Chapter 44 Mutual Aid (Hand) Huo Zong is a Schemer!

Chapter 44 Mutual Aid (Hand) Huo Zong is a Schemer!

Huo Qing's cane tapped on the polished floor with authority, especially with the bodyguards behind him, each of them burly, looking as if they had just been released from jail.

Jiang Fengmian glanced at the tape on the back of Huo Qing's hand; it seemed he had rushed here after pulling out an IV needle.

Why bother rushing here for an unfilial grandson.

"Huo Zong, when did the Huo Corporation become your personal fiefdom, slandering others for stealing confidential documents at will? What qualifications do you have?"

The resentment in Huo Qing's heart had not subsided since the family banquet; he had been hospitalized twice, both times due to fainting from sheer rage.

Cough, cough, Huo Qing subtly clenched his fingers. Huo Zong wanted him dead, to drive him to his grave and seize control of the Huo family.

The only grandchild of the Huo family, Huo Zong would only be satisfied if he were dead.

"Huo Qing, it seems your brain needs a reset too. Why would I slander him? What benefit does it bring to me or the Huo Corporation? He sold such a valuable project to the Jiang family. Instead of dealing with Huo Qilin, you come to me. Don't just treat your body; treat your mind."

Huo Zong looked down at Huo Qing with a highly oppressive gaze, landing on his eyes, and scoffed lightly—birds of a feather flock together.

"Jiang Fengmian, sit down first."

The bodyguards immediately stepped forward; it seemed they weren't even allowed to sit.

"Huo Qing, whatever you have to say, say it to the police, not to me."

Huo Qilin was still in the interrogation room, cut off from contacting Huo Qing outside, and he didn't dare to say anything rashly, lest it give them leverage.

A tense standoff, both Huo Zong and Jiang Fengmian knew what Huo Qing meant—nothing more than pressuring Huo Zong to drop the charges, which was the simplest way compared to Huo Qing bailing him out through connections.

Inside the interrogation room.

Huo Qilin still knew nothing.

"Please cooperate with the investigation. Confess and be treated leniently; resist and face harsh consequences. Currently, the confidential documents you sold have not yet profited. Once they do, your charges will be greater. You'd better think clearly."

"Officer, I've already explained everything I know. I truly didn't know. I'm just a lowly errand boy in the Huo Corporation. How could I have access to any confidential documents? Huo Zong set me up; he probably did it on purpose."

The interrogating officers scoffed in frustration and retorted, "Then tell us why he would do that. What's his reason?"

"To make me go to jail, they deliberately placed it there."

The officer immediately caught a loophole and pressed on, "So, regardless of whether it's confidential, if you knew about it, you'd steal and sell it. If it was deliberately placed there, even if you saw it, without the intention to sell, how would you go to jail?"

Huo Qilin's face went pale for a moment. He opened his mouth, but his logic was suddenly blocked. In his subconscious, he had set himself up as a thief.

"Moreover, according to Jiang Fengqiu's confession, you actively approached him and sold it to him for 700,000 yuan. We also have the transaction records, showing two deposits into your account, both from Jiang Fengqiu."

"Huo Qilin, the evidence is solid. You'd better be honest about what you know."

"Officer, the Huo Corporation is the Huo family's business. I'm also a member of the Huo family. If I thought something was useless, what's wrong with selling it for money? If it's confidential, why wasn't it properly stored? If it was stored as an ordinary document, then what's my fault?"

Huo Qilin was a master of twisting words. The evidence was solid, but he insisted on his ignorance, making it impossible to directly convict him of stealing confidential documents.

The captain stepped out, seeing the group of bodyguards dressed to the nines, and felt a headache coming on.

"Mr. Huo, what do you mean by bringing a group of bodyguards here?"

The captain's face was grim. In such a solemn setting, Huo Qing was blatantly challenging authority—a clear threat.

Huo Qing remained seated on the chair, as if listening to the captain's report, and spoke unhurriedly, "Captain, you've misunderstood. My health is poor, and I just came from the hospital. The bodyguards are here to take care of my personal safety."

"I don't believe there's anything in the police station that threatens your personal safety. This is going too far."

"Captain, please don't be angry. I truly am in poor health. How is my grandson? He's been falsely accused. I believe in his character; he would never do such a thing. Moreover, the company is our own family's business. The charge of profiting from stealing confidential documents doesn't hold, does it?"

They're cut from the same cloth, even their excuses are identical.

Captain: "Huo Zong, according to Huo Qilin's statement, did you strictly enforce the management measures for confidential documents? In his subjective view, they were treated as ordinary documents, so this charge doesn't apply."

"Yes, only members of the project team are authorized to access the hard copies of the documents. When using them, they must register and apply, and I approve it. When the documents were discovered missing, I immediately reported it to the police and halted the project team, replacing it with a new plan."

"Alright, I understand. I'll have someone check the company to verify the situation."

Huo Zong grunted in acknowledgment, his fingers tapping on his phone twice, signaling Chen Chen to follow the police officers. All projects were handled by Chen Chen, so he was familiar with the details.

The questioning was put on hold. Jiang Fengqiu, after believing it was Huo Qilin's personal proposal, purchased it. Before the verification was complete, he was unaware and was only reprimanded before being released.

Jiang Fengqiu straightened his clothes, his expression somewhat unnatural when facing Huo Qing.

He'd heard about the partnership between the Jiang family and the Huo family. Huo Qing was dead set on securing the land in the west city, but the Jiang family was indifferent. The Jiang family's funds were running low after investing in the cultural tourism bureau project. Unless they could negotiate better terms with Huo Qing.

At this thought, Jiang Fengqiu wished he could kill Huo Qilin. The money put into the game design was wasted. He couldn't use that concept anymore, and the game content needed a major overhaul. It wasn't simple; he could only whip up something quick and toss it into a mini-game to make a bit of cash.

"Jiang Fengqiu, stop. What did you tell the police officers?"

A few burly bodyguards blocked his way. Jiang Fengqiu sneered and slowly retreated.

"Of course, I told the truth. I didn't know it wasn't Huo Qilin's idea. Old Huo, as the grandfather, you owe us an explanation for the Jiang family's losses. Otherwise, I'll immediately sue Huo Qilin, causing our Jiang family to lose over seven million yuan."

Jiang Fengqiu wasn't intimidated by Huo Qing's menacing gaze. If he secured the money, it'd be seven million. He couldn't back down just because it was Huo Qing.

"Old Huo, think about it. Seven million is peanuts to you. If you think it's worth going to court, then we'll see you in court."

Tap, tap, tap.

The cane rhythmically tapped on the floor. Huo Qing clenched his teeth, clearly pained but acting indifferent.

"Seven million is nothing. Come by the Huo family tomorrow, and we'll have a proper chat."

Jiang Fengmian silently exchanged a glance with Huo Zong. Huo Qing was ready to do anything for that idiot Huo Qilin.

Meanwhile, Huo Cong and Qi Yan, as parents, were nowhere to be seen, seemingly unconcerned.

Jiang Fengmian always felt something was off. In the plot, Huo Cong didn't appear much, but every time he did, he was either scheming for money or on his way to do so.

Such a penny-pincher, it seemed he aimed to bleed Huo Qing dry.

He didn't care about his own son's troubles, nor did he give him any allowance, but he held three percent of the shares in the Huo Corporation, and the dividends were non-negotiable.

After being away from the Huo Corporation for so long without a move, Jiang Fengmian was skeptical. There must be something they had overlooked.

Before leaving, Jiang Fengqiu glanced at Jiang Fengmian. He still seemed foolish. Could it really be Huo Zong who taught him what to say?

Suppressing his doubts, Jiang Fengqiu turned and walked out.

Getting involved with Huo Qilin was extremely unlucky. Recently, nothing had gone smoothly; it was a streak of bad luck.

Jiang Fengmian rubbed his slightly sore waist, hooked Huo Zong's finger, and sat down opposite Huo Qing. His finger traced circles in Huo Zong's palm, paying no attention to Huo Qing.

The tingling sensation in his palm spread, and Huo Zong’s eyes half-closed as he subtly savored it. Jiang Fengmian seemed to be tracing his name.

"Huo Zong, when did you develop a weakness?"

Huo Qing seemed to have latched onto something laughable. The most ruthless and unfeeling person now had a vulnerability.

"What a farce. I’ve never witnessed anything so absurd in my life. Huo Zong, do you even understand what love is? Have you ever truly loved someone?"

From childhood to adulthood, the number of times Huo Zong called him "Dad" could be counted on one hand. No nickname, no term of endearment—just as distant as a stranger on the street. He actually has feelings now? What a monumental farce.

"I don’t understand as much as you do. You use oppressing me to flaunt your so-called noble love. Your love is the greatest in the world, and even in death, you’ll still be looking down from your pedestal."

"Huo Qing, you should engrave your love on your tombstone. What are you? A pitiful and tragic figure like Xianglin’s wife, telling countless people about your love, boasting about your greatness. Look, I even wanted to kill my son for love, what more do you want?"

"Huo Qing, I just find you disgusting. If you loved her so much, why didn’t you die? Was it because you couldn’t bear to, or because you didn’t love her enough? Lying in the lavish Huo family mansion, hypocritically clutching her mementos as if it’s love. How many times have you been to the Sheng family? Did you ever truly care for me, even a little?"

"You keep saying she died because of me. Why didn’t you allow her to give birth in a hospital? Why did you beat and neglect the son she risked her life to bear?"

"You’re just trying to get me to spare Huo Qilin this time, aren’t you? Fine, transfer the shares in your hands and Huo Cong’s to me, and I won’t pursue it."

Huo Qing currently holds 7% of Huo Corporation's shares, plus Huo Cong’s 3%, totaling 10%. That’s 10% of the net profit. Why should he give it up?

Jiang Fengmian squeezed Huo Zong’s hand tighter, leaning half on his shoulder, his fingers subtly pressing against his lower back, his eyes blinking with an unusual emotion.

"Brother, don’t be angry. Just treat it as him spouting nonsense."

A very soft voice fell into Huo Zong’s ears, warm breath brushing over him, giving the illusion of a kiss.

In front of everyone, Huo Zong’s heart suddenly calmed down. The kitten had done everything to soothe him; he couldn’t let himself get too angry.

"Huo Zong, I think you’ve gone mad."

The Huo family’s current status hinges entirely on those shares. Huo Qing’s money isn’t infinite. Patching up his son’s and grandson’s mistakes—where would he find the funds?

"By this time, the police should be back from their investigation. Huo Cong is remarkably calm. Since he doesn’t care, it doesn’t matter. Someone like Huo Qilin will be released in three to five years."

"It’s just a pity. By the time he gets out, you’ll probably be gone. Don’t worry, your precious grandson will probably lounge in the lavish mansion, occasionally selling some of the relics you left behind to get by. When you descend to the eighteenth layer of hell, you’ll finally understand."

Huo Qing was so angry he stood up, trembling as he raised his cane to strike, but was stopped by the police behind him.

Attempting violence in a police station? Does he have no regard for the law?

"Fine, Huo Zong, you’re doing great."

Huo Cong’s phone was unreachable. Huo Qing, consumed by anxiety, felt another wave of dizziness. He clutched his head and lay on the bench, taking a quick-acting heart pill.

"Mr. Huo, we’re back."

Chen Chen stood beside Huo Zong, reporting the investigation results. It was verified that the confidential documents were stored as per protocol. As for how they were lost, only Huo Qilin would know.

Huo Qing almost couldn’t catch his breath. He was at the end of his rope. The only person he could count on now was Huo Qilin. Saving him was possible, but with Huo Zong opposing him, it wouldn’t be easy.

If he really went in, his life would be over.

"Huo Zong, 5%, just 5%."

Huo Zong toyed with Jiang Fengmian’s delicate fingers, showing no reaction.

"6%, at most 6%."

Huo Zong looked up casually, showing Huo Qing the recording, then told Chen Chen to bring the pre-prepared equity transfer contract.

Huo Qing thought Chen Chen was just helping with the investigation. Tapping his phone was a signal to grab the file from the second folder on his desk.

After working together for seven or eight years, they had a silent code for when they couldn’t talk. With just one look, Chen Chen understood what it meant.

"Talk is cheap, Huo Qing. You promised me the shares, so let’s make it official."

Under heavy pressure, Huo Qing had no choice but to sign.

His head was spinning, and he felt weak. He was left with only one percent of the shares, having no say left in the Huo Corporation.

"Officer, I’ll drop this if the Jiang family doesn’t release the game or profit from it. They’re part of the Huo family, and they begged me—I had no choice."

"Alright, then we’ll drop the case."

The captain understood Huo Zong’s tough spot. One was his dad, the other his nephew. He couldn’t really lock Huo Qilin up.

"Come on, let Huo Qilin out."

Huo Qilin strutted out, sneering in contempt. They actually thought they could arrest him? What a joke.

"Huo Zong, what can you do? You had to let me go. Tsk, that’s all you’ve got."

Huo Zong laughed coolly, holding the equity transfer contract in his hand. What that idiot said didn’t matter to him.

Huo Qing’s eyes flashed with disappointment, and a sense of immense helplessness washed over him. He slumped even further.

"Grandpa."

Before Huo Qilin could complain, Huo Qing turned and walked away, not caring about Huo Zong, and directly chased after him.

"Brother, let’s go quickly. I think there’s a show worth watching."

"Grandpa, slow down. There was nothing wrong in the first place. It was all Huo Zong messing with me. Now that you’re here, he doesn’t dare anymore. I say, it’s all Huo Zong’s fault. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been in that interrogation room. It was just an experience."

*Slap.*

Huo Qing slapped Huo Qilin hard. He was gasping for air. Beast, truly a beast.

"Grandpa, you hit me. I just said a few things about Huo Zong, and you hit me." Huo Qilin covered his bleeding cheek and turned away, looking at Huo Qing in disbelief.

"Do you know how Huo Zong agreed to let you go? It was with my six percent stake in the Huo Corporation. You idiot, Jiang Fengqiu wants seven million too. If you had money to give me, fine, but what do you have?"

In his agitation, Huo Qing couldn’t catch his breath and fainted again.

"Grandpa, wake up, Grandpa."

Huo Zong grabbed Jiang Fengmian’s hand and strutted past Huo Qilin, inadvertently revealing the contract in his hand, then got into the car and drove away.

"Wow, Huo Qilin is going to be furious. Brother, you’re really amazing."

"Just a verbal compliment? Nothing else?"

Jiang Fengmian blushed and hummed softly, leaning close to Huo Zong’s ear and whispering, "Brother, wait until we get home."

As the sky gradually darkened, Jiang Fengmian, who had promised to wait until they got home, hid in the bedroom and didn’t show his face. A little later, Huo Zong had almost completed the equity transfer procedures.

When he flipped to the last page of the document, Huo Zong couldn’t hold back anymore and got up to head towards Jiang Fengmian’s bedroom.

The room was dimly lit, and Huo Zong, wanting something, hurried to his bedroom.

He saw Jiang Fengmian in the same outfit as before, his shirt hanging loosely, barefoot on the floor, offering a gentle smile.

"Brother, wanna take a bath together?"

Huo Zong's Adam's apple moved as he softly hummed in agreement.

The bathroom door clicked shut, and Huo Zong pinned Jiang Fengmian against the wall.

Kisses fell like rain, and Jiang Fengmian clung to Huo Zong's neck, responding with fervor.

Huo Zong tossed the shirt aside, turned on the shower, and teased Jiang Fengmian's scant clothing under the spray.

"Huo Zong, do you like how I’m dressed?"

"I love it," Huo Zong rasped.

"Then why won’t you look at me? Huo Zong, you’re mine—I’m letting you look."

His burning gaze traveled over Jiang Fengmian inch by inch, Huo Zong’s head slightly lowered, as if memorizing every detail.

The bathroom grew warmer, and Jiang Fengmian gave a light cough, starting at Huo Zong’s neck, he stripped away the layers of clothing.

Jiang Fengmian’s fingers trailed from Huo Zong’s Adam’s apple to his abs, his gaze unwavering, drifting lower.

"Brother, kiss me."

At Jiang Fengmian’s soft plea, Huo Zong kissed the red mole on his collarbone.

Huo Zong gripped his waist, pulling Jiang Fengmian impossibly close, every shift palpable between them.

"Huo Zong, did you say my name in the shower?"

Huo Zong’s pupils narrowed, his teeth grazing Jiang Fengmian’s neck, leaving a red mark against his porcelain skin.

"What about you? Will you say my name?"

They both understood, neither willing to voice it.

"Brother, I’ve never done this. That day you took a cold shower, I thought I heard my name."

Jiang Fengmian wasn’t exactly experienced, but thinking about Huo Zong wasn’t unusual for him.

"Yes, I did. It’s not just anyone, Jiang Fengmian—only you can do this to me."

"Oh, brother, I love it when you say my name like that."

Jiang Fengmian leaned into Huo Zong’s arms, holding onto his back, murmuring over the sound of the shower: "Huo Zong, say my name."

"Kitty."

Every motion felt amplified, Huo Zong’s lips met Jiang Fengmian’s, his breaths quick or slow, all trapped in his throat, not a sound escaping.

Jiang Fengmian had imagined this countless times, rehearsed it in his mind, but now that it was happening, he was at a loss.

He thought for what felt like forever, finally landing on one word: awkward.

They were the same, both equally green.

Jiang Fengmian's gaze drifted downward, seeming to let out a soft chuckle.

"Brother, the novels don't quite line up with reality."

Huo Zong narrowed his eyes, wondering what was so different.

"Well, they say some people are born talented, but I don't believe the novels anymore."

Huo Zong's face darkened, picking up on the hint.

"Kitty, that's enough talking."

Hmph, since when is talking forbidden?

Jiang Fengmian leaned against the white porcelain wall, his captivating eyes locked on Huo Zong, his attention entirely focused on Huo Zong's hands, holding his breath and biting back his words.

"Little cat, hand it over."

The room dimmed again as Huo Zong softly kissed his eyelids, and the sound of water stopped at that moment.

"Jiang Fengmian, you're allowed to speak now."

"Huo Zong."

"Brother."

"Mmm, my little cat is so well-behaved." Huo Zong's eyelids drooped slightly, his eyes seemed to reflect a galaxy of stars, all shining on Jiang Fengmian.

"Kitty, you're my kitty."

Jiang Fengmian's mind went blank for a moment, emitting a soft hum, leaning slightly to nip at Huo Zong's shoulder.

As the tickling sensation hit, Huo Zong eased his breath, waiting for Jiang Fengmian to pull away.

Huo Zong embraced Jiang Fengmian from behind, washing his hands meticulously, not missing a single spot.

It felt as if, at that moment, their hearts were completely in sync.

"Brother, your hands are so hot."

"Mmm, they got scorched."

Jiang Fengmian coughed violently, not daring to look at himself in the mirror, nor utter another word, acting nonchalant as he grabbed a tissue to wipe the water droplets from Huo Zong's hands.

The bathroom was filled with steam as Jiang Fengmian bent down to pick up the scattered pieces of clothing and threw them into the small washer, then changed into Huo Zong's pajamas.

"Little cat, do you really like my clothes that much?"

"Mmm, they carry your scent, as if you're holding me all the time, it feels so secure."

Huo Zong lightly pinched Jiang Fengmian's chin, helping him dry his hair and clean up the messy bathroom. The two lay down on the bed, Jiang Fengmian turning to look at Huo Zong, his fingertips gently pressing against his brow.

"Huo Zong, be honest, did you start planning this with Huo Qilin long ago? From the day the documents went missing, you had already thought of every possible move, including Huo Qing transferring the shares, even the six percent was part of your plan."

Huo Qing wasn't furious because Huo Qilin stole confidential documents; he was frustrated at Huo Qilin's incompetence, not understanding even the simplest principles, and how he could ever be trusted in the future.

He was even more furious at Huo Zong's calculated moves, scheming for his shares, leaving him as a penniless old man in the end.

Huo Zong's maneuvers had placed Huo Qing on a blazing furnace, knowing it was a pit of molten lava, yet having no choice but to jump.

"My kitty is so smart, a hundred times smarter than that fool Huo Qilin. Who’s to blame? Huo Qilin was the one who insisted on jumping in—I couldn’t stop him. The documents were sitting there just fine; if he hadn’t taken them, none of this would have happened. He’s just not capable—he brought it upon himself."

"Well done. Huo Qing wanted your life and was spending the money you worked so hard to earn. You’ve got every right to take it back. Huo Qilin is even worse; he not only fails to create value but also gives Huo Corporation a bad name. It’s best to let Huo Qing beat him up again."

Huo Zong’s years of hard work were ignored, and the spending was done without a second thought. Where in the world is there such a good deal?

Why should Huo Zong suffer through his illnesses just to fund the lavish lifestyles of the Huo family’s vampires, drinking his blood and then complaining that it’s cold, eating his flesh, and still looking down on him, telling him why doesn’t he just die.

"Such a clever kitty deserves a little kiss as a treat."

Jiang Fengmian hugged Huo Zong, struggled a bit, half-pushed and half-yielded, took the initiative, closed his eyes, and responded.

Jiang Fengmian: Obsessed and cooperative.jpg

Alright, his Huo Zong is a real kissaholic.