CH 36

After leaving Mix Company, Bai Zhen Zhen accompanied Huo Xiang back to the Huo family house.

Huo Xiang had already given Bai Zhen Zhen forewarning so that she could be psychologically prepared, but as soon as she entered the doors and saw more than twenty helpers lined up in two rows on either side, neatly bowing towards them, Bai Zhen Zhen’s eyes still widened uncontrollably.

“Welcome home, Young Master and Young Madam!”

The crowd shouted in unison.

The sound reverberated throughout the whole garden.

Huo Xiang dipped his head near her ear and whispered: “Don’t worry, this are just the helpers tending to the garden. There’s a hundred more inside.”

Bai Zhen Zhen: “…”

It was truly difficult to imagine that there was actually such a grand manor covering over 100 acres at the heart of the bustling city. This was the Huo family’s ancestral home. Not only were there nationally-protected heritage buildings, but also newly constructed high-rise villas.

The only way to enter the villa is to pass through the long winding path full of flowers and plants.

At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen was lost in the illusion of being in a botanical garden tourist attraction.

“Achoo– ” There was too much pollen in the air, causing Bai Zhen Zhen to sneeze.

In the blink of an eye, a helper rushed out, wrapping a silk scarf printed all over with a certain prestigious brand logo around Bai Zhen Zhen’s neck, and carefully exhorted: “Young Madam, be careful not to catch a cold!”

The weather was originally sweltering hot. Adding on a scarf, how could anyone bear with it? Bai Zhen Zhen immediately took off the silk scarf and explained: “Thank you, but I don’t feel cold. It’s because the smell of these flowers are too strong…”

“Ok, then we will remove these flowers immediately.” The helper responded.

Bai Zhen Zhen was stunned for a moment, only reacting when she saw a few gardeners bringing over the garden hoes.

“These are beautiful flowers and plants! Please don’t hurt them!” Bai Zhen Zhen hurriedly waved her hands.

The helper leading the way respectfully replied: “Young Madam, the Old Master ordered us to fully comply with your wishes. Everything will be done according to your orders.”

“… But I didn’t ask you to destroy these plants.”

“Because Young Madam can’t bear the smell of these flowers, then these flowers must no longer exist!”

“I can bear it!” Bai Zhen Zhen hurriedly stopped them, “I just sneezed out of the blue, actually the fragrance is pretty good…”

In her mind, she wiped off a layer of cold sweat.

The helpers finally gave up, and retreated silently with a bow.

Bai Zhen Zhen remarked to Huo Xiang: “I didn’t expect that one day I would have the power to control thousands of lives.”

“How is it; doesn’t it feel good?!” Huo Xiang glanced at her.

Bai Zhen Zhen exclaimed righteously: “What is there to feel good about? On the other hand, these innocent lives are so pitiful. Although they are so beautiful, they don’t have the power to decide their own fate. It’s really pitiful, wuwuwu (cries)…”

The moment she finished her words, Huo Xiang’s system notification rang out.

— System: “Ding! Female lead happiness points +2.”

— Huo Xiang: “… Indeed, women are two-faced creatures.”

****

Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang strolled through the flower path and finally reached the front door. The moment the door opened, there was yet another two rows of helpers lined up and loudly greeting them.

Uncle Cai stood in the middle of the two rows, smiling at them.

Young Master, Young Madam, you’re back. The Old Master has been waiting for you for a long time.” He led the two of them to the left through the lobby and into another magnificent living room.

Elder Huo was currently seated on a long sofa reading newspaper. Upon hearing them, he slowly stood up.

“Zhen Zhen! My good granddaughter-in-law, you’re finally back — Elder Huo was overjoyed, about to walk over to Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen strode over quickly, taking the opportunity to support Elder Huo’s hands, and smiled happily as well: “Grandpa, I haven’t seen you in so long. I’ve missed you too!”

“Grandpa missed you too!” Elder Huo examined Bai Zhen Zhen, and his brows suddenly wrinkled, “Zhen Zhen, why did you lose weight? Did Huo Xiang not take good care of you?!”

He pretended to glare at Huo Xiang with reproach, casting a scrutinising look at him.

“Grandfather, I’m innocent! I wish to take care of Zhen Zhen forever, how could I not look after her!” Huo Xiang responded aggrievedly.

He walked between Elder Huo and Bai Zhen Zhen, forcefully putting his hand on top of theirs, continuing: “Besides, girls look better when they are slimmer. Which girl doesn’t want to slim down! This means that I helped Zhen Zhen achieve her dream!”

“Glib-tongued brat!” Elder Huo spat out sharply.

“Of course, my grandfather is a genius in the business world. Not to mention other qualities, his negotiation ability is definitely first-class! I’ve only inherited just a fraction of it!” Huo Xiang replied righteously.

Elder Huo was extremely flattered, already laughing happily.

Bai Zhen Zhen said: “Grandpa, you’ve probably waited a long time for us, right? Why don’t we eat first? We can chat over dinner.”

Elder Huo finally recalled the matter of dinner, and quickly nodded: “Alright!”

****

The three of them went to the dining room together.

At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen felt that she had walked a long way from the living room. She couldn’t help but switch on her phone to take a look — Heavens, from the time they walked in the front gate to when they arrived at this 100 sqm dining room, they had already spent an entire hour!!

The long table in the dining room was even more exaggerated. Looking from the closest end, she couldn’t even see the face of the helper standing at the opposite end of the room.

“Come, sit next to Grandpa. Don’t go too far.”

Elder Huo spoke up, and the helpers hurriedly moved two mahogany seats inlaid with rubies to either side of the head of the long table. Bai Zhen Zhen squinted for a closer look. These seats were indeed placed very close to the head seat. However, this only occupied 10% of the entire table. The remaining 90% of the table were completely unused!

After sitting down, one after another of exquisite dishes were served by the chefs.

There was Western-style steaks, as well as Chinese-style stir-fried dishes. Every time a dish was served, the head chef would personally greet them in person.

“Zhen Zhen, Grandpa doesn’t know what you like to eat so I told them to bring a little of everything. Have a taste. If you have any questions, you can directly ask the chef.” Elder Huo smiled at Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen was truly frightened. Accordingly to her estimates, there were now more than twenty dishes on the table, and during this period of time, at least eighteen different chefs had introduced themselves.

So this was the life of the wealthy! It’s really exaggerated! Luxurious! Prodigal!

— However, she loves it!!

“Grandpa, thank you for your hospitality. I can’t drink alcohol, so I will toast you with tea instead.” Bai Zhen Zhen held up her tea cup and said to Elder Huo.

Elder Huo heard her words, and was slightly unhappy: “I won’t accept this tea.”

“Why?” Bai Zhen Zhen was surprised.

Huo Xiang tried to explain by the side: “Grandfather, Zhen Zhen really can’t drink alcohol! I can vouch for her.”

“It’s not about the alcohol.” Elder Huo replied, before looking at Bai Zhen Zhen, “Zhen Zhen, what did you say just now? Thanking me for my hospitality? You’re my granddaughter-in-law, and also part of the family. How could you thank me for such things?”

Bai Zhen Zhen finally understood what Elder Huo was upset about. She felt both embarrassed and ashamed. Meeting Huo Xiang’s meaningful gaze, she felt even more uncomfortable.

“Grandpa is right, this is my home.” Bai Zhen Zhen raised her tea cup again, saying to Elder Huo, “Then I will toast Grandpa again, wishing Grandpa good health and happy times ahead!”

“Together!” Huo Xiang raised his glass as well.

Elder Huo’s unhappiness vanished in a flash. He nodded his head in appreciation, and clinked glasses with Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang, saying: “Then Grandpa wishes you a sweet and long-lasting marriage — Also, to give birth to a big chubby boy for Grandpa earlier!”

Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang’s smiles took on a tinge of awkwardness. However, as self-proclaimed actors, they didn’t reveal anything.

At this moment, the system notification rang out in Huo Xiang’s mind again.

— System: “Ding~ Side mission five released: From now on, please complete the first three things that Elder Huo asked you to do. Special reminder, this side mission has a ‘gratitude’ theme. If the side mission fails, the system will not be restarted, and the happiness points will not be affected.”

— Huo Xiang: “Could the system really be so good this time? I don’t believe it. There must be a ‘but’ after your words.”

— System: “But you will lose your current status.”

— Huo Xiang: “I knew it!!”

— Huo Xiang: “Wait, what does that mean?? DNA testing has already confirmed my identity as the grandson of the world’s richest man. I can still lose my identity?!”

— System: “A gentle reminder that anything is possible in the novel world.”

— Huo Xiang: “… Alright, isn’t it just three requests? My grandfather dotes on me so much, how could he put me in a spot?”

— System: “Then let’s wait and see!”

— Huo Xiang: “Wait a second, let me confirm again — This side mission has nothing to do with the female lead?!”

The system didn’t respond to Huo Xiang’s question, but Elder Huo’s first request came immediately.

“Huo Xiang, it’s been awhile since you started eating, but I haven’t seen you pick any dishes for Zhen Zhen yet!”

Huo Xiang reacted immediately.

— In what way was this side mission unrelated to the female lead! It’s obviously borrowing Elder Huo’s hands to make him continue to look after and protect the female lead! After all, his grandfather’s mind was too full of his granddaughter-in-law now to even consider him!

“Grandfather, it’s because the table is too big, making it difficult for me to reach over!” Huo Xiang complained under his breath. He stood up and scooped some chicken, before reaching over and serving it to Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen hurriedly picked up her bowl to accept it, saying: “I still have a lot of dishes on my side, you don’t have to trouble yourself over this!”

Elder Huo disagreed, laughing brightly: “Zhen Zhen, the dishes that Huo Xiang personally serves you is different from the dishes in front of you! Although I’m older, but I still understand a little about a young couple’s love!”

“Grandpa is the best!” Bai Zhen Zhen laughed politely.

Huo Xiang thought that he had completed the first part of the side mission, and was elated.

— Huo Xiang: How is it, the first request should be successfully completed, right?!”

— System: Reporting: The side mission progress is currently at 0%.”

— Huo Xiang: “Why?!”

— System: “According to Elder Huo’s original words, his first request was for you to ‘pick’ some dishes for the female lead. However, you ‘scooped’ the dish, and did not complete the ‘pick’ action. Thus, the system has determined that the task is a failure.”

— Huo Xiang: “God damn…”

Faced with the undying system, how could he not give in? Huo Xiang raised his chopsticks and picked out a piece of sweet and sour lotus root, stretching laboriously across the table and placing it in Bai Zhen Zhen’s bowl.

— System: “Reporting: The side mission progress is currently at 33%.”

— Huo Xiang: “So easy!“

Elder Huo was extremely satisfied with Huo Xiang’s attentiveness. He smoothly passed a small food pot in front of him over to Huo Xiang, saying: “Grandson, you’ve worked hard too. I have prepared some supplements for you. Eat this, it’s good for your health!”

Huo Xiang eyed the small silver food pot curiously. The food was covered within and he couldn’t make out what it was. Earlier, when the chefs introduced the individual dishes, they left out this particular food pot, only silently placing it by Elder Huo’s side.

— Could it be an extremely expensive supplement?!

Huo Xiang thought to himself, and happily opened the cover of the food pot.

At first glance, it looked like the internal organs of some kind of animal that was roasted with spices. In that short moment of time, he couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Grandfather, what is this dish?” Huo Xiang questioned.

Bai Zhen Zhen was seated on the opposite side, and couldn’t see the contents of the pot. She was extremely curious, stretching over and asking: “What is it? Do you want to share?”

Elder Huo turned to Bai Zhen Zhen, saying: “Zhen Zhen, you don’t need to eat that. However, Grandpa has specially prepared something more suitable for you.”

As he spoke, he gestured to the helper beside him with his eyes. The helper brought over a bowl of freshly heated bird’s nest soup to Bai Zhen Zhen.

Elder Huo lowered his voice and said to Huo Xiang: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t recognise it; you’ll know after you eat it. Quickly, try it. It’s very fragrant.”

— Huo Xiang: “System, I would like to confirm with you if this counts as the second request?”

— System: “Yes.”

— Huo Xiang: “This side mission is too simple! The reward probably isn’t much.”

— System: “As the side mission theme is ‘gratitude’, the main purpose is to cultivate a sense of gratitude and filial piety, thus there is no reward after completing the side mission.”

— Huo Xiang: “You! You liar! You only mentioned that the happiness points wouldn’t be reset upon failure, but you didn’t mention that there was no reward!!”

— System: “You can choose not to complete this side mission. However, the system will automatically deem the side mission a failure.”

— Huo Xiang: “Hmph, do you think I wouldn’t do it just because you said so? I’m going to do it! Ptooey!”

— System: “…”

Huo Xiang picked up a piece with his chopsticks and ate it directly, chewing on it. The original roasted fragrance disappeared instantly when he chewed on the unknown object, replaced by an extremely rich and indescribable smell of mutton.

“What the hell.. is this!” All of his senses were screaming in protest. He almost wanted to spit it out, but the system’s voice rang out in his mind.

— System: “If the side mission fails, you will lose your current identity.”

Physiological tears welled up in Huo Xiang’s eyes as he forcibly swallowed it down.

“How is it? Doesn’t it taste pretty good?” Elder Huo smiled, but a triumphant smugness swam within his eyes.

“Grandfather, what did you make me eat!” Huo Xiang asked, immediately picking up the glass of water on the table and downing it.

Elder Huo leaned in closer to Huo Xiang, whispering in his ear: “This is the best lamb kidney in the world, able to nourish your kidneys and strengthen your performance! How is it? Don’t I treat you well?”

Huo Xiang: “…”

Bai Zhen Zhen watched as the grandfather and grandson whispered amongst themselves, the curiosity in her heart growing stronger.

“Grandpa, what did you give Huo Xiang?” Bai Zhen Zhen asked.

Elder Huo waved his hand: “Oh, don’t worry, it’s just a little supplement! Huo Xiang is my own grandson, how could I harm him? However, the taste is a little unpleasant, so it’s normal for him to be unaccustomed to it…”

Elder Huo gave Huo Xiang a meaningful look.

“This supplement is difficult to come by, you have to finish it!” Elder Huo instructed.

Huo Xiang’s expression was the face of someone who had nothing left to live for. He looked at Bai Zhen Zhen, meeting her innocent yet curious gaze. At this moment, he suddenly understood the meaning of the phrase “suffering in silence”.

“Eat, I’ll eat it!” Huo Xiang picked up his chopsticks with trembling fingers.

Although it was just a small pot, it contained plenty of lamb kidneys. After eating one piece, there were still five left.

— System: “Do your best! So easy!“

— Huo Xiang: “T-T”

With the help of three glasses of water and two glasses of red wine, Huo Xiang finally completed Elder Huo’s second request.

At this moment, his soul was on the verge of drifting out of his body.

— System: “Reporting: The side mission progress is currently at 67%.”

— Huo Xiang: “Good, very good. I feel that after this six pieces of lamb kidneys, there’s nothing I can’t face any more.”

— System: “Then let’s wait and see!”

— Huo Xiang: “I beg you, please stop saying that!!”

Sure enough, the worst is yet to come.

While Huo Xiang was still in his soulless state, Bai Zhen Zhen stood up and excused herself to the washroom. It was only him and his grandfather left at the table.

Seeing that the time was right, Elder Huo gave Uncle Cai a look. Subsequently, Uncle Cai ordered all the helpers to turn around. He himself executed a standard military turn.

“What’s the matter, Grandfather?” Huo Xiang examined Elder Huo’s solemn face, a suspicion arising in his heart. His vigilance also increased.

— There couldn’t be something worse than lamb kidneys waiting for him, could it?!

Elder Huo took out a thin booklet from his pocket. It looked a little old, and should have been passed down through the ages.

He carefully handed the booklet to Huo Xiang in silence, only giving him a meaningful look.

Huo Xiang didn’t understand what was going on. Frowning, he received the booklet and flipped it open.

But as soon as it opened, he swiftly slammed the book shut. After closing it, he subconsciously surveyed the area, afraid that other people had caught a glimpse of its contents.

“Grandfather!” Huo Xiang reprimanded in a low voice, “How can you show me such things!”

Elder Huo was also a little embarrassed. His eyes avoided his gaze, but he still pretended to be calm and replied: “What’s wrong? This item is the treasure passed down by our Huo family from generation to generation! If I hadn’t given it to your parents back then, it’s doubtful if you would still exist!”

“What, what do you mean?” Huo Xiang stuttered.

“As you know, our Huo family has a long history. However, there are not many children in each generation. Fortunately, there was a son born in every generation, thus our family line has continued throughout the ages! Back in the days, I was married to your grandmother for over three years, yet we couldn’t conceive any children. Afterwards, your great-grandfather passed this to me. Within half a year, your grandmother was pregnant with your father… After that, I handed this down to your father…”

“Are you serious?!” Huo Xiang choked, “This thing can even cure infertility?! That’s so unscientific!”

“Some things cannot be judged according to science. If not, how could our Huo family only have one son in each generation for so many years?!” Elder Huo huffed.

Huo Xiang looked at Elder Huo’s expression and knew that he couldn’t debate with Elder Huo on this matter, if not it would cause conflict between them.

Thus, he skipped the history of this “treasure” and asked: “Grandfather, so you’re passing this down to me now? Don’t worry, I will take good care of it. When the time comes, I will definitely use it!”

Huo Xiang folded the booklet and stuffed it into his pockets.

He thought that the topic was over, however he didn’t expect Elder Huo to speak up once more.

“What do you mean take good care of it? You should start to use it now!” Elder Huo said, “Tonight! You must follow the booklet and do it once!”

Huo Xiang: ???

The system’s voice rang out in his mind. For the first time, Huo Xiang felt that the sound was especially ominous.

— System: I know what you want to ask — Yes, this is Elder Huo’s third request. According to his request, please complete it by tonight. If you exceed the timing, the system will automatically determine that the side mission has failed.”

— Huo Xiang: “Tell me the truth, did you know the contents of the third request a long time ago…”

— System: “I am only responsible for issuing the missions, and cannot anticipate the upcoming plot.”

— Huo Xiang: “Really?”

— System: “Really.”

Then the problem lay with this darned old man.

Huo Xiang gazed dimly at Elder Huo. Elder Huo looked at him kindly.

“Grandfather, can we change the time?”

“No.”

“We just got married, and we’re not in a hurry…”

“What do you mean not in a hurry?! When I was your age, your father could even run errands already!”

“Grandfather…”

“Tonight! Do your best!”

Elder Huo gave Huo Xiang a “fighting” gesture*.

Bai Zhen Zhen exited the washroom and happened to see this scene. The curiosity in her heart was once again stoked.

“Tonight? What’s going on tonight?” She asked.

Elder Huo gestured Bai Zhen Zhen to take a seat as he chuckled, replying: “The two of you can stay here for the night. Zhen Zhen, you wouldn’t think that the environment here at home is lacking, right?”

“How could I!” Bai Zhen Zhen replied without hesitation. IN this huge villa, even the washroom was bigger than her entire house. How would she find it lacking?

“Then it’s decided!” Elder Huo was elated.

Bai Zhen Zhen nodded, and smiled along with him.

In the end, she was legally Huo Xiang’s wife. Now that she was under his care, it was only right to gratify the elderly. Anyway, even if they were staying in the same room, she could continue to sleep separately from Huo Xiang.

On the other hand, Huo Xiang’s expression was currently very black.

Bai Zhen Zhen gave him a doubtful look, asking: “Ah Xiang, is something wrong?”

Depression was written all over Huo Xiang’s face as he responded: “Nothing, I’m just… so happy.”

————–.

*”fighting” gesture – Korean gesture