As the year draws to a close, relatives tend to visit each other more frequently, but they usually call ahead to let us know, and it's rare for someone to come without prior notice.
This was Xie Li's first New Year at the Xie family home since returning from recognizing her relatives. Old Master Xie and Xie Sidu were very cautious, informing Xie Li in advance whenever guests were coming.
Neither Grandpa Xie nor Xie Sidu told her last night that guests would arrive early this morning.
Xie Zian, walking beside Xie Li, glanced at the license plate and whispered a reminder: "This is Old Master Huo's car."
The Huo family loves to show off. Not only are the old master Huo's cars limited edition luxury cars, but the license plates are also his own birthday.
Grandpa Xie and Xie Sidu exchanged a quick glance. Xie Sidu smiled and instructed Xie Li, "You and Zian go upstairs to wash up and get ready. Come down and have breakfast together later."
This means they don't intend to keep the guests.
The group entered the villa and, sure enough, saw two figures sitting in the reception area.
Xie Li and Xie Zi'an went straight upstairs without saying hello.
Grandpa Xie and Xie Sidu wiped their hands with the hot towels handed to them by Zhang Ma, tidied their appearance a little, and then took a coat from the butler before calmly and respectfully going to greet their guests.
Mr. Huo is nearly seventy years old, his hair is gray, and he has many health problems.
In his younger years, he had injured his legs and feet and suffered from severe rheumatism. As he got older, his legs and feet became more and more inconvenient, making his body appear hunched over.
He tried to stand up shakily, leaning on his cane, but Old Master Xie quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Brother Huo, you are a guest, please have a seat."
Two equally aged hands clasped together.
One was cold, the other fiery; one was weak and powerless, the other strong and vigorous.
Old Master Huo was stunned for a moment, his cloudy gaze falling on Old Master Xie's face. For the first time in his life, he felt old.
"Old Xie, it looks like you're recovering well. No wonder you're from the Xie family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners."
A few months ago, when Grandpa Xie was bedridden, he made a special trip to visit him. At that time, Grandpa Xie was lying in the hospital bed, visibly old, thin and withered, looking ten years older than him.
But now, Grandpa Xie is in high spirits, his eyes shining brightly. He is full of vitality, and even the wrinkles on his face have diminished considerably.
People would probably believe he's only fifty.
Although Mr. Xie repeatedly invited Mr. Huo to sit down, Mr. Huo still stood up straight and stood slightly, fully demonstrating his respect for Mr. Xie.
The two elderly people sat down together on the sofa.
Huo Yuntang stood aside, displaying impeccable manners, and respectfully invited Xie Sidu to sit down first.
Xie Sidu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down first, after which Huo Yuntang sat down at the very end.
He even personally took the teapot from the servant and poured tea for Old Master Xie and Xie Sidu.
Xie Sidu's gaze swept over the servants standing beside him without making a sound. These were people brought by the Huo family. The Huo family's butler personally led the group. Each of them carried a tray, wore a uniform suit, and had a solemn and serious expression.
The scale of the operation was indeed quite large, consistent with the Huo family's usual style of doing things.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Old Master Xie's gaze sharpened, and he asked with a smile, "Brother Huo, given your health, you could have simply given me a message if you needed anything. Why did you have to come in person?"
Just as Old Master Huo was about to bring up the matter, he said, "Old Xie, I don't come here unless I have a reason."
He sighed, glancing at Huo Yuntang, "They say children are a debt. Yuntang's father passed away early, and he needs my help. This old man has no choice but to help him out..."
Xie Sidu listened with a smile the whole time, occasionally chiming in with a few words, his attitude seemingly humble.
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