Chapter 145

Exhausted after a long day, Rong Qing had just arrived home when she received a call from overseas. She kicked off her shoes, collapsed onto the soft sofa, and let out a soft groan.

"What's wrong, why are you so happy?" Huo Lingtian was so tickled by the woman's cat-like whimpering that his heart itched with yearning. Even though they spoke on the phone every day, it was nothing compared to the comfort of having her physically by his side. He let out a soft sigh, resigning himself completely to reality. He had struggled and restrained himself in the past, yet he had ultimately fallen headfirst into a prison named Rong Qing, losing his heart entirely. He had allowed this woman to permeate his blood, his bone marrow, his heart chambers, becoming intertwined with his very flesh and blood, bound to him in life and death.

He even had the foolish thought that whenever the woman left, within less than a day, his mind would start racing: Was the baby eating well? Was he sleeping well? Was he being bullied? Was the baby missing him? Why, oh why, did he miss this little rascal so much? Huo Lingtian's usually formidable self-discipline completely crumbled in front of this woman; he rejoiced for her and grieved for her.

Hearing his voice melted away much of her fatigue. Listening to his breathing through the phone made it feel as though the man was right beside her, keeping her company. In the presence of this man, she always relied on him like an innocent child, yet the powerful mountain standing behind her—supporting her entire world step by step—granted her ample freedom and opportunities to hone her abilities. Even though she was fully capable of standing on her own, Huo Lingtian, her man, was like a calming wave-taming needle in the sea, offering her infinite comfort and hope. He was her entire universe and the boundless ocean that accommodated her free-spirited soaring. She even knew that if she were to ever leave this man, she wouldn't survive a single day. The pain of a fish losing the ocean, an eagle losing the sky, or a person being unable to breathe was something she truly could not bear.

"In a few days, the grand exhibition for global fashion teams will take place. No matter how thorough my preparations are, or how inspired the designers and perfect the models are, I still can't find peace. The string in my heart is tightening, making me worry involuntarily." She didn't even know if Vanna, her small team, would gain international recognition without her presence. Rong Qing was willing to lay bare her innermost thoughts to the man as if they were a blank sheet of paper, as though doing so gave her infinite courage and energy.

The man listened to Rong Qing without a hint of impatience or any urge to interrupt her thoughts. What a woman needed at a time like this was not a man's lecturing; she simply needed a listener, someone to share the pressure with, someone to hear her grievances and validate her capabilities—that was the driving force that kept her going.

"Lingtian, I know it's greedy of me, but I am so eager to make my mark in this industry. Even if I fail this time, I won't sink into despair. I will do better, make Vanna even more exceptional and mature, and lead it to become a top international brand." Rong Qing seemed to no longer feel anxious. Every time she poured her heart out to the man like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, she always gained a unique realization afterward.

"You little fool, you are always the best, and to me, you are utterly unmatched," Huo Lingtian said sincerely. Without him even noticing, the precious little darling he had nurtured wholeheartedly had matured to such perfection, unknowingly catching up to his pace. The miracles Rong Qing had created already astonished the entire world!

Any other person's flattery would leave her completely unmoved, yet every word and action of this man, his most sincere remarks, shook the depths of her heart. Her eyes carried a warm smile, brimming with love. Even without any words at all, a single phone call or a mere glance between them allowed them to sense everything about each other—the overwhelming, overflowing love. This was their very own exclusive romance: intoxicating, mesmerizing, and reassuring...

"Mommy, my puzzle is finished..." Little Huo Tianci scampered down the stairs, patter-patter, holding a box in his short little arms and legs, his eyes shining brightly with an expression that screamed, "Praise me, encourage me!"

Seeming to hear the commotion on the other end, Huo Lingtian asked, "What's going on?"

"Your precious son misses you. Here, you two talk, I'm going to make dinner." Rong Qing bounced off the sofa, shoved a black object into Huo Tianci's hands, patted her backside, and left the father and son staring blankly at each other.

Huo Tianci received the black object with his chubby little hands and froze with a dumbfounded expression. Ever since little Tianci had gone abroad, he had been having too much fun to remember his way back and hadn't spoken to the "bad daddy" in days. He actually missed him a little, but whenever he remembered how he had secretly run away from home and left a letter in Daddy's study, little Tianci's tiny heart fluttered wildly, terrified that the bad daddy would leap out of the phone and give him a severe beating. At that moment, his little hands holding the phone were exceptionally careful. He completely abandoned the puzzle he had just finished and stared at the phone with a defensive, dazed expression that was heart-achingly adorable...

Huo Lingtian: ... His aura was completely different from when he was talking to Rong Qing. Facing this copy of his own personality, father and son couldn't utter anything overly affectionate. After not seeing this little brat for a while, all thoughts of running away from home had been thrown to the winds.

Ten minutes later, Huo Lingtian was the first to lose his patience. "Hmph, you brat, when are you coming back?"

Huo Tianci: !?

Huo Tianci: "I have to protect Qingqing and stay with Mommy." (Meaning he won't be coming back anytime soon.)

Huo Lingtian couldn't help rolling his eyes at the little rascal who only knew how to cling to Rong Qing! "Qingqing said she's flying back tomorrow and she's not bringing you home. If you don't see your mother, from now on your mother will belong exclusively to Daddy!" (Huo Lingtian cajoled the child without a shred of pressure.)

Huo Tianci: ! The little boy's mood instantly collapsed. Huo Tianci held the tiny phone looking pitifully, even his breathing tinged with cautiousness.

A moment later, a loud *bang* came from the receiver, followed by a frantic patter-patter of footsteps. Huo Tianci burst into tears, wailing loudly, "Qingqing, wuwu... Bad Daddy is bullying me! He said he's going to give me away to another bad uncle and doesn't want me anymore." His shrill crying sounded utterly wretched.

Huo Lingtian: Good grief— (He truly is my own flesh and blood; damn it, his scheming abilities are top-tier, and even I got trapped by this little brat!)

Naturally, accompanied by Rong Qing's roaring scolding to vent Little Tianci's anger, the "mentally" traumatized little darling was finally placated.

Located on one of New York's most bustling streets, an overseas fashion brand boutique faced rejection and suppression from the local industry, and its initial development had been less than ideal. Now, the entire design team was focusing its energy on the upcoming Global Fashion Exhibition a week from now. Represented by He Mu, Vanna's designers—after a year of creation and preparation—would showcase apparel featuring the unique charm of the Celestial Empire at the design exhibition.

This was a showdown between fashion and style, with brand designers from all corners of the globe rolling up their sleeves in anticipation of the final moment. In New York, a modern, stylish international metropolis, the arrival of world-renowned fashion teams added even more brilliance to this international grand event.

Master David led his private work team to New York early to participate in the exhibition. Facing media interviews, the fashion master smiled meaningfully. When asked which brand he was paying the most attention to this time, David offered only two words: "Orient."

Perhaps Vanna's brand development was not yet on par with world-class standards, but having evolved from a mere boutique fashion label to what it was now, Vanna's growth could only be described as meteoric. While it could be said that Rong Qing had led Eastern attire in opening a window to fashion, what truly guided it into the world's mainstream was Vanna's exquisite design team. Every year during fashion week, David paid close attention, and rather than following the mainstream trend, forging an alternative path had become the ultimate characteristic of this Eastern charm. Even David, who had designed clothing for a lifetime, could not help but marvel at their creativity and imagination. In today's fashion world, starved of design inspiration, Eastern elements were bound to disrupt the fashion landscape like a dark horse.

The New York International Fashion Exhibition would invite two hundred brands from around the globe to participate, attracting millions of tourists and local viewers. The fashion shows of each brand would grace the covers of international magazines and make headline news—an undeniably grand occasion. Last year, an inventive French designer had won the favor of countless viewers and customers with his "transparency" concept, instantly propelling his brand into the world's elite circles. What kind of miracles and fashion shopping frenzy would be triggered this year?

Inside a high-end office building on Fifth Avenue, Vanna's exhibition garments were being exposed for the very first time. Only Rong Qing and a few designers had seen the design blueprints. No matter how one imagined them, they still shocked everyone present; those breathtaking design concepts and bold, avant-garde creations were so divine and ingenious that they left people in absolute awe.

As the finale model, Yang Shanshan's gown had originally been custom-designed for Rong Qing. During tonight's rehearsal, every gesture of Yang Shanshan's was leaning toward emulating Rong Qing, and her naturally aloof temperament was gradually being masked. Yet, no matter how much Yang Shanshan tried to mimic Rong Qing's aura, the resulting effect of the two individuals was completely distinct. Instead, shadowed by Rong Qing, Yang Shanshan appeared even more restricted and hesitant.

He Mu looked at the effect of his own creation and sighed despondently. Truly, there was only one genius in this world—Rong Qing. No one else could achieve the effect he desired. Rong Qing also furrowed her brows slightly, feeling a trace of a sigh as she looked at the girl who was desperately trying to imitate her.

"People are individual entities. If you keep following my routine, no matter how well you do, you will never be Rong Qing. I am simply myself, and I am irreplaceable." This was the only piece of advice Rong Qing offered to this post-90s young girl.

Yang Shanshan was struck dumb, her cool face flushed with a somewhat awkward blush. The woman before her was her idol and her ultimate goal, yet the aura she exuded was something she could never learn. Having her inner thoughts seen through left Yang Shanshan feeling somewhat inferior, but those words acted like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing her initial illusions and altering her entire life. When Yang Shanshan pulled herself together once more, a resolute gleam filled her eyes. Whether she performed well or not, she was Yang Shanshan—an irreplaceable model!