IJLHTW - 49

The matter of the T&A jewelry ad came as a complete surprise, leaving Bai Yu both shocked and delighted.

When he later tried to inquire with T&A’s people, the news broke online first: a certain photographer had allegedly used underhanded tactics to secure a collaboration with an internationally renowned luxury brand, only to be reported and subsequently dumped by the brand.

The combination of keywords—photographer, underhanded tactics, international luxury brand—was enough to grab everyone’s attention.

Forums immediately began digging into the matter, with photographers naturally being the prime suspects, particularly those prominent and currently popular ones.

Somehow, someone started steering the conversation toward Huo Ci.

Before her fans even had a chance to step in, bystanders were already mocking the idea.

“You can call Huo Ci cold, aloof, or difficult, but suggesting she used underhanded tactics? I wouldn’t believe it for a second. Anyone in the fashion industry knows her reputation—she’s like snow on a mountain peak, untouchable and uninterested.”

This comment quickly rose to the top with countless likes.

Bai Yu immediately wanted to handle the PR situation, but Huo Ci told him to calm down. While adjusting the camera in her hands, she said indifferently, “It’s none of our business. Why are you so anxious?”

“They’re throwing mud at you! If this gets out of hand, it’ll get ugly,” Bai Yu fretted.

He was genuinely worried. Huo Ci wasn’t the same as before—now that she was with Yi Zhecheng, if someone smeared her with allegations of misconduct, how would Yi’s family react?

No one wanted Huo Ci to succeed more than Bai Yu. He roughly guessed how the T&A ad came back. Before, Bai Yu had tried his best, but Nan Wan had taken the upper route through T&A’s China division. Even though Huo Ci was beloved by headquarters, they couldn’t guard against such schemes. Without Mr. Yi’s intervention, there was no way the ad would have returned.

Yet, while Bai Yu panicked alone, Huo Ci remained focused on the lens.

“What about the touring photo exhibition?” She finally looked up and asked.

Bai Yu froze, now genuinely irritated. “How can you still care about that right now?”

Huo Ci narrowed her eyes at him and said earnestly, “To me, this is the most important thing.”

Sorry, you’re too commercialized.

If you don’t genuinely love photography, then let go and pursue your passion.

Did she love photography? Could she truly find peace through the camera? Huo Ci held the black camera in her hands—a fragile yet precious machine capable of eternally freezing moments in time.

Capturing joy, happiness, sorrow, grief, and pain.

Previously, she had always treated photography as a tool for making money, not caring about her talent or squandering it recklessly. But after her trip to Africa, she realized that photography could do more than just earn money—it could help others.

Seeing her seriousness, Bai Yu quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry. I’ve already booked the venues. For now, we’re planning stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and finally Hong Kong.”

Huo Ci set the camera down. “During the studio’s Lunar New Year break, I’ll use the time to prepare all the photos. This project will launch no later than March.”

In just a few days, it would be the Lunar New Year, and less than a month later, March would arrive. Plus, within this short span, Huo Ci still had many work commitments. Worried she might overexert herself, Bai Yu suggested, “At least spend some time with your family during the Spring Festival. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

He nudged Huo Ci lightly and chuckled, “Aren’t you going home with Mr. Yi for the holiday?”

Huo Ci looked at him thoughtfully for a long moment, then lowered her gaze and softly said, “Do you think the elders would like someone like me?”

Bai Yu hadn’t expected her to ask such a question, and it left a bitter taste in his heart.

He asked quietly, “Why would you think that?”

“I have a bad temper, and I’ve made trouble that even became social news. Elders usually prefer quiet, obedient girls,” Huo Ci replied lightly while reviewing images on the camera. Though her tone was casual, her words carried an underlying sadness.

Bai Yu immediately put his arm around her shoulders and said softly, “Huo Ci, so many people like you because you have qualities others don’t. You’re willing to stand up for your friends, like when you helped Shao Yi. You’re more sincere than anyone.”

Sincerity—that was Huo Ci’s most precious quality.

Bai Yu never imagined that someone as seemingly indifferent as Huo Ci would one day care about others’ opinions. Smiling, he told her, “Huo Ci, if you want to, you can make anyone like you.”

Because you radiate such dazzling light.

Huo Ci raised her head, her once uncertain eyes now gradually firming with resolve.

________________________________________

On the weekend, Yi Zhecheng drove himself back to the family compound for dinner. He didn’t call for a driver. As soon as he entered, he saw Xu Di sitting in the living room. Yi Huaize hadn’t returned yet.

“Chengcheng’s back,” Xu Di stood up.

After taking off his coat and handing it to the maid to hang up, Xu Di pulled him to sit down. Studying him closely, she gently asked, “You’ve been living alone outside. Are you eating well? You look like you’ve lost weight again.”

Yi Zhecheng had something to discuss with her. Apologetically, he said, “I have to go to New York in a few days, so I won’t be home for the Lunar New Year.”

Xu Di froze.

He explained, “It’s about acquiring a patent from a medical research institute in New York. We’ve reached the final stages, and I need to go personally.”

Xu Di felt genuine sorrow but couldn’t say anything. After all, she had insisted he join the company. When he got into trouble in Africa, Xu Di vowed never to let him return to that dangerous place. So she called upon Grandpa Yi to personally persuade Yi Zhecheng.

He was a filial child—cold in nature but unwilling to upset his elders.

Since joining the company, Grandpa Yi had full confidence in his work ethic and abilities. Seeing how hard he worked, even having to travel abroad during the holidays, Xu Di couldn’t help but feel heartbroken. With slight reproach, she said, “It’s all Siyang’s fault. He’s graduated but refuses to join the company. Instead, he spends his days racing cars.”

Xu Siyang loved car racing, especially rally races, which was why he had flown to Africa before.

Though Xu Di was his older sister, their age gap was significant—Yi Zhecheng, her nephew, was even older than him. In Xu Di’s eyes, Xu Siyang was like her own child. Seeing her capable eldest son contrasted with her “wayward” younger one caused her endless worry.

“If he doesn’t enjoy it, forcing him into the company might not be a good thing,” Yi Zhecheng said indifferently.

Xu Di sighed and told him, “If you have time, try to talk some sense into him. It would save your grandfather and me from constantly worrying.”

She pitied Grandpa Yi, who at his age still had to worry about his children.

Yi Zhecheng undid the buttons of his suit jacket and pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head slightly. “If he listened to advice, you and Grandpa wouldn’t be so helpless.”

Xu Di: “….” Her son—why was he so infuriating, always speaking the truth?

Fortunately, there was movement outside—Yi Huaize had returned. Xu Di got up to greet him, unwilling to stay with her brutally honest son.

Yi Huaize found it amusing that she had abandoned her beloved son to welcome him instead.

“Did you upset your mother?” Otherwise, Xu Di wouldn’t have left her precious son to greet him.

Yi Huaize’s feelings were a bit bittersweet—he knew his wife all too well.

Yi Zhecheng chuckled softly and shook his head. “No.”

In her heart, Xu Di thought, Of course you did. You didn’t take my side.

Even during dinner, she still harbored resentment. She lamented, looking at Yi Zhecheng, “The New Year is approaching, and you haven’t brought home a girlfriend yet.”

Yi Huaize glanced at Yi Zhecheng, thinking, This kid really knows how to hold his cards close.

Yi Zhecheng was always quiet during meals. While Xu Di spoke, he ate calmly, even his movements of picking dishes were unhurried, refined, and elegant. This only made Xu Di angrier. Looking at her son, even eating looked graceful. How could he not have a girlfriend? Were young women’s standards so high that they overlooked someone like him?

She sighed. “Even Yangyang has a girlfriend, and you’re older than him.”

Yi Zhecheng furrowed his brow. Surprisingly, Yi Huaize spoke first: “Siyang has a girlfriend?”

“Indeed! The boy’s shy. If I hadn’t overheard him talking on the phone, he wouldn’t have admitted it,” Xu Di said with a hint of pride. Regardless, one of the two single men in the house finally had someone.

Yi Huaize was at a loss with this younger brother-in-law. Though technically his brother-in-law, Siyang was younger than his son. Growing up, he had caused chaos in their home, and after graduation, he stubbornly refused to work. Yi Huaize could only sigh in resignation.

“At Siyang’s age, it’s indeed time to find a girlfriend. If you have time, tell him to bring her home for us to meet,” Yi Huaize said, deliberately glancing at Yi Zhecheng.

Xu Di missed the subtle exchange between father and son.

After dinner, Yi Huaize went to his study, and Yi Zhecheng followed.

As soon as they entered, Yi Huaize shot him a sidelong glance. “You heard what your mother said earlier, right?”

Yi Zhecheng nodded. “Yes, Siyang has a girlfriend.”

Oh, so this boy was trying to play coy, was he? Yi Huaize decided not to beat around the bush. Straightforwardly, he asked, “Don’t you have a girl you like? Why haven’t you brought her home?”

Though he didn’t say it outright, Yi Huaize secretly hoped his son would bring home the girl he liked, so they, as parents, could see her. After all, this was his son’s first love. He was curious—who was this girl? What kind of person was she?

Yi Zhecheng had been waiting for him to ask. After Xu Siyang’s antics, he hadn’t found the right opportunity to mention it.

He calmly asked, “Dad, didn’t Xu Siyang show you and Mom a video last time?”

“What video?” Yi Huaize was completely baffled.

After a brief recollection, oh yes—when Xu Siyang visited last time, they watched a video in the evening. It featured a girl crashing a wedding. He mentioned it was someone he knew, saying the groom had cheated, prompting the girl to confront them. Yi Huaize, being old-fashioned, disapproved of such behavior among today’s youth.

Moral conduct issues were unacceptable.

Suspiciously eyeing Yi Zhecheng, he suddenly asked, “Why are you bringing this up?”

Thus, the usually aloof and composed Mr. Yi unexpectedly touched his nose and softly said, “The one who crashed the wedding is the girl I like.”

Yi Huaize’s expression was even more dramatic than when Yi Zhecheng mentioned the girl who took a bullet for him.

After struggling for a while, Yi General, who had seen countless scenes, nodded and said, “The girl you like seems quite lively.”

Lively—what a unique description.

Yi Zhecheng didn’t contradict him; this response was indeed mild.

Yi Huaize thought for a moment and added, “I remember there were three girls crashing the wedding. Which one do you like?”

Thankfully, his memory was decent, recalling that casually viewed video.

“The tall, slim, and beautiful one,” Yi Zhecheng reminded him indifferently.

Yi Huaize immediately glared at him, understanding. He snickered sarcastically, teasing, “You say you like her, but after all this talk, could it be unrequited love? Otherwise, why hasn’t the girl come home with you?”

Yi Zhecheng: “...”

For the first time, he felt utterly defeated in front of Yi Huaize.

________________________________________

Huo Ci was folding clothes on the sofa when there was movement at the door.

When Yi Zhecheng entered, he saw her holding his shirt. On the sofa beside her was a pile of freshly dried clothes belonging to both of them.

“Welcome back,” Huo Ci stood up and asked, “Would you like some water?”

Yi Zhecheng stood not far away, smiling faintly. “Come here.”

Obediently, Huo Ci approached, and he embraced her. Pulling her close, he gently nuzzled her ear with his chin. “Just now, at home, they asked why I hadn’t brought you back.”

Huo Ci looked up from his embrace, her dark eyes shimmering. His parents had actually brought her up voluntarily.

He lowered his head to nuzzle her cheek and softly said, “They even said you might not like me.”

She detected a hint of grievance in his voice. The man with the handsome, aloof face now resembled a little boy who hadn’t received his candy.

Then he hugged her tightly and whispered, “Will you come home with me?”

His voice was as cold as ever, yet Huo Ci heard boundless tenderness in it. She wrapped her arms firmly around his lean waist.

“Yes.”

________________________________________

Yi Zhecheng originally hoped Huo Ci would accompany him to the U.S., but she needed to use the Lunar New Year holiday to prepare the exhibition photos. Thus, they had to temporarily part ways.

Ever since her parents divorced, Huo Ci had lost the concept of celebrating festivals.

Her aunt had married abroad, and her grandmother had been living with her aunt in Canada these past two years. Huo Ci could only call the elder to wish her well.

On New Year’s Eve, Yi Zhecheng video-called her. Behind him was Manhattan’s glittering skyline. They chatted without realizing it was past midnight.

“Happy New Year, Huo Ci,” his voice remained as cold as ever, yet it felt exceptionally warm to her because, no matter the distance, he always thought of her.

Huo Ci spent the New Year without work and didn’t even need to leave the house. If Mo Xingchen hadn’t called on the fifth day of the new year, she wouldn’t have realized how fast time had passed.

“I can’t stay at home anymore. I just returned to Beijing—let’s grab a drink,” Mo Xingchen complained. Spending the holiday at home had made her the target of her parents’ constant nagging.

She lasted until the fifth day, hastily packed her bags, and escaped back to Beijing.

Huo Ci: “I can’t. I need to work on the photos. Go have fun yourself.”

Mo Xingchen knew she was preparing for the photography exhibition and didn’t press further. Just as she was about to hang up, she noticed commotion at the bar entrance. She ended the call, grabbed her small bag, and headed over.

“Don’t touch me. I don’t want to go back with you,” a sweet-looking girl with long, straight black hair was speaking.

Mo Xingchen envied her instantly.

When she saw the man tugging at the girl, she envied him even more. Tall and slim, broad-shouldered with narrow hips and long legs, dressed in a fitted black coat, his appearance struck her heart. Why did every man she instantly liked always belong to someone else?

Mo Xingchen sighed, ready to enter the bar. Another tale of obsessive love and entanglement, no doubt.

“How can you come to a place like this?” the man’s voice was filled with anguish.

Mo Xingchen thought, Wow, even his voice is attractive. But what was wrong with this place? It was just a bar—perfectly fine.

As they were纠缠 (tangled) together, a group emerged from the bar. Mo Xingchen immediately recognized them as the usual spoiled second-generation rich kids who frequented the place, flaunting their family’s wealth.

“What’s going on?” The leader of the group walked over, immediately draping his arm around the long-haired girl and kissing her cheek. He provocatively glanced at the man opposite. “Who’s this guy?”

The girl probably hadn’t expected them to appear, nor for him to kiss her publicly. A blush flashed across her face. But when she looked at the man opposite, she saw disbelief mixed with disgust.

“Qingqing is my girlfriend now. Stay the hell away from her,” the rich kid sneered at the man, sizing him up. His clothes didn’t even have a recognizable brand.

The man hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes as he asked, “Is this why you haven’t answered my calls recently?”

“I’ve already told you—we’re not compatible. I rejected you long ago. Stop coming to find me,” the long-haired girl said, fear and helplessness evident in her voice. She seemed genuinely afraid he’d persistently pursue her.

The man was stunned by her words. He had always thought she was innocent and guileless, never expecting her to twist the truth so brazenly. He hadn’t contacted her for several days, and if he hadn’t come today, he wouldn’t have known she was already with someone else.

“Damn, you actually dare to cling on? Do you even have any shame?” The rich kid arrogantly shoved him.

Instantly, the man raised his head and swung a punch directly at the rich kid’s face. Immediately, the rich kid’s gang surrounded him.

Mo Xingchen, who had merely been spectating, hadn’t expected a brawl to break out. Seeing the handsome man about to get beaten up, she shouted, “Police! There’s a fight here! Hurry up!”

To her astonishment, a voice responded, “Who’s fighting? Everyone stay where you are!”

Holy crap, there were actually patrol officers nearby.

Mo Xingchen froze. As the rich kid’s gang started running, she saw the handsome man standing still. Unable to bear it, she rushed over, grabbed his arm, and ran toward her car. After shoving him inside, she sped off.

She drove several streets away before daring to stop.

Turning to look at the man beside her, he still wore an expressionless mask. Had the shock numbed him?

“Hey, are you okay?” she asked softly.

The man didn’t respond. Mo Xingchen felt pity for him—such a handsome man, yet he’d been betrayed. That woman must be blind to reject such a fine specimen for a third-rate rich kid.

Trying to lighten the mood, she asked, “What’s your name? Fate brought us together, didn’t it?”

Still no response. Mo Xingchen debated whether she should take him home when he finally spoke.

“Idiot.”

She froze. Was there someone named “Idiot”? Then she realized—he was cursing her?

She had saved him, and he cursed her? Mo Xingchen was about to explode.

But then he softly said, “They’re right. I am an idiot.”