Huo Yuhao didn't immediately push the door open. In truth, he had other thoughts—he wanted to see just how deep Huo Yun'er's feelings for Qian Ran had become. He couldn't believe Huo Yun'er would fall for Qian Ran like some lovesick fool so quickly.
There was no way Qian Ran could be that irresistible.
"Gorgeous."
As Huo Yuhao cast his gaze over, he was momentarily stunned by Huo Yun'er's beauty.
Since Qian Ran had left, Huo Yun'er hadn't bothered to dress up properly.
Beautiful, yes, but not gaudy.
To be fair, men don't always respond to beauty with lust. If a beauty is dressed in an elegant gown, it can evoke a sense of ethereal charm. But dressed provocatively? That's different—bare skin shining in the light can immediately fix a man's gaze.
"Clothes make the man, saddle makes the horse," as they say. A woman who knows how to dress can turn a seven into a nine.
Huo Yuhao's heart sank instantly.
He remembered the last time Qian Ran came over—Huo Yun'er was dressed just as provocatively. And this time, she was even sexier.
Damn it! Could Qian Ran really have such an effect?
When Huo Yuhao saw Qian Ran and Huo Yun'er kissing, his face flushed red with suppressed fury.
How could they... How could they...
In the past, Qian Ran had visited a few times, but he had never acted so overtly affectionate with Huo Yun'er in front of him. Huo Yuhao had only felt a vague suspicion then, clinging to a sliver of hope.
What if… just what if...
Now, that hope was shattered.
In Huo Yuhao's eyes, his mother had always been perfect, even superhuman when he was a child.
But now?
What were they doing?
Alongside his anger, Huo Yuhao's heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
An absurd thought even crossed his mind: the two of them actually looked... rather suited for each other when they kissed.
If this weren't Qian Ran, he might have offered his blessings.
"Damn it! As if I don't know what that bastard Qian Ran is thinking? He's definitely doing this to get back at me! He just wants to become my father!" Furious, Huo Yuhao couldn't hold back anymore and kicked the door open.
The loud noise startled Qian Ran and Huo Yun'er, halting their kiss.
"Yuhao, you're back. Your Uncle Qian is here to visit you. Come and greet him," Huo Yun'er said, a flicker of annoyance flashing across her face. It had taken so long to get this moment of intimacy with Qian Ran, only for it to be interrupted.
Huo Yuhao's face twitched with anger.
Uncle Qian?
"Hello, Uncle Qian," Huo Yuhao finally managed, glaring at Qian Ran's seemingly harmless face.
"Good boy. Yun'er and I will be heading out to take wedding photos soon. Soon, I'll officially be your stepfather. Next time, make sure to call me 'Dad,' okay, Yuhao?" Qian Ran stepped forward, tousling Huo Yuhao's hair like he was a child and saying it all with a serious tone.
Huo Yuhao was utterly stunned.
For once, he didn't erupt at Qian Ran's words. The mention of wedding photos sent a blank wave through his mind.
Having seen photos of Huo Yun'er and Qian Ran before, Huo Yuhao knew Qian Ran owned a special soul device capable of taking pictures. Just imagining it, Huo Yuhao understood what taking wedding photos implied.
Wedding photos? That's the precursor to marriage!
Things were moving way too fast.
Huo Yuhao had initially thought Qian Ran was just making advances on Huo Yun'er, something he could thwart with a bit of interference. But now, everything seemed to be progressing in ways he hadn't anticipated.
Qian Ran had just come back, hadn't he? Hadn't they just reunited? How could things escalate so abnormally quickly?
"That's right, Yuhao. You'll have to start calling him 'Dad' soon," Huo Yun'er chimed in earnestly.
"No, I don't agree. Absolutely not."
"This is moving way too fast! You haven't even properly vetted him!" Huo Yuhao blurted out, directing his words at Huo Yun'er.
"Yuhao, this is something you don't understand. I've already vetted him. Qian Ran is the most important person in my life," Huo Yun'er replied, linking her arm with Qian Ran's.
"Him? A grown man?" Huo Yuhao's expression grew increasingly twisted. Did Qian Ran look like an adult? Leaving aside his unique aura, Qian Ran still looked just as youthful as Huo Yuhao.
What the hell?
"Yuhao! Qian Ran is much more mature than you. You should learn from him," Huo Yun'er said sternly, her face serious.
For a moment, Huo Yuhao felt utterly lost, his mind a chaotic mess, unsure of what to do.
The timeline had skipped straight to wedding photos, bypassing the dating phase entirely. The speed at which Qian Ran and Huo Yun'er's relationship was progressing left Huo Yuhao dumbfounded, completely derailing all his plans.
"Yuhao, your Uncle Qian and I are heading out now. If the shoot runs late, we might not come back tonight," Huo Yun'er said as she took Qian Ran's hand and walked toward the door.
"Not coming back tonight?" Huo Yuhao nearly lost it. This single sentence sent him into a panic. If they weren't coming back, where were they going?
That scoundrel Qian Ran—his lustful nature meant he would definitely…
"No! I'm coming too!" Huo Yuhao shouted, his fury so intense that he became strangely calm. He unclenched his tightly gripped fists.
Don't get angry. I absolutely can't lose my cool.
Forcing himself to smile—a grimace more painful than crying—Huo Yuhao caught Qian Ran suppressing a laugh. Damn it! Did Qian Ran think he looked like a comedic genius?
"Why are you coming?" Huo Yun'er was taken aback. This was playing out exactly as Qian Ran had predicted. She had been worried Qian Ran's plan might fail.
"I... I can help with photography. I'm a spiritual-type soul master, so I have a better grasp of lighting and angles than most. If you and Qian Ran are taking pictures, you'll need help, right? Not just anyone can handle Qian Ran's photographic soul device. But as a soul engineer, I can," Huo Yuhao said urgently.
He had a plan now: just endure for now. Tomorrow—yes, tomorrow—he would have the powerhouses of the Clear Sky Clan take her away, to rest and recover. Even if she grew angry with him, Huo Yuhao felt he had no other choice.
In hindsight, he regretted not sending Huo Yun'er away earlier, all because he had selfishly clung to the rare warmth of her motherly love.
"Really, Yuhao? But why does your expression look so strange? You're not planning to sabotage my relationship with Yun'er, are you?" Qian Ran asked with a playful smile, unable to fully suppress his amusement.
At the same time, he squeezed Huo Yun'er's shapely, toned rear through her tight shorts. Her gym-toned curves felt far more firm and resilient than before, a testament to her recent training regimen.
Qian Ran couldn't help but admire how Huo Yun'er's presence had become so alluring, mostly because of Huo Yuhao's reactions.
"That's right. And you were so rude to your Uncle Qian earlier, calling him by name. You're not still holding a grudge, are you?" Huo Yun'er frowned, her face growing stern.
"No, I... I think you and Uncle Qian make a great couple," Huo Yuhao forced himself to say, biting back the bitterness. Any sign of anger might ruin his chance to oversee the wedding photoshoot.
Or rather, to keep an eye on Qian Ran and stop him from doing anything outrageous.
"Really? If you've accepted my relationship with Yun'er, then it's time for you to change how you address me," Qian Ran said.
Huo Yun'er nodded, clearly agreeing.
???
What change? Didn't he already call him Uncle Qian? Damn it! What more did Qian Ran want?
"Let's go, Yun'er. Yuhao still seems reluctant. Once we're married, I'll take good care of him, and I'm sure his attitude will change," Qian Ran said, turning to leave.
"Dad."
"I…"
Huo Yuhao panicked and hurriedly followed them, letting the word slip from his mouth.
(End of Chapter)