CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 394; MEN HAVING A CHAT

"Just remember," Secretary Li said as they lowered their glasses, "to actually come back from this honeymoon. We do still have a company to run."

"I’ll come back," Huo Ting Cheng assured him. "Eventually. Maybe. If I feel like it."

The men laughed, and the conversation gradually shifted to other topics, but the camaraderie and understanding remained.

These were men who understood the complexities of balancing power and vulnerability, strength and tenderness, professional responsibilities and personal desires.

And in this moment, sharing drinks and honest conversation in the afternoon sun, they were simply close friends.... Brothers... Brother who had been there for him.

As the afternoon progressed, the conversation wandered into lighter territory, sports, recent movies, and ridiculous news stories that had caught their attention.

"Did you see that story about the guy who tried to smuggle exotic animals through customs in his pants?" Zo Zho Yu asked, laughing. "How stupid can you be?"

"Very stupid, apparently," Mo Tianyu replied. "I saw that. He had lizards and snakes stuffed in his clothing. What did he think was going to happen?"

"People do incredibly dumb things for money," Huo Zhen observed. "I’ve seen it countless times in my security work. Common sense goes out the window when there’s a payday involved."

"Or when they’re desperate," Li Junfeng added more thoughtfully. "Desperation makes people take risks they’d never normally consider."

"That’s true," Huo Ting Cheng agreed. "Desperation is a powerful motivator. It can make people do extraordinary things, both good and bad."

The conversation continued in this vein for several hours, touching on philosophy, human nature, morality, and the grey areas that existed in their world.

As evening approached, the staff brought out more drinks and light dinner fare, skewered meats, dumplings, fried appetizers, and fresh fruit.

The sun was setting now, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple. The garden lights began to flicker on automatically, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in the gazebo.

"This is nice," Xie Yuxuan said contentedly, leaning back in his chair with a fresh drink. "We should do this more often. Just... hang out. No business pressure, no schedules to keep. Just friends talking."

"Agreed," Li Junfeng said. "We’re all so busy with our respective empires that we forget to just be people sometimes."

"That’s the cost of success," Mo Tianyu observed. "The more successful you become, the less time you have for simple pleasures."

"Which is why we need to make time," Huo Ting Cheng said. "Otherwise, what’s the point of all this success? What are we building these empires for if we can’t enjoy them?"

"Family," Secretary Li said quietly. "We build for the family. For the people we love. To give them security and opportunity."

"That’s true," Huo Ting Cheng agreed, thinking of his kids, and Tang Fei, and the complicated web of relationships that made up his life. "Family is what matters in the end."

By 7 PM, the conversation had grown more contemplative. The alcohol had loosened tongues, and the men were sharing thoughts and feelings they might normally keep guarded.

"Can I ask you something?" Xie Yuxuan said to Huo Ting Cheng. "And I want an honest answer."

"That depends on the question," Huo Ting Cheng replied cautiously.

"Are you happy?"

The question hung in the air for a moment.

Huo Ting Cheng considered it seriously. "That’s... complicated. Happiness is a subjective course."

"The most important things are," Xie Yuxuan said. "But still. Are you happy? With your life, your marriage, everything you’ve built?"

Huo Ting Cheng was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the darkening garden. "I have everything a man could want," he finally said. "Power, wealth, influence, a beautiful wife, wonderful kids. By any objective measure, I should be deliriously happy."

"But?" Li Junfeng prompted gently.

"But there’s always something more," Huo Ting Cheng admitted. "Another goal to achieve, another threat to neutralize, another secret to uncover. Happiness feels... elusive. Like I’m always chasing it but never quite catching it."

"That’s the curse of ambitious men," Mo Tianyu said softly. "We’re never satisfied. There’s always another mountain to climb."

"Maybe the honeymoon will help," Secretary Li suggested. "Maybe taking time away from all of this, the business, the complications, the constant pressure, maybe that will give you perspective."

"Maybe," Huo Ting Cheng said, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced.

As 8 PM approached, the conversation began to wind down naturally. The men had been talking for nearly ten hours, and even the most energetic among them was starting to feel fatigue.

"I should probably head upstairs," Li Junfeng said, checking his watch. "I have been up and down and I’m exhausted."

"Same here," Zo Zho Yu agreed. "This has been great, though. Really great. We should make it a regular thing."

"Monthly gathering," Xie Yuxuan proposed. "Rotating locations. No business talk allowed, just friends being friends."

"I like that idea," Huo Ting Cheng said with a genuine smile. "Let’s make it happen."

They all stood, stretching muscles that had grown stiff from sitting so long. Handshakes and brief embraces were exchanged, the physical language of male friendship and respect.

"Take care of yourself," Mo Tianyu said to Huo Ting Cheng, gripping his shoulder. "And take care of Tang Fei. Whatever’s going on with her, whatever secrets she’s keeping... remember that she’s your wife. That bond matters."

"I know," Huo Ting Cheng replied. "I won’t forget that."

One by one, the guests departed, escorted to their vehicles by the mansion staff. Soon, only Huo Ting Cheng, Huo Qi, Huo Zhen, Secretary Li, Xie Yuxuan, and Li Junfeng remained in the gazebo.

"Long day," Secretary Li observed.

"But a good one," Huo Ting Cheng replied. "I needed this. Time to just... be. Without constantly strategizing and plotting."

"Everyone needs that sometimes," Huo Qi said. "Even you, sir."

Huo Ting Cheng smiled faintly. "Even me."

"We will go upstairs and rest...." Xie Yuxuan and Li Junfeng got up before vanishing into the pavement. They were staying in the Huo mansion for a few more days.

He checked his phone, no messages from Tang Fei. She was probably still at the audition halls, or perhaps on her way home.

Soon, they would talk.

Soon, he would get answers.

But for now, in this quiet evening moment, he allowed himself to simply exist, no plans, no schemes, no secrets.

Just a man, sitting in his garden, watching the stars begin to appear in the darkening sky.

And for just this moment, that was enough.

The kids were already back and busy with their homework.

— — — —

Soon, the auditions were done. Tang Fei retrieved her mobile phone and checked it, scrolling through her messages and notifications. That man, her husband, hadn’t looked for her. Not a single call, not a single text.

She sighed heavily, a mixture of relief and something else she couldn’t quite name.

Standing, she turned to the judges with a warm, professional smile. "Thank you all for your hard work today. Let’s meet tomorrow for a full debriefing on how to handle the talents we’ve just scouted. I want a comprehensive plan for training, contracts, and project placement."

"Of course, Mrs. Huo," the head judge replied respectfully. "We’ll have everything prepared for you."

"Excellent." Tang Fei gathered her things, gave a final wave to the judges, and headed toward the exit with Twilight close beside her.

The security guards immediately fell into formation around them as they made their way to the waiting SUV. The drive back to the mansion was quiet. Twilight sensed her mother’s pensive mood and didn’t interrupt with conversation; instead, she busied herself with messages on her phone.

Tang Fei stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past as evening descended. Her mind was racing, preparing for the inevitable confrontation with Huo Ting Cheng. What would she say? How much did he know? How much had he guessed?

Too soon, they arrived at the Huo estate.

Tang Fei entered the mansion through the side entrance, hoping to avoid any unnecessary encounters. The house was quieter now, dinner preparations were underway in the kitchen, and most of the children were likely in their rooms doing homework.

She climbed the stairs with deliberate stealth, her footsteps barely making a sound on the plush carpet. As she approached the master bedroom, she paused outside the door, pressing her ear against it to listen.

Silence.