Chapter Twenty: Awakening

"Rong Qing, I think I’ve fallen for you..."

Unfortunately, the woman in question was already fast asleep, missing the rare confession from the head of the Huo family, along with his complex expression.

Huo Lingtian glared angrily at the sleeping figure beside him. Heaven knew how many inner struggles he had fought and how many nights he had wrestled with his feelings just to say these words, and yet the carefree little woman before him dared to fall asleep, resting her head on his arm.

In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to wake the little rascal. Today’s runway show had exhausted her enough. But if she could sleep so peacefully, wasn’t it proof that she was already used to his embrace? The young master thought confidently. Satisfied, Huo Lingtian wrapped his arm around Rong Qing’s waist, pressing his body close, and fell asleep, breathing in the warmth they shared.

The next day, Rong Qing went to bid farewell to Master David. The usually shrewd and cunning old man was utterly stunned when he heard she was leaving.

"What did you say?" David lost his usual composure, his cry of surprise attracting the attention of the other staff. He glared at them until they obediently vacated the space for the internationally renowned master.

Rong Qing looked apologetic, coaxing the old man, "Teacher, my work in France has finished. I need to return home and continue filming."

He blew his beard and glared, dismissive. "Return home? You think I’d treat you badly here? You became famous overnight; if you stay in France, I guarantee you’ll become an international model. Humph, that boy Aaron was trained by me."

Rong Qing could only smile helplessly at the old man. She was moved by David’s mentorship, but it couldn’t shake her resolve to return home. Her roots were in China, and she had to go back.

"David~" Rong Qing nearly whined, playing coy with the old man. "It’s not that I don’t want to work for you, but right now what I want most is to return home. My career is in China."

The old man was visibly shaken. The treasure he had painstakingly found was about to fly away again. He spoke with a hint of sadness, "If you go back, you’ll forget all about this old man. Aaron got tired of me, and now you’re leaving too... Ah, go ahead, leave me, I’ll be all alone!"

Rong Qing was speechless. David, the master, acting cute and shameless—don’t forget you’re an internationally acclaimed designer. With patience, she soothed him, "How could I forget you? I can still come to France, right? How about this: no matter how busy I am, every quarter I’ll make time to help you out."

In an instant, sparks flashed in David’s eyes, his melancholy replaced with radiant joy and a beaming smile. "Oh, Qing, that’s so much trouble for you. Then go home and work hard, take care of your health!"

The attitude change was a complete reversal—what a shrewd old fox! Rong Qing looked at him with disdain. Who could tell her that this world-famous designer was nothing but a cunning trafficker of talent? Having agreed to David’s request, Rong Qing could only accept her fate.

"David, do you know where Aaron went?" Rong Qing asked.

David’s wrinkled face blossomed into a daisy. "That brat avoids me now, turns off his phone, nowhere to be found."

"Alright." Rong Qing was full of regret. Although she’d only met Aaron twice, she considered him a friend. Now that she was returning home, who knew when they’d meet again?

Rong Qing returned to her rented hotel, packed her bags, and the next day was whisked away by Huo Lingtian onto a plane.

Under the azure sky, a luxurious jet took off over Paris, leaving a streak across the heavens...

In the famed city of Paris, a luxury sports car sped down the road, running countless red lights before stopping at a hotel entrance. Aaron strode into the lobby, disregarding his appearance, drawing everyone's attention.

"Could you help me check the room of a Chinese woman registered here, Rong Qing?" Aaron rubbed his aching head. He’d spent last night at a bar, waking up with the nagging sense that he’d forgotten something important. Ignoring his discomfort, he rushed over by car.

"I’m sorry, sir. The lady you’re looking for checked out this morning," the receptionist replied politely.

"Checked out?" His headache intensified. "Wasn’t she leaving in a few days? I can’t even catch her to say thank you." Aaron muttered to himself, unable to explain his growing urge to see Rong Qing. The disappointment in his heart expanded endlessly, like a drop of water rippling outward.

He wandered out of the hotel in a daze. The warm sunlight fell on him, but he felt no warmth. All he could see in his mind was the determined woman who smiled as she fell to the ground, the enchanting beauty of the Oriental woman at the banquet. Rong Qing... Whose heart did you capture, whose feelings did you present...

Meeting the right person at the right time, missing the opportunity, and realizing the truth when it’s already too late...

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