Chapter 97 Mother's Secret
Lu Qingshu looked at Lin Xili and sighed heavily.
"Mother, actually, she and that painter had been in love for a long time, and they just wanted to have a legitimate reason to meet."
“She deliberately took Nan Chen to the street, saying that she also liked his paintings; it was all planned.”
"Nan Chen, who was only seven years old, was kept in the dark and became his mother's excuse to get close to her lover."
Lin Xili felt a tightness in her throat, making it almost impossible to breathe.
“Nan Chen’s father knew the truth, but he chose to keep it a secret because he didn’t want to ruin the last bit of warmth his wife had left in his son’s heart.”
"I'd rather Nan Chen hate me than let him know that his mother used him."
Lu Qingshu's voice choked with emotion, "This father and son, one silently bore the misunderstanding of his son, and the other tormented himself with guilt for the rest of his life."
Lin Xili mechanically picked up the teacup that the maid had replaced, her fingertips still feeling slightly cool despite the warmth of the cup.
Lu Qingshu continued, her voice even softer, "You know about Ning Yu's matter, right?"
Lin Xili nodded.
"Nan Chen was trying to grasp at some warmth he liked from Ning Yu."
Lu Qingshu's eyes reddened slightly. "But Ning Yu insisted on breaking off the engagement and jumped off a building right in front of him. Although she left the Huo family afterward, he could never find peace in his heart."
"When he likes you, that's why he never says it first." Lu Qingshu's eyes were filled with a mixture of heartache and understanding.
"He was afraid that his feelings for you would become a burden, afraid that you would end up like your mother and Ning Yu, so he became very cautious in his affections."
Lin Xili suddenly remembered the lipstick. He had wanted to give it to her when he realized his feelings, but he was afraid that she didn't like him at the time and that it would cause her trouble, so he never gave it to her in advance.
He always gave her blue snowflakes; perhaps flowers represent applause and encouragement, and are indeed less likely to cause trouble for others.
Lu Qingshu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and put it down again. She looked at Lin Xili with clear eyes and said, "But now, he has you. Xili, I saw you two hugging in front of the Justice Bureau once."
“I knew then that you were the one who was truly willing to accept the person who liked him.”
"You make him understand that his efforts are appreciated by others."
"Your path is one you forged yourself, without the imposition of your families or the weighing of interests. This is excellent and extremely valuable."
As soon as Lu Qingshu finished speaking, Lin Xili's tears had already streamed down her cheeks. She took the tissue Lu Qingshu handed her and wiped away her tears.
She sniffed. "Director Lu, thank you for telling me all this. Actually, after I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism two years ago and my engagement was called off, my work as a forensic doctor had to be suspended. That was the darkest time of my life."
“It was Nan Chen who, in his own way, gave me a place to stay and cured my hyperthyroidism. He was very good to me and often encouraged me, giving me a lot of courage to move forward.”
Lu Qingshu smiled with relief, "That's enough. Actually, matters of the heart are like drinking water; if you can understand and support each other, that's better than anything else."
Lin Xili nodded vigorously, "He and I will be fine from now on!"
Meanwhile, in the study at the other end of the old house, the atmosphere was completely different—a profound silence.
Behind the huge rosewood desk, Huo Donghua sat upright in a high-backed chair, twirling a pair of smooth walnuts in his hands, his eyelids slightly lowered.
Huo Nanyu sat calmly on the sofa next to the desk.
Huo Nanchen sat beside Huo Nanyu, his back straight, calmly gazing at the halo of light emanating from the celadon lamp on the desk.
Since entering, apart from the initial gesture of being seated and the servants serving tea, none of the three men spoke.
The only sounds in the study were the faint sound of the wind outside the window and the very slight, rhythmic rubbing of the walnuts in Huo Donghua's hand.
Huo Nanyu looked up several times, glancing at his father and then at his younger brother. His lips twitched slightly, but in the end, he chose to remain silent.
Huo Nanchen was completely absorbed in his meditation. He knew that his father had not summoned him just to sit and drink tea.
Finally, Huo Donghua stopped fiddling with the walnuts in his hands.
He raised his eyes, his gaze first falling on Huo Nanyu, his eyes carrying the entrustment and confirmation of a father.
Huo Nanyu nodded slightly.
Then, Huo Donghua's gaze slowly shifted to Huo Nanchen's face, "The things you did."
He didn't explicitly refer to anything, but the three people in the study all understood.
"If you need funds or any other support, ask your brother."
His gaze then turned to Huo Nanyu, "Nanyu, you need to pay more attention."
Huo Nanyu readily replied, "Father, don't worry, I know."
Huo Donghua said no more, lowered his eyes again, picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Huo Nanchen's hand, resting on his knee, twitched slightly at the fingertips.
He raised his eyes and looked at his father's profile, which had aged considerably, then at the silent encouragement and promise in his brother Huo Nanyu's eyes.
He said nothing, offered no thanks, made no promises, and simply nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Huo Nanyu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He reached out and patted Huo Nanchen's hand twice. "Dinner is ready. Let's go eat."
In the restaurant, a round mahogany table that can seat twenty people is placed in the center, with tableware neatly set on it.
The tableware was all matching blue and white porcelain, with the edges of the bowls and plates inlaid with fine silver, and the chopsticks were made of ebony with silver tips, making them extremely exquisite.
Lin Xili was seated next to Huo Nanchen, opposite Lu Qingshu and the two children.
The servants filed in silently, carrying trays, and each dish was served in a strict order.
First came the soup, then the main course, and the whole process was completely silent.
Everyone sat upright with their backs straight; no one leaned back in their chairs.
When serving food, take only a moderate amount; never take too much.
No one spoke during the meal, and Lin Xili couldn't help but look at the twins opposite her.
Huo Xining and Huo Xiyu sat upright, their little hands holding the short chopsticks specially made for children steadily.
Picking up food, eating rice, drinking soup—every movement was so precise, it was as if she had undergone rigorous training.
They didn't whisper to each other, didn't look around, and wouldn't even eat an extra bite of a dish just because it suited their taste; they took an equal share of all the dishes.
Lin Xili thought of her Lin family, where there were also rules at the dining table, such as elders starting to use their chopsticks first, not making smacking noises with one's lips, and not flipping through the dishes. But these were just basic table manners.
The Huo family's dining table feels like a form of spiritual practice.
Lin Xili tried to act like everyone else, but the more she tried, the more nervous she became.
Her fingers trembled slightly, and she almost slipped while picking up food, but luckily she managed to steady herself in time.
Under the table, a warm, dry hand gently grasped hers; it was Huo Nanchen.
His hand steadily enveloped her trembling fingers, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand a few times, silently conveying comfort.
Lin Xili's heart suddenly calmed down, and she picked up her chopsticks again, this time with much more natural movements.
Dinner continued in quiet.
Dinner was drawing to a close when the last bowl of bird's nest dessert was served.
Huo Donghua put down his spoon and lightly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. This action was like a signal, and everyone else followed suit and put down their utensils.
"Xining, Xiyu, say goodnight to your aunt in advance, then go wash up and study," Lu Qingshu said to the children.
The two children obediently got up, walked to Lin Xili, bowed, and said, "Goodnight, Auntie."
"Good night," Lin Xili replied gently.
After the children left, Huo Donghua stood up and suddenly said, "Nan Chen, Xi Li, come to the study."
Lin Xili was somewhat surprised, but quickly calmed down.
Huo Nanchen took her hand, and the two followed behind Huo Donghua, heading once again toward that oppressive study.
Grandma Huo whispered behind them, "Speak properly."
Lin Xili turned around and nodded to her grandmother.
The study door closed behind him.
Huo Donghua did not sit behind the huge mahogany desk, but sat down at the tea table by the window, gesturing for them to sit as well.
The maid came in, set out the tea set, and then left.
Huo Donghua personally poured tea, and he pushed the first cup of tea in front of Lin Xili: "Marrying Nan Chen is a disservice to you."
Lin Xili accepted the teacup with both hands and replied humbly and politely, "Uncle, you flatter me."
"It's time to change your tune." Huo Donghua's voice remained calm.
Lin Xili paused, then called out softly, "Father."
Huo Donghua nodded slightly and poured another cup for Huo Nanchen. The father and son's eyes met briefly in the air before they looked away.
Huo Donghua suddenly asked, "Is Nan Chen working at a hospital now?"
Huo Nanchen put down his teacup and answered formally, "Yes, I work in the Endocrinology Department of Hong Kong Central Hospital, specializing in thyroid diseases."
"Okay, you can go back now." Huo Donghua's voice was devoid of emotion.
Lin Xili recalled the truth that Lu Qingshu had told her: this father loved his child in silence, but it was precisely this silence that seemed to be pushing the relationship between father and son further and further apart.
Lin Xili stood up and bowed to Huo Donghua, "Father, we'll take our leave now."
Huo Nanchen spoke up at this moment, his voice calm, "Father, I have never blamed you for Mother's matter. I know it has nothing to do with you."
He paused, then added, "It's just that I myself haven't fully gotten over it yet."
Huo Donghua stiffened for a moment, but then quickly turned his back.
Huo Nanchen watched his retreating figure without saying anything more, gently took Lin Xili's hand, and turned to leave the study.
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