Chapter Forty-Three

Rong Qing dipped her food in the sauce, her cheeks flushed a rosy red, eating with such relish she couldn’t help but exclaim her delight. As she ate, she made sure to look after the man beside her—Young Master Huo. It was almost pitiful for someone born with a golden spoon; likely, this was his first time in such a modest hotpot restaurant, far from the luxury establishments he was accustomed to. Watching him, clad in an expensive suit and sitting gingerly on the chair, she couldn’t suppress a smile.

“How is it?” Rong Qing’s beautiful eyes blinked, sparkling with starlight as she watched Huo Lingtian pick up his chopsticks and take a bite of the tender, simmered beef. He chewed slowly, and the skepticism on his face melted into genuine enjoyment.

Lingtian nodded approvingly, “It’s delicious. The unique, secret broth has completely infused the beef, and the soup on the tongue makes the taste buds sing.” Unable to resist, he reached for a few more pieces.

“Hehe, you don’t understand—this is what we call grassroots culture. But most people don’t eat like we do.” Seeing the confusion on Huo Lingtian’s face, Rong Qing adopted a mysterious air. She raised her hand and beckoned the owner over.

“Boss, bring us two bottles of chilled draft beer.”

“Coming right up!”

After placing the order, Rong Qing looked at Huo Lingtian with a pleading, pitiful expression, “Just this once~ just two bottles. I just want to have a drink with you.” Her coquettish tone and affectionate manner instantly lifted Huo Lingtian’s spirits. Drinking together? He would let it slide.

“Cheers!” Rong Qing raised her glass, her smile silly and endearing. The cool liquid slid down her throat, an indulgence in the steaming heat of summer. And so, cup after cup, bite after bite, they drank, ate, and chatted freely. Every so often, she would flash a goofy, dazed smile, and Huo Lingtian’s gaze grew softer, overflowing with indulgence. In that moment, in this small restaurant, the pure joy Huo Lingtian felt was precious beyond measure—a treasure he would cherish for a lifetime.

After paying the bill, Huo Lingtian wrapped his arm around the slightly tipsy woman as they strolled along the suburban street. Her uncomplicated, joyful expression carried a faint smile, her eyes shining with satisfaction like the most beautiful stars, her lips curved as she chattered incessantly.

“You don’t know, I used to live here when I was little. My parents would often bring me to this hotpot place. Unfortunately, they’re gone now.” A gentle sadness touched the corner of Rong Qing’s eyes; perhaps this was her most unguarded moment, the truest version of herself. Holding his precious girl, Huo Lingtian felt his heart weighed down, yet also content.

“It’s all right, darling. I’ll stay by your side, forever.” Beneath the streetlights, Huo Lingtian and Rong Qing embraced. He gently patted her back, making the most important promise of his life.

“Hehe, but my grandmother’s cooking is amazing. Next time, I’ll take you to try it.” Rong Qing met Huo Lingtian’s gaze, her eyes filled with hope.

A promise worth its weight in gold.

The next morning, after a deep sleep, Rong Qing rubbed her aching temples. Her hair was a tangled mess, and it was already past ten. The spacious bedroom was shrouded in darkness by heavy curtains. The spot beside her in bed had long grown cold. Yesterday? She vaguely recalled being a little tipsy, her mind hazy, hugging Huo Lingtian on the street—and accidentally letting slip some embarrassing stories from her childhood. Well, she would never admit that, in the right place, with the right person, her loneliness and solitude had been stirred.

The morning was wasted; after four days of rest, she ambled slowly to the set in the afternoon. The air was stifling, and all the actors were on high alert. After the previous incident, Director Wang Zhang, though silent, was clearly angered by the open provocation, abandoning his usual gentle style for strict, iron-fisted policies that left everyone miserable.

“Wen Rui, damn it, you’re playing a college girl, what’s with that sour face?” Wang Zhang called for the fourth time. Once the top domestic star, Wen Rui had fallen low.

Wen Rui’s complexion was poor, even heavy makeup couldn’t hide her gloomy, angry mood. The once proud star now looked like an ordinary girl, anxious and helpless, almost pitiable.

“How did she end up like this?” Though she had anticipated Huo Lingtian’s intervention, Rong Qing was still surprised.

“Banished from high society, her image ruined, even her newly opened store went bankrupt. Not everyone can handle falling from the clouds into the mud,” Yan Lin said quietly.

Wang Zhang finished a scene and caught sight of Rong Qing. His stern, grim face instantly bloomed into a cheerful smile. Rong Qing couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of her mouth. Good heavens! That transformation was too quick!

“Qing, are you healed? Look, without you the whole cast’s efficiency has dropped dramatically.” Wang Zhang complained as he assigned Rong Qing her part.

What did acting efficiency have to do with her? Rong Qing grumbled inwardly. “Thank you for your concern, Director Zhang.”

“Right, go get changed. There’s a scene for you soon.” Wang Zhang’s smile grew ever more benevolent.

Rong Qing changed into her costume, just as an unexpected guest arrived on set. Han Xiyun sat in a chair, laughing and chatting with the boss, her arrogance on full display. Wen Rui’s pride had been crushed, but Han Xiyun was on the rise.

“You—yes, you. Aren’t you going to clean up? Don’t you see how dirty it is here?” The burly, thick-necked man bellowed, sitting comfortably as he berated the staff.

Beside him, Han Xiyun munched on melon rinds, carelessly tossing the peels onto the floor. Now and then, she would feed a couple pieces to the person next to her.

Rong Qing, dressed in a matte white dress with flowing hair, looked simple yet elegant, possessing the air of a goddess. In that era, such an image was undeniably striking—a brilliant daughter of heaven.

—End of chapter—

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