It wasn't Su Qi who wanted to climb into his bed initially, but Li Cuiping who orchestrated the entire affair.
However, Su Qi had remained silent all these years.
"You—"
"What, did I hit a nerve? Li Cuiping, you're just worried about losing the Huo family's money. You don't even care about your daughter's lifelong happiness. If I were to give your daughter a few hundred million now, or if your daughter had already hooked up with an even richer man, would you still be this anxious?"
Qin Xue was angered by Li Cuiping.
She hadn't expected Li Cuiping to be so shameless.
To get money, she would twist facts and blacken what was white!
"Mom! Stop embarrassing yourself! Come home with me!"
Su Qi stepped forward, grabbing Li Cuiping's wrist, intending to pull her away.
"Let go! I must get justice today!"
Li Cuiping flung her hand away, shaking off Su Qi directly.
Su Qi stumbled, falling backward.
Huo Qingrang stepped forward, attempting to catch Su Qi.
But he was a step too late.
Just as Su Qi was about to hit a hard object, a man steadied her.
She fell into a warm embrace.
A familiar scent instantly filled her nostrils.
It was him.
Su Qi abruptly looked up, her eyes meeting the man's refined and handsome face.
Meeting Su Qi's gaze, his expression was somewhat complicated at the moment.
The next second, Su Qi released his hand and took half a step back, creating distance between them.
"Thank you, Mr. Huo."
Such a strange and distant address.
Huo Tingyun's eyes flickered twice. He suppressed his emotions with great effort, merely casting a grim glance at Li Cuiping.
"Causing trouble in the Huo residence, are you tired of living?"
Li Cuiping opened her mouth to retort, but as soon as her eyes met the man's, her scalp tingled, and her whole body turned cold. All her words got stuck in her throat, leaving her unable to utter a single syllable.
"Lin Te, what are you waiting for? Get this shrew out of here!"
Huo Tingyun gave Lin Te a cold look. Lin Te immediately instructed his men to grab Li Cuiping. Disregarding Li Cuiping's shouts, they directly threw her out.
Li Cuiping's shouts gradually faded.
Su Qi let out a breath. Fortunately, Huo Tingyun had returned in time.
Otherwise, she didn't know how this day's farce would have ended.
She looked up at the man in front of her.
"Mr. Huo, congratulations on becoming a father."
Su Qi's words were filled with politeness and respect.
Huo Tingyun's demeanor turned cold.
His thin lips pressed together, and he remained silent.
Su Qi then turned to Huo Qingrang. "Uncle, I'll be going back now."
"Be safe," Huo Qingrang said, walking Su Qi to the door before returning.
He cast a deep look at his own son.
"Su Qi is a good child. But now that Xu Linyun is pregnant, as a man, you must take responsibility. Get the divorce finalized soon and prepare to marry Xu Linyun!" Huo Qingrang had the urge to reveal Su Qi's pregnancy.
But even if he said it, it wouldn't change the facts.
This son had never liked Su Qi.
Upon learning of Su Qi's pregnancy, he might not cherish her.
He might even force Su Qi to abort the child.
It was better not to say anything!
Huo Qingrang kept silent and went upstairs.
Qin Xue sat on the sofa, taking a long time to recover. "Tingyun, your father is right. Linyun is pregnant, and it's time to divorce Su Qi. We can't drag this out any longer." If they didn't divorce soon, Li Cuiping would likely make it public knowledge.
After all, Li Cuiping's words were not entirely unreasonable.
Xu Linyun's status was indeed awkward.
Now her belly was growing day by day. For the sake of her unborn grandson and for Xu Linyun's reputation.
"If you don't want Linyun to be a third party, then handle this properly."
This son of hers was always decisive in his actions.
From the company to various affairs, no matter how tricky, even the financial crisis years ago, this child had resolved it with ease.
But why was it this matter that was being delayed and not handled cleanly?
"The longer it drags on, the harder this will be to resolve. Once you divorce Su Qi, you can completely sever ties with the Su family. You can peacefully get engaged to Xu Linyun, and when Linyun gives birth, you'll be a happy family of three."
Qin Xue finished speaking, but Huo Tingyun's stern face showed no sign of emotion.
His lips were already tightly pursed.
"I understand, Mom. I have work to do."
Huo Tingyun left the Huo residence and returned to his car. Lin Te also got into the car.
As soon as the door closed, Lin Te spoke.
"Master Huo, shall I arrange for the Civil Affairs Bureau to come for the divorce?"
Huo Tingyun had been quite busy lately.
If he didn't have time, having staff come to him wasn't impossible.
Huo Tingyun slowly looked up, narrowing his eyes. "Lin Te, are you too idle lately? Do you want a long vacation?"
Lin Te broke out in a cold sweat. "Master Huo, I was wrong. I shouldn't have meddled. Pretend I said nothing."
Lin Te raised his hand and slapped himself hard on the cheek.
It was his own fault for being too talkative.
He thought he could help Master Huo solve his problems, but he had stepped on a landmine.
Su Qi returned from the Huo residence and had been waiting for Huo Tingyun's call.
Two days passed, and she still hadn't received any message from him.
Su Qi was growing impatient.
She wanted to call Huo Tingyun, but each time his phone was either switched off or unanswered.
What exactly was this man trying to do?
Su Qi made many calls, but none were successfully connected.
Just as she was about to make the nth call, Xu Linchuan's call came in.
"Linchuan?"
"Want to take a walk by the sea?"
"Mmm..."
Rose Coast, one of Shencheng's tourist attractions.
Perhaps because it was during working hours, there weren't many people, only a few scattered tourists.
It was late autumn, not too hot, but for Shencheng, it wasn't too cold.
The two walked side-by-side on the coastal path. Above them was the azure sky, and not far away, the sea pushed waves onto the shore, one after another.
Neither spoke, and it wasn't awkward.
Instead, it was comfortable and serene.
For some reason, she felt an inexplicable closeness to the man beside her.
It wasn't romantic love, but rather a feeling like that for her older brother, Su Yan.
Even more so.
It was as if the man beside her was her own elder brother.
"Why don't you ask me why I asked you out?"
"If you want to say it, I'll listen. If you don't want to say it, I won't ask."
Su Qi stopped, leaning against the railing, letting the sea breeze caress her face.
Xu Linchuan lowered his gaze, his gentle eyes falling on Su Qi's face.
Exquisitely beautiful, with fair skin.
Her thick, dark hair fluttered in the wind.
She was as beautiful as a maiden stepping out of a painting.
"I've always been curious."
"About what?"
"What are your feelings for Huo Tingyun?"
Su Qi fell silent, the smile on her face disappearing.
"Never mind, I shouldn't have asked."
Xu Linchuan quickly apologized.
"It's okay. Regarding Huo Tingyun... perhaps he's just a stranger to me."