novelraw Chapter 257: Announcing the Engagement
Chapter 257: Announcing the Engagement
Huo Anya was suddenly isolated and helpless, only able to pitifully look at her silent grandmother, her teary eyes dropping big, heavy tears of grievance.Although Mrs. Huo wanted to defend her, she couldn’t undermine Old Sir Huo’s authority in front of the younger generation, so she decided to go to the room later and discuss the matter with him properly.
"Yan Ting, a few days ago I had tea with Vice President Chu and talked about the childhood engagement between you and his daughter. We both agreed to officially settle the marriage at the end of next month and pick a good date early next spring to hold the wedding. I’ve met Tingting, she’s polite, beautiful, and proper—the best candidate to be the Huo Family’s young mistress," Old Sir Huo suddenly turned his gaze to Huo Yanting. What he said startled everyone present.
The most shocked of all was Huo Yanting. His previously indifferent expression instantly tensed up.
"Grandfather, the company’s recent overseas expansion has me managing many projects, so I fear I won’t have the time..."
"Work is not an excuse to neglect family responsibilities. The ancients said, ’Establish a family before building a career.’ With a woman supporting you at home, you’ll perform even better at work. Grandfather believes you won’t disappoint me; I’ve always had high hopes for you." Old Sir Huo’s words, to outsiders, sounded like a senior’s kind hopes and encouragement for the younger generation.
But to the ears of the Huo Family, the expressions of everyone changed, especially Huo Tianfeng and his son Huo Qinglin, their faces became particularly grim.
If Old Sir Huo placed such confidence in Huo Yanting and sang his praises, it seemed likely that future control of the family business would fall into Huo Yanting’s hands.
At the thought of his nephew potentially becoming the company’s leader, Huo Tianfeng’s face tightened. He had worked diligently for the company for over twenty years—why should the power go to this junior a generation younger than him?
Huo Tianfeng truly couldn’t reconcile with this!
Mrs. Huo also greatly approved of Old Sir Huo’s suggestion and couldn’t help joyfully chiming in, "That’s right, Tingting is a child I like too—beautiful, polite, first-class family background and character. She and Yan Ting are truly a match made in heaven."
Huo Yanting, deeply opposed to the elders’ decision in his heart, could only voice his dissent with a hint of discontent: "Grandfather, Grandmother, I don’t want to think about relationships right now. Let’s put this matter off for later discussion."
Old Sir Huo, seeing his grandson show such disrespect, immediately adopted a sterner tone: "Yan Ting, is it that you don’t want to talk about relationships, or you don’t want to talk about Chu Family’s daughter? Let me remind you: our future daughter-in-law must be a woman with a compatible family background. Not just anyone can marry into the Huo Family."
Huo Yanting grasped the undertone of his grandfather’s words and grew even more frustrated, striding out without looking back.
Huo Tianfeng, who moments ago had been worrying about the family’s authority possibly falling into Huo Yanting’s hands, instantly felt much better seeing him reject the elders’ good intentions.
If Huo Yanting was dissatisfied with the marriage arrangement, his standing in Old Sir Huo’s eyes would inevitably decline as well.
Huo Tianfeng realized he could no longer sit idly by; he needed to act first to gain the upper hand.
Huo Qinglin, who had been behaving more restrained recently and barely spoke at family gatherings, heard his grandfather talking about Huo Yanting marrying Chu Tingting and felt a sudden sense of cheerfulness.
Perhaps this was something he needed to take advantage of. If Lin Banxia found out that Huo Yanting’s future wife was destined to be Chu Tingting, she would likely stop harboring any illusions about him.