Chapter 272: Just Mind Your Own Business!

It would be a lot of awkward talk if she headed downstairs, so Lu Zhaoyang eventually searched for a few Readers’ Digest in her drawer and sat quietly next to the sleeping man throughout the remaining morning. “Maybe I’ll find some evidence to convince mommy to reconsider…”

A few hours later, when the maids retreated from the corridor for lunch, she woke up Huo Yunting. She peeked at the corridor and kicked the sleepy man out of her room. “Ow—so rude…tsk,” Huo Yunting then walked downstairs for lunch after tidying his hair. 10 minutes later, Lu Zhaoyang joined after a quick shower. No one else in the family had noticed anything strange between them.

She wondered if she should join the course at first, considering how the atmosphere had already become tensed at the living room, but the additional set of cutlery on the marble table obliged her. The old lady was not home so that must be meant for her. Various cuisines were served on the table and one of them had caught Lu Zhaoyang’s attention before she got down the stairs. Donkey-hide gelatin they called it, which was good for pregnant woman they claimed. There was also a pot of cordyceps stew and a glass of ambergris…? The only few normal dishes Lu Zhaoyang recognized was probably tomato omelette and broccoli fried with scallops.

She took a glance at Huo Yunting who made a snort. What made the whole scene more dramatic was the addition of a medical doctor in his white robe. A well-known physician in the capital her parents claimed. He was there to brief them on the application of these superfoods for mothers. The elderlies were all ears towards his explanation while Lu Zhaoyang kept getting distracted by the snickers from her “brother”.

“Donkey-hide gelatin, despite its slight odor, is a rather nutritious food that contains necessary components for both the mother and the infant—well, Mr. and Mrs. Huo,” his tone changed all of a sudden, “Thank you for showing concerns on ways to improve the health of your offspring *but* I must say that Mrs. Huo is considered rather late for pregnancy. Extremely high risks may follow. They can be as light as a miscarriage or simply *death*.”

Klink.

Lu Zhaoyang dropped her chopsticks into the bowl.

Death?? To that extent? For real?!

“Well—doctor I…” Even the renowned medical doctor discouraged her decision, Madam Xue could not help but have her lips flattened, although by all means she wanted to keep the baby—it was her only hope. She had lost her dignity ever since what happened between Huo Chen and her daughter. It felt shameful whenever she had a word with the old lady. The baby would be her sole trump card to rise again in the family. She must not give up but she could not deny the facts by the doctor.

In the midst of hesitation, her wrist was grabbed. It was Huo Zhenning who looked into her eyes with positivity. Reaffirmed by her husband, she said, “Honey, don’t worry. I had fought many wars over the years and I believe I can win this one.”

“Thanks for the confidence, ma’am, though I’m not sure what your confidence can do,” said Huo Yunting, “It’ll be fantastic if it’s a healthy boy. If it’s a healthy girl however…” His voice trailed off as he passed a glance at his “sister” who nearly swept her bowl off the table out of panic. She looked at Madam Xue and breathed deep, “Mother, how about you give this another thought?”

“I had given enough thoughts to it last night, Yang my dear. I feel I’m in the pink of health at the moment. It should be alright.” She must not surrender to fate! It was an opportunity and therefore she must seize it!

“But—what if…”

“Your mother said she’s fine and she’s fine! There’s no ‘what-ifs’.” Huo Zhenning was enraged, “You are no more a child. Don’t you know about respecting the elderly? Just mind your own business!”

“…” Lu Zhaoyang then zipped her mouth completely. She knew she lost her rights of expression ever since the elopement. She lost respect from both Old Lady Huo and Huo Zhenning too…

“Well, sister,” said Huo Yunting with gleefully, “How does it feel being in my usual place? Wanna talk about it after this?”

Wow, Huo Yunting, what a way to set the fire. It might be a clever excuse to help me escape though—Still, it’s very reckless for him to say so in front of them. Geez…

I’m just worried about mommy after all. If she had made up her mind, I’ll just keep quiet then.