Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Clean Break between Me and the Huo Family


    “Is Grandfather discussing this with me, or just informing me?” His tone was indifferent, as if he was utterly disappointed.


    “Since you understand, just sign it.”


    The old man ced the agreement in front of him.


    “Mr. Huo!” Qiao Xi grabbed his hand, “No one can force you.”


    She watched, wide-eyed, as he lost one thing after another that belonged to him.


    Huo Xingzhou looked up at the robust and insightful elder, “I have something in my hand.”


    ...


    He took out a voice recorder, ced it in front of Old Master Huo, and pressed y.


    This was the truth Huo Beiting had drunkenly spoken the night he got drunk with Jin Kai, his voice the only one on the recording: “The… car ident, it was my nning.”


    “Why didn’t he die? Being a cripple is pretty good too.”


    “Huo Xingzhou should have died a long time ago, Zhuo Feng… hehe, Zhuo Feng is also my man.”


    Old Huo Weiguo’s face turned even more ashen, and he said darkly, “Drunk bbering, it doesn’t count as any evidence.”


    “If I hand it over to the media, they will certainly make a big deal out of it,” Huo Xingzhou said, “Justice resides in people’s hearts. At home, we still have the poison powder prepared by Zhuo Feng, I’m afraid it can’t bepletely separated from Huo Beiting.”


    He was well aware that this couldn’t stand as formal evidence in court; the drunken recording was only something he could use to threaten the old man.


    “You’re threatening me, don’t you want to give up 5% of the shares that much? You know the oue of defying me, and you’re not the only one in the second branch.” The old man was furious.


    “I know Grandfather’s abilities. I can sign that agreement, but I have one condition.”


    His fingers deftly yed with the signing pen as he spoke nonchntly, “I want to sever ties! To break away from the Huo n! From now on, the ‘Huo’ in Huo Xingzhou will not be the Huo of the Huo Family!”


    A buzzing noise filled Qiao Xi’s ears.


    He wanted to break away from the family!


    This was the shocking and unspeakable act he referred to.


    Old Master Huo bellowed with rage, “Huo Xingzhou! What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”


    “I want topletely sever ties with the Huo Family,” he said, his gaze icy and aloof, like a noble and distant, high mountain blossom.


    Huo Weiguo covered his chest in anger, “Our Huo Family has a hundred-year tradition: those who betray the family are severely punished by the familyw. Execute with the warning stick, cut off the blood ties! All the glory and power of the Huo Family will have nothing to do with him!”


    “I was born into the Huo Family, protected by the n from childhood, and have made contributions to the family. Only this bloodline, I cannot wash away! If the familyw should apply to me, whether to be executed or beaten, we’ll be even!” Huo Xingzhou’s stare was frosty.


    “You… you! Steward, enforce the familyw!” hemanded sharply, “Bring it!”


    The steward hesitated briefly but then ran towards the ancestral hall. It had been many years since the familyw was invoked; the Huo Family was about to face a major incident!


    “The second young master wants to sever ties!”


    “Is the second young master really going to break off rtions with the Huo Family?”


    A state of unrest ran through the Huo Family; Wang Fengxian watched themotion from outside the door.


    The steward carefully fetched the warning stick, a rod made of willow wood, more than half a foot long, painted with shiny redcquer, glistening.


    The old Huo Family master took it, and with fury burning, he demanded, “Have you thought it through? There’s no turning back from this!”


    “Please, Grandfather, write a Letter of Severance by hand and stamp your seal on it, to prevent any possibility of you changing your mind,” Huo Xingzhou said, still provoking him as he stood tall.


    “Fine! Fine!”


    Huo Weiguo, in a fit of rage, scribbled a few lines, signed, and pressed his red handprint on the paper. He then threw the paper at Huo Xingzhou, who also signed the “Share Transfer Agreement.”


    “Huo Xingzhou, you better not regret this!” The old man, even in his partiality, always had a bit of favoritism for Huo Xingzhou.


    But shielding the main branch and being so harsh on the second, it was truly disheartening.


    “Begin the punishment!”


    Huo Xingzhou looked up, his gaze burning fiercely.


    “No! Old Master, Huo Xingzhou still has injuries, he can’t be beaten!” Qiao Xi said anxiously.


    “Qiao Xi, you go out first,” Huo Xingzhou pushed her away.


    “I won’t leave.”


    Qiao Xi spread her arms wide, standing in front of him, like a hen protecting her chicks.


    “Get out of the way!”


    The club could not see; the old man, blinded by anger, struck wildly towards Huo Xingzhou.


    A dull thud.


    One strike after another.


    Qiao Xi embraced Huo Xingzhou, shielding him from harm.


    “Qiao Xi, get out of the way!” Huo Xingzhou regretted bringing her here a little.


    “I don’t want to!”


    Stubbornly, Qiao Xi protected him even more tightly.


    “Mr. Huo, husband and wife are one. You have done so much for me, I also want to do something for you, something that will make you truly satisfied!”


    Qiao Xi clenched her teeth, her eyes reddening.


    She thought he was foolish, clearly having more malicious and ruthless methods to avoid this suffering.


    Yet he chose to leave the Huo Family in such an upright manner.


    Even knowing it was his n, she still felt heartache.


    Huo Xingzhou extended his hand, pulling her into his arms to block the rain-like blows from the old master.


    “Huo Xingzhou!” The old man panted heavily, “Admit your mistakes, and I can take back what I said before.”


    Huo Xingzhou’s fingers spasmed with a pale blue, “The n harmed me, deceived me, and even you are an aplice; what wrong do you want me to admit?”


    “Don’t regret this!”


    The rare warmth and teachings of his childhood with his grandfather, all shattered with each strike!


    In Huo Xingzhou’s heart, those memories were gouged out.


    He severed all ties with the most decisive method.


    …


    Wang Fengxian watched from outside, excitedly and schadenfreudingly calling Huo Beiting, “Huo Xingzhou is courting death himself, inciting the old man to apply familyw! Hurry back and enjoy the show!”


    She was truly feeling invigorated today.


    Beat him!


    Best to beat that cripple to death!


    Bang!


    The old man, gasping for air, threw the willow stick aside.


    Huo Xingzhou’s back was spotted with blood, his white shirt stained with crimson. Hisplexion deathly pale, his fingers gripped tightly to the sides of the wheelchair. Qiao Xi was also injured, but seemed much better off.


    Huo Xingzhou folded the Letter of Severance and ced it in his inner pocket.


    Trying to appear strong, he said, “Your sickness seems to have worsened; even beating people doesn’t seem to take much effort.”


    “You…” The old man nearly fainted with rage.


    “If one day, someone can cure your cold disease, what are you willing to pay?” Huo Xingzhou asked gravely.


    He wanted to collect some interest in advance for Qiao Xi’s suffering today.


    The old man looked at him, regaining his calm, “I would offer a hefty reward and treat them as an honored guest.”


    Huo Xingzhou inquired further, “What if it made your beloved grandchild of the Huo’s main house bow and kowtow?”


    “Filial pietyes first! They should kowtow for a senior’s sake.”


    “Remember your own words,” Huo Xingzhou held Qiao Xi’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”


    “Okay.”


    Huo Laoye coughed angrily, “Once you leave, cough cough… don’te back ever again!”


    Qiao Xi pushed Huo Xingzhou’s wheelchair, step by step, heading outside. It seemed she hade to see Huo Xingzhou anew, with his proud spine, principles, and bottom line.


    Kind and righteous, living and human.


    When they exited the living room, the entire Huo’s main family had arrived.


    Wang Fengxian, sporting bright red nails, said, “In our Huo family, there hasn’t been an unfilial person for decades. Xingzhou, you’re really confused.”


    Huo Jianjun hypocritically stated, “We’re family, why so impulsive!”


    Huo Beiting felt supremely satisfied, gloating, “You really dug your own grave! Isn’t it just the 5% shares? Is it worth making such a big fuss? Next month is grandfather’s seventieth birthday, and the founder of Tianyuan Group will be there too, a double celebration!”


    “Huo Xingzhou, such a grand event has nothing to do with you anymore! From now on, I am the elite of Haicheng, and you’re the outcast of the family, just amon, lowly person! We’re worlds apart!”


    Huo Beiting raised his voice, “I have plenty of ways to ruin you!”