The whispers about rose's lack of talent and affectation of being aloof gradually gained traction, but Huo Rou paid them no mind. After posting that message, she never logged onto the account again. She was busy with the company's relocation, supervising the equipment transfer on-site every day.
Qin Feiwan held Huo Rou's design draft, wanting to say something in her defense but not knowing how to start. She could only speed up the production of Qin Ningyi's clothing.
It wasn't until a few days later, at the new product launch event for wan, a brand under Qin Group, that President Qin Ningyi appeared in a uniquely designed suit.
"This outfit is too unique! Why isn't it in next season's new arrivals? I need to get it!"
The new product launch was live-streamed online. Although Qin Ningyi only appeared once at the beginning, the barrage of comments consistently discussed his attire.
"It must be an international brand, right? After all, he's the CEO of Qin Group. Would he wear a small brand?"
"Please, this is a new product launch for Qin Group's own apparel brand. How could he possibly wear another brand's clothes and embarrass himself?"
"Don't you think this has our own cultural style? I saw ink bamboo on the suit under the lights just now! It's incredibly beautiful!"
"True cultural confidence! Kudos to the designer! Another rose is about to be born. The previous one can leave if she wants, let's clap!"
"Is it possible this is rose's design..."
"The person above got it right. Our Sister Qin personally supervised it."
Someone screenshotted the comments and posted them under Zhou Wu's Weibo, asking if this was rose's design. As for why they didn't ask rose herself? Rose's account was as good as fake; asking was futile.
Zhou Wu saw most of the questions regarding rose and promptly replied to the netizen.
"Zhou Wu: Mhm."
The comment from a few days prior was dug up, and people exclaimed they had been proven wrong.
Furthermore, someone dug up that the small account belonged to Wang Wanrou. Consequently, unflattering photos of Wang Wanrou being kicked out of the company and leaving the villa with a suitcase were all released.
Someone even investigated Wang Wanrou's school and discovered her design works. She had now been expelled from school!
The netizens pieced everything together and the truth became instantly clear.
So, it was jealousy.
Wang Wanrou's small account was now completely overrun.
Wang Wanrou, waiting for Wang Rong at the airport, saw the barrage of messages on her small account and trembled with anger, clutching her phone.
"Darling, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?" Wang Rong had been busy for the past few days and hadn't contacted Wang Wanrou. The moment he got out of the airport, he noticed Wang Wanrou's unhappy expression.
"Dad! Wuwuwu..." Wang Wanrou, finding her pillar of support, threw herself into Wang Rong's arms and burst into tears.
Wang Rong, who had always doted on his daughter, felt a pang of heartache hearing her cry so intensely.
"Tell Dad who bullied you, and I'll get justice for you!" Wang Rong comforted her.
On the way, Wang Wanrou recounted the events to Wang Rong, each word making him angrier.
"Qin Xingzhou told me everything would be fine, that he would take good care of you. How could they kick you out? Does their old lady no longer want my calligraphy?"
Wang Wanrou, sniffling, made excuses for Qin Ningyi. "It was that vixen, Huo Rou, who instigated it. I was fine at the Qin family's place, but that Huo Rou was ungrateful. Giving her money wasn't enough; she even stormed into the Qin family's house to smash things, which is why Big Brother Qin got angry."
"Every word you say is defending Qin Ningyi. Have you truly fallen for him?" Wang Rong could hear the defensiveness in his daughter's words.
Wang Wanrou's face flushed red as she nodded.
"There's an exchange event tomorrow. After it's over, I'll take you to seek an explanation," Wang Rong promised, patting his chest.
"Don't worry about school matters either. Since I'm here this time, I'll pay a visit to the Ren family. With my name, I should be able to ask the Ren family to help you find a good school in the country."
"Ah? But I like living abroad." Wang Wanrou didn't particularly like domestic education; it felt too restrictive.
Wang Rong stroked her hair. "Good darling, didn't you say you disliked fashion design? You only went to that school reluctantly because of Zhou Wu. Now that the school has expelled you over a misunderstanding, I don't even think much of such an institution."
"Don't worry, the Ren family has a lot of influence in education. They'll definitely help you get into a school you like."
Wang Rong spoke to himself, his mind already made up. The exchange event tomorrow was at the Ren family's hotel. He had to perform well and further enhance his reputation.
In the evening, Huo Rou finally completed the relocation of the entire technical department and arrived at the prime location in the city center.
Qin Ningyi waited downstairs. When he saw her emerge, his eyes were filled with warmth.
"Old Xiao has been stingy for so many years. It's rare to encounter someone as generous as you, giving away an entire building just like that?" Huo Rou had been busy with the technical department these past few days and was only now free to talk to him properly.
Qin Ningyi slung an arm around her, laughing heartily. He would be able to see Huo Rou more often from now on.
Of course, he clarified, "This is for you."
He had come to a realization. After all, his only remaining advantage was being "very wealthy."
Why not leverage it?
Once in the car, Huo Rou gave the hospital address. "Pick up Old Wang."
"He's recovered?" Qin Ningyi had heard from Huo Rou a few days ago that Old Wang was in the late stages of cancer, with no known cases of recovery.
Huo Rou frowned, her mood somewhat subdued. "No."
"Wuyou said his father has a research direction related to this, but the plan has a very low success rate. Since Old Wang is still in good spirits, we should let him see the world according to his wishes."
These words were essentially a death sentence. Huo Rou couldn't accept it, but she had to.
Old Wang himself had realized his condition wasn't good, which was why he strongly requested to be discharged so he could spend quality time with An An.
Seeing Huo Rou's low spirits, Qin Ningyi gently stroked her hair, offering silent comfort.
Then, he noticed things were developing in another direction and he needed to console himself as well.
"Old Wang, you'll stay at my place during this period, and you can help me walk Shenfeng every day." This was the first thing Huo Rou said upon picking up Old Wang.
Old Wang gave her a deep look, seeing the glistening moisture in her eyes. He suddenly chuckled like an old prankster. "I can go, but you have to serve me well."
"The food must be delicious and appealing to all senses, or I won't agree to this arduous task."
Old Wang's teasing words echoed in the car, and Huo Rou, relieved, smiled softly.
Upon entering the house, Old Wang immediately noticed the calligraphy he had given Huo Rou hanging on the wall. He nodded, appearing pleased with the decoration.
Huo Rou sent Qin Ningyi to prepare a delicious and appealing meal, as she had grown accustomed to his cooking and ordering him around these past few days. As Qin Ningyi entered the kitchen, he dragged her in with him.
He closed the kitchen door and pinned Huo Rou against it.
"Where do I sleep?"
He had been consoling himself all the way, believing Huo Rou wouldn't turn him away. But the moment Old Wang actually entered the room, he felt a surge of nervousness.
Huo Rou blinked. She had actually forgotten; this was a two-bedroom apartment, spacious but not as large as the house in the village.
She pondered for a moment, and under the man's intense gaze, inspiration struck. "Didn't you kick Wang Wanrou out? You can go back and stay there."
Qin Ningyi's expression froze. He looked at Huo Rou with aggrieved eyes. It was one thing to have him sleep with his son, but now she was directly kicking him out.
Huo Rou suppressed the glee of her mischievous act and averted her gaze. Qin Ningyi, annoyed, pulled Huo Rou closer and bit her lips as a form of punishment.
His hands were burning hot, pressing against her waist, trapping her from both sides, leaving her nowhere to retreat. Huo Rou softened under the heat.
"I don't care, I'm staying," Qin Ningyi said in a hoarse voice, stepping back two paces, resting his chin on Huo Rou's shoulder, and starting to act shamelessly.