On the matter of Ling Nuan staying in the old mansion, Old Master Huo suddenly showed unwavering determination.
Originally, it was a matter of little consequence, and he mostly let the younger generations have their way. But after today's incident, Old Master Huo became even more determined.
"Ling Nuan must stay in the old mansion. If you can't make it happen, get a divorce and marry someone else," the old master declared.
Huo Linsheng let out a disdainful snort. "This is a matter between Ling Nuan and me. You have no say in it."
Old Master Huo looked at Huo Linsheng. "You're capable and talented, but I'm not dead yet. The Huo family and the Huo Corporation aren't entirely yours!"
Huo Linsheng's face darkened.
Of course, he could defy the old master and protect Ling Nuan unconditionally. Huo Linsheng's success wasn't solely due to his identity as a son of the Huo family.
But if he really got into a fight with the old master, a father - son quarrel wouldn't matter much. However, once it affected the company, there would be a whole host of complications. Even Huo Linsheng couldn't have absolute control.
In the past, it was always Old Master Huo who gave in. But this time, the old master was being stubborn, and Huo Linsheng found himself in a dilemma.
Huo Linsheng didn't reply immediately, and Ling Nuan knew the answer.
"I'll stay," she volunteered.
Huo Linsheng looked at Ling Nuan, frowning but saying nothing.
It was the best option for Ling Nuan to stay. But given the current situation in the old mansion, it wasn't a good sign for her.
Hearing this, Old Master Huo's anger subsided a bit. He nodded and said, "Your second sister - in - law will be in charge of guiding you. Do you have any objections?"
Mrs. Huo, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly looked up. She never expected that the old master would side with them in the end.
When Huo Linsheng heard this, he was about to object instinctively, but Ling Nuan spoke first.
"No problem," Ling Nuan replied readily.
"That's all for now. Everyone can leave," Old Master Huo said and then turned away.
Mrs. Huo and Huo Xiao were overjoyed, but they didn't dare to say much in front of Huo Linsheng. After the old master left, they quickly left as well.
Soon, only Huo Linsheng and Ling Nuan were left in the living room.
"Why did you agree?" Huo Linsheng asked.
Ling Nuan smiled. "If I leave the old mansion, I'll have nothing to do these days. It's better to stay here and learn more. Besides, I understand what the old master means."
"He's using them as a whetstone for me. Why shouldn't I stay?"
She tried to sound nonchalant, but deep down, she was a bit disappointed in the man in front of her.
It wasn't that she wanted to play along with Old Master Huo's game. It was because Huo Linsheng didn't fully stand by her side. Even if they managed to avoid trouble today, it would surely arouse the old master's anger. If something really went wrong, she would end up being the scapegoat.
Ling Nuan scoffed inwardly.
The so - called peace was all an illusion. In the end, their relationship had reverted to the way it was at the beginning.
Huo Linsheng frowned.
He was worried that the whetstone might cause unexpected problems in the end.
But if he took Ling Nuan away, unless she completely cut ties with the Huo family in the future, she would eventually have to face the old master. There was no way to avoid it.
...
Ling Nuan stayed in the old mansion.
Neither of them said what was truly on their minds, but they reached an odd consensus on this matter.
After Old Master Huo completely stepped back, Mrs. Huo initially behaved herself. But when she realized that the old master really wasn't going to interfere, she started to make more and more small moves.
Ling Nuan countered every move.
In their back - and - forth, Mrs. Huo didn't gain an advantage over Ling Nuan. Although Huo Linsheng seemed to be indifferent, he tightened his control over Qingnuan and also pressured Huo Zhen. It was obvious that he was standing up for Ling Nuan.
"I really don't understand. Since Uncle and Ling Nuan are on such bad terms, why does Uncle still protect her? Is Ling Nuan some kind of enchanting demon?"
Huo Xiao got angrier as she spoke.
Shen Shaoqing remained silent.
He was jealous that Huo Linsheng and Ling Nuan were still together, but at the same time, he was worried about Qingnuan.
This was the only thing related to Ling Nuan that he could hold on to. It was the result of their hard work, and it mustn't be destroyed.
Shen Shaoqing made up his mind and then looked at Huo Xiao. "After Huo Linsheng and Ling Nuan drift apart, will he really stop targeting Qingnuan?"
"Of course. What does Uncle want with Qingnuan? He's not short of money. Other than helping Ling Nuan, is there any other reason? It's so annoying. Why can't they just break up!" Huo Xiao was really frustrated just thinking about it.
Shen Shaoqing already had an idea in mind, but he couldn't bring it up on his own. Otherwise, Huo Xiao would go crazy.
He deliberately guided her. "Among all the methods you've tried before, which one made them quarrel the most fiercely? Maybe we can work in that direction. After all, they have feelings for each other. It's not strange that one or two quarrels couldn't drive them apart."
Hearing this, Huo Xiao thought it made sense.
Then, she recalled according to Shen Shaoqing's words.
She had come up with many stupid ideas to deal with Ling Nuan, but not all of them were failures.
For example, Ling Nuan left the company and stayed in the old mansion. The reason for this success was -
Huo Xiao's gaze fell on Shen Shaoqing.
"What's wrong?" Shen Shaoqing pretended not to know.
Huo Xiao said, "The most intense reaction between Uncle and Ling Nuan was when you went to see Ling Nuan privately. Uncle even kicked Ling Nuan out of the company because of that."
Hearing this, Shen Shaoqing showed an embarrassed expression. "Really?"
He seemed reluctant to talk about it.
But Huo Xiao thought this was the right direction.
She put herself in Ling Nuan's shoes. Although Ling Nuan and Shen Shaoqing had broken up, and Shen Shaoqing had already chosen her over Ling Nuan, just seeing Ling Nuan, especially when Ling Nuan had contact with Shen Shaoqing, would make her angry and unhappy.
So, would Uncle feel the same way when he saw Shen Shaoqing?
If so, the best way to drive a wedge between Ling Nuan and Huo Linsheng was still related to Shen Shaoqing.
"Shaoqing, I've come up with a great idea," Huo Xiao smiled.
Shen Shaoqing pretended not to know and asked humbly, "What idea?"
"You," Huo Xiao said.
Hearing this, Shen Shaoqing immediately refused. "Xiaoxiao, do you know what you're saying? It's all in the past between Ling Nuan and me. Please don't drag her into our relationship, okay?"
The more Shen Shaoqing refused and distanced himself from Ling Nuan, the more reassured Huo Xiao felt.
"Shaoqing, don't you want to keep your company? It was Ling Nuan who was unethical first." Huo Xiao took Shen Shaoqing's hand. "Shaoqing, Ling Nuan and us are at odds. We can't let Ling Nuan cause more trouble in the family."
Shen Shaoqing pretended to hesitate, but finally, after being persuaded by Huo Xiao several times, he reluctantly nodded.
"Okay, I agree. But Xiaoxiao, no matter what happens when I have contact with Ling Nuan in the future, I hope you'll remember that I only love you," Shen Shaoqing warned Huo Xiao in advance.
Huo Xiao smiled calmly. "Don't worry, Shaoqing. I trust you."
Shen Shaoqing was touched, but his mind was already filled with other thoughts.
Huo Xiao was an action - oriented person.
That night, Shen Shaoqing moved back into the old mansion.