Chapter Seventy-Nine: Poaching

Zhu Xi could no longer maintain her proud expression. Slowly, she sank onto the sofa, her mind awash with turmoil. Everything she had prepared was ruined; the cold, impassive man before her would never grant her another chance. She forced herself to calm down, knowing she had acted too rashly—Huo Lingtian was not someone to be manipulated, and with him, she could only obey.

Her face, once twisted with jealousy, now melted into tender softness. She smiled demurely, transformed from a moment ago. “Young Master Huo, we’ve known each other for years. Won’t you treat me to a meal?” Her tone was playful, as if they were old friends.

Huo Lingtian’s gaze was unreadable as he regarded the woman before him. He knew Zhu Xi well enough; she was hardly the innocent she appeared to be. In the past, he had tolerated her because she was considerate and obedient, but now her feigned affection sickened him—the very air felt tainted.

“Young Master Huo, must you deliberate over a simple meal? I may not be a superstar, but I am at least a leading anchor at the national network. Plenty invite me to dinner; I don’t need to suffer a cold shoulder from you. Besides, I have important matters to discuss. Surely you won’t let me go hungry?” Zhu Xi spoke indifferently.

Her strategy was clever: retreat to advance. If Huo Lingtian refused again, it would only make the Huo family look petty. He was curious to see what schemes she had in mind, so he agreed to dine with her. The restaurant was a private kitchen not far from the company.

As soon as Huo Lingtian entered, the owner greeted him heartily. “Young Master Huo, would you like the same private room as last time?”

“No need, the main hall is fine,” Huo Lingtian replied, waving off the offer. He took a seat by the window. Zhu Xi, following behind, forced a smile and sat across from him reluctantly.

Throughout the meal, the dishes were plentiful and delicious, yet Zhu Xi’s face turned pale and flushed in turn. No matter what she said, Huo Lingtian remained indifferent, barely touching his food. It was clear he meant to discomfort her.

“Li Yingming, the eldest of the Li family, has invited me to be their real estate spokesperson. I’m still considering it,” Zhu Xi finally revealed her purpose. The man opposite merely responded with a bland “Oh.”

She knew Huo Lingtian was cold, but hadn’t expected such infuriating indifference. She felt like a disease at the table, and he seemed impatient with every word.

Rong Qing was attending her first dinner with the film crew that day. Passing by, she chose this restaurant for their gathering. The lively group pushed open the door, and the sight of the two by the window made Rong Qing’s expression shift repeatedly. She entered the private room with the others, face impassive. Halfway through, she excused herself, claiming she needed the restroom.

“Lingtian…” Rong Qing called affectionately, walking directly to Huo Lingtian’s side and sitting down. She wrapped her arms possessively around his, her gaze taunting as she looked at Zhu Xi. “You’re dining with Miss Zhu and didn’t invite me?” Her voice was tinged with jealousy.

Huo Lingtian felt a sharp pain in his arm from her possessiveness and couldn’t help but laugh, his smile filled with indulgence. He wrapped his arm around her waist, gentle as could be. “Baby, do you know Miss Zhu?” From the panic of being caught, he now saw her trust and defense of him—at least on the surface. All his unease melted into tender affection.

Rong Qing raised her brow at his embrace, giving him a look that said, “You’re pushing your luck.” No longer soft or gentle, she fired back at Zhu Xi with biting sarcasm. Damn it! Trying to steal her man—if the tiger doesn’t show its claws, you’d think I’m a kitten!

“Miss Zhu gave me plenty of ‘attention’ when I was on her program. The network’s ban was thanks to her—I know her all too well!” The last words were gritted out.

Zhu Xi’s face paled; she hadn’t expected Rong Qing to so brazenly speak the truth. She’d never encountered such shamelessness—a woman who, relying on her man’s status, cared nothing for propriety and humiliated her openly. She looked at Huo Lingtian, incredulous. Wasn’t he the man who despised arrogance and dominance? Why was he now so tender, as if bewitched, defending her so fiercely?

Huo Lingtian’s icy gaze swept over Zhu Xi, brimming with unspoken threat. She knew too well the consequences of his anger. Ignoring past ties, he spoke coldly: “Miss Zhu, you’re used to having everything your way. But if you dare abuse your position to hinder Qing again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“From now on, the Huo family will never invite Zhu Xi for any endorsements. When you accept the Li family’s offer, be sure you have a way out!” With that, Huo Lingtian effectively blacklisted her. Everyone knew his influence in high society; if he chose to blacklist someone, who would dare take Zhu Xi’s business?

Huo Lingtian pulled Rong Qing to leave, but Zhu Xi’s icy, hysterical voice rang out behind them: “Huo Lingtian, you’d discard our history for her?”

Heh… Huo Lingtian snorted inwardly, his scorn deepening. What history did they have? To say such a thing before Rong Qing, attempting to sow discord between them—this alone marked the end of Zhu Xi’s career.

“Know your place. I don’t wish to see you again.” With that, Huo Lingtian and Rong Qing were gone from the private kitchen.

Zhu Xi sat in her chair, dazed, unwilling to accept it. Why should that seductress Rong Qing win Lingtian’s affection? No wonder her news was everywhere lately, her star rising—it must be Huo Lingtian behind it all. If she could achieve it, so could Zhu Xi. Blinded by jealousy and hatred, she watched Li Yingming’s number flashing on her phone, a sinister smile curling her lips.

Huo Lingtian, I will make you taste regret, make you grovel for my forgiveness!

Just moments ago, Rong Qing had been fiercely protective, but now she sat silently in the car, lost in thought. Seeing his beloved so subdued, Huo Lingtian’s heart sank. No matter how shameful his past, he needed to be honest with her. He refused to let a woman create distance between them.

“Qing, before I met you, I was involved with… two women.” Huo Lingtian spoke slowly, his dark eyes fixed on her, searching her face. His broad hand gripped her arm nervously—this proud man now afraid for the first time because of those histories. He feared seeing her wounded expression, feared she might undervalue their love.

“When I was studying for my MBA in America, I dated a girl, but due to personality and family differences, we parted ways.” Huo Lingtian was naturally reserved; he had never paid much attention to love, nor invested much emotion. That relationship only added to his burdens and restricted his freedom, so the girl eventually let go.

“Zhu Xi was a companion I found three years ago. She was obedient and pleasing, never overstepping boundaries. Our separate lives suited me, so I kept her around. She wanted fame and fortune, and I gave her what she wanted. But a year ago, restless and dissatisfied, she sought another patron. We ended things amicably.” In truth, Huo Lingtian was not flaunting wealth then, just the nominal CEO of the Huo Group. Zhu Xi could not grasp the true power and riches of the Huo family. He was generous, paving the way for her career, but as her horizons broadened, so did her ambitions. What he provided no longer satisfied her, so she took risks. Every woman dreams of conquering someone powerful and perfect; Zhu Xi was no exception. She hoped leaving would make Huo Lingtian regret and realize her worth. Unfortunately, the cold, iron-hearted man was merciless, letting her go without a second thought. She knew she was finished and could only press forward.

“Oh, so if Zhu Xi hadn’t betrayed you first, you would still be clinging to her?” Rong Qing snapped, her tone sour. She’d expected this day, but the bitterness still stung—just thinking of Zhu Xi’s arrogance made her want to explode.

“Baby, how could I! We barely saw each other once a month. Pure business. That woman’s ambitions were wild—if she hadn’t left, I would have ended it myself sooner or later.” Huo Lingtian hurried to explain. Falling in love made him anxious, full of insecurity. Now, all that mattered was winning her trust.

He placed Rong Qing’s hands on his thighs, his manner uncommonly calm and serious, black eyes locked onto hers as he vowed: “Rong Qing, I, Huo Lingtian, love only you—now and forever, never to change.”

Rong Qing pouted, clearly moved by his sincerity, but her petty side refused to forgive him so easily. She grumbled, punching his shoulder in complaint: “Why are all the women you picked so awful? Each one bullies me! Wu Yuxin tried to hurt me, Zhu Xi wants to ruin me—it’s all your fault… I blame you.” She fussed with childish petulance.

Huo Lingtian let her soft fists rain on him, then pulled the little troublemaker into his arms. “Baby… be good… I’ll only want you from now on. There will never be anyone else. Anyone who hurt you—I won’t let them go.”

Rong Qing wrapped her arms around Huo Lingtian’s waist, eyes narrowing with cunning. She had thought Zhu Xi merely disliked and envied her, but never expected her to try to steal her man. Now she wouldn’t hold back. She could tolerate anything—unless someone hurt her family. Then, she would never forgive.

－－－－－－Extra－－－－－－

Stuck on the text… after much struggling, finally wrote it out.