The family

After striking it rich at the Stone Gambling Festival, Huo Xuan had developed a rather detached attitude toward money. To him, wealth could always be regained, but neglecting loved ones was unforgivable.

The grand celebration lasted until evening before the relatives and friends gradually dispersed. Only Third Uncle's family and Little Uncle stayed behind. Third Aunt had a clear agenda—to win Huo Xuan's forgiveness.

As for Little Uncle, Huo Guoqiang, who had just turned thirty this year, he had been raised by Huo Xuan's father, Huo Guozhong. Because of this, Huo Guoqiang held deep affection for Huo Xuan's family and would often stay with them whenever he had free time.

Back at home, Third Aunt, Yi Zhu, busied herself helping Lu Hongmei with the cleaning, addressing her as "Elder Sister" with such warmth that it left the Huo family feeling uneasy. Meanwhile, Third Uncle, Lu Jianjun, made small talk with Huo Guozhong.

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Lu Hongmei quietly pulled Huo Xuan into the kitchen. While washing vegetables, she whispered, "Son, your Third Aunt seems like a completely different person. Yesterday, the moment she arrived, she started apologizing and even brought gifts worth tens of thousands."

Huo Xuan knew this was Lu Jianjun's doing. "Mom, just accept the gifts. No need to feel awkward—it's her way of showing goodwill."

Lu Hongmei thought for a moment and shook her head. "No, I know your Third Aunt too well. She's not the type to do something this thoughtful. Something's off."

Huo Xuan shrugged. "Beats me. You'll have to figure it out yourself, Mom." He tried to leave, but Lu Hongmei grabbed him and smacked his arm.

"You little rascal! I haven't even gotten to the main question yet. You go out for a bit and suddenly win five million in the lottery? Spill it—what's really going on?"

Huo Xuan's head throbbed. This was the question he dreaded most. "Who knows? I bought a ticket on a whim and somehow hit the jackpot. Life's unfair like that."

Lu Hongmei burst out laughing. "That's my boy! First lottery ticket and you strike gold. This proves my son is destined for great fortune."

Huo Xuan nodded vigorously in agreement.

Lu Hongmei added, "With this money, our family's life will finally improve. And your Little Uncle just passed the civil service exam in Jiangzhou. I suspect he'll buy a place there soon—this windfall couldn't have come at a better time."

Huo Xuan's eyes lit up. "Little Uncle got into the civil service? In Jiangzhou?"

Lu Hongmei grinned. "Why would I lie? Go ask him yourself if you don't believe me."

Huo Xuan dashed back to the living room, slung an arm around his uncle's shoulders, and asked with a grin, "Comrade Huo Guoqiang, I heard you aced the Jiangzhou civil service exam?"

Huo Guoqiang was about the same height as Huo Xuan, with a square jaw, thick sword-like eyebrows, and wide-framed glasses. He often carried himself with an air of solemnity, but Huo Xuan knew better—this uncle was shrewd as a fox. As a kid, Huo Xuan had suffered plenty under his "guidance."

Huo Xuan's grandparents had passed away early, leaving Huo Guoqiang an orphan at the age of two. It was Huo Guozhong who raised him single-handedly. Despite his hardships, Huo Guoqiang had always been diligent and ambitious. In high school, he topped the county's academic rankings to enter the prestigious County No. 1 High School. Later, he scored eighth province-wide to attend the elite First University of the Capital, where he clinched first-class scholarships every year.

Not just a scholar, Huo Guoqiang also became the student union vice-chairman during his sophomore year and even won over the campus belle, cementing his status as a legend at the university.

In short, to Huo Xuan, his uncle had always been an untouchable prodigy. No matter how well Huo Xuan performed, his achievements were inevitably overshadowed by his uncle's brilliance—often earning him stern lectures from his father.

Adjusting his glasses with a flourish, Huo Guoqiang replied smugly, "What can I say? Your uncle's just too brilliant. Passed in one go."

Huo Xuan promptly seized him by the neck, shaking him playfully. "Stop showing off! Stop it!"

Their childhood roughhousing instincts kicked in, and Huo Guoqiang retaliated, sending the two into a tussle. It wasn't until Huo Guozhong cleared his throat sharply that they froze like guilty schoolboys and settled down.

Snatching a pack of cigarettes from Third Uncle, Huo Xuan lit one for himself and his uncle. "So, Little Uncle, what's the plan? Really settling in Jiangzhou?"

Huo Guoqiang's playful demeanor faded as he took a long drag. "Yeah. If I want to rise above the rest, this is the only path."

Huo Xuan fell silent. He remembered how, three years ago after earning his master's degree, Huo Guoqiang had sunk into a deep depression. Later, he learned it was because his uncle's longtime girlfriend—the campus belle—had left him for a wealthy, well-connected second-gen red elite. All she left behind was a cold farewell.

The heartbreak left Huo Guoqiang adrift for half a year. He only snapped out of it to scrape together tuition money for Huo Xuan, taking whatever job he could find. Yet even in that, his talent shone—he quickly climbed to a managerial position, pulling in a hefty monthly salary.

Clearly, that breakup had reshaped Huo Guoqiang's outlook. Determined to climb the social ladder, he set his sights on politics. After Huo Xuan graduated, Huo Guoqiang began preparing for the civil service exam. Ultimately, he outshone over 3,000 candidates with the highest score, securing his place.

"Little Uncle, I support you." After a long pause, Huo Xuan spoke these words—simple yet sincere.

Huo Guoqiang chuckled and ruffled Huo Xuan's hair roughly. "Xiao Xuan, your father poured his heart and soul into raising me. Even if just for his sake, I have to strive for greatness—to achieve the extraordinary and rise above the ordinary!"

Huo Xuan grinned. "I know you're fiercely determined and brilliant. I'm sure you'll succeed."

"Save the flattery—no bonus for sweet talk," Huo Guoqiang laughed. "But I've decided to sell the house in Nangang. I'll leave some money for your future wedding, so I can focus on making my mark in Jiangzhou without worries."

Huo Xuan waved his hands dismissively. "Come on, Mom just mentioned you might buy a place in Jiangzhou and was planning to save up for you. If you leave money behind, do you really think she'd take it?"

Moved, Huo Guoqiang sighed. "I'll never be able to repay your parents' kindness in this lifetime."

"Enough of that sentimental stuff. Just hurry up and find a few beauties to bring home as my aunts—that'll make Mom happier than anything," Huo Xuan teased.

As uncle and nephew bantered, Third Aunt Yi Zhu began wiping tears nearby, clutching Lu Hongmei's hands. "Elder Sister, I was blinded by greed back then and said so many hurtful things. Please, you and Brother-in-law, don't hold it against me."

Lu Hongmei sighed. "Let bygones be bygones. We never blamed you to begin with."

Relieved, Yi Zhu added, "Sister, Xiao Xuan visited us yesterday with so many gifts, but I was tactless and said some harsh things that upset him. Could you talk to him for me? I'll apologize to him properly later."

Yi Zhu's recent behavior had completely upended her usual image, yet Lu Hongmei felt oddly numb to the strangeness of it all. She merely said, "Xiao Xuan's just a kid. Why apologize to him? There's no need."

But Yi Zhu insisted. Unable to shake her off, Lu Hongmei finally called Huo Xuan over and said sternly, "Xiao Xuan, did you upset your aunt during your visit yesterday?"

Though inwardly scoffing, Huo Xuan put on a convincingly guilty face, lowering his head like a chastened child without a word.

Yi Zhu immediately interjected, "No, no, it was my fault!" She took Huo Xuan's hand. "Xiao Xuan, what I did yesterday was inexcusable. Please don't be angry—I'm apologizing now. Can you forgive me?"

Huo Xuan's lips twitched. He shot a glance at Third Uncle, who grinned back triumphantly as if to say: Well, kid? Didn't I promise you results yesterday?

With an inward sigh, the resentment that had festered in Huo Xuan's heart since yesterday gradually dissipated. "Aunt, don't say that. You're my elder—how could I hold a grudge? It was my fault yesterday for storming off. Please don't be angry with me, Uncle and Aunt."

Finally, Third Uncle spoke up. With a hearty laugh, he said, "That's more like it! What's the point of grudges among family? Yi Zhu, Xiao Xuan has forgiven you."

Overjoyed, Yi Zhu shed tears. By nature, she was prideful, yet these past two days had forced her to humble herself before a junior. The experience left her reflecting deeply—realizing how unfairly she'd treated her sister-in-law's family all these years.

Every heart holds kindness. Sometimes, a single moment of clarity can illuminate countless truths.

After dinner, Yi Zhu and Lu Hongmei stayed in the living room watching TV, while the men gathered on the balcony for tea and conversation.

Third Uncle Lu Jianjun broached a practical matter: "Xiao Xuan, put in a word with Mr. Shang for me. If I can secure contracts with Chenyang Group, I could easily rake in an extra ten million a year."

Huo Xuan nodded. "No problem."

Little Uncle Huo Guoqiang raised an eyebrow. "Xiao Xuan, you actually know someone as influential as Shang Yang?"

Huo Xuan smirked, cradling his teacup. "Oh, Little Uncle, I'm also acquainted with Jiangzhou's mayor and the director of the Personnel Bureau—quite well, in fact. Bribe me now, and I might just fast-track you three promotions. You could leap from a lowly clerk to section chief overnight."

Huo Guoqiang scoffed. "A genius like me doesn't need backdoors to climb three ranks."

Jokes aside, he filed away Huo Xuan's revelation. Casually, he added, "Xiao Xuan, arrange a dinner with that Personnel Bureau director sometime."

"Sure," Huo Xuan agreed.

Huo Guozhong studied his son with newfound perplexity. Not only did he rub shoulders with tycoons, but he also had ties to high-ranking officials? And that five-million-yuan lottery win? Is the Huo family's luck finally turning?

After a moment of contemplation, Huo Guozhong cleared his throat. His square-jawed face hardened into solemnity, and the room fell silent, everyone poised for his counsel.

"Xiao Xuan," he began gravely, "it's no bad thing that this trip connected you to powerful figures. But remember: only undertake what's within your means. Don't reach beyond your grasp."

Huo Xuan nodded vigorously like a pecking chick. "Dad, your wisdom is unparalleled. Your son will remember it."

Seeing his lack of seriousness, Huo Guozhong swatted him—the slap sent Huo Xuan grimacing, instantly straightening his act.

"Xiao Xuan, don't take this lightly. Back in the day, our Huo family produced a truly great figure. But that man strictly adhered to ancestral principles, and that... led to complications. It's why our family declined," Huo Guozhong said solemnly.

The moment these words were spoken, everyone's curiosity was piqued. Huo Guoqiang asked, "Elder Brother, what kind of great figure did our Huo family produce?"

Huo Guozhong took a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling a long smoke ring before answering with gravitas:

"The town mayor of Majia Town."