Chapter 106
“It’s fine. You, on the other hand, look exhausted. Tired out, huh?” Ye Zhi felt a pang of sympathy, and he even let it seep into his tone, making it quite evident. He even crouched down, took out the slippers from the shoe cabinet, and placed them in front of Huo Youqiao. When he stood up, he also took the coat that Huo Youqiao had just taken off.
Huo Youqiao paused for a moment at Ye Zhi’s actions and said gently, “I’m alright.”
Their conversation ended there. As Madam Huo heard the voices and others gathered around, Ye Zhi could only quietly retreat with Huo Youqiao’s coat and return to his own place.
Thus, they maintained the proper distance between them.
The Huo family prepared a very lavish homecoming feast that evening to welcome Huo Youqiao back, and even his younger uncle’s family attended.
Huo Youqiao’s younger uncle was also in politics, part of the education system. Despite being over a decade older than Huo Youqiao, he held a lower position. His future prospects were visibly limited. Yet tonight, he seemed even happier than if he had achieved political success himself. He smiled and said, “Ah Qiao, you handled this matter so well. It seems it won’t be long before you’re promoted to the central government.”
The central government was the center of political power, divided into military and political departments. If Huo Youqiao could be promoted to the central government before the age of thirty-five, his future would be immeasurable. He would truly be considered young and promising.
Madam Huo smiled and said, “I’m not hoping for him to hold high positions. I just hope he can find a partner and have more children.” She looked at her eldest son, her eyes filled with expectation. “I don’t know how many times I’ve told you this. You always say you’re busy, but even if you’re busy, you have to consider your lifelong happiness. You can’t remain single forever. Even if you can tolerate it, Ranran can’t. You don’t know, the day Ye Zhi was discharged from the hospital, Ranran was crying while clinging to his leg, longing for her mother.”
Since Huo Ran happened to be taken to another room to play by her aunt, Ye Zhi originally wanted to follow, but he was stopped by Huo Youqiao and had to sit back down.
Unexpectedly hearing such words, Ye Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, and his fingertips slowly curled up.
Huo Youqiao’s younger brother chimed in, “Yeah, she’s always competing with me for my wife. Big brother, you’d better find a wife soon, so she won’t keep competing with me.”
Huo Youqiao held a wine glass, his expression unchanged, and said, “There’s no rush for that.”
Madam Huo grew anxious. “Why isn’t there a rush? How old are you already? Honestly, the biggest regret your father and I have in this life is having children too late. If we had them earlier, maybe we could have seen four generations living together.”
The average lifespan on the planet had increased significantly, nearing one hundred years. The record for the longest lifespan was one hundred and fifty years. Since they were still in good health in their seventies, Huo’s father could still serve in the military and even participate in training sessions regularly.
Huo Youqiao’s younger brother suddenly laughed, “Brother, are you still thinking about Ranran’s mother?”
He didn’t call her “sister-in-law” because they hadn’t been married.
Huo Youqiao glanced in that direction, inevitably seeing Ye Zhi sitting beside him.
The male beta sat obediently by his side, not drinking alcohol. There was half a glass of orange juice in front of him, but Huo Youqiao knew he hadn’t touched it. The reason there was only half a glass left was that he had fed half of it to Huo Ran. He lowered his head, seemingly not hearing their conversation, his lips a faint pink, lightly pursed.
A sour sensation surged in Huo Youqiao’s heart. He averted his gaze calmly and said, “No.”
“Impossible! Why aren’t you married yet?” Huo Youqiao’s younger brother didn’t believe it at all.
Huo Youqiao replied calmly, “I haven’t met the right person.”
Madam Huo quickly interjected, “Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll help you find her. Your younger uncle and aunt are here, too. There are plenty of girls in their department. Even if they’re boys, it’s fine. They can keep an eye out for you. I think someone like your aunt, a teacher, would be good. Stable job, fewer overtime hours, patient, accustomed to taking care of children, knowing how to get along with them. She’ll definitely get along well with Ranran too.”
His aunt added hastily, “Our school indeed has many suitable young people. Ah Qiao, what kind of person are you interested in?”
Facing such ‘pressure’, Huo Youqiao remained composed and smiled, “Aren’t we celebrating my safe return today? Why has it suddenly turned into a forced matchmaking scene? I have my own considerations, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
His strong aura made it impossible for even the elders to suppress him. He declined so clearly and straightforwardly that Madam Huo could only skip over this topic, but she still felt a bit dissatisfied. She then turned to her younger son, saying, “You two should hurry up and have a child. It doesn’t matter what kind of attributes they have, as long as they’re healthy. You’ve wasted five years already.”
Huo Youqiao’s younger brother quickly laughed, “Mom, we’re working on it.”
