Substitute Bride's Husband Is An Invisible Rich Man Chapter 262 - Lingering Warmth

“You’re leaning on me too much,” Huo Zhen commented with a playful grin forming on his face.

Mo Yan was startled and about to jump up in a fluster when Huo Zhen, quicker still, used his uninjured arm to seize her wrist. Noticing her continued struggle, he cautioned in a stern voice, “You had better listen to me. Otherwise, you might aggravate my wound, and I don't know when it will finally heal.”

At his words, Mo Yan immediately stopped resisting.

Her face flushed a deeper crimson, and she found herself at a loss on how to address Huo Zhen. Lowering her gaze, she couldn't believe how timid her voice sounded as she asked, “Huo Zhen, what exactly do you intend to do? You’re still injured; you can’t possibly…”

“You said I can’t?”

Huo Zhen arched an eyebrow. Was she intentionally provoking him?

“That’s not what I meant. I… I meant it’s just not convenient.” Realizing Huo Zhen seemed to be misinterpreting her intentions, Mo Yan hastily tried to clarify. However, her anxious explanation was poorly phrased and somehow sounded even more peculiar to Huo Zhen…

In fact, it sounded quite suggestive.

As expected, Huo Zhen completely misunderstood Mo Yan’s intentions.

He offered her a knowing smile. “Is that so? There’s no inconvenience. I can easily handle you with just one hand.”

Mo Yan was so taken aback that she immediately pulled herself away from Huo Zhen’s embrace.

She placed a hand on her chest, which was still heaving rapidly. Despite being married for quite some time, they hadn't truly consummated their relationship. Furthermore, wasn't his flirtatious advance just now a bit too bold?

“Can’t you be a little more serious? Aren’t you worried that someone might witness this? As the esteemed Master Huo, surely you have many visitors, especially when you’re injured, right?”

Recalling that he was the unparalleled Huo Zhen, Mo Yan couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

If he had simply been Luo Tao, Mo Yan felt confident that through her own efforts, she could have become his equal and earned genuine admiration. However, contemplating his divinely favored status, the vast chasm between them felt insurmountable. No matter her achievements, people would invariably believe she had merely lucked out by marrying into the Huo family.

“No one will come to visit me,” Huo Zhen stated calmly. He could also sense a certain distance emanating from Mo Yan. He patted the side of his bed, gesturing for Mo Yan to sit down. “The individuals attempting to assassinate me are undoubtedly connected to the Huo family. Therefore, I don’t require any visitors. Even if I am injured, no one else will be aware of it.”

“Aren’t they your family members?” Mo Yan’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. Huo Zhen’s expression was grave, showing no hint of jest.

“Isn’t Mo Lian also your relative? When she acts, does she ever consider your familial bonds?” Huo Zhen sidestepped her question, standing up and extending a hand towards her. “It’s rather amusing how family ties often pale in comparison to mere currency. For wealth, even the closest relatives can turn into bitter enemies.”

Mo Yan’s gaze grew somber. She could empathize with Huo Zhen's sentiment. It mirrored her own past relationship with Mo Dong and Mo Lian, whom she had treated as family, dedicating her all to them. She had naively believed that her sincerity would be reciprocated. To her dismay, not only did they remain unmoved, but they actively plotted against her, repeatedly endangering her or exploiting her for their own gain.

“Thus, within the entire Huo family now, only that young lady, Huo Yu, receives my genuine affection.” Huo Zhen wished to shield Mo Yan from the internal strife consuming the Huo family. His intention was merely to inform her of the alliances and enmities at play.

“Oh.”

Mo Yan responded softly. Her thoughts turned to the imperious and domineering Huo Yu, sparking a flicker of concern. “I quite like that young lady, Huo Yu. She’s willful and somewhat eccentric, with a refreshingly direct personality. However, she doesn't seem particularly fond of me. Should I perhaps do something to bridge this gap?”

“So, I can interpret this as you genuinely desiring the approval of my family?” Huo Zhen chuckled lightly, reaching out to affectionately ruffle Mo Yan’s nose.

Mo Yan was taken aback. While her desire was sincere, the way Huo Zhen phrased it felt slightly peculiar and unsettling.

“That’s not what I meant!”

She leaped up in a panic, only to be gently pulled back by Huo Zhen. He leaned in suggestively, his lips brushing near Mo Yan’s ear as he murmured, “You don’t need to do anything. This is perfectly acceptable.”

“But…”

Mo Yan still harbored some reservations. Huo Zhen cleared his throat and added.

“That girl, Huo Yu, has always been exceptionally clear about her affections and antipathies. Her preceding demeanor indicated that she has, in fact, accepted you. Had she not, she would have undoubtedly confronted you forcefully on the spot.”

Though he aimed to reassure Mo Yan, Huo Zhen possessed a profound understanding of his sister. Judging by her reaction thus far, it was evident she had come to accept Mo Yan, though perhaps not yet knowing how to coexist peacefully.