Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

"Grandfather! Do you really think there's a problem with our own people?" Huo Gang asked, his expression grief-stricken.

Huo Tiexia said gravely, "I've said it before, anything is possible!"

"However..." Huo Tiexia's aged face was conflicted. "Hongyan's fiancé, Xu Zhen, has always been in control of the supply. There shouldn't be any issues."

"Don't worry, Grandfather. Wherever the problem lies, we need evidence to prove it."

At that moment, Huo Hongyan interjected, "The medicinal materials here just arrived today. If we can confirm there's something wrong with them, it definitely means we have an internal problem. But if the materials are fine, then this matter naturally has nothing to do with us."

"That's true. But who do you plan to have test them?" Huo Tiexia asked seriously.

Huo Hongyan said proudly, "Since I brought the materials here, I've naturally invited an expert."

"Oh? An expert?" Huo Tiexia sounded surprised. "Is this someone we know?"

"You don't know him," Huo Hongyan explained. "But his insight is sharp. He's the one who exposed the fakes in the store last time. I believe he can definitely help us determine the authenticity of these materials."

"I see." Huo Tiexia nodded slightly. "That's good. Inviting someone with no business ties to our Huo Family is only fair."

However, just as Huo Tiexia finished speaking, Huo Gang grew anxious. "Grandfather, I object!" he said angrily. "This whole investigation is to find out if we have a traitor in the Huo Family. It's a shameful matter! I believe that regardless of whether there's a traitor or not, letting an outsider inspect our goods will surely lead to gossip and damage the Huo Family's reputation."

He then turned to Huo Hongyan and said coldly, "Your fiancé, Xu Zhen, is the director of the Provincial City Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, and he's always been in charge of our supply. Why should we search far and wide when the answer is right here? We can just have him inspect the materials, can't we?"

"Huo Gang! What nonsense are you spouting!?" Huo Hongyan retorted furiously. "This investigation is about the people connected to the supply, and Xu Zhen is the person most directly involved! If we let him investigate, what could we possibly uncover?"

"You!" Huo Gang was rendered speechless, a panicked look growing in his eyes.

Just then, a rush of hurried footsteps came from the doorway. The next moment, a man over six feet tall with a somewhat effeminate face and dressed in opulent clothes strode in.

"Xu Zhen, what are you doing here?" Huo Hongyan was surprised to see him. I didn't tell him.

However, Xu Zhen paid no mind to her question, instead glancing anxiously at Huo Gang. Only after seeing Huo Gang give a slight shake of his head did he visibly relax.

Composing himself, he smiled at Huo Hongyan. "I heard you were inspecting the medicinal materials, so I came over."

With that, Xu Zhen walked respectfully toward Huo Tiexia and bowed. "Xu Zhen greets you, Grandfather. How has your health been lately?"

Huo Tiexia nodded with a smile. "Thanks to your concern, I'm doing quite well."

Afterward, Xu Zhen greeted the other members of the Huo Family. They were all very polite in return, their eyes filled with approval. Xu Zhen was only in his early thirties, yet he was already the director of the Provincial City Traditional Chinese Medicine Association and a member of the Alchemy Pavilion. His prospects were boundless. This was why the Huo Family treated him with such courtesy, even allowing him to be involved in the family business before he and Huo Hongyan were officially married.

After making his rounds, Xu Zhen looked at Huo Hongyan again, pointing at the herbs on the floor with a frown. "Hongyan, I've already inspected these materials. There's definitely no problem with them. Why did you bring all this back to the house?"

Huo Hongyan's brows knitted together. "There have been a lot of counterfeit medicines in the store recently," she said in a low voice. "I want to check them again."

"Hongyan, isn't that a bit redundant?" Xu Zhen said with a bitter smile. "I'm telling you, I've really checked these herbs, and I guarantee there's absolutely nothing wrong. You should hurry up and have someone move this stuff away." He was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Huo Hongyan, however, was dead set on having the materials tested. She shook her head. "No. I've already invited someone to inspect this batch. We can't take them away yet."

"Invited someone?" Xu Zhen's brow twitched. He suppressed his shock and asked, "Who is it? An expert from the Provincial City? Do I know them?"

Huo Hongyan just shook her head and said nonchalantly, "His name is Zhao Dong. He's not an expert from the Provincial City, and you don't know him."

Zhao Dong!? The name echoed in Xu Zhen's mind. After a quick mental search confirmed he had never heard it before, he breathed a sigh of relief. He's just a nobody. How could he possibly have the ability to find anything wrong!? With this thought, he shot a reassuring glance at Huo Gang.

Seeing the look, Huo Gang also relaxed.

At that moment, more footsteps were heard from outside. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a plainly dressed young man striding into the villa.

"Mr. Zhao, you're here!" Huo Hongyan exclaimed, immediately running over to him in excitement. She instinctively grabbed Zhao Dong's arm.

That single action made Xu Zhen's face twist in fury. We've been together for so long, and I've never even touched her hand. Yet she just goes and grabs another man's arm!?

Rage boiled over. He strode forward, pointing at Zhao Dong's head. "Kid! Get your filthy hands off Hongyan, or I'll kill you!"

Zhao Dong's expression darkened. I haven't even opened my mouth, and some clueless bastard is already coming at me!?

But before Zhao Dong could respond, Huo Hongyan released his arm and stepped in front of him, glaring at Xu Zhen. "Xu Zhen! Watch your tone! Mr. Zhao is my honored guest. I won't have you disrespecting him!"

"Heh, an honored guest?" Xu Zhen unabashedly sized up Zhao Dong and sneered, "Look at him. His clothes aren't worth five hundred. He's clearly just some poor kid. What ability could he possibly have to inspect these medicinal materials!?"

At his words, the surrounding Huo Family members began to murmur their agreement.

"Xu Zhen's right. I don't think this young man looks reliable either."

"If he really had the skill to inspect these herbs, he'd be rich by now. Why would he be dressed in such rags?"

"Anyone with real talent is at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. If Xu Zhen doesn't know him, he's definitely not a member. What skills could he have?"

"I think this kid is probably a fraud. Hongyan is still young and naive; she must have been tricked!"

The members of the Huo Family all voiced their disapproval of Zhao Dong.

Just then, Huo Gang stepped forward with a loud laugh. "Huo Hongyan, I have nothing to say about you inviting someone to inspect the herbs. But what's the meaning of bringing in some broke-ass scammer?"

"Huo Gang, you've crossed a line!" Huo Hongyan shot back angrily. "I told you, Mr. Zhao is capable! Stop judging a book by its cover!"