Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 869: Chapter 865: Old Photos

Stimulated by the glow of those scales, Huo Sining only felt her breathing become erratic, her heart racing, and she woke up with a start.

Around her was absolute silence. In the dark night, she still lay on the carved canopy bed in the old house, with no trace of the blue seas, the silver moon, or the Jiaoren in sight.

Huo Sining felt herself break out in a cold sweat. Though she was awake from the dream, she still felt a lingering fear.

Even though Su Lan had shown her true form in front of her before, and even though she had psychologically prepared herself, dreaming that she turned into a human with a fish’s tail still made her heart race, filling her with fright and confusion about the unknown.

However, this dream left Huo Sining unsettled. She lay there with her eyes open until dawn.

Early in the morning, Huo Sining went directly to the Huang Family. Because she had been busy lately, Huo Sining had visited the Imperial Capital several times but hadn’t stopped by the Huang residence, leaving her feeling a bit guilty. Now that she was back in the Imperial Capital, she couldn’t find any more excuses. She brought seven or eight double-headed abalones and went to the Huang Family.

Huang Chengyi and Huang Chengxin were doing their morning exercises in the yard when they saw Huo Sining approaching, and they were thrilled.

After months of rehabilitation, Huang Chengyi’s legs had recovered well enough that he no longer needed a wheelchair or crutches. He could walk unassisted in the yard, even though he couldn’t go far, he appeared no different from an ordinary person.

”Granduncle, you’re healed?”

Seeing Huang Chengyi strolling in the yard, Huo Sining’s eyes brightened. She walked up to Huang Chengyi with a smile, habitually squatting to check on the elderly man’s legs.

Huang Chengyi’s quick recovery couldn’t be separated from his dedicated rehabilitation. He likely had no idea that the obsidian bracelet Huo Sining had given him also played a key role in his recovery.

The Sanskrit on that obsidian bracelet was specially engraved by Yan Feng. It was said to be able to heal and ward off evil, greatly benefiting the old man’s health.

”How could I not be? Your granduncle is now fit and healthy, couldn’t be better!”

Huang Chengyi laughed heartily, the animosity that had accumulated in his eyes over the years had vanished, leaving only a vibrant spirit and a radiant smile.

Huo Sining was genuinely happy for Huang Chengyi. No matter what, she had done what she could for this elderly man. Seeing her granduncle recover, Huo Sining’s heart was filled with satisfaction.

Following the two old men into the house, Huo Sining handed the things she brought to her grandaunt, Xie Sulan. Upon seeing the contents of the bag, Xie Sulan was taken aback: ”Double-headed abalone? These are hard to come by. Where did you get them?”

Huo Sining replied with a smile, ”A classmate of mine lives by the sea, and her family deals in these. She brought me some fresh ones. Grandaunt, you’re a great cook, please prepare some for everyone to enjoy.”

Upon hearing that Huo Sining’s classmate had given her the abalones, Xie Sulan assumed they were farmed and didn’t think much about it, happily taking the bag of double-headed abalones into the kitchen.

After chatting with Huang Chengyi and Huang Chengxin for a while, Huo Sining prepared to leave.

”Aren’t you staying for a meal? You rarely come back, there’s no need to be in such a rush, is there?” Seeing that Huo Sining was about to leave, Xie Sulan hurried out to stop her.

Huo Sining explained with a smile, ”I still have the shop to manage. I’m planning to take over the antique shop in Liulichang. It’s currently under preparation and will probably open in a while. In October, I might be going to Dongyang for a three-month exchange program, so my schedule is quite tight.”

Hearing that Huo Sining was going to Dongyang, Huang Chengyi immediately showed some displeasure and concern: ”Why go to Dongyang all of a sudden? Isn’t staying domestic better? You don’t know anyone there, no one to look after you, and those Dongyang folks aren’t the best. Going alone, be careful not to get bullied.”

Huo Sining smiled, ”This is arranged by the school. There are only a few spots, and I got one, which means the school values me. Second granduncle, times have changed. While we must not forget history’s shame, there is much to learn from Dongyang. It’s a chance to broaden my horizons. I can’t stay domestically forever. There are benefits in seeing the world outside.”

Huo Sining’s words left Huang Chengyi with nothing to argue. Though he wasn’t happy, he pursed his lips and said nothing more.

Huang Chengxin nodded with a smile, looking at Huo Sining with appreciation: ”Going as an exchange student isn’t bad. Three months is short and also adds to life experience. However, things abroad are different from here. You’ll need to handle many matters differently. If you encounter disputes, don’t confront them head-on. If necessary, endure and avoid conflict. If you’re wronged, let us know, and we’ll help you handle it.”

Feeling a warmth in her heart, Huo Sining smiled sincerely: ”I know. If anything happens, I won’t hide it from you two.”

After chatting a bit more, Huo Sining then got up to leave. As she walked to the side hall, her eyes unintentionally fell on a framed picture hanging on the wall.

Huo Sining hadn’t seen this frame when she visited the Huang Family before New Year’s. When she focused and recognized the enlarged black-and-white photo in the frame, she was taken aback, her face stunned.

Following Huo Sining’s gaze, Huang Chengxin and Huang Chengyi smiled.

”This is the only photo taken of your grandmother and us brothers when we were young. Back then, taking photos wasn’t like it is now with digital technology. Film was precious, and taking such a photo cost several bucks.

”We kept this photo carefully. After your grandmother passed away, we couldn’t bear to burn it, so we kept it, though we feared it would bring back painful memories. We hid it at the bottom of the box, not daring to take it out.

”Last year, finding you made me and your granduncle come to terms. At least the Ruining line didn’t end. When we’re gone, we can at least face your grandmother with some peace of mind.”

”Your granduncle said this photo should be kept. So, we stored it with your grandmother’s relics. Recently, upon hearing that old photos could be reprinted, restored, and enlarged, he had the idea to enlarge it and hang it on the wall. At his request, we had this enlarged photo made, to keep as a memory.”

As Huang Chengxin rambled on, Huo Sining barely listened. Her eyes were fixed on that black-and-white photo on the wall, her whole being struck as if by lightning.