Young Master Is Being Jealous Again!
Chapter 818: Without a Wedding, Everything is Possible

Chapter 818: Chapter 818: Without a Wedding, Everything is Possible

The birthday cake, embodying both the natural and artistic beauty in its exquisite purity, was jointly cut by Huo Yunjiao and Qin Ruan.

The cake-cutting ceremony did not stop after their first slice; Huo Qiang took over from behind and with perfect slicing skills, divided the huge birthday cake into countless pieces.

Holding the first piece of cake brought by a subordinate, Huo Yunjiao pinched a fork with her fair fingers, bringing the cake to Qin Ruan’s lips, the sweet and delicious cake brushed her lips.

His eyes were gentle, and his voice pleasant as he spoke, "The cake contains pure fat dark and white chocolate from France and also Madagascar dark chocolate—try it, how does it taste?"

Qin Ruan parted her lips and the piece of cake brought to her mouth was taken in.

The smooth, velvet-like cake melted in her mouth, flawless in taste.

At the moment she tasted the cake, a surge of happiness overwhelmed her.

"Delicious," Qin Ruan murmured with slightly squinting eyes, the coldness in her eyes replaced by tenderness and satisfaction.

Seeing her enjoy the cake, Huo Yunjiao fed her slowly and thoroughly enjoyed the process.

Qin Anguo, Qin Jingcen, and Qin Mei stood not far away, each holding a piece of cake in their hands.

They observed the warmth between Uncle Three and Qin Ruan, their expressions and emotions varied.

Just before Qin Mei and Qin Ruan returned, the Huo Family had obtained the paternity test results between the Yan Family Head and Qin Ruan; they did not keep it a secret from Qin Anguo and his sons.

When Qin Mei found out about his two newfound uncles at the Imperial Court Hotel, Qin Anguo and Qin Jingcen also saw the paternity test delivered by the Huo Family.

Emotions were complex among the three, particularly for Qin Anguo.

The woman he had been with for so many years, who had long passed away, turned out to be a young lady from an aristocratic family in Northern England, a truth that distressed him deeply.

He wondered if his late wife, a pampered young lady from the Yan Family, would have lived longer had she not met him and endured so many hardships.

The cake Qin Anguo held felt as heavy as a thousand catties, his eyes sore and aching.

Seeing his father’s trembling hand, Qin Jingcen said softly, "Dad, whatever it is, we can talk later. Today is little sister’s birthday, let’s eat the cake first."

"Right, today is Ruanruan’s birthday, let’s not make her unhappy."

Qin Anguo withdrew his gaze from his daughter and turned to leave, his steps hasty and abrupt.

He seemed to stoop more, aging over a decade in an instant, his vitality seemed shattered.

Qin Jingcen and Qin Mei exchanged looks, their eyes filled with a heavy and indescribably complex light.

Chasing after their father’s figure, they wanted to offer comfort but did not know what to say.

Qin Ruan, oblivious to the difficult secret shared by her father and two brothers, finished the entire piece of cake under Uncle Three’s feeding.

Lu Han along with juniors from other two major families and six aristocratic families, came forward to make small talk, their words nothing but birthday wishes and blessings for her happiness with Uncle Three.

Some also probed about the wedding date between her and Uncle Three.

In response, Huo Yunjiao stated that the wedding was set for next year; as for the exact time, it would depend on Qin Ruan’s arrangements.

This statement shut everyone up, simultaneously quelling many people’s ulterior motives.

Qin Ruan’s background was considered unspeakable; whenever mentioned, people’s first impression was of her living eighteen years in the poverty-stricken area of West City.

Even after returning to the Qin Family eighteen years later, her status still did not compare to that of the daughters from the four major families and six aristocratic families, not even to those from minor families in Capital City.

Regardless of having a child or Uncle Three’s proposal,

as long as a wedding had not been conducted, anything was still possible.

Marriages within large families were always linked to interests, and the Huo Family, now spanning four generations, ensured that marriages for the elderly patriarch, the brothers Huo Hongxing, and Huo Junxin, were evenly matched.

One should not speak of equality for all, without distinction of noble and common.

In the circles at the top, such statements could only be regarded as absurd.

In high society, whether in the Cabinet sector or the economic sector, what mattered was resources. When two aristocratic families joined forces, they could share each other’s resources, which allowed them to better protect their interests.

The marriages of the Huo family members, whether from the main line or the branches, had inseparable ties with the major families of Capital City.

Many focused on the suitability of the match, harboring unusual thoughts about the marriage between Huo Junxin and Qin Ruan.

As long as they did not hold their wedding ceremony, their marriage could be said to be in name only, leaving room for others to rise above them.

Finding herself at the center of a maelstrom of relationships and interests, Huo Yunjiao could not help but see through some people’s ulterior motives.

He did not enlighten Qin Ruan about these things but rather, embracing her slender waist, made use of the birthday banquet to introduce her to the other three major families and six aristocratic families’ influential members, including some not-to-be-underestimated small family leaders and outstanding descendants.

Throughout the lavish feast of clinking glasses, Qin Ruan followed closely by Junxin’s side.

She usually did not wear high heels, but walking around in them all evening, her ankles began to ache.

Huo Yunjiao, sensitive to every reaction from Qin Ruan, seemed gentle but was actually distant. Glancing inadvertently at the high heels on her feet, he suppressed a hint of a smile.

He apologized to the people he was socializing with, then bent down and swept Qin Ruan off her feet with such swiftness that nobody had a chance to react.

In that instant, everyone around fell silent, staring at them in astonishment.

Under their gaze, Junxin, who was always perceived as reserved and cold, confidently carried Qin Ruan away without any pressure.

Having been suddenly lifted, Qin Ruan’s hands frantically wrapped around Huo Yunjiao’s neck.

The banquet was nearly over, so their departure did not disrupt anything.

Watching them ascend the staircase, Lu Han said to his younger brother with a smile, "Junxin really never misses a moment to show how much he values Qin Ruan."

Lu Yichen also smiled, "Given the Huo Family’s current status, even the Cabinet cannot shake them; acting is out of the question."

He had been watching Qin Ruan all evening, and from the way Junxin had consistently stayed by her side, it was clear how much he valued her.

"An act?" Lu Han said meaningfully, "Indeed, Junxin has put on quite a show, one that represents the Huo Family’s stance towards Qin Ruan."

His gaze flicked towards a few people with small schemes in mind, a hint of scorn flashing in his eyes.

Lu Yichen tugged at his shirt collar, catching the implication of his brother’s words, and gave a knowing smile.

As observers, the brothers had a clear view of some matters.

Huo Yunjiao carried Qin Ruan back to the bedroom, sat her down on the bed, and bent to smoothly pull off the high heels from her feet.

"No, I can do it myself!"

Qin Ruan, embarrassed to have Junxin removing her shoes, reached out to stop him.

She was too slow, and Junxin had already deftly removed her shoes and picked up a pair of home slippers by the bed to put on her feet.

The sight of a red mark on her pale heel caught his eye.

Huo Yunjiao slightly furrowed his brows, "If you’re not used to wearing high heels, don’t wear them in the future."

In his deep voice was a tinge of barely discernible heartache.