Chapter 257: Sowing Discord, Misunderstanding Qiao An

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Clearing his throat, Father Lu began to slander Qiao An’s honor. “That Qiao An used to be the daughter-in-law of the Li family. Her two-year marriage with Li Zecheng caused a commotion in the city. That Qiao An was smart and ruined Li Zecheng’s reputation. She even let Li Zecheng leave with nothing. She’s not a woman to be trifled with. Xiaoran is too close to her. I’m afraid that he will fall into a trap like his nephew.

Xiaoran is now engaged, but he’s exceptionally concerned about Qiao An and has ignored his fiancée. It won’t be good if word gets out.”

Mr. Huo patiently explained to Mr. Lu, “Dean Lu, I’ve also heard a little about this. I’m really sorry to have made you think too much. It’s just that our Xiaoran’s relationship with Qiao An is not what you think. He’s just grateful for Qiao An’s help a few years ago and helped her when she was in trouble. This is justice.”

Mr. Lu said, “Mr. Huo, I also know that Xiaoran is a person who values relationships and is grateful. If his help and guidance to Qiao An is reasonable, we can accept it. However… when Lu Mo and Qiao An were hospitalized at the same time, he spent more time in Qiao An’s ward than in his fiancée’s ward. Moreover, I heard that he stayed in Qiao An’s residence last night. These actions can’t be explained by gratitude.”

Mr. Harris’s face immediately turned as black as coal.

!!

As an engaged man, Huo Xiaoran had indeed behaved inappropriately by staying in Qiao An’s residence. If the media deliberately magnified it, Huo Xiaoran’s public image would definitely be affected.

Mr. Huo could only comfort Mr. Lu. “Don’t worry, when Xiaoran comes back, I’ll bring him here to give you an explanation.”

Mr. Lu was relieved to receive Old Master Huo’s support. However, it was not his intention to suppress Huo Xiaoran. He said sincerely, “Old Master, I know Xiaoran’s character. I believe that Xiaoran will never do anything immoral. However, the onlookers who don’t know the truth can only distort the matter. I’m afraid that they will misunderstand Xiaoran. Xiaoran is the heir of Jinghang Hospital. I still hope that he can bring Jinghang Hospital to greater heights. Therefore, we can’t let him be tainted.”

Mr. Lu’s last sentence really moved Mr. Huo. This was because Mr. Huo also wanted to leave half of the family business to Xiaoran. He also wanted to protect Xiaoran’s public image.

Therefore, Mr. Lu and Mr. Huo had the same thoughts. They reached a consensus and communication became easier.

Mr. Lu said, “Old Sir, in my opinion, Xiaoran and Momo aren’t young anymore. They’ve been dating for a long time. Why don’t we plan an auspicious day to help them set the wedding date?”

Mr. Huo was brought into the gutter by Mr. Lu and immediately nodded. “Alright.”

Father Lu achieved his goal and bade farewell.

After Mr. Lu left, Mr. Huo’s expression became abnormally solemn.

“Why is Xiaoran so muddle-headed? Although Qiao An is beautiful and smart, her love history is so complicated. Since she was once his niece-in-law, he shouldn’t touch Qiao An. Isn’t he afraid of being criticized by everyone?”

Old Master Huo’s words revealed his indescribable disappointment in Huo Xiaoran.

However, Madam Huo said worriedly, “It’s just that Xiaoran is a very opinionated person like his mother. If we decide on a wedding date for him in private, I’m afraid he will become rebellious and it will backfire.”

Old Master Huo said, “Honey, in order to prevent Xiaoran and Qiao An from rekindling their relationship, we have to help the child finalize the wedding date as soon as possible. Anyway, Xiaoran and Lu Mo are already engaged. Marriage is a must.”

Madam Huo pulled him to her side and gestured for him to sit down. Mr Huo obediently sat down beside her and then turned his head to look at her quietly.

The Old Madam said earnestly, “You forgot that Xiaoran’s mother is also an intelligent and stable person. But they’re love maniacs who don’t care about the consequences. I’m afraid that Xiaoran loves Qiao An. He won’t be happy after marrying Lu Mo.”

Old Master Huo had a good impression of Qiao An. He admired her ability to work. However, Qiao An’s complicated love history stopped him.

“He can choose not to marry Lu Mo, but he can’t be with Qiao An,” Old Mr. Huo said firmly.

Madam Huo said angrily, “Do you want reputation? Or the child’s life? Have you forgotten how his mother died back then? It’s because we want to save our reputation and don’t want her to marry an old man. We even threatened her with severing ties. If we had not done so, she wouldn’t have gone down the path of no return.”

At this point, Madam Huo choked again.

Mr. Huo fell silent.

Madam Huo secretly cried, as if she had made a huge decision. The old lady raised the back of her hand to wipe her tears. Her eyes, which were yellow from age, blossomed with a certain determination.

“Since my Xiaoran can’t forget Qiao An, I can only start with Qiao An if I want to stop Xiaoran.”

Old Master Huo thought that Madam Huo was just sighing casually. Who would have thought that Madam Harris would be as bold as before? She immediately instructed her assistant to arrange an appointment with Qiao An.

The next day, the old madam came to Huaman City with a calm expression and knocked on Qiao An’s door.

Qiao An had so much on her plate recently that she didn’t sleep well. Finally, she fell asleep in the early hours of the morning. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard a shuffling knock on the door.

Qiao An opened her eyes and listened for a long moment. When she was sure the sound wouldn’t disappear automatically, she got up helplessly.

She reached under her pillow for the pepper spray, then crept toward the door. Through the peephole, she saw an elderly woman. She was dressed in an incredibly dignified manner, and although her hair was gray, she was hale and hearty.

Qiao An immediately opened the door.

She stared blankly at the uninvited guest outside the door. Just as she was about to open her mouth to ask something, she heard the old lady’s cold voice. “You’re Qiao An?”

“I am.”

The old lady walked straight into the back room. She treated this place as her home and walked straight to the sofa to sit down.

Qiao An was confused. She was sure she didn’t know this old lady at all.

She tightened her grip on the pepper spray.

The granny’s gaze landed on her self-defense weapon and her eyes darkened. “Looks like you’ve offended a lot of people. But I’m not a bad person. I’m Xiaoran’s grandmother.”