Chapter Fifty
Mo Wansheng finished showering and walked out of the bathroom.
Huo Yuzheng was casually leaning back on the living room sofa, his fingertips swiping across a tablet computer, reading financial news.
Hearing the noise, he looked up and followed her gaze.
Mo Wansheng smiled, like a lazy cat, and walked over, nestling into his arms.
Huo Yuzheng casually put down the tablet, put his arm around her, and let her lean against his chest more comfortably.
Mo Wansheng carefully read the variety show-related information that He Zihang had just sent to her phone.
She turned her head to look at Huo Yuzheng, "Although you can experience the novelty of visiting the set, we'll have much less time together. Even though I don't have to participate the whole time, I'll just occasionally go in to give some guidance, do you think I should go?"
"Would Mrs. Huo like to go?"
"Let me think about it."
Mo Wansheng sent a message to He Zihang.
"Senior, do you know which guests are participating?"
A moment later, she received a list of guests.
One of them caught Mo Wansheng's full attention.
Qin Zinan.
Mo Wansheng's lips curled up slightly; she instantly became interested.
She was somewhat curious about the female celebrity who had been rumored to be dating Huo Yuzheng.
Huo Yuzheng noticed her subtle change in emotion and asked in a low voice, "What are you looking at so intently?"
Mo Wansheng turned off her phone screen and snuggled back into his arms.
When she looked up, her face was full of smiles.
“Mr. Huo, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go for ‘Sweet in Paris’.”
Huo Yuzheng's gaze lingered on her face for two seconds; her smile held a hint of cunning.
But in the end, he didn't ask anything. He just tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.
“Okay. If you want to go, then go.” He paused, then added, “However, during this time, I will often visit the set to experience the ‘novelty of visiting,’ and I hope Mrs. Huo won’t find me annoying.”
Mo Wansheng laughed out loud, leaned in, and planted a fragrant kiss on his lips.
"How could I find it troublesome? We warmly welcome Mr. Huo to visit and provide guidance at any time."
...
After Mo Wansheng confirmed her participation, the production team of "Sweet in Paris" quickly made preparations, and the recording officially began in the romantic city of Paris.
Meeting Qin Zinan came earlier than Mo Wansheng had anticipated.
On the first official day of filming, the two met in the public dressing room arranged by the production team.
Qin Zinan pushed open the door and came in. At that moment, she was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans.
She was without makeup, and her hair was loosely tied up.
Her beauty had a sense of aloofness; she had very fair skin and delicate features.
There is a difference between what you actually see and what you see on your phone screen.
Her eyes were clear and not aggressive.
"She really is a great beauty," Mo Wansheng thought to herself.
Qin Zinan didn't seem surprised to see Mo Wansheng; she took the initiative to walk up to her in a friendly manner.
"Hi, Mrs. Huo, I didn't expect you to actually come."
The way she called her "Mrs. Huo" sounded natural.
Mo Wansheng also stood up, smiled and extended her hand: "Hello, I am Mo Wansheng."
Huo Yuzheng looked at Mo Wansheng and said frankly, "I know you. I've been wanting to apologize to you ever since that incident at the airport. However, we haven't really had a chance to run into each other."
Mo Wansheng raised an eyebrow slightly, pretending not to know, "Airport?"
“Yes,” Qin Zinan nodded and explained, “Last time I went back to Jin City, I was originally going to come back with my father. President Huo came to the airport to pick up my dad, but he had a meeting that day and couldn’t come back. As a result, only photos of me and President Huo appeared in the media, and then some rumors started to circulate. I’m really sorry for causing trouble for President Huo and you.”
This straightforward attitude surprised Mo Wansheng.
Mo Wansheng's smile became even more sincere. "How is Uncle Qin's health? Yu Zheng mentioned before that Uncle Qin is a senior he greatly respects."
Qin Zinan visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "My father is doing well, but he's always so busy. I thank Mrs. Huo for her concern on his behalf. He still feels regretful that he couldn't see Mr. Huo last time."
The atmosphere between the two became noticeably more relaxed.
The makeup artist came over to apply makeup to them, and during the break, Qin Zinan naturally changed the subject, "Actually, I really like desserts, but I don't know how to make them at all. I'm really looking forward to learning from you this time."
Mo Wansheng relaxed as well. "Then you need to be prepared, I'm a very strict teacher."
Qin Zinan winked playfully, "I couldn't ask for more."
The recording of the program proceeded smoothly.
With her professional dessert knowledge and skillful techniques, Mo Wansheng quickly became the backbone of the team.
Qin Zinan displayed a charming contrast to her cool and aloof appearance.
Especially in the kitchen, they often get flustered and make a lot of funny mistakes.
But she was hardworking and earnest, and her straightforward and unpretentious personality made Mo Wansheng have a good impression of her.
The recording had already progressed into the afternoon, and they were busy preparing the evening's special desserts in the dessert shop's kitchen.
Qin Zinan looked at the somewhat rough cream in the mixing bowl with an annoyed expression, "Wansheng, this cream seems to have been over-whipped."
Just as Mo Wansheng was about to go over and give instructions, she suddenly heard a small commotion coming from the store outside, mixed with the staff's low-pitched exclamations.
She subconsciously looked up and saw a familiar figure through the glass window.
Huo Yuzheng has arrived.
He was wearing a well-tailored dark suit and had a tall, upright posture.
He was talking quietly with the director, but his gaze swept past everyone and precisely caught her figure in the kitchen.
Mo Wansheng didn't expect him to visit the set on the very first afternoon.
Just then, Huo Yuzheng finished his pleasantries with the director and strode directly towards the kitchen.
He pushed open the door, his gaze falling directly on Mo Wansheng, his deep eyes carrying a hint of barely perceptible tenderness and weariness from his journey.
"Wow..." Qin Zinan exclaimed involuntarily, her face showing undisguised surprise.
Huo Yuzheng walked up to Mo Wansheng, reached out, and tucked a strand of hair that had accidentally gotten flour on her cheek behind her ear.
"Mrs. Huo, I've come to visit you on set. It's been a long time."
Mo Wansheng's face was already burning as she did this in front of everyone.
She chided, "Mr. Huo, isn't 'for a long time' a bit too short? Didn't you bring me here this morning?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for several staff members nearby to hear.
Mo Wansheng clearly felt more curious gazes coming from around her, and even the photographer who was adjusting the equipment unconsciously turned the lens in this direction.
"You really are..." She gave him a slight glare, "We're still recording."
"I know." Huo Yuzheng calmly looked around and nodded to the director. "I won't disturb your work."
Qin Zinan stood aside, watching their interaction, her initial surprise gradually turning into a knowing smile.
She stepped forward at the opportune moment and greeted him with grace and poise, "Mr. Huo, I didn't expect to see you here."
Huo Yuzheng then turned his gaze to her, nodding politely but distantly, "Miss Qin, hello."
"Please take good care of my wife on the show."
Mo Wansheng gently touched his arm. "Don't say that. Zi Nan takes good care of me."
"That's good."
The director interjected at the opportune moment, "Mr. Huo, would you like to try the desserts we prepared today? They were all made under the guidance of Teacher Mo."
“Of course.” Huo Yuzheng’s gaze returned to Mo Wansheng. “I’m looking forward to it.”
While the staff went to get the dessert, he leaned down and whispered in Mo Wansheng's ear, "Shall we have dinner together tonight? I've already booked a really nice restaurant."
“But…” Mo Wansheng glanced at the ongoing recording.
“I’ve already spoken with the director, and your recording will end at six o’clock.” He said confidently, “I’ll wait for you.”
Mo Wansheng chuckled, "Mr. Huo, how do you have such great power?"
"The program has investment from the Huo family."
"I see," she said, deliberately putting on a stern face. "No wonder the director was so polite to you just now. Is Mr. Huo using money for personal gain?"
"The investment is to ensure the quality of the program."
He remained calm and said in a high-sounding manner, "As for having dinner together, it's just that as an investor, I happen to be in Paris and wanted to discuss the progress of the work with the program consultant."
At this moment, Qin Zinan walked over with a freshly decorated mousse cake. "Mr. Huo, would you like to try this first? Wansheng taught me for a long time before I was able to make it successfully."
Huo Yuzheng took the dessert spoon and took a bite.
He looked at Mo Wansheng, "It tastes very good, but..."
Mo Wansheng asked curiously, "But what?"
"It's not as good as what you usually make at home."
Qin Zinan was taken aback at first, then laughed out loud, "President Huo is indirectly praising his wife."
Mo Wansheng was amused by him and gently pushed him, "Don't make things difficult for Zinan."
Watching the natural interaction between the two, Qin Zinan realized that their relationship was far better than everyone imagined, and not the distant "business marriage" as reported by the media.
Huo Yuzheng also surprised her.
She had never seen this side of him before.
Huo Yuzheng stayed a while longer, and after confirming the dinner appointment, he left first.
After he left, the makeup artist came over to touch up Mo Wansheng's makeup.
Qin Zinan sat down next to her and said softly, "President Huo is really not what I imagined."
Mo Wansheng looked at her in the mirror, "Why does she look different?"
"From a distance, President Huo appears cold, aloof, and unapproachable."
Qin Zinan smiled and said, "But what I saw just now was clearly a husband who cares a lot about his wife."
"He's just not good at expressing himself to people he doesn't know well."
After touching up her makeup, she had some time to rest before the next recording session.
Qin Zinan hesitated for a moment, then turned to Mo Wansheng.
"Wansheng, do you have time to sit in the coffee shop next door? I'd like to talk to you about something."
Mo Wansheng nodded: "Okay."
The shop rented by the production team is next to a Parisian café, with green plants entwining the cast iron railings and the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee wafting inside.
The two sat down in a corner by the window and each ordered a coffee.
Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting dappled patterns on the wooden table.
Qin Zinan gently stirred the latte in front of her, gazing at the bustling street outside the window.
She finally spoke, her tone slightly evasive.
"To be honest," she said, turning her gaze back to meet Mo Wansheng's eyes, her expression frank and clear, "I did have feelings for President Huo many years ago."
Mo Wansheng was clearly taken aback.
Sunlight outlined Qin Zinan's profile; her expression was calm, as if she were recounting a past event unrelated to herself.
"That was shortly after I entered the industry. My father took me to meet him at a party."
Qin Zinan continued, her voice calm, "Back then, he probably wasn't as... well, as imposing as he is now. He was probably much younger back then. But that focus, composure, and the charm of handling things with ease were very attractive to me at the time. My entry into the entertainment industry wasn't smooth sailing. I was very young then, and I especially admired those who stood at the top."
"But that was really just a long time ago, a girlish infatuation that was unrealistic. You could even say it was liking the image of that person in my imagination. Later, as I saw more of the world and matured, I realized that it wasn't liking at all, but more like an appreciation and longing for a powerful being."
Qin Zinan shrugged and smiled, "Besides, I've realized that besides work, President Huo probably only has eyes for you. Our so-called 'rumors' are just a nuisance that needs to be clarified from beginning to end."
She spoke so frankly and thoroughly.
Mo Wansheng suddenly felt that her previous intention to participate in the program out of curiosity was somewhat naive and ridiculous.
"I think I understand your perspective back then a little better now."
She smiled, her tone light, "Although he can be quite annoying at times—stubborn, a workaholic, and maxed out in his abilities. And he's always arguing with me."
Qin Zinan was amused by her words, "This doesn't sound like a complaint at all. I've never seen President Huo so lively."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
