Chapter 2
1148 Words
The Huo family adhered to strict rules, especially during meals, where conversation was kept to a minimum once the banquet began.
Any disturbance would be particularly noticeable.
Already, some guests frowned with displeasure.
She immediately covered her mouth and nose, tears welling up in her eyes as she nodded apologetically to those looking her way.
But another wave of nausea hit her.
Fu Yan quickly rose from her seat and rushed to the bathroom.
She vomited everything she had eaten, and when there was nothing left, she continued to dry heave, her throat tightening, tears streaming down her face.
The doorknob turned, and someone entered.
Fu Yan leaned over the sink, her heart racing, and turned to see Song Qingshuang hastily closing the door behind her.
Just as she was about to speak, she covered her mouth and retched again.
Finally, when the nausea subsided, she turned on the faucet to wash her hands, looking at her mother in the mirror, who seemed hesitant to speak.
"Are you secretly seeing someone?"
Fu Yan's ears buzzed, not catching the words, "What?"
Her mother repeated the question, her eyes sharp as if interrogating a criminal.
Fu Yan paused her hand-washing, frowning, "What are you trying to say?"
Song Qingshuang stepped forward, grabbing her arm and turning her around to scrutinize her.
Fu Yan, having vomited so much, had reddened eyes and a pale face, looking extremely frail.
"Could you be pregnant?"
"Mom, what nonsense are you talking about?" Fu Yan felt an inexplicable irritation, her voice rising.
Song Qingshuang eyed her suspiciously.
Realizing her overreaction, Fu Yan softened her tone, explaining, "I'm not seeing anyone. I just have an upset stomach."
In truth, she didn't know what was wrong with her.
She had been fine until the faint smell of fish made her nauseous. Now, being questioned by her mother, she instinctively calculated her menstrual cycle.
It was indeed three days late.
Could she really be pregnant?
The last time she was with Huo Mingzheng, she had been suddenly called away on a business trip and couldn't remember if she had taken her medication.
Unaware of her thoughts, Song Qingshuang seemed reassured by her words, "It's best if you're not."
Seeing Fu Yan's condition earlier, she had feared her daughter was hiding a secret relationship and an unplanned pregnancy.
Relieved, she handed Fu Yan a tissue to wipe her mouth, speaking earnestly, "You're my only hope. You can't follow bad examples. My future well-being depends on you."
"The Huo family hasn't mistreated you. Your life won't be too hard." Fu Yan took the tissue to wipe herself.
Though the Huo family didn't favor them, Huo Mingzheng's fifth uncle had asked the old master to take care of them before he passed.
Despite not liking them, the old master kept his promise, providing Song Qingshuang with a seven-figure annual allowance.
This sum would last an ordinary family decades, but Song Qingshuang was extravagant.
Fu Yan had limited her mother to spending no more than three hundred thousand a month, saving the rest for year-end expenses, as the large Huo family required considerable upkeep.
"How is that enough? I need to buy clothes and bags, get beauty treatments, and attend social gatherings. Everything costs money."
Song Qingshuang began listing expenses.
Fu Yan pressed her aching temples, "You have plenty of clothes and bags. You don't need to attend those gatherings where they look down on us."
"What do you know?" Song Qingshuang retorted, "You'll understand the value of connections in those circles once you've been through the grind of society."
"By the way, someone introduced a promising young man to me. I was going to tell you."
Suspecting her mother's intentions, Fu Yan impatiently interrupted, "I'm busy with work lately, no time for that."
Song Qingshuang ignored her excuses, continuing, "He may not be as powerful as the Huo family, but he's well-regarded in the southern city. He's an only child. If you marry him..."
"Mom!" Fu Yan interrupted again, "I don't want to marry so soon."
Song Qingshuang scoffed, "What do you want then? A woman's ultimate goal is marriage. Marrying well gives you a good life and gives me face in the Huo family. Don't you understand the benefits of marrying early?"
Fu Yan couldn't grasp her logic of early marriage leading to happiness.
"I have a job. I've only graduated two years ago. I have plenty of opportunities for advancement, and my salary will be enough to support you."
Song Qingshuang, exasperated, retorted, "Your salary isn't even enough for a decent bag. How can you support me? You can barely support yourself!"
"This is settled. When the time is confirmed, you'll meet him."
Ignoring Fu Yan's refusal, Song Qingshuang pulled her out of the bathroom.
Preoccupied with her delayed period, Fu Yan didn't notice the two people approaching.
The old master, feeling unwell, had stepped out for fresh air, accompanied by Huo Mingzheng.
"What's wrong with Xiao Fu?"
Fu Yan paused, looking up.
The old master, now eighty-one, wore a crimson Tang suit that accentuated his vigorous spirit. His neatly groomed white hair suggested he had been a handsome man in his youth.
The men of the Huo family were exceptionally handsome, especially Huo Mingzheng. Along with the eldest son of the Fu family, he was one of the most sought-after bachelors in the southern city.
There was a saying in the southern city—if it's Fu, it's not Huo; if it's Huo, you can't escape.
Inevitably, she saw Huo Mingzheng.
He glanced at her casually, his eyes cold and sharp, a sign of his displeasure.
Fu Yan's heart skipped a beat.
She quickly averted her gaze, looking at the old master. She had always feared him since childhood. While he doted on his grandchildren, he was stern and unsmiling towards her, the "cheap granddaughter."
His seemingly concerned question lacked genuine care, driven by his promise to the fifth uncle.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I ate something bad earlier and disturbed everyone."
The old master glanced at her with displeasure, his white beard drooping, "If you're unwell, why didn't you say so earlier? You didn't have to attend the banquet."
He almost said outright that she wasn't truly a Huo family member.
Fu Yan clenched her fingers, biting her lip. His public rebuke made her feel humiliated, especially in front of Huo Mingzheng.
She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of him, feeling both shame and discomfort, her face turning red.
Just as she was about to speak, Song Qingshuang, looking embarrassed, tugged at her clothes, signaling her not to say anything wrong.
At that moment, Huo Mingzheng chuckled lightly, "Grandpa, why waste time on irrelevant people? Let me accompany you for a walk."
"Hmm." The old master suppressed his displeasure and walked on.
Huo Mingzheng passed by Fu Yan without pausing, his sleeve brushing against hers silently.
- Writer
