Huo Jinyao married a girl whom she didnât like. Since getting married, the girl did nothing to make Liu Tongjia dislike her less.
First of all, she disliked Su Qingsang for her family background. At first, she disliked that the girl was an illegitimate daughter.
Later on, she became the daughter of Li Qianxue and Su Chenghui, but what does that matter? She had a father like that, meaning that she was probably just as much of a schemer as him. How many tricks did she play to make Huo Jinyao marry her?
Who would know?
Liu Tongjia also didnât like Su Qingsang because of Huo Jinyao.
She said and said with a slightly helpless tone, âFather, Iâve been trying to tell you that you have spoiled him. You wouldnât listen. See how that went? Heâs grown up and started to make mistakes.â
She still didnât point out what Huo Jinyao did wrong. Old Master Huo started to run out of patience.
âJust tell us what happened, and donât beat about the bush.â
Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao both looked at Liu Tongjia. The first thought that popped in Huo Jinyaoâs mind was that his mother was going to talk about what Su Qingsangâs father did and use that against Su Qingsang.
Thankfully, he had talked to his grandfather about that beforehand. His grandfather wouldnât be upset about that now.
Also, what Su Chenghui did had nothing to do with Su Qingsang.
âFather...â thinking about what Huo Mingmei said last night, Liu Tongjia twisted her lip corners in a sarcastic smile.
âYou may not like what Iâm about to say.â she turned to Huo Jinyao, her eyes full of discontent. âLook at Jinyao. What did he say yesterday? He said babies are precious gifts to their parents. I thought he really wanted to have a lovely baby to fulfill your wish of meeting your great-grandson. But earlier, I found out that he was lying. He doesnât want children at all.â
On hearing her words, both Huo Mingguang and Old Master Huo turned to Huo Jinyao.
Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang were both stunned. They didnât expect Tong Tongjia to talk about that.
âFather, Jiang told me something after cleaned their room this morning. I was unaware that theyâve been using birth control until then.â
Liu Tongjia snorted coldly, glaring at Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang.
âHow could you lie to your elders like that? Is that fair for your grandfather who loves you both so much?â
Like Old Master Huo, Liu Tongjia also wished that Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang could have a baby as soon as possible. As much as she didnât like Huo Jinyao, she did want grandchildren.
In Rong City, the children of many people at Huo Jinyaoâs age were already in kindergarten. Unlike them, Huo Jinyao married late.
Huo Jinyao married at the age of thirty, which was much later than usual. Even so, he didnât intend to have a baby immediately.
âHe told his grandfather that he wants a baby, yet secretly uses birth control. What does that say about him? Thatâs not what he told us before.â
This was exactly why Liu Tongjia didnât like Huo Jinyao; he always lied. Thinking of what he had done before, her voice grew even colder.
âYou could have just told us that you donât want a child. Why did you lie to us?â
Liu Tongjiaâs voice wasnât loud. She had lowered her voice on purpose while some house workers were still in the kitchen or outside. However, everyone in the living room heard her loud and clear.
At that point, Old Master Huo began looking upset. Huo Minguang was also looking at Huo Jinyao with discontent.
Su Qingsang sat there under the gazes of the elders, feeling as if countless long needles were piercing into her back.
She never thought that Liu Tongjia would find out about that. She was already feeling sorry for Old Master Huo, so now she didnât even know what to say.
The guilt made her feel uncomfortable. Huo Jinyao gently squeezed her hand to signal for her to relax.
How could she possibly relax? She gave him another glance, and Huo Jinyao squeezed her palm again.
Liu Tongjia had surely noticed their interaction, which further ignited her anger.
Like Su Qingsang, Huo Jinyao was surprised to hear what Liu Tongjia said. He looked at his grandfather and parents, pressing his lips together.
âI donât want a child yet because Iâm not ready to be a father.â
âYou are not ready to be a father?â Liu Tongxia tittered, âIs it you whoâs not ready, or her?â
âItâs me.â Huo Jinyao didnât mind if Liu Tongjia knew, âMom, I decided to not have a baby now. You have no right to drag Qingsang into this.â
âI dragged her into this?â She was not blind. She saw their small, secret interactions just now.
âIâve already told you that it was my decision.â
Huo Jinyao seemed a little upset, and Liu Tongjia looked even unhappier.
âAlright.â Liu Tongjia nodded. Noticing how protective her son was to Su Qingsang, she said to him, âYou said youâre the one who doesnât want a child, but what did you say to your grandfather yesterday?â
Old Master Huo remained silent. He had no idea how much time he had left. His wife seemed very healthy before she left, yet she passed on so suddenly.
He considered himself healthy, but as an elderly person, he honestly couldnât tell how many more years he had left. He wanted Huo Jinyao to get married years ago.
Finally, Huo Jinyao got married. Of course, Old Master Huo wanted him to have a baby as soon as possible so he could meet the fourth generation of his family before he dies.
He did not expect Huo Jinyao to lie to him.
Not only did Old Master Huoâs face appear sullen, but Huo Mingguang also looked displeased with what his son has done.
He could have told his family that he didnât want children instead of lying to them.
âDo you see your family as unreasonable? Canât you tell us how you truly feel?â Liu Tongjia said with a cold voice, obviously disappointed with Huo Jinyao and his wife. âNo matter what happens, you can talk to your parents and grandfather about it honestly. But what did you do?â
This time, Huo Jinyao didnât say anything. Su Qingsang dropped her head and stayed quiet. Liu Tongjiaâs tone of speaking was harsh, but what she said made sense.
Looking at Su Qingsand, Liu Tongjia continued with, âYou said it has nothing to do with her, but do you expect me to believe that? Isnât she the one who doesnât want to have children?â
As Huo Jinyao seemed to say something, she glared at him with a warning. âDonât always speak for her. Sheâs an adult. Doesnât she know how to speak? Su Qingsang, tell me now, which one of you doesnât want children?â
Su Qingsang looked at Liu Tongjia, then at Old Master Huo. Her face was a little pale. Sensing the disappointment in Old Master Huoâs eyes, she dropped her head with guilt.
âGrandpa, Iâm sorry.â
Liu Tongjia looked at Old Master Huo, said, âFather, did you see that? Donât you see whatâs happening? What else is left to say?â
Old Master Huo didnât say anything. Huo Mingguang knitted his brows.
Huo Jinyao looked at Su Qingsang and held her hand tightly. âMom, you donât need to make this such a big deal,â he said to his mother, âQingsang is still young, and neither of us is ready. Besides, whatâs so wrong about having children later? I didnât marry Qingsang just for her to bear my children.â
âYou think what you did was right?â Liu Tongjia was so angry that she almost laughed, âYou say sheâs young, but arenât we all? You didnât marry her to let her bear children, so that gives you the right to lie to us?â
âI didnât lie to you. I just didnât want to hurt you. We will have children when we are ready. Why wonât you just be patient?â
âSure, you will have children when you are ready. When that day comes, however, your father and I might...â
âEnough!â Old Master Huo scolded. Liu Tongjia didnât finish speaking.
Looking at Old Master Huo in the eyes, she shut her mouth.
Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao both dropped their heads, looking a little guilty.
Old Master Huo looked at his grandson and his wife, whom he truly liked, and gave a long sigh in his head.
âIâm old. Youâre not listening to what I said anymore. You donât respect me, but I donât blame you for that.â
âGrandpa...â Old Master Huoâs words made Su Qingsang feel so ashamed.
Huo Jinyao looked uneasy too. He looked at Old Master Huo and wanted to say something, but he stopped on second thought.
âYou can do as you please.â Old Master Huo stood up and glanced at Huo Jinyao. His eyes were filled with disappointment.
Noticing the look in his eyes, Su Qingsang suddenly grew anxious. She hurriedly stood up to explain for Huo Jinyao. âGrandfather...â
Old Master Huo waved a hand to stop her. He didnât want to hear it.
âGo eat breakfast. Iâm going back to my room.â
âGrandpa...â
Without giving her a response, Old Master Huo turned and went upstairs.
The atmosphere in the living room instantly cooled down. Huo Jinyao stood up, prepared to go upstairs to check on Old Master Huo.
âSit down.â Huo Mingguang said to him.
Su Qingsang sat down. Both she and Huo Jinyao wore a deep frown.
Su Qingsang felt especially guilty at that moment. Old Master Huo was an open-minded person.
She and Huo Jinyao could have told him that they didnât want children. They really shouldnât have lied to him.
âDonât you listen to me anymore?â As Huo Jinyao didnât move, Huo Mingguangâs voice grew deep. It was rare for him to be so harsh to Huo Jinyao.
It was the first time Su Qingsang saw her father-in-law lose his temper. She pulled Huo Jinyaoâs sleeve, signaling for him to sit down.
As Huo Jinyao sat down, Huo Mingguang didnât say anything to him immediately. Instead, he called Mr. Cheng the butler and asked him to send the breakfast upstairs to Old Master Huo himself.
Mr. Cheng had been serving the family for tens of years. Old Master Huo was willing to talk to him and listen to what he said.
Mr. Cheng didnât hear what they said in the living room just now, but he could still easily tell that his master wasnât in a good mood. After receiving the order, he quickly left.
Huo Mingguang looked at Huo Jinyao. Like Old Master Huo, he was satisfied with Huo Jinyao.
Because of what happened earlier, he would never say to Hu Jinyaoâs face that he was satisfied with him. He was sometimes very strict with Huo Jinyao, but he always knew that Huo Jinyao was an outstanding boy.
This was the first time he believed that his son did something wrong.