TIL - 53

The four-hour auction ended exactly at eight o’clock. The media and reporters who had seen the news and rushed over, along with influential figures from various industries who managed to get in through their connections, had all arrived. The small but high-end auction suddenly became a little more common.

Cheng Cuo looked at the growing crowd and said to Tang Jun’en, “I don’t think this is a good thing.”

Tang Jun’en thought nothing of it. “It’s fine. It’s over anyway. At most, they’ll just get a free meal.”

Cheng Cuo said, “I just saw a few familiar faces.”

“Who?”

“Your ex-girlfriend, Wen Huo’s ex-boyfriend, and my cousin’s Ivy League classmate.”

Tang Jun’en perked up his ears and widened his eyes. “Wen Huo has an ex-boyfriend? Chen Cheng has an Ivy League classmate? Are they still in touch? I’ve never heard him mention it.”

Chen Cheng had gone to Canada before he was of age, and spent several years there indulging in a life of leisure while dabbling in physics. His talent in physics was so great that he at least caught the eye of those high-caliber academic institutions and private laboratories. After getting his degree, he returned to China, and Chen Wenli guided him into the Institute of High Energy Physics to become a researcher. However, he didn’t like the research atmosphere, so he left the institute after “marrying” Han Bailu and started a patent agency. But he had capital and technology but no experience, and his business remained lukewarm. To break through the bottleneck, he was introduced to a business school program in Europe and America by a friend. However, those business programs focused on cultivating high-level management talent, meaning they served second-generation heirs with family businesses or people who already had businesses. Chen Cheng, who wanted to start his own venture, didn’t fit their main focus, so he declined his friend’s recommendation and spent a year preparing for and taking the MAM program at Yale. He studied there for almost two years, though he could have gotten the credits in less time. His main goal was to network with people from other circles. This might have been a family trait; his parents were very good at this kind of respectable socializing. What did “respectable” mean? It meant that the way they met people always made others feel comfortable, without the slightest bit of awkwardness or embarrassment. This was not easy. It required understanding the other person’s personality and approaching them in a way they liked, requiring at least half the skill of a psychologist like Cheng Cuo. The fact that Chen Cheng did it so effortlessly was also related to his personal cultural upbringing. His parents were kind and intellectual, generous, principled, highly cultured, and intelligent. All good things seemed to be embodied in them. It was no surprise that Chen Cheng, under their influence, would surpass them. This was also why his admission to Yale seemed so easy, but in reality, he put in a lot of effort during that year of preparation. Excellent genes only determine the starting point; the final destination depends on how far one is willing to go. Except for a few close acquaintances, the outside world knew very little about this part of Chen Cheng’s life. It wasn’t even written in his online biography, as if everyone had forgotten about it. So when Cheng Cuo mentioned Chen Cheng’s Ivy League classmate, Tang Jun’en was still a little out of the loop.

Cheng Cuo said, “Wen Huo’s ex-boyfriend is someone she met at the University of Science and Technology of China. The guy is a few years older than her and owns dozens of guesthouses across the country. One time, Wen Huo was harassed at his bar, and he stepped in to help her out, saying he was her boyfriend. The joke just stuck. Later, many people at her school thought they were together, and no one bothered her anymore, so she never bothered to clarify.”

Tang Jun’en, in a mood to watch some drama, looked around the venue. “Where is he? Are you sure you’re not mistaken? But then again, how do you know all this?”

“I’m Wen Huo’s doctor. She has to tell me her romantic history truthfully.”

Tang Jun’en clicked his tongue. “You’re full of it. I think you’re just taking advantage of the situation to get private information. Is her romantic history necessarily related to her insomnia?”

Cheng Cuo didn’t want to talk to a layman like him anymore. “You should worry about what you’re going to say when you run into your ex-girlfriend.”

Tang Jun’en’s life was also rich and no less impressive than Chen Cheng’s, but in Chen Cheng’s life, he was a supporting character. He knew better than to add unnecessary drama and just played his part well. Cheng Cuo was also a person with such a sense of proportion. It was no wonder that people like them were closer to success; knowing who you are is a rare quality.

Tang Jun’en said, “She’s a journalist. I run into her at every event of a certain influence. We’re used to it.”

Cheng Cuo didn’t say anything else. “Alright. Now I just want to know where my cousin and Wen Huo went. How long has it been? They’re really unreliable.”

Tang Jun’en knew where Chen Cheng was. “Hold on, I’m going to find him.”

Cheng Cuo put down his wine glass. “I’m coming too.”

________________________________________

The secretary brought the dress, and Wen Huo knew the brand; it was very expensive. The dress was perfect overall, with eye-catching diamonds and embroidery that made it stand out in the brand’s spring/summer haute couture show. It was a bit conservative, though. You could only see the clothes at a glance. Wen Huo wouldn’t wear it. “You might as well get me a headscarf to cover my face and make me look like a Muslim.”

Chen Cheng actually started to seriously consider the feasibility of her suggestion. Wen Huo threw the box lid at him. “You wear it yourself!”

Chen Cheng was still cracking crab legs for her, picking out the meat and putting it on a plate. “Then I’ll just borrow a set of clothes from Tang Jun’en later.”

Tang Jun’en’s clothes were all very flashy. He always knew how to make himself look less formal at formal events, for example, tight shirts and slim-fit trousers. Wen Huo imagined the scene and pursed her lips. “I’ll wear it, I’ll wear it!”

Chen Cheng brought the crab meat to her. “Good girl.”

Wen Huo looked at the meat on the plate and then at the chopsticks. She didn’t want to do it herself, so she opened her mouth to him. Chen Cheng fed her a bite. Wen Huo liked it. “Delicious.” Chen Cheng also took a bite for himself. Wen Huo watched him put the chopsticks he had just used to feed her into his own mouth. “Why are you using my chopsticks?”

“I only took one pair.”

“You did that on purpose?”

“The waiter only let me take one pair.”

Wen Huo didn’t believe him. “You did it on purpose! You just wanted to share chopsticks with me.”

Chen Cheng sighed. “You’re right.”

Wen Huo glared at him. “Teacher Chen, you’re so manipulative.”

Chen Cheng didn’t want to argue with her anymore. He also felt that the reason of the waiter only letting him take one pair of chopsticks was too far-fetched, but it was the truth; he really had taken two pairs. After teasing Chen Cheng, Wen Huo went to change her clothes.

Chen Cheng knew she was beautiful and that the dress would make her even more so, but he didn’t think much of it. He thought he wasn’t so narrow-minded. When Wen Huo came out, he realized he was indeed narrow-minded. He walked over, put his arms around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace. “Let’s go home?”

Wen Huo thought about how much effort he had just put in and felt a little sorry for him. “Are you tired?”

Chen Cheng just didn’t want to share her with others, but he wouldn’t admit it. “A little.”

Wen Huo’s expression showed a touch of sympathy. “Poor thing.”

Chen Cheng thought she was about to agree to go home with him, but instead, she said, “Then you go home by yourself. I’m going to hang out for a bit and go home with my mom tonight.”

Chen Cheng’s face darkened. “Huohuo, don’t be willful.”

Huohuo. Wen Huo remembered that he had been calling her Huohuo recently, which was much gentler than calling her by her last name. She greedily wanted more, so she took his arm, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered something in his ear. Chen Cheng felt a little awkward and couldn’t bring himself to say it. He had never called anyone that before.

Wen Huo held his hand. “Please?”

Chen Cheng tried to bargain with her. “Isn’t Huohuo good enough?”

Wen Huo shook her head. “No.”

Chen Cheng told her the truth. “I’ve never called anyone that.”

Wen Huo didn’t care. “I’m not asking you to do anything crazy. It’s just a name. If you’re not willing to do this, what are you willing to do?”

“If you let me fuck you, I’ll do anything for you.”

Wen Huo was stunned. What was he saying? Chen Cheng unconsciously revealed that he might have had a wild past. At that time, his body was covered in tattoos, or scars, and his hair was perennially silver. He didn’t look like a good person, so talking dirty didn’t seem out of place back then. Now that he had washed away his past and changed his appearance, it wasn’t appropriate to say such things. Wen Huo felt that she hadn’t misunderstood. “Fuck? The one with the four-stroke word?”

Chen Cheng didn’t admit it. “What did you just ask me to call you?”

Wen Huo wasn’t interested in that anymore. She just wanted to know how much more of Chen Cheng she didn’t know about. Was this seemingly virtuous man truly as gentlemanly and refined as he appeared? Or was it all an act, just like his fondness for toys?

Chen Cheng remembered and, mimicking her earlier action, leaned in close to her ear and whispered softly, “Baby.” Wen Huo had asked him to call her “baby.” She was still thinking about whether Chen Cheng had a wild, endless past, but when she heard him say “baby,” she melted, and all other thoughts flew out of her mind.

Chen Cheng saw that it worked and continued to call her. “Baby.”

Wen Huo felt like someone was tickling her heart with a feather. It was a little itchy, a little numb, strange, but also very comfortable. Her entire body went soft, and she leaned against him. Who could resist being called “baby” so gently by this rare kind of man? Chen Cheng had gotten a taste of success and now knew Wen Huo’s dark humor. She craved him, craved his body, and loved hearing these strange things, so he couldn’t help but want to tease her. He loved seeing her lose control. “Baby, are you okay?”

Wen Huo propped herself up on his arm. “You, shut up!”

Chen Cheng tilted his head to look at her eyes. “Didn’t you ask me to call you that?”

“Did I ask you to keep calling me that? Just say it once or twice. Stop saying it over and over again.”

Chen Cheng took her hand. “So, let’s go home?”

Wen Huo looked down at their intertwined hands. She couldn’t control herself. Her eyes and mouth curved into a smile. “Mmm, let’s go home.”

Just as the two of them were about to leave, the door was pushed open. Wen Huo subconsciously pulled her hand away from Chen Cheng’s and stood a short distance from him. Chen Cheng was displeased. Wen Huo pretended not to know what was happening, tugged on her dress, and put on an innocent expression.

Tang Jun’en and Cheng Cuo exchanged a look before walking over, their eyes scanning the two of them with mischievous intent. “What are you two doing here?”

Wen Huo scratched her head. “Oh, right. I came for the auction. Right, the auction. Well, I’ll go first. You guys can chat.” With that, she ran off.

Chen Cheng’s expression turned even more sullen. Tang Jun’en looked around the guest room. Good heavens, the decorative fencing uniform was in pieces, and the room was a mess. Had they been at war? “Were you two fencing in here?”

Cheng Cuo raised an eyebrow. “Cock-fighting?”

Chen Cheng didn’t have time to deal with the two of them. He walked away, leaving them behind. Tang Jun’en walked to the dining table, looked at the unidentified liquid on the blanket, and clicked his tongue. “I told you we were worrying for nothing. You thought it would take longer, but does love ever move slowly?” Cheng Cuo was wrong. He had underestimated love.

________________________________________

As Wen Huo ran out, she bumped into Su He, or rather, he had come looking for her. He saw that she had changed her dress and asked her, “Did you change your clothes?”

Wen Huo didn’t answer. “Is it over?”

Su He hadn’t been thinking about Chen Cheng, but her evasiveness gave it away. “Have you been with Chen Cheng this whole time?”

Wen Huo didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to lie, but she also didn’t want to admit it. Su He was somewhat prepared for this. The way they were entangled was too similar to how Su Di cared so much about Chen Cheng, but luckily for them, their feelings were mutual.

“Do you think I’m a slut?” Wen Huo asked him.

Su He shook his head. “Woman, you should be judged by what you do, not what you say. So no matter what you say, as long as your actions make way for him, I’ll know what’s in your heart.”

Wen Huo was silent again.

Su He continued, “I don’t know when you found out about his press conference, but you definitely did. Because after that, many of the things you did showed that you weren’t so resistant to him anymore.”

Wen Huo remained silent.

Su He continued, “You could have found an excuse to return his phone, but what about going back to his house to return it to him? Can you explain that? I was there, Hong Jie was there, we could have returned it for you, but you didn’t even think about it and ran back.”

Wen Huo didn’t want to hear it anymore. “Stop talking.”

Su He suddenly sounded a little sad. “I’m afraid you’ll get hurt in the future.” I can almost imagine how much pain you’ll be in, but I can’t stop your heart from going to him. You seem to love him so much that you’re no longer afraid of dying.

When Ruan Lihong came over, she saw them standing together with their own thoughts. They looked good together but were low in spirits. “What’s wrong?”

Wen Huo came back to her senses. “Nothing.”

Su He also shook his head. “We were just talking about her new dress. It’s quite pretty.”

Ruan Lihong noticed Wen Huo had changed her dress and was curious. “Why did you change your clothes? Did you go out?”

Just as Wen Huo didn’t know how to answer, someone called out to her. The voice was clear and resonant. The three of them turned around and saw a man with a full beard, a strong masculine presence, a typical mature male style. He smiled at Wen Huo and walked over. “Long time no see.”

Wen Huo responded politely, “Long time no see.”

He stopped in front of Wen Huo. “Do you still remember who I am?”

Wen Huo remembered. “Xiang Yunxiao.”

Xiang Yunxiao maintained his smile. “Then do you remember why I’m called Xiang Yunxiao?” He wanted Wen Huo to recall that night on the rooftop of the guesthouse in Yunnan, when they talked all night about their ideals and some of their little-known secrets. “Because you believe in ‘accumulating clouds to scorch the sky.’“ ‘Accumulating clouds to scorch the sky’ was a phrase he had invented, and his name was also his own choice. He was an orphan and believed that his life began when he called himself Xiang Yunxiao.

Xiang Yunxiao was the legendary “ex-boyfriend” of Wen Huo, who owned more than 50 guesthouses, even some abroad. Ruan Lihong sensed the unusual atmosphere between them and, like a mother-in-law, started scrutinizing the man in front of her. She also didn’t forget to ask Wen Huo, “Who is this...?”

Just as Wen Huo was about to say something, Xiang Yunxiao extended his hand. “Hello, Auntie. I’m Wen Huo’s friend.”

Ruan Lihong smiled politely. “What kind of friend?”

Wen Huo frowned.

Xiang Yunxiao wasn’t embarrassed at all and said, “I’m the kind of friend who was so heartbroken when I heard she was with a married man that I couldn’t eat for a long time, then jumped for joy when I found out it was all a misunderstanding, and immediately rushed to Beijing. Then I was too scared to look for her here, afraid of disturbing her, but I saw a side-profile photo of her in the news, and I rushed over without thinking, even without an invitation, even with the risk of being kicked out.”

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Wen Huo. He wasn’t the kind of person who openly expressed his emotions, so he had only been supportive of Wen Huo’s decision to study at Tsinghua, and he could have kept his admiration for her hidden forever. But there had been too much news about Wen Huo lately, and he couldn’t sit still anymore. He started to wonder if no one was protecting her. If that was the case, what was the point of his silent protection? The person he loved was being bullied.

Ruan Lihong liked his words. As an elder, she felt they were sincere. Wen Huo didn’t like them. She still preferred Chen Cheng calling her “baby.” The thought of it made her eyes want to smile.

Xiang Yunxiao saw her smile and bravely invited her to talk alone. He pointed to a nearby lounge area. “Shall we go over there and catch up?”

Wen Huo had nothing to talk about with him and was about to refuse when Chen Cheng arrived, with his two “little brothers.” Su He silently took a breath. This was going to be a big show.

Wen Huo looked at Chen Cheng. He was so handsome. She was screwed; she had a filter on. She saw Chen Cheng as a fairy descended from heaven. Dammit, how could a man like him exist? It was so unfair!

Chen Cheng didn’t even glance at Xiang Yunxiao. He first greeted Ruan Lihong, the elder, and then walked toward Wen Huo. Wen Huo looked up at him, thinking, “What?”

Chen Cheng took an earring out of his pocket and put it on Wen Huo, who was missing one. He said, “It fell on me just now.”

Tang Jun’en and Cheng Cuo almost let out a little girly scream right there. Xiang Yunxiao’s expression became unnatural. Ruan Lihong frowned. Su He thought: I knew it would be like this...

Wen Huo was still a little dazed. She touched her ear. “I lost it?”

Chen Cheng answered her with a serious face. “Yes, you lost it.”