Nie Jia didn't pay any attention to Jiang Zhaolin at all, completely ignoring him, leisurely eating the small dish An Na had prepared for him.
"Susu's surname is Yan, not Jiang. His biological father isn't surnamed Jiang either. How does that affect the reputation of your Jiang family?" An Na, utterly disgusted by Jiang Zhaolin's demeanor, coldly retorted, "If you truly care about the Jiang family's reputation, manage your Jiang son and yourself well. What does Susu have to do with the Jiang family's reputation?"
"What nonsense is this? Susu is my stepson and also a member of the Jiang family!" Jiang Zhaolin was greatly surprised by An Na's sudden sharp attitude.
"Hmph, if you truly treated Susu as part of the Jiang family, why were you so petty before and unwilling to even consider changing his surname?" With no emotional ties, An Na finally saw some truths. For a prestigious family like the Jiangs, if they truly accepted a descendant, why would they be unwilling to let that descendant bear their surname? The fact that Jiang Zhaolin hadn't even mentioned changing Susu's surname showed that deep down, he had never intended to accept this stepson.
Thinking about how her son, because of his Yan surname, had been ostracized by the younger generation of the powerful Jiang family, An Na felt a pang of heartache. Yet now, she was relieved she hadn't changed her son's surname to Jiang.
"Was it because I was unwilling to change it? Susu was already four years old back then, knowing his own surname and identity. What good would it do to change it for the child..."
"Enough already! Susu isn't feeling well and has no appetite. Don't say things that upset him and spoil his mood." An Na impatiently interrupted Jiang Zhaolin's sophistry.
Jiang Zhaolin's eyes widened in both anger and astonishment as he looked at his usually gentle and considerate wife. "What's gotten into you today?"
"I've been blind for over twenty years and suddenly regained my sight today." An Na's retort was sharp and unwavering.
"You..." Jiang Zhaolin was so furious his neck turned red, nearly leaping from his chair.
"Dad, please calm down." Meng Qian quickly set down his chopsticks, trying to pacify Jiang Zhaolin's anger.
Nie Jia lazily glanced at Jiang Zhaolin and said, "Yeah, calm down. I've got surgeries scheduled. If you have a stroke from getting so worked up, I won't have time to save you."
Jiang Zhaolin was on the verge of having a stroke from anger. He was about to reprimand his disobedient stepson when he noticed the assistant who had been with Huo Qing the previous night entering the dining room under the guidance of a servant. He immediately forgot about scolding his stepson and hurriedly stood up, quietly asking, "Does Mr. Huo have any further business?"
But the assistant completely ignored him, focusing instead on his stepson, respectfully saying, "Dr. Yan, I'm here to escort you."
Jiang Zhaolin's face reddened, feeling like he'd been slapped in the face.
"Mom, I'll go out for a while." Nie Jia didn't want to see those two displeasing faces across the table, so he put the pumpkin pastry he had just bitten into back on the plate, ending his meal.
Concerned, An Na asked, "You're not eating? You've only had a few bites. At least finish your breakfast; otherwise, your stomach will ache again by noon."
Nie Jia took the bitten pumpkin pastry back.
"Please rest assured, madam. The chef has prepared breakfast for Dr. Yan." The assistant reassured.
Only then did An Na nod, fetching a coat for Nie Jia and advising, "It's cold in the morning. You never exercise; you might catch a cold. Wear more layers."
Nie Jia felt a warm, tender feeling in his heart as he let An Na drape the coat over his shoulders.
Meng Qian didn't recognize the assistant, let alone know he was from Huo Qing. Seeing Nie Jia about to leave, he became anxious. "You can't go anywhere until Grandpa wakes up!" Ever since Su Su had left for Yunnan without informing anyone, Meng Qian had been anxious and uneasy. After all, Grandpa was still in a coma, and the outcome of the surgery was uncertain. He was afraid Su Su would disappear like this, feeling secure only when Su Su stayed within his sight.
"Are you trying to restrict my freedom?" Nie Jia calmly looked at the brazen Meng Qian, expressionless, and suddenly slammed the chopsticks on the table with a loud bang.
Startled, Meng Qian blinked, remembering how he had injured Yan Yu's hand last night. His imposing manner faltered, and he said with a dry mouth, "As long as Grandpa wakes up, I won't care where you go!"
"Susu's surgeries don't depend on your inspiration for your art; he doesn't have the luxury to wander around collecting inspiration. By making him stay at home, are you suggesting he cancels surgeries for other patients? So, is your grandfather's life more important than others' lives?" An Na calmly questioned.
"That's not what I meant!" Meng Qian, embarrassed and enraged, blushed.
"Why's it taking so long?" A deep, husky voice echoed from outside, catching Nie Jia's attention. Huo Qing's tall figure strode in against the backlight.
"Huo, you're here?" Jiang Zhaolin hurried to greet him, but Huo Qing gestured with two fingers, indicating him to stay back, clearly not in the mood to engage. Jiang Zhaolin's face turned pale, freezing in his steps.
Meng Qian tensed. She'd never heard of Huo Qing before, not until she got involved with Jiang Yang. Only then did she realize there were higher echelons beyond Jiang Yang, those who stood atop the pyramid. She knew Jiang Yang relied on Huo Qing in many ways. Meeting him privately made her nervous, leaving her standing up instinctively, lost for words.
Huo Qing, however, ignored everyone else, walking over and focusing solely on Nie Jia. Seating himself nearby, he casually remarked, "Already having your meal. No worries, take your time, considering your stomach."
The table fell silent except for Nie Jia, making it impossible for anyone else to continue eating.
Meng Qian's complexion drained further. Was Mr. Huo here to see Yan Su?!
Nie Jia finished the pumpkin cake, addressing Huo Qing, "Have you had breakfast? Join me?" He served him a bowl of porridge, specially prepared by An Na for his delicate stomach.
Huo Qing readily accepted Nie Jia's invitation to breakfast. At this moment, Nie Jia was somewhat relieved that Shi Chan wasn't fully conscious. He managed Huo Qing's presence, but facing Shi Chan left him unsure of his gestures.
"Huo came for Su Su?" An Na asked softly.
Huo Qing smiled, "Yes."
An Na fell silent. Wasn't Huo Qing always Jiang Yang's support? Why was he here for her son? She felt concerned but noticed her son downing half a bowl of porridge, unaffected, so she let the worry slide.
Though it was their home, Jiang Zhaolin and Meng Qian felt neither comfortable sitting nor standing, awkwardly watching Huo Qing and Yan Su engage in quiet conversation, resembling two servants. Meng Qian wasn't sure what to think, but Jiang Zhaolin's mind was a turmoil. How could Huo Qing come here looking for his stepson? Did Jiang Yang know about this?!
Huo Qing spent twenty minutes having breakfast with Nie Jia. After the meal, the two left together. At this point, Meng Qian didn't dare utter any demands for Yan Su to stay home and not go out. She simply stood there, watching the two walk away side by side, her face growing paler.
Before getting into the car, Nie Jia remembered something. He turned to An Na, who had escorted him out, and said, "Mom, I won't be back tonight. I have some business for the next few days, staying elsewhere."
Huo Qing paused at the car door, his eyes sparkling. He asked in a low voice, "Is Dr. Yan planning to stay at my place?"
"Inconvenient?" Nie Jia raised an eyebrow.
Huo Qing immediately opened the car door for him, then turned to An Na, "I'll send someone later to pick up Dr. Yan's clothes. Please prepare them."
An Na was still lost in thought, nodding absentmindedly. As soon as the two left, Jiang Zhaolin hurriedly pulled An Na aside, asking seriously, "Why did Huo Qing come to take Yan Su?"
An Na impatiently shook off Jiang Zhaolin's hand, retorting, "Go ask Huo Qing yourself, why ask me?"
Without bothering to look at him, she went upstairs to pack her son's clothes.
Fuming, Jiang Zhaolin was left gasping for breath. If he dared to ask Huo Qing, would Huo Qing ask her anyway?
Meng Qian's expression wasn't any better, but she didn't have time to console him. Grabbing her phone hastily, she said, "Dad, I'm going out to find Jiang Yang."
Jiang Zhaolin nodded, anxiously urging, "Ask Jiang Yang what's going on. Did something recently upset Huo Qing?"
The stepson had never gotten along with Jiang Yang. Now, out of nowhere, Huo Qing personally came to take the stepson away. Jiang Zhaolin was deeply worried. Huo Qing's background was beyond the reach of ordinary people's inquiry. Who knew if someone in Huo Qing's family had a difficult medical condition waiting for Yan Su's help?
If that were the case and Yan Su owed Huo Qing a favor, would Huo Qing continue to help his son? What if Huo Qing sided with his stepson against his own son? Would the Jiang family be alright?
"I heard you took Yan Yu to the hospital?" Nie Jia asked casually on the way.
Huo Qing grunted lightly in acknowledgment. His side profile in the morning light exuded a sharp, handsome charm. He smirked ever so slightly, a hint of arrogance in the curve of his lips.
Nie Jia glanced at the rapidly receding buildings outside, furrowing his brows, "Just hand him over to his creditor, he's of no use to you, right?"
"If that's Dr. Yan's wish, I have no objections," Huo Qing replied.
"You can call me by my name," Nie Jia said.
"Su Su?" A light chuckle.
Nie Jia immediately turned his head, glaring at Huo Qing. But the man, supporting his head with one hand, looked back at him, joy evident in his eyes and the corners of his lips. "You're finally acknowledging me?"
Nie Jia quickly turned his head away again, gazing outside. His ears inexplicably grew warm, and when he tried to cover them, he couldn't shut out Huo Qing's joyful laughter.
The assistant swiftly drove to Huo Qing's residence, a garden villa by the lake. There were no other occupants nearby, making it exceptionally quiet. Two years ago, Huo Yun settled here with his son and Ye Shuming.