..
It resembled a sword slicing through the sky.
"Wanwan," Xia Wan was so absorbed in painting that he didn't notice when Su Tang returned.
Su Tang stood quietly behind him, his eyes wide with surprise as he watched Xia Wan paint. "It's only been a day or two since you broke up and decided to focus entirely on painting. How did you get so much better in such a short time?"
Su Tang was genuinely impressed and amazed by Xia Wan's skill.
When Xia Wan heard this, he paused and turned his head to look at Su Tang. "Maybe it's about gaining some things and losing others?" he said with a small shrug.
"That's not fair," Su Tang said as he sat down next to Xia Wan, pouting slightly. "You got rid of the trash and found the treasure. Isn't one Huo Yu enough?"
"Are you jealous?" Xia Wan laughed.
"I'm jealous," Su Tang sald honestly, without hiding it. "Now, come on, tell me, how did you unlock your inner art master out?"
"It's not that impressive," Xia Wan said, shifting so Su Tang could get a clearer view of the drawing.
To avoid a huge gap compared to the original owner's skill, he had purposely held back when he started drawing. "Take a good look; there are still many areas that need improvement."
Su Tang stared at the crane painting for a moment, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Hmm, it does seem that way." he murmured.
But when he looked again, the painting truly did look nearly perfect, especially the proportions. They were almost flawless.
Su Tang's eyes brightened, and then it clicked. "I get it-it must be Huo Yu who taught you overnight, right?"
Just as Su Tang finished speaking, Huo Yu's call came through.
"Tsk," he smirked with a knowing look and stepped into the bathroom.
"Hello," Xia Wan answered the phone, feeling a bit puzzled. Hadn't they just seen each other today?
"Are you free tomorrow evening?" Huo Yu asked.
Since the weekend was coming up, Xia Wan had originally planned to go home after his Friday afternoon classes to spend some time with Xia Chengzhang.
"Is there something you need?" Xia Wan asked. "I have to go home to spend time with my dad tomorrow."home," Huo Yu's deep voice came through. "But before that, I'll take you to meet my family first."
"Then, I'll drive you to your
"Wait... M-Meet who?" Xia Wan stammered. "Isn't that a little too soon?"
"Not at all," Huo Yu replied with a soft laugh. "We confirmed our relationship today, so meeting the family tomorrow feels just right. The timing couldn't be better."
"Who confirmed the relationship with you?" Xia Wan asked in a hushed tone, while he nervously glanced toward the bathroom.
"I'll show you the agreement "I'll show you the agreement tomorrow, okay?" Huo Yu said, at the same time, faint click, like the sound of a lighter, echoed through the phone.
"Do you have any requirements for meeting your family?" Xia Wan asked.
"Nothing specific," Huo Yu stated.
"Just do what you did with Zhou Shul today-be bold and unscrupulous. That's all."
"Oh," Xia Wan replied, understanding what Huo Yu meant. He didn't know how Huo Yu knew about Zhou Shui, but he wasn't bothered by it.
With a clear conscience, he confidently patted his chest and said"Don't worry, leave it to me "