TIL - 54

Xiang Yunxiao, a man of great poise, quickly regained his composure and didn’t seem to mind Chen Cheng’s subtle declaration of ownership. He continued to speak to Wen Huo, “You once told me that if I ever came to find you, you’d always make time to have dinner with me.”

Wen Huo didn’t remember, but weren’t such things just polite conversation? She didn’t want to embarrass him too much. “Maybe next time. This isn’t a good place for catching up.”

Chen Cheng looked over. “Next time?”

Xiang Yunxiao was very pleased with Chen Cheng’s expression. He leaned in slightly, his gaze on Wen Huo’s eyes so gentle it was almost poetic. “Okay, whatever you say.”

Chen Cheng took a step forward, placing himself between Wen Huo and Xiang Yunxiao. The step was so natural it seemed to be the most harmonious way for the three of them to stand, but everyone present knew he was blocking Xiang Yunxiao’s gaze.

Xiang Yunxiao straightened up, as if just noticing Chen Cheng. “Teacher Chen.”

Chen Cheng shifted his feet to face Xiang Yunxiao directly. “Mr. Xiang.”

Xiang Yunxiao smiled faintly. “It’s rare to find a teacher with such a noble character as you, Teacher Chen.”

Chen Cheng didn’t want the compliment. “Is my character noble? Not really. I can be shameless and domineering. When I want something, I grab it firmly, with no regard for morals or ethics.”

Xiang Yunxiao stared at him. Chen Cheng didn’t back down. No more words were exchanged, but a cold tension swirled between them, affecting everyone nearby. No one dared to speak.

Ruan Lihong had thought that this newcomer might be able to replace Chen Cheng’s position in Wen Huo’s heart, but the action of Chen Cheng putting the earring on her had instantly killed that idea. Wen Huo, that naughty girl, had been with him all this time. She pulled Wen Huo away, not wanting to watch, or let her watch, the two peacocks put on a courting display. Su He followed them.

Tang Jun’en saw the main characters had left and stepped in to ease the tension. “Let’s not block the entrance to the hall. How about we get something to eat? There’s still a show later.” The crowd dispersed. Tang Jun’en hooked his arm around Chen Cheng’s and winked at him. “How does it feel to get her back after losing her?” Chen Cheng didn’t say anything and his expression was normal, but Tang Jun’en knew him well enough to know he was smiling.

Cheng Cuo was behind them, about to catch up and join the conversation when Chu Tian ran out, her eyes a little red as if she had been wronged. This caught his attention. He grabbed her arm. “What’s wrong?”

Chu Tian sniffled. “Nothing.”

Cheng Cuo knew Chu Tian well. She was a very smart girl, but her affection for Chen Cheng made her lose all sense of logic and made her appear a little foolish. Her naturally timid personality didn’t help either, making her somewhat unlikable. Others might dislike her, but Cheng Cuo couldn’t. Strictly speaking, Chu Tian was also his patient, and he would never dislike his patients.

Cheng Cuo asked again, “What happened?”

Chu Tian’s eyes darted around, as if she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She swallowed a few times and pursed her lips. “I was out of my league.”

________________________________________

Wen Huo was pulled into the banquet hall by Ruan Lihong. Just as they sat down, a well-known figure from the stone-betting world came over, wanting to have a drink with her and get to know her. Ruan Lihong didn’t have time for him. No one was more important than her daughter. She was about to tell him to get lost when her business partner came over and stopped her. Wen Huo, being considerate, moved to a nearby round table. The table was filled with young people from the entertainment industry, who were her age and had common topics to discuss. Su He stayed with her since he couldn’t understand the work conversations Ruan Lihong was having.

A few young actors smiled at Wen Huo. “Big Sister Huohuo.”

Wen Huo asked, “Do you guys have another performance later?”

They nodded. “We’ll be singing.”

After a few more words, they had nothing else to talk about. Before she and Chen Cheng had their fiery encounter, she could have flirted with them, but after experiencing Chen Cheng’s body, she realized that he was much more appealing, and she loved to explore him more. Thinking of Chen Cheng, the image of him thrusting into her just now replayed in her mind. He was so powerful, his nipples were so pink, his muscles were so hard, and his... that was even harder. The thought made her want him again.

Su He saw her face flushed and seemed to see the images in her head. He reminded her, “Control yourself. This is a public place.”

Wen Huo looked at him. “Do you know what I’m thinking about?”

Su He put down his wine glass. “Do you want me to say it out loud?”

Wen Huo shook her head. “No, that’s okay.”

Su He felt like he was looking at Su Di again. What was so great about this man? He could provoke even the most self-controlled people around him to this extent.

Wen Huo took a sip of her mango sago dessert, which was very sweet. As she was about to take another sip, a woman came over and held out her glass to her. “Hello.”

Su He glanced at her. She was very elegant, with a kind of intellectual charm similar to Su Di’s.

Wen Huo asked her, “Are you talking to me?”

She looked at the empty seat next to Wen Huo. “May I sit down?”

Wen Huo nodded. “Yes.”

She sat down and introduced herself, “I’m Liang Baoyi, Chen Cheng’s...” The name Chen Cheng made Wen Huo look up. Liang Baoyi seemed pleased with her reaction, smiled, and continued, “Chen Cheng’s schoolmate. I happened to be at an event nearby and heard he was here, so I came to see him. I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

Wen Huo’s reaction was calm. “Then I’ll help you call him?”

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Liang Baoyi’s face. “Oh, really?”

Wen Huo had already taken out her phone. She tried to call Chen Cheng right in front of her, but couldn’t find his number for a long time. Liang Baoyi tried to be reassuring. “Maybe I should call him? It seems you don’t have his contact information.” Wen Huo remembered; she had blocked him. She let Liang Baoyi watch as she unblocked Chen Cheng and called him.

Chen Cheng had just sat down at Chen Huaiyu’s table. When Wen Huo called him, he immediately stood up and said to the people at the table, “Excuse me.” As soon as he left, Chen Huaiyu was curious. “What’s wrong with him?”

Tang Jun’en told him, “You’re about to have a granddaughter-in-law.”

Chen Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. “Granddaughter-in-law? Is she reliable this time?”

Tang Jun’en nodded. “Very reliable! That girl is likable and has a heroic quality in her eyes. She reminds me of Grandma.”

Chen Huaiyu became more interested and put down his fork. “Whose child is she?”

Tang Jun’en knew a little about Wen Huo’s background. “She’s from the air force command.”

Chen Huaiyu was even more intrigued. From the Air Force Command? “Which minister’s family?”

Tang Jun’en laughed. “Grandpa, you can’t guess with your standards. Are they all ministers? I don’t know much else, but her mother is the Canadian-Chinese woman who bought that Mosisha jade today.”

Chen Huaiyu remembered her. She was a very capable-looking woman. He also caught the key detail. “That girl must be here too, right?”

Tang Jun’en gave him a thumbs-up. “Only my grandpa has such a smart mind!”

The dinner after the auction was arranged in a round-table format. Chen Huaiyu’s table was too far from Wen Huo’s, so he couldn’t see her. He asked Tang Jun’en, “If I want to see her, would that be too abrupt?”

Tang Jun’en thought it would be. “If you want to see her, I’ll go take a picture for you later. If it works out, you’ll see her eventually. I just couldn’t hold it in and wanted to tell you so you could be prepared.”

“If I’ll see her eventually, then don’t take a picture. It’s not very polite.”

Tang Jun’en smiled. “Alright.”

Jin Ge saw Tang Jun’en and Chen Huaiyu talking at the opposite table and felt it was about what she had been thinking. She gently scooped up a piece of cake. Chen Wenli got her a cup of hot water and placed it in front of her. “What are you thinking about?”

Jin Ge said, “Our son is here.”

Chen Wenli knew. “I saw him, but didn’t he just leave again?”

Jin Ge added, “That girl came back with him.” Chen Wenli fell silent.

Jin Ge picked up the hot water cup and suddenly smiled. “The wound we couldn’t heal, someone else is taking care of it.”

Chen Wenli knew, but he felt a little wistful. He hadn’t felt this way when Chen Cheng got married last time. It seemed this time it was real. Their son, who was the envy of everyone, had someone in his heart.

________________________________________

Chen Cheng walked to the outer hall to take the call, clearing his throat before answering. “What’s wrong?” His voice was sexy and magnetic. Even with all the noise on Wen Huo’s end, she was still captivated. “Teacher Chen.”

“Mmm.”

“Your schoolmate said she misses you very much.”

“Who?”

Wen Huo glanced at the person next to her. “Liang Baoyi.”

Chen Cheng had never heard of her. “Don’t know her.”

Wen Huo understood and was about to hang up. “Oh, then I’ll hang up.”

Chen Cheng stopped her. “You called me just to say that?”

What else? Wen Huo said, “Yeah.”

Chen Cheng reminded her, “No other reason?”

Wen Huo knew what he was talking about. She pursed her lips, managed her expression, and said, “Well, what other reason do you think there would be?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then I don’t know either.”

Chen Cheng unconsciously walked to the elevator. “Are you sure there’s no other reason?”

Wen Huo couldn’t help but want to smile. Her mouth was twitching uncontrollably. Ah, this was so annoying. “You guess.”

Chen Cheng lowered his voice to a whisper. “Do you want to see me?”

Wen Huo was internally screaming. On her face, her eyes curved into little crescent moons. “No.”

“You don’t?”

“What about you? Do you want to see me? Right now?”

Liang Baoyi was confused. Su He was also confused. He felt like he was going to throw up. What did he do to deserve this? If Cheng Cuo hadn’t come over and forcefully ended the call, they could have spent an hour or two talking about these pointless things. This was what it was like for a couple who had just made their relationship official; it was sickeningly sweet.

Cheng Cuo had come to borrow some time with Liang Baoyi, but since she was with Wen Huo, he took the opportunity to let Wen Huo hear how she was taunting Chu Tian. Chu Tian was so upset and wanted to leave because this Ivy League intellectual had been making passive-aggressive comments to her. It proved that once the auction was exposed, all sorts of undesirables would show up, and both Xiang Yunxiao and Liang Baoyi were examples of this.

Liang Baoyi and Xiang Yunxiao were the same kind of people. They believed that if something didn’t belong to them, it shouldn’t belong to anyone else. They had both had contact with Chen Cheng and Wen Huo, and while not intimate, they could at least talk to them. But they were proud and didn’t want to actively pursue a relationship. And at that time, they had countless admirers behind them, so they didn’t feel the need to chase anyone. When one day, the person who was once right beside them ended up with someone else, a perfect match of talent and looks, they became upset. They felt they had given up the opportunity and that’s why the other couple had a harmonious outcome. If they had acted sooner, no one else would have been in the picture. They were jealous, envious, and uncomfortable, so they came to make a spectacle of themselves. Jealousy can distort a person’s character. This was a conclusion, not malice.

Liang Baoyi wanted to check on everyone who was active around Chen Cheng. She succeeded in taunting Chu Tian because Chu Tian wasn’t really a part of Chen Cheng’s inner circle, and she didn’t have much of a fight in her. Wen Huo was different. She was always ruthless. She didn’t like to talk much to strangers. She either repaid kindness or took revenge. Forget the Ivy League, she wasn’t even afraid of the United Nations. When someone came to her, all she had to do was deal with them. Fear was useless, so it was better to stay calm. This was something Su Di had taught her. Never be afraid of others seeing you as an enemy. The more people who are against you, the more you can hone yourself and discover your own shortcomings. The more you experience adversity and reflect, the more complete you become. Wen Huo had always followed this belief. Aside from her major blunder with Chen Cheng, her success rate was 95%.

Cheng Cuo’s intention was to stand up for Chu Tian, but after seeing Liang Baoyi’s defeated look, he suddenly felt it wasn’t necessary. Liang Baoyi was provoked by Wen Huo. She thought that since Chen Cheng had publicly denied his relationship with Wen Huo, it must have been true. She never considered that his denial might have been to protect her. Since she could be so passive-aggressive, she could also make a dignified exit.

In fact, besides them, many people with bad intentions had come over. The meaning of this auction had been redefined by them. But a clown can only do whatever they want in their own movie. In a story where someone else is the protagonist, they are destined to not make waves. After Liang Baoyi left, Chu Tian didn’t stay long either. Although she wasn’t cunning, she had experienced Liang Baoyi’s skills. The fact that Liang Baoyi had lost to Wen Huo made Wen Huo’s current status self-evident. Who doesn’t want to chase after excellent people? But you have to have some self-respect. Chu Tian could finally take her heart back from Chen Cheng. After watching him for so many years, it was time for her to look at others.

Cheng Cuo sat in the seat Liang Baoyi had just vacated and asked Wen Huo, “Do you still want to leave now?”

Wen Huo looked at him. She had almost forgotten that she was supposed to go back to Canada. Cheng Cuo could tell from her dazed look. “Your impulsive lust is a serious problem. Weren’t you supposed to go back to Canada? How come you can’t walk straight after seeing my cousin? Did the plan change?”

Wen Huo didn’t like his wording. “Am I a lustful person?”

Cheng Cuo nodded. “You are.”

Wen Huo was too lazy to argue with him. Suddenly, she remembered his phone call from before and asked him, “What did you mean when you called before and said Chu Chu had won over your cousin?”

Cheng Cuo immediately realized. “Don’t tell me your change of heart was because of that phone call?”

Wen Huo didn’t admit it. “Don’t change the subject, answer the question.”

Cheng Cuo was certain now and laughed. “I knew there was a reason you got so worked up that day. I thought my cousin had offended you again, but it turns out I was the one who offended you? Chu Chu isn’t Chu Tian, it’s Yang Chuchu, a designer. And my cousin isn’t Chen Cheng, his name is Zeng Biao, but we all call him cousin.”

Wen Huo suddenly felt a little embarrassed. That meant she had gotten jealous for no reason, and then she had gift-wrapped herself and delivered herself to Chen Cheng for him to enjoy?

Cheng Cuo felt he needed to take credit with Chen Cheng. This misunderstanding came at the perfect time and was worth two Patek Philippes. He was still laughing. “But it’s a good thing. Now you know how important my cousin is to you.”

Wen Huo didn’t say anything else. She felt a little, no, a lot, ashamed. It was all Chen Cheng’s fault, that scoundrel!

________________________________________

The banquet ended, and Tang Jun’en stayed to see the guests off. Chen Huaiyu left first, followed by Chen Wenli and Jin Ge. The group went outside. Ruan Lihong was pulling Wen Huo out when they ran into Jin Ge and the others. The two women, after their “reconciliation” before the auction, were able to say goodbye peacefully.

Jin Ge glanced at Wen Huo, who was being pulled along, and then at Chen Cheng, who was walking toward them. His eyes were fixed on her. Wen Huo also saw Chen Cheng and couldn’t look away. She wanted to look at him, but there were so many people. Was it appropriate? Yes! Why not? She was going to look! Ruan Lihong had raised Wen Huo, and Wen Huo had barely given her any trouble. This was the first time she felt her daughter was being disobedient.

Chen Cheng first greeted Jin Ge and Chen Wenli, then walked up to Ruan Lihong and asked, “Auntie, I have something I want to talk to Huohuo about. Can I borrow her for a little while?” With so many people around, how could Ruan Lihong say “no,” especially on their home turf? But who was Ruan Lihong? So she said, “No. It’s late, and Huohuo needs to go to bed.”

Wen Huo said, “Mom, I haven’t slept in days...”

Ruan Lihong glared at her, making her swallow the rest of her words. She knew Wen Huo hadn’t slept and she felt for her, but Chen Cheng was a wolf. What kind of mother would throw her daughter into a wolf’s den?

Jin Ge couldn’t speak up at this moment; she had no standing. Wen Huo was a girl, and she couldn’t help her son claim her. Thinking about it from Ruan Lihong’s perspective, she would probably be even more agitated. Su He reminded Ruan Lihong, “Respect.”

Ruan Lihong remembered what Su He had said in the car that day. She took a breath and asked Wen Huo, “I’ll listen to you. Are you coming home with me, or with him?” Wen Huo glanced at Chen Cheng. She wanted to say Chen Cheng, but she couldn’t embarrass Ruan Lihong. She said, “I’m going home with you.”

Ruan Lihong visibly relaxed and held her hand. “Good, I’ll take you home.”

Wen Huo didn’t look at Chen Cheng again before she left. She was afraid she would change her mind. Chen Cheng had been a little manipulative recently. If he gave her a look of grievance, she might have left Ruan Lihong and run off with him.

After their car drove away, Jin Ge came up to Chen Cheng and said, “Take it slow. Don’t scare her away. She’s so much younger than you.” Chen Cheng was reminded of Wen Huo’s constant use of the phrase “old man.” He was so much older than her, and it felt like he was short-changing her. “Take it slow, no rush.”

________________________________________

On the way home, Ruan Lihong didn’t ask or say anything. She was waiting for Wen Huo to confess, but Wen Huo was just staring at her phone. Su He saw that Ruan Lihong’s expression was turning sour and reminded Wen Huo, “Maybe you should stop looking at your phone? You’ll get dizzy.” Wen Huo understood and put her phone away.

After they got home, Wen Huo went to take a shower. Ruan Lihong sat on the sofa, pinching the bridge of her nose. Su He walked over and massaged her temples. “I’ll give you a massage after you shower.”

Ruan Lihong shook her head. “With your skills?”

“My skills are bad? But you always tell me to go slower, that I’m too strong.”

Ruan Lihong sighed. “You’re young. If you weren’t strong, you wouldn’t be able to say you’re young, would you? Any other young person would be the same.”

Su He stopped his hands and sat next to her. “Are you going to find someone else?” Ruan Lihong opened her eyes and saw his anxious expression. What was she doing? She took his hand. “No, I’m not going to. Unless I find someone better than you, but I don’t think there’s anyone better than you.” She rarely said such things, so Su He was speechless. Ruan Lihong didn’t get a response, opened her eyes, and saw that he was stunned. She smiled. “You don’t believe me?”

Su He nodded vigorously. “I do!” Ruan Lihong’s self-care for her body and face was exceptional. When she and Wen Huo went out, no one thought they were mother and daughter, so she and Su He didn’t face much criticism or strange looks. Ruan Lihong never had to feel sorry for him because of that. The only thing she ever felt sorry for him about was that he was never her first choice. Her daughter, her son, Ruan Lihong always put them first, and then herself. Now, she wanted to place Su He on the same level as Wen Huo and Wen Bing. The reason? She couldn’t let him go. This little thing treated her as his everything. How could she just treat him as a toy?

Ruan Lihong touched his lips. “We’re going back to Canada.”

Su He knew. They had planned to go back to Canada. “Okay, I’ll buy tickets tomorrow.”

________________________________________

Wen Huo finished her shower, lay in bed, and waited for a message from Chen Cheng on her phone. She waited and waited. After half an hour, Chen Cheng sent a message. “Are you asleep?”

Wen Huo shot up from the bed with a “whoosh,” holding her phone and smiling, thinking, “What should I reply?” Just then, Chen Cheng sent another message. “Come downstairs.”

Downstairs? Wen Huo called him. “What?”

Chen Cheng said, “I’m downstairs at your house.”

Wen Huo got out of bed, ran barefoot to the panoramic window, and looked down. It was pitch black, and she couldn’t see anything. She called him. “You’re lying.”

Chen Cheng hung up and switched to a video call. Wen Huo looked. It really was her house! She threw on a down jacket and ran outside, not forgetting to grab the trash on her way out.

Ruan Lihong called out to her, “Where are you going?”

Wen Huo said, “I’m taking out the trash! I’ll be right back.” The door closed, and Ruan Lihong continued, “I said we’re going back to Canada, meaning the two of us.” Su He looked at the door and then at Ruan Lihong. He understood what she meant. Wen Huo’s insomnia was treatable, and she had someone to care about now. There was no need to go to Canada. As for them, they had come for Wen Huo’s insomnia. Since she was better, it was time for them to go back too. They should all leave more time for themselves and just be there when the other person needed them. Wen Huo was also an adult now. Ruan Lihong had to understand her role in her life. She couldn’t be with her forever.

________________________________________

Wen Huo ran downstairs and saw Chen Cheng leaning against his car. Suit! Long legs! Her man! So handsome! She threw out the trash, ran over, and jumped into his arms. Chen Cheng hugged her and pulled her down jacket tight to block the wind. Wen Huo nuzzled into his embrace. “Why did you come? When I got back, you sent a message saying to take it slow.”

“I was in a hurry.”

It had been almost a full day, and Wen Huo’s smile hadn’t faded. Her eyes were curved like little crescent moons. “In a hurry for what?”

“In a hurry to see you.”