Zhou Yu stared in disbelief. Had Huo Jingnian become so calculating? He laughed and scratched the back of his head. “What sort of benefit did you have in mind?”
Huo Jingnian considered for a moment. “Discuss it with Zhiwei. It was her idea after all.”
Zhiwei thought he spoke in jest but seeing his serious manner she replied earnestly. “Let us see how the photographs turn out first. Then we can decide.”
Zhou Yu nodded. “Agreed. We shall do it your way Miss Qiao.”
“Since you are Jingnian-ge’s friend you may call me Zhiwei.”
“Come then let us begin.” Zhou Yu led them into the studio. They sat side by side on a bench. He set up the red backdrop then raised the camera only to lower it again looking thoughtful.
Zhiwei glanced at Huo Jingnian noticing his hair was slightly tousled and his collar askew. She stood up and reached out to tidy them. Huo Jingnian caught his breath. His throat moved and his lashes fell. His gaze rested momentarily near her chest and his ears grew warm.
“Did you not look in the mirror before you came out?” she asked gently. Her voice was soft above him and his fingers curled slightly against his knees. He was not used to wearing longer hair and rarely checked his appearance.
“I did not.”
She smoothed his hair and adjusted his collar then checked herself in the mirror before sitting back down. “Is that better?”
Zhou Yu smiled. “Perfect.” He snapped the shutter and checked the result. “Excellent. You both look wonderful.”
He raised the camera again. “Just a few more for me to choose from.”
Zhiwei thought for a moment. “One is enough for an official portrait. But if these are for display might we try different poses?”
Wedding photographs of the era were almost universally formal with subjects seated or standing straight and wearing either red ceremonial dress or white gown. Zhou Yu smiled. “Certainly. Just different poses?”
“And different themes and styling too.” Zhiwei said.
“What do you mean by themes?”
“I shall explain once I have thought it through properly.” She had seen countless styles from her previous life.
“Very well.” Zhou Yu said. “I shall wait. Do you have a pose in mind?”
Zhiwei looked at Huo Jingnian sitting upright and composed. Zhou Yu whispered. “He is entirely in your hands I fear.”
Zhiwei smiled. “He need only sit as he is.” She leaned gently against his shoulder. Huo Jingnian looked down at her and in that instant Zhou Yu pressed the shutter.
“Wonderful.” Zhou Yu said excitedly. “Such warmth and sweetness.”
Zhiwei stood up. “One more.” She moved behind him and rested her hands lightly around his neck. Huo Jingnian’s muscles tensed feeling her breath near his ear. He sat perfectly still not turning around. The shutter clicked and the moment passed.
Zhiwei stepped forward to view the result. Huo Jingnian stood up when she finished. “We should go. I shall collect the documents and we shall go to the marriage bureau.”
Zhiwei took her leave of Zhou Yu. On the drive home she hesitated then took the passenger seat beside him. “Prepare the account books.” Huo Jingnian said. “I shall come by tomorrow afternoon at two to settle everything.”
“Thank you.” She said softly. Silence returned. “Will you have time to return for the other photographs?” she asked.
“Do you have someone else in mind?”
“I thought if you were busy Zhilan might stand in with Comrade Zhou Yu.”
He considered. “That will be fine.”
The car stopped outside her home. “Thank you for your trouble.” she said unbuckling her seatbelt.
“Mm.” He replied quietly. She felt oddly that the more polite she was the more distant he became. She told herself it was simply his nature and entered the house.
Zhilan was preparing lunch and greeted her happily. “How did it go?” Zhiwei considered. Polite respectful respectful distant. An unusual dynamic yet comfortable. “Very well.”
Zhilan beamed. “I knew it. He may seem reserved with others but he is truly kind to us. Far better than the hypocrite Huo Jingchen.”
Zhiwei smiled. “Yes.” Character and integrity mattered most.
After lunch they went shopping together. Choosing clothes for the wedding and for the Huo family required careful consideration. In the clothing department Zhiwei paused at a display of men’s accessories.
“What is it?” Zhilan asked.
“That belt.” Zhiwei said. She remembered the belt Huo Jingnian had worn that first day he came to their home. The neat uniform the belt cinching his waist the cold glint of the buckle. She had not thought about it consciously yet the image returned clearly.
“They all look much the same to me.” Zhilan said.
Zhiwei approached the counter. “How much is this one?”
“Eighteen yuan.” It was a considerable sum now yet Zhiwei bought it anyway. It would suit him perfectly and she wished to give him something in thanks.
On returning home they saw He Gang’s car parked outside. He Gang and He Manman stood waiting. He Manman faced her angrily. “What did you say to Huo Jingchen?”
Zhilan stepped forward. “My sister has nothing more to say to that hypocrite.”
“Lies.” He Manman cried. “You have poisoned his mind against me. He would not have broken our engagement otherwise.”
“Is it broken?” Zhiwei asked surprised.
“Do not play innocent.” He Manman’s eyes flashed.
“I am to marry Huo Jingnian.” Zhiwei said. “Did He Gang not tell you?”
He Manman turned to her cousin. “When did this happen?”
“This morning.” He Gang said looking down. “I told you not to come.”
“Fool.” He Manman snapped. “Huo Jingchen cast her aside and you think Huo Jingnian would take her? You are bewitched by her looks.”
“Huo Jingnian said it himself.” He Gang murmured.
He Manman faced the sisters. “Impossible.”
“Ask Huo Jingchen yourself.” Zhiwei said calmly.
He Manman laughed bitterly. “You are doing this to make him jealous are you not?”
“Marrying Huo Jingnian to make Huo Jingchen jealous?” Zhiwei paused. “You credit me with far too much influence. I would advise you to think clearly about what kind of man Huo Jingchen is. He cast me aside for gain and he would do the same to you. And now I am marrying Huo Jingnian so why would I interfere?”
“Do not speak ill of him.” He Manman retorted.
“What hold does he have over you?” Zhiwei said shaking her head. “You hear only what you want to hear.” She knew Huo Jingchen could be endlessly persuasive. Had she not lived through it herself she might never have seen through him. “Please leave us in peace.”
He Manman wiped her eyes defiantly. “Very well. We have come about the debt.” She glared. “You have no family standing yet you carry yourself so proudly. Married to Huo Jingnian or not debts must be honoured.”
He Gang pulled at her sleeve. “Let us go.”
“Why?” she insisted. “I shall speak my mind.”
Zhilan stepped forward. “Huo Jingchen has hurt you and you take it out on my sister. Go ask him for the truth. And the debt shall be settled tomorrow. Huo Jingnian has given his word.”
“Huo Jingnian is paying?” He Manman stared. Everyone knew of Huo Jingnian’s wealth connections and bright future. That he would take on such a sum willingly astonished her. No wonder he had agreed to the marriage.
“Yes.” Zhilan said firmly.
He Manman fell silent. The sisters entered the house and closed the door. He Manman stood bewildered. “Huo Jingnian would marry someone Huo Jingchen discarded?”
“Would I lie?” He Gang replied. “Go ask Huo Jingchen yourself. Do not believe everything Huo Jingli says.”
He Manman realised she had acted impulsively. “I shall speak to him directly.” She said. “Drive me to the university.”
At the campus gates she saw several students talking.
“Professor Huo is so young and handsome.”
“And brilliant. He studied abroad and knows so much.”
“He comes from a fine family too.”
“So refined and learned. Only twenty four they say.”
“I wonder if he is seeing anyone.”
He Manman stepped forward. “Excuse me are you speaking of Professor Huo Jingchen?”
The girl nodded. “Yes. Who are you?”
“I am an acquaintance.” She said. “Would you give him a message? My surname is He. I shall wait at the shop nearby.”
She bought drinks and waited. Eventually Huo Jingchen appeared. He wore a neat light grey shirt and wire-rimmed glasses. He sat beside her with a gentle cultivated smile.