In the living room, Old Master Huo sat enthroned in the main armchair, his hand resting on a cane. To his left sat Huo Mingzhao’s sister, Huo Mingyue, along with her husband, Meng Changting, and their son, Meng Zhi. The seats to his right, clearly meant for Huo Mingzhao's family, remained conspicuously empty. Not a single person was there. Soon, Huo Mingzhao led the small group in, introducing the