IJLHTW - 53

Huo Ci held a bunch of roses in her arms, still immersed in the strange twist of fate.

When they returned home and opened the door, the hallway lights were still off. She was suddenly grabbed by the waist and pressed against the wall, the bouquet of roses caught between them. Yi Zhecheng reached to move the flowers aside, but Huo Ci softly protested, “Don’t ruin my flowers.”

“You really like them, huh?” His voice trailed into a sultry whisper near her ear, making Huo Ci melt instantly.

She nodded slightly, but the man had already taken the flowers from her hands and placed them on the floor. He then pinned her against the wall again, his voice low and raspy as he said, “You’ve been holding that bouquet long enough tonight. Now it’s time to hold me.”

By the entrance, their bodies entwined. Huo Ci wrapped her arms around his lean waist, slipping her hands under his unbuttoned coat and through the thin fabric of his shirt. She knew he would have to return to the U.S. the next day—his work there wasn’t finished yet. He had rushed back overnight just to spend Valentine’s Day with her.

A Valentine’s Day spent with a loved one was truly a Valentine’s Day.

Huo Ci hooked her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes to bring herself closer.

Her willingness pleased Yi Zhecheng immensely. He kissed her lips, pressing her back against the wall. They hadn’t seen each other for so long, though they spoke daily on the phone. But now, the warmth of their real, physical presence filled the moment. Her soft lips were gently sucked on, as if he were savoring something sweet.

When he finally released her, the room was pitch dark, but he could sense the confusion in her eyes.

“Can I unwrap my gift now?” His gift—Huo Ci.

What else in this world could please him more than Huo Ci?

Not one to back down, Huo Ci smiled and teased, “I won you back fair and square. Doesn’t that mean it’s my turn to unwrap the gift?”

They both thought of the scene at the ice rink—her hair flying freely, her whole demeanor bold and radiant. Yi Zhecheng felt himself tighten with desire beneath her. Every side of her fascinated him. The more he got to know her, the more he fell for her.

Her elegance, her straightforwardness, even her moments of aloofness—he adored everything about her.

Huo Ci reached out and pulled his shirt from his pants, feeling its unexpectedly smooth texture. She couldn’t resist running her fingers over it repeatedly, almost getting carried away. When she moved her hand toward the edge of his belt, he commanded in a cold yet seductive tone, “Unbuckle it.”

Following her instincts, Huo Ci undid the buckle with a soft click that echoed loudly in the darkness. Their bodies continued to intertwine—their coats were discarded on the floor, and several buttons of his shirt were torn off in haste. By the time he carried her into the bathroom, all she had left on was a pair of jeans.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, conveniently covering certain curves.

Yi Zhecheng’s gaze grew darker as he pressed her against the wall and kissed her deeply.

________________________________________

The sky was just beginning to lighten when movement stirred on the bed. Yi Zhecheng had set an alarm on his phone, switching it to vibrate mode. He’d placed it under his pillow before sleeping, and when the vibration woke him, he immediately opened his eyes.

After turning off the alarm and ensuring he hadn’t disturbed the person beside him, he slowly got up.

Fortunately, Huo Ci’s bathroom was outside the bedroom, and her apartment had excellent soundproofing, allowing him to take a shower without waking her. When he returned, wrapped in a towel, he saw the bedside lamp was on. Instead of sleeping, the girl was sitting upright in bed, the covers draped over her body, exposing only her ivory-white shoulders.

“I thought you’d already left,” Huo Ci murmured, looking up at him with a hint of sadness.

Yi Zhecheng pulled her into his arms, his voice low. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

He never considered himself the sentimental type, but ever since meeting Huo Ci, he’d done things he never imagined he would. To celebrate Valentine’s Day with her, he flew over ten hours back home. Now, with his project in the U.S. still unfinished, he found himself reluctant to leave.

He nuzzled the top of her head, teasing softly, “Why can’t you be smaller?”

Smaller? Huo Ci blinked in confusion.

“So I could take you with me wherever I go,” Yi Zhecheng murmured, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Huo Ci froze, then laughed. “Are you actually pouting right now?”

Yi Zhecheng, usually so aloof, was now being affectionate?

The man straightened up and glanced at her coolly. Perhaps she shouldn’t have pointed it out. In an instant, his expression turned icy again, reverting to the distant Mr. Yi everyone else knew.

Yi Zhecheng began dressing. His wardrobe was simple—basic black, white, and gray, accented with navy and camel tones. Elegant yet tasteful. Huo Ci sat on the bed, watching as his long fingers meticulously buttoned his shirt. His every movement was captivating.

“I need to go. The driver is already waiting downstairs,” he said. It was time to head to the airport.

Unexpectedly, Huo Ci felt her eyes welling up. So this was what it felt like to say goodbye—it wasn’t pleasant at all.

Yi Zhecheng leaned down to embrace her, his deep voice soothing. “I’ll be back soon.”

After he left, Huo Ci hugged the blanket and sat by the bay window. The weather in Beijing was surprisingly beautiful today. If only it had rained heavily instead. Just then, a small, blurry figure appeared below.

Inside first-class, Yi Zhecheng was checking his phone. There were fifteen minutes until takeoff. This trip had been unplanned, so even Yang Ming hadn’t accompanied him.

Suddenly, a surprised voice came from beside him. “Zecheng?!”

A finely dressed woman stood next to him, her face lighting up with joy. “I never expected to run into you here—are you also heading to the U.S.?”

Yi Zhecheng recognized her—the woman he’d met at home during his last visit.

He wasn’t someone who thrived on social interactions. Compared to her excitement, his expression remained calm, his voice devoid of warmth. He gave a slight nod. “Hello.”

“What a coincidence!” Hai Lian glanced at her ticket and realized she was seated right next to Yi Zhecheng.

This encounter felt divinely orchestrated.

“When I visited during the New Year, Aunt Xu mentioned you were working abroad even during the holidays,” Hai Lian observed his indifferent demeanor. His mother had told her he was naturally reserved.

Cold and untouchable—Hai Lian smiled inwardly. The more unreachable he seemed, the more she wanted to conquer this mountain.

But Yi Zhecheng didn’t respond. Unfazed, Hai Lian was about to ask another question when he gave an apologetic smile and said softly, “Excuse me, I need to call my girlfriend.”

Hai Lian’s face immediately paled. The rejection was clear; unless she was blind, she couldn’t miss it.

She quietly took her seat. By now, the man beside her had already pulled out his phone. Dialing a number, he spoke gently, “Mm, I’m on the plane. You’re already at the studio?... Don’t overwork yourself… I know. Eat properly—I’ll check when I get back.”

His tender words were a stark contrast to the coldness he showed her.

Hai Lian initially thought he was just making excuses, but hearing this, she became certain. The person on the other end of the line was indeed his girlfriend.

A man like him—cold and aloof—could actually speak to his girlfriend this way?

After two minutes, the call ended, and the cabin announcement reminded passengers to turn off their phones.

Hai Lian stole a glance at him. During her visit to the Yi family during the New Year, Aunt Xu had been so warm and welcoming, not mentioning anything about him having a girlfriend. Either he was hiding it from his mother, or she disapproved of his girlfriend.

Perhaps she was just an ordinary woman unworthy of being introduced—a manipulative opportunist who managed to become his girlfriend.

Otherwise, Aunt Xu wouldn’t still be trying to push them together, would she?

With this thought, Hai Lian felt slightly reassured.

She wasn’t too disheartened. After all, it was only natural for such a man to have countless women vying for his attention.

Competition didn’t bother her. As long as she could emerge victorious in the end, that was all that mattered.

But just as she turned to speak to him, Yi Zhecheng pressed the service bell. When the flight attendant arrived, he calmly requested, “Could you please bring me a blanket?”

“Certainly, sir,” the attendant smiled.

Moments later, the blanket was delivered. He reclined his seat and promptly fell asleep.

Hai Lian clenched her teeth, unable to make another move. She had assumed the ten-plus-hour flight would provide ample opportunity to interact. But to her surprise, Yi Zhecheng slept soundly from departure until half an hour before landing.

He didn’t even eat anything.

When he returned from freshening up, the plane was about to land.

Hai Lian had even touched up her makeup and changed into a new outfit. Yet, he didn’t spare her a single glance.

“Zecheng, where are you staying in New York? Would you mind giving me a ride downtown? It’s hard to get a taxi here,” she asked sweetly as they disembarked.

Hai Lian adopted a pitiful expression, hoping to evoke sympathy.

Men often had a protective instinct toward those who appeared vulnerable. The more helpless she portrayed herself, the more likely they were to feel sorry for her.

But she wasn’t dealing with an ordinary man.

Yi Zhecheng stopped walking and looked at her coolly. “If you need to get downtown, I can have my assistant arrange a car for you.”

Hai Lian was stunned by his decisiveness. She made one last attempt, “Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for me to ride with you?”

“Inconvenient, because my girlfriend wouldn’t appreciate me being overly attentive to another woman,” Yi Zhecheng replied calmly.

________________________________________

A week later, Yi Zhecheng finally returned.

This time, he didn’t even have time to rest. Between managing Ming Sheng Group’s daily operations, overseeing the editing of Time Window ‘s preview, and preparing for Huo Ci’s touring exhibition, there was no pause. Promoting Doctors Without Borders in China for the first time required careful planning. Even Yi Zhecheng had agreed to an interview with a magazine—an unprecedented move.

Yue Su couldn’t believe Yi Zhecheng had accepted her interview request. When his secretary informed her, she was thrilled and immediately went to see the editor-in-chief. She had been pursuing this story for months, and now it seemed her persistence had paid off.

“The cover for the opening issue has already been decided,” the editor reminded her. March was a crucial month for magazines, typically featuring high-profile figures.

Yue Su worked for one of China’s top business magazines. This issue was originally slated to feature the founder of a foreign company. She hesitated, “Such a heavyweight subject wouldn’t just appear in the inner pages, would they?”

The editor wavered. Yue Su persuaded him, “This is his first domestic interview. I think there’s so much to explore about Yi Zhecheng. He comes from a prestigious family, graduated from elite schools, and after two years of work, chose to join Doctors Without Borders. He became one of MAF’s most outstanding surgeons but abruptly left for reasons unknown, parachuting into Ming Sheng Group. Once a surgeon, now a young entrepreneur.”

Pausing, Yue Su added with a smile, “Besides, he’s incredibly handsome. If he graces the cover, I’m sure this issue will sell like hotcakes.”

It was the era of male beauty, and Yi Zhecheng’s breathtaking face was irresistible.

His life story was equally compelling, with every phase sparking curiosity.

The editor burst out laughing. “You’ve persisted for nearly a year. Truly, sincerity moves even the hardest stone. Let’s make him the RP cover star for this issue.”

“Thank you, Editor!” Yue Su rejoiced.

Then she added, “They have one condition.”

The editor patiently prompted, “Go ahead.”

“They insist that Huo Ci photograph this issue’s cover,” Yue Su relayed Ming Sheng’s PR department’s demand, which was non-negotiable.

In fact, they explicitly stated that if Miss Huo didn’t handle the shoot, Mr. Yi wouldn’t proceed with the interview.

The editor was surprised by the specificity but hesitated. “Do they know about Huo Ci’s recent troubles?”

Huo Ci’s incident wasn’t exactly trouble, but her actions were perplexing. The editor had met her a few times—photographers often had a proud and aloof air, especially stunning ones like her. It was hard to reconcile her with someone who caused a scene at a wedding.

Yue Su shook her head. “They must know. Ming Sheng’s PR team isn’t oblivious to social media trends. That story trended for days—they’re definitely aware.”

“Double-check with them. If they’re okay with Huo Ci, schedule the shoot as soon as possible. This subject isn’t easy to secure,” the editor remarked, though his mood was light.

Yue Su followed up with Ming Sheng’s PR department. Their response was definitive: “Yes, Editor Yue. Our CEO will only accept photography by Miss Huo Ci.”

Reassured by their firm stance, Yue Su hung up, though she was puzzled. When did DK and Huo Ci grow so close? Then she recalled bumping into Huo Ci at Ming Sheng Tower.

Huo Ci was equally surprised when she learned Yi Zhecheng’s magazine shoot had been assigned to her. When Yue Su called, she was taken aback. Yue Su chuckled, “Huo Ci, among all the photographers in China, Mr. Yi specifically requested you. Surely you won’t refuse?”

Huo Ci smiled faintly. “Of course not.”

When she stepped into Ming Sheng Tower again and entered the oval-shaped office, everything seemed different.

As this was a business magazine, there was no need for elaborate poses like in fashion shoots. He simply needed to sit behind his desk or stand by the window.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, bathed in sunlight, Yi Zhecheng wore a perfectly tailored bespoke suit. His demeanor exuded an air of dominance and command. When he turned his head slightly, Huo Ci, who had already lowered her camera, instinctively raised it again to capture the moment.

Bathed in sunlight, the handsome man smiled—a gentle smile that seemed to encompass the world.

Even Bai Yu, upon reviewing the photos, remarked that Yi Zhecheng was bound to explode onto the scene. A young heir from a prominent family, his strikingly handsome yet aloof face, his commanding presence, and his extraordinary journey—from surgeon to humanitarian doctor to young entrepreneur—were captivating.

As the interview copy stated: though young, he was already a legend.

When the magazine hit the stands, countless marketing accounts spontaneously shared the cover photo.

A tall, handsome man stood atop his business empire, surveying the world below.

Yi Zhecheng’s Weibo account had existed for some time, though it had zero followers and no posts. But within two days, his follower count surged past a million. Suddenly, the once-dormant account posted its first tweet.

Yi Zhecheng: Thank you, photographer @Huo Ci.

And the “0 Following” counter jumped to “1.”

Clicking in, the sole person he followed—Huo Ci.