Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Can’t Get It, Can’t Let Go Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Can’t Get It, Can’t Let Go Huo Qidong’s forehead bulged with veins in his agitation.

“Huo Tingxiao, I have said this is a matter between the elders, it has nothing to do with you!”

The more agitated he became, the more Huo Tingxiao found it amusing.

“A bastard child whose origins are unknown is to be called my brother, and it has nothing to do with me? How do you figure it has nothing to do with me? Since you are so concerned about blood relations, why should I acknowledge such a connection?”

“Huo Tingxiao, are you insisting on opposing me?”

“Do you think I didn’t expose him on the spot at the Huo family mansion because of what?

It’s because I knew you had your reasons you couldn’t reveal.

Now is your best opportunity to come clean with me. If you can convince me, I may choose to keep your secret.”

Huo Qidong was enraged.

“You dare to threaten me? Huo Tingxiao, I am your father!”

With a “bang,” Huo Qidong slammed his hand hard onto the tea table.

Huo Tingxiao looked at his infuriated expression and found it utterly laughable.

“A threat? If you think so, then so be it.”

“You!”

Huo Qidong’s eyes reddened, and his mouth trembled with anger.

Huo Tingxiao remained unmoved, showing no fear whatsoever.

He quietly regarded Huo Qidong, his eyes calm and serene.

The only reason he was willing to slowly handle this was that he still cared for the old man. Such disclosures would hurt the reputation of the Huo family.

Even an illegitimate child was better than not being a child of the Huo family.

Recognizing a bastard child as part of one’s lineage and heritage would turn into a huge scandal if it got out, making the Huo family a laughingstock.

Huo Tingxiao didn’t care how the Huo family fared; he just couldn’t disregard the old man, even though he had passed away.

His feelings for the old man were too complicated–part mentor, part friend, mingled with hatred but also respect and admiration.

“You don’t want to talk? Could it be that Xian Yaping was that unforgettable first love of yours? You allowed her so much freedom because of your guilt?”

This was the most plausible reason that Huo Tingxiao could come up with.

Huo Qidong said nothing, neither denying nor confirming.

His gaze drifted, as if recalling something.

“Think whatever you like. All you want is cooperation, which I’ve agreed to. And you are not to interfere with Tingyang’s matter anymore.”

Huo Tingxiao’s heart sank, and he immediately felt indignant.

“If you really loved her that much, why did you marry my mother in the first place? Why then allow my existence?

What do you take us for? Bargaining chips and tools for your freedom?

Huo Qidong, how can you be so selfish!

For your own sake, it doesn’t matter how others suffer, does it?

You now think you are so affectionate and loyal that you can even accept the child of another, grant him legitimacy, and strive to protect him. Do you think that makes you righteous and honorable?

Ridiculous! All you are after is a piece of tranquility in your heart.”

Huo Qidong’s lips quivered, wanting to explain something, but in the end, not a word came out.

“I am sorry to you.”

“The one you should be most sorry to is my mother. You ruined a woman’s life, forcing her to drift off far away in her later years. If she hadn’t been completely heartbroken, she wouldn’t have made such a choice.

Do you think by coming to me today and offering me a seven percent profit I would be overwhelmed with gratitude?

“You can choose not to agree and see whether I have the power to make that piece of land turn to dust in your hands,” Tingxiao said with a fierce intensity.

“Everyone calls you Director Huo because the old man gave you the shares, but whether your position is stable is still up for debate.”

Huo Qidong looked at Huo Tingxiao, who was like a tiger unleashed from its cage.

“You want to compete with me?”

“Compete? That’s not the right word; it should be ‘take back.’
I’m taking back what was originally mine.

I wasn’t particularly interested in the Huo Family’s assets originally, but now it’s different. If I don’t take them back, an illegitimate child will inherit the Huo Family. Why should I allow that?

I was raised for over twenty years as the heir, suffered so much, and became incapable of love, not to dress others in wedding robes.

As long as I live, the Huo Group is mine.”

Huo Qidong looked at Huo Tingxiao’s unrestrained and arrogant demeanor, and for a moment, his eyes, so familiar, caused him to freeze in place.

Tingxiao also felt a moment of haziness, sensing that Qidong was not looking at him but rather through him at someone else. Qidong’s eyes carried a complex and suppressed emotion, as if revealing the most secretive affairs deep in his heart.

Did Huo Qidong regret it, seeing his own eyes and thinking of Han Yongmei?

Tingxiao’s thoughts were in turmoil. What should have been a simple matter was, in reality, telling him that nothing was that simple. He almost got carried away by those unnamed emotions, thrown into utter disarray.

“Why bother seeking the root of some matters?”

“But some matters must be seen through from beginning to end.”

“Separating from her was the best conclusion: I set her free, and she set me free. Our business is not what you think.

Tingxiao, now is not the right time. Later… I will tell you the truth.

Can you trust me this once?”

Huo Qidong’s tone was very sincere, nearly convincing Huo Tingxiao.

“I only trust myself. The matter of cooperation is business, not suitable for mixing with personal affairs.

I won’t disclose Huo Tingyang’s origins just yet.

But… you also need to think carefully about how you can extricate yourself unscathed.

The internal problems of the Huo Group have always been a mess. If someone took advantage of the situation, what do you think my odds are?”

Huo Tingxiao spoke calmly, yet his voice carried immense pressure. Huo Qidong knew not to underestimate the capabilities of his eldest son. TX is now a leader in the industry. If he really wanted to act against the Huo Group, it might be…

“I advise you not to do this. Don’t forget, the Huo Group has infrastructure partnerships. This isn’t a minor dispute between companies.

Escalating the situation won’t be beneficial for you. Small moves can be tolerated by those above, but…”

“I certainly have a way out; no need for you to worry. You just think about how you’re going to push Huo Tingyang out and keep him away from my sight.

He can forget about relying on the Sheng Family. Sheng Xueqin can’t even save herself, of course, he could also try clinging to Pei Zhao.

But let me remind you, Pei Zhao hates more than just me.

Be careful not to play with fire, for he’s even more ruthless than I am–he won’t be satisfied until the Huo Family is completely destroyed.

I won’t stay for dinner, I’ve said all there is to say. Director Huo, ponder over it and take good care of yourself.”

With that, Huo Tingxiao stood up and left the private room.

Huo Qidong slumped in the armchair, haunted by Tingxiao’s piercing words. Father and son had reached this point today, and he wondered if he could have made a different decision back then, perhaps their situation wouldn’t be as it is today.

If at that time he could have… Just thinking of that person brought on a wave of sadness.

Buddha says there are eight sufferings in life: birth, aging, sickness, death, parting with what we cherish, encountering what we detest, unfulfilled wishes, and clinging to the earthly.

Yet he seemed to have experienced them all.

“If you’re living well now, then all my suffering is worth it. I just fear that you’re not, and then all I have suffered would truly have been in vain…”

Huo Qidong murmured to himself, his voice filled with sadness and helplessness.