Chapter 646: Countdown

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Jinyao?”

“Yes?”

“I suddenly feel so happy.”

“Mhm.” Huo Jinyao hugged her and smelled the faint scent of milk on her body.

Ever since she gave birth, her body became full of maternal radiance. “I feel very happy too.”

Su Qingsang pressed her face against Huo Jinyao’s chest. A long time ago, she had always thought that she was a poor little girl.

An illegitimate daughter who no one cared about and no one loved. Therefore, she could only love herself.

But now, she suddenly felt that she had suffered too much in the past 20 years, and that was why she felt that her happiness had doubled in the future.

“Oh, right.” Su Qingsang thought of what she could do for Xiang Caiping. “If, I mean if, Su Peizhen can change after she gets out, then let’s not bother about her anymore.”

She knew what Xiang Caiping cared about the most, and the only thing she could give her was to not ruin the thing she cared about the most.

Of course, this was on the premise that Su Peizhen would do her best and not mess around anymore.

“I promise you.”

Huo Jinyao could still guarantee that. As long as Su Peizhen didn’t court death, he believed that her life could continue after she got out.

Moreover, with Su Peizhen’s ability, she could make her life better, but only if she was willing.

Speaking of which, it had been a long time since she paid attention to Su Peizhen. “How has she been recently?”

“Not bad.” Huo Jinyao really had Yang Wenchang ask about it today because of Xiang Caiping.

“She should be able to get a reduction in her sentence. It’s already been reduced by half a year.”

“Really?” That was great. It meant that Su Peizhen was truly repentant now.

“Yes.” She was allegedly teaching people in prison. A month before the new year, the prison organized an art gala. She was the one who led it. She had allegedly arranged several shows and the reaction was pretty positive. The higher-ups were very satisfied with their prison’s current achievements. It could be said that she made a contribution, so she received half a year’s reduction in her sentence.”

“If she’s willing to continue like this, she’ll probably be out in less than three years.”

Regardless of whether she did it to reduce her sentence or not, with her pride, Su Peizhen being willing to do these things was already an improvement.

“That’s great.” Su Qingsang thought of Xiang Caiping. “This way, Auntie will be able to live a better life.”

Huo Jinyao wasn’t that optimistic. Even if Su Peizhen came out and stopped doing bad things, whether she would be able to accept Xiang Caiping or not was still uncertain.

“That’s enough. You’re still in confinement. Don’t bother about other people’s matters. Go to sleep.”

“I’m just saying it. I’m not tired now. I’ve let you guys do all the work. I have nothing to do at all.”

There were two aunties at home and two nannies who specialized in taking care of the children. Other than feeding the children, most of the time, she was unable to intervene.

It was even more difficult to get to hold the children. If it weren’t for the fact that both of the children were sleeping a lot, the family would be filled with elders who wanted to hold the babies.

Old Master Huo was the happiest one. He had been in high spirits recently, and he was smiling so much that he could barely close his mouth.

It wasn’t uncommon for people of his age to live up to his age, but there weren’t many families with four generations living in the same house. Among the few families with four generations living in the same house, no one had twins, much less fraternal twins.

How could Old Master Huo not be proud of this? He felt beaming pride even when he walked.

Old Master Huo wasn’t the only one who was happy. Huo Yangyuan and Huo Yangxiu liked to visit their children whenever they were free.

After a few days, the two little childrens’ facial features began to grow. With Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang’s good looks, the two babies looked extremely cute.

They looked like Huo Jinyao, but Su Qingsang’s silhouette could be seen. Nian Nian looked more like Su Qingsang. However, Huo Jinyao’s likeness could still be seen in her eyes. Speaking of which, the two babies looked very similar.

Looking at the two babies every day, Su Qingsang felt satisfied with everything.

The pain during childbirth and the lingering fear that she almost fell asleep and couldn’t wake up became insignificant at this moment.

After the first month, it would be the babies’ first month. It was still very cold in Rong City, and Su Qingsang had just given birth. She didn’t want to celebrate too much, so she told Old Master Huo that she would only treat her family to a meal to celebrate.

How could Old Master Huo agree?

Su Qingsang tried to persuade him again and again. She simply said that the two children were still young, so there was no need to be too ostentatious.

Huo Jinyao knew what Su Qingsang meant. The children were still young, and it was cold outside. If they were to have a big celebration, they would have to bring the two children out to meet the public.

Su Qingsang felt sorry for the children, but she was unwilling to.

With Huo Jinyao’s help to persuade them, Liu Tongjia also felt that they were still young. Old Master Huo could only take a step back.

It was fine if they didn’t have a banquet on the first half month, but they had to have a big celebration on the official full month. Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang’s wedding wasn’t held in Rong City, so Old Master Huo also wanted to use this opportunity to give Su Qingsang a wedding

This time, Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao couldn’t go against Old Master Huo’s wishes again. They could only agree.

Three months. The weather in Rong City would be warmer by then. It would also be suitable to take the children out.

Li Qianxue stayed in Rong City for more than half a month. She still had things to do, so she returned to Lin City after the lantern festival.

Before she left, she was especially reluctant to leave Xiang Xiang and Nian Nian. After she returned to Lin City, she had to call Su Qingsang at least three times a day.

Every day, she had to check on her granddaughter before going to bed.

Xiang Xiang and Nian Nian started to grow up, and their facial features combined the strengths of Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang. Surprisingly, the older they grew, the more similar they looked.

Although they looked alike, their personalities didn’t resemble each other’s at all.

As Xiang Xiang grew up, his voice had become louder and louder. He would often shout twice when he was unhappy, and he would cry so loudly that people could even hear from downstairs.

Nian Nian was different. She rarely cried. Sometimes, when she saw Xiang Xiang crying, she would blink her eyes at him, as if she didn’t quite understand what he was crying about.

At this time, something very interesting thing would happen. When Xiang Xiang saw how Nian Nian wasn’t crying and simply stared at him, he would stop crying instead.

Su Qingsang’s greatest joy now was observing her two children. If she hadn’t become a mother, she wouldn’t have knownasn’. Only after she became a mother did she realize that children were really different from day to day.

Thinking about it, she noticed that Xiang Xiang’s hair grew faster, and it was also darker.

But what about Nian Nian’s? Her hair was thin, and it was a little yellow when she was born. Slowly, it became darker.

If Xiang Xiang drank milk, he would often be so overbearing that he would drink all of Su Qingsang’s milk. When Nian Nian wanted to drink it, it was gone.

During those moments, she would feel very wronged, but she never cried. She simply stared at him like that. Su Qingsang’s heart melted.

Next time, she would feed Nian Nian first, instead of Xiang Xiang. However, that displeased Xiang Xiang. When he started to make a scene, it would cause a huge commotion.

Su Qingsang would sometimes wonder who this child inherited his temperament from? Why was he such a troublemaker?

She heard from Liu Tongjia that Huo Jinyao was quite sensible when he was young. He was obedient and easy to take care of. She didn’t even have to get up at night. Why did Xiang Xiang turn into such a little devil?

Su Qingsang could only desperately drink the milk soup. She was afraid that the two babies wouldn’t have enough to eat.

Even so, Xiang Xiang started to be fed milk powder. When the little guy was holding the bottle, he looked extremely pitiful.

At first, he refused to drink the milk in the bottle. Later, he was so hungry that he drank a few mouthfuls.

Xiang Xiang tried a few more times and realized that he couldn’t drink his mother’s milk. In the end, he accepted the fact that he could only get the bottle. His resistance decreased.

Every time this happened, Su Qingsang felt amused and helpless.

There was nothing she could do. Nian Nian’s body was a little weaker than she thought. He couldn’t blame her for being biased.

Even Huo Jinyao had the same thought.

“A boy needs to be raised harshly. Isn’t there simply no milk to drink? He has such a bad temper. After he grows up, I’ll teach him a lesson.”

He said so, but every time the child cried, he would eagerly pick him up and coax him, so he really was one to speak.

Su Qingsang couldn’t be bothered to expose his stubborn and soft-hearted ways. After all, the child was his as well. When the time came, they would see if he really could bring himself to be merciless.

Time slowly passed by for more than two months. Soon, the two little ones were more than 100 days old.

Because Old Master Huo said that they were going to have a big event, the Huo family reserved 100 tables in the largest hotel in Rong City. They invited everyone who was close to the Huo family, their business partners, as well as their close and distant relatives

After Xiang Xiang and Nian Nian were already 100 days old, they now looked like two little dolls in a New Year picture. They were rosy-cheeked, soft-skinned, and were especially likable.

It wasn’t Xiang Xiang’s first time going out. He had already gone out when getting vaccinations, and going to the hospital for a checkup.

However, this was the first time he had seen so many people. He wasn’t afraid of strangers at all. His eyes wandered and looked around.

If anyone reached out to hug him, he would be willing to let them hug him. He would smile at whoever hugged him.

Nian Nian wasn’t afraid of strangers, but she didn’t seem to like interacting with people. She was only willing to let her family hug her and didn’t want anyone else to.

When she finally saw Huo Jinyao in a suit and tie, she immediately turned her head around and kept looking at him.

Nian Nian liked Huo Jinyao very much. As long as Huo Jinyao hugged her, she would obediently stay in her father’s arms.

There were so many people now, but she didn’t want to bother with anyone who came. She simply buried her face in Huo Jinyao’s arms.

The others were fine, but Huo Jinyao’s group of childhood friends had all come over now. Wan Xianyang loved to tease, and Tang Mohan was also very high-spirited.

The group of people looked at the two little children with envy and jealousy.

Xiang Xiang was fine, and willing to be hugged by anyone. Nian Nian wasn’t and wouldn’t let anyone hug her. As soon as someone hugged her, she would sulk.

Huo Jinyao was also reluctant to let them hug her. He made a rule that they could only look at her and not hug her.

“This little girl has a big temper.” Wan Xianyang clicked his tongue, but his eyes were filled with unconcealed envy.

“Jinyao, your daughter is so cold and aloof. I wonder which guy will be able to woo her in the future.”

Tang Mohan looked at Huo Jinyao’s two treasures with great envy. To be honest, Huo Jinyao was really the lucky one among these childhood friends.

He opened a branch office somewhere else, and brought a wife back home as a result.

It wasn’t a big deal to marry. The point was that Huo Jinyao’s wife wasn’t an ordinary person. Look at how she gave birth to two children in one go. They now had both a son and a daughter.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Huo Jinyao looked at his daughter now like she was his treasure. Upon hearing Tang Mohan’s words, he was displeased. “What guy? If anyone dares to lay hands on my daughter, I’ll destroy him.”

“Nonsense again.”

Su Qingsang couldn’t stand listening to him anymore. “Would you be happy if no one wants your daughter after she grows up?”

“How could no one want my daughter?” Huo Jinyao retorted. “I’m just saying that I won’t let them lay hands on my daughter.”

“Yes, yes, yes. Just raise her at home for the rest of her life.”

“So what if I raise her for the rest of her life? It’s not like I can’t afford it.”

Su Qingsang facepalmed. She had been slowly learning about Huo Jinyao’s daughter fetish over the past few days.

“Jinyao, don’t be so stubborn,” Li Junsheng teased. “Who knows, if your daughter still doesn’t get married at a later age, you might even urge her?”

“Absolutely not.” Huo Jinyao was reluctant to part with her. “I’m not willing to hand my daughter over to those brats.”

Su Qingsang couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t even want to pay attention to this person. How old was Nian Nian now? Why was he thinking so far ahead?

Sure enough, when Li Junsheng and the others heard Huo Jinyao’s words, their eyes were filled with mockery.

Wan Xianyang stepped forward and patted Huo Jinyao on the shoulder. “I regret not getting married earlier. Otherwise, I would have given birth to a son, just to pursue your daughter after they grow up.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not too late for you to give birth now.” Cheng Xianyun didn’t mind joining in the fun. “Marrying a woman three years older than you is blissful. Hurry up and work hard.”

“It’s not just Xianyang who can do it. You can say that about me too.”

Tang Mohan joined in the fun. “I’ll hurry up and work hard to get married. When the time comes, our children will get married.”

“Scram.” Huo Jinyao didn’t pick up on the topic. “All of you, stay away from my daughter.”

The group of people laughed. It was obvious now. In the future, Huo Jinyao would definitely be a daughter-obsessed man. There was no way he wouldn’t be obsessively protective of his daughter.

The banquet began. Old Master Huo went up to the stage to give a speech.

He was very happy today. At his age, he had everything. He loved to watch his family flourish.

“I’m sure everyone knows why I invited everyone here today. I, Huo, am not talented. I’ve been in Rong City for so many years, and I’m indebted to everyone for taking care of me. Thank you all for coming.”

These words were only pleasantries, and no one really thought that they had anything to take care of the Huo family for.

“Everyone knows that this burden will be passed down from generation to generation. What will be passed down? It will be people. Here, I would like to thank my granddaughter-in-law first. I thank her for bringing such a lovely pair of twins to our Huo family. I thank her for her hard work, for allowing my seniority to be upgraded, and I wish her the best. I once said that the most discerning thing my grandson, Huo Jinyao, did as a man in his life was to marry a good woman.”

The audience burst into laughter. Old Master Huo waved his hand, and he continued, “My granddaughter-in-law, Su Qingsang, is not only Huo Jinyao’s good wife, but also the Huo family’s good madam. Now, she has given the Huo family a pair of fraternal twins. An old man like me has nothing to give. I will give two percent of the Tianyu Group’s shares under my name to my granddaughter-in-law.”

What was the market value of the Tianyu Group? Two percent of the shares was quite shocking. With these shares, Su Qingsang could enter the board of directors in the future.

All the guests present turned to look at Su Qingsang, who was holding her child. She didn’t expect such a thing to happen, and couldn’t help but glance at Huo Jinyao.

Huo Jinyao’s reaction was to pinch her palm, to signal for her to calm down.

“It’s just that, why would I want the shares?”

Su Qingsang spoke softly, and Huo Jinyao smiled at her. “Take it if Grandpa gives it to you. Don’t worry. If you feel that it’s too heavy, you can leave it to our two children in the future.”

While they were talking, Old Master Huo had already spoken of the gifts he would give to the twins.

He had two properties under his name and two funds worth more than ten million.

“Jinyao, isn’t Grandpa giving too much?”

They were still two children and didn’t know anything. So what if he gave it to them?

“You, don’t think too much about it. Since Grandpa gave you these things, just keep them.”

“But –”

Su Qingsang wasn’t timid. She looked around. Almost all the Huo family’s relatives had come today.

She wasn’t used to Old Master Huo being so high-profile. It wasn’t just Old Master Huo. After the birth of their grandchildren, Huo Mingguang and Liu Tongjia both gave gifts as well.

The two little rascals were still so young, yet their assets were already quite amazing.

The most important thing was that Old Master Huo gave these things to Xiang Xiang and Nian Nian. Huo Jinyao wasn’t the only one.

He was an only child, but what about Huo Mingliang and Huo Mingmei? There were other people there.

Although they weren’t married yet, they would get married sooner or later, and they would have children sooner or later.

Old Master Huo was so high-profile that others would probably be envious of him.

“Silly.” Huo Jinyao leaned over. “You’re worth it, and so are our children.”

Su Qingsang knew that she couldn’t change Old Master Huo’s mind. She looked at Huo Mingguang’s family, who was at the other table.

Huo Yifan was still in prison, and Huo Yiyang and Huo Manzi were sitting with their parents. It was impossible for them to cause any trouble on such an occasion.

However, the expressions on their faces weren’t pleasant.

“Ignore them.” Huo Jinyao seemed to know what she was thinking. He held her hand tightly and said, “Don’t worry. Trust me, I have the ability to protect you and the two little babies.”

“Okay.”

Su Qingsang wasn’t too worried. She just felt that it wasn’t good to be this high-profile. However, since it had already happened, she could only accept it.

“Actually, you really don’t have to be too nervous. Every time the Huo family’s children are born, a corresponding asset will be given to them. In the future, if Huo Yifan and the others have children, they will definitely get assets as well.”

“Really?”

“Of course it’s true.”

Huo Jinyao nodded. However, it was impossible for theirs to be as grand as Xiang Xiang’s and Nian Nian’s. That was it.

People might say that Old Master Huo was biased, and it was true that regarding some matters, he was indeed more biased towards Huo Jinyao.

That was something that other people could only envy and resent, but couldn’t do anything about.

The banquet was very lively. Xiang Xiang refused to sleep until he was too tired. Only then did he fall asleep in his auntie’s arms.

It didn’t take long for Nian Nian to fall asleep very soundly. In the end, after they returned home, the two little ones woke up together. Wanting their mother, they started to make a ruckus after they woke up.

Su Qingsang had been tired after the entire day, but now, she had no choice but to cheer up and feed the two little ones.

She finally managed to coax the two little ones to sleep again, and she could finally rest.

However, before Su Qingsang could walk to the door and return to her room, Nian Nian started to cry again.

It was different from her usual low moans. Nian Nian was crying a little too loudly this time. Su Qingsang went up to take a look and realized that her daughter didn’t look too well.

“Nian Nian?”

Su Qingsang suddenly became nervous.