Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Birthday Celebrations
The Next Morning
The storm had not passed, instead it was brewing.
Dawn spilled pale light over the city skyline, another day to witness another storm.
Huo Feng sat in his study once again, sipping coffee, calm and steady.
Ah Si entered moments later. "Boss, the news broke at 6:00 AM sharp. It’s everywhere. The authorities have opened a formal investigation. Director Liu and Director Peng are under questioning."
"Hmm." Huo Feng’s tone didn’t change, though the corner of his mouth lifted faintly. "And Song Kai?"
Ah Si hesitated before speaking. "He hasn’t been mentioned in any report. Looks like he’s managed to stay clean."
"As expected," Huo Feng murmured. "He always hides behind others." There was a faint glimmer in Huo Feng’s eyes.
At that moment, Yue Ning entered the room with a tablet in hand. "The press is going wild," she said, scrolling. "But no direct link to Song Kai. It’s like the story’s been... edited."
Huo Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly. "He erased his traces before the leak went public. Impressive."
"Almost as if he knew it was coming," Yue Ning added softly.
He glanced at her. "That’s fine. Let him feel safe for now. The higher he climbs, the harder the fall."
Outside, the sound of laughter drifted faintly from the garden Huo Yan’s laughter, bright and carefree as she ran with the house staff preparing her small birthday decorations.
For a moment, Huo Feng’s expression softened.
"Let’s give her a peaceful birthday celebration," he said quietly. "We’ll deal with the rest later."
---------------
Meanwhile, in Song Kai’s Office
The morning sunlight did nothing to soften the fury brewing inside.
Song Kai stood by the shattered remnants of a whiskey glass, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
"Those idiots," he hissed. "All this noise, and yet not a single proof leads to me. Useless fools."
Huo Mingjie stood nearby, silent, watching the storm of emotion he dared not interrupt.
Song Kai straightened, the mask of calm slipping back into place. "Let them take the fall. That’s what pawns are for. But Huo Feng..." —his lips curved coldly "...he’ll pay for this humiliation."
He turned toward the window, voice low but sharp as glass.
"Prepare the next phase. We’ll strike back harder. His eyes flashed with menace.
The city was waking up to scandal, but the real battle was only the beginning.
And as the sun rose higher, it would bear witness to the imminent storm.
--------------------------
The Villa, Late Morning
A few hours later, the villa was filled with a quiet hum of activity.
The decorations were simple. Soft drapes, a few lilies arranged neatly in white vases, and warm sunlight filtering through the tall windows.
There was no crowd, and no grand event. It was the kind of silence that felt peaceful after too many storms.
Huo Yan stood by the window, her slender fingers tracing the edge of the curtain as she watched the maids move about. Despite her usual calm, there was a gentle spark in her eyes today.
"Happy birthday, Yanyan," Yue Ning said as she approached her, holding out a small, beautifully wrapped box.
Huo Yan turned, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. "I thought you’d forget to get me a gift with everything happening around my brother." She accepted the gift and laughed softly. "Thank you, Sister-in-law."
Yue Ning chuckled and reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "Forget? Impossible. You’re part of this family, and we’ll always celebrate you, no matter what’s happening outside."
Huo Yan’s smile softened as she held the box against her chest for a moment. Then, her gaze lowered, her voice going quieter. "When the news broke out, I was really scared," she confessed. "But seeing it all turn around... it feels like I can finally breathe again."
She paused, her tone laced with reflection. "It’s strange, isn’t it? The people my brother trusted tried to destroy him. Sometimes I wonder how he still keeps his composure."
Yue Ning exhaled softly through her nose. "Greed makes people forget their conscience," she said after a beat. "But what matters is that your brother stood firm, and that’s what makes him stronger than them."
There was a small silence. It was not awkward, just still, and filled with quiet understanding. Then Yue Ning smiled again and nudged her playfully. "Anyway, no more frowning. Today’s about you. Don’t think about such matters."
Just then, Huo Feng’s voice came from the doorway. "Ladies."
Both women turned to him with smiles on their faces.
He walked toward them, his usual cold demeanor had softened into something gentler. His shirt sleeves were rolled up. His expression was relaxed which was a rare sight that made Huo Yan laugh softly.
"Gege, you’re finally here," she teased. "You almost missed my small celebration."
"I wouldn’t dare," he said, stopping in front of her. His gaze softened as he looked at her. "Happy birthday, Xiao Yan."
"Thank you," she replied, her smile brightening. "It feels nice to see you smile for once."
He chuckled under his breath. "I smile."
"Barely." She countered.
Yue Ning grinned, watching the familiar banter between the two.
"Come on," Huo Yan said, gesturing to the small table where a single cake sat. "Let’s eat before it gets cold. No candles, please... I already made my wish."
"What did you wish for?" Yue Ning asked curiously as they sat down.
Huo Yan’s lips curved faintly as she answered. "That we’ll have more days like this, quiet and peaceful."
Huo Feng’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he reached across the table and gently tapped her forehead. "Then we’ll make sure your wish comes true."
She smiled, and for that brief moment, the heaviness of the world outside vanished.
The three of them ate together in companionable silence, laughter occasionally breaking through filled with lightness, sincerity.
Outside, the wind rustled through the garden, carrying the scent of blooming lilies.
Inside, time seemed to slow, holding onto that fragile warmth, because deep down, they all knew peace never stayed for long. The enemies were lurking.