To My Dear Mr. Huo

Chapter 292: Just an Ordinary Relative

“That’s right, my family should treat her to a meal.” Su Chenghui smiled. “Our families have been brought together by marriage, so my family should naturally be hospitable hosts to your visiting relative.”

“There is no need for that.” Huo Jinyao was apprehensive about how Su Qingsang would be affected if Su Chenghui and Xiang Caiping were really to meet each other. “She’s just an ordinary relative. Since her arrival, I’ve asked Qingsang to show her around. She will be leaving within the next two days.”

Su Chenghui’s questions ceased as he realized that the relative in question was not a person of importance.

When Huo Jinyao saw that Su Chenghui was about to take his leave, he inexplicably asked, “Father, may I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“Qingsang’s mother…” Huo Jinyao paused for a moment. “I mean, her biological mother. Do you know her whereabouts?”

There was an immediate change in Su Chenghui’s demeanor. He sat there with an enigmatic look in his eyes and Huo Jinyao could not read his emotions.

“Do you not wish to talk about her?” Huo Jinyao tried his best to look for any trace of emotion that bordered sentimentality in Su Chenghui’s eyes. Unfortunately, he was not able to detect any.

Su Chenghui was oblivious to Huo Jinyao’s presence as it was drowned out by his memory of the young woman who had been in his life decades ago. It all came rushing back to him.

In truth, she had become a distant memory. Unexpectedly, he could still remember his impression of her. She had a gentle disposition and was aesthetically appealing. Most importantly, she was mild-mannered and free-spirited.

Despite her virtues, however, he had ultimately broken her heart. She had then distanced herself and gone far away from him. He could not even vindicate her if he wanted to.

He could only treat Li Qianxue with indifference as a penalty to her and to himself. What good was that? It was a futile effort to make up for his misdeed.

“Father?” Huo Jinyao called out again.

Su Chenghui lowered his gaze and repressed his emotions. “I have something on, I’ll take my leave.”

“What about Qingsang’s biological mother?”

“Don’t ask me anymore, and don’t ask Qingsang about it. She does not know anything. Don’t bring up this matter again.”

With these words, Su Chenghui seemed to stumble over his feet. He struggled to compose himself while walking away.

Huo Jinyao squinted pensively as he pondered Su Chenghui’s behavior. What does it make him? Does he still have feelings for Xiang Caiping deep down in his heart?

…

Upon returning to her room, Li Qianxue caught the smell of alcohol in the air.

She frowned in slight disdain and fixed her gaze on the man spread out on the chaise longue.

Even though he was in his fifties, he had maintained his youthful looks and looked to be in his thirties. He was considered well-known in Lin City. There was not a single person who would not sing praises at the mention of the Li Family’s son-in-law.

Even Old Master Li, despite being aware of the drift between Li Qianxue and Su Chenghui, still admired Su Chenghui’s strategic mind in the business arena.

The man, who had everything going for him, was ironically impassive. Perhaps he was passionate for something, just not for her.

He seemed to be in distress. His eyes were closed and his body was slumped and motionless.

Li Qianxue thought for a moment and decided to pour him a cup of tea.

“Have some tea.” Su Chenghui was still thinking about Xiang Caiping. He had not reminisced about her for a long time.

His memories of her were faded. Time and again, he had to force himself to preserve her image in his mind so that he would not forget it.

Huo Jinyao’s words today had sparked his thoughts of her again. They had caused him to grab a drink after work.

He had no desire to return home after drinking, but his dutiful chauffeur had sent him home.

His home lacked the warmth that a family was supposed to provide. Li Qianxue was occupied with her own commitments, Su Peizhen was often absent from home and Su Yuxin was at school. Even Old Master Li had gone to visit his old friend.

An empty home worked for well for him. It was conducive for his nostalgia towards Xiang Caiping. He reminisced about their past over and over again.

Just when he had completely immersed himself in past memories, his train of thought was interrupted. Opening his eyes, he hoped for a split second that Xiang Caiping had returned to him, but it was Li Qianxue who had returned home.