Lin Banxia arrived at the Huo Family's mansion, already running late.
The entrance was lined with all sorts of luxury cars, a clear testament to how grand today's guest list was.
It was practically a large-scale luxury car exhibition.
The Huo Family!
Lin Banxia wasn't a stranger to it. Once upon a time, she too had entered and exited this place as a rightful member. The butlers, maids, even the personalities of the old master and mistress—she had them all figured out.
Of course, what left the deepest impression on her was Huo Qinglin and his family.
Huo Qinglin's father was the second son of the Huo Family, making Huo Qinglin's position the second-born as well.
Above him was his elder brother, Huo Yanting, who had been raised by the old master and mistress since childhood. After his parents passed away in an accident in their early years, he and his younger sister were taken in by the elderly couple. This was why, despite being from the same family, Huo Yanting's starting point in life was significantly higher than Huo Qinglin's. Apart from his shrewd mind, being raised in close proximity naturally brought him closer to the old master.
As the richest family in A City, the Huo Family, the number one affluent household, had its fair share of drama, more than enough to fill several baskets. Even though Lin Banxia had spent three years as a daughter-in-law of the Huo Family, there were still plenty of things she couldn't figure out.
For example, the old master favored Huo Yanting, while the old mistress doted on the youngest grandson, Huo Qinglin.
For example, even though she was the legitimate wife, she never gained recognition from the Huo Family. Everyone looked down on her, treating her as if she were invisible.
Of course, those trivial matters had troubled Lin Banxia in the past. Now, having regained her freedom, she viewed all things related to the Huo Family with indifference.
Lin Banxia walked along the small garden path, carrying a bag in her hand. Inside the bag was a cute hot water bottle.
This was the gift she intended to give to the old mistress today. Without a doubt, her presence today was bound to become a joke.
If she ended up utterly embarrassed, Huo Qinglin would lose face as well—serves him right.
Lin Banxia was in high spirits, even humming a little tune as she walked briskly forward.
"Young Master!" Suddenly, someone nearby bowed respectfully in a specific direction.
Lin Banxia's steps halted abruptly. Her dark, clear eyes turned to glance over, only to see, under the rays of morning sunlight, a tall and upright figure walking steadily toward her.
Lin Banxia's heart faintly seized and skipped a beat.
Her mind flashed back to that dimly lit hotel room, where he had pressed her beneath him, demanding her completely, whispering "I love you" over and over again in her ear. It was one of those stormy nights, the same night Huo Qinglin had cast her out at the gate of the old mansion.
Without an umbrella, she had looked like a drowned rat, crouched by the roadside in front of the gates.
He had emerged, noble and aloof, stepping out of the car with a black umbrella. Standing above her, he gazed down at her for a long time before crouching to seize her hands, frozen stiff from the cold, and forcibly handing her the umbrella.
Without a word, he braved the rain and got back into the car.
At that moment, the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat had been identical to what it felt like now—fast, so fast it felt like a drumbeat.
"Mr. Huo!" When the man stepped up to her, Lin Banxia quickly pulled herself together. She lowered her head, as though bowing to a king, dropping her gaze in submission.
"Hmm," the man replied indifferently.
Lin Banxia had not expected him to respond at all, but his aloof acknowledgment only made her heart race even faster.
She swallowed hard and looked up again, only to see the man's noble and imposing figure already heading toward the main hall.
Lin Banxia let out two discreet breaths of relief. She didn't know why, but every time she saw him, her mind would overflow with memories of him from her past life.
In truth, during her three years of marriage to Huo Qinglin, she had only met Huo Yanting fewer than ten times.
They could hardly be called close. She truly had no idea when his so-called love had supposedly begun.