However, when Su Suli went to the kitchen, she wasn’t there to help prepare the meal but instead instructed the cooking aunt, Ah Xing, "Go to the Ou Family and tell Miss Lian’er that Shiqian has returned."
On the other side, "Take a seat," Huo Zhongcheng told his son.
After both father and son sat down, they found themselves in silence once again.
After a long pause, Huo Zhongcheng was the first to speak, addressing his son, "You’ve done very well in the military these past years, and I am proud of you."
Huo Shiqian glanced at Huo Zhongcheng but did not respond.
As he spoke of his son’s excellence, Huo Zhongcheng seemed to suddenly open up, "Your superiors have all told me, ’Like father, like son.’"
"They said if you had been born in the war era, your achievements would certainly have surpassed mine."
"I am very relieved, extremely relieved."
However, hearing his father’s excited words, Huo Shiqian only responded indifferently, "I still have not done enough."
"Our weapons are still far behind those of other countries."
Calming down from his excitement, Huo Zhongcheng finally said, "That can’t be helped."
"Our economy has just started to develop; it will get better," Huo Zhongcheng said in a deep voice.
"Uh-huh," replied Huo Shiqian.
On this issue, he and his father agreed.
"Right, I heard you say... you have already found a partner?" Huo Zhong suddenly asked.
"Yes," Huo Shiqian said flatly, without intending to hide it.
Huo Shiqian’s frankness somehow took Huo Zhongcheng aback.
After pondering for a moment, Huo Zhongcheng asked, "What kind of girl is she?"
When it came to his sweetheart, Huo Shiqian’s expression softened imperceptibly as he said, "She is very good."
Three words encapsulated it all.
"Cough cough!" Huo Zhongcheng choked.
"Hm, I’ve heard she is a student at Kyoto University? Rather young?" Huo Zhongcheng continued.
Though not affectionate, father and son are still father and son; Huo Shiqian understood his father’s unspoken intentions.
"She is worth waiting for," said Huo Shiqian, with a calm composure.
At this, Huo Zhongcheng fell silent for a moment, "You... take after your mother’s side of the family."
Huo Shiqian knew that his father was referring to his mother and uncle—from the Bao Family—being deeply and steadfastly loving.
"I am very comforted by what Father says," Huo Shiqian replied directly without any pretense.
At his son’s words, Huo Zhongcheng coughed awkwardly and said, "About your mother’s matter... I..."
Huo Shiqian cut him off, "That incident was not solely your fault."
Hearing this, Huo Zhongcheng once again fell silent.
Just as the father-son conversation seemed to come to another standoff, Huo Qing and Huo Lang came in.
Taking the opportunity, Huo Shiqian inquired about their studies and then offered a few words of encouragement.
Before long, the meal Su Suli had prepared was ready, and she called everyone to the dining room.
"Finally, our family is together again!" Su Suli exclaimed to herself as she sat down at the table.
Huo Shiqian looked indifferent and did not respond.
At the dining table, Huo Qing and Huo Lang were giggling and chattering non-stop.
But Huo Shiqian, due to his upbringing, ate his meal in silence with a composed expression.
Suddenly, a security guard knocked on the door, signaling someone had arrived.
Su Suli’s eyes immediately lit up, her face beaming with a smile, "It must be Lian’er. I told her yesterday that I had something here and asked her to help!"
The guard opened the door, and indeed, following behind was the meticulously dressed Ou Lianlian.