Chapter 348: Chapter 349: Huo Chen’s Father Comes to Acknowledge Chapter 348: Chapter 349: Huo Chen’s Father Comes to Acknowledge Huo Chen looked at Zhang Yanlin with eyes devoid of any emotion, even a bit resistant. They say blood is thicker than water, but he felt no such impulse.

He gave Zhang Yanlin a cold glance, his eyes utterly indifferent, “Who are you?”

Zhang Yanlin’s eyes brimmed with tears as he stretched out both arms, about to embrace Huo Chen.

Huo Chen stepped back a few paces, avoiding the hug.

Zhang Yanlin’s eyes flickered and he said, “Huo Chen, I am your dad.

I’m sorry, I let you suffer these past years, it’s all dad’s fault.”

The term ‘dad’ was, in Huo Chen’s view, optional. When he was little and called a ‘bastard’ by others, he had hoped for his own parents to be somewhere out there.

As he grew up, he became increasingly averse to relatives and had never thought about getting married or having children until he met Xu Ying, only then did he understand that a family could be so happy.

Huo Chen raised his eyes to look at Zhang Yanlin and said indifferently, “I have no father; you might have mistaken me for someone else.”

Zhang Yanlin forced a smile, “How could that be, your mother’s surname was Zhou, she died giving birth to you, and the midwife said you died with her.

But I never expected the midwife would deceive me, I’m sorry, it’s all dad’s fault.

Even if you don’t want to acknowledge me, it doesn’t matter; you are still the child of the Zhang Family, and my family’s door will always be open for you.”

Zhang Yanlin maintained a respectful distance, not pressing too hard but giving Huo Chen time to think.

Looking at Granny Huo, he said, “I heard from this gentleman that the Jade Pendant is still around?

Don’t worry, even if he is my son, he is still your grandson; as long as Huo Chen is willing to go back with me, I will also take you back with us.”

Granny Huo’s eyes turned red as she glanced at her grandson. At her old age, she did not want to be a burden to her grandson. Thanking Zhang Yanlin for his kindness, she turned to look at Xu Ying, “The Jade Pendant was given to my granddaughter-in-law.”

Xu Ying put down her chopsticks, preparing to bring out the Jade Pendant.

Zhang Yanlin smiled, “No need to take it out; the Jade Pendant is from Huo Chen’s mother’s family.

Huo Chen, even if you don’t want to acknowledge me as your father, your mom died in childbirth trying to bring you into this world, and until her death, she never saw your maternal grandparents.

They went through the pain of ‘white-haired people sending off the black-haired ones.’ If you wish, you can go see your grandparents, who are also in Shanghai.”

Zhang Yanlin took out a photograph.

When Huo Chen saw the people in the photo clearly, a complex emotion flashed across his eyes; no wonder he felt a sense of closeness when he first met those two elders.

It turned out they were his grandparents.

Huo Chen’s body trembled slightly, which Xu Ying noticed. She put down her chopsticks and walked over.

Her delicate fingers took hold of Huo Chen’s large hand, their fingers intertwined, “If you want to go and see, we will be going back in three days, and I will accompany you then.”

Huo Chen nodded. It turned out he had some past connection with the elderly Zhou couple; the first time he went to Shanghai to do business, it was the two of them who helped introduce people, bringing profit to the machinery factory.

That was also how she got a job at the machinery factory. Later on, his half-automatic production machine design–aside from Xu Ying helping with external marketing and publicity–they also purchased from the Zhou couple.

Huo Chen took the address of the elderly Zhou couple and said no more.

Naturally, Zhang Yanlin was not going to make a nuisance of himself and sensibly left.

No sooner had he driven off in his car
Did the villagers of Xujia Village all gathered together.

Huo Hanjie had just left the Huo Family and was instantly surrounded by the crowd.

“Hanjie, who was driving the small sedan just now?”

“It couldn’t have been Huo Chen’s family coming to look for him, could it?”

Huo Hanjie let out a sly laugh, and with a careless demeanor, said, “Exactly, and they even came from the big city of Shanghai, their family is really rich now.”

Xu Qingqing’s face turned green with irritation from a distance.

She had always thought that Xu Ying marrying a country man was a step down for her, but she didn’t expect that Xu Ying had found herself a golden son-in-law.

Not only did he have a city residence registration, but he was also extremely wealthy.

The fact that he could drive a small sedan meant that his family must live in a western-style house.

Xu Qingqing felt so jealous that she could taste the sourness in her mouth, feeling life’s injustice even more.

She was now hanging on by a last thread, waiting for Sun Yiliang to return after getting into college.

After all, Sun Yiliang was a teacher, and even if not the best, he surely had to be better than Xu Ying.

After Zhang Yanlin left, Granny Huo told her grandson not to worry about her, “Chen, just follow your heart, my dear. I’ve lived my years and staying in the village with your grandfather is good enough for me.

Young people like you should go out and explore if that’s what you desire. I see that your father cares a lot about it. If you want to go back, then go back.”

She was old and didn’t want to cause trouble anymore.

Huo Chen looked at Granny Huo and walked over to her, bending down just like when he was a child, kneeling on her legs, “Granny, what are you talking about?

Even if I go out, I’ll take you with me, you’ll always be my granny.”

Granny Huo looked at her grandson with relief, tears welling up in her eyes, patting his shoulder, “You’re a good boy, but your granny’s roots are here, and I don’t want to run around anywhere else.

Yingying’s parents are also here, I’m fine with them around. It’s you who should go and meet your relatives.”

Granny Huo was always worried about her grandson, who had been independent since he was little and without other relatives to help. What worried her most was who would care for him after she passed away.

Now that his family had found him, she was quite happy.

“I will go, but I will always be your grandson,” said Huo Chen and got up to start busying himself.

After Xu Ying finished her meal, she started studying in the yard.

She ate dinner late and wasn’t very hungry at noon, but Granny Huo, an elderly person, needed to eat on a regular schedule.

Xu Ying stretched comfortably in the sun, closed her book, and went into the kitchen.

“Granny, let’s have tossed noodles for lunch!” Xu Ying called out.

Granny Huo immediately stood up, treating her delicate granddaughter-in-law with the utmost care, “You girl, just entered the family and already cooking.

Come out, let Granny do it.”

Usually, when she was at home, she would cook herself. How could she let her granddaughter-in-law start cooking the moment she entered the home?

Granny Huo insisted, unwilling to let Xu Ying miss out on trying her cooking.

With no other choice, Xu Ying smiled and said, “Then help me roll the noodles, Granny. It’s troublesome to do, and I don’t like it. I’ll cook the dishes instead, I enjoy that.”

Upon hearing this, Granny Huo agreed with a smile creasing her face.

The two of them, one kneading and rolling out the noodles, the other preparing the side dishes.

Xu Ying preferred her tossed noodles with garlic sauce, as they tasted even more delicious.

The minced meat used green beans and pork stir-fried with lard, a simple process that filled the house with a rich and fragrant aroma.

Granny Huo couldn’t help swallowing her saliva, smelling the aroma; Chen would have good food to look forward to.

Having tasted Xu Ying’s cooking before, Granny Huo had never forgotten it, always hoping that there might be a second chance to eat it.

She didn’t expect that her grandson would directly marry the girl and bring her home.

The fragrance from the Huo Family’s courtyard spread, drawing envious glances from the neighbors all around.

“When has the old Huo Family ever had such delicious smells wafting from their home? Having a great chef cook is just different, it smells so tempting.”