"Don’t think too much about it. If you want to meet him, meet; if not, don’t," said Professor Bao when he saw her hesitation. "Even if you wait until marriage to meet him, it wouldn’t matter."
Is that possible? To meet the parents only at marriage?
"You can rest assured, he won’t interfere with Qian’er’s matters," Professor Bao said casually. "He just wants to see what kind of person you are."
Xia Chuyi analyzed the situation in her mind.
From what Professor Bao said, she could almost ascertain that Huo Zhongcheng had wanted to see her for a long time, but perhaps feared being too abrupt, or possibly upsetting Huo Shiqian, so he didn’t take direct action.
Thus, Huo Zhongcheng inquired about her wishes through Professor Bao.
If she continued avoiding it, she really didn’t know what Huo Zhongcheng would think of her. In the end, Xia Chuyi made up her mind and said, "Then I shall meet him once."
Upon hearing this, Professor Bao frowned slightly, as if he didn’t want her to meet Huo Zhongcheng.
Xia Chuyi thought if he disagreed with her meeting Huo Zhongcheng, or if there was some inconvenience in meeting him, he should have said it earlier!
However, Professor Bao just frowned and said nothing.
Xia Chuyi gathered her courage and asked, "Ahem, Professor, is Brother Shi Qian’s father difficult to get along with?"
"Difficult?" Upon hearing this, Professor Bao’s brow furrowed even more tightly. After a moment, his expression turned somewhat sarcastic as he said, "Don’t worry, a person of his level, even if he doesn’t like you, won’t let it show."
Xia Chuyi thought to herself that she should not have asked.
So when she met Huo Zhongcheng, how would she judge whether he was satisfied with her or not?
Professor Bao, oblivious to her internal complaints, said directly, "Since you have agreed, I will notify him right away. Let him come see you this afternoon."
"The meeting place will be at Bao Mansion. You have the keys, just wait for him there."
He blurted out a stream of statements and made all the arrangements without giving Xia Chuyi any time to react.
"Professor..." she wanted to ask if this was all too sudden.
She was completely unprepared.
However, Professor Bao simply waved his hand and said, "Alright, that’s settled then. You can go now."
Xia Chuyi felt that perhaps Professor Bao indeed did not fancy her meeting with Huo Zhongcheng. Maybe there were some unresolved issues between Professor Bao and Huo Zhongcheng?
Regardless, she thought, ’Come what may, if it comes, settle it.’
Could Huo Shiqian’s father really do her any harm?
Huo Zhongcheng’s reputation among the people had always been good.
That afternoon, at Bao Mansion.
As she would have to return to Ling County, she had to hand over some trivial matters and instructions to the caretaker of the mansion.
While she was discussing these trivial matters, the sound of a car came from outside the mansion.
Soon after, there came a sound of knocking.
Xia Chuyi stood up and went to open the door.
As the door swung open, there was a familiar face, looking vigorous—Huo Zhongcheng.
Huo Zhongcheng often appeared on television, and Xia Chuyi naturally knew of him.
Upon realizing he was Huo Shiqian’s father, she felt slightly nervous.
Quickly, she pulled herself together, stepped back, and with a smile said to Huo Zhongcheng, "Chief Huo, please come in."
Huo Zhongcheng hadn’t made a move yet when his bodyguard preempted him, seemingly wanting to inspect the environment.
"No need!" Huo Zhongcheng stopped him and then affectionately said to Xia Chuyi, "Are you Xia Chuyi? Don’t be so formal, just call me Uncle Huo."
"Yes, Uncle Huo," Xia Chuyi complied compliantly.
She was not at all familiar with Huo Zhongcheng’s character; it was best to speak less and make fewer mistakes.