HBWMA -Chapter 334 Some Rejoice, Others Worry

As soon as Mo Ran heard that the young master wanted hotpot, she immediately set up a dining station on the leisure balcony. Within less than an hour, premium ingredients from land, sea, and air were neatly arranged across the table.

The most eye-catching item among them was a whole auction-grade Iberian ham.

Mo Ran handed the job of carving the ham to Gao Zhi. Gao Zhi held a long knife and turned it over in his hands, slightly troubled. He was good at killing people—but carving ham was not his strength.

Mo Ran also handed Lei Xing a white towel and assigned him to pour drinks for the young masters. Considering the young ladies were still young and not used to strong red wine, Mo Ran thoughtfully prepared warm water, juice, fruit wine, and lightly alcoholic cocktails.

With everything ready, Shen Guiling and Shen Lanxi’s chess game also reached its conclusion.

The two had fought each other until neither side had any pieces left, ending the game in the most intense and evenly matched draw.

Night fell, and rows of ship lights lit up again across the harbor.

Inside the room, a copper hotpot sat on a medium-sized round table. Six people sat around it, still leaving plenty of space.

The red broth inside was already boiling. One bubble after another burst and rose again, while the steaming heat blurred the glass windows reflecting the city night view into an abstract painting.

Jiang Huashan rested her chin on her hands, looking at everyone sitting neatly around the table, feeling deeply emotional.

Fate really was strange. In her past life, this group of people would never have crossed paths, yet here they were—actually sitting together eating hotpot.

No one knew her complicated thoughts. Jiang Huashan raised her glass of strawberry juice and silently toasted herself.

The rich aroma of chili oil and spices burst together, quickly filling the entire house. Worried the smell might be too strong, Mo Ran stepped forward and asked Jiang Huashan, “Miss Jiang, there are still many candles in the storage room. Should we light them tonight as well?”

Pfft—

Jiang Huashan couldn’t hold it in. The emotions she had just built up were instantly destroyed by Mo Ran’s mention of candles.

Shen Guiling, sitting across from her, calmly handed her a tissue and answered for her,

“No need. Save them for later.”

Mo Ran nodded. “Understood. The broth is ready. I’ll go prepare dipping sauces. Any dietary restrictions?”

Su Miao clicked her tongue inwardly. Where did they even hire this assistant? She’s basically an all-purpose butler.

Shen Mianzhi said, “I don’t eat cilantro. No garlic, and no scallions either.”

Su Zhuo silently took note—Fine, I won’t eat them either in the future.

Shen Guiling smiled gently. “Brother Lanxi, Brother A-Zhuo, since we’re happy today, how about a drink?”

Su Zhuo nodded. If it weren’t for Shen Guiling and Shen Lanxi reporting in time, the Su family would still be in chaos. And Jiang Huashan—Su Zhu had always remembered her kindness. He had been wondering how to properly express his gratitude.

Shen Lanxi, though appearing cold, did not refuse either.

Seeing this, Lei Xing immediately stepped forward to pour wine.

Gao Zhi, knowing his young master was not used to eating with others, sliced a full plate of ham for Shen Lanxi.

Lei Xing focused entirely on Shen Guiling. Every time he saw the glass empty, he refilled it immediately, afraid his young master would drink even one sip less.

“……”

Shen Guiling finally couldn’t hold it anymore and pressed down on his wine glass.

“You’ve all worked hard too. Sit down and eat.”

The three exchanged glances.

Su Miao quickly chimed in, “Yeah, we’ve been busy all day. Let’s eat together—hotpot is best with more people.”

Shen Mianzhi simply got up and moved seats. Su Zhuo followed suit.

The broth in the pot boiled more and more intensely. The eight of them now just filled the round table.

Lei Xing cheerfully poured Gao Zhi a full glass. “You said last time you’d have a chance to drink—well, here’s your chance.”

“……”

Gao Zhi expressionlessly ate a bite of the expensive ham, then downed the entire glass in one go—but inside, his inner self was screaming:

Hey! That was just polite talk! How can you not understand that?!

The atmosphere was unexpectedly harmonious.

Jiang Huashan suddenly remembered her promise to Fu Sui’er and made a video call.

“Want to eat hotpot together?”

Although Fu Sui’er was clipped onto a phone stand, she was fully involved in the experience and even had Mo Ran prepare her a bowl of extra spicy, extra numbing dipping sauce.

This works too?

Su Miao was deeply inspired. She quickly took out her phone, found a picture of Zhou Qishan, and said, “Mo assistant, please make another dipping sauce. Add extra cumin.”

“You…” Jiang Huashan hesitated, then suddenly thought of something.

“Mo assistant, quickly turn on the TV.”

Mo Ran, the multi-armed octopus, activated.

The local news channel was still replaying footage of the Shen family’s visit to Country S. When the camera cut to Shen Zhuang, Jiang Huashan raised the strawberry juice in her hand.

“Come on, come on, cheers!”

Everyone was amused by her and joined in, raising their glasses in response.

The moment the wine glasses and juice cups clinked together, the TV camera suddenly switched to Shen Qingyu, who lifted his eyelids and glanced toward the lens.

Everything happened at just the right moment.

At the same time, inside the Su residence.

At the large dining table, with Su Jingliu at the head, four people were seated sparsely. The table was filled with a variety of exquisite dishes.

Originally, they thought that sending Su Zhuo alone to Nanwan as an envoy would surely result in Su Miao returning with her. Unexpectedly, even Su Zhuo had been left behind in Nanwan.

Mrs. Su had gone through emotional highs and lows these past few days and looked somewhat drained.

Seeing this, Su Yun served her a bowl of hot soup.

“They’ve already been found. You should relax now.”

Mrs. Su smiled with relief, then turned to Su Jingliu. “Dad, what did A-Zhuo say?”

Su Jingliu replied, “That girl is currently with a friend. She said she’ll be back in a few days. You should listen to A-Yun more and take care of yourself. Don’t end up falling ill again before Miao Miao comes back.”

“Dad is right. With A-Zhuo around, nothing will go wrong. You should take care of yourself first.” Su’s father gently patted Mrs. Su’s hand.

Mrs. Su nodded and finally managed to drink her soup with renewed spirit.

After dinner, Su Jingliu and Su Shen went to the study to discuss matters, while Su Yun accompanied Mrs. Su for a walk in the courtyard.

The wind outside was strong, so after a while they moved into the warm pavilion in the gazebo.

“Mom, have some ginger tea.”

Mrs. Su took the tea and pulled Su Yun to sit beside her. “A-Yun, there’s no one else here. Tell me honestly—are you and Miao Miao having any misunderstandings?”

Su Yun lowered her head and said nothing.

Mrs. Su immediately understood. No wonder that child refused to come home.

Over the years, Mrs. Su had truly loved Su Miao. To her, both children were like the palm and back of her hand. As a mother, she didn’t want to see either of them hurt.

Su Yun carefully glanced at her. “She probably doesn’t want to come back because of me. If you find it difficult, I can—”

Mrs. Su patted her hand and gently interrupted, “She will come back.”

Su Yun froze slightly and looked up. “What did you say?”

Mrs. Su smiled and touched her face. “I know Miao Miao. This is where her family is—she will definitely come back. You don’t need to blame yourself. You’re both children. Let the adults handle the rest.”

Su Yun lowered her eyes and nodded lightly.

The woman in front of her was completely different from Su Li.

“There’s something else…” Mrs. Su hesitated before continuing carefully. “It’s about your adoptive mother. Back then, you were kidnapped by criminals, which caused us to be separated from mother and daughter. Your adoptive mother was involved in what happened. I will never forgive what she did to you. But… she is Miao Miao’s biological mother. If the Su family wants to do anything, we still need to consider Miao Miao’s wishes.”

Su Yun immediately understood what she meant, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

“If Su Miao pleads for her mother, will Grandpa and the Su family let Su Li go?”

“Then what about everything I went through? What does that count for?”

Mrs. Su shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. Now that Miao Miao knows her own identity, if we punish her biological mother without respecting her feelings, I’m afraid she will hate us.”

“Then what about me?” Su Yun looked at her quietly.

Mrs. Su gently pulled her into her arms. “A-Yun, you and Miao Miao are both my heart’s flesh and blood. I don’t want either of you to be hurt. I hate that woman more than anyone for separating us back then. And when I learned she mistreated you, I wished I could tear her heart out myself. But I’m asking you—please give me a little time. Give all of us a little time. I promise you, Su Li will be punished. She will pay for what she has done. The only condition is that Miao Miao must not be dragged into this. She is innocent.”

“……”

That night, Su Yun sat at the edge of her bed, staring blankly out the window.

Mrs. Su’s words kept replaying in her mind. She couldn’t sleep.

Then suddenly, her phone screen vibrated.

Su Yun glanced over, her eyes darkening with a rising tide of emotion.

[Zhao Tang: I will drag you down to hell with me. Don’t think you can escape.]