Chapter Thirty-Five
Mo Wansheng was surprised when she saw the caller's name in her contacts.
This is He Zihang, the president of the West Point Club, the only club she joined during her university years.
The last time we contacted each other was when we graduated.
The core members of their club gathered for a meal to celebrate He Zihang's departure to study abroad.
After He Zihang left, Mo Wansheng became the president of the West Point Club.
Their relationship has always been quite good.
The call connected, and the familiar voice awakened her memories of university.
"Hi, Wansheng, how have you been lately?"
Mo Wansheng replied with delight, "It's great, senior. How about you?"
“I’m doing well here in France. I’m calling you to invite you to participate in a pastry competition.”
"I was talking to a friend about you the other day, and he told me that you're still making pastries. I was wondering if you'd be interested in joining us?"
Upon hearing He Zihang's invitation, Mo Wansheng was very excited, completely forgetting that Huo Yuzheng was still sitting to the side.
She replied excitedly, "Of course, senior! It would be my honor to participate!"
A gentle laugh came from the other end of the phone.
"Wansheng is still so energetic, then it's settled. I'll send the competition details to your email later, and please fill out the registration form."
"The competition starts next month. If you're not too busy this month, you can come to France in advance to get used to the environment. I can show you around."
Mo Wansheng was completely immersed in joy and did not notice the subtle changes in the surrounding air.
"Great, senior! I'll wait for your email!"
The call ended in a pleasant atmosphere.
Mo Wansheng put down her phone, a smile still playing on her lips.
Turning her head, she met Huo Yuzheng's gaze.
He had already put down the game controller and was quietly watching her.
Those deep eyes revealed no emotion, yet they made her heart tighten.
She subconsciously explained, her smile fading slightly, "A senior from university invited me to participate in a competition."
Huo Yuzheng nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on her still excited face for two seconds before subtly looking away.
"I heard you." His voice was calm and even, without any emotion.
After a brief silence, he casually asked, "Are you very familiar with him?"
Mo Wansheng answered without hesitation, "I guess so. He was the president of my pastry club in college, and he was a really nice guy."
"Looks like it makes a good impression."
There was a sour smell in the air.
Are you planning to go to France?
Mo Wansheng said with enthusiasm, "Yes! Let's get used to the environment in advance! And we'll need to work on our ideas and creativity with our seniors according to the competition requirements."
Huo Yuzheng nodded, his fingers tightening slightly. "How long will it take to get used to each other?"
She counted on her fingers carefully, her eyes shining, "At least half a month. Let me think, we need to familiarize ourselves with the environment, discuss the topics, and test new products."
He became more and more excited as he talked, "And we can even go on a trip to France!"
Huo Yuzheng listened quietly. "There are a few century-old shops in Lyon worth visiting. I'll write you a guide. You can go and take a look if you have time."
Mo Wansheng was slightly taken aback; she had almost forgotten.
I had heard before that he spent some time in France while studying abroad.
Huo Yuzheng paused for a moment, then said, "Be careful if you go alone. Call me anytime if anything happens."
For a moment, a fantasy arose in Mo Wansheng's mind: she wanted him to accompany her and be her personal guide.
She wanted to walk with him along that century-old stone-paved road and hear him tell her about the hundred-year history of those dessert shops.
She opened her mouth, the question "Do you want to come with me?" lingered on her lips, but ultimately only a single "Okay" came out.
She just thought that he was so busy with work that he probably wouldn't have time to spend with her.
Seeing that she seemed hesitant to speak, Huo Yuzheng didn't say anything more and just shook the game controller in his hand.
"Should we continue playing?"
Mo Wansheng glanced at the time on her phone. "It's getting late. How about we call another time?"
"Okay." Huo Yuzheng put down the handle and got up from the beanbag chair.
Before leaving, he asked her, "What day are you planning to leave?"
"Wait a minute." Mo Wansheng opened her email and checked the competition requirements that He Zihang had sent her.
Then I opened my phone's calendar and checked the time.
She looked up and gave a specific time, "Next Saturday."
Huo Yuzheng was silent for a moment, then asked, "Aren't you coming back for the New Year?"
Mo Wansheng paused, the excitement of the competition completely making her forget about the New Year.
She really hadn't considered that the Lunar New Year was just around the corner.
"It's a rare opportunity for a competition, Mr. Huo can understand, right?"
She pondered for a moment, deciding that she would have a proper talk with her father tomorrow.
"Yes, this is indeed a rare opportunity."
Huo Yuzheng's deep gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he left her room without saying anything more.
The door was gently closed, and at that moment the game sounds on the screen became unusually loud.
Mo Wansheng turned off screen sharing.
She was left alone in the room, and suddenly felt a little lonely.
After all, although they weren't quite close yet, this was their first New Year after getting married.
She shook her head, unwilling to think any further, and decided to focus on how to explain to her father tomorrow that she wouldn't be spending the Lunar New Year at home.
She had wanted to participate in this competition for a long time.
...
Jingjiang Garden.
Mo Ningchuan stood at the gate of the courtyard early in the morning, looking around.
As soon as the familiar black sedan slowly drove up, a smile immediately spread across his face.
Once the car came to a stop, Huo Yuzheng got out first and opened the door for Mo Wansheng.
"Dad, I already told you not to come out and wait." Mo Wansheng got out of the car, her tone carrying a hint of affectionate reproach.
Mo Ningchuan smiled and waved his hand, his gaze sweeping back and forth between his daughter and son-in-law, his eyes full of relief. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back! Come inside quickly, it's cold outside."
As always, Huo Yuzheng brought many gifts for his father-in-law.
The manners were impeccable and impeccable.
Mo Ningchuan was very happy, but what pleased him even more was the harmonious relationship between the two of them, a perfect match.
He cooked lunch himself.
After the three of them were seated, he looked at his son-in-law and said warmly, "Yuzheng, eat more. This is the first time Dad has cooked for you. Try it and see how it tastes."
Huo Yuzheng immediately picked up a piece of food and took a bite.
"It tastes really good, and it's cooked just right. Dad, you've gone to so much trouble to prepare this for us."
Mo Ningchuan's smile deepened; he found Huo Yuzheng's words very agreeable.
Mo Wansheng gave Huo Yuzheng a look.
It's like saying, "See? I told you, praise him more, and he'll be very happy."
The atmosphere at the dining table was harmonious.
They chatted and laughed.
Mo Wansheng kept thinking to herself about how to frankly tell him that she was going to France to participate in a competition during the Chinese New Year.
Before she could speak, Mo Ningchuan spoke first.
He casually asked, "Sheng Sheng, the New Year is almost here. What are your plans for the year? Are you spending it at home, or are you planning to travel together?"
Mo Wansheng's hand holding the chopsticks paused almost imperceptibly; she was filled with guilt.
She even considered bringing up the competition directly, even if it meant getting a scolding from her father.
Just as she took a deep breath, preparing to confess, Huo Yuzheng beside her put down his chopsticks.
"Dad," his voice was gentle and steady, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
“Wansheng mentioned before that she wanted to go to France. I happen to have a few days of annual leave available at the end of the year, so I plan to go with her.”
Mo Wansheng suddenly turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with astonishment.
His tone was very calm, as if he were simply stating a family plan that had been discussed long ago.
Mo Ningchuan was stunned for a moment, then a surprised and gratified smile spread across his face. "Great! That's wonderful! It's much more meaningful for you two to go on vacation together than to spend the New Year at home!"
He looked at his daughter, his tone full of affection, "So that's what Sheng Sheng was thinking. That's great! There's nothing to be embarrassed about saying it!"
Mo Wansheng was speechless for a moment, all the prepared words stuck in her throat.
She didn't know why Huo Yuzheng would help her tell a false lie.
She spent the entire afternoon immersed in complex confusion.
But she couldn't directly express her confusion, since her father was always there.
She didn't speak until they returned to their room together that evening.
Mo Wansheng softly called out to Huo Yuzheng, "Why?"
"You really want to go, don't you?"
Mo Wansheng nodded blankly.
"Then let's go." Huo Yuzheng's tone was firm and unquestionable. "As for the rest, I'll take care of the elders."
"But you said you would come with me."
Huo Yuzheng approached her. "So, do you hope this is the truth?"
She looked up and met his unfathomable gaze.
My heart was pounding.
The answer that had been lingering on his lips was almost about to slip out.
It was at this very moment that Mo Wansheng's phone rang, an untimely occurrence.
The words "senior" were clearly displayed on the screen.
Suddenly, like a needle, it gently pierced through this ambiguity.
Huo Yuzheng shifted his gaze from her face to his phone screen.
His gaze suddenly calmed down.
"If I have something to do, I won't bother you any longer."
He turned to walk towards the bathroom, giving Mo Wansheng enough space.
However, Mo Wansheng did not look at the persistently ringing phone. The moment he turned around, she took the initiative to reach out and grab Huo Yuzheng.
Huo Yuzheng stopped and turned to look at her.
The phone was still ringing loudly, but she ignored it and just looked up at him.
Mo Wansheng's eyes held a firm resolve and a cautious anticipation.
"If you have time, is that alright?"
He slightly turned his wrist and gently took her hand in his.
“Okay,” he replied, his voice a few decibels lower and hoarse than usual. “I’ll see what the schedule says.”
"However, it's not certain that I can accompany you throughout the entire trip."
A smile appeared in Mo Wansheng's eyes. "It's alright, I hope Guide Huo will give me more guidance!"
She walked briskly to the window, ready to call He Zihang back.
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