Chapter 20: Wang Binghuan's Open Provocation

“Parents show kindness, and daughters-in-law repay with filial piety. While I was away, you let Huo Shancheng bully Ruan Tang and Huo Qingqing. This isn’t the first time. Do you really think I’m oblivious?”

Huo Yanshou’s gaze was dark and penetrating, as if he could see straight through his father’s thoughts.

Huo’s father was startled, his heart tightening suddenly, his eyes darting away for a moment.

Ruan Tang noticed this and couldn’t help but furrow her delicate brows.

Huo’s mother shouted from the side, “What bullying? I didn’t bully her! In fact, your eldest brother is the one being bullied almost to death by her! And you turn around and accuse us? Good heavens! The son I carried for ten months treats his own parents like this—so ungrateful and cold-hearted!”

Huo Yanshou said nothing in response. Instead, he took Huo Qingqing from Ruan Tang’s hands, revealing an injury, and calmly stated the facts: “You can tell how my eldest brother is by looking at his child. You say Huo Qian deserves it for bullying my daughter, but when my eldest brother hit my daughter, Ruan Tang was only protecting Qingqing out of rightful defense. Yet you claim Ruan Tang is bullying my eldest brother. I have eyes, and so do you all. If you don’t want this to escalate, have Huo Qian apologize to Qingqing, and we’ll consider this matter closed.”

Huo Yanshou’s words were reasonable; a calm and logical argument often carried more weight than blind retaliation.

He also emphasized that Huo Qingqing had been bullied twice, which made even Huo’s parents think twice about causing trouble with Huo Shancheng.

Huo’s father’s expression was complicated, as if he was looking at a stranger.

Huo’s mother sneered, tugging at Lin Hui’s sleeve: “Tell Qian’er to apologize to that girl.”

It’s just a piece of candy—kids bickering and bumping into each other is inevitable. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss?

Huo’s mother grumbled inwardly, her eyes full of disdain as she looked at Ruan Tang, growing even more resentful.

She thought back to how she should have been ruthless and forced Zhao Yingyun and Huo Yanshou to solidify their relationship long ago, so they wouldn’t have to endure such hardship every day!

Burning with anger, Huo’s mother sat silently at the table.

Lin Hui, following Huo’s mother’s orders, cautiously pulled on Huo Qian’s sleeve and whispered, “Qian’er, apologize to Sister Qingqing.”

Huo Qian was a month younger than Huo Qingqing.

He had already eaten the piece of candy, which had melted in his stomach. Now, being told to apologize to Huo Qingqing, he was completely unwilling.

“No! I’m not apologizing!”

Like a typical child, he pouted with displeasure and twisted his body, trying to get down.

Lin Hui didn’t hold on tightly, and Huo Qian quickly broke free, darting into Huo’s mother’s arms. Anyone could clearly see whose side she was on.

Lin Hui felt hurt. Despite her love and care, she couldn’t compete with the candy that Huo’s mother bought for him every day.

Huo’s mother was delighted, her face full of affection as she patted Huo Qian’s head: “Good boy, Qian’er, apologize to Qingqing, and Grandma will take you to buy more candy!”

At these words, Huo Qian’s eyes lit up. Though reluctant, he agreed.

“Alright—”

He consented, then quickly turned and muttered a hasty, “Sorry,” to Huo Qingqing.

He spoke so fast that neither Ruan Tang’s family nor even Huo’s mother, who was closest, heard it clearly.

But she did catch the words “sorry,” her brows relaxing as she glanced at Ruan Tang and her husband. “He apologized.”

There was a trace of indignation in Ruan Tang’s eyes. Huo Yanshou grasped her wrist and shook his head: “Let’s go.”

If they pushed any further, things might get out of control.

Ruan Tang understood this and, keeping a cold expression, said nothing. She stood and followed Huo Yanshou, leaving the Huo household.

Dinner wasn’t very satisfying. On the way home, Huo Qingqing softly said, “I’m hungry.”

A flicker of tenderness crossed Huo Yanshou’s eyes as he quietly comforted her, “We’re home now. Dad will make you something delicious.”

Huo Qingqing nodded: “Okay!”

Then Huo Yanshou turned to Ruan Tang, his gaze gentle: “What would you like to eat?”

Ruan Tang was watching the father and daughter exchange words. Embarrassed, she scratched her head and said, “I’m not picky. You decide.”

Huo Yanshou nodded: “Alright.”

The three arrived home quickly.

After seating Huo Qingqing on a stool, the couple felt a bit awkward as they prepared to cook together. Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, accompanied by a man’s voice.

“Ruan Tang! Ruan Tang, are you home?”

Ruan Tang frowned. The voice was familiar—who could it be?

Huo Yanshou immediately thought of another figure from the rumors: Wang Binghuan.

He shifted his gaze toward Ruan Tang.

Seeing her puzzled expression, he murmured, “Let’s go together.”

Ruan Tang nodded. “Okay.”

They went to the door and opened it, confirming Huo Yanshou’s suspicion.

Ruan Tang was surprised: “Wang Binghuan? What are you doing here?”

Hadn’t she already compensated him fifty yuan?

Though Wang Binghuan knew Huo Yanshou would follow to open the door, he was still a bit intimidated at first sight.

But the thought of Ruan Tang soon made him forget Huo Yanshou’s presence, causing an involuntary smile: “What, can’t I just come visit you when I’m free?”

His words were somewhat suggestive. Ruan Tang was no fool; she understood his implication.

She recalled the gossip from earlier that day and, seeing Wang Binghuan’s current demeanor, her expression grew cold. She immediately suspected he was involved in spreading those rumors.

With a forced smile, she retorted, “No, I’m a married woman, and you’re a single man. Doesn’t it seem unlikely that we’d be inviting each other over?”

Especially since he said that in front of Huo Yanshou—

Such arrogance was infuriating.

Wang Binghuan’s sole intention was to make Huo Yanshou believe the rumors and doubt Ruan Tang, hoping it would lead to a divorce. He ignored her words and instead smiled, reaching out to grab her.

Quick as a flash, Ruan Tang tugged Huo Yanshou back several steps, her face full of disgust: “What are you doing?”

He was talking nonsense and now touching her—his intentions were as obvious as daylight.

Ruan Tang had figured it out: he was targeting her. No wonder he bore no grudge despite her harsh treatment of him.

Her heart felt as if it had swallowed a swarm of flies—utterly nauseating. Goosebumps covered her skin.

Suddenly, Huo Yanshou smiled warmly and gently patted Ruan Tang to soothe her. Then he stepped forward, linking arms with Wang Binghuan and whispering, “Brother Wang, it seems you really like my wife.”

He emphasized the words “my wife.”

Wang Binghuan’s eyelids twitched in surprise. He hadn’t expected Huo Yanshou to say it outright, and with such a cheerful smile. Though startled, he kept his composure and smiled back.

He tried to push Huo Yanshou away discreetly, but Huo’s strength was astonishing. Despite all his efforts, Wang broke into a sweat and felt a sudden pang of unease.

Huo Yanshou glanced at Wang Binghuan, who looked like a small, powerless figure in his arms, and silently chuckled. Then he whispered, “How about this: lend me fifty thousand yuan, and I’ll let Ruan Tang go to you. Deal?”

The best way to deal with a scoundrel is to be an even bigger scoundrel.