Chapter 8 Who is Mrs. Huo?

Huo Yanli first realized that the title "Mrs. Huo" was starting to have a real impact on the fifth day after they got their marriage certificate.

The cigar bar on the top floor of the Chang'an Club. This is a private place where many people in Beijing's elite circles talk business and relax. It's a members-only place, and only the wealthy and powerful can get in.

Huo Yanli sat in his usual spot by the window, holding a due diligence report on a cross-border merger and acquisition, but his mind was far from at ease. He had originally arranged to discuss a healthcare industry fund project with Shen Yu, but Shen Yu had been called away at the last minute by a phone call, saying there was something going on at home. Huo Yanli didn't think much of it and planned to leave after reading the few pages in his hand.

Then he heard a conversation not far away.

The voices weren't loud, but they were clear enough in the quiet space. They were several familiar faces, from families in real estate and energy, around his age, belonging to the same circle but not the core.

"...Really? Young Master Huo is really married?"

“Absolutely true. My aunt works at the Civil Affairs Bureau and saw it with her own eyes. Last Wednesday morning, Huo Yanli went there with Ji Yun and a few others; it was quite a grand affair.”

"Who is the bride? Which family's daughter is she? We didn't hear a word about her beforehand."

"I don't know. I heard... he was dressed very casually, a white shirt and black pants, like someone going to work. He left right after getting the marriage certificate, and Young Master Huo didn't look too good."

"No way! The Huo family doesn't just marry anyone like that. At the very least, the daughters-in-law have to be from equally matched families..."

“A good match? I heard,” he lowered his voice even further, “that she’s the granddaughter of one of Old Master Huo’s old comrades-in-arms. She comes from an ordinary family, and both her parents have passed away. Old Master Huo was sentimental and forced Young Master Huo to marry her.”

A brief silence followed, then a whisper of sudden realization.

"No wonder... I was wondering why it was so quiet."

"Would Young Master Huo be willing? Wasn't he involved with that Lin family guy before..."

"Shh—don't mention it. But speaking of which, who exactly is this new Mrs. Huo? Why did Mr. Huo insist on marrying her, and why did Mr. Huo actually do it?"

"Who knows? Just wait and see, they'll show up eventually. Then we'll know what kind of person they are."

The conversation gradually shifted to other topics. Huo Yanli closed the report in his hand, picked up the whiskey on the table, and took a sip. The ice ball had melted quite a bit, and the liquor was a little weak, but the spicy sensation still lingered in his throat.

He put down his cup, the sound not loud, but enough to draw attention in the quiet room.

The people at that table immediately fell silent. When they turned and saw him, their expressions changed, and they quickly forced smiles and nodded in greeting. Huo Yanli remained expressionless, merely glancing at them indifferently. The group immediately looked away guiltily.

He got up and left.

As the elevator descended, his expressionless face was reflected in the mirrored wall. White shirt, dark gray suit—everything seemed normal. But something seemed different. From the moment he signed that name, the words "Huo Yanli" were automatically followed by the invisible suffix "and his spouse."

And this change is permeating every aspect of his life at a speed he never expected.

The following afternoon, at the top-floor office of the Huo Group headquarters.

Outside the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows stretched the skyline of Beijing's CBD, the glass curtain walls reflecting a cold, hard light in the autumn sun. Huo Yanli had just finished a video conference and rubbed his temples. His secretary knocked and entered, handing him a document that needed signing, along with a cautious inquiry: "Mr. Huo, the finance department is asking about the monthly allowance for Madam... what standard should be used?"

Huo Yanli paused for a moment as he signed his name.

He had almost forgotten about it. On the day they got their marriage certificate, he had said he would give her a monthly allowance. At the time, he said it with an air of charity and to draw a clear line between them, but now it had become an administrative matter that needed to be carried out.

“As previously agreed, 100,000.” He didn’t even look up. “The money will be automatically transferred to her account on the first of each month.”

“Okay.” The secretary noted it down and then asked, “Does Madam’s contact information need to be filed with the finance department?”

Huo Yanli then looked up: "She didn't leave any contact information?"

The secretary was somewhat embarrassed: "Uncle Chen only provided a work email address, saying it's internal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and not publicly available. As for his personal mobile phone number... Madam didn't provide it."

Huo Yanli remained silent for a few seconds.

"Then let's transfer the money first. Uncle Chen should have the account information." He waved his hand, indicating that his secretary could leave.

The office fell silent again. Huo Yanli got up and walked to the window, looking down at the swarms of cars flowing like ants below. One hundred thousand yuan is not a small sum for ordinary people, but in this circle, it's just the cost of a decent meal or a slightly better piece of jewelry. Giving her this money was less about "living expenses" and more about a gesture: I'll provide you with basic material security, but this is all you deserve.

He assumed she would spend it quickly. After all, for a woman who needed to take ride-hailing services, wore a plain white shirt, and carried an old briefcase, 100,000 yuan should have significantly improved her life.

However, a week later, during the monthly briefing, the CFO casually mentioned, "Mr. Huo, the transfer to Madam... shows as received, but the account balance hasn't changed. Should I remind her?"

Huo Yanli was looking at the report when he heard this and looked up: "Nothing's been done?"

“Yes. Usually, this happens because the account isn't activated, or the cardholder hasn't activated SMS alerts and doesn't know money has been deposited.” The CFO carefully chose his words. “Do you think… we should contact Madam to confirm?”

Looking at the numbers on the report, accurate to two decimal places, Huo Yanli suddenly felt a sense of irony.

"No need," he said. "Just transfer the money. Whether she uses it or not is up to her."

The CFO acknowledged and withdrew. Huo Yanli, however, found it difficult to concentrate on the reports. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the smooth surface of the table.

Why not use it?

Didn't you see it? Impossible, there are records of bank transfers.

Is it because she thinks it's too little? That doesn't seem likely. If she were truly a woman who coveted money, even 100,000 yuan is still money, and she would at least take it out to check it.

That leaves only one possibility: she really doesn't care.

She didn't care about the money, the material benefits that the title of "Mrs. Huo" would bring, or even... him as a person.

This realization reignited the inexplicable irritation in Huo Yanli's heart.