Chapter Fifty-Two: The Return, Part Two

A decade had flown by, and the one who had completed her heart’s journey—Ling Fei, who had given up her place to study abroad—had shed her youthful naivety. Through struggle and rebirth amid adversity, she had become the chairwoman of the nation’s first training institution. Under the passage of time, she met her husband, who had come to develop his career in China. The years left no trace on this proud and strong woman; her alluring maturity outshone the tender vibrance of young sunflowers.

Dr. Chen Hao, a physicist returning from overseas, came back to his homeland with his wife, basking in the glory. In these years, the spring breeze of reform and opening-up had swept across the country, bringing countless opportunities and challenges. Yet, they had missed these transformative years, and with them, the best opportunities. Chen Hao gazed at the towering buildings and the vibrant city, overcome by a sense of unfamiliarity and a profound lack of belonging, as if his learning and aspirations had nowhere to take root.

All things had changed, and nothing remained the same... At the university in Kyoto, he saw once more that beautiful silhouette—her tall, handsome husband with golden hair and blue eyes, full of care and affection. He had never seen Ling Fei smile so happily. No—perhaps on that afternoon when they met she had been just as relaxed and familiar, but he had personally ended that fleeting romance.

Ling Fei walked hand in hand with her husband along the shore of Weiming Lake, where the willows swayed gently in the breeze. There, they encountered Chen Hao and Li Mengjie, who had just returned to China. Their eyes met—all was changed, and the people were no longer the same.

“You’ve come back?” Ling Fei’s words were light and gentle, yet warm. If ten years ago she was the proud and cold darling of heaven, now she had gained a tenderness and charm. At thirty, her light blue floral dress made her look pure, as if she were still that girl who had just stepped from campus into society—yesterday’s memories lingering faintly in her heart.

Chen Hao saw in her gentle smile a trace of distance, a touch of strangeness. The tall man beside her kept his arm possessively around her waist, affectionate and oblivious to others. Stifling the jealous estrangement in his heart, Chen Hao gripped Mengjie’s hand tightly, as if to prove something. Awkward and melancholy, he said, “We’ve returned to serve society and repay our country after our studies. Have you... been well these years?”

Ling Fei and her husband exchanged a smile, their tacit sweetness needing no further words. Ling Fei, feeling a hint of her companion’s displeasure, squeezed his palm helplessly, then said to Chen Hao in a serious tone, “We have an academic lecture soon; we’ll be leaving now.”

“Oh... all right.”

Ling Fei and her husband passed by Chen Hao and his wife, their worlds now separate, their paths never to cross again. The willows still swayed in the lush spring, time slipped by, and that shining encounter in the prime of youth, at the fork in their lives, would forever become a cherished memory... (End of story)

“Cut!” As always, Rong Qing was the lucky star of the crew. Whenever it was her scene, it was done in one take, raising the team’s spirits and confidence.

Though Aaron had no lines in the film, his gentle presence and nuanced actions were perfect. The international supermodel showed no airs and caused no trouble for the crew.

“Well done,” Director Wang Zhang said with satisfaction at the international star’s performance. Though Aaron’s profession was modeling, his acting talent was equally impressive; he quickly found his role and blended seamlessly into the story. “Just a few more insert shots of your back, and we’ll be finished.”

“It’s my honor to work with Director Wang,” Aaron replied graciously.

“All right, enough with the pleasantries. You young people, if you have something to do, go ahead and leave,” Director Wang said with a smile, shooing the stars away. Usually, he was strict, but only Rong Qing enjoyed such relaxed favor, and today he was clearly in good spirits.

“Don’t stand on ceremony, Director Wang. We’re off,” Rong Qing chimed in, bantering with the director in a natural, familial way, neither arrogant nor self-effacing.

Wang Zhang glanced at this cheeky troublemaker. Of everyone in the “Years of Brocade” production, she always arrived earliest but also left earliest, vanishing for days at a time as if she had nothing better to do. Though he grumbled internally, his fondness and concern for her only deepened. In the end, he said in mock annoyance, “Go on, then! You’re only in my way!”

Laughing, Rong Qing pulled the still-bewildered Aaron openly out of the set. In France, they hadn’t even said goodbye; she thought that would be a regret she carried in her heart. She never expected to meet Aaron again in China.

Aaron had changed his car—a limited edition silver Porsche now gleamed in front of Rong Qing. She twitched her lips—was he not afraid of drawing a crowd with such a flashy car? Still, it had better taste than that ostentatious red sports car in France. The scissor door swung open, and Rong Qing slid into the car. Yes, at least it was very comfortable.

“Where are we going now?” Rong Qing reclined fully in the soft seat, soothing music flowing as the city streets swept past, giving her the illusion of a race car. Suddenly remembering, she asked, “Do you have a place to stay in China?”

No sooner had she spoken than she wanted to slap herself. Of course a superstar like him would have several properties in China—finding a place to stay was hardly a problem!

Sure enough, Aaron’s lips curled up. “I don’t have a place to stay. Would you let me stay at your house?”

“No way!” Rong Qing refused firmly. Hmph—if Huo Lingtian found out that a man more handsome, more famous, gentler, and more considerate than him was staying at her Xiangshan villa… heh, those two would surely end up fighting for the right to share her bed! Rong Qing chuckled to herself at the thought; it wasn’t often one got to see Young Master Huo at a disadvantage.

------Author’s Note------

Please bookmark, bookmark, bookmark! Lanlan is back. Sigh, exams have been such a hassle lately, so much to memorize—I’m terrified of failing again...