Chapter 6: Waiting for Him to Coax
Jiang Su hadn’t expected Jiang Zhaoyu to suddenly mention Huo Qingyan, his face changing slightly, “We’re fine.”
Jiang Zhaoyu sneered, “Xiaoqi, you don’t tell me the truth anymore?”
“Big Brother…”
“The scandal between Huo Qingyan and Lin Siyue was taken down, do you think we don’t know? Grandma called me this morning asking what’s going on between you and Huo Qingyan!”
Jiang Zhaoyu was clearly angry, and his tone became severe.
The eldest brother was like a father. Jiang Zhaoyu was eight years older than Jiang Su and had always taken care of him, holding significant authority in Jiang Su’s heart.
Jiang Su hadn’t expected everyone to see the scandal between Huo Qingyan and Lin Siyue, his expression somewhat flustered, “I’m sorry, Big Brother.”
“You’re not apologizing to me,” Jiang Zhaoyu’s voice held suppressed anger, “Grandma is old, I believe you wouldn’t want her to worry about your relationship at this age.”
Jiang Su responded softly, “I understand.”
He remembered Aunt Zhao saying that Grandma’s condition had worsened this morning. It was because she had seen the news about Huo Qingyan and Lin Siyue.
However, when he went to his grandmother’s house, his grandmother didn’t ask or say anything.
Being his older brother, Jiang Zhaoyu couldn’t bear to say anything harsher.
He softened his expression and looked at Jiang Su’s arm, “What happened to your hand?”
He had noticed in the ward that Jiang Su’s left hand was moving somewhat slowly.
For a moment, Jiang Su felt like crying.
It turned out that the people who truly cared about him didn’t need him to speak; they would notice his abnormality.
“I had a minor car accident last night,” Jiang Su didn’t dare to lie, afraid Jiang Zhaoyu would worry, and quickly explained, “Minor injuries.”
Despite his repeated emphasis on minor injuries, Jiang Zhaoyu took him to see a doctor for a checkup.
…
Grandma stayed in the hospital for three days.
During those three days, Jiang Su also stayed at the hospital to take care of her.
On the day of discharge, Jiang Zhaoyu drove to pick up his grandmother.
After helping his grandmother into the car, Jiang Su turned his head and found Jiang Zhaoyu looking expressionlessly at something.
Following Jiang Zhaoyu’s gaze, Jiang Su saw Huo Qingyan accompanying Lin Siyue, pushing an elderly person in a wheelchair out of the hospital.
As if sensing something, Huo Qingyan looked over at them.
Upon seeing Jiang Su, Huo Qingyan’s expression tightened.
Jiang Su’s eyes met Huo Qingyan’s, and he quickly looked away at Jiang Zhaoyu, “Big Brother, let’s go.”
He was too preoccupied to be sad, only wanting to leave quickly and prevent his grandmother from seeing Huo Qingyan and Lin Siyue together.
Jiang Zhaoyu understood and didn’t say anything, turning to get in the car.
Lin Siyue was talking to Huo Qingyan and, not getting a response, turned his head to find Huo Qingyan looking at Jiang Su.
By then, Jiang Su had already gotten into the car and left. Lin Siyue asked, “Didn’t Jiang Su see you?”
Huo Qingyan looked away with an unpleasant expression, coldly saying, “Let’s go.”
He knew Jiang Su and his grandmother had a deep bond, so Jiang Su would stay for several days whenever he visited his grandmother.
But this time, Jiang Su had stayed at his grandmother’s house for three days and hadn’t called Huo Qingyan once.
Huo Qingyan usually didn’t like answering calls or replying to WeChat messages, but when Jiang Su didn’t call or message him, he felt something was wrong.
Lin Siyue observed his expression and guessed, “Could it be that you’ve been busy helping my father find a doctor these days, and Jiang Su is angry?”
Huo Qingyan denied it decisively, “No.”
Jiang Su didn’t know what he had been doing these days.
He was probably unhappy about something and was deliberately acting spoiled and ignoring him, waiting for him to coax him.
He wouldn’t tolerate Jiang Su’s bad habit.
…
Grandma was weak after being discharged from the hospital and went to bed upon returning home.
Aunt Zhao was preparing lunch in the kitchen, and Jiang Zhaoyu and Jiang Su went to the yard.
The snow from the previous few days had melted, and it was a rare sunny day.
Jiang Zhaoyu took out a pack of cigarettes, took one out, and handed it to Jiang Su.
Jiang Su shook his head.
Jiang Zhaoyu raised an eyebrow, “Really quit?”
“Huo Qingyan doesn’t like me smoking.”
Jiang Zhaoyu had a smirk.
Jiang Su pursed his lips and said, “You should smoke less too.”
Jiang Zhaoyu lit the cigarette, took a deep drag, and said casually, “Never thought about divorce?”
Jiang Su looked up in surprise.
Divorce?
He had never thought about it.
Jiang Zhaoyu saw Jiang Su’s thoughts and shifted the topic seamlessly, “I’m busy with work. Spend more time with Grandma when you have time.”
“Mm.”
…
Jiang Su stayed with his grandmother for a few more days before going home.
On the way back, he looked through his phone’s contacts and WeChat repeatedly.
Huo Qingyan hadn’t called or texted him.
Huo Qingyan… didn’t miss him at all?
He had time to run around for Lin Siyue’s father’s illness but didn’t have time to check on his grandmother’s condition.
“Young Master, we’re here.”
It was his grandmother’s driver who sent Jiang Su home.
“Thank you, drive safely,” Jiang Su thanked him before getting out of the car and entering the villa.
He hadn’t been home for more than a week, and everything was as it was.
Empty and lifeless.
It was clear that Huo Qingyan hadn’t been home for more than a week either.
Jiang Su suddenly realized that this so-called “home” was only being maintained by him.
He thought about what his brother had said earlier; if he really mentioned divorce, would Huo Qingyan agree without hesitation?
The sound of unlocking the door suddenly came from the doorway.
When Jiang Su saw Huo Qingyan entering, he was surprised, “Why are you back?”
He had returned home after lunch at his grandmother’s house. It was afternoon. Huo Qingyan usually only came home late at night, or not at all.
“There’s a party tonight; I came back to change clothes,” Huo Qingyan’s tone was as cold as ever.
He went straight upstairs.
Jiang Su watched his back, having many things he wanted to ask.
He wanted to ask why Huo Qingyan had been running around for Lin Siyue’s father’s illness these days but wouldn’t spare a moment for him.
Perhaps Jiang Su’s gaze was too intense, causing Huo Qingyan to turn back and ask, “Something?”
Jiang Su hesitated for only half a second, changing the words on his lips, “Should I accompany you?”
Huo Qingyan paused, “No.”
Jiang Su smiled, “Oh.” He didn’t dare to ask.
He was afraid that asking would only annoy Huo Qingyan further.
He was afraid that Huo Qingyan would ask for a divorce.
Soon, Huo Qingyan came downstairs.
“Jiang Su.”
“Mm?” Jiang Su turned around, thinking Huo Qingyan wanted him to accompany him to the party.
Huo Qingyan spread out his long-fingered hand, on which two cufflinks rested quietly, “Help me fasten them.”
Although Jiang Su was a little disappointed, he still smiled, “What time will you be back? I’ll prepare some hangover soup for you.”