Chapter 50: Chapter 50 - 50 050 Unexpected

Chapter 50: 050 Unexpected Chapter 50: 050 Unexpected Speaking of which, it was also a helpless situation. Fu Han had been avoiding He Xing as usual these past few days, but she had to admit that He Xing had become much more attentive. Often, with just a glance from her, He Xing would know what she wanted to do.

As a result, during her two-day hospital stay, Nan Qing made several jokes about her and He Xing, although Su Cheng always had a grim face.

But Su Cheng was helpless about it; after all, such tacit understanding couldn’t be cultivated in just a day or two—it was the result of years of accumulation.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Fu Han popped a slice of mango into her mouth and checked the time before turning on her computer.

Today was the day the results for the “Travel the World” Photography Competition knockout round were released. The results were available online, which saved Fu Han a lot of time.

She entered her information according to the text message prompts and clicked to query. Then, a line of text appeared on the computer screen: “Fu Han, thank you for participating. Unfortunately, you did not pass the knockout round!”

For a moment, Fu Han felt a chill in her hands and feet. She looked outside at the sky—a grey-blue shade that seemed to forebode rain.

The wind grew stronger, billowing the white gauze curtains with a rustling sound that diluted the beauty and struck Fu Han’s heart with a heavy blow.

A mocking smile formed on her lips. They always said that participation was what mattered, but why was it so hard for her to accept now?

It seemed her cultivation was still lacking; she couldn’t face her failure with equanimity or accept the fact that others were better.

“Travel the World” was the biggest photography competition in Country Z, and all its participants were outstanding. Although she loved photography, she had really only been professionally involved in this field for three years.

With that thought, the heavy stone in her heart fell away for the most part, and she felt much better. She closed the computer and started eating from the fruit plate.

Yet her expression remained deeply unsettled.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was He Xing. She hung up directly.

Seconds later, the phone rang again. It was still He Xing. She sighed and finally answered, “Do you need me for something?”

“Where are you?” He Xing’s signature deep voice came through the phone.

Even through the phone, Fu Han could almost see He Xing’s expressionless, sculpted face. Irked, she said, “Where else could I be? Of course, I’m at home.”

“Then don’t wander off at home, just wait for me.” He Xing’s tone was the same as before, except his voice was a bit elevated.

Fu Han, recalling how He Xing had taken the opportunity to hug her while delivering a late-night snack the night before, refused without second thoughts, “Don’t come looking for me. I’m about to leave.”

After saying that, she immediately hung up the phone. It was a joke. She’d have to be out of her mind to keep on letting the wolf into her house over and over.

Before she could set her phone down, it rang yet again. Without looking, she answered angrily, “He Xing, when will you ever stop?”

“He Xing?” The voice on the other end was puzzled. “It’s Su Cheng here.”

“Oh, it’s you.” A flush spread across Fu Han’s face, and she coughed awkwardly, speaking indifferently, “Do you need me for something?”

“I saw the “Travel the World” Photography Competition results. I’ll pick you up now, and we’ll ask about the situation at Jiangshan Gallery together,” Su Cheng said, fearful of angering Fu Han. His tone was both urgent and quick. “Luo Qinghe will also join us.”

Fu Han had intended to refuse, but at the last sentence, she held back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

If Luo Qinghe also thought she should have passed the knockout round, then she should not just give up; instead, she should seek justice for herself.

…

Jiangshan Gallery.

Su Cheng made a sudden stop, parking the white Audi accurately in the parking space.

Fu Han got out of the car, hurriedly leaving the house with a bare face, wearing a white high-necked, off-shoulder, fitted sweater, black straight-leg flared trousers, paired with a pair of white sneakers. Her hair was casually tied up, her arm draped with a black wool coat.

Her entire being radiated a natural, unadorned sexiness, an innocence, and purity mingled together.

“We’ll go directly to the organizers,” Luo Qinghe, trailing two steps behind Fu Han and Su Cheng, said as he inadvertently glanced at Fu Han, his face revealing unmistakable astonishment.

Fu Han’s steps momentarily faltered before she nodded, “Thank you.”

She wasn’t surprised that Su Cheng was running around for her; but she hadn’t expected Luo Qinghe to take the initiative to help.

“No need for thanks,” Luo Qinghe said with an open smile. “I would offer the same help to anyone else in this situation.”

Fu Han’s eyes swept over his face, silently lamenting the injustices of fate. He Xing had that intensely attractive face, the kind that stood out in a crowd.

Luo Qinghe’s face was equally a masterpiece of the heavens, with scholarly and elegant features, especially when wearing glasses, which added a bookish charm. His natural temperament often made one overlook his face, yet in reality, his face was the focal point of his overall aura.

When he wasn’t smiling, his presence seemed cool and mysterious, deterring people from coming close. Yet, when he did smile, he gave off a sunny disposition with a hint of roguish charm, quite stunning.

By now Su Cheng had caught up with them, grinning so wide that his teeth were on full display to Fu Han. “Fu Han, Brother Qinghe has always been like this since we were young, always most eager to stand up for justice.”

After checking the competition results and being unable to accept them, Su Cheng thought of Luo Qinghe, the president of the Photographers Association and a judge for the competition, and he was the first to call Luo Qinghe.

Luo Qinghe was surprised by the news of Fu Han not making it to the finals. He requested to see her competition photos, and upon seeing them, he was immediately excited.

He remembered this set of photos, which had received very high evaluations during the competition, achieving unanimous approval among the judges. There was no reason for her not to even have the qualification to enter the finals.

The staff who attended to them, upon understanding their purpose, left briefly. When they returned, the response was, “The knockout round results were jointly assessed by over a dozen judges, absolutely fair and just.”

“I request to see the evaluation results from all judges,” Luo Qinghe pulled out a badge. “I am the chairman of the Photographers Association, and I must ensure the competition’s fairness and justice.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Luo, but I can’t help you,” said the staff member before turning to leave.

Luo Qinghe stood up abruptly, grabbing the staff member’s collar, the cultivated elegance on his face replaced by barely masked fury, “Lead me to your supervisor. Don’t try to fool me with these platitudes.”

Immediately, security guards rushed over, shouting loudly, “Someone’s being violent, there’s trouble here!”

As a brawl seemed imminent, Su Cheng ran to Luo Qinghe’s side, making it clear he was prepared to join in the fray, “Brother Qinghe, I’m with you.”