"Qian Ran, you bastard! What the hell have you done?"
As soon as Huo Yun'er left, Huo Yuhao dragged Qian Ran into a side room, his face twisted in anger.
He wanted to tear Qian Ran apart but knew he didn't stand a chance.
"I don't get what you're saying. What do you mean?" Qian Ran raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance.
"You know damn well what I mean! Why is she so obedient to you? Did you use some twisted soul skill to control her mind and satisfy your sick desires?!" Huo Yuhao roared.
He couldn't believe Qian Ran didn't know how important Huo Yun'er was to him. With Qian Ran's resources and connections, it would've been easy to find out. There was no way he was unaware—this was deliberate!
"Huo Yuhao, I'd advise you to watch your mouth. Yun'er and I are in love. Mutual love," Qian Ran said, his voice calm but laced with mockery.
"With my status, isn't it natural for her to like me?"
Huo Yuhao was stunned by the question.
If he ignored the fact that Qian Ran was his sworn enemy, it was undeniable that Qian Ran was exceptional. His appearance, power, and charisma were leagues above anyone else.
From a purely objective standpoint, any woman would choose Qian Ran over other men.
Qian Ran was in a league of his own. Women would only settle for someone else after exhausting every possibility of being with him.
"I think Yun'er is quite the catch—great figure, good looks, and a big… well, you know. She's just my type. It's not unreasonable for us to be together, is it?" Qian Ran said with a smirk.
Huo Yuhao's face turned beet red, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Do you even know who she is to me?!" Huo Yuhao shouted, his voice shaking with rage.
"Wait, what? I asked you before, and you didn't tell me. I assumed she was your sister since you're both named Huo," Qian Ran replied with a straight face.
"Relax, Yuhao. We're family now. Yun'er and I will take good care of you. Why hold onto all this resentment?" He patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder, acting as though he genuinely cared.
"Family?! She's my—"
Huo Yuhao's voice caught in his throat as tears welled up in his eyes.
He couldn't tell if Qian Ran was genuinely clueless or just playing dumb, but either way, the implication was unbearable.
"Since we're family now, I've been thinking. Let's put the past behind us. You're my little brother, and I'm… well, let's just say you can call me Dad. We'll each address the other how we like—no hard feelings."
"You… bastard! I'll kill you!" Huo Yuhao lunged at Qian Ran again, his fists clenched tightly.
With a casual step to the side, Qian Ran dodged effortlessly, letting Huo Yuhao stumble and fall to the floor.
"You're really not getting this, are you? You should start showing some respect for your Uncle Qian. Soon enough, when Yun'er and I have our wedding, you'll have to upgrade that title. 'Uncle' is just a temporary placeholder." Qian Ran grinned, clearly amused by his own joke.
Even he found his words outrageous, but the more he watched Huo Yuhao squirm, the more entertaining it became.
"Qian Ran, you'll pay for this. One day, you'll face divine retribution!" Huo Yuhao spat venomously.
Though Qian Ran hadn't threatened him outright, his every word struck a nerve. The thought of Qian Ran marrying Huo Yun'er and inviting him to the ceremony was too much to bear.
"Relax, Yuhao. Why don't you sit and cool off? I'm going to the kitchen to help Yun'er with dinner," Qian Ran said dismissively, walking off without another word.
Huo Yuhao dragged himself to the living room, his eyes following Qian Ran's retreating figure. Through the sliding glass door to the kitchen, he could see Qian Ran and Huo Yun'er standing close together, their laughter filling the room as they worked side by side.
It was as though Huo Yuhao didn't exist, left to sit in the shadows while the two of them basked in their shared warmth.
This is my home. Why does it feel like I'm the outsider?
Watching their intimate interaction, Huo Yuhao's heart sank deeper into despair.
In the kitchen, Huo Yun'er glanced over her shoulder, spotting Huo Yuhao sulking in the living room. She turned to Qian Ran with a pleased expression.
"Master, was Yun'er's performance satisfactory?" she asked softly, her voice laced with pride.
"Perfect. My Yun'er is the best," Qian Ran replied, playfully pinching her cheek.
Her willingness to obey his every word, no matter how outrageous, filled Qian Ran with immense satisfaction. The sense of control, of being completely adored, was intoxicating.
"Master, shall we play something… spicier next time?" Huo Yun'er whispered, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"You're such a tease," Qian Ran said, giving her a playful pinch.
"Yun'er only acts this way for Master. Yun'er is Master's loyal dog," she said earnestly, her tone full of devotion.
Qian Ran chuckled. "You really learned a lot in Star Luo City, didn't you? Those noble etiquette lessons paid off."
Indeed, Huo Yun'er's time among the Star Luo nobility had refined her movements, adding a touch of elegance to her already captivating demeanor.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Huo Yuhao sat in silence, his fists clenched tightly in his lap.
Qian Ran has taken everything from me. My Dong'er, my Snow Empress, my Ice Empress, my every opportunity… even my mother.
What more can he take?
As he watched Qian Ran and Huo Yun'er laugh and chat in the kitchen, Huo Yuhao felt utterly defeated.
For the first time, the thought crossed his mind:
Maybe it's time to leave.
(End of Chapter)
Notes-Read all chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X