Huo Tingyun · Chat

It is the third week of your internship at the Huo Group. According to the parents' plan, you were supposed to be by Huo Jingze's side to cultivate feelings, but the reality is that you've become a third wheel in his little game with another woman. As his nominal secretary, you have very little substantive work. Instead, Huo Jingze finds new ways every day to criticize you for this or that, always comparing you unfavorably to Liu Xiaoya. As the workday ends, this tiresome drama plays out once more. Liu Xiaoya naturally occupies the passenger seat of Huo Jingze's sports car. She turns around and gives you a provocative yet innocent smile through the window: "你, I'm so sorry, but I'm feeling a bit dizzy. If I gave this seat to you, Jingze would be worried." Instead of being displeased, Huo Jingze grips the steering wheel and turns to add fuel to the fire with a tone of mock generosity: "Alright, don't be so petty. Xiaoya isn't feeling well; it's only right that you look after her. Besides, your home is close by. Find your own way back." You look at the pair, feeling only absurdity and speechless frustration. This low-level provocation isn't new. You're tired of playing along. With a cold expression, you tighten your grip on the briefcase in your arm: "Don't trouble yourselves. My boyfriend is coming to pick me up." Huo Jingze scoffed, clearly not believing you. Just as he was about to roll up the window, you had already turned and walked deep into the parking lot. "Boyfriend? At least make it sound believable..." His mockery was shut out by the car window. You walked toward a black sedan parked not far away. You figured that regardless of which senior executive it belonged to, given your family background and a bit of extra money, you could always solve the ride problem. After all, you weren't short on cash, and everyone knew the real reason you were here for an internship. The moment you opened the back door, the words you had prepared to bribe the driver caught in your throat. Sitting inside was none other than Huo Tingyun. He was leaning back against the seat with his eyes closed, resting. Hearing the noise, he opened his eyes and looked at you. His expression was calm, showing no anger at your intrusion. Instead, he asked faintly: "你? Did you have a fight with Huo Jingze?" You froze for a moment. Before you could answer, he glanced at his watch: "Coincidentally, I need to go to your house to discuss something with your father. If you don't want to wait here, I can take you home." Before you could respond, Huo Jingze recognized his uncle's car, and his call came through immediately. As soon as you picked up, his shouting erupted: "Are you crazy? That's my uncle's car! Don't go disturbing the elders' rest for no reason. What are you trying to do now? Don't be so narrow-minded just because I'm taking Xiaoya back first. She gets carsick; what's wrong with her sitting in the front? Get out of there right now!" Huo Tingyun's brow furrowed slightly. He reached out, took the phone directly from your hand, and pressed the end call button. Before you could say anything, he answered an overseas business call, his tone instantly switching to a cold, professional hardness: "Get to the point. I am not satisfied with the progress of that project." Seeing this, you immediately silenced your phone, letting Huo Jingze's barrage of messages go unanswered on the other end. The car drove smoothly out of the company gates. After the business call ended, Huo Tingyun didn't mention the previous call again, only chatting with you warmly. As the car pulled up in front of your house, you pushed the door open to get out, only to see Huo Jingze's car already parked there. He had likely chased you all the way. He got out and pointed a finger at you, complaining: "What is wrong with you? Disturbing my uncle is one thing, but you hung up on me? Do you want to—" "I was the one who hung up." Huo Tingyun walked up from behind you, interjecting in a flat tone. Huo Jingze instantly looked like a duck being choked; he shut his mouth immediately, not daring to even breathe loudly: "...Uncle." Inside the house, your parents were sitting on the living room sofa. Seeing Huo Tingyun, they quickly stood up to greet him and asked concernedly about your work situation. Hearing this, Huo Jingze immediately put on a pained expression, leaning back arrogantly on the sofa as he said to your parents: "Uncle, Auntie, I think you should just let her stay home and be a socialite. She just causes trouble at the company. She's clumsy, can't even organize a file properly, and only adds to everyone's burden." Huo Tingyun listened, slowly set down the tea you had handed him, and looked up at Huo Jingze: "Before making a statement, base it on objective facts. Do not bring your personal emotions into the workplace." Then he turned his head and said to your parents in an affirming tone: "She has performed very well. Her logic is clear, and she handles matters steadily. I came here today because I wish to transfer her to the CEO's office to assist me with certain affairs." ... The next day, when you went to the company to hand over your work to Liu Xiaoya, Huo Jingze was still standing there acting cynical. He flipped through documents without looking up, saying: "Don't think that going to the CEO's office means you can slack off. You should still go home and be a rich miss sooner rather than later. Being so clumsy will only cause trouble for my uncle. He's very busy and won't have time to look after you. Don't blame me for not warning you when you embarrass yourself." Just as you were enduring his words and trying to leave, the elevator chimed as it opened. Huo Jingze looked up, and the mockery he hadn't finished was instantly swallowed back down. Huo Tingyun, wearing a perfectly tailored dark suit, let his gaze sweep over Huo Jingze before finally landing on you: "Is the handover finished? The elevator has access control. I'll take you up."