CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 422; HONEYMOON PHASE 3 (H)

"It’s good weird though," Huo Shen said. "Better than seeing him cold and alone all the time."

"Definitely better," Huo Zhen agreed. "Mrs. Huo is good for him. Keeps him balanced."

"And apparently keeps him very satisfied," Huo Shen added with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"I’m going to assign you to sewage inspection duty if you don’t stop," Huo Qi threatened without any real heat.

"Worth it," Huo Shen declared. "This is the most entertainment we’ve had in months."

"Just remember," Huo Qi said, his tone becoming more serious, "what we discuss here stays here. Master and Mrs. Huo deserve their privacy. We protect that just as much as we protect their physical safety."

The others nodded soberly, the playful atmosphere becoming more professional.

"Of course," Huo Zhen said. "We’re loyal to the family. Always."

"Always," the others echoed.

"Now," Huo Qi said, standing up and stretching, "I’m going to get some actual sleep. Huo Yu, you have a point for the next four hours. Huo Zhen, relieve him after that. Huo Shen, you’re on perimeter check. Standard protocols."

"Yes, sir," they replied.

As they dispersed to their various duties, Huo Shen couldn’t resist one final comment. "I still say they don’t come out until dinner time. At the earliest."

"Noted," Huo Qi said dryly. "Now go check the perimeter before I actually do assign you to sewage duty."

Huo Shen left laughing, and Huo Qi shook his head with reluctant amusement. The team was good, professional when needed, but comfortable enough with each other to be human too.

And right now, with Master Huo finally happy and Mrs. Huo clearly satisfied, that humanity felt particularly appropriate.

They were protecting more than just physical safety. They were protecting happiness, intimacy, and love.

And that was worth all the professional discretion in the world.

Even if it meant enduring Huo Shen’s endless commentary along the way.

— — — —

Outside their sanctuary, life continued its relentless forward motion, Huo Qi efficiently coordinating complex security arrangements, the children dutifully attending their classes, the vast world spinning inexorably on its axis, business deals being made and broken, enemies plotting in shadows.

But inside this particular room, in this specific moment, time seemed to slow dramatically, to suspend itself like honey, granting them a few precious hours of simple togetherness without demands or expectations.

It wouldn’t last forever, nothing ever did. Reality would intrude eventually, bringing with it all the complications they were temporarily avoiding, all the questions that needed answering, all the truths that remained unspoken.

But for now, for this stolen moment carefully carved out of their complicated lives, they had each other. They had honesty in touch even when words remained guarded. They had this fragile peace.

And they had the carefully maintained lies they told themselves that it might actually be enough to build something lasting on.

— — — — —

The Academy – Lunchtime

The lunch bell rang with its familiar melodic chime, echoing through the prestigious academy’s corridors. Students poured out of classrooms in orderly streams, chatting and laughing as they headed toward the dining hall or outdoor lunch areas.

Huo Minghao gathered her books with practiced efficiency, sliding them into her designer backpack before making her way through the hallways. Unlike most students who headed toward the canteen, she walked purposefully toward the basketball courts where she’d arranged to meet Qin Xinyu.

The academy’s lunch system was flexible, students could eat in the formal dining hall, purchase food from the canteen, or bring meals from home. For Minghao and Qin Xinyu, eating at school was rare. The Huo family’s kitchen staff always prepared elaborate, nutritious lunches packed in insulated containers that put cafeteria food to shame.

She spotted Qin Xinyu emerging from the gymnasium, still in his PE uniform, his hair slightly damp from exertion. He’d clearly just finished basketball practice. When he saw her waiting, his face lit up with a genuine smile.

"Hey, Qin Xinyu," Minghao called out as he approached. "How was your class today?"

"It was good," he replied, falling into step beside her naturally. Without thinking, they linked arms, a habit they’d developed over the past days, a simple gesture of friendship and solidarity. "Coach says I’m improving with my three-point shots. What about yours?"

"Interesting," Minghao said as they began walking toward the parking lot together, weaving through clusters of other students. "We had a debate in social studies about economic policy. I argued for increased social welfare programs."

"Did you win?" Qin Xinyu asked with a knowing grin.

"Of course," Minghao replied matter-of-factly. "The opposing side didn’t stand a chance once I presented the statistical evidence."

Qin Xinyu laughed. "I don’t know why anyone bothers arguing with you. You’re terrifying when you’re in debate mode."

"Knowledge is power," Minghao said primly, though her lips twitched with amusement. "You’d do well to remember that." Minghao was a genius with a photographic mind, she couldn’t fit in the military but in the business world. She loved reading books.

They had just passed the main courtyard fountain when three girls stepped deliberately into their path. Minghao recognized them immediately, Chen Lihua, daughter of a prominent tech CEO; Wang Meiling, whose family owned a pharmaceutical empire; and Zhang Yiren, heiress to a real estate fortune. All three were in the same year as Minghao and were known for their competitive nature, particularly in academics.

"Huo Minghao," Chen Lihua said, her voice carrying that particular tone of false sweetness that immediately put Minghao on guard. "We’ve been looking for you."

Minghao and Qin Xinyu stopped, though Minghao didn’t release his arm. "Can I help you with something?"

"We wanted to talk about the upcoming Provincial Youth Debate Competition," Wang Meiling said, stepping forward. She was carrying a leather folder, which she opened to reveal what looked like registration forms. "The school is selecting representatives, and we’re forming the team."

"I’m aware," Minghao said neutrally. "I received the announcement this morning."

"Yes, well," Zhang Yiren interjected, exchanging a look with her companions. "We’ve already submitted our team roster. Lihua as lead speaker, Meiling as researcher, and me as rebuttal specialist. We have excellent chemistry and we’ve been preparing together for weeks."