Chapter 34

In the most prosperous area of Fengcheng, Fengcheng Tower would set off fireworks every New Year’s Eve, attracting tens of thousands of people even in the cold weather.

The best spot to watch the fireworks was on the top floor of the National Trade Building on Binhe Avenue. Gu Nanzhen, dressed in exquisite attire, held her phone and listened for a few moments, shouting in anger.

“Huo Xiao Yu! Did you hear that? Who is Lin Shuwei?!” Gu Nanzhen shouted into her phone.

“She’s my artist. I won’t talk to you anymore. I’m driving her to the hospital!” Huo Yu picked up her phone on the other end and said before hanging up.

Gu Nanzhen angrily slammed her phone on the table.

“Huo Xiao Yu, that damn woman! She actually stood me up and is with someone else! It makes me so furious!” Gu Nanzhen’s eyes turned red.

The information from the phone call was overwhelming.

Lin Shuwei was one of Huo Yu’s company artists.

The artist had her own assistant, so why was Huo Yu acting as her driver to take her to the hospital?!

And she didn’t come to watch the fireworks just for her!

“Zhen Zhen, I thought you disliked her? If she doesn’t come, then she doesn’t. Come over and have a drink to calm down.” a woman with gold-rimmed glasses on the single sofa by the glass window said lazily, shaking the highball glass with red wine inside.

This woman was Lan Xin.

“Hmph, I wanted her to come just to make fun of her. Without the Huo family, she wouldn’t be able to book such a room. And she didn’t show up!” Gu Nanzhen pouted at Lan Xin.

“Mhm, her loss if she doesn’t come. I heard there’s something new this year.” Lan Xin looked at Gu Nanzhen with a hint of pity in her eyes, beckoning her to sit down and talk.

“Sister Lan Xin, didn’t you say Huo Xiao Yu’s variety show will premiere after New Year’s? Is it on time? What time?” Gu Nanzhen sat down next to Lan Xin and asked.

“Yes. It will be released at 8 p.m. on the first. It’s not out yet. You can invite Huo Yu to watch it together then.” Lan Xin smiled and said.

“Oh right, I’ll drag her along to watch! I want to see her expression! It’ll be fun for sure!” Gu Nanzhen’s mood improved slightly as she listened, but it couldn’t reach the level it was before.

Just the thought of Huo Yu, who usually couldn’t take care of herself and relied on others, now taking care of someone else made Gu Nanzhen angry, feeling like she was about to explode.

Lan Xin noticed that Gu Nanzhen didn’t seem interested in the upcoming fireworks display. She frowned, pouted her red lips, and puffed up her face, clearly showing her anger. Lan Xin sighed softly, placed her wine glass down, leaned closer to Gu Nanzhen, and gently touched her hair, looking at her with a steady gaze.

“Zhen Zhen, lately, sister has been thinking about dating. Do you want to date sister?” Lan Xin lifted Gu Nanzhen’s chin with her index finger, her red lips slightly parted.

“Lan Xin, what kind of joke is this?! How is that possible…” Gu Nanzhen widened her eyes in a frightened manner and leaned back.

“You seem distracted, I was just kidding. The first round of fireworks is about to start. Look outside.” Lan Xin chuckled softly and left as if nothing had happened.

Gu Nanzhen glanced at Lan Xin, took a sip of red wine, and looked outside. Glancing at Lan Xin again, she felt somewhat uneasy. Lan Xin smiled at Gu Nanzhen with narrowed eyes, her usual “gentle” expression.

Gu Nanzhen didn’t pay much attention to it.

On the other side, Huo Yu accompanied Lin Shuwei to the hospital and helped her into the emergency room for treatment.

Lin Shuwei felt dizzy and weak, as if she were intoxicated. She leaned close to Huo Yu and occasionally called her “Xiao Yu.”

Huo Yu gave Lin Shuwei a mask and told her to be quiet.

Lin Shuwei had her temperature checked in the emergency room, and the doctor prescribed medication for her. After finishing up, Huo Yu took Lin Shuwei back.

She caught a cold and had a fever, but there was no need for hospitalization. Resting and taking medication would be enough.

Lin Shuwei felt groggy and leaned against the seat in the car, looking at Huo Yu.

Huo Yu knew that Lin Shuwei was watching her, and the blush on her face didn’t fade away.

When Huo Yu helped Lin Shuwei into her newly rented house and opened the door, it was almost midnight.

After pushing Lin Shuwei onto her bed, Huo Yu breathed heavily as she looked at her.

Although she had never taken care of anyone before, with no one else around Lin Shuwei, Huo Yu reluctantly took off her shoes and removed her coat, covering her with a blanket.

“Xiao Yu, you’re so good to me. Do you like me?” Lin Shuwei asked as she watched Huo Yu covering her with the blanket.

“Like you, my foot!” Huo Yu scolded Lin Shuwei. She realized that she hadn’t given her the medicine yet. She took out the prescribed medication.

There was no hot water in the room, so Huo Yu had to heat some water and pour it into a cup. She entered the bedroom and fed the medicine to Lin Shuwei.

Lin Shuwei kept staring at Huo Yu, her eyes on the verge of exhaustion but still fixed on her.

Huo Yu gently placed Lin Shuwei down and took the cup, intending to leave.

Outside, the sound of bells and cheers erupted—it was midnight.

Although it wasn’t Jiangbin ¹outside, private fireworks were still being set off.

“I hope to become the best actress, earn the most money, and spend it on you…” Lin Shuwei murmured, but her voice grew increasingly faint and got drowned out by various sounds.

Huo Yu was lost in thought as she looked outside.

Another year had passed, and in the past, she would usually join in the festivities on this day. But this year, she was unexpectedly spending it with Lin Shuwei!

What bad luck!

Huo Yu glanced at Lin Shuwei. Her eyes were too heavy to keep open, and gradually, they closed. She fell into a peaceful sleep, breathing evenly.

Huo Yu left the room with the cup.

In the living room outside, there was no air conditioning or a place to stay. On such a cold day, Huo Yu wanted to leave.

“Ding, Lin Shuwei misses the host, happiness points -300.”

Huo Yu heard the announcement from 006 and almost felt weak in the legs.

Who was she missing?!

“Ding, Lin Shuwei feels cold, happiness points -100.”

“Ding, Lin Shuwei wants to embrace the host, happiness points -200.”

“Ding, Lin Shuwei wants to touch the host, happiness points -100.”

“Stop! Can’t this woman be quiet even while sleeping?!” Huo Yu shouted in his mind and quickly stepped into the bedroom. Lin Shuwei was sleeping with her eyes closed, but she might have reached the stage of shivering and feeling cold due to the fever, curling up into a ball.

Huo Yu turned the air conditioning to the maximum, but Lin Shuwei still stayed curled up.

The happiness points kept dropping, causing Huo Yu’s heart to ache.

“Transform into a cat. Don’t transform the clothes inside; there’s no one in the room.” Huo Yu said to 006 as he entered the living room.

006 transformed Huo Yu back into a cat.

Huo Yu, in her cat form, placed her clothes on the sofa and crawled into Lin Shuwei’s bedroom. Then she climbed onto the bed and licked her face.

A familiar sensation swept over her, and Lin Shuwei slightly opened her eyes, seeing Little Kitty.

“Little Kitty, how did you come here?” Lin Shuwei hugged Huo Yu and held him in her arms, caressing her like a warm baby.

Huo Yu made a soft sound, and her kitten-like voice made Lin Shuwei rub against her.

“Ding, Lin Shuwei embraces the host, happiness points +100.”

“Ding, Lin Shuwei touches the host, happiness points +100.”

“Ding, Lin Shuwei feels the host’s warmth, happiness points +100.”

The happiness points slowly increased as Huo Yu made a few more sounds, licking Lin Shuwei’s face and rubbing her head against her shoulder.

Lin Shuwei touched the soft and warm baby, feeling warm and fulfilled in her heart as the happiness points climbed.

“006, you must wake me up before Lin Shuwei wakes up!” Huo Yu felt a bit tired and spent some points to have 006 set an intelligent alarm for him.

The next morning, Huo Yu was awakened by 006 and looked at Lin Shuwei, who was still asleep.

The room was a bit warm. Lin Shuwei’s fever had subsided, and she had sweated a lot. Her hair was damp.

Her complexion was pale and haggard, even her lips had lost their color.

She looked a bit pitiful.

Huo Yu was also sweating while being held in Lin Shuwei’s arms. She felt the warmth pressing against her.

Huo Yu averted her gaze, feeling that inexplicable annoyance resurfacing.

“Serves you right!” Huo Yu muttered in her mind. She crawled out of Lin Shuwei’s embrace and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her with light footsteps.

After Huo Yu transformed back into a human and put on her clothes, she made a phone call to Liu Yiyi.

“Hello, Liu Yiyi, come and take care of Lin Shuwei. She caught a cold from taking a cold shower yesterday. I’ll triple your salary.” Huo Yu said.

Lin Shuwei was already feeling better, and Huo Yu didn’t want to stay any longer.

Liu Yiyi arrived quickly, and the breakfast ordered by Huo Yu also arrived.

“When she wakes up, call her to have breakfast and take good care of her. She’s the money-making artist of our company!” Huo Yu said to Liu Yiyi after she arrived, then hurriedly left.

Liu Yiyi looked at the breakfast ordered by Huo Yu and then glanced at Lin Shuwei, who was still sleeping.

She felt deeply moved. Their company’s President Huo was not like what people said about her outside. There aren’t many bosses who genuinely treat their employees so well.

After Liu Yiyi woke Lin Shuwei up, she looked at her in confusion.

“Shuwei, how do you feel?” Liu Yiyi asked.

“Thank you, I’m much better. What about President Huo? Where is Little Kitty?” Lin Shuwei asked.

“I only saw President Huo and I didn’t see Little Kitty. President Huo just left. She called me this morning after she sent you here. Did President Huo stay with you all night? President Huo is really kind.” Liu Yiyi replied, looking at Lin Shuwei.

Lin Shuwei glanced at the blanket on her body and the water cup on the table. She vaguely remembered some things. Indeed, it was Huo Yu. Later, she saw Little Kitty and even slept while holding it.

Did Huo Yu bring Little Kitty to her?

Why did Huo Yu leave?

Outside, Huo Yu arrived at her car, opened the car door, and paused.

“Ding, Lin Shuwei knows the host took care of her, happiness points +200.”

“Ding, Lin Shuwei knows the host left, happiness points -200.”

“Lin Shuwei! I wasted my efforts! You still wanted me to stay by your side!” Huo Yu frowned as she got into the car.

When Huo Yu drove away, several people curiously took pictures of her car.

It’s not often you see such a high-end sports car!

Huo Yu didn’t pay much attention and quickly returned to the Cat Apartment. She checked the stock market situation and dealt with some company matters.

During that time, Lin Shuwei called Huo Yu. Huo Yu didn’t answer, and her happiness points dropped by 50. She hurriedly picked up the second call.

“Thank you, President Huo, for yesterday.” Lin Shuwei said over the phone.

“You’re an artist of the company. It’s expected. Take care of your health.” Huo Yu replied in an official tone.

“President Huo, is my cat with you? I have a day off today. Can I come and see it?” Lin Shuwei asked as Huo Yu was about to hang up.

“It’s with me. Rest well since you’re sick. The cat is doing fine with me.” Huo Yu quickly responded.

“Okay then. Thank you, President Huo, for taking care of it.” Lin Shuwei felt somewhat disappointed but decided to accommodate Huo Yu.

“Ding, Lin Shuwei can’t meet the host, happiness points -100.”

Huo Yu clenched her brows upon hearing 006’s report.

She could only tough it out. As long as the happiness points don’t keep dropping, it’ll be fine.

Huo Yu hung up the phone and continued working.

At noon, Gu Nanzhen called Huo Yu multiple times before she realized that every time she answered the call, she would hear Gu Nanzhen’s roar on the other end.

“Huo Xiao Yu, where the hell are you? Don’t you know your show is airing today? You said you’re so capable, dare you watch it with me? I called Junjun and Xiao Qing to my hotel suite! Let’s bet, playing with money!” Gu Nanzhen said on the phone.

“Alright, if it’s a big one, I’m in. Wait for me!” Huo Yu’s lips curled up in a smile.

Well, that variety show she and Lin Shuwei won first place in. She used 006’s skills, and Lin Shuwei had good accuracy. It was quite fun on the deserted island after the initial difficulties.

After handling things in the afternoon, Huo Yu drove to meet Gu Nanzhen.

Huo Yu entered the hotel mentioned by Gu Nanzhen and was about to call to ask about the room when a man in the hotel lobby blocked her way.

The man was dressed in a perfectly pressed suit without a single wrinkle. His beard was neatly trimmed, and he stood there with a tall and slender figure. Paired with his sharply handsome face, he looked like he stepped out of a magazine.

This person was Cheng Haoxuan, who had specifically dressed up after hearing that Huo Yu was here to meet him.

“Xiao Yu!” Cheng Haoxuan called out to Huo Yu.

Huo Yu noticed Cheng Haoxuan’s hesitation in his footsteps.

Cheng Haoxuan looked very serious today, the way Huo Yu used to like him.

“Xiao Yu, can we talk?” Cheng Haoxuan said.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Huo Yu shook her head.

“Xiao Yu, today when I passed by Fenglin Road, I brought the paper cupcake from that place. The shop is still open. Do you remember? When we were young, when Uncle Huo was on a business trip and Big Brother Huo went to school, I was the one who played with you. You particularly liked this cupcake. But tooth decay made Big Brother Huo forbid you from eating sweets…” Cheng Haoxuan looked at Huo Yu with affectionate eyes and spoke on his own.

“The things from our childhood, I remembered them all along while you forgot a long time ago. Now that I’ve forgotten, what’s the point of bringing it up again? Stop torturing yourself.” Huo Yu’s expression appeared desolate as she spoke.

Cheng Haoxuan brought up memories, and they did have quite a few memories together.

The best ones were all concentrated in their childhood.

As they grew up, Huo Yu became an annoying ghost sticking to Cheng Haoxuan, someone he wished to stay away from, someone he didn’t want to look at for a second longer.

“I’m sorry. I’ve thought about it for a long time. This time, I’m sincere. Can we go back to how we were before? You used to like me so much. We can make it work.” Cheng Haoxuan said.

Cheng Haoxuan’s expression seemed very serious, very sincere.

Huo Yu couldn’t tell if Cheng Haoxuan was genuine or not, but as she looked at him, she no longer felt the same as before.

Looking at him, her heart still ached, but it couldn’t be called liking anymore.

Instead, a face appeared in her mind.

Light, pure, resilient, tender, and sweet…

“Xiao Yu, can you give me a chance? I will treat you well.” Cheng Haoxuan called out to Huo Yu, whose gaze was unfocused.

Before Huo Yu could respond, a female voice interrupted.

“Cheng Haoxuan, you played the sentimental scene quite well! Trying to deceive a girl, treating her like a beggar, don’t you even consider where you are?” Gu Nanzhen walked over from the elevator, stood in front of Huo Yu with her hands on her hips, and looked at Cheng Haoxuan.

“Gu Nanzhen, who’s a beggar!? Are you braindead?” Huo Yu was infuriated and slapped Gu Nanzhen on the back of her head.

“Huo Xiao Yu, shut up. Cheng Haoxuan, you bring a paper cupcake, do you think Huo Xiao Yu is a beggar? Who allowed you to ignore her in the past? The current her is someone you can’t reach. She’s no longer the naive girl, right, Huo Xiao Yu?!” Gu Nanzhen said.

“Hmm. It’s over.” Huo Yu said, her expression calming down. She turned and walked towards the elevator, with Gu Nanzhen following her.

Cheng Haoxuan wanted to chase after them but was blocked by Luan Youqing, who had arrived from behind.

This time, she was still in an anime character costume, as Kanna from Dragon Maid, appearing cute and innocent.

Luan Youqing crossed her arms and made an X gesture while glaring at Cheng Haoxuan.

“Enough. If you really want to pursue her, show some sincerity. But if she truly doesn’t like you anymore, and if you really love her, don’t bother her.” Shen Junjun said from behind Luan Youqing.

“I truly regret it. But Xiao Yu doesn’t believe me.” Cheng Haoxuan sighed as he watched Huo Yu enter the elevator.

“We don’t care anymore. We’re having a gathering today, so don’t spoil the mood and leave!” Shen Junjun said.

It wasn’t until Huo Yu and Gu Nanzhen got on the elevator, and Shen Junjun and Luan Youqing turned to leave, that it became clear that this specific floor required a keycard, and Gu Nanzhen had only granted access to their gathering place.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis

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