âYes, here! Now! I bought it all!â Chu Xiuhuang stressed every word, and raised both comers of his mouth in a wicked smile, âSo, Secretary Shi, all the jewelry here now belongs to you. Are you happy?â
Everyone around had quickly gathered, forming a circle around the two. Men applauded, and women screamed.
Shi Huan stood there, completely dumbfounded.
**
The next morning, the internet slowed to a crawl as a variety of flashy headlines flooded the front pages of all major gossip forums.
[Chuâs Eldest Young Master, the man who hired the entire jewelry exhibition area!]
[Splashing billions, just for a womanâs smile!)
[Nanchengâs most capricious man: Chu Xiuhuang!]
[Brother Fire Emperor: The man who constantly boosts Nancheng1 s GDP! ]
[Someone elseâs boss: The man who shockingly gave his secretary a whole section of exhibited jewelry! ]
The Military Districtâs compound.
Huo Family.
Morning exercise, breakfast.
After finishing, Old Master Huo sat in the Taishi Chair by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the first-floor living room, reading the paper, Old Lady Huo was tidying up the living room, moving to the rhythm of the âMu Guiying Takes Commandâ playing on the phonograph.
âBang!â
Old Master Huo suddenly threw the newspaper on the floor.
âWhatâs gotten into you, old man?â Old Lady Huo was startled.
Old Master Huo picked up the newspaper again, not uttering a word, his face straight. Yet, he ignored the news about Chu Xiuhuang.
He usually didnât pay much attention to such things, but ever sinceâ¦
âOh, isnât this Ahuang?â Old Lady Huo came over, then pointed at the picture of Shi Huan, âIsnât thisâ¦â
Old Lady Huoâs memory isnât good, and despite trying hard, she couldnât remember the name.
âOld Huo, oh, everyone is here. Whatâs going on?â
Old Lady Huo turned around and greeted with a grin, âOld Chu, what brings you here so early?â
âJust visiting.â Master Chu had two walnuts in his hand. As he walked, he kept rotating them and remarked, âThe show is really good.â
And then he began to sing along, âWhen the court is in chaos, the generals strive for promotion. But when the beacon flares, Yangâs family gets the commanderâs sealâ¦â
Old Master Huo gave him a disgusted look, âThe family is on the verge of ruin, and you still feel like singing!â
Old Lady Huo couldnât help but snicker.
Master Chu was taken aback, âWhat did you say?â
Old Master Huo threw the newspaper on the coffee table, âTake a look for yourself, the entire entertainment section is filled with photos of your grandson!â
Master Chu hurried over and picked up the newspaper. âGoodness, my grandson sure is handsome!â
Old Master Huo:
Shameless!
He counted to himself, 1,2,3.
As expected.
âThat rascal! Wasting money again!â Master Chu was so furious that he almost rip the newspaper in two.
Then the next second.
âIsnât this Secretary Shi?â
âRight! I remember now!â Lady Huo also said excitedly, âHer name is Shi Huan! Sheâs Ahuangâs secretary, a decent young ladyâ¦Why are you leaving, Old Chu?â
Master Chu didnât turn back.
As soon as he got back to Chuâs house, he called his grandson.
The call was soon picked up, and Chu Xiuhuangâs carefree voice rang out, âWhat do you need from me this early, grandpa?â
âYou rascal!â Old Master Chu was livid, âWhat were you messing around with last night? Donât use your secretary as a shield every time you get into some scandalous situation with women! Sheâs a decent young lady, not like those cheap women you hang out with! You tormented her sister once, isnât that enough? Are you planning to torment her now?â
âGrandpa, I donât like your words, what does it mean âI tormentedâ? Was it really my fault? That incident from that yearâ¦â
âIn any case, Huanhuan hasnât had it easy these past few years, from eighteen until now, she has been working like a horse for the company, without her, could you live the life you have today? Hurry up and clarify the news, how will the Shi family view us otherwise?â
âHeh.â Chu Xiuhuang offered no comment.
âYou rascal, did you hear what I just said?â
âGot it, Iâm hanging up now, I have work to do.â
Master Chu checked the time, it was only a bit past eight. âThe sun is up from the west now, are you really going to start working?â
His own grandson was the smartest in the Chu family, and also the best-looking.
However, my father passed away early, and as the saying goes, âA doting mother often spoils her child.â My motherâs education was inevitably biased towards indulgence, which has nurtured my current unrestrained and domineering character.
Frowning, Chu Xiuhuang clicked his tongue, âIâm ambitious, arenât you happy about it, old man?â
The old man kept a straight face, but soon he couldnât help but laugh, âIf you can find a good girl from a good family and settle down soon, Iâd be even happier! It would be best if you can give me a great-grandson to hold, ah.â
As he spoke, he couldnât help but sigh again, âLook at Ashen, heâs been abroad for so many years and didnât find a wife. But once he returned to China, he quietly got married! Why donât you have anyone?â
ChuXiuhuangchuckled, âGoodbye!â
Before the old master Chu could react, the call had been hung up.
**
Shi Huan had no idea that she had made the news.
She got up early, quickly dressed herself and the little girl, and then drove the Cayenne that Chu Xiuhuang had given her to take Luoluo to school.
Who knew that it would rain this morning, the road was wet and slippery, and there was a traffic accident on the third ring road. They made it to the school just in time to avoid being late after the arduous drive.
After getting out of the car, Shi Huan held an umbrella in one hand and Luoluoâs with the other, and ran to the school entrance.
She held up a little umbrella for the little girl and handed it to her, âAlright, go to class.â
Shi Luoluo held the fringed little umbrella, cocking her little head to look at her, âHuanhuan, have you bought the swimsuit?â
âYes, I have.â Shi Huan suddenly remembered that because she had accompanied Chu Xiuhuang to the banquet yesterday, the swimsuit was left in her office.
Shi Luoluo tilted her little head, âIs it the matching pink one like mine?â
âUm, I bought a black one.â
âWhy didnât you buy a pink one!â Shi Luoluo pouted, âWe said we were going to wear matching outfits!â
âOkay, next time Iâll wear pink with you.â Shi Huan patted the little girlâs head, âGo into class.â
Shi Luoluo looked behind her, âFu Ziyang!â
Shi Huan turned and saw Fu Ziyang walking over.
Dressed in a thick camouflage down jacket, wearing the schoolâs uniform underneath, he held a little black umbrella, his expression as solemn as the umbrella itself.
However, when he got close, he broke into an official smile and said, âHello, sister.â
Shi Huan also gave a small smile, then said, âAlright, Iâm off to work.â
After Shi Huan left, Shi Luoluo huffed, âHuanhuan tricked me again!â
âWhat did she trick you about?â Fu Ziyang asked.
âWe agreed to wear pink swimsuits together, but she secretly bought a black one, hmph!â
Fu Ziyang:
As the two were about to walk through the entrance, a womanâs voice suddenly rang out from behind, âZiyang!â
Fu Ziyang was startled, then turned around.
He saw a man and a woman standing in front of him, the man holding a huge black umbrella, the woman standing under it. Over her red dress, she wore a large black down jacket. It was raining and the sky was gray, she had sunglasses and mask on her face, was wrapped in a thick scarf, and the hood of her down jacket was also on her head.
The outfit was bizarre to the extreme!
Scared, Shi Luoluo hid behind Fu Ziyang and whispered, âFu Ziyang, are they bad people?â
Scared, Shi Luoluo hid behind Fu Ziyang and whispered, âFu Ziyang, are they bad people?â
Fu Ziyang asked, âAre you guys looking for me?â
Lu Zixi, somewhat excited, quickly walked forward.
Zhuo Song quickly followed with the umbrella.
Upon reaching them, Lu Zixi crouched down, then removed her mask, whispering, âZiyang, itâs me.â
Fu Ziyang looked at her.
The actress from the cinema that day!
âFu Ziyang.â Shi Luoluo pulled at his down jacket, her little face full of fear, her voice barely a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard, âHuanhuan said, we should not talk to strangers.â
Who knew Fu Ziyang would say, âI know them.â
âWho are they to you?â
Fu Ziyang pursed his lips, âLuoluo, you go to class first, donât be late.â
âButâ¦â Shi Luoluo was torn. She didnât want to be late, but she was worried about Fu Ziyangâs safety.
Lu Zixi quickly reassured her, âLittle friend, donât be scared, Iâm not a bad person.â
Shi Luoluo snorted immediately, âHuanhuan said thatâs how bad people trick children.â
Lu Zixi:
Fu Ziyang had to say, âLuoluo, you go to class first, Iâll come find you after I finish talking with them.â
Shi Luoluo finally nodded, âOkay then.â
As she left, she kept looking back, feeling uneasy.
Once Shi Luoluo entered the school gate, Fu Ziyang got straight to the point, âWhat did you want to see me for?â