âFather, Feifei already said that she was mistaken. Sheâs just a girl. How could she know so much? Can you 100% tell the difference from those clothes?â
âNowadays, imitation and counterfeit products are even more real than authentic ones. Even an expert could be deceived. She should die for admitting her mistake. Was it that unforgivable?â
âIf you insist on chasing Feifei away because of this, Iâll leave with her. If the whole fourth branch leaves, we wonât hinder your peace and harmony. Youâll enjoy a complete family then,â Xiao Hui asked as she sobbed.
They all knew the Old Masterâs personality. One could not enrage him. One could only move him with emotions and talk about feelings with him. Donât reason with him using logic.
âFather, weâre all one family. Even when bones are broken, the tendons are still connected with them. What kind of feud canât be resolved? There is no need to do this!â Zhang Yuechanâs relationship with Xiao Hui was still all right. After a long period of silent observation, she was the first to speak up in support of her.
âThatâs right. Sheng Sheng, your Sister Feifei must have seen wrongly. Thereâs no need for her to apologize with her life, right? Who hasnât made an error of judgment regarding the things we buy?â Cao Yunxian also stepped in.
âFather, donât be angry anymore. Feifei knows that sheâs in the wrong now. Look, itâs not easy for the child to make a trip home. And itâs the Lunar New Year. We should be harmonious,â Ye Ru also tried to persuade him.
Jiang Meiyun let out a cough and pinched her son to stop him from causing trouble again. She smiled and walked forward. âFeifei is a filial child. She specially prepared a gift for you, Father right, Feifei?â
Huo Xiao sighed. Both his palms and back of his hands were made of flesh[1]. Although his heart ached for Sheng Sheng, he could not let the family fall apart. The head of a household was always in the most difficult position. He looked at Ling Sheng and said, âMy good granddaughter, Grandpa will handle this however you want.â
Now that things had come to this, Ling Sheng had basically reached her goal. She did not want to make things difficult for Grandpa either. The people she did not like were Grandpaâs close relatives. How could he choose? âIâll listen to Grandpa.â
Anyway, she just wanted to tell these people at home who had evil intentions. She was not afraid of getting involved even if she did not take the initiative to cause trouble. They had best not provoke her! It was their fault for treating a tiger like a rabbit.
âLetâs end this matter here. No one is to bring this up again. Send all the clothes back. They look so messy lying around here,â Huo Xiao made a decision. He looked at the people still crying by the side, especially Xiao Hui and Huo Feifei. They were crying as they hugged together, which annoyed him. âFourth Sonâs family members, donât cry.â
Huo Xuanzhou was not satisfied yet. In his opinion, it would be best to kick that fool Huo Feifei out. Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt had always been the best at acting pitiful. Just a few words had softened Grandpa soft-hearted and changed his mind.
Edward, on the other hand, did not speak the whole time. His eyes darted around as though he was casually observing the situation.
Huo Feifei had told him that she was the only daughter of the Huo Family. The Huo Family liked her and treated her like a treasure. She was very pampered. In the future, she would receive a lot of assets from the Huo Family.
However, based on the current situation, that was not the case. The head of the Huo Family, Huo Xiao, seemed to like Huo Ciâs illegitimate daughter Ling Sheng more!
Ling Sheng kept feeling that this Prince Edward looked righteous and honorable. However, based on his features alone, he actually looked a little crafty. She did not know if it was her misperception.
Huo Feifei had insisted that her eyesight was not good and that she had mistaken the real products for fakes. It was her fault. She had suggested removing the items for the sake of the Huo Familyâs reputation. What a dignified excuse! What a noble reason!
After the Fourth Son and his wife caused a din, the others joined in. The Old Master made a decision again. If Ling Sheng pursued this matter once more, she would be the one who was unappreciative of Huo Feifeiâs kindness. They were all one family, so she should not kick up too much of a fuss. She did not say if she would forgive Huo Feifei, but she went upstairs to pack her things.
Huo Xiao caught up with her. Upon seeing Ling Shengâs busy figure, his heart ached immensely. âSheng Sheng, donât clean up anymore. Itâs late. Can you sleep first? Grandpa will get someone to help you tidy up tomorrow. Donât tire yourself out.â
âNo need.â Ling Sheng was still rearranging her clothes. When she poured them out, she realized that many of her clothes had gotten wrinkled.
Huo Xiao felt even more sad. âSheng Sheng, are you angry with Grandpa?â
Ling Sheng replied, âNo, Iâm not.â
The calmer and more nonchalant she was, the more Huo Xiaoâs heart ached for her. His dear granddaughter had suffered because of him, her grandpa. His heart ached, and his voice sank too. He looked at her and sighed, âGrandpa knows that you endured this for Grandpa. Grandpa thanks you here. My dear granddaughter knows how to dote on Grandpa the most.â
What could he do? Fourth Son was his biological son. Although he did not like Feifei, she had grown up under his watch too. However, he had not expected her to be more and more outrageous.
âGrandpa, Iâm really not angry. Go back to sleep!â Ling Sheng turned around and smiled with difficulty at him.
Huo Xiaoâs heart ached when he saw this. âMy good granddaughter, Grandpa promises you that this will never happen again. If anyone bullies you again, Grandpa will kick them out of the Huo Family.â
Ling Sheng smiled and shook her head. âGrandpa, Iâm really not angry.â
Huo Xiao sighed, feeling disappointed and uncomfortable. His dear granddaughter was angry at him now. She was angry at him. âThen, Grandpa is leaving. You should sleep early when Grandpa leaves.â
Ling Sheng saw that her grandpa was extremely depressed. She really wasnât angry. Why was her grandpa still so dejected even though she had already made things clear?
Xiaoqiâs sleep quality was excellent. Despite the huge commotion, the child had not woken up. However, the soundproofing effect of the house was also very good.
Su Xiyin sent Huo Xiao down and came back up. She sat by the bed and held her hand. âSheng Sheng, just for the next few days⦠Even if youâre unhappy, bear with it. Just take it that youâre doing this for your grandparents.â
Ling Sheng nodded obediently. âGrandma, I understand.â
âItâs not easy for your grandpa. Theyâre all his children and grandchildren. Both his palms and back of his hands are made of flesh. Itâs hard to balance the harmony in such a big family. Your grandpa has it harder than you,â Su Xiyin sighed and patted her head. âGrandma just knew it. I shouldnât have let you come back.â
Ling Sheng rubbed against her grandmaâs gentle palm. âGrandma, youâre here with Grandpa. How can I not come over during the new year?â
Grandma had definitely suffered a lot these past few years. None of those aunties were easy to deal with.
âI know youâre filial. Grandmaâs heart simply aches for you.â Su Xiyin made her shift inside and lifted the blanket. âCan Grandma sleep with you today?â
Ling Sheng turned around to hug her grandma and said sweetly, âOkay.â
Upon seeing her soft and obedient granddaughter, Su Xiyinâs heart softened. In a low voice, she said, âTell Grandma how she bullied you.â
âGrandma, she didnât bully me much. She just lied to me that those stuff are imitation goods and told me to throw them away. Of course, I knew they are authentic, so I asked Huo Xuanzhou for help. I asked him to stop us in the living room.â Ling Sheng chuckled. She just knew that Grandma had realized long ago. âShe treated me like a fool and even gave me trash that she had used before. I didnât want to do anything at first but she kept getting more and more overboard.â
[1] This idiom means that both opposing parties are of equal importance to someone.