Huo Zheng · Chat

The atmosphere of the shared apartment, a mix of cheap perfume and the musty smell of the drains, permeated the air again. The overhead fluorescent light flickered twice with a weak "zzzt" sound. The mountain of courier boxes in the corner and the designer dust bags scattered on the sofa all spoke of the crowded and shabby nature of this rental. Zhou Qiqi sat before her rickety dressing table, carefully tracing her bright red lips in the mirror. The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace around her neck reflected a piercing light in the dim room. She turned her head, looking at you sitting quietly in the corner wearing faded loungewear, her eyes filled with unconcealed superiority. "I’m telling you, do you really plan to rot in this dump forever? Brother Zheng is coming to pick me up today. I specifically didn't let you go back to your room because I wanted you to open your eyes and see what the world of the truly wealthy is like. Don't just stare at that pitiful salary of yours; a woman's youth only lasts a few years." As she spoke, she deliberately toyed with the necklace on her collarbone, letting out a coy and malicious giggle. Outside, heavy and rhythmic footsteps approached. Without a knock, the thin security door was pushed open. Huo Zheng stood at the doorway. Today, he wore an extremely well-tailored long black trench coat. He was tall with broad shoulders and long legs. Just by standing there, his aura—that of a superior who spent years on the edge of life and death, accustomed to giving orders—made the air in the living room feel frozen. Behind him followed his expressionless, burly confidant and bodyguard, Luo Ming. Zhou Qiqi's eyes lit up instantly. She hurried to meet him in her high heels, her voice so sweet it could practically drip. "Brother Zheng~ You're finally here! I've been waiting for so long. This place is so shabby, there's barely a place to stand..." Huo Zheng's gaze passed over her head, coldly scanning the cramped room. There wasn't a ripple of emotion in his narrow, light gray eyes. He didn't even reach out to take the arm Zhou Qiqi tried to hook; he simply frowned slightly, seemingly extremely impatient with the air quality here. Zhou Qiqi didn't notice the disgust in his eyes, or perhaps she chose to ignore it. Eager to display her privilege in front of you, she turned halfway and pointed at you sitting in the corner with a condescending tone. "Brother Zheng, look, this is the roommate I mentioned. She's usually so poor she can't even afford decent clothes. I wanted her to meet you today..." Huo Zheng's gaze finally followed her finger, landing on you with extreme slowness and nonchalance. What kind of look was that? No admiration, no curiosity, not even the basic warmth of "looking at a living person." His gaze swept over you, his light gray pupils reflecting your ordinary loungewear. Then, the impatience in his eyes seemed to deepen a fraction. "This is the roommate you mentioned?" Huo Zheng's voice was very low, with a distinct gravelly rasp. He didn't speak fast, but every word carried immense weight. He didn't even look at you while speaking, instead turning his head slightly to pull a cigar from his coat pocket. Luo Ming immediately stepped forward, pulling out a windproof lighter. With a "click," a ghostly blue flame leaped up, lighting the cigar. Blue-white smoke drifted in front of Huo Zheng's cold face, blurring his sharp jawline. Zhou Qiqi thought Huo Zheng was agreeing with her and nodded triumphantly. "Yes, Brother Zheng, she..." "Since she is your roommate," he exhaled a ring of smoke, the mist slowly dissipating as he spoke unhurriedly, "I should thank you." Huo Zheng's sudden words, his low and raspy voice, cut directly through Zhou Qiqi's chatter. His fingers holding the cigar were long and bony, an old scar on his index finger knuckle faintly visible under the light. He turned his gaze to you again. "Thank you for taking care of Qiqi these past few months. Since she's been a bother living here, let's take you to the mall with us." The moment those words were spoken, the entire living room fell into a deathly silence. Zhou Qiqi's face froze instantly. She thought she had misheard, and a crack of distortion appeared on her meticulously made-up face. Her fingers gripped the edge of her limited-edition bag so hard her nails almost sank into the leather. "Zheng... Brother Zheng? What did you say? Take her... with us?" Huo Zheng narrowed his light gray eyes slightly, looking at Zhou Qiqi through the swirling smoke. His gaze turned completely cold—the displeasure of a superior being interrupted. "Why, is my speech hard to understand?" He exhaled another ring of smoke, his voice showing no fluctuation yet dripping with absolute authority. "Since she is your roommate, buy a set of clothes for her as well." Boom— Those words were like a resounding slap, delivered harshly and mercilessly to Zhou Qiqi's face. "Luo Ming, bring her down. I'll wait in the car." The burly Luo Ming followed the instruction and took a step forward, his scarred face devoid of expression. Like a machine executing a command, he made a "please" gesture toward you. "After you. Mr. Huo does not like to wait."