Nan Xiangbei said with some disappointment, "Alright then. If there's nothing else, I'll be going out."
Nan Xiao cast a glance at him, took a bank card from the drawer, and tossed it to him. "You've worked hard during this time. Take a few days off and go relax."
Nan Xiangbei blinked, instantly understanding his meaning.
This move from the boss was truly something! He wanted to investigate someone but refused to say it directly, instead using the pretense of letting him go relax.
Nan Xiangbei took the card with a smile and sauntered out.
Nokas, beautiful and prosperous, here I come~
West City, Huo Family
Old Huo stood at the main entrance, craning his neck in anticipation. Seeing a white Range Rover approaching from a distance, his eyes lit up.
After the car stopped, Elder Hong walked out, holding Zhaozhao and Mumu in each arm.
Old Huo looked at the two children and walked over with a smile. "Are these your two little grand-disciples? They look like figures from a New Year's painting!"
Mumu hugged Elder Hong's neck and asked in a milky voice, "Grand-master, what's a New Year's painting figure?"
Elder Hong smiled fondly. "They're like the posters nowadays, pasted on walls."
Old Huo let out a hearty laugh after hearing Elder Hong's explanation.
"Hello, Grandpa Huo!" Zhaozhao, though not very talkative, was still polite.
Seeing her brother greet him, Mumu also smiled and called out, "Hello, Grandpa Huo~"
"Good, good!" Old Huo took out two jade locks from his pocket and put them on each child.
After exchanging a glance, Zhaozhao and Mumu looked at Elder Hong.
Elder Hong smiled and said, "Wear what Grandpa Huo gives you, or he'll get angry."
Zhaozhao and Mumu thanked him obediently and followed Elder Hong and Old Huo into the Huo residence.
Old Huo had a servant prepare food and toys for the two children. He looked at them with affectionate eyes for a while before saying to Elder Hong.
"Old Hong, there's no one I envy in this life, except you! You've never married, but you're surrounded by descendants and enjoy family bliss. Unlike me, who needs an appointment just to see my son and grandson."
Elder Hong chuckled and shook his head. "If you feel lonely, come visit me often."
"Alright! As long as you don't get tired of me, I'll come every day." Old Huo saw the two children fiddling with a Transformer and lowered his voice. "Did Yu Xi really adopt these two children?"
Elder Hong glanced at the children and also lowered his voice. "Don't say such things in front of the children. They've always considered Yu Xi their biological mother."
Hearing this, Old Huo nodded with relief. "Old Hong, what do you think of my grandson?"
Just as Elder Hong was about to praise Huo Ding, he realized something in the next second.
He eyed his old friend warily and asked, "What are you planning?"
Old Huo chuckled. "Don't you know what I'm planning? It's just that Yu Xi is too outstanding. I wonder if she'll take a liking to my Huo Ding?"
Mumu, eavesdropping with her little ears, secretly poked Zhaozhao's arm.
Zhaozhao gave her a "calm down" look.
The two little ones lowered their eyes and continued playing with their toys.
Elder Hong pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "Yu Xi's career has just begun, and she's probably not thinking about romance right now. Old Huo, we're old. Let the children handle their own matters. If they're meant to be, they'll find their way to each other without our intervention."
Old Huo anxiously grabbed Elder Hong's arm. "They knew each other before, but they haven't seen each other since Yu Xi returned. How much fate is needed for them to meet by chance? How about this, I'll arrange a dinner party tonight. You invite Yu Xi, and I'll invite Huo Ding. We won't say anything, just a simple meal. If there's no spark between them, I'll give up."
Seeing Elder Hong still hesitating, Old Huo continued to persuade him. "Don't you want to keep Yu Xi close? I've looked at the young people around her; they're all elites, but the only drawback is that none of those boys are from the capital. If Yu Xi is taken away, don't come crying to me!"
Elder Hong thought of his beloved disciple's four years of being missing, and his heart fluttered.
The old man shifted his gaze to the two children, his eyes filled with deep reluctance. "I'll call Xi'er later to ask if she has time."
"Don't wait! Call now. Yu Xi is so busy; she might get another invitation." Old Huo eagerly offered his phone.
Elder Hong pushed his hand away and took out his own phone to dial Lan Yu Xi.
Lan Yu Xi was secretly feeling melancholic. She thought she could let go, but upon seeing Nan Xiao, her heart became uncontrollably restless.
Lan Yu Xi pursed her lips and cursed her beloved son inwardly countless times. If her little rascal hadn't secretly bought Nan's stocks, she wouldn't have gone to see Nan Xiao before she had completely let go.
Lan Yu Xi had a headache. Her son was simply terrifying! A small person, yet he dared to plot to bring down Nan's. Who gave him such confidence! Did Nan Xiao look that fragile?
You little brat, if I hadn't discovered it early, you would have been devoured by your father!
"Beep... beep..." Elder Hong's call came at this moment.
Seeing it was her master's call, Lan Yu Xi quickly answered, "Master, have those two little rascals caused trouble again?"
Elder Hong said displeasantly, "The children are well-behaved! Better than you!"
Lan Yu Xi pouted.
Seeing that she had gone silent, Elder Hong cleared his throat and asked somewhat uncomfortably, "Are you free tonight? Old Huo wants to invite you to dinner."
Upon hearing that Old Huo wanted to invite her to dinner, Lan Yu Xi sheepishly ran a hand through her hair.
"No, how can Old Huo treat me to dinner? Old Huo and Uncle Huo have helped me a lot. I must treat them to this meal. Please ask Old Huo and Uncle Huo what cuisine they prefer, and I'll book a restaurant right away."
Elder Hong glanced at the eagerly expectant Old Huo. "Xi'er is asking what you like to eat. She wants to treat you and Zi Xian to dinner."
Old Huo snatched the phone from him, his face full of smiles. "Yu Xi, Zi Xian is out inspecting work and won't be back for a while. However, Huo Ding is available. I'll bring Huo Ding along tonight. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not! Old Huo, what cuisine do you like?"
"I'm fine with anything. Huo Ding is just like me; he's not picky."
Elder Hong looked at his old friend with disdain. How could this old man be so childish!
"Xi'er, go to Emperor's Grand. They have all kinds of cuisine there," Elder Hong shouted into the phone.
Lan Yu Xi quickly agreed.
Old Huo originally wanted to chat with Lan Yu Xi for a bit, but Elder Hong snatched the phone away.
After Elder Hong hung up, he chided his old friend irritably, "Why are you like this? You arranged the gathering, but now it's my Xi'er footing the bill?"
Old Huo snorted. "I'll pay in advance when we get there. Is that acceptable?"
Elder Hong also snorted. "That's more like it!"