IJLHTW - 15

Lu Yongxin’s expression turned sour. A sister from a stepmother meant no blood relation, right?

Yet, she had never heard Shen Sui’an mention her before. If it were just an ordinary relationship, he wouldn’t be so hesitant to bring it up. Being a woman, she was sensitive. And Shen Sui’an’s reaction—this carefulness mixed with anticipation and joy—was unlike anything she’d seen in their five years of knowing each other, three of which they’d been together.

Suddenly, Huo Ci’s phone rang. Mo Xingchen called to hurry her: “Where are you? The ice on the salmon is almost melting. If you don’t come soon, I’ll eat it myself.”

“Coming,” Huo Ci hung up and prepared to leave, bypassing Shen Sui’an.

“Xiao Ci, will you come home for dinner this weekend?” Shen Sui’an called out again. Beside him, Lu Yongxin couldn’t help but reach for his hand.

“Do you think we’re the kind of family that eats at the same table?”

Huo Ci glanced back at him, sneered, and strode away.

On the seventh floor of the Japanese restaurant, Mo Xingchen waited at a table. Though partitions separated the seating areas, it wasn’t as private as a tatami room.

Seeing Huo Ci frown, Mo Xingchen quickly explained, “I booked the spot early. It’s Friday, and there are too many people; all the private rooms were taken.”

It wasn’t that Huo Ci was being picky—it was just that whenever she ate out, someone always secretly took photos of her. Though not a celebrity, her large following on Weibo often led to her being recognized.

The dishes were nearly all served. As Mo Xingchen ate, she complained about work at the hospital.

She was a fashion blogger on Weibo, but her actual job was as a doctor at a top-tier hospital’s health checkup center. Her workdays were easygoing, and she often complained about boredom. If not for appeasing her parents, she would have quit long ago.

“By the way, Shao Yi is getting married after graduation next year. Finally, someone from our dorm room 406 is getting married,” Mo Xingchen said, looking up.

Seeing Huo Ci remain silent for a while, she tapped her chopsticks on the small plate in front of her several times before Huo Ci finally looked up.

“What are you thinking about? You seem distracted,” Mo Xingchen asked.

Huo Ci lowered her head and softly said, “Is marriage popular now?”

Mo Xingchen let out a laugh of exasperation, saying, “I say, Miss Huo the Fairy, you’re like a celestial being untouched by worldly affairs. But do you know how many times I’ve been pressured into marriage this year alone? Even though my mom’s in Nanjing, she introduced me to two blind dates just this month.”

Mo Xingchen was the same age as Huo Ci—twenty-six. She had graduated a few years ago, achieved success in her career, and was quite attractive. Yet, she didn’t have a boyfriend. The older relatives in her family had long been anxious about her. After all, Mo Xingchen was the most accomplished of the younger generation, having entered one of the country’s top universities during her college entrance exams.

After graduation, she stayed in Beijing to work at a top-tier hospital and even bought a house there.

She lacked nothing—except a man.

Huo Ci truly didn’t have this problem. After her parents’ divorce, both tried their best to compensate her. No one interfered in her life or pressured her into marriage.

“Do you think my situation is good?” Huo Ci said mockingly under her breath.

Mo Xingchen paused, not daring to complain anymore. Sometimes, nagging and pressure from parents was also a form of care.

She quickly changed the subject: “Shao Yi said we haven’t eaten together in a long time. Let’s plan something when we’re free.”

“Before I go abroad, you make the arrangements,” Huo Ci said.

Curious, Mo Xingchen asked, “You’re really going to Africa?”

“The itinerary is set. The flight is on the 7th,” Huo Ci nodded.

All these arrangements were communicated between Bai Yu and Yang Ming. Although Huo Ci had Yi Zecheng’s number, she hadn’t actively called him. The schedule was indeed finalized: a direct flight from Beijing on January 7th. Yi Zecheng would also be going, which was Huo Ci’s only requirement for this assignment.

According to the plan, they would stay there for a month. During that time, she would document the daily work of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). If necessary, she might even travel to conflict zones.

Though not a war photographer, she wouldn’t shy away from such a challenge.

**

When Yi Zecheng left the office, it was already seven o’clock. He would be gone for a month. While he could handle things remotely via video calls, company matters needed to be arranged in advance. Over the past month, he had barely rested, working even on weekends.

Yang Ming had originally offered to drive him, but Yi Zecheng declined.

Tonight’s gathering was private, so he drove himself over.

The location was his choice—a famous private restaurant called Li Family Cuisine, located in Yangfang Huotong near Houhai in Beijing. Some guests were from Hong Kong and were particularly interested in Beijing’s private dining scene. Yi Zecheng had asked Han Jingyang to make the reservation since Han had extensive connections in Beijing.

Upon arrival, there was no sign outside—just a small white lightbox with red characters hanging at the courtyard entrance:

Yangfang No. 11.

Li Family Cuisine only offered set meals and didn’t allow à la carte ordering. Whatever the host prepared, you had to eat.

The restaurant’s reputation attracted visitors. In the past, Li Family Cuisine only served one table per day, but now they had added two small tables in an adjacent annex.

In one evening, they could serve about twenty people.

Naturally, Han Jingyang had reserved the main table for him. Upon entering, a large table occupied half the room, and on the wall hung a plaque with the words “Li Family Cuisine,” written by Pujie, the younger brother of the last emperor, Puyi.

Although it was his invitation, he arrived later than the others.

All the guests had already arrived, and upon entering, he apologized slightly. From the table, someone stood up and greeted him: “Senior, you’re late. Prepare to drink three penalty cups later.”

“Ming Shi, you’re scheming,” laughed a man with short hair and dark skin, pointing at her.

Ye Mingshi didn’t care. She looked at Yi Zecheng with delight. She was his junior at Cambridge. When Yi Zecheng was in Liberia, she hadn’t yet graduated and lacked the experience to join Doctors Without Borders. Still, she stayed there for several months until she absolutely had to leave.

After graduating, she planned to work for two years before applying to join Doctors Without Borders.

Together with him, she wanted to save those caught in the crossfire of conflict.

But before two years passed, Yi Zecheng returned to China.

There weren’t many Chinese in Doctors Without Borders. Among those present were also people from Hong Kong. They had all worked alongside each other in the organization, colleagues and comrades alike.

The dark-skinned man was Pan Chen, a Beijinger who had been with Doctors Without Borders for ten years—one of the earliest from mainland China to join. This time, he was visiting family in China. Later, Yi Zecheng would travel with him to South Sudan.

“By the way, didn’t you hire a photographer to accompany you? Why didn’t you invite them to dinner?”

Pan Chen had the typical personality of a Beijing man—outgoing and talkative, capable of livening up the atmosphere at the table.

This collaboration was between Ming Sheng Pharmaceuticals and Doctors Without Borders, initiated by Ming Sheng. Not only would they provide funding, but they would also donate medicine. Moreover, hiring a photographer was intended for future publicity. After all, many parts of Africa were still plagued by conflict.

They were all idealists, brimming with sincerity, wanting to help people on another continent far removed from their own lives.

“She’s a bit troublesome,” Yi Zecheng rested a hand on the table, tapping his fingers twice.

Indeed, he should have brought Huo Ci to meet her future collaborators. However, after the incident at Hai Yan, Huo Ci seemed to vanish. Even their communication was handled through Yang Ming and Bai Yu.

Yi Zecheng naturally wouldn’t take the initiative to contact her.

Now, suddenly reminded of her, he recalled her sitting alone in the dessert shop—not crying uncontrollably like before.

He didn’t speak, but beside him, Ye Mingshi felt a pang in her heart.

“A bit troublesome…” Those words carried a different tone.

It sounded intimate.

Ye Mingshi was also involved in this project. She had previously helped find photographers, but all the ones she found were male. She didn’t know who recommended Huo Ci later. When Ye Mingshi saw Huo Ci’s photos, she felt an indescribable sensation. Even after Huo Ci was confirmed, Ye Mingshi specifically followed her Weibo.

Unfortunately, Huo Ci didn’t post frequently. Most posts were work-related.

When Ye Mingshi first followed her, she scrolled through Huo Ci’s entire Weibo feed. Huo Ci was a photographer, so her posts contained many photos, including some of herself. Tall and slim with a face rivaling celebrities, even candid street-corner shots were breathtakingly beautiful.

Ye Mingshi was also attractive, petite with a sweet smile that revealed dimples.

Still, comparing herself internally, she felt a bit disheartened.

But that didn’t deter her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t still be by Yi Zecheng’s side.

She chuckled lightly and advised, “Senior, Brother Chen is right. You should have invited her. We all know each other well, but it’s her first time joining. She should get acquainted beforehand.”

Pan Chen glanced at her and smiled.

Women’s minds ran deep.

Yi Zecheng took out a cigarette and reached for his lighter in his pocket but put it down after a moment.

Seeing his motion, Ye Mingshi knew he did it for her. Her heart felt bittersweet. Though he was cold and taciturn, he was a gentleman. Knowing she wasn’t special to him, she still clung to that tiny sweetness.

After dinner, they moved to a teahouse for a while. It had been a long time since they’d seen each other, so they chatted until nearly eleven. Pan Chen called a car to take the Hong Kong colleagues back to their hotel.

“I drove here. Want me to give you a ride?” Pan Chen asked Ye Mingshi, who glanced at Yi Zecheng.

Pan Chen understood her feelings and didn’t press further.

At that moment, Yi Zecheng’s phone suddenly rang. He answered, frowned, and then showed slight irritation: “I’ll be there soon.”

He turned to bid them farewell.

Ye Mingshi naturally couldn’t trouble him further and watched his car disappear into the night.

**

Han Yao was waiting for him at the bar entrance. As soon as Yi Zecheng parked, Han Yao walked over.

“Where is she?” Yi Zecheng’s brows furrowed tightly.

“It’s too noisy inside. I looked around but didn’t see anyone,” Han Yao waved helplessly. His rare day off was disrupted at night. Speaking of which, he vented: “That Yiduantuan girl. If I find her, I’m definitely going to beat her up.”

Yi Zecheng glanced at him, and Han Yao immediately declared: “Brother, disobedient kids need discipline. Last time you searched for her all night, only to find her sleeping at home, making everyone worry for nothing.”

As they went upstairs and approached the entrance, they heard deafening music. At the door, girls smoking on the sofas looked up, and someone shouted teasingly at them.

Upon entering, the bar counter lay ahead, with a small dance floor shaped like a ship’s bow in front.

Yi Zecheng’s face remained cold as he glanced aside, preparing to walk in when suddenly Han Yao nudged him and shouted, “Brother, isn’t that girl over there Huo Ci?”

Huo Ci sat at the bar, where a bartender had just prepared a cocktail for her.

Two men who had come to flirt with her had ordered it for her. She wore a bright red short skirt, a color she rarely sported. Against her snow-white skin, the vivid red made her look like an elf in the night.

Huo Ci grew impatient and was about to tell them to leave when suddenly, a hand reached from behind and landed on her shoulder. Furious, she turned around to see an extremely handsome yet icy face.

Yi Zecheng was inherently noble and aloof. Looking down at the men flirting with her, his brow exuded an air of indifference that made them feel intimidated without him uttering a word.

He stared at the two men: “Leave.”

This demeanor truly resembled that of a possessive man. Huo Ci chuckled.