Chapter 98: The Third Honeymoon Journey

The latest chapter of "Prestigious Superstar"...

The evening glow cast golden rays across the sea, gilding the water in shimmering light as a sleek white yacht cut through the waves, sending spray into the air. From a distance, standing on the deck, one could see a commotion unfolding on the private island—a chaotic dispute among a crowd. Security personnel chased and cornered a man and a woman; their features were indistinct at such a distance.

"What’s going on?" Ling Tian Huo disembarked from the yacht and strode forward, his voice cool and authoritative. By then, the two intruders had already been subdued by the guards.

A steward, face tinged with shame, answered respectfully, "Young Master, it was our negligence. These two managed to breach the inner island." He cast a resentful glance at the bound pair. The island had enjoyed peace for years, but now, during the master and mistress’s stay, these two had dared trespass, bringing disgrace upon the Huo family's security.

Ling Tian Huo studied the intruders. The man looked disheveled, his clothes torn from struggle. The woman beside him was even more bedraggled; her strap dress had snapped, and she clutched it desperately to prevent exposure. Her heels dangled from her hand, her pale feet reddened from the scorching sand and gravel. Ling Tian Huo snorted inwardly. "Yesterday’s lesson wasn’t enough for you? To trespass on Huo territory without permission. I could have you detained as illegal entrants or tossed into the sea to feed the sharks."

Only now did the pair understand true fear, their eyes wide with terror as they looked at Ling Tian Huo. His ruthless reputation was well known. After yesterday’s clash, they’d been expelled from the island, and even with their identities and money, no hotel would take them in. Now, stranded, these privileged youths realized what it meant to be utterly lost, with nowhere to turn. They couldn’t spend the night on the coast waiting for tomorrow’s ferry home; as night fell, the sea winds grew biting, stripping away the afternoon’s gentleness. Alone on the endless beach, their hearts sank deeper into silence. These young heirs were unused to such hardship; desperation drove them to attempt entry onto the private island, hoping its owner would show mercy. But…

"We’ll never do it again, please! I want to go home..." The girl’s cries were desperate, her pride shattered after a day and night of hardship. The threat of being thrown into the sea terrified her. She curled up, pleading through tears. The boy beside her echoed her pleas.

"Please, show us mercy. We were wrong—I apologize..." No matter how influential his father was—a minor deputy mayor in the capital—he was insignificant compared to Ling Tian Huo, whose status far surpassed his father’s. They’d finally hit an immovable wall.

"Ling Tian, let it go. Send them home. They’re just foolish youths—let the lesson suffice," Rong Qing emerged, unable to bear the sight of the tear-streaked faces. Youth meant mistakes; the outside world would not offer them second chances.

With the mistress’s command, the guards untied them. The two young intruders collapsed to the ground, sobbing in relief.

"Find a boat to send them away," Rong Qing instructed, then took Ling Tian Huo’s hand, leading him down the winding path toward the villa. Her favorite thing each evening was to stroll the beach with the man she loved most, savoring the tranquility and timeless peace.

"Ling Tian, when we’re old, let’s retire on this island," Rong Qing entwined her fingers with his, their shadows stretching long. Her face was serene, softened with a gentle smile.

"Alright," he replied tenderly, holding her hand as if to promise lifelong companionship—their journey together was just beginning.

That afternoon, Ling Tian Huo was enjoying a nap, cradling his beloved, a picture of peaceful intimacy. But a phone call shattered the quiet. Ling Tian Huo, alert, silenced the call, slipped away gently, placed a pillow in his lover’s arms, and stepped onto the balcony to return the call.

"Hello, old man? Don’t you know we’re taking a nap?" He spoke in a haughty, unreasonable tone, making his grandfather fume. “A grandson gets married and forgets his grandfather! Not a shred of respect for elders. The New Year is coming and you haven’t even thought about coming home!”

"When are you planning to return?" The elder Huo waited daily for the two troublemakers to come back. His grandson had left him to deal with a mountain of affairs, and his granddaughter-in-law’s entertainment company was searching worldwide for her. ‘Love’ fans were about to riot, unable to find their idol. The two of them had vanished for twenty days.

"Before the New Year. Qing finally has a holiday, let her rest a few more days," Ling Tian Huo replied considerately, gazing through the window at his beloved, who had rolled over and tossed aside the pillow. He smiled softly. "Grandfather, after all these years fighting for the Huo family, isn’t it time for a proper vacation?"

For the first time, the old man heard his grandson complain, and was silent. Ling Tian Huo had always been mature and calm, both a source of pride and worry. His shrewdness in business and ruthless edge in the underworld made him a fitting heir. But his excellence was also a source of anxiety—never resting, never complaining, like a machine driving the Huo dynasty forward. The elder feared that one day, the engine would burn out, and he’d lose not only the family’s most capable leader, but also his most cherished grandson.

Thankfully, Rong Qing's arrival had brought light and happiness to Ling Tian Huo. No longer did he see business as his sole pursuit; he was tired, and it was time for the family to support him. The elder Huo, feeling for his grandson, willingly fell into the trap his mischievous grandson had set. "Alright, have it your way. Just promise to return before the New Year."

"Yes, grandfather, take care of yourself. You’re still strong, but not as young as you once were," Ling Tian Huo replied warmly.

"Ha! Now you remember to care about your grandfather?" Despite his reproach, the old man felt a wave of warmth from his grandson’s words. Now with a family, he had grown up and become thoughtful.

After the call, Ling Tian Huo found his beloved sitting on the bed, dreamy-eyed and alluring. His heart softened; he walked over and held her close. "Did I wake you?"

"Mmm... what did grandfather say? Is he asking us to go home?" Rong Qing leaned into him, playing with his fingers, clearly reliant on him.

"Do you want to go back?" Ling Tian Huo sought her opinion.

"No, there’s so much work waiting—deadlines, endorsements, so busy..." Rong Qing counted off her tasks, growing more frustrated with each thought. She didn’t want to return; here, no one disturbed them, and they could enjoy their private world.

"Alright, we’ll stay till the New Year," Ling Tian Huo decided, seeing the satisfied, mischievous smile on her face.

The Huo family’s private island received an unexpected visitor that day. The coastal weather was unpredictable—one moment, it was sunny; the next, storm clouds gathered and rain poured in sheets. Mist blanketed the sea, and a cruise ship was forced to dock amid the downpour.

The Huo family’s steward braved the rain with an umbrella, greeting the distinguished guest from the cruise. Amid the crowd’s escort, the young master finally entered the villa.

"Young Master Huo, it’s been so long. Lady Huo, it’s been so long as well." His golden hair was slicked behind his ears, rain-dampened but not diminishing his handsome elegance. He shed his wet suit jacket, and the wine-red shirt beneath emphasized his noble grace.

"Vaners Wigin, you seem to have a lot of free time," Ling Tian Huo remarked dryly. What an eccentric man—originally, this distinguished European heir was headed for a Malaysian resort, but not only did he lose his way, he ended up stranded in a storm, docked at Ling Tian Huo’s private island. Did he never have work to do?

Rong Qing recognized him; he was one of the few men who could command attention, his aristocratic manner and cultured demeanor evident even in Las Vegas. She instructed the maid to prepare black tea for Vaners.

The villa was warm and cozy. Lazily settled by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching rain pelt the banana trees, two men—each capable of shaking the course of European history—sat side by side. It was a scene rarely witnessed.

"Europe has been unsettled lately. My men discovered close ties with the Russian mafia. Several shootouts have drawn police attention. I suspect there’s a mole," Vaners Hokin said calmly, eyes fixed on the rain outside.

Their business interests were deeply entwined; nearly seventy percent of profits came from arms deals with Ling Tian Huo. European investigations had tightened recently, and several times, Interpol had nearly caught him, but he managed to escape. Yet every time, the police had precise information about the time and place, raising suspicions of internal leaks.

"What does Yan Dong have to say?" Ling Tian Huo asked. He’d heard some things—the chaos in Europe was severe, and he trusted Yan Dong to oversee matters.

"He’s interrogating members of the Dragon Guild. This trip south is mainly to investigate my subordinate’s drug trafficking case. The situation has forced my hand," Vaners Hokin replied.

"I’ll send more men. Better to err on the side of caution than let any suspect slip by. I don’t mind a thorough purge," Ling Tian Huo said flatly, striking fear in the man beside him. A purge? It would overturn the history of the European underworld. None of the European bosses would have imagined their operations could be controlled by a young man from China.

"I understand. But let’s not act rashly," Vaners Wigin cautioned.

Rong Qing entered carrying milk tea, gently tapping at the door, her smile graceful and serene—a perfect image of a wise wife and caring mother. "Have something to drink; it’s excellent and very pure." She placed the cups near them and quietly left.

Vaners suddenly felt a pang of envy for the man before him. To have such a wife—what more could one desire?