IJLHTW - 59

“My wife spoils me—what about it?”

Yi Zhecheng’s casual remark left the other two momentarily stunned. Huo Ci tilted her head slightly to look at him—the same breathtakingly handsome face, calm and composed, yet his words were as striking as ever.

Lu Linzheng was so amused he laughed bitterly. What was this?

Were they showing off their affection right in front of him?

Feeling like he’d been slapped in the face with a love scene, Lu Linzheng sneered, turned around, and walked away.

Huo Ci watched him leave, then chuckled softly. “I think Lu Linzheng came for you.”

As always, Yi Zhecheng responded with a cold laugh. He pulled her waist closer and leaned down to kiss her lips.

He held her firmly and dominantly in his arms, pressing his lips against hers. She had been standing on the balcony in the cool breeze for a while, and her body felt a little cold. Her soft lips were cool to the touch. Yi Zhecheng’s heart softened, and he gently caressed her lips with less intensity.

It had been a while since they were together, and now she looked so beautiful. With just a slight tilt of his head, Yi Zhecheng could see her snow-white chest glowing under the dim lighting. The blue dress shimmered like a starry sky, dreamy and enchanting. He murmured, “This dress suits you perfectly.”

Huo Ci was taken aback, hesitating before asking, “Did you send this to me?”

“Who else would?” He stroked Huo Ci’s long hair, black as a waterfall, flowing softly through his palm.

No wonder Bai Yu managed to get this dress—it was the latest autumn-winter collection, unveiled at Paris Fashion Week less than a month ago. Huo Ci’s dress was probably the world’s first public appearance of this gown. She hadn’t expected to wear it at such an intimate party.

She thought of how fans in the entertainment industry would do anything to let their idols wear the latest collections early, praising them endlessly.

Huo Ci wrapped her arms around his waist and tilted her head slightly up. “You’re going to spoil me like this?”

“It’s fine; I have plenty of money,” the usually aloof and elegant Mr. Yi chuckled softly, his voice deep.

Huo Ci hugged him tightly. Today, she wore high heels, and with just a slight lift of her head, she could kiss his lips.

For the rest of my life, will you indulge me like this? Is that alright?

After the Beijing exhibition ended, Huo Ci received a call from Huo Mingzhou. The signal wasn’t great, but she could hear clearly.

“Congratulations, Xiaoci. Dad saw the domestic reports; they were wonderful,” Huo Mingzhou had been following closely since learning about Huo Ci’s photography exhibition plans.

He even registered a Weibo account and learned how to use it. Every time he searched for Huo Ci, he saw countless fan comments.

Some told Huo Ci that her exhibition deeply moved them, inspiring them to want to join Doctors Without Borders.

Others praised her work, raising awareness of a lesser-known world.

Huo Mingzhou had been here for years, teaching students and personally mentoring local African doctors, hoping more people could see a doctor and receive medicine when they fell ill.

He knew his efforts alone were still minimal.

Thus, he paid close attention to and cared deeply about Huo Ci’s exhibition. His Huo Ci, no matter how much time passed, still made him proud.

When Huo Ci abandoned studying medicine to pursue photography, Huo Mingzhou couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

But because he had spent so little time caring for Huo Ci, and seeing her disinterest in medicine, he didn’t want to push her further.

Huo Ci nestled on the sofa, looking at the night sky outside, smiling faintly. “Thank you, Dad. I’ve reserved a ticket for you for the Hong Kong exhibition. You must come and see it.”

Huo Mingzhou’s aid work in South Sudan would end at the end of July. In August, Huo Ci would hold her final photography exhibition in Hong Kong.

She had always hoped Huo Mingzhou would come.

“Of course, I’ll definitely come to see my daughter’s work,” Huo Mingzhou said with a smile.

His side was a bit noisy. Just after speaking, he said, “A patient has arrived here.”

After hanging up, there was a slight commotion in the hospital. He rushed over and saw someone lying on a bed covered in blood, while doctors and nurses were pushing him inside. Accompanying them were UN peacekeepers; a female soldier wearing a blue helmet ran over. The two exchanged glances.

Qiao Lang spoke first. “It was a car bomb. There are four injured; this one is the most severely wounded.”

The situation in South Sudan was unstable. Even UN peacekeepers suffered casualties, let alone unarmed civilians.

Huo Mingzhou nodded. Seeing her about to leave hurriedly, he called out, “Qiao Lang.”

Qiao Lang turned around. Bloodstains marked her body, and dust covered her face, making her look somewhat disheveled. Huo Mingzhou frowned, seriously saying, “Be careful.”

In this place, death could arrive at any moment.

Seeing her delicate arms holding a gun, he couldn’t help but remind her.

Qiao Lang hadn’t expected him to show concern proactively. After a brief pause, her honey-colored cheeks broke into a smile. Under the blue steel helmet, her usually stern face was unusually gentle.

Everyone was striving for their mission.

Because of the immense social impact of this photography exhibition, even television programs approached Huo Ci for an exclusive interview. When Bai Yu mentioned this to her, he was brimming with excitement.

He excitedly said, “This talk show is extremely hard to get on. They only interview business tycoons and highly influential people.”

The program’s invitation proved that Huo Ci’s influence was recognized.

Huo Ci had been famous, but that fame was commercialized, leading to criticism that she lacked artistic merit. Now, however, this exhibition revealed another side of Huo Ci—her documentary photography could be serious and outstanding, provoking thought.

“I’m just a photographer,” Huo Ci showed little interest. Her personality wasn’t suited for being in the spotlight.

She had always worked behind the scenes, shooting spreads for magazines and photographing celebrities, capturing their glamorous sides. As for Bai Yu crafting her mysterious and aloof image, the aloofness was genuine, but the mystery stemmed from her laziness—she disliked posting on Weibo or having others invade her privacy.

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Bai Yu listed several business magnates who had appeared on the show, each hailed as “Dad” by millions of netizens.

He said, “Your momentum is strong now. Let’s capitalize on it and transform you from a photographer into a photographic artist.”

Huo Ci snickered, “Are you quite idealistic?”

“Of course. Huo Ci, I’ve always believed you can capture soul-stirring works. Now you have them, shouldn’t more people see them? Moreover, this will help more people learn about Doctors Without Borders and pay attention to those in need.”

One couldn’t deny that Bai Yu fully utilized his persuasive skills.

She was successfully convinced.

The program aired on CCTV, consistently ranking high in viewership. The host, Chen Ning, was a well-known figure—graceful and poised. Her interviews were never overbearing but rather conversational, aiming to uncover the deepest stories behind her guests.

Bai Yu personally escorted her to the studio for the recording. The agreed makeup time was nine o’clock, but Huo Ci arrived at the TV station at eight-thirty.

It was peak working hours at the station. Upon entering, she immediately spotted many familiar faces—people seen daily on TV. Even Bai Yu, accustomed to celebrities, felt a bit excited.

When Huo Ci arrived at the makeup room, the responsible director quickly came over.

The director hadn’t expected her to arrive early, but inwardly, she was pleased. This person truly didn’t match the rumors. It was said she was currently the most popular photographer. The director politely said, “Teacher Huo, please sit down. I’ll have someone bring you some tea. If you’re ready, we can start with makeup.”

Huo Ci naturally had no objections. The director glanced at her and froze.

Was she bare-faced?

The director took another careful look. Her skin was impeccable, like a peeled egg—fair and tender, making one want to touch it to feel the texture. Fortunately, she only thought about it and didn’t dare act on it.

Host Chen Ning arrived ten minutes later to greet her.

As they shook hands, Chen Ning looked at her and suddenly smiled, saying, “No wonder people say you’re the most beautiful among photographers and the best photographer among beauties. With your looks, don’t you want to take pictures of yourself every day?”

At this, a moment of silence filled the makeup room, followed by bursts of laughter.

Even Huo Ci couldn’t help but laugh. It was her first time knowing that this host could be so witty and humorous.

After all, on TV, she was always graceful and intellectual, a graduate of a prestigious university, much loved by audiences.

Once makeup was done, the interview officially began.

Initially, Chen Ning discussed how she became a photographer. As the conversation deepened, she asked, “How did you come up with this theme? Why did you think of focusing on Doctors Without Borders and capturing such documentary photography?”

Upon hearing this question, Huo Ci lowered her head and smiled. Chen Ning noticed her expression suddenly soften. As an experienced talk show host, this expression told her there was definitely a story behind it.

A story worth exploring.

After a brief thought, Huo Ci earnestly said, “It was probably stubbornness.”

“Stubbornness?” Chen Ning raised her eyebrows, intrigued, and looked at her with interest.

Thinking back to the beginning of this story, even Huo Ci herself found it unbelievable. She softly said, “At the time, someone wanted to promote Doctors Without Borders and was looking for a photographer. Someone recommended me, and he searched my name in front of me…”

Here, she paused, and even Chen Ning’s interest was piqued.

Eagerly, Chen Ning asked, “So that led to this photography exhibition?”

“After searching, he told me I wasn’t the photographer he was looking for,” Huo Ci recalled his cold and arrogant demeanor, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “He said I was too commercialized.”

Chen Ning was genuinely shocked this time.

Before every interview, she meticulously prepared. She even browsed through Huo Ci’s Weibo. Indeed, Huo Ci was entirely commercialized, shooting dozens of magazine covers annually, making her the most prolific photographer domestically.

Moreover, she had numerous advertisements to shoot, collaborating with major brands yearly.

Chen Ning knew her most criticized aspect was commercialization. Originally, she planned to tactfully bring up this issue and let her respond. Unexpectedly, Huo Ci brought it up herself.

“Do you mind being described this way?” Chen Ning asked.

After a moment’s thought, Huo Ci replied, “I think fashion photographers are no less than documentary photographers. In the fashion world, there are many master photographers whose control of color and detail is unparalleled. After all, the first impression of an advertisement must be eye-catching. If documentary photography brings spiritual震撼, then fashion is visual enjoyment. Everyone has the right to enjoy beauty.”

After her words, even Bai Yu, watching from the side, couldn’t help but want to applaud and cheer.

This was her first response to the issue of commercialization.

Chen Ning smiled warmly at her. Although this was Huo Ci’s first exclusive interview, undoubtedly, she was the kind of guest every host would love. She sincerely answered every question, even if it wasn’t friendly towards her.

“So how did you convince him?” Chen Ning was extremely interested in this story.

Huo Ci said, “I told him he wouldn’t find anyone more suitable than me.”

A proud and confident answer.

Chen Ning laughed, “So you eventually won him over?”

“Of course not. That person is very proud and has high standards for his work,” Huo Ci didn’t hide anything. She said, “I accepted his audition requirement.”

Chen Ning was touched by this. Bai Yu, however, nearly jumped up in anxiety.

How could she reveal something like that?

The interview was still ongoing, and he couldn’t interrupt, so he could only continue to worry silently.

When Chen Ning asked if she ever regretted her path as a photographer, Huo Ci thought for a moment and earnestly looked at her. “I don’t remember any regrets. But there is one thing I will never regret in my life.”

Chen Ning raised an eyebrow, smiling, “From what I know, you’re only 27 this year. Isn’t it a bit early to talk about a lifetime?”

“No, I’m very sure. This is something I will never regret and am glad about for my entire life.”

For my entire life, I will never regret striving for this job.

Because it led me to find the love of my life.

My Yi Zhecheng.

When the recording ended, Chen Ning shook hands with her, thanking her for the cooperation. Suddenly, she stepped forward and softly asked, “Can I know the ending of this story?”

Huo Ci was startled.

She continued, “The ending between you and him?”

“We are together,” Huo Ci softly said.

Chen Ning smiled and hugged Huo Ci, softly saying, “This is truly the most beautiful ending I’ve ever heard.”