Chapter Nineteen: Delivering the Car

“Dad, what are you doing here?” Lin Xiu instinctively called out, and Su Mian quickly followed with a greeting.

“This is the Huo family estate. If I’m not here, then where else should I be?” The old man’s tone was somewhat stern as he glanced first at Su Mian, then at Lin Xiu.

Finally, his gaze settled on Su Mian.

“Stay for dinner tonight. After we eat, I have something to discuss.”

Though Su Mian couldn’t guess the old man’s intentions, she dared not refuse.

Lin Xiu followed Su Mian to the room to change into fresh clothes.

After changing, just as they sat down at the dining table, others gradually arrived.

No one spoke during the meal; they quietly finished eating and, with unspoken understanding, moved to the adjacent living room.

“Do you know why I asked all of you to stay?” The old man’s firm voice resonated around the room.

His gaze swept over everyone present.

After scanning the room, his cane tapped sharply against the floor.

“Since you have married into the Huo family, you represent the family’s face to the outside world. It’s one thing for sisters-in-law to have disagreements, but to come to blows? What does that say about the Huo family’s traditions and dignity?”

His words fell like a heavy silence across the room.

Lin Xiu began to murmur an explanation, but Su Mian reached out and gently pulled her back into silence.

“This time, I’ll let it slide. Each of you will lose your allowance for three months—a small punishment, a big warning. If this happens again, don’t blame me for being unforgiving!”

Though the old man spoke sternly, his eyes remained fixed on Lin Xiu.

Pouting in defiance, Lin Xiu was well aware of the old man’s decisiveness.

In the end, she opened her mouth but said nothing.

The old man went on with various trivial remarks.

They all centered on family harmony and unity among the children—no matter one’s true feelings, the Huo family’s reputation must never be tarnished.

After more than half an hour, the family meeting finally ended.

Su Mian packed her things to leave but was suddenly pulled back into the room by Lin Xiu.

“What are you doing, Mom?” Su Mian struggled free, eyeing Lin Xiu with suspicion. “What now?”

Lin Xiu’s expression was strange.

Once inside, Lin Xiu closed the door and pulled Su Mian down onto a nearby chair.

Her tone was earnest and almost pleading: “Have you gotten back your rightful shares yet?”

Su Mian was caught off guard, pausing before answering seriously.

“I already spoke with Aunt Qin. They promised they would give them to me.”

“‘Will give’ and ‘already gave’ are two different things. Anyone can say nice words. When will you actually get them?”

Though Lin Xiu usually indulged in pleasures without a care, she was sharp enough to catch the problem in Su Mian’s words.

“I know. I believe Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin will give it to me. But there’s no need to rush. Besides, Uncle Qin’s birthday is coming up. If I must bring it up, I’d rather wait until after his birthday.”

Hearing this, Lin Xiu sighed.

“How should I put this? You’re always thinking of others—when will you think about yourself? Your brother and I are counting on you!”

Despite Lin Xiu’s countless complaints, Su Mian remained unmoved.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out now.” Su Mian grabbed her bag, ready to leave, but Lin Xiu blocked her.

“Wait a moment.” Lin Xiu looked up awkwardly, yet with a touch of righteous insistence. “Could you give me some pocket money? You heard what the old man said—our allowances are stopped. There’s surely nothing left.”

Su Mian was puzzled.

“Don’t you have any savings?”

Shaking her head, Lin Xiu replied, “I don’t have any savings. They only give me so much every month. I have to entertain people and manage relationships. I’m lucky if I don’t have to borrow.”

Su Mian was speechless. That was clearly an excuse.

The Huo family was vast and influential; Lin Xiu shouldn’t be the one managing relationships.

After a moment of silence, Su Mian spoke.

“I just started working and don’t have much money. Those so-called relationships—you don’t have to bother with them. From now on, I’ll give you twenty thousand a month.”

Lin Xiu instantly exploded.

“How can that be enough? The Huo family gives me two hundred thousand a month. Your twenty thousand is barely enough to cover expenses!”

To Lin Xiu, what Su Mian offered was a mere drop in the bucket.

Su Mian rolled her eyes. “You know how it is. Even with that much allowance, you don’t behave yourself. I only have twenty thousand. If you want it, fine. If not, forget it.”

Su Mian was about to open the door and leave. Afraid Su Mian might really withhold the money, Lin Xiu reluctantly agreed.

At the stairwell corner, Su Mian nearly collided with Huo Beihan.

“Sorry,” she said, stepping back with a hint of apology but no intention to say more.

Huo Beihan stood at the stairway, showing no sign of moving aside.

Su Mian looked up in confusion.

Huo Beihan said, “Since you’re here for a rare visit, just sleep at home.”

His tone was calm, but his gaze was oddly unsettling.

Su Mian wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent, checking the time and preparing to decline.

Huo Beihan added, “I’m heading to Yingtai tomorrow morning too. I can go with you.”

Since it was late and no taxis were available, and Su Mian hadn’t bought a car, the distance back to her old apartment was considerable. After some thought, she agreed.

“All right.”

Before leaving her former room, Su Mian tidied up a bit, then stepped out to get a drink—only to run into Huo Beihan again.

But this time, strangely, neither spoke.

Su Mian lost her desire for water and turned back to close the door.

Seeing her reaction, Huo Beihan seemed somewhat helpless.

Still, he said nothing.

Early the next morning, after Su Mian got ready and stepped outside, she found Huo Beihan already waiting with the car parked at the door.

“Thank you,” she said as she buckled her seatbelt in the passenger seat, eyes fixed ahead.

“Why, don’t you have anything to say to me?” Huo Beihan’s deep voice came from the driver’s seat midway through the drive.

“No,” Su Mian replied with two words, her tone clearly serious.

“By the way, I bought a car a few days ago. The style doesn’t quite suit me. I’ll give it to you later.”

Hearing this, Su Mian’s voice grew apprehensive.

“Why?”

She thought it over and asked directly.

After all, their relationship hadn’t reached the point where he’d gift her a car.

But Huo Beihan remained silent, and the car was again enveloped in quiet.

After driving a bit further, he finally spoke.

“It’s not that I want to give it to you. It’s just that Grandpa went a bit too far this time.”

Su Mian was puzzled.

How was Grandpa’s overreach connected to Huo Beihan giving her a car?

Then Huo Beihan continued, “Consider it as making up for Grandpa cutting Aunt Lin’s allowance.”