Chapter 735 - This Won’t Be Taken Lying Down (1) (1/2)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Cousin won’t be going tonight?” Huo Jialan said as she looked at old Mr. Huo. “Grandfather, should we visit cousin?”

Fan Jian’s heart skipped a beat. Did I go overboard and cause an undesirable effect? He coughed and said, “Mr. Huo has instructions to take you back to the Huo family’s mansion in the army. Please be understanding, Miss Huo. I have to follow orders.”

It was the nature of a soldier to adhere strictly to commands or orders. Grandfather Huo thought about it and nodded. “Take us back, then. I’ll give Shaoheng a call to see how he is after we get back.”

Since Grandfather Huo said that, Huo Jialan had no other option but to remain quiet.

Huo Guanchen was at the main door waiting for them. When Grandfather Huo exited the car, Huo Guanchen went forward happily. “You’re back, father.”

“Yes.” Grandfather Huo looked around, supported by his walking stick.

It was about three or four in the afternoon. The mansion was quiet and empty, without anyone walking around. There were trees planted along the pa.s.sage, and one could hear the leaves rustling when the wind blew. Even though this was not as grand as the Xie’s mansion in France, it was Grandfather Huo and Huo Jialan’s favorite. It was home. They had stayed there for so many years, of course they developed feelings towards this place. It wasn’t just a place of pretty things to them.

Huo Guanchen supported Grandfather Huo by his arm and entered the mansion. Fan Jian quickly drove away and returned to headquarters to report to Huo Shaoheng.

…

Huo Shaoheng looked up from his desk at Fan Jian. “Okay. Noted. You’ve done well. You can go and rest. We have nothing else going on today.” It was Sunday, and it was supposed to be Fan Jian’s turn for a rest day, anyway. He breathed a sigh of relief and reported some minor things before leaving Huo Shaoheng’s office.

Huo Shaoheng completed some work on his computer before checking his watch. It was almost half past four in the afternoon. Just when he was about to call his mother, Song Jinning, the landline rang.

He answered the phone. “Yes.”

It was the call control officer. “Mr. Huo, your grandfather is calling to ask about your health.”

Huo Shaoheng did not wish to answer Grandfather Huo’s call. “Still have a fever. When I’ve recovered, I will return the call.”

“Yes, sir.” The call control officer understood what to say. She kindly rejected Grandfather Huo. “Grandfather Huo, Mr. Huo is still resting and not answering any calls. When he recovers, he will return your call.”

Grandfather Huo almost smashed the phone upon hearing a politically correct reply. However, he could not take it out on the officer. Therefore, he controlled his anger and replied flatly, “Alright. Let him rest. Get him to come home after he has recovered. We should gather as a family.”

“Yes, sir.” After Grandfather Huo hung up, the officer forwarded the voicemail to his mailbox. Of course, Huo Shaoheng did not listen to it immediately, as he was calling his mother, Song Jinning.

“Will you be going to the inauguration tonight?”

“Yes I am. I’m one of the leaders in this industry. The education minister will be going with us.” Song Jinning spoke to Huo Shaoheng with her Bluetooth earpiece. She was still typing on the keyboard, looking at the trial experiment’s data a.n.a.lysis.

Huo Shaoheng knew that his mother wasn’t someone who liked attending public events, and she would try her best to stay away from events like these. He did not expect her to attend this ceremony, either. He lowered his voice. “You can not go if you’re busy. Would there be a problem?”

“How could there not be a problem? The problem would be huge.” Song Jinning ma.s.saged her temples. She had lost almost 16 years of time. When she woke up after 16 years, she realized that almost everything had changed.

Even if she didn’t talk about anything else, 16 years ago, when her father was the President of the Inst.i.tute of High Energy Physics, all their funds came from the government. All they had to do was to continue with their experiments, and they did not have to worry about anything.

However, their funds came from the departments of education and finance, which meant the cabinet. Whenever they required funding, they would have to type a report to request it. They wouldn’t even know if they would get it unless someone had connections.