Chapter 94: Anxin’s Hatred

“Xinxin, are you up?”
Outside the door, Zhao Qiufang knocked cautiously, afraid of upsetting Anxin inside. Ever since that day at the Xia family’s house, she’d noticed her daughter’s temper had grown more volatile.

Anyan used to throw little tantrums, but they would blow over quickly. There were moments when Zhao Qiufang even wondered why Anxin had to come back at all.

With a dark look on her face, Anxin got up and opened the door. Already in a foul mood because of her skin troubles, she showed Zhao Qiufang no kindness. “It’s so early—can’t you be quiet?”

Seeing her daughter’s anger, Zhao Qiufang could only force a smile. “Xinxin, today we’re going to the Huo family’s house to settle your engagement to Huo Ting. I’ve heard there will be many guests—so we can’t be late.”

At these words, Anxin’s mood lifted a little.

“I understand. I’ll get changed and come downstairs.”

With that, she shut the door directly. Zhao Qiufang had wanted to say a few more words, but seeing the closed door before her, she could only sigh in silence.

Meanwhile, at the Huo family home, Huo Sisi sat at the dining table, cheeks puffed with indignation. “Brother, let me say this first—I don’t agree to that Xia Cuicui marrying into our family. Compared to Anyan, she’s nothing.”

Huo Ting took a sip of coffee. “Why is today’s coffee so sour? We can’t buy this brand again.”

“Brother, are you even listening to me?”

Huo Sisi got up and snatched the coffee cup from his hand, setting it firmly on the table.

Huo Ting looked up at his beloved sister. “I heard you. But you should be saying this to Mom and Dad.”

“Mom and Dad just care about appearances. They agreed to this engagement, but you can choose not to go through with it.”

Huo Ting shook his head. “Being born into the Huo family means there are many things we can’t decide for ourselves. Didn’t you notice all those uncles and relatives eyeing Dad’s position? It was Grandfather who arranged this marriage in the first place. If I refuse to go through with it, it’ll give them something to use against us.”

“But… Anxin… Brother, do you really like her?”

“Like?”

Huo Ting shook his head again. “I don’t have the slightest fondness for that woman. This marriage is just for show. If she comes into our family and keeps to herself, that’s fine. But if she tries to stir up trouble, she’ll have no one to blame but herself.”

Seeing the icy look in her brother’s eyes, Huo Sisi couldn’t help but shiver. Still, Huo Ting wasn’t wrong—growing up in a wealthy family, especially one like theirs with a family business, there were many things beyond their control.

People on the outside saw them chauffeured everywhere in luxury cars, but who could understand the bitterness behind it all.

At ten in the morning, An Jie arrived punctually at the Huo house with Anxin. Mrs. Huo greeted them warmly.

“Hello, Auntie,” Anxin greeted, once again the picture of sweet obedience before Mrs. Huo.

“Good, good, come in and have a seat. Xiao Wu, go call the young master and miss down.”

Upstairs, hearing that Anxin had arrived, Huo Sisi ignored her entirely and shut her door. She remembered Anyan once telling her that her betrothal set by the family back home was to someone in the Northwest military district. Burying her head in her writing, she scribbled about Huo Ting’s upcoming marriage to Anxin, filling the page with grievances against Anxin—she still wished Anyan could be her sister-in-law.

As for Huo Ting, he straightened his clothes, the same enigmatic smile on his face. When he saw An Jie and his wife, he greeted them warmly as well.

“Huo Ting,” Anxin said, lowering her head shyly, her eyes flitting to his face.

Huo Ting nodded in response. “Uncle, Auntie, I heard last time you went to change your household registration, you ran into Anyan?”

At the mention of Anyan, everyone’s expression shifted. Anxin’s hand clenched tightly around the hem of her skirt.

An Jie, a bit embarrassed, replied, “We did run into her. She came home to discuss her marriage with the family.”

To discuss her marriage?

Huo Ting’s smile finally faded. He recalled the old days when Anyan would follow him around, chattering endlessly. Back then, he simply thought she was talkative.

But deep down, he had always considered her his destined woman.

Now, to think that Anyan would agree to marry someone else was something he found hard to accept.

Seeing her son’s silence, Mrs. Huo quickly smoothed things over. “In-laws, this must be a double blessing for your family.”

Double blessing?

An Jie forced a bitter smile. The last time they met Anyan at the Xia family’s house, it hadn’t gone well at all. Later, when they went to retrieve the household registration, he’d heard that Anyan had even changed her name to Xia Yan. It seemed she was determined to sever ties with the An family.

Zhao Qiufang, too, forced a smile and nodded in agreement.

As noon approached, guests began to arrive at the Huo family home, gifts in hand. For the first time, Mr. Huo formally introduced Anxin to everyone.

“So this is the biological daughter of the An family? She’s nothing like the last one.”

“Haven’t you heard? She grew up in the countryside. How could she compare to the An family’s standards? She doesn’t look like much now, but who knows what the future holds.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. I visited the An family half a month ago and saw her then—she looks no different now, just in a new dress.”

“Some people, no matter what they wear, can’t change their bearing. Instead, they end up looking awkward.”

“Exactly. Just look at how dark her skin is—she’s not even as good-looking as my housekeeper.”

The muttered comments below made Anxin’s face darken further, and her resentment toward Anyan only deepened.

After the meal, Huo Ting found an excuse to slip out, cutting short what should have been a pleasant gathering.

That evening, as soon as she returned home, Anxin tore off her pearl necklace and hurled it to the floor. Her face twisted with rage, she shouted at Zhao Qiufang, “It’s all your fault! Why did you have to make such a mess back then?”

“Xinxin, is that any way to speak to your mother?”

An Jie glared at Anxin, his eyes cold.

“Am I wrong? Didn’t you hear what people were saying at lunch? I’m not even as good as the housekeeper! If you hadn’t made that mistake back then, would I be a laughingstock now?”

Far from backing down at An Jie’s reproach, Anxin grew even more furious.

In a fit of anger, An Jie slapped her hard. “Do you think your mother and I wanted to make that mistake? Who would want to raise another person’s daughter for over a decade?!”

“Let me tell you, Anxin—if you’re so dissatisfied with your parents, you can go back to the countryside and find your foster parents right now!”

An Jie’s anger left Anxin momentarily stunned. Go back to the countryside? She’d rather die.

“Dad, Mom, I was wrong…”

Anxin put on a contrite face.

Zhao Qiufang hurried to embrace her daughter. “Xinxin, it’s all my fault…”

Anxin hugged her back, but as she turned away, the hatred in her eyes flared once again.