He knew his daughter would be disappointed, but he still couldn’t bear to let her leave the capital city even for a single step!
He wouldn’t care if Hua Wuque traveled to the ends of the earth, but Hua Rui was different!
Setting aside whether his business rivals would be watching her like hawks, just her breathtaking beauty and innocent nature made him a hundred thousand times uneasy!
Aside from her public appearance at the engagement, his daughter Hua Rui had never appeared in any public media.
Whenever she went out, she was always accompanied by bodyguards for the entire journey.
Even when using the restroom in any public place, a female bodyguard would follow her closely.
Of course, the Lu family, the wealthiest in the country, also spared no effort in protecting Hua Rui.
During Hua Rui’s high school years, two reckless second-generation heirs from the Shanghai circle, vying for Hua Rui’s attention, publicly published love letters in the media and created the sensational event of that year: “Fury for a Beauty! Rich Heirs Openly Engage in Armed Conflict.”
Afterward, before Zaitian Hua could even intervene, the Lu family swiftly took action, severely punishing the two families involved in the Shanghai circle and suppressing all related news.
From that year on, those two ignorant and flamboyant heirs never appeared in the public eye again.
Hua Rui knew nothing about these incidents.
In her world, there was only happiness, beauty, and the belief that everyone was kind.
During the afternoon Chinese painting class, the gloom on that radiant face caught Xie Mingchen’s attention.
Every expression on that face tugged at his heart!
He was trying hard to find his place and transform that unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime feeling into the love of a teacher, the love of a family member.
As he passed by her, he whispered, “Come to my office after class!”
Hua Rui responded gloomily, “Okay.”
In that familiar office, Xie Mingchen had already prepared her favorite ginger milk tea, warm and ready.
Good food always quickly lifts one’s spirits.
The face that had been gloomy throughout the class gradually brightened with a radiant smile.
“Who made Ruirui unhappy?” Xie Mingchen asked in his usual gentle tone.
Hua Rui’s lips curved upward. “Is Teacher Xie going to help me beat someone up?”
“That depends on the situation!” Xie Mingchen handed her a soft towel. “Wipe the left corner of your mouth!”
“I want to go to France, but Dad won’t let me!” Hua Rui said bluntly.
“Chairman Hua must have his reasons. Sometimes, you need to learn to see things from others’ perspectives!”
Xie Mingchen sat across from her, gazing into those deer-like eyes filled with pure and beautiful innocence.
He hadn’t yet told Hua Rui that, as a key candidate for professorship being cultivated by the school, he would be sent abroad next month for a six-month exchange program at a prestigious university—in France, no less!
She hadn’t thought of asking Lu Jianshen for help!
She wasn’t even sure if this matter had anything to do with Lu Jianshen.
So, the obedient Hua Rui stayed in Xie Mingchen’s office, quietly painting a flower-and-bird scene.
Painting always calmed her down, and all her little emotions would vanish like mist.
Xie Mingchen quietly kept her company.
She painted, and he read.
She immersed herself in her work, but he did not.
At the right moments, he would remind the young girl to drink water or step out to buy her favorite fruits, placing them beside her:
“Ruirui, take a break if you’re tired from painting!”
Countless afternoons passed this way, with the two of them spending time together in quiet companionship.
…
Outside Xie Mingchen’s office, a tall figure paced back and forth countless times.
From the moment Hua Rui followed Xie Mingchen into that office, her heartstrings snapped.
The door was closed, and she couldn’t see what was happening inside.
Though she had no right to pry into others’ private affairs, she was striving to become someone who could share private matters with Xie Mingchen.
She had also bought some fruit. After hesitating for a long time, she finally gathered the courage to knock.
Hearing a gentle male voice inside say, “Come in!”
She opened the door. “Mingchen, I bought some fruit. Let’s eat together!”
Yue Jiao instinctively looked for Hua Rui’s figure.
The young girl was by the window, painting intently.
She was completely absorbed in her work, so much so that she didn’t notice the door opening or Yue Jiao’s arrival.
Yue Jiao’s face flushed slightly. She felt she had let her imagination run wild.
She had even pictured every possible scenario between the two of them—like kissing!
Hua Rui was pulled back to reality by the ringing of her phone. The caller ID read: Little Uncle!
It was 4 p.m. in Beijing, 10 a.m. in Italy.
The girl’s voice was ethereal and sweet. “Little Uncle!” Her tone was lazy, carrying a hint of girlish charm.
“Did you just wake up from your nap?” The man’s voice was unfairly pleasant.
A dimple appeared at the corner of Hua Rui’s left lip. “I had classes. Afterward, I came to Teacher Xie’s office to paint. I wasn’t sleeping!”
Lu Jianshen’s lips curved upward. “I wronged Ruirui. My mistake!”
His cool yet gentle voice filled Hua Rui with a sense of calm. Suddenly, she wanted to confide her troubles to the man on the other end of the line.
Frowning slightly, the young girl recounted the matter of the high-end luxury brand to Lu Jianshen, half-complaining.
“Does Ruirui want to come?”
“Yes!” The girl’s reply was immediate and resolute.
“Then wait for my news!” The man seemed confident.
“Little Uncle? Can you really persuade my dad?”
The man chuckled softly. “If you really want to come, I’ll really go talk to Uncle Hua!”
“Then thank you in advance, Little Uncle!”
Hua Rui happily ended the call.
On the other end of the line, Lu Jianshen’s stern face was lit up with an irrepressible brightness.
Of course, he was confident!
The collaboration between the high-end luxury brand and the sugar art was his idea from the start!
However, while the plan was his, the execution belonged to Princess Hua Rui.
She had artistic talent, and he would create a stage for her to showcase it.
As for how dazzling that stage could be, he gave her the freedom to shine without limits.
If she soared far, he would be proud of her.
If she didn’t go far, or even failed, he would be her harbor, ready for her to dock whenever she grew tired.
Of course, he had his own selfish reasons too.
He missed Princess Hua Rui, as stunning as a flower bud!
During her time in France, he could conveniently handle his work there, but more importantly, he could spend time with her!
After the call, Hua Rui’s face was radiant. She noticed Yue Jiao, who had suddenly appeared in the office.
“Teacher Yue, you’re here too?”
Yue Jiao smiled and greeted her. “Hua Rui, I bought some fruit. Let’s eat together!”
“I’ll wash them!” Xie Mingchen took the fruit and walked out.
Yue Jiao stared at the blooming beauty. “Hua Rui!”
“Hmm?” Hua Rui was startled by the voice, which suddenly carried a hint of chill.
“Since you have a fiancé, why are you still coming to Mingchen’s office?” Yue Jiao looked directly into her eyes.
“He’s my teacher! I come to Teacher Xie’s office for tutoring, painting, and snacks.” Hua Rui felt a bit wronged.
For so many years, this had always been their way of interacting.
“Don’t you think…” Yue Jiao’s words were left unfinished as Xie Mingchen approached with some fruit.
Not wanting to embarrass Xie Mingchen, Hua Rui insisted on finishing the king banana he handed her:
“Teacher Xie, Teacher Yue, my driver is here to pick me up. I’ll be going now. Thank you, goodbye!”
Xie Mingchen watched the beautiful figure hurrying away, his expression gradually darkening.
He looked at Yue Jiao:
“What did you say to her?”