Not long after Huo Jingheng got off the plane, his phone immediately began buzzing. He glanced at the incoming call and seeing that it was from the old house, he picked it up promptly. Yet before he could speak, words from the other end flooded toward him, “Jingheng, are you free tonight? Come to the old house…”
“Grandma, I have some errands to run tonight. I might not be able to…” Huo Jingheng’s words were cut off from the other end of the line, “What errand is so important? I don't care, you must come over for dinner tonight!”
He pinched his brow slightly, feeling slightly fatigued. Knowing that he couldn’t evade tonight’s plans, his grandmother must have arranged to introduce him to another Miss Zhang or Miss Li. He let out a deep sigh, helplessly saying, “Okay, I’ll come…”
Jason, the assistant next to him, cast a sympathetic glance at his boss. Ever since Lady Huo underwent heart surgery last year, she had been busy setting up blind dates for her only grandson, afraid that she won't see him settle down and get to hold a great-grandchild.
Huo Jingheng glanced at his watch and went outside. He was dashing in his neat black suit. His nearly 1.9 meters tall figure, deep starry eyes, straight high nose, and streamlined beautiful thin lips can outshine any young celebrities on TV. A crowd of reporters had been waiting in the crowded airport hall. As soon as he appeared, a swarm of people immediately rushed forward, blocking his path.
“Mr. Huo, Huo Group just secured an important project in the United States. Do you have any future plans?”
“Mr. Huo, is it true that you are dating Miss An?”
“Is the diamond ring on Miss An’s hand your gift? Mr. Huo, when do you plan to reveal your relationship?”
With a cold face, Huo Jingheng finally made his way out of the hall with the help of his bodyguards and swiftly got into a black Bentley parked outside. He loosened his collar with irritation.
“Old Li, we're not going to the office. Drive directly to the old house.” He said in a cold voice. He knew without thinking that a bunch of reporters must be waiting for him outside the office as well.
“Jason, check who this Miss. An they're talking about is…” A glint crossed Huo Jingheng’s eyes. This hype tied to him was growing tedious.
Jason was momentarily stunned, “Mr. Huo, Miss An is Anna, the female star you used last month to fend off the old lady's queries!”
After thinking for a while, Huo Jingheng seemed to remember something. So many things had happened recently that he had forgotten about this figure. The old lady didn't like her anyway. He looked at Jason and uttered a few icy words, “Handle it. I don't want to hear any more rumors about me and her.”
Jason nodded, feeling that someone is about to be unlucky…
Over an hour later, skirting the winding mountain road, Huo Jingheng arrived at the old mansion— a magnificent European-style building, a four-story white villa, somewhat old but exuding profound charm. The ornate wrought-iron gate opened, and a black Bentley slowly drove in.
The moment Huo Jingheng stepped out of the car, servants immediately rushed forward to greet him, ignoring those offering warm greetings, he strode off intending to first visit the elderly, while thinking of ways to persuade her to cancel the blind date planned for the night...
Just as he was thinking about old Madam Huo, a call from her came through on his phone. Huo Jingheng answered the call, and the old lady's anxious voice could be heard, "Hello, Jingheng, um... if you're busy, you don't have to come..."
Huo Jinghang frowned, finding the situation comically frustrating. Who was it that initially insisted he come over? As he was walking he spoke, "Grandma, I'm already here..."
He stopped speaking abruptly, his steps freezing in place...
He said something before cutting the call abruptly, turning his head stiffly, his gaze landing on the woman in the small garden, who was diligently pruning a potted plant.
From his angle, he could see her exquisite profile and the shallow smile lines that appeared when she pursed her lips...
This person, he would never mistake her for someone else.
Yet he wished that he really had made a mistake this time.
With a slight movement of his toes, Huo Jinghang faced her, his dark and unfathomable eyes greedily regarded her with an emerging layer of gloom growing thicker until it all turned inky-black, harboring a storm that was about to burst.
Gu Qiao, long time no see.
A cryptic smile teases at the corners of his mouth.
Roar... roar...
What was previously a cloudless clear sky had turned into a torrential downpour.
Gu Qiao put away the scissors in her hand, one hand shielding her head as she ran towards the porch. As she got closer and climbed up a few steps, she saw a pair of polished black men's leather shoes on the white marble tiles. Her heart skipped a beat as she moved her gaze from the shoes, slowly upward.
Slim, straight legs were tucked in black trousers. Expensive belt hung on the waist. The collar of the white shirt was slightly open, and the silver-black tie was a little loose. One can slightly see the meticulously drawn collarbone, and further up was a sexy Adam's apple.
"Gu Qiao, long time no see."
Those words startled Gu Qiao, causing her body to shudder. She immediately looked up to find a pair of eyes twinkling with an enigmatic, half-smiling emotion causing her to feel coldness creep down her spine as her heart seemed to plunge into an icy pit.
She took a step back, but accidentally missed her footing and began to fall backward uncontrollably.
Hu Jinghang reached out his long arm and pulled her into his arms, whispering in her ear, "My dear sister, be careful not to fall."
Gu Qiao's face collided with his chest, her cheeks mildly aching. She stiffened at his sarcastic address of 'good sister', and bitterness was all she felt in her heart.
She struggled out of Hu Jinghang's embrace, "Mr. Huo, long time no see."
Huo Jinghang let go with a cynical smile, his gaze lingering on her delicate and fair skin. At first glance, it seemed she managed to keep up very well these past years.
"Long time no see" was his line, but coming from her emotionless lips, it triggered a layer of invisible discontent in his eyes.
"You were quite comfortable in Belgium, what brought you back?" He bent down, warm breath sprayed on the side of her neck. His voice was low and magnetic, with a nasal sound that was tempting to hear, "or is it something you can't tell people?"
Gu Qiao lowered her eyes, hiding the emotions slowly rising in her pupils and tried to respond with a calm tone: "Mr. Huo, you're overthinking it. I'll leave after a few days."
Huo Jinghang's face changed, he chuckled, stood upright, "Miss Gu, you better keep your word!"
He turned around neatly and shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked away.
Gu Qiao, you're really ruthless!
The April weather, a persistent drizzle kept falling. Gu Qiao's attire was thin and had been wet by the rain before. Now, as the damp clothing clung to her skin, it gave her chills. As she rubbed her arms, watching Huo Jinghang's retreating figure, she fell into contemplation.
She thought her return was a total mistake.
It would have been better if they never met in this life.
As night fell, the thunderstorm finally stopped, the sky was devoid of any light, dark clouds hung low, making the atmosphere heavy and stiflingly oppressive.
At the banquet, Gu Qiao sat next to Qiao Wan. Initially, Gu Qiao wanted to leave after meeting Huo Jinghang in the garden, but Qiao Wan managed to persuade her to stay. It was only after Huo Tingdong also told her to stay for dinner that she could hardly decline. She braced herself to sit down but now somewhat regretted it.
