Chapter 767: 469 Huo Ye vs. Shen Lao, the Soul Interrogation from the Father-in-law_2
"Huo Big Brother, these are the gifts grandma prepared. Please load them into the car," Tang Wan said, pointing to the presents by the doorway.
Though the two families were now more than just acquaintances, it was impossible for the old lady to come empty-handed; she had prepared some gifts.
After all, Grandma was advanced in age. Concerned about her getting into the car, Tang Wan went to help her, only to hear a familiar, heavy cough from behind.
Everyone turned around...
The Shen family patriarch wore a black Tang suit and had even painstakingly styled his hair. Tang Wan was certain he must have used pomadeâit was just so neatly done, right down to his impeccably polished shoes. With hands clasped behind his back, he looked utterly unfazed as everyone turned to stare.
"Whatâs wrong? Why are you all looking at me?"
Huo Qinqi had heard from Shuci that the old man had no plans to come, probably still harboring some reservations about him. When Huo Qinqi had arrived, heâd specifically gone to greet him, but the old man wouldnât even let him enter his bedroom.
Only the devil knew the old man was busy "dressing up" inside. He dared not let him in.
"Uncle, please," Huo Qinqi said, a touch of surprise in his heart, not quite grasping what the old man was thinking, but still respectfully inviting him to get on board.
Once the two elders were aboard, Huo Qinqi loaded the gifts into the trunk.
The old Mrs. Shen casually glanced at her husband, "I thought you werenât coming?"
"I saw youâve been charmed by that young man. If I donât keep an eye on you, you might sell off our daughter after a few sweet words from him."
"Hmphâ" The old lady snorted coldly, "Stubborn as a dead duck."
*
After picking up the elders, Huo Qinqi sent a message to Shuci to let her know they were safe and that they would soon arrive at her office, asking her to get ready.
The three of them were traveling together. Although this wasnât the first time Huo Qinqi had been with the elders alone, the situation was now quite different from during Jiang Yantingâs wedding. Liang Yun had specifically reminded him that this was his chance to make a good impression and that he must not let the conversation lapse. He needed to find topics to talk about.
But what could Huo Qinqi talk about?
Liang Yun had laid down the law: "Donât talk about the weather."
So what should he say?
He had even gone on Baidu to search for topics like "First Conversation Tips: 900 Phrases," "What to Say First in an Active Conversation?" and "15 Topics to Get Closer..."
"Xiaohuo, is it okay if I call you that?" It was the old Mrs. Shen who eventually broke the silence.
"No problem," Huo Qinqi gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"Iâve never been to Shuciâs workplace before. I didnât expect it to be out in the suburbs, and with such tall buildings."
"This is a new district, mostly companies. The prices in the city center are too high, so many businesses have moved here."
"No wonder. You donât often return to Beijing, do you?"
Huo Qinqiâs basic information was well known to the elders, but previously many topics were avoided. Now, viewed as a prospective son-in-law, many things naturally needed to be clear.
Then, Elder Shen spoke up, "I heard youâre over thirty and hadnât had a girlfriend before Shuci?"
When the old man heard of this, he couldnât help but wonder if this young man was deceiving his niece.
"Just busy with work, no time," Huo Qinqi replied honestly.
"So, youâre always this busy with work? If you return to the troops, will you have time to take care of Shuci?" Elder Shen continued to probe.
"Iâve heard from the Jiang family that sometimes they donât see you even once a year. After you two get together, how will you nurture the relationship? Will it just be a long-distance relationship? If something happens to her, you wonât be able to take care of her in time, will you?"
"And in the future, if you have children, what will Shuci do if you are not by her side?"
...
Grandfatherâs soul-searching questions hailed down.
The old man was well aware of the special nature of his profession, but these were very real concerns. Also, with Huo Qinqi still on the front lines, potentially facing life-threatening dangers, marrying him might be seen as honorable, but...
Ultimately, it was all about being protective of his daughter.
Huo Qinqi was never particularly good with words, and these very real questions loomed in the air.
Soon the car reached Shuciâs company entrance. When she got in, she immediately sensed an odd atmosphere but thought it was normal since her father had some "reservations" about Huo Qinqi, who wasnât much of a talker anyway.
So, she started talking about some fun incidents from work that day, all the while observing Huo Qinqi.
His lips were tightly pressed, his expression severe, leaving her to wonder what he could be thinking. Perhaps her father had given him a hard time?
Each of the four had their own thoughts as they arrived at the Huo familyâs house. Huo Zheng and his wife were naturally very hospitable, and it was clear Huo Zheng had been "trained" well; his conversation was no longer limited to just "drink tea, eat fruit."
Huo Qinqi looked around the house as if he were looking for someone.
"That kid is out back walking the dog. Go call him. We have guests; he should come and greet them," Liang Yun instructed. "That boy, Iâve already called him. He said heâd be right here. Itâs been half an hour, and who knows what heâs up to?"
Shuci, feeling that Huo Qinqi might be troubled, wanted to know if anything unusual had happened on their way. She volunteered to check on the dogs, accompanying him to the backyard.
Just upon reaching the backyard, they spotted a red-haired youth from afar being dragged by two dogs...
"Shit, stop right there! Do you hear me? I order you to stop!" His breathing was rapid. "I refuse to believe I canât hold you back."
The Huo family dogs were retired from the team; they werenât ordinary watch dogs and had a lot of strength. Especially upon seeing Huo Qinqi, the two dogs rushed towards him...
"Oh no!" The teenager struggled to hold even one dog, let alone handle both.
They could only see a mop of disheveled and glaring red hair.
"Is he..." Shuci looked on, frowning slightly, "really walking the dogs?"
Or was it...
The dogs walking him?
The two dogs stopped in front of Huo Qinqi, and the boy behind almost couldnât stop in time, nearly face-planting on the ground.