The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 562 - 533 Dark Line, Disassociate_1

Chapter 562: Chapter 533 Dark Line, Disassociate_1

Huo Zhekun and Jiang Lifang arrived in Yanjing one day earlier than Huo Yingjie, heading directly to the Huo Family Old Mansion, only to find it sealed off, without any sight of their parents or their brother’s family.

Seeing such a scene, Jiang Lifang turned pale with fright.

What kind of disaster had occurred that the entire household was missing?

The Huo Family was a reputable and well-known family, if everyone was gone, there was only one possibility, they had all been arrested and detained.

"Old Huo, what should we do now?" Jiang Lifang asked, completely at a loss.

Huo Zhekun’s forehead was covered in sweat, the situation was worse than he had imagined, and he stuttered, "We should first ask around, find some familiar homes and see what has happened?"

"Right, we need to find out as soon as possible," Jiang Lifang nodded, knowing the situation was critical for figuring out how to handle it!

However, Huo Zhekun went from one house to another, either being turned away at the door or told by the maids that the head of the household was not available.

Huo Zhekun and Jiang Lifang both understood what was going on; it wasn’t that these people weren’t home, they simply wanted to distance themselves from any connection.

By evening, Huo Zhekun had used special means to contact the Huo Family’s secret allies.

These people were somewhat more reliable compared to those unstable alliances.

Huo Zhekun found a guesthouse for them to stay in, his wife and him settled in there for the time being, where there were undercover Huo Family members.

"Lao Lian, what exactly has happened to the Huo Family?" Huo Zhekun asked quietly, concealing his tracks.

Lao Lian thought for a moment and then, with a pained expression, said, "I’m not entirely sure of the details, but everyone is talking about the Huo Family committing treason and colluding with the enemy."

"Treason and colluding with the enemy?" Huo Zhekun was dumbstruck since he had considered many reasons, but this had never crossed his mind.

As a member of the Huo Family, he knew best whether they were traitors; such a possibility was absolutely impossible!

"Impossible," Huo Zhekun said, "Our Huo Family’s actions might sometimes be biased, but we would never commit treason. Such an accusation must be baseless. Can you tell me in detail why they would say this?"

Lao Lian thought again, his face stricken with sorrow, and said, "It’s said that evidence of the Huo Family’s treason was found in the old mansion. Now, all members of the Huo Family have been detained; we secretly sent you a telegram to inform you. What should we do now? The Huo Family can’t just be finished like this, can it?"

Lao Lian and others were all people who had been protected by the Huo Family.

If the Huo Family fell, how could they live peacefully for much longer?

Huo Zhekun was terrified yet tried to stay calm, saying, "Let’s not panic. We need to investigate further. Tomorrow, I will try to see my father and mother through some channels."

"Alas, if they want to incriminate someone, they will never lack excuses!" Lao Lian said despondently, "It might also be our enemies. Recently, the Zheng Family has been very active. It’s likely to have something to do with the Huo Family’s longstanding rival, the Zheng Family."

"Yes!" Huo Zhekun was afraid, but fear wouldn’t solve any problems. He couldn’t neglect his elderly parents and brother, "Are all members of the Huo Family detained?"

Lao Lian nodded and said, "Yes, everyone, including Zhao Huanhuan."

Upon hearing this, Huo Zhekun’s breath halted, and he was speechless for a long time.

Everyone had been arrested.

Could the Huo Family really not escape this catastrophe?

"We wanted to gather some information, but unfortunately we don’t have the connections or influence; we can’t even get in touch," Lao Lian said with a bitter smile. He also wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do.

"I understand," Huo Zhekun replied, "Those people are targeting the Huo Family, not you. As long as you’re careful with your day-to-day activities, you won’t be in any trouble."

"I hope so," Lao Lian responded, praying that this situation would pass quickly and the Huo Family could overcome their difficulties soon.

Huo Zhekun returned to his room to find that Jiang Lifang had not fallen asleep. She asked softly, "Old Huo, what’s the situation now?"

Huo Zhekun recounted the information he had received from Lao Lian to Jiang Lifang.

After listening, Jiang Lifang remained silent for a long time.

Jiang Lifang cried silently. She dared not cry out loud; her husband was already under a lot of pressure, and she did not want to add to his worries with the sound of her tears.

After a while, Jiang Lifang wiped her tears and said, "Things have come to this point; crying and being anxious are useless. Tomorrow, you go and see if you can get any reliable information from the Huo family’s connections about the whereabouts of your father and mother. I’ll go to the Jiang family to see if I can find out anything useful."

"Your father and mother-in-law, as well as your older brother-in-law’s family, are not in Yanjing, and the rest are members of the Jiang family. Going there might not yield any news," Huo Zhekun did not want his wife to go, lest the matters of the Huo Family cause her to lose face in front of the Jiang family.

"I know you are worried about me," Jiang Lifang said, "But in such an urgent situation, we can’t afford to worry about that. The more connections we have, the more hope there is. I’m not expecting those people to help us; I just want to ask someone who is informed so we can devise an effective strategy."

Huo Zhekun saw that his wife’s face was tired, her hair somewhat disheveled. He felt distressed and reached out to tidy her hair, saying, "You’ve had it hard, get some rest soon, we still have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Yes, let’s rest early," Jiang Lifang said, "We are husband and wife, for better or for worse. No matter what happens, don’t take extremes. You still have me and Yingjie. And remember, ’As long as the green hills last, there will be no shortage of firewood.’ As long as we are well, we can save your parents and rescue the Huo Family."

Huo Zhekun did not speak but just held his wife tightly, hoping to draw a trace of warmth from her, to give him the courage to face the difficulties that lay ahead.

The next day, Jiang Lifang went to the Jiang family in the east of the city.

Most members of the Jiang family kept their distance from Jiang Lifang. Only her uncle, upon seeing Jiang Lifang, called her into the house.

Jiang Lifang’s aunt showed a trace of embarrassment upon seeing her. She and her husband had agreed not to meet their niece, but her husband hadn’t listened.

Now that she was here, they could not simply send Jiang Lifang away.

After all, Jiang Lifang had always shown them respect, never missing any festival throughout the year.

Now that the Huo Family was in trouble, it would be dishonorable to spurn her.

"Lifang, come with me to the room, I will tell you about the Huo Family’s situation," Second Uncle Jiang said, "Old lady, hurry up and cook, we will have Lifang stay for lunch."

"There’s no need, Second Uncle, let’s go to the study first," Jiang Lifang replied, noticing the awkwardness on her aunt’s face. She came to gather information and didn’t want to dwell on these issues.

For Second Uncle to take the time to bring her in and inform her of the Huo Family’s state of affairs was something she deeply appreciated.

"Go get ready," Second Uncle Jiang urged, glancing sternly at Second Aunt Jiang.

"Oh! I’ll go right now," Second Aunt Jiang said with dissatisfaction. But with the old man insisting, she couldn’t oppose him.

Otherwise, knowing her husband’s stubborn temper, there would be a quarrel.

It was just a meal, after all. Second Aunt Jiang went to the kitchen to cook, occasionally peeking out to check the study door, hoping they would finish talking soon. She did not want the Jiang family and the Huo Family to be entangled too much.