"Big brother, the Huo family can't be inherited by someone who can't carry on the family line. Dad, our Huo family is deeply rooted, and there's only so much room for us to expand further. Rather than..." Huo Laoyao proudly shook the file bag in his hand, about to continue urging the old man, when someone stepped on his foot.
He started to yell, but when he saw the person stepping on him, he swallowed the curse that was about to come out of his mouth, because the person stepping on him was his own mother.
Ever since his five unfilial sons started fighting amongst themselves, Old Master Huo has practically lived in the hospital. He doesn't read newspapers or watch TV, and even the slightest sound from them is enough to send him back to the ICU. But in order to help Huo Ting, his most beloved grandson, establish himself as soon as possible, he disregarded the doctor's advice and returned to his old house to recuperate after his health had just begun to improve.
He sat in the center of the sofa in the hall, his eyes were cloudy, he looked old and listless, and he seemed to have aged more than ten years in less than a year.
His eyelids and face drooped, and the corners of his mouth also drooped. Without Huo Laoyao's voice, the hall became completely quiet, with only the "crackling" sound of the walnuts he was playing with remaining in his hands.
Standing next to him was a beautiful woman who looked more like his daughter or daughter-in-law, but in fact she was his current wife, Wen Nian, Huo Laoyao's biological mother.
The old man's children and grandchildren, from oldest to youngest, from most valued to least valued, stood before him in a formation resembling Wi-Fi signals.
The older members remained relatively calm, but the younger ones couldn't help but glance at the file folder in their uncle's hand and secretly look at Huo Ting's groin.
These young talents are still quite immature. When their eyes meet, secret joy, excitement, and ambition slip out unintentionally, followed by a worry that they hope the old man won't be driven to his death by anger.
Yu Guihai stood at the very edge of the outermost circle, taking advantage of everyone's attention being drawn to the two people at the front, while he subtly observed everyone.
This position is excellent; it allows him to observe most of the people.
Today was supposed to be the Huo family's monthly family gathering. He had been in contact with the Huo family for a long time, but this was his first time participating, and it was Old Master Huo who gave the order.
The Huo family believed in not speaking while eating or sleeping. Although he was given a hard time when he first came in, no one bothered him while he ate. But after the meal, the youngest member of the Huo family dropped a bombshell.
He quickly recalled the information about Huo Ting and began to speculate whether his problem was pathological or man-made.
If it was caused by human intervention...
His eyes flickered slightly as he recalled everyone's actions, but he couldn't find anything unusual.
He was particularly focused on Huo Laosan, whose emotional changes and subtle actions were all normal at the time. Unless this Huo Laosan was a born actor, this matter really had nothing to do with him.
He quietly chose to observe the situation.
Wen Nian stepped on her son's instep with her sharp heel, glared at him with exasperation, and thought to herself, "What good will it do you to make your father die of anger right now?"
During this time, she had been doing everything she could to serve the old man and was so worried about the inheritance that she hadn't paid much attention to her son. She never expected that he had grown up, become independent, and actually learned to make decisions on his own. He had brought this matter to the old man's attention without saying a word.
Now that things are like this, she is helpless, because she knows that the old man is old-fashioned and doesn't like others telling him what to do, and he especially dislikes women gossiping, so she can't say anything.
She could only hope that the old man was tough enough not to die of anger, otherwise his four adopted sons might take the opportunity to tear them apart. As for the inheritance, that was just a pipe dream.
The old man's eyes were dim and gloomy as he scanned his children and grandchildren, finally settling on his youngest son. He frowned and let out a heavy snort.
He's lived for most of the century; he can tell at a glance what kind of evil schemes these kids are plotting.
He gestured to his wife to bring the document bag and open it. The butler brought him reading glasses and took the antiques from his hands.
Old Master Huo squinted at the documents for a while, then his expression changed drastically. He threw all the documents at Huo Ting, who was sitting on the innermost side of the room. He was so agitated that his face quickly turned a deep red, and then he started coughing violently, almost as if his lungs were being torn apart.
A withered hand covered his mouth, and dark red blood dripped from between his fingers onto the spilled photograph, blurring the faces in it.
The housekeeper hurriedly called the family doctor, and Wen Nian helped him catch his breath. Huo Laoyao, realizing he might have caused a big disaster, panicked and was about to step forward when he was punched in the face.
"Aww—"
"Are you satisfied now that you've angered Grandpa like this?"
Huo Laoyao was beaten so badly that he saw stars, his nose hurt as if it were broken, and he felt a burning sensation under his nose. He touched his hand and found it covered in blood. His anger level soared.
"Huo Ting, you dare to hit me? You fucking dare to hit me!"
The four Huo brothers and their younger relatives quickly pulled them apart. Huo Ting pointed at Huo Laoyao and threatened, "If anything happens to Grandpa, I'll take your life."
Huo Laoyao was only a year and a half older than Huo Ting, so they were of the same age but different generations. Naturally, he wouldn't stand for this insult and jumped up and shouted, "Anyone can say that, but you're not worthy! You're a damn eunuch, a perverted freak, and you still have the nerve to act like the Huo family heir? You've deceived everyone in the Huo family, you've deceived Dad, and you're going to make the Huo family line die out!"
The Huo family's rules are somewhat similar to those of large families in ancient times. The line that inherits the family head is the main branch, while the others are classified as minor branches or collateral branches. If Huo Ting cannot have children, the Huo family will be considered extinct.
The girls didn't try to break up the fight. One of them muttered under her breath, "What's with the shamelessness?"
The older cousin next to her seemed unsure: "Maybe he meant 'shameless'?"
"So my dad wasn't wrong, my uncle really is a terrible student?"
Huo the eldest was also seething with anger. As his youngest brother’s words became more and more outrageous, he slapped his son and younger brother once each and said angrily, “What time is it? Stop arguing. Shut up, both of you.”
Huo Laoyao sneered, broke free from the hands that were holding him, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the old man. When he passed Huo Laoda, he bumped his shoulder hard and whispered, "Let's see how long you can stay so glamorous."
Huo Laoda stared coldly at the back of his head. While the doctor was giving the old man emergency treatment, he pulled his son aside, intimidated everyone with his eyes, and then asked him in a low voice, "What exactly happened?"
Huo Ting's anger subsided, but his eyes were filled with gloom. He remained silent, though his cheeks were taut.
"Are those all true?"
Huo Ting remained silent, which his father interpreted as tacit agreement.
Have you seen a doctor? Is it still treatable?
Huo Ting remained silent. Huo Laoda, unable to contain his anger, still lowered his voice, stared into his eyes, and said, "Give me the truth, are you still able to have children? Is your sperm viable? Can you do IVF?"
"I have no idea."
Huo Laoda couldn't help but want to curse.
"Then tell me something you know. If you're really completely useless, even if I'm your father, I won't support you becoming the heir."
Huo Ting looked at him, his eyes bloodshot, and said, word by word, "So you're going to support that illegitimate child?"
Huo Laoda was taken aback.
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