Chapter 17 Can be one or two but not three

In the evening, Huo Mingze stayed up with Mofei for the night watch. The next day, after breakfast, Huo Mingze went to the office, and Mofei stayed at the hospital to take care of her brother and father while also working on her design sketches. Her supervisor had been pushing her for the past few days, saying her output for the month was too slow. It wasn't that she didn't want to produce designs; she just had too much going on. Her short video language courses hadn't been updated for over twenty days. Many people were leaving hateful comments, asking if she was dead and telling her to update quickly if she wasn't. She never mentioned her father's illness because people's joys and sorrows are not shared. If she said her father was sick, some would understand, but others would just curse her more, thinking she was making excuses.

In the morning, Mofei had some time, so she worked on her design sketches in her father's hospital room. As soon as she took out her pen and paper, Gu Tianxi's indifferent and distant expression flashed through her mind. Her heart tightened slightly. She held the pen and started drawing unconsciously. Soon, a design appeared on the paper—a brooch shaped like an orchid. Just now, the phrase "an orchid in an empty valley, standing independently" had flashed through her mind. Looking at the design now, it indeed conveyed a sense of loneliness and cool independence.

Her phone rang again; it was the supervisor calling. She quickly answered, "Director Hu."

Director Hu said over the phone, "Mofei, I know you need to take care of your sick father, but you've taken a long leave. Long leave aside, you also haven't submitted your designs, and I'm finding it hard to justify this. Today, no matter what, you need to give me some good drafts. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep you on this job."

"Director Hu, I will definitely submit my designs today. I apologize for the trouble I've caused and thank you for your support," Mofei responded quickly. She understood the supervisor's implication. If she didn't submit her designs today, she would be fired. If she were alone, it wouldn't matter much, but she had a family to support. She needed this job.

Hearing that Mofei would submit her designs today, Director Hu's tone softened, "Mofei, it's not that I'm pushing you, but it's really difficult for me. Take some time to focus and find inspiration for your designs. In our line of work, we must be serious about finding inspiration. If a design sells well, won't you get a good commission?"

"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Director. I will definitely submit my designs today," Mofei replied, thanking him repeatedly. In fact, she had two moderately successful designs earlier this year, but she only received a little over 3,000 yuan in total commission for both.

Regarding the commission, she had no expectations; she only hoped to keep her 80% salary. "Alright, focus on your design work. I won't bother you anymore," Director Hu said before hanging up.

Looking at the orchid brooch, Mofei thought of creating a series. However, after being interrupted, she no longer felt the initial sadness. Instead, she thought about all the good things Huo Mingze had done for her recently. 

On the first day they met, he transferred 200,000 yuan to her. The next day, when her father vomited blood and she called him, he arrived at the hospital immediately. Later, he asked his friend to save her father from death's door and provided a cochlear implant for her brother. Yesterday, he carried her home and bought her many clothes. He said he would be responsible for her for the rest of his life.

As she thought about this, the words "redemption" flashed through her mind. Her pen touched the white paper again, and she began to draw swiftly. She immersed herself in the world of design, drawing another brooch—this time depicting a girl looking up at the light. These two designs were completed in one go. She took out another piece of paper but found herself unable to draw. Holding her pen, she habitually tapped her head, trying to spark inspiration.

...

On the other side, Huo Mingze arrived at the company early and started working. Sitting in his large chair, impeccably dressed in a suit, he exuded a focused and serious work ethic. Assistant Lu entered with a stack of documents, reporting, "President, these documents need to be dealt with today."

"Understood," Huo Mingze replied.

Assistant Lu put down the documents and stood by the desk, looking hesitant. Huo Mingze paused with his expensive pen and looked up, displeased, "Is there something else?"

"President, this...please take a look," Assistant Lu said, taking out a pink heart-shaped envelope from his pocket.

"Whose is it?" Huo Mingze asked, already guessing the answer.

"It's from Miss Yao. She asked me to pass it to you," Assistant Lu replied.

"Throw it away!" Huo Mingze said coldly.

Having worked with Huo Mingze for seven years, Assistant Lu knew when he was truly angry. Nonetheless, he persisted, "President, maybe you should read it before deciding."

Huo Mingze was silent. Assistant Lu thought he had guessed correctly, believing that Huo Mingze's dating and marriage were just out of anger towards Miss Yao. He had witnessed Huo Mingze's deep affection for Yao Yutong. No matter how busy he was, Huo Mingze would always take her calls. He believed Huo Mingze couldn't let go of her. He handed the pink envelope over again, "President, please take a look."

Huo Mingze didn't take the envelope but called out, "Lu Chen."

Assistant Lu was startled, as Huo Mingze rarely called him by name. He quickly responded, "Yes, President."

"How long have you worked for me?" Huo Mingze asked.

"Seven years," Assistant Lu replied, growing increasingly uneasy.

"You know I'm married to Shen Mofei, right?" Huo Mingze continued.

"Yes, I know," Assistant Lu answered immediately.

Huo Mingze gave him a sharp look, "Do you think it's appropriate for a married man to read a letter from another woman?"

Caught off guard, Assistant Lu frowned, "President, I want you to be happy."

Huo Mingze laughed coldly, "So you think my dating and marriage are just a joke?"

Assistant Lu's frown deepened, "President, I think there might be a misunderstanding between you and Miss Yao."

He had voiced this opinion several times since Huo Mingze decided to date. 

Huo Mingze's voice turned icy, "From the moment Yao Yutong insisted on going abroad, she and I were over. My wife now is Shen Mofei. My future happiness only involves her. On the day I got married, you called Yao Yutong, didn't you?"

"Yes," Assistant Lu admitted, lowering his head.

Huo Mingze continued, "Yesterday afternoon, when I was signing the contract with President Zheng at the Qinya Club, you informed Yao Yutong, didn't you?"

Assistant Lu lowered his head even further and explained, "President, Miss Yao asked me."

Huo Mingze's voice was cold, "Once is enough, twice is too much, and three times is unacceptable. Lu Chen, this letter is the third time. Go to the finance department, settle your salary, and inform Xiao Mu to take over your work."