IJLHTW - 67

“Alright, everyone, don’t stand outside, quickly come inside!” Yi Huaize said with a smile. At that moment, his secretary, who was sitting in the passenger seat, took out his briefcase.

Yi Zechen reached out and took it, and then introduced Huo Ci to Yi Huaize’s secretary, an elder who had been with him for a long time.

Entering the courtyard, they saw Xu Di standing at the doorway, waiting for them. She wore a slim-fitting, knee-length dress, her posture elegant and upright. Even past fifty, she remained slender and spirited.

Seeing them enter, Xu Di stepped forward, and Yi Huaize reached out to take her hand, so naturally.

Xu Di looked at Huo Ci, a gentle smile on her face. The young lady was truly beautiful.

If she took her out in the future, it would be incredibly dignified. Xu Di had only given birth to one son in her life, and he had been a composed child since he was little; she had never enjoyed the spoiled nature of a son. Fortunately, she later had Xu Siyang. Although he was her younger brother, the age gap was so large that she practically raised him as her son.

So, it was as if she had raised two sons, both smelly boys, without a single sweet little princess.

“Huo Ci is here, come in quickly!” Xu Di was truly overjoyed. If Yi Huaize hadn’t pulled her back in time, she probably would have pounced on her.

Yi Huaize saw her overly obvious joy. Holding her hand, he gently squeezed it twice as a reminder not to scare the child.

This was Huo Ci’s first visit. The gift had been prepared by Yi Zechen long ago. This finally made Huo Ci less nervous, but she also felt a little guilty, especially when she saw how pleased both elders were with the gift. It was all thanks to the man beside her.

Xu Di received the gift and asked in surprise, “How did Huo Ci know I liked this?”

“Knowing she was coming home, she asked me about it long ago. This was also something she specifically asked someone to buy back,” Yi Zechen said calmly.

Huo Ci looked at what was in Xu Di’s hand and felt even more guilty, but deep down, she couldn’t stop feeling sweet.

He always managed to arrange everything properly, leaving her with no worries.

Just as Huo Ci always said, he really was going to spoil her rotten.

“Is dinner ready?” Yi Huaize put away the gift and asked Xu Di.

Xu Di glanced towards the kitchen and said coyly, “Don’t worry, when have I ever delayed things? Especially today, since it’s Huo Ci’s first time visiting, I specifically asked the guard to send Xiao Ling to buy groceries.”

“Auntie, you’re too kind,” Huo Ci’s limbs were stiff at this moment, but thankfully she could still speak.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen big occasions; in fact, she was usually unperturbed by anything. She had attended so many international fashion weeks and various events, long accustomed to all sorts of tense situations. But this moment was different; the two people in front of her were the parents of the man she loved.

They had raised him, nurtured him into such a fine man, and then he met her.

Huo Ci so desperately wanted them to like her, to approve of her.

Because she had expectations, she was nervous.

Although Xu Di had seen her at the exhibition before, she hadn’t talked with her in detail. After all, this was the first girl her son had brought home, and the significance was so great that Xu Di couldn’t help but look at Huo Ci with high regard.

“Huo Ci, is your work usually tiring?” Xu Di asked curiously.

Huo Ci thought for a moment and explained, “I have my own studio, so my work schedule is generally very flexible and not very tiring.”

How could that be? Thinking about how she shot ninety covers the year before last, and seventy-something last year, and that was after traveling abroad for inspiration and a trip to Africa. Her work intensity was notoriously high in the industry.

She didn’t have the artistic quirk of being laid-back; deep down, she had always been an extremely disciplined person.

“Huo Ci’s photography exhibition was very successful, even the newspapers and TV have been continuously reporting on it. It’s a shame you went to Shenyang, otherwise you could have seen it too,” Xu Di said with a look of regret to Yi Huaize.

Yi Huaize looked at her and smiled faintly, “Didn’t you go and see it for me?”

“But I still wanted you to see it, and there’s our Zechen too, he was photographed especially well,” Xu Di repeated “especially well” several times.

Huo Ci saw Xu Di mention the photo of Yi Zechen and immediately said, “Auntie, if you like it, I can give you that photo.”

Xu Di gasped, looking at her with delight and asking in disbelief, “Really? Isn’t it still for the exhibition? I heard this photography exhibition will travel to several cities.”

“Yes, the Beijing and Shanghai stops are over, and there are three more cities to exhibit in. Actually, all the photos from this exhibition will be auctioned, and all proceeds will be donated to Doctors Without Borders,” Huo Ci explained.

Upon hearing it was for charity, Xu Di immediately said, “Then I’ll pay 100,000 for this photo.”

Huo Ci: “...”

She was truly a little taken aback by Xu Di’s generosity. 100,000 for one photo? As China’s most commercially valuable photographer, her highest asking price before was only 100,000 for a day of shooting.

“You’re inflating prices; be careful, the [market regulation agency] might really come to our home,” Yi Huaize looked at her, joking for once.

Xu Di wasn’t happy to hear him say that and stated firmly, “That’s because you haven’t seen how well Huo Ci shot it. Never mind, you have no aesthetic sense, I’m not talking to you.”

Yi Huaize’s nature was such that he’d rather read more books than appreciate works of art. Moreover, as a military man, he had never been interested in such things.

“Who says I have no aesthetic sense?” Yi Huaize straightened his face, looking at her seriously.

Just as Xu Di was about to speak, his stern expression suddenly softened with a smile, “My wife is Xu Di. At least in the aesthetic of choosing a wife, no one can compare to me, right?”

Yi Zechen: “...”

Huo Ci: “...”

Sitting on the sofa nearby, the two younger ones—Yi Zechen’s expression was relatively normal, as he had been accustomed to his parents’ way of interacting since childhood. Yi Huaize was usually very serious, the kind of traditional strict father, upright and self-disciplined, setting a tall example for his son by his own conduct.

However, in his interactions with Xu Di, he wasn’t always so reserved; perhaps this was their way of getting along.

As for Huo Ci, she was truly a bit surprised. After all, at the entrance just now, Yi Huaize held her hand and even called her “Comrade Huo Ci,” making her feel like a new recruit meeting a high-ranking leader for the first time, nervous and uneasy.

She was afraid that a single misstep would be noticed by this stern commander.

So, when he suddenly spoke like that, Huo Ci was truly stunned.

Xu Di had originally wanted to scold her husband for not being romantic enough, but then she was overcome with sweetness herself. There was no trace of anger on her face, and her lips curled into an involuntary smile. Seeing the two younger ones opposite her, she felt a bit embarrassed and immediately stood up, saying, “I’ll go to the kitchen and see how Xiao Ling is doing with dinner. I’ll also make a dish for you.”

“Your auntie’s cooking is very good, but she rarely cooks. Huo Ci, you’re in luck today,” Yi Huaize said with a smile, looking at her.

Huo Ci chuckled softly and said, “It’s Uncle’s great honor.”

Yi Huaize waved his hand with a smile and said to his son, “Zechen, take Huo Ci on a tour. I’ll go up and change clothes too.”

So Yi Zechen led Huo Ci upstairs. In fact, they had only been living in this small building for a few years. After all, as Yi Huaize’s position rose, his benefits would also be adjusted. Actually, with Xu Di’s wealth, she could live anywhere, but after marrying Yi Huaize, she never put on airs as a rich young lady.

In the past, the family of three lived in a two-bedroom apartment, and she did all the cleaning herself.

Grandpa Yi, who doted on his daughter so much, how could he bear to let her do such housework? He sent a nanny back, but Xu Di immediately sent her away upon arrival. She said that with Yi Huaize’s position, having a nanny at home all the time would be inappropriate. The Yi family, being who they were, was already prone to scrutiny. Everyone would think that because he was a Yi, everything he did would be due to his family’s influence.

Yet, Yi Huaize was unyielding, and as his wife, Xu Di naturally couldn’t hold him back.

So when Yi Zechen was little, he never felt his family was anything special; he was just like the other children in the compound. At most, on weekends when they went back to Grandpa’s house, they had a special car to pick them up and drop them off, and orderlies to play with them.

And his grandfather’s house was especially large.

It was only later, when Yi Huaize’s position was promoted and Xu Di was getting older, that Yi Huaize, fearing she couldn’t manage such a large house alone, finally invited distant relatives to help out.

After they went upstairs, Yi Zechen held her hand and led her into his room.

In fact, the bedroom here was far less grand than his previous residence, but it exuded a warm and cozy feeling everywhere. Huo Ci was very curious. She walked around the room, then went to the study, and saw two photo frames on the shelf. One was a family photo of the three of them, and the other was a solo photo of Yi Zechen, taken when he was wearing his graduation gown.

Huo Ci looked at the photos with curiosity. Besides the library photo from last time, this was the second photo she had seen from his student days.

“Where’s your photo album?” Huo Ci asked her with interest.

Yi Zechen immediately frowned and said, “My family doesn’t have such things.”

“Impossible,” Huo Ci looked at his expression and knew he was lying. If he really didn’t have one, he wouldn’t be so uncomfortable.

The fact that she could make the usually calm and collected Mr. Yi uncomfortable only made Huo Ci more curious about his childhood photo album.

So she added, “Quickly get the photo album out, or I’ll get angry.”

But Mr. Yi, who usually fulfilled her every request, calmly stared at her and said without changing his expression, “There really isn’t such a thing.”

“Nothing?” Suddenly, a head appeared in the doorway.

Huo Ci was startled by Xu Siyang and stepped back, almost bumping into the corner of the desk behind her. Luckily, Yi Zechen quickly caught her.

Yi Zechen saw Huo Ci’s shaken expression and immediately frowned, scolding him, “Why didn’t you knock?”

Xu Siyang looked at the wide-open door with a wronged expression and pointed, “You didn’t even close the door.”

Seeing Yi Zechen about to scold him further, Huo Ci pulled his hand and softly said, “It’s fine, he didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Exactly! See, even Huo Ci knows. I really doubt you’re my real nephew,” Xu Siyang immediately started condemning him from a moral high ground.

Yi Zechen gave him a cold glance, which made Xu Siyang feel guilty. However, since they were at home, he rarely stood firm: “If you dare touch me, I’ll tell brother-in-law.”

Seeing him about to leave, Huo Ci quickly called out to him.

“Xu Siyang, do you know where his childhood photos are?” Huo Ci asked curiously.

Yi Zechen immediately said, “I told you there aren’t any.”

“How could there not be? My elder sister collected six huge albums of his childhood photos, enough for you to look at all night and not finish,” Xu Siyang jumped up and burst into laughter. He was exceptionally good at annoying Yi Zechen like this.

Yi Zechen’s face truly darkened this time.

But no matter how low his mood was, Huo Ci and Xu Siyang had already started discussing it. Xu Siyang stood at the doorway, not coming in, and said to Huo Ci, “You wait here. I’ll go downstairs and ask my elder sister where she put them. I’ll find them for you.”

Xu Siyang darted off, leaving the two of them in the room.

Yi Zechen frowned and softly said, “You really want to see me with my butt naked?”

Huo Ci was shocked: “There are photos like that?” Then her face showed great delight. Of course, she wanted to see them.

Yi Zechen: “...”

What do you call digging a pit for yourself to fall into? This is it.

Xu Siyang called them downstairs. Huo Ci pulled him, wanting to go downstairs, but when they reached the door, Yi Zechen suddenly closed the door and pinned her against the wall, saying in a low voice, “If you really want to see, I can fulfill your wish right now.”

Huo Ci hadn’t understood his meaning at first, but then she looked up at his deep eyes and suddenly realized what he meant.

She lowered her voice: “Playing the hooligan.”

“With my own wife, can it be called playing the hooligan?” Yi Zechen sneered.

His hands were already tightly clasping her waist. Huo Ci suddenly looked up and fiercely kissed him. Yi Zechen was stunned at first, then quickly regained control. Until they separated, panting, Huo Ci’s eyes were moist, and she softly said, “Yi Zechen, just let me.”

Ten minutes later, Mr. Yi, who never regretted anything he did, finally understood what it meant to be misled by beauty.

________________________________________

When Xu Di heard that Huo Ci wanted to see Yi Zechen’s photos, she immediately proudly brought out her own photographic works. When he was little, selfies weren’t as developed as they are now; photos were all taken with cameras. This was the only extravagant thing Xu Di did: she bought a camera and would often photograph her son when he was little.

After all, having given birth to such a praised little darling, Xu Di naturally wanted to perfectly preserve her son’s childhood beauty.

For a child, a photo revealing a little skin wasn’t a big deal.

But when she saw the chubby little baby wearing a big red bellyband and looking at the camera, Huo Ci couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing her laugh, Xu Di said with particular pride, “This one’s good, isn’t it? Look how cute he is!”

Xu Di looked at the photo album spread out on the table, her face full of nostalgia.

Yi Huaize had naturally seen these photos before. However, seeing Xu Siyang suppressing his laughter and Huo Ci already laughing, and not wanting Yi Zechen’s expression to worsen, he still reminded them, “Since everyone’s here, let’s eat first.”

“Yes, yes, yes, let’s eat first. Huo Ci, I have five more albums over there; let’s look at them together after dinner,” Xu Di said, holding Huo Ci’s hand with great joy. She had finally found someone who liked these photos.

Normally, only she would flip through these photos. Yi Huaize rarely looked at them, and Yi Zechen found even a glance superfluous.

Huo Ci nodded, “Okay, Auntie, I think all your photos are great.”

“You’re a professional photographer; I’m just an amateur, just taking casual shots,” Xu Di said, leading Huo Ci to the dining table.

The atmosphere at the dining table was very lively. With Xu Siyang’s witty banter, everyone was relaxed. Until Xu Di casually asked, “Huo Ci, are your parents both in Beijing now? If it’s convenient, let Zechen arrange for the two families to meet sometime.”

Xu Di had always hoped Yi Zechen would get married, and now that her son had even proposed, she naturally hoped they would marry as soon as possible.

Everyone at the table was stunned. Xu Siyang muttered, “Elder sister, you’re too eager, aren’t you?”

“You single dog, don’t talk,” Xu Di glared at him impatiently.

Xu Siyang stood there, holding his bowl, and exasperatedly blurted out, “Who says I’m a single dog?”

Xu Di laughed amusedly and asked, “So, you mean you have a girlfriend?”

Because the two people beside them were in the know, especially since Huo Ci was good friends with Mo Xingchen, Xu Siyang dared not lie and stammered, “I already have someone I like, and I’m seriously pursuing her now. I’ll have a girlfriend very soon.”

Xu Di chuckled, mercilessly striking him down: “Then tell me when you actually do.”

“My father is in Africa, not in Beijing at the moment,” Huo Ci said.

Xu Di blinked, and then Yi Zechen explained, “Huo Ci’s father is a doctor dispatched by the country to assist in Africa. He is currently carrying out an aid mission there.”

Upon hearing this, Yi Huaize immediately became serious. “That’s not easy. Those who can participate in aid missions in Africa are all remarkable.”

Yi Huaize had visited Africa before, so he understood the conditions there; they were truly difficult. For a doctor to give up superior conditions at home to provide aid in Africa was truly commendable.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“We’re not in a hurry. We’ll wait until Huo Ci’s father returns, and then we’ll hold a welcoming banquet for him,” Yi Huaize looked at his wife and said comfortingly.

Yi Zechen looked at him with rare gratitude.

Because Yi Huaize had spoken, it meant he approved of Huo Ci; he was treating her as part of the family.

________________________________________

“What’s the situation now?” Qiao Lang, fully armed, asked the female soldier beside her.

The female soldier beside her also held a gun until a voice came from the radio again. A minute later, the latest order was given: their female soldier squad needed to follow the first company to the hospital because the number of seriously wounded was constantly increasing there.

The situation in South Sudan had instantly escalated to a fever pitch. The president and vice president, representing different factions, were locked in a fierce struggle for power in the world’s youngest nation.

Upon receiving the message, Qiao Lang turned to the female soldiers beside her and shouted, “Attention!”

All the female soldiers immediately stood rigidly at attention, the sound of their combat boots hitting the ground loud and solemn.

“We have received orders to assist the first company in protecting the security of Juba Peace Hospital,” Qiao Lang said, her gaze steady, looking at the young faces before her. Many had left their families, loved ones, and friends to come to this unfamiliar land, all to protect peace.

Today, with the war igniting again, none of them could retreat.

Although the exchange of fire between the two sides intensified, the hospital remained a relatively safe place, as most of the people there were civilians. Moreover, many hospitals here housed aid doctors from other countries.

When they arrived at the hospital, a large number of casualties had already been brought in.

Chinese doctors were urgently and nervously rescuing patients. Qiao Lang led her soldiers, beginning to maintain order, allowing the doctors to save the wounded more quickly.

It wasn’t until a shell struck the hospital that everyone stared blankly at the blasted building.

“Airstrike! It’s an airstrike! Get down!”

Screams and wails filled the air, like hell on earth.

________________________________________

Huo Ci sat on the sofa as soon as she got home. Yi Zechen went to pour her water, and when he returned, he saw her on the phone. He asked, “Who are you calling?”

“Calling Dad. He should be eating at this time,” Huo Ci said.

Yi Zechen sat down beside her. Huo Ci looked at him, then suddenly smiled. She said, “You must be filial to my dad in the future.”

He watched her quietly until she leaned against his shoulder and softly said, “Because you’re taking away his beloved daughter.”

“I will treat this precious jewel well,” he said, entwining his fingers with hers.

To cherish her, love her, and treat her like a precious jewel for a lifetime.

...

“Teacher Huo! Teacher Huo is in the operating room, rescuing patients!” A shrill voice sounded, and Qiao Lang subconsciously looked at the part of the hospital that had been bombed.

That was the operating room.