The Unforeseen Encounter

Nan Wan stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of noodles, only to be met with a strange, faintly unsettling scent lingering in the living room.

Feigning ignorance, she placed the bowl on the table with practiced nonchalance.

"The noodles are ready."

It was a simple dish—plain spring noodles, both in appearance and flavor. Yet, inexplicably, Huo Xunzhou seemed to hold a particular fondness for her cooking, despite the fact that Song Ma's culinary skills far surpassed her own.

Even as he ate, Huo Xunzhou exuded an air of refinement, his every movement measured and composed, producing not the faintest sound. If she didn't already know the truth behind his polished facade, she might have been fooled by his impeccable manners.

Tonight, he appeared to be in an unusually pleasant mood.

Suppressing her unease, Nan Wan poured him a glass of water, her actions tinged with a subtle deference that bordered on servility.

"I want to go back to my hometown for the May Day holiday," she said cautiously, her clear eyes fixed on his expression.

Though she had returned to five years ago, the sight of Huo Xunzhou still evoked the same fear and vulnerability she had felt in her previous life.

He didn't respond immediately. His face remained impassive, his dark eyes deep and unreadable, like an abyss shrouded in mystery.

Nan Wan silently braced herself, summoning every ounce of courage to maintain her composure.

After what felt like an eternity, Huo Xunzhou finally gave a slight nod, uttering a barely audible "Hmm."

Her eyes widened in astonishment. She could hardly believe he had agreed so easily.

In her past life, no matter how many times she had begged, Huo Xunzhou had always denied her requests to return home.

If he ever discovered that she, too, had been reborn...

A chill ran down her spine. She couldn't allow that to happen.

"I'll go with you," he added suddenly.

Her fleeting sense of joy was instantly extinguished, as if doused by a torrent of icy water.

Nan Wan froze, her face draining of color. It felt as though she had been thrust from the warmth of summer into the dead of winter.

She struggled to find her voice, her words trembling as she spoke. "That's not... possible. My father—"

Her voice faltered, her thoughts a jumbled mess as cold sweat slicked her palms. She didn't know how to stop him, but one thing was certain: she absolutely could not let her father meet Huo Xunzhou.

His gaze darkened, his obsidian eyes a vortex of inescapable gravity, pulling her deeper into his enigmatic world.

Nan Wan lowered her head, retreating into herself like a frightened quail cornered with no escape. She looked utterly pitiful, a fragile creature teetering on the edge of despair.

Then, unexpectedly, a low chuckle broke the tense silence.

Startled, Nan Wan raised her head, meeting his dark, fathomless eyes.

"I was joking," he said lightly, as if unaware of the storm his words had unleashed within her.

Her lips twitched into a strained smile, her voice shaky. "Please don't make jokes like that. It really scared me."

He responded with a nonchalant hum, his indifference making it clear that her unease was of little consequence to him.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on her. Every moment spent in Huo Xunzhou's presence felt like navigating a treacherous tightrope—a precarious, nerve-wracking ordeal that drained her of all strength.

It wasn't until Nan Wan had secured her train ticket that she dared to call her father.

In her memories, her father had been a frail figure confined to a hospital bed, his face etched with lines of hardship, his temples streaked with gray.

Whenever he was awake, she would chatter endlessly, desperately trying to rekindle his will to live. She knew he hated being a burden to her, but he was her only family—her one and only anchor in this turbulent world.

Before her untimely car accident, her father had undergone a successful kidney transplant. There had been no signs of rejection, and the doctors had expressed optimism about his recovery. She had dreamed of a brighter future for them both, never anticipating the cruel hand fate would deal her.

She had memorized her father's phone number by heart, yet her fingers trembled as she dialed it, her heartbeat a wild drum in her chest.

She clutched at her chest, willing herself to stay composed. Finally, with a deep breath, she pressed the call button.

The dial tone dragged on endlessly before the line connected.

"Wan Wan, is something the matter?"

Her father's warm, familiar voice sent a pang through her heart, and tears threatened to spill. She quickly took a sip of water, forcing down the lump in her throat.

"Dad, I'll be coming home for the May Day holiday. Promise me you'll take care of yourself and stop going out to teach, okay?" she said in a rush, fearing her voice might crack if she lingered too long.

Nan Wenhui chuckled softly, his laughter filled with warmth. He agreed to her requests without hesitation, but she knew her father too well. He would promise anything to ease her worries, only to quietly resume his grueling work to provide for her.

"Just focus on your studies and don't worry about me," he said kindly.

"Okay," she replied softly. But as the line went dead, the emptiness that followed left her chest aching.

Hanging up, Nan Wan glanced at the business card in her hand, her resolve hardening. She had decided to take on a part-time job as a car model. If her father saw that she was capable of earning her own money, perhaps he would finally stop overworking himself.

After thoroughly researching the agency and confirming its legitimacy, she finally set her mind at ease.

Naturally, she kept her plans from Huo Xunzhou, offering only a casual excuse about meeting friends over the weekend.

True to form, he didn't object, his indulgence toward her whims as unfathomable as ever.

The car show venue was modest, and Nan Wan arrived early. Backstage, several young women were already busy applying makeup.

Her entrance caused a subtle ripple—a fleeting pause as everyone took notice of the newcomer.

Nan Wan offered a polite smile in greeting, but none of the others returned the gesture.

With her natural beauty enhanced by light makeup, she easily outshone the other women present, sparking an undercurrent of envy and comparison.

Spotting an empty makeup station in the corner, Nan Wan hesitated, unsure of how to proceed with the unfamiliar array of cosmetics.

Two makeup artists were bustling about, but one of them, noticing Nan Wan's hesitation, approached her with a warm smile.

"You're not used to makeup, are you?" the makeup artist asked kindly.

Blushing slightly, Nan Wan nodded, her shy demeanor instantly endearing her to the older woman.

"Well, don't worry. I'll help you," the makeup artist said, opening her kit with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you so much," Nan Wan replied gratefully, tilting her face up and obediently closing her eyes. Her long lashes fluttered lightly, like the delicate wings of a butterfly, adding to her ethereal charm.

Beneath the bright lights, her delicate face appeared flawless, not a blemish in sight.

As the makeup artist worked on Nan Wan, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly countless times.

She had applied makeup to many, but only now did she truly understand the meaning of "skin as smooth as cream, bone as pure as jade."

Nan Wan remained still, her neck slightly stiff from holding her head up.

Finally, with a soft, "All done," from the makeup artist, she opened her eyes. Her gaze resembled autumn waters, full of unspoken emotion.

Her eyes, naturally enhanced, brought the makeup artist immense satisfaction with the outcome.

"Take a look in the mirror."

Nan Wan turned her head slightly, and the reflection in the mirror revealed a young woman with eyebrows like crescent moons, eyes that seemed to cut through water, skin so pale it almost glowed with a hint of pink, lips parted just slightly, like a rose in its prime, exuding a tender, shy beauty.

"Thank you," Nan Wan said with heartfelt sincerity.

The makeup artist waved her hand dismissively, "You're naturally beautiful. Makeup is just the finishing touch."

At that moment, the manager walked in. His eyes immediately softened upon seeing Nan Wan, and he waved her over.

"Come with me."

Uncertain, Nan Wan followed, and the manager led her to the best car in the showroom.

"Stay here, don't move around, understand?"

Nan Wan nodded seriously.

Pleased with her attentiveness, the manager thought to himself that with such a gem as a model, the chances of selling the car had just increased. His gaze toward her now carried a hint of heat.

The outfit provided by the agency wasn't overly revealing, but Nan Wan wasn't used to exposing her shoulders. She adjusted the collar slightly, managing to cover more of her chest.

Standing at 163 cm, with heels on, she was close to 170 cm. The dress, cut just above her thighs, made it easy to accidentally expose herself, so she took small steps, trying to maintain her composure.

At 10 AM, the car exhibition began. Nan Wan stood by the car, her posture stiff and uncomfortable.

Unlike the other models who struck various poses, she stood straight like a student called up in class.

Her fresh, youthful appearance quickly drew the attention of everyone around.

Most of the attendees were men, and before long, a crowd had gathered around her.

At first, they discussed the car, but soon someone broke the ice and began speaking to Nan Wan.

Her cheeks flushed, unsure whether to respond or remain silent, she could only murmur in acknowledgment.

Once the conversation started, more people joined in, even asking for her contact information.

With a stern look, Nan Wan replied, "Sorry, sir. I'm just the car model," making it clear she wasn't offering any special services.

A middle-aged man with a beer belly, his smile oily, tried to take advantage of the moment by reaching for her hand.

Without hesitation, Nan Wan stepped sideways, evading his grasp.

Just then, the manager approached, his face lighting up when he heard someone was interested in buying a car. He quickly pushed Nan Wan next to the man, almost like a pimp with a sly grin.

"Explain the car to this gentleman."

The manager's push almost made Nan Wan lose her balance.

The man reached out, preparing to hold her.

Nan Wan braced herself against the car, her voice tight with frustration, "I can't explain it!"

The man's hand missed, and his awkwardness gave way to a hint of anger. "You're just here to sell yourself, stop pretending to be high and mighty."

The flash of a camera went off, blinding her for a moment.

Nan Wan bit her lip, the humiliation burning inside.

The manager stepped in, trying to smooth things over, almost forcing Nan Wan into the man's embrace. "Please, sir, don't be angry. She's young and doesn't know better. If you'd like, you can test drive any car."

Though the man still seemed angry, the moment his hand brushed against Nan Wan's exposed shoulder, he couldn't help but appreciate the delicate feel.

She was a treasure.

Nan Wan pushed away with all her might, but her strength was no match for the two heavyset figures standing before her.

In the public space, nothing too extreme would happen, but the feeling of being violated was enough to ignite her fury.

"Slap!"

A loud sound rang through the air.

Her hand still tingled as she stared coldly at the middle-aged man, who stood frozen, eyes wide with shock.

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

The man's hand lifted, preparing to retaliate.

Before it could land, a loud crash echoed through the hall as the man was suddenly kicked away.

He crashed to the ground, groaning in pain.