To My Dear Mr. Huo

“Grandpa.” As Zhang Yichen was right there, Su Qingsang naturally felt incapable of broaching the true subject she wished to discuss. “I don’t suppose I could visit you when you have nothing on?” She asked.

“Yes. Of course, you can,” Old Master Huo said with a smile. “When all of you aren’t around to keep me company, I’ve only the parrot to talk to. You’ve come at the right time, and now I have you to talk to.”

“Grandpa, isn’t Uncle with you now too?”

Su Qingsang was no longer surprised by Zhang Yichen’s presence in the Huo Mansion. Speaking of Zhang Yichen, he seemed to genuinely care about the Old Master. Each time that he arrived in Rong City, he would visit and keep the Old Master company.

After Zhang Yichen had helped her the other time, she told Huo Jinyao to treat him to a meal. They hadn’t met him since he had returned to his army unit, and thus had yet to invite him.

“Yes, Yichen is a good boy.”

Old Master Huo was fond of Zhang Yichen as he was thoughtful – always going over to visit whenever he was in Lin City.

Su Qingsang refrained from comment. Seeing as how, Zhang Yichen was her senior in their family by a whole generation, she could only laugh silently to herself.

Mr. Cheng unexpectedly appeared at the door. He called out, “Old Master, Second Master Huo has called.”

The Second Master Huo Mr. Cheng was referring to could be none other than Huo Yangyuan. Upon hearing that he had called, Old Master Huo glanced over at Su Qingsang. “Chat with your uncle. I’m going to take this call.”

He went off in a hurry, forgetting that Zhang Yichen was about the same age as Huo Jinyao.

Su Qingsang was taken aback for a moment and a little baffled by the suddenness of Old Master Huo’s suggestion.

The parrot who had been making so much noise before fell silent.

She looked over at Zhang Yichen.

Zhang Yichen looked back at her from where he was standing. Su Qingsang felt a little awkward when their eyes met.

“About the other day… thank you.”

She was referring to the incident at the hospital when someone had decided to make trouble. If Zhang Yichen had not appeared in time, and if she and Huo Jinyao had tried to settle the problem themselves, they would probably have gotten the short end of the stick.

“You’re welcome.” Zhang Yichen turned away deliberately, avoiding her gaze. “It was a small matter.”

“It may be a small matter to you, but not to me.”

Su Qingsang smiled, her sincere gratitude apparent in her eyes. “I told Jinyao that I would pick a day to treat you to a meal.”

“You don’t have to. It’s really not a big deal.”

“I insist.” Su Qingsang was not one to ignore her debts. “How long are you staying in Rong City? Just let Jinyao and I treat you to a meal.”

Zhang Yichen finally turned around to look at her. Her eyes clearly held a genuinely grateful look within them. The way she looked at him was no different from the way she would have looked at any elder in her home. He was under no illusions, but it was still difficult to conceal the bitterness deep in his heart.

“I don’t like to eat out.”

The curt reply made Su Qingsang looked at him in puzzlement.

Zhang Yichen tacked on, “The last time I was at your house, your… your housekeeper cooked quite well.”

“Let’s eat at my place then.”

Su Qingsang did not think anything of his request, as Ms. Yu’s cooking was indeed quite good. She tried to think of a time that would be convenient for everyone.

“Uncle, check and let me know if you would be free on any of these next few days. You let me know what dishes you like to eat, and I’ll buy the ingredients.”

Su Qingsang initially wanted to get Ms. Yu to do the grocery shopping. Since she wanted to thank him however, it would be more sincere if she got the groceries herself.

“Thanks for the trouble.”

“How is that trouble? I was the one who troubled you.”

Zhang Yichen looked at her. She seemed as if she wanted to have nothing to do with him, and wished that they’d never known each other. It discomfited him.

To stop looking at her, he turned around towards the parrot.

Surprisingly, the parrot kept its silence. Without thinking too much about what she was doing, Su Qingsang took two steps forward, to stand in front of the parrot.

“Hello, Jade.”

The parrot turned its head away haughtily and completely ignored Su Qingsang.

She felt a little embarrassed. She and the parrot had been at odds with each other before this, and now the bird was cheeking her as Zhang Yichen was watched.

Zhang Yichen glanced over at her, and she moved aside. He stared at the parrot, without needing to say a word.

At first, the parrot stared back at Zhang Yichen, but the moment he lifted his hand, the parrot began to squawk loudly.

“Someone’s going to kill a bird, help. Someone’s going to kill a bird, help.”

Su Qingsang had been waiting for the parrot to talk, but she had not expected it to say something like that. She was totally caught off guard and burst into laughter.

Wasn’t that parrot just too hilarious? Who would kill it here?

She was laughing gaily, her eyes crinkling in amusement. Zhang Yichen standing right next to her, observing her from that angle, thought that her smile was beautiful as his heart leaped.

Looking away, Zhang Yichen pushed down his emotions.

Su Qingsang realized at that moment that she was getting carried away. She turned awkwardly to look at Zhang Yichen.

“I’ve made a fool out of myself, I’m sorry.”

Zhang Yichen said nothing, as he didn’t know what reply he ought to give.

He had not felt uncomfortable meeting Su Qingsang when he hadn’t known her identity. Since the moment he came to know who she was, he had the persistent feeling that he would trouble her, if he spoke too long with her.

So now, his attitude towards her was naturally altered from that of when he first met her.

Since Su Qingsang treated him as an elder, she did not feel as though anything was amiss.

She would be rather more worried if Zhang Yichen continued to behave in the same manner as when they had first met.

She realized that it was inappropriate for Zhang Yichen and her to stand so close to each other like that. Not to mention, what with all the guests around, she probably would not be getting any answers to her questions that day.

Su Qingsang would give up for now, and make another opportunity to come over and ask Old Master Huo her questions.

“Uncle. I have something else I must do, so I will make a move first. Please make yourself comfortable.”

Su Qingsang made to leave after bidding farewell to Zhang Yichen.

Zhang Yichen did not stop her, but he spoke hurriedly as Su Qingsang started walking away. “I will still be in Rong City tomorrow and the day after.”

Su Qingsang paused her steps for a moment, before turning to look at him. There was a moment where she had no idea why Zhang Yichen would be telling her that.

When she saw Zhang Yichen looking at her meaningfully, she suddenly realized what he was referring to. “Well, let’s meet tomorrow then. It will be Sunday so Jinyao shouldn’t be too busy with work.”

Zhang Yichen nodded. “Alright. I will come over tomorrow night.”

“That, that’s settled then,” Su Qingsang said as she nodded slightly in confirmation. She was just about to leave when the parrot behind her started to talk.

“Go over tomorrow. Go over tomorrow. Go over tomorrow.”

It was squawking so loudly that Su Qingsang turned around, practically glaring at the parrot in her shock.

“Go over tomorrow. I will go over tomorrow.”

The parrot was still squawking, and Su Qingsang felt momentarily nonplussed. Unable to take it anymore, she walked towards it. “Stop squawking. Shut up.”

The parrot was not at all afraid of her and continued, squawking two more times. Zhang Yichen took a step forward and glared at the parrot.

His glare was much more effective. The parrot stopped talking immediately and backed away as if it was afraid of Zhang Yichen.

Su Qingsang couldn’t help laughing at this but tamped down her laughter as she caught Zhang Yichen’s gaze.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

She bowed to him and was about to resume her exit. Unfortunately, right at that moment, she turned around, her ponytail got caught on the shirt button at Zhang Yichen’s chest.

“Ouch.” Su Qingsang gasped when she felt the tug at her scalp, and the pain caused her to freeze.

In her embarrassment at the awkwardness of their last exchange, she had turned around a little too quickly. She had not expected something like that to happen.

She moved forward only to feel another pull on her scalp.

“Don’t move,” said Zhang Yichen in a low voice. She complied and stood still.

“Your hair is caught on my button.” Zhang Yichen stepped closer telling her what had happened. Su Qingsang wanted to speak, but Zhang Yichen spoke again before she could.

“Don’t move. I will untangle your hair.”

With her hair stuck on his button, she would be far too close to him if she turned around.

As the thought struck Su Qingsang she remained in place, unmoving. She felt more than a little awkward standing like that.

Su Qingsang spoke to him softly. “Thank you, Uncle.”

She felt Zhang Yichen moved closer to her from behind. He lifted his hand, to untangle her hair gently.

Su Qingsang dared not move at all because of how awkward the situation was. She was also quite embarrassed, lamenting being prone to such situations, particularly when she encountered Zhang Yichen.

Zhang Yichen was all quiet behind her. After waiting for about thirty seconds, she couldn’t help but check. “Is it done?”

In Zhang Yichen’s hand, he held the strands of Su Qingsang’s hair that had just been caught around his button.

Their faint fragrance was familiar. He remembered this smell, he remembered smelling it, when Su Qingsang came out of the shower…

“Uncle, is it done?”

Su Qingsang had been waiting for quite a while and was compelled to ask again.

“It’s done.” Zhang Yichen let go of her hair. He moved backward and stood his well-trained body ramrod straight.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Su Qingsang stepped away, without looking back at Zhang Yichen.

“I’ll make a move then. See you tomorrow, Uncle.”

“See you tomorrow.” Zhang Yichen looked at her. “I will be there on time.”

“I’m going off.”

Su Qingsang felt really self-conscious. She was really embarrassed to have been so rude before an elder so many times.

After her departure, that indistinct fragrance that was in the air soon dissipated once again.

With his eyes closed, Zhang Yichen tilted his head up. He was about to try to take in the remaining scent that still lingered there.

He snapped back to his senses quickly, looking in the direction where he felt certain someone had just been peeping in.

He walked forward quickly, with his eyes narrowed. He moved to the spot where he thought someone might have been and paused there. He looked around, but there was no one in sight. He glanced over the direction of the main mansion again.

He knew that, except for Old Master Huo, the other elders of the Huo family were not at home today. It wasn’t as if the weekends meant everyone would be free.

On the contrary, whether it was Huo Mingguang or Liu Tongjia, they were far likelier to be away than at home on weekends, due to their respective positions.

So, who had been standing there just now?

“Yichen.”

Old Master Huo came back out after speaking on the phone. The weather had been quite good as of late, so he was generally quite willing to be out teasing the parrot.

“Uncle.”

Zhang Yichen walked over and Old Master Huo looked at him. “Why were you over there? The weather is still not right for there to be any nice views in the garden just now. It will take a while, before there’s anything to look at.”

“It’s nothing. I was just looking around.”

In the end, Zhang Yichen did not voice his suspicions or investigate further.