Chapter 70 Part 3

A week passed like this, and finally, the magazine’s big annual project arrived: the Fashion Gala.

The event lasted three days at a five-star hotel renovated from ancient architecture in the suburbs. Day one was the sponsor reception dinner in the evening; day two, the guest red carpet and banquet; day three had brand activities and charity events. The schedule was packed, and Zhu Ran would be swamped too.

Nearly the entire editorial department went to the site. Zhu Ran pulled an all-nighter on the first day. Not just him—from interns to editor-in-chief, everyone was overtime-ing. Huo Boyan’s no-overtime rule lasted one week before crumbling. The silver lining: overtime pay by the hour.

No Huo Boyan at the first night’s reception; Zhu Ran edited videos almost through the night.

Day two’s main event was the red carpet and banquet. No morning activities to allow stars time for makeup and styling, so Zhu Ran caught a nap before shooting resumed in the afternoon.

Zhu Ran had been assigned to the video team, but magically, right before the event, the photo team yanked him back for red carpet stills of the celebs.

The video team leader wouldn’t let him go: Zhu Ran shot amazing little videos that stars and fans loved—several viral hits with huge traffic.

The photo team leader shut it down with: “Zhu Ran’s one of mine.” So back to photos he went.

Being a fashion event, even staff couldn’t look shabby. Editor-in-chief and directors rocked big brands; even tech crew like them wore sponsored black suits.

With his slim waist and long legs, the suit hugged Zhu Ran’s figure perfectly. Paired with his striking face, without the badge and camera, he’d pass for a red-carpet male star.

The red carpet was still in pre-heat; Zhu Ran waited with his camera.

Someone nearby was already snapping photos. Zhu Ran kindly reminded them it hadn’t started yet.

The guy was sweet-talking: “I’m taking pics of you. Thought you were a celeb too.”

Zhu Ran smiled and shook his head, saying he was staff.

Emboldened, the guy asked for his WeChat.

Zhu Ran deadpanned: “Company policy—no personal contacts.”

A nearby colleague ratted him out: “He’s lying. He just doesn’t want to give you his.”

Zhu Ran laughed in annoyance and traded a few playful jabs.

Not long after, two rows of bodyguards in suits passed through the sides of the red carpet, each standing at one-meter intervals. At the entrance, a Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly pulled up—the first red carpet guest had arrived.

A staff member opened the car door, and a long, powerful leg stepped out. The man had a tall and upright figure, with a noble and elegant demeanor. He wore gold-rimmed, thin-framed glasses—it was Huo Boyan, who had returned!

Zhu Ran held his breath and aimed the lens at Huo Boyan.

But after stepping out, Huo Boyan did not leave. Instead, he turned and extended his right hand into the car. Moments later, a hand with painted nails rested on his arm, and a graceful lady alighted alongside him.

Huo Boyan had actually brought a female companion! The crowd erupted in murmurs, and Zhu Ran instinctively averted his gaze, not daring to look at the woman’s face.

He felt a pang of dejection. No wonder Huo Boyan had stopped urging him to report his meals lately or chatting so actively. Ridiculously, Zhu Ran had thought his little scheme had worked, when in reality, Huo Boyan simply hadn’t wanted to continue.

Zhu Ran lowered his eyelashes, only to be jolted back by the shutter sound. He couldn’t just slack off. Fortunately, thanks to the camera’s high-speed burst mode, he could still capture some decent shots even when distracted.

Huo Boyan drew closer with his companion. Zhu Ran’s position was in the prime viewing spot along the red carpet—he couldn’t avoid them no matter how much he wanted to.

Finally, Huo Boyan and his companion stopped right in front of him. Zhu Ran didn’t want to appear too pathetic, so he took a deep breath and lifted his head—

The woman smiled at him and mouthed, “Long time no see.”

Zhu Ran blinked in bewilderment. So Huo Boyan’s companion was Huo Jiahui…

He suddenly remembered that a few days earlier, Huo Jiahui had posted on her Moments about returning to the country to see her favorite male celebrity. Was that why she had shown up with Huo Boyan?

Zhu Ran let out a sigh of relief, realizing how laughable his earlier dejection had been.

Hadn’t he already resolved to draw a clear boundary? Even if Huo Boyan had truly brought someone else, it had nothing to do with him.

Yet he was so despicable—rejecting Huo Boyan with claims that they could never be together, while secretly reveling in Huo Boyan’s special treatment. And now, he was jealous just seeing Huo Boyan stand with someone else.

What right did he have to feel jealous?

Zhu Ran forced a stiff smile at Huo Jiahui and threw himself back into work.

Knowing how much Huo Jiahui loved having her photo taken, Zhu Ran snapped countless shots of her in the limited time, even recording a video.

Huo Boyan stood alone off to the side, never entering the frame.

He wore an exquisite haute couture suit. On his right middle finger was a smooth, rounded plain band, while his index finger bore a Bulgari Serpenti that coiled twice and was fully encrusted with diamonds.

His gaze coldly swept over Zhu Ran without a single word.

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Author’s Note: No-prize guessing game: Where will these two rings show up? 💛💛