Second Brother looked at Huo Xiaoran awkwardly and said, “Xiaoran, our Li family has collapsed and can no longer recover its former glory. Although you’re the adopted son of the Li family, our Li family has never treated you well. I won’t blame you for not caring about my father.”

Huo Xiaoran glanced at Second Brother and said indifferently, “Legally, I’m still the son of the Li family. I have the obligation to take care of the old man. Second Brother, say no more.”

Second Brother was stunned, then glanced meaningfully at Qiao An. He already knew.

It was very easy for Huo Xiaoran to get into a dead end, just like his mother had. A few years ago, he had cut ties with the Li family and really did not return home for a few years. Today, he was so humane. It was probably Qiao An who had changed him.

At this moment, Director Huang walked over in a panic and pulled Huo Xiaoran away. “Xiaoran, you’re finally here. Come with us quickly.”

Huo Xiaoran turned around and instructed Qiao An, “An’an, wait for me.” Then, he turned around and left.

Second Madam couldn’t help but tease Qiao An. “Aiyo, Qiao An, I didn’t expect Fourth Brother to be so attached to you.”

Qiao An felt sad. “Second Sister-in-law, Xiaoran has always been an insecure child. You just don’t know.”

Second Madam said with an awkward expression, “Fourth Brother has always been very stubborn and independent in front of us. We all thought that he didn’t need anyone’s concern.”

Qiao An’s eyes stung. “He’s just trying to be strong.”

She remembered that when they first met online, he actually gave off the feeling of a calm big brother. He was healthy, cheerful, confident, and sunny as if he was the king.

But Qiao An had probably conquered him with her softness. From time to time, she told him that she cried when she did badly in math when she fell and broke her face. She was as delicate as a flower.

He was touched by Qiao An’s outgoing personality. One day, he suddenly felt that he should learn from that girl and release his suppressed emotions.

So he finally mustered his courage and said to Qiao An, “An’an, actually, I have depression. I have the urge to commit suicide anytime.”

After he typed these words, Qiao An fell silent.

Then he was filled with frustration. He regretted tearing open his wound so easily and showing it to others.

But when he turned off his computer and decided never to play games or chat with Qiao An again, he found ninety-nine missed calls from her on his phone.

He didn’t hear her, so naturally, he didn’t reply.

Then, Qiao An typed a message to comfort him. “Brother Angel, don’t be afraid. In the future, I’ll be your trash can. If you’re unhappy, pour the trash on me. Anyway, my father said that I live without worry every day.”

The moment Huo Xiaoran saw the message, it was as if he had seen a beam of light through the night.

Since then, Qiao An had been engraved in his heart.

She had become his life’s faith.

He could only relax in front of Qiao An.

… .

Soon, Huo Xiaoran came over again.

But this time, he was wearing sterile clothes, and a group of white-clad angels surrounded him. He looked like a god descending to the mortal world. He smiled warmly at Qiao An.

“Baby, I’m going in for an operation. It might take a while. Wait for me to come out.”

Qiao An looked at his hand, his plastic-gloved hand. Her eyes were worried.

Huo Xiaoran raised his hands and placed his mouth by her ear. He smiled and said, “Don’t worry, ever since you returned to my side, my hands haven’t trembled.”

Qiao An smiled brightly.

“Brother Xiaoran, all the best.”

Huo Xiaoran nodded.

Then, she turned to look at Second Brother. “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, I’ll go in and take care of Old Master. Please take good care of my An’an.”

Second Brother was probably touched by Huo Xiaoran’s disregard for the past. He nodded repeatedly. “Xiaoran, don’t worry. I’ll definitely take good care of Qiao An for you this time.”

Second Sister-in-law nodded.

Just like that, Huo Xiaoran and the other doctors went in.

This surgery took especially long. Qiao An waited at the door, pacing back and forth anxiously.

At this moment, Li Tingfeng, who had not appeared for a day, came. His head was still wrapped in gauze bandages, making him look a little comical. The mistress accompanied him.

The woman saw Qiao An and immediately looked malicious.

“Qiao An, why are you here? Don’t tell me you want to be a bootlicker and fight for the Li family’s land when Old Master is sick and confused?”

Qiao An clenched her fists in anger, but this time, before she could attack, she saw Second Sister-in-law standing in front of the woman and saying aggressively, “Fourth Brother is operating on Dad inside. He entrusted Qiao An to me to take care of. If you make things difficult for Qiao An today, you’re going against me. I’m not as weak as Sister-in-law. If someone disrespects me, I’ll return it to her.”

The woman looked at Qiao An indignantly, then at Second Madam. Finally, she said indignantly, “Qiao An, you’re really good. You bought my second sister-in-law’s heart so quickly.”

She was best at sowing discord. Qiao An smiled and said, “As long as you behave yourself quietly, Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law will see that you’ve been with Third Brother for so many years and won’t make things difficult for you. However, before you can gain a foothold in the Li family, you stirred up such a bunch of trouble. Who would be willing to be kind to you?”

The woman gritted her teeth in anger.

Li Tingfeng glanced at Qiao An and said, “Qiao An, why didn’t I realize that your claws were so sharp?”

Qiao An said, “If people don’t offend me, I’ll leave them alone. If people offend me a second time, I’ll retreat. If people offend me again, I’ll return it tenfold. Third Brother, the Qiao An you saw in the past was just swallowing her anger and using peaceful means before resorting to force.”

Li Tingfeng’s face darkened.

In order to ease the awkwardness, Li Tingfeng took the initiative to talk to Second Brother.

“Second Brother, is Dad alright?”

Second Brother rolled his eyes at him and said angrily, “Hmph, if you really care about him, you shouldn’t have angered him. Look at your family’s mess. Hurry up and deal with it. Don’t let Dad feel aggrieved after being discharged.”

Li Tingfeng lowered his face and was a little unhappy. “This is my business. Second Brother, don’t interfere.”

The second son said, “Hmph, don’t think I don’t know that you’ve been secretly transferring assets recently and want to divorce your wife. Don’t blame me for not reminding you that if you divorce your wife, your mistress still won’t be able to enter the Li family. Dad won’t agree.”

Li Tingfeng said gloomily, “How long can Dad live like this?”

The second was furious. “You just can’t wait for Dad to die so no one will care, can you?”