The interview Huo Zhili gave at the airport quickly dominated the trending lists across major social media platforms as soon as it was released, spreading like wildfire online.
However, the sharp question about his personal life during the interview was ultimately edited out entirely.
Although various media outlets were unwilling to let it go—each hoping to ride the wave of this exclusive topic for traffic—no one dared to confront Huo Zhili head-on.
The higher-ups had already issued orders to delete the sensitive content from the latter half of the interview, and those below naturally dared not disobey in the slightest.
When Huo Zhili arrived at the company and stepped into his office, his gaze swept over the towering pile of documents on his desk, and his brows instantly furrowed into a shallow crease.
He looked up at the secretary who had just pushed the door open and entered, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, “Is Vice President Li not here?”
“Vice President Li officially started his annual leave today. Before leaving, he specifically mentioned that he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend,” the secretary replied respectfully, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
Huo Zhili responded with a faint acknowledgment and didn’t ask further. He casually opened his phone’s contact list, found the contact labeled “Little Uncle,” and dialed directly.
The phone rang only twice before it was answered, and Li Junyao’s voice, tinged with a hint of lazy amusement, immediately came through the receiver: “Oh, Young Master Huo, what brings you to me at this time?”
Leaning back in his office chair, Huo Zhili tapped the desk lightly with his fingertips and got straight to the point, his tone leaving no room for negotiation, “Cancel your annual leave. Return to the company immediately.”
Li Junyao chuckled softly, his tone carrying a teasing note: “If you want me back, you’ll have to obediently call me ‘Little Uncle.’ Then I might consider it.”
Huo Zhili had only used the title “Little Uncle” a few times as a child under pressure from elders. Since growing up, he had never addressed Li Junyao that way again.
After all, Li Junyao was only a few years older than him, and they had always interacted as equals. Now, being cornered like this by the other party, Huo Zhili showed no trace of annoyance.
His expression remained calm as he unhurriedly laid out his bargaining chip:
“Fine. If you insist on taking your annual leave, then once your vacation ends, I’ll start mine—for a full month.”
At these words, the playful tone on the other end of the line vanished instantly. Li Junyao knew Huo Zhili’s character all too well—he never minced words or joked around.
If Huo Zhili really took a month off, all the company’s affairs, big and small, would fall squarely on Li Junyao’s shoulders, leaving him with barely any time to sleep.
Li Junyao immediately gave in, his tone full of resignation: “You really are ruthless! I give up. I’ll just take three days off and return to the company on time after that.”
He wanted to complain a bit more, but a sudden busy tone came through the receiver—Huo Zhili had already hung up.
Staring at the disconnected phone, Li Junyao couldn’t help muttering to the air: “With that cold and rigid temper of his, how does anyone like him? I just don’t get it!”
At 6:30 p.m., Yu Qingyu pushed open the glass door of the restaurant and immediately spotted Ling Li sitting by the window.
Seeing her enter, Ling Li smiled and waved at her.
Yu Qingyu walked over quickly and took her seat. Looking at Ling Li, who had arrived early, she remarked with a hint of surprise:
“You’re actually free today? You arrived even earlier than me.”
“I happened to be in the area for an interview, and it ended early, so I came straight here,” Ling Li replied with a smile.
She picked up the lemon water on the table, poured a full glass, and pushed it toward Yu Qingyu. Her gaze held a probing curiosity as she asked softly,
“What have you been busy with lately? Busy dating?”
Yu Qingyu gently traced the rim of her glass with her fingertips, a bright yet serene smile curling at the corners of her lips. Her tone was calm, as if she were talking about someone else’s affairs.
“We broke up. I’ve been focusing entirely on work lately. Oh, by the way, I’ve accepted an offer from Johns Hopkins University. I’m going abroad the day after tomorrow.”
These words made Ling Li freeze instantly, her hand holding the water glass pausing mid-air. It took her several seconds to process the information.
She didn’t ask for details about the breakup, but her eyes were filled with both heartache and relief. She immediately picked up her water glass and looked solemnly at Yu Qingyu.
“Congratulations, Qingyu! You’re so wonderful, you deserve all the best things.”
Ling Li had never interacted with Huo Zhili personally, but she understood better than anyone how much Yu Qingyu had invested in that relationship.
Yu Qingyu had placed Huo Zhili at the very center of her heart, revolving everything around him, lowering her own stance to an extreme. This relationship, unequal from the very beginning, had long struck Ling Li as wrong.
What angered her even more was that earlier today, she had stumbled upon an airport interview video of Huo Zhili. When the reporter subtly asked about personal matters related to Yu Qingyu, his indifferent reply of “not considering it for now” felt like a thorn, stinging painfully.
Yu Qingyu had given him her whole heart and soul, only to be met with such coldness and detachment. Ling Li felt it was utterly undeserved on her behalf.
Yu Qingyu picked up her glass and took a small sip of lemon water. The crisp, refreshing taste slid down her throat, and her gaze grew even more resolute. “From now on, I’m going to love myself well.”
Ling Li nodded emphatically, her eyes brimming with agreement. Then, trying to lighten the somber mood, she joked with a smile, “Studying abroad is a great thing. When I have time, I’ll come visit you. You’ll have to reimburse my plane ticket then.”
“No problem, I’ll cover it,” Yu Qingyu finally replied with a relaxed smile.
“I’m just teasing. Visiting my best friend—I can afford the ticket money myself.”
Ling Li waved her hand with a laugh and passed the menu to her. “Quick, see what you’d like to eat. My treat today, to send you off properly.”
Yu Qingyu took the menu and asked casually, “What about you? Do you plan to keep working as a field reporter, running around on-site?”
Ling Li looked out the window, her eyes reflecting determination. She turned back to Yu Qingyu with a smile. “Yes, I genuinely love this job. I want to use my own strength to help more people in need, just like how you’re dedicated to being a doctor.”
Seeing the light in her best friend’s eyes, Yu Qingyu also smiled sincerely and raised her glass. “Then let’s both work hard in our own directions.”
Ling Li immediately lifted her glass and gently clinked it against Yu Qingyu’s, her smile bright. “Okay, let’s work hard together!”
After finishing dinner with Ling Li, the two decided to head to a nearby bar for a little while.
On the other side, after having dinner at home, Huo Zhili was soon bombarded by a series of urgent calls from Xu Borui. Unable to refuse, he eventually made his way to the bar as well, along with Li Junyao, who had also been summoned.
As soon as Huo Zhili stepped through the bar’s entrance, deafening heavy metal music assaulted his ears. Dazzling neon lights flashed and intertwined in the dimly lit space, and the air was thick with the mingled scents of alcohol and perfume.
He frowned slightly, instinctively loosening his tie, and headed straight for the private rooms on the second floor.
Just as he reached the staircase, he ran straight into Yu Qingyu, who was returning from the restroom.
The moment their eyes met, Huo Zhili’s steps abruptly halted. His deep gaze fell upon her, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible surprise as he asked, “Here with friends?”
Yu Qingyu glanced up at him coolly, her eyes calm and unrippled, devoid of any trace of the joy and attachment from the past. Her tone was distant and indifferent: “None of your business.”
With those words, she didn’t linger for even a moment, nor did she spare him another glance. She turned and walked decisively toward the booth on the first floor, her back straight and resolute.
In the past, if she had run into Huo Zhili in a place like this, she would have been brimming with excitement, following him without hesitation to the private room on the second floor, sticking close to his side. But now, that once all-consuming affection had long since vanished without a trace.
Huo Zhili stood in place, watching her determined retreating figure, his eyes darkening. After a moment of silence, he finally stepped onto the stairs and headed toward the private room on the second floor.
Pushing open the door to the private room, the clamor of noise instantly enveloped him.
Xu Borui leaned back on the sofa. Spotting Huo Zhili’s entrance, he immediately teased with a smile, “President Huo finally graces us with his presence. What a rare sight.”
Beside him, Li Junyao lounged lazily against the back of his chair. Seeing Huo Zhili, he called out with a grin, “Big nephew!”
Huo Zhili ignored their banter, casually unbuttoning his suit jacket as he took a seat in the main spot on the sofa. His gaze shifted to Xu Borui, and he asked in a flat tone, “Have you been drinking?”
“Yeah, just a few small drinks. It’s nothing unusual,” Xu Borui explained with a smile.
Hearing this, Li Junyao raised an eyebrow and chimed in, his tone laced with a hint of mockery, “Him drinking isn’t the unusual part. What’s unusual is that you were actually willing to put down work and come out. Planning to take your annual leave and get engaged to Qingyu?”
Huo Zhili lifted his eyes and shot him a cold glance, replying in a low voice, “You haven’t gotten engaged yet. Why should I be in a hurry?”
Watching the two of them trade barbs, Xu Borui tried to smooth things over with a laugh, “If you ask me, you two should just get engaged together. Double the happiness—how perfect.”
Completely unaware that Huo Zhili and Yu Qingyu had already broken up, he was still happily trying to play matchmaker.
Huo Zhili didn’t respond. Instead, he picked up a glass from the table, tilted his head back slightly, and took a sip of the strong liquor. The mellow liquid slid down his throat, suppressing the inexplicable restlessness in his heart.
A moment later, he spoke again, looking at Xu Borui as he asked, “Where’s Lou Minghe? Why didn’t he come?”
Xu Borui leaned lazily against the sofa and shrugged, “He said something came up last minute and he couldn’t make it. Why don’t you call and ask your future brother-in-law? After all, he dotes on Qingyu the most—he’s sure to give you face.”
Huo Zhili immediately shot him a piercing glare, his tone indifferent, “I don’t have that much face.”
“Now, now, don’t say that. Lou Minghe dotes on Qingyu, so naturally, he’ll love the crow for the sake of its nest. He won’t treat you poorly either.”
Xu Borui paid no mind to his cold demeanor, still teasing him with a smile.