Chapter 18 - Family dinner

Huo Zilan arrived at the Qin mansion and headed in hurriedly.

Qin Mingmei was sitting in the hall room already dolled up and waiting for him. Her parents also sat beside her.

"Zilan you're here", Qin Mingmei immediately stood up and smiled warmly when she noticed him.

Huo Zilan nodded at the Qin parents politely and turned to Qin Mingmei.

"Sorry, I'm a bit late", Huo Zilan apologized to everyone.

As he finally got closer, he realized how stunning Qin Mingmei looked tonight, she was definitely going to impress everyone at the dinner with her good looks and gentle character.

"Let's go?", Huo Zilan extended his hand to her.

Qin Mingmei glanced at her parents shyly before wrapping her arms intimately around his.

"Zilan, take good care of our daughter", said Qin Fanze, his eyes filled with pride.

"Don't worry dad, I'll take very good care of her", Huo Zilan assured confidently, his gaze never leaving the beauty in his arms.

Qin Fanze signalled at the servants to pack the wrapped gifts into the backseat of Huo Zilan's car.

Huo Zilan nodded slightly at the Qin parents before walking away with his girlfriend.

"Brother Huo I'm so nervous", said Qin Mingmei in a somewhat nervous voice as she fixed her seatbelt in the front passenger seat. She was indeed nervous, hoping that she would manage to impress the Huo family.

"Don't be nervous, I'm sure everyone is going to like you. My grandparents are very friendly", Huo Zilan chuckled.

The two chatted sweetly in the car and soon arrived at their destination.

As Qin Mingmei alighted from the car, her eyes were filled with admiration.

The Huo family mansion was much more beautiful and splendid than she had ever imagined.

Was this place really going to be her home?

"Let's go in, we are not late yet", Huo Zilan walked towards her and she wrapped her arms around his.

The two entered and were warmly welcomed by a group of servants.

"Young Master Huo, Miss Qin, welcome!", The butler bowed respectfully at the couple.

Huo Zilan nodded slightly in response and heading in to the large dining room which was only used for family dinner.

Upon seeing the small group seated at the table, Qin Mingmei could not help but tremble nervously.

Huo Zilan immediately noticed and quietly comforted her.

"Zilan and sister in law are here", Huo Zie was the first to notice them and immediately stood up.

Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and turned towards the entrance.

Old Madam Huo however frowned the moment her eyes fell upon the strange girl standing beside her grandson.

"Zilan, who is that? Where's the lady from the Qin family?", Old Madam Huo immediately questioned.

Qin Mingmei trembled slightly and turned to glance at Huo Zilan, hoping he could explain.

"Grandma, Grandpa, everyone, this is my new girlfriend. The second eldest daughter of the Qin family, Qin Mingmei", Huo Zilan remained calm as he introduced her. Qin Mingmei was the only woman he loved and no one was going to force him to break up with her!

Madam Huo frowned, immediately guessing what must have happened.

"Mom, let Zilan and the girl take a seat first. She's our guest after all, you can question them later", Huo Tianlin, the father of Huo Zilan suggested awkwardly.

Old Madam Huo frowned but did not disagree with her son's words.

Old Master Huo also guessed what might have happened but decided to put the matter to rest for now.

Qin Mingmei sat beside Huo Zilan and politely greeted everyone at the table feeling extremely awkward. She felt like an outsider sitting in the midst of this big shots.

Huo Zilan had assured her before that Old Madam Huo had never met Qin Mei so why had the old woman immediately recognized her?

"Mom, didn't you say little Nine said he would be coming? Then why has he still not shown up? Everyone is here now!", said Huo Luze, the eldest son.

"Mom, elder brother is right, it's past seven pm now! Shouldn't we start eating? This dinner was supposed to start an hour ago!", Huo Jaoze, the fourth son complained.

"Enough! He's your little brother after all, can you not have a bit of patience with him?", Old Master Huo immediately scolded his sons.

He took out his phone and checked the time, in thirty more minutes if his youngest son did not arrive then they would have to start eating.

Old Madam Huo nervously grabbed her husband's hand on the table.

"I really want to see him...", Her eyes were filled with sadness as she murmured in a low voice.

...

Upon arriving home after about an hour, Huo Xinhan headed upstairs together with Qin Mei to change.

"You can explore the house whiles I'm gone okay? No need to wait for me to come back, you can go to sleep if you're feeling sleepy later on", Huo Xinhan leaned closer and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Qin Mei smiled as gently as she could and nodded obediently.

After a bit of chatting and reminding Huo Xinhan finally left the house.

He checked the time and realized that it was a little past seven pm but he was not in a rush.

He was not being too proud but he really hated hated going to this kind of family gatherings, moreover he now had a little wife at home.

The only people he could think of who honestly cared about him were his parents.

All the others, including his older brothers were all just putting on fake smiles.

Old Master Huo took a look at the time once more and took in a deep breath, about to announce that they start when low footsteps were heard from behind.

The door at the entrance was pushed open and a tall and elegant man with a dazzling face strode in expressionless.

"Little Nine!", Old Madam Huo was more than excited to see her youngest son after a few years and immediately stood up.

"You're here...", said Old Master Huo coldly but it was clear that he was happy to see his son.

Huo Xinhan nodded at everyone and walked towards his seat which had been taken by the wrong person.

Huo Xinhan was supposed to sit at the first right hand side of his father even though he was the youngest, he had this opportunity because he was the heir to the entire Huo family.

"I'm here already, are you not going to stand up?", Huo Xinhan's voice was extremely cold when he spoke to his eldest brother.

Huo Tianmei gritted his teeth but still stood up and gave the seat away. Over the few years when Huo Xinhan never showed up, he had been occupying the seat and had gotten used to it.

He had thought today was going to be no exception but he had been slapped hard in the face by the little bastard!

Huo Xinhan took his rightful seat and was now opposite his mother who had never taken her eyes off him ever since he arrived.

Old Madam Huo was already in her seventies but she looked like she was in her early sixties looking beautiful and energetic.

Qin Mingmei who sat at the last end of the table beside Huo Zilan had never taken her eyes off Huo Xinhan ever since he arrived.

She thought her man had great looks but now looking at the godlike features before her, she could not help but wish for more!

This man had a dazzling face that was like the bright sun, so bright that you could not look at it for too long.

Qin Mingmei realized that Huo Xinhan was more than a million times more handsome than Huo Zilan.

Seeing how even his elder brothers seemed to respect him, she could not help but wonder how powerful and wealthy he must be.

Just like Qin Mei, Qin Mingmei had also seen Huo Xinhan once at a banquet a few years ago from a very far distance.

Back then she thought he was the most handsome man on earth but upon a closer look, this man was definitely not a mortal but a god! A god of beauty!

...