OVL 08 He Mengxin

Luo Yao would rather believe what is written in the newspaper; he uses that method to convince himself that he has given up

West Mountain

He suddenly smiled, like a big boy, his eyes sparkling, unexpectedly grabbing her hand and holding it tightly: "Hey, don't rush, I'll take you to meet my dad"

How could she forget that Xishan from three years ago? A cup of clear tea, a paradise beyond the world, the initial encounter that flowed as smoothly and beautifully as a clear spring; she even, together with her teacher, made a stunning discovery during a field survey of a precious Tang Dynasty wooden temple... All her beautiful memories.

The surroundings were enveloped in silence along with the air, and in his eyes was a hauntingly deep shade of black.

Under the distant yet close flicker of the streetlight, Zhan Zecheng lowered his head and fiddled with his cufflinks. After a while, he finally unfastened them and held them in the palm of his hand. The corners of his lips were pressed tightly like a sharp blade, his jaw was clenched, and the hue of his gaze resembled that of fine jade. Those jades were always cold, as if what he held in his hand at this moment, no matter how long it lasted, would never bear a trace of warmth.

When she was putting the plates back, Sister Lin came over to find her: "There is a briefing task in the afternoon, so don't go to the studio yet"

At this moment, a sense of unprecedented turmoil unexpectedly arose within Zhang Zecheng's heart, as if something was about to slip out of his control. Jealousy, or perhaps restlessness, settled like dust over his usually keen observation and judgment. He knew that he was far from as calm as he appeared; his gaze was fixed on his own hands, yet what vividly emerged in his mind were two other hands, intertwined with each other, reminiscent of the intimacy and understanding he once shared with her.

He Mengxin walked to the door, where the driver had been waiting for her. Upon seeing her come out, he pointed to the RV not far away and said, "Miss He, Mr. Zhan has come personally to pick you up."

He certainly remembers and is aware of the media's pervasive presence today. At the moment he saw the report, his concern was not for others, but solely for Bai Luoyao. Their connection had become too tenuous, almost as thin as a gossamer thread. He did not wish for these misunderstandings to deplete the remaining faint warmth that still existed between them, and thus he erupted in anger at that very moment.

As the car turned, it drew closer to her until it came to a stop

I just received a call from Manager Ma, who said that everything has been handled properly. There will be a clarification tomorrow

The young lady patiently gave her directions, but she did not have time to listen to the end and walked in that direction.

Master Sun glanced at the news while having a meal in the cafeteria and remarked, "Is he the one who donated the double sheep statue?" The food was quite delicious, and Luo Yao didn't even lift his head, replying, "Yes, that's him."

In this way, although it was subtle, everyone could sense a faint hint of appreciation. In fact, no one is a fool; since her relationship with Li Zhijin is not ordinary, wise individuals would naturally say a word or two at the appropriate moment

It seems as if an icy blade, with a hissing sound, has sliced through the very core of the heart

He turned to Li Yaohui with a smile and said, "Previously, our group collaborated with the museum. Miss Bai's work is very diligent." He then casually turned to his assistant and asked, "Isn't that so?"

"Have you ever been to Xishan before?" Luo Yao murmured, "That place three years ago... is completely different from now. Truly."

Zhang Zecheng's tone was unusually gentle: "Miss Bai? We have met before."

Li Zhijin looked at her carefully for a while before smiling and saying, "Ah, it was fortunate that it was me just now; otherwise, you would have run into the glass."

She instinctively raised her head and glanced across the way

He is truly expressionless. His gaze is unfathomable, with waves that are too deep and too thick, concealing all fluctuations, not allowing her to perceive even the slightest hint, nor providing others with any vague conjectures. What she sees is only the hardness akin to rock, with layers of fortifications.

Luo Yaosong took a deep breath, gently bit her lower lip, and walked past Zhan Zecheng

The atmosphere suddenly changed. Initially, she was merely probing, but at this moment, she let out a very faint, cold laugh. Li Zhijin had known her for so long and had never seen her smile so harshly, chilling to the bone.

He Mengxin entered alone, her demeanor somewhat haughty, with her chin slightly raised. She nodded to the staff, which could be considered a greeting. Fortunately, she did not recognize herself. Luo Yao accompanied her into the Bronze Hall and inquired about her interests. He Mengxin seemed not to enjoy speaking, and her gaze was not directed at her. In the end, she merely said, "Whatever."

It turned out to be a real date. That day at the donation ceremony in the museum, he also met them, holding hands and whispering to each other in the corner. However, when she saw him, she avoided him at all costs

However, three years later, not a single item was preserved

Zhang Zecheng gently interrupted him: "What?"

Luo Yao opened her eyes and said softly, "No need, I am waiting for a friend"

Read a sentence, silently recite a sentence, recall a sentence. Ten minutes have passed, and she has only read half. She forces herself to turn the page, still filled with anxiety. Those Chinese characters seem to be arranged in an irregular manner, one by one. She becomes increasingly uncertain whether she has memorized them; it is a familiar feeling of despair, a sense of helplessness pervades everything

Following his gaze, she looked over to the lobby bar not far away, where a group of people stood engaged in quiet conversation

Master Sun shook his head: "Today's journalists are truly ... ... Every day it's the same headlines, gossip and paparazzi, it all means nothing"

She quietly raised her head, as the entertainment host was reporting the headline, "Mr. Zhang has implicitly acknowledged the woman he is holding hands with as his partner"

Having heard and seen so much, it was simply a relentless bombardment from the media, a source of endless enjoyment for them. Luo Yao could hardly remember what he was thinking at that time. It was all too complicated, and even the thought of reminiscing felt exhausting. Thus, he could only let it pass. He would have his own life and decisions, and if he could let her go, she would already be grateful.

The red light on the sidewalk is counting down, three, two, one... A green pedestrian symbol jumps out, virtually taking steps, for a duration of forty seconds

Ultimately, there is still disappointment. Zhang Zecheng gradually calms down, his tone clear: "Where are you going? I will see you off"

The door behind her turned once more. Unconsciously, she stood a bit farther away, watching the raindrops fall before her. It was so cold; she was waiting for Li Zhijin's car, yet she imagined that before the raindrops hit the ground, they would freeze into tiny grains of ice and snow, then land softly, crisp and pleasant, yet cold and lonely

He correctly understood her meaning, pondered for a moment, and then said: "Um, I don't know, it seems there is a project with Yi Qin to develop Xishan, right?"

These five words, delivered with a slightly raised tone, carry a hint of light anger

The car drove out half of the square, yet he still did not turn back, his tone somewhat mocking: "Don't you want to?"

But now it seems truly ironic

He was taken aback for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Yes, Xishan. A few days ago, I went there with a friend; it has been developed quite well. The golf course is also quite nice"

She finally smiled gently: "Are you unwilling to help with even a small favor? Look, how many headlines have I accompanied you with these past few days?"

Luo Yao finished the last bite of her meal, leaving the plate completely clean. When she first began studying the brief history of Buddhism, the teacher mentioned that Buddhism teaches the importance of cherishing blessings, and this is where one should start.

He knows that he has been pressuring her all along, holding onto past concerns, forcing her to return. Sometimes he feels disappointed or distressed. Because he cares for her, he only dares to tentatively approach her, never overstepping. A glimmer of hope in his heart is that she has already let go of her emotional knots. Yet, little did he expect that she had already moved on ahead of him, just as she said, she has already let go.

Zhan Zecheng raised his gaze to look at her, very close, right beside him, his breathing steady and calm: "What are you doing here?"

Luo Yao uneasily withdrew her hand, wanting to say something, but ultimately fell into silence

But it was only a moment; after Luo Yao clearly saw who it was, her smile instantly faded, and her delicate brows slightly furrowed, as if she had encountered someone inconceivable

In fact, everything that needed to be said was already addressed in the meeting just now. At the door, they merely exchanged a few pleasantries. Li Yaohui invited him to attend the family celebration, which is the commemoration of his grandfather's birthday. Zhan Zecheng curled his thin lips slightly and said, "Of course, I will come."

A brief silence ensued until the phone rang, and Li Zhijin's voice came through, somewhat hurried: "I am across the street, come over."

He sat in the back seat, half-turned his face, and through the car window, saw her pulling her shoulders together, standing and waiting for Li Zhijin's car. He effortlessly shifted his gaze and tapped on the back of the seat: "Drive."

Zhan Zecheng remained in the same posture, with not even a change in expression

Have I ultimately overestimated myself

"Hi, you are an old fossil who doesn't like to watch these things; the young people nowadays all love to watch them." Someone interjected, "Besides, they are a proper couple, so where would the scandal come from?"

Young Master Li was walking over, holding the hand of a young girl. Those present who recognized him were filled with excitement; those who did not were astonished that Mr. Li had suddenly stopped talking and turned his gaze in another direction. Li Zhijin's father, Li Yaohui, gently smiled and pointed at the newcomer, saying to Zhan Zecheng with a smile: "My son"

Fortunately, there were still the bustling voices of people engaged in pleasantries, akin to a farewell, not truly penetrating her ears. Until bright lights suddenly shone directly into her eyes, and the doorman quickly ran over to open the car door for her, Luo Yao finally restrained the impulse to look back and got into the car

The car door has been opened, and he shook hands with Li Yaohui for the last time: "Pleasant cooperation"

I do not know if I can avoid the fleeting glance from earlier, each step is filled with trepidation

Is that so? Then do I need to make a big fuss to have my assistant contact you

Her face suddenly flushed, as if she did not know what to say. Finally, with a change in her tone, she smiled gently, "The young lady who received me today explained very well." She delicately wrapped her slender, soft hand around his arm, saying, "Look, it is that one."

Her tone remained polite, yet there was already a hint of icy severity in Luoyao's brows and eyes. She continued to ask, "Are you interested in this Zizhong Jiangpan?"

Before he even spoke, he was struck by her slightly raised face and radiant expression. She was smiling, as if surrounded by blooming spring flowers, and like morning dew glistening. How long had it been since he had seen her smile so sweetly? And how long had he yearned for it? A sudden softness welled up in his heart, almost making him feel as if he had returned to the past

From a distance, she could recognize the person at a glance. With three-dimensional and beautiful features, a light and slender figure, her walking posture resembled that of a cat, exuding an intangible charm—she was the focal point pursued by news outlets, newspapers, and magazines in recent days. Luo Yao had seen the photos, those private ones that the media would never have access to, where He Mengxin was beside Zhan Zecheng, still possessing a youthful beauty, yet not like now, radiant like a blooming peony

She said no, and slowly walked back to the hall along the large potted plants and the redwood root carvings on the side

He leaned against the car door, his figure tall and slender, looking as if he were a statue meticulously sculpted by an artist

As if to challenge her nerves once more, and perhaps out of self-torture, amidst her busy schedule, she surprisingly gathered the courage to look into Zhan Zecheng's eyes

Zhan Zecheng seemed to be completely unaware of Bai Luoyao, and politely extended his hand, saying: "Nice to meet you"

There will be no blood, for the wound is truly too cold, too cold

A group of people was walking towards the hotel entrance, stopping and starting. Li Yaohui suddenly turned to his son and said, "You take Miss Bai back home first. We still have some matters to discuss here"

This afternoon, the museum was unusually quiet, with only a few people wandering about. In the center of the exhibition hall, the most prominent feature was a Shang Dynasty wine vessel shaped like two rams. As usual, Luo Yao began her narration with the donor.

She finally took a deep breath and caught up with his pace

In just a few seconds, the door had rotated a full circle, and it seemed as if they had stepped out of one world and into another, with the impeccably uniformed doorman, the chilling rain, and the biting cold wind that struck them head-on

In the end, I still could not find the restroom, as before me lay an endless red carpet and countless rooms, evoking a sense of familiarity yet strangeness.

Her first reaction was one of panic—though she did not know what she was panicking about. She quickly turned to look at Zexing Cheng, but he was half-turned away, the light weaving intricately along the side of his face, casting faint shadows. He was speaking with others, seemingly oblivious to such subtle movements.

His expression seemed frozen in a distant, icy corner, staring blankly at her and Li Zhijin beside her

Xiao Li had to continue: "It is regarding the report about you and Miss He from a few days ago, at that time you lost your temper with Manager Ma..."

The other party slightly raised an eyebrow, their gaze falling on the exhibit, and casually said: "Forget it, I will take a look myself. It's too noisy, and I can't focus on it."

Xiao Li sat in the passenger seat, slightly turning to the side, his tone somewhat hesitant, unsure whether the timing of his speech was appropriate

They were talking when the elevator descended to the ground floor. There were still people waiting to enter, and Li Zhijin extended his hand to hold the door, allowing her to exit first. She was caught in the crowd, seemingly lost in thought for a second, and hurriedly turned to Li Zhijin to say, "I need to go to the restroom, please wait for me."

However, in the next moment, clearly two different directions and two completely dissimilar individuals, Luo Yao truly realized that she had made a mistake

The marble floor is bright and shining, sparkling like water, with lights casting down upon it, resembling the pale yellow hibiscus in its first bloom

She did not see anyone else, only a single man in a silver-gray suit, raising his eyebrows, gazing in her direction

He was merely acting on a whim, wanting to introduce Bai Luoyao to his father. His impression of Zhan Zecheng was limited to that day at the museum, when the young assistant showed him a newspaper featuring a young man who stood out prominently. Thus, he released his hand, casually draped his arm over Luoyao's shoulder, and smiled as he said: "Dad, I told you about her, Miss Bai, Bai Luoyao. She has been a great help to me for next month's event."

But what does she have to be afraid of? Zhang Zecheng is just an ordinary person, who will get completely drunk after a party. Perhaps it is precisely because of the intoxication that he suddenly remembers her, and thus holds her tightly on that winter night, unwilling to let go. By the time he wakes up the next morning, once he regains his clarity, he will surely find newspapers spread out beside him, filled with gossip about him and his female companion

Zhan Zecheng's hand rested on the car door, and suddenly he felt a twinge of regret. After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately opened the car door.

Indeed, there was still a misunderstanding

He pressed the elevator button, waiting while saying: "No. My dad has been here these past few days. I was staying in the studio a few days ago"

In a moment of daze, a car passed by on the adjacent lane, and there was a slender shadow in the passenger seat. Through the refraction of the glass and the deepening twilight, he finally remembered. That evening, her tone on the phone was calm and indifferent: "I have to hang up, I have a date." At that time, she was deliberately emphasizing the words "a date," and he did not mind it then, thinking it was just a little trick she was playing.

She shrugged slightly, turned, and walked away, brushing past the group of students before stopping: "Do you need an explanation?" Naturally, they were eager for it, and the group listened with rapt attention. In fact, her job did not include giving explanations; she simply enjoyed such sharing at times, which is why she often volunteered for this duty. Being with the students or those willing to listen attentively felt much better than being with those esteemed guests. There was even a tacit understanding among them. After a round of exploration, Luo Yao glanced back and saw He Mengxin standing in front of the Double Sheep Zun, her gaze quietly directed at her. In that moment of surprise, Luo Yao noticed He Mengxin raise the corners of her mouth, her eyes holding a hint of provocation, before she turned and left.

Fortunately, only Li Zhijin was waiting for her, and he was not impatient; he simply looked at her with concern: "Are you feeling unwell? Why does your complexion look so poor?"

His family had a grand residence in the past. It has long since become a tourist attraction, nestled in a corner of the city, quietly observing the bustling flow of passersby. Luo Yao had also visited; on the walls were letters exchanged between Mr. Li and government officials of the time, as well as receipts for the funds the Li family contributed to the revolution. Frame by frame, the photographs, old and in black and white, captured people of that era, who appeared reserved and uncomfortable in front of the camera. The natural imaging effect was not good, yet it managed to reveal the brightness in people's eyes, always making one feel that there was still hope.

In fact, she had no idea where the restroom was, so she randomly grabbed a waiter and asked, "Excuse me, where is the restroom?"

Li Zhijin's deep red checkered shirt was quite eye-catching, waving directly at her. She said nothing, simply put away her phone, and after taking a few steps, she turned back to glance once more.

Finally, someone came to call her out

I think that all means my mother. " He signaled the driver to drive, turning his face away without showing any emotion, " You'd better come here less often in the future.

Luo Yao took a step forward and heard someone behind her softly call out: "Luo Yao..." It came along with the cold wind, and she almost thought she had misheard... So, let her just assume she misheard.

Sister Lin, who was standing nearby, also noticed and said with a smile, "Oh, it's her. No wonder Yi Qin said we should treat her well." Her eyesight was not very good, and after squinting for a while, she exclaimed, "Wow, she is truly beautiful. Even more so than on television."

Luo Yao only realized that Li Zhijin had let go of her when she reached out her hand, standing aside with just a smile. It was a strange feeling; she knew he meant well, yet she felt uncomfortable, as if a flame was burning deep within her.

Then please take your time to appreciate it

He Mengxin saw his profile, as if it were carved from the hardest rock, especially at this moment, it seemed unyielding, not allowing anyone to touch his bottom line, which inexplicably made her feel irritated: "What does Auntie mean? Once is enough. Do you really think I would believe that they would do this without your consent?"

With an arrogant demeanor, she was treated as if she were invisible in the next moment. Bai Luoyao suddenly found it somewhat amusing; after waiting an entire afternoon, with all the preparations made to receive such a "former acquaintance," her luck was truly remarkable

Even in a cave, even without seeing the light of day, there will always be a time to come up for air

Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side, gently yet firmly clasping her ten fingers. Long, slender, and strong, it resembled the hand that used to hold hers—she instinctively tightened her grip, as if trying to capture warmth.

He looked for several seconds until that angle completely became a visual blind spot, rendering everything invisible. Only then did he press his lips together, as if making a decision, and finally instructed the driver: "Go back"

Luo Yao was being dragged along by Li Zhijin, step by step, clearly hearing the rhythmic sound of the heels striking the floor. In just a short distance of a dozen meters, she was led along in a daze by Li Zhijin, forgetting even to struggle or refuse.

The warmth of the heater brushed against her face, bringing a flush to her cheeks. Luo Yao knew she shouldn't ask, but she couldn't help herself and gently cleared her throat: "What does your father do?"

Master Sun went down first. She browsed through the materials in the office slowly, feeling hot and with slightly dry lips. In fact, the temperature in the studio was the same as in the office, but the studio felt desolate, unlike here where colleagues came and went, always bustling with activity. She did not know what kind of esteemed guest required her to wait here continuously. The experience of waiting was not pleasant; she looked through the materials repeatedly, yet it did not bring her increasing reassurance. She did not know what kind of esteemed guest required her to wait here continuously. The experience of waiting was not pleasant; she looked through the materials repeatedly, yet it did not bring her increasing reassurance.

However, He Mengxin seemed to dislike the feeling of being in a crowd. After staying for just over ten seconds, regardless of Luo Yao still speaking, she walked straight across. Half of her words were left unspoken, creating a somewhat awkward situation. Only after realizing this did she smile apologetically at the few students and hurried to catch up.

She finally dared not to look back a second time, fearing that in the next moment, she would see him still persistent, still waiting

Perhaps it had been too long since she last explained something, Luo Yao found that she could not control her voice very well. Her voice seemed to echo back after passing through the vast hall. She spoke in great detail, and a few students who had just stepped through the door instinctively gathered closer.

It turns out that it is truly unavoidable

He Mengxin's complexion instantly turned a bit pale, yet there was an emotion in his gaze that she could not comprehend, flowing quietly beneath the surface, leaving her too afraid to speak

In the end, it was still out of spite

She stopped in her tracks, leaning against the windowsill of the corridor, standing quietly. It felt as if a long time had passed, yet it also seemed like just a moment; she had almost lost her sense of time. Until a waiter approached, beaming with a smile: "Miss, may I assist you?"

Luo Yao could only force himself to look at Li Yaohui, whose brows and eyes bore some resemblance to Li Zhijin. Although he was older, one could still see the handsome features of his youth. His eyes were long and elegant, and he gently extended his hand: "Miss Bai, hello"

Only when one opens their mouth can they truly ascertain whether they have memorized the material. ... Yi Qin, Mr. Zhan Zecheng, the height and length of the objects ... . ... She can effortlessly articulate her thoughts. The only uncertainty lies in whether the visitors are actually listening. The visitors she encountered before always lingered their gazes on the exhibits, attempting to correlate the explanations with the items on display. However, He Mengxin stood a good half meter away from the exhibits, her gaze shifting like jewels, a splash of brightness in the dimly lit exhibition hall, yet she seemed unaware of what she was focusing on. The visitors she encountered before always lingered their gazes on the exhibits, attempting to correlate the explanations with the items on display. However, He Mengxin stood a good half meter away from the exhibits, her gaze shifting like jewels, a splash of brightness in the dimly lit exhibition hall, yet she seemed unaware of what she was focusing on.

Why do such things always happen? My mind instantly split in two; one half is screaming at me to leave, while the other half remains calm and composed, responding with great poise, not to mention the faint smile that surfaces to mask my true feelings.

That smile faded away so lightly. He Mengxin's expression remained unchanged, and her voice was very gentle: "Come and see the things you donated"

Is that why you are afraid of waiting? Because cleaning cultural relics is a job, and repeating the same action can make one feel that it is taken for granted, without a vague awareness that those efforts are all in vain, or even pathological.

The phoenix tree was left with only its withered branches, seemingly fierce yet inwardly weak, a somewhat ridiculous display of arrogance. Upon hearing the name she deliberately mentioned, he could no longer restrain himself and turned his head to glance in another direction.

He waited for her to continue speaking. However, she suddenly averted her gaze, her hands tightly clenched into fists, and she did not speak again

She shook her head: "Let's go"

Li Yaohui elegantly turned to Zhan Zecheng and explained to him: "Next month is the centenary birthday of my grandfather"

That figure is slender, simple, and refreshing. Perhaps it is because of the rush after work, as the hair has not yet been let down, which adds a touch of gentle gracefulness.

On a winter night, a light rain began to fall, tracing intricate patterns on the glass window, reminiscent of a young girl's secret thoughts. Luo Yao finished tidying up and stretched comfortably. Li Zhijin took the keys and coat to escort her home. She suddenly felt curious: "Have you always been staying at a hotel?"

He furrowed his brow, seemingly lost in thought, his fingers unconsciously brushing over his lips, with thin scabs visible on the back of his hand

She felt a vague sense of joy in her heart, but men are always meant to be kept waiting. So she walked slowly, with a hint of deliberation. Until she sat in the car, a faint joy escaping her as she asked him: "Why do you have so much free time?"

She wanted to say something, but after a long pause, she finally just said softly, "Then, goodbye."

Li Zhijin's smile is warm and handsome: "We will go first"

Li Zhijin retracted his usual casual demeanor; at this moment, his poise and etiquette truly resembled that of a scion from a prestigious family. There was no hint of turbulence, only elegance, yet it carried a subtle detachment essential for social interactions: "Mr. Zhan, it is a pleasure to meet you"

Then his long eyelashes gently fell, and he perfectly restrained the color of his eyes, his tone neither too light nor too heavy: "Is there anything that needs clarification?"

This kind of thing was often done by Luo Yao in the past. At that time, she was still a student, and sometimes when there was a fee for guided tours at tourist attractions, she would join in for the explanation. She could naturally empathize, so she slightly shifted her body to one side, allowing those students to get a little closer to the exhibits

Having witnessed the scene tonight, Xiao Li had a clear understanding in his heart, nodded slightly, and whispered, "I understand."