Chapter 118 Worth a Lifetime to Protect

A high-profile charity gala is being hosted at a top-tier hotel in Beijing. The event is organized by a foundation promoting cultural exchange between China and other countries, and attendees include prominent figures from the cultural and business sectors, as well as some diplomats stationed in China.

Huo Yanli, Ji Yun, Zhou Mubai, and Shen Yu attended together. Huo Yanli's Peace and Development Foundation has a collaborative project with the organizers, Ji Yun's medical group is one of the sponsors, and Zhou Mubai and Shen Yu are invited legal and financial advisors. Standing together, they formed their own small circle, exuding a composed demeanor, quite different from the frivolous and dissolute air they had displayed a few years ago.

Ji Yun was discussing the details of a clause in hushed tones with Zhou Mubai, while Shen Yu gazed thoughtfully at a former diplomat giving a speech not far away. Huo Yanli held a glass of champagne but did not drink it, his gaze sweeping across the venue with a detached indifference. For him, this occasion was more of a work-related matter.

Just then, a figure carrying a wine glass calmly walked towards them.

She was a woman dressed in a well-tailored light gray suit, her makeup refined but not heavy, her hair neatly tied back. She walked with confidence, a poised and elegant smile on her face. Only upon closer inspection could one see her face clearly—Lin Wei.

But the Lin Wei before me was completely different from the woman of a few years ago who was always meticulously dressed, with a calculating or aggrieved look in her eyes. Her brows were relaxed and bright, her eyes were clear and firm, and she had lost that deliberate femininity, gaining instead the competence of a career woman and the composure that had settled in.

Ji Yun saw her first, paused for a moment, and subconsciously glanced at Huo Yanli. Zhou Mubai and Shen Yu also noticed her, and a hint of surprise flashed across their faces.

Lin Wei walked up to them, stopped, and calmly swept her gaze over the four of them before finally landing on Huo Yanli. Her smile deepened, and she took the initiative to speak: "President Huo, Young Master Ji, Attorney Zhou, President Shen, it's been a long time."

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and her tone was natural, carrying an equal and business-like friendliness, without any trace of past embarrassment or resentment.

Huo Yanli looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded slightly: "Miss Lin, it's been a long time."

Ji Yun realized what was happening and quickly replied, her tone tentative and curious: "Yes, it's been a long time. Lin Wei, you... have changed a lot." This was a sincere statement, not just about her appearance, but also about her entire aura.

Lin Wei smiled and readily accepted the assessment: "One must always look forward and make progress." She swirled the wine in her glass. "I currently work for a multinational trading company, responsible for market development and public relations in the Asia-Pacific region. I'm based in Shanghai, and I'm here in Beijing on a business trip, which was at your invitation."

"Not bad, congratulations." Zhou Mubai pushed up his glasses and said politely.

"Thank you." Lin Wei nodded in acknowledgment, then her gaze returned to Huo Yanli's face, her eyes now more earnest, no longer just polite. "Seeing that President Huo has established the Peace and Development Foundation and done so many truly good things, I really admire him. He's very different from before..."

These words were spoken sincerely, without sarcasm, simply a statement. She had indeed been paying attention and had seen the changes.

Huo Yanli's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "Do what you can."

A brief silence. The past entanglements may have faded, but they had existed, and a subtle tension still lingered in the air.

Lin Wei didn't seem to care. She paused, her tone softening, even carrying a hint of reminiscence and emotion:

"Actually, I have always kept in touch with Zhiyi."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yun and the other two were taken aback. Huo Yanli's fingers, which were holding the wine glass, tightened almost imperceptibly, and his gaze suddenly focused on Lin Wei's face.

Lin Wei met his gaze and said frankly, "Not frequently, maybe once every few months. Sometimes it's late at night where she is and daytime where I am. She'll briefly talk about her work experiences, and I'll tell her about the current situation in China, or... ask her about some career-related questions." She smiled, a smile filled with genuine gratitude. "She's always very patient and has a broad perspective. A few words from her can enlighten me. You could say that her words back then, and her encouragement later, played the most crucial role in getting me back on track and where I am today."

Looking at the complex emotions surging in Huo Yanli's eyes, she continued clearly:

“I know you’re divorced. From Zhiyi’s occasional snippets of conversation, I can sense that she’s not entirely unaffected by you. It’s just that her world is too big, and the road ahead is too long; she doesn’t allow herself any ties, especially not emotional ones.”

Huo Yanli's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't interrupt.

“I’m telling you all this today not to explain for anyone, nor to try to salvage anything.” Lin Wei’s tone was very calm, with the insight of someone who had been through it all. “I’m just an observer, someone who… was once lost and was awakened by her, and I want to tell you what I’ve seen.”

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice even further, yet every word reached Huo Yanli's ears clearly:

"Huo Yanli, a woman like Zhiyi is like the moon on a snow-capped mountain, cold and distant, yet illuminating many who are groping in the dark. She carries the weight of mountains and rivers in her heart. Personal love may seem insignificant to her, but precisely because of this, if someone can be placed in her heart, it is a precious thing that ordinary people can hardly attain."

She looked directly into Huo Yanli's eyes, her gaze utterly sincere:

"So, if... if you still have her in your heart, if you've made up your mind about her, then don't hesitate, don't waver. Use a method she can accept, and take enough time and patience to get closer to her, to understand her, and to support her."

She paused, then solemnly uttered the most important sentence of the night, word by word:

"Zhiyi is worth waiting for and protecting for a lifetime."

After he finished speaking, the surroundings seemed to fall silent for a moment.

Ji Yun, Zhou Mubai, and Shen Yu all looked at Lin Wei with surprise in their eyes, which then turned into deep recognition and respect.

Huo Yanli stood there, his knuckles white as he gripped the wine glass. After a long while, he nodded very slightly, yet with utmost solemnity. He didn't say "thank you," but that silent acceptance and recognition spoke volumes.

Lin Wei understood his response, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She raised her glass: "I wish you all the best." These words were not only directed at Huo Yanli, but also seemed to contain her expectations for her new life.

She downed her drink in one gulp, then nodded politely to the four of them: "I won't bother you any longer, I'm going to meet some clients over there. Goodbye."

She turned and left, her back straight and composed, quickly blending into the crowd at the banquet.

Ji Yun let out a long sigh of relief and patted Huo Yanli on the shoulder: "This is truly... a person should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation. Lin Wei... she has really changed."

Zhou Mubai nodded: "Song Zhiyi's influence seems to be more profound than we imagined."

Shen Yu smiled, a rare occurrence, without saying a word, but his eyes held a hint of emotion.

Huo Yanli did not participate in their discussion. He remained standing in the same spot, his gaze seemingly passing through the lively banquet and looking towards a distant place where she was.

Lin Wei's last words echoed repeatedly in his mind.

"Worth dedicating one's life to protecting."

He tilted his head back and slowly drank the champagne in his hand that had remained untouched.

Yes, it's worth it.

No matter how long it takes, no matter how far the road is.