Volume One, Chapter 40: Are You Angry?

Ye Sheng, feeling guilty as a thief, almost instinctively stood up. She never imagined she would run into Huo Lintong here, and of all times, it had to be just as Mia was returning her lunchbox... Truly, one should never do anything they’ll regret.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be in such an awkward predicament now.

With her head lowered, Ye Sheng searched the floor as if looking for a crack wide enough to crawl into and hide herself.

In truth, it wasn’t that surprising to encounter Huo Lintong here—after all, this was an academic conference focused on leukemia. Since Huo Lintong happened to be in the capital, and given Director Ji’s tenacious personality, he would have moved heaven and earth to persuade Huo Lintong to attend.

In the realm of research, Huo Lintong was the true powerhouse—a real summit that others could only look up to.

Ye Sheng didn’t have long to stew in her embarrassment. The moment Huo Lintong appeared, a crowd immediately gathered around him. Everyone spoke at once, voicing their admiration, but Ye Sheng found nothing about it exaggerated.

People like Huo Lintong were born to be admired.

It wasn’t because of his family background.

Within the scientific and academic community, Huo Lintong was always a formidable yet enigmatic figure—so low-key as to be nearly invisible, yet every research achievement he unveiled was of world-shaking significance.

There were even articles stating: “With Huo Lintong’s emergence in the medical world, that daunting global problem of leukemia finally has a direction for resolution—we’ll avoid at least thirty years of detours.” He was, in every sense, a leader.

In fact, few people knew anything about Huo Lintong’s origins, unless they deliberately went digging...

Take Ye Sheng, for instance—she ought to know, but neither her brother nor her third brother ever mentioned it to her.

Of course, she had never asked either.

Ye Sheng vaguely sensed that Huo Lintong didn’t much want to be associated with the Huo family.

Yet for the Huo Corporation to possess so many patents and remain at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry year after year, Huo Lintong’s contributions surely played a decisive role.

—

The conference lasted all morning. Huo Lintong shared generously, detailing the current state of international research on leukemia, recent breakthroughs from their own lab, and more.

Ye Sheng listened intently, taking notes, gaining a wealth of insight—even finding inspiration for her own paper, her pen moving swiftly.

During the meeting, Director Ji even singled her out. Ye Sheng had only just returned to the country, yet she’d already been appointed director of the Hematology Department at Haici Hospital—a position bound to attract curiosity and even some resentment.

But as a direct disciple of Professor Herman, with numerous patents and research awards to her name, she was more than qualified for the role.

When the meeting ended, Ye Sheng saw Huo Lintong once again surrounded by a crowd. She snapped her notebook shut, ready to make a quick escape.

She shot Mia a desperate look: Let’s go!

But she had barely taken two steps when someone called out, “Ye Sheng.”

Resigned, Ye Sheng squeezed her eyes shut, tempted to feign deafness but not daring to.

“Why are you running off so quickly?” Director Ji pulled her back. “Let’s have lunch together.”

“I’ve got a consultation this afternoon,” Ye Sheng replied.

“We’ll just eat something simple in the school cafeteria—it won’t make you late.”

Ye Sheng was about to protest when she caught Huo Lintong’s gaze, a smile playing around his lips... There was no escape; she could only face him bravely.

The medical university’s cafeteria was famous for its delicious food. Ye Sheng hadn’t eaten there in ages. She hadn’t felt hungry at first, but the familiar aroma that greeted her at the entrance made her eyes light up.

Suddenly, a voice sounded at her ear: “Is the cafeteria food that good? Is my cooking that bad?”

Ye Sheng’s scalp prickled with tension.

The senior fellows had gone to fetch food, so now it was just the two of them.

Seizing the chance, Ye Sheng immediately apologized. “I’m sorry.”

Huo Lintong raised an eyebrow. “Sorry for what?”

With her head bowed, Ye Sheng adopted a guilty posture. “I... misunderstood your good intentions... and gave your food to someone else.”

A low chuckle came from above her head.

Ye Sheng looked up abruptly, meeting Huo Lintong’s beautiful, smiling eyes—amber and earnest, without a hint of teasing or reproach, only gentle warmth.

“Was it because you were angry with me that you wouldn’t eat the food I brought?”

Caught out, Ye Sheng’s face burned with embarrassment. Only now did she realize how childish she had been.

“No,” she mumbled.

Huo Lintong smiled again, his voice softer than ever. “So you were upset?”

Head lowered, Ye Sheng admitted in a whisper, “...Yes.”

Huo Lintong reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone turning serious. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. That was my mistake. Will you do me the honor and come over for dinner tonight? Xiao Bei’s been asking about you.”

His sincere apology left Ye Sheng at a loss, suddenly feeling shy.

“All right,” she agreed, her eyes brightening. “Chicken noodle soup—would that be okay?”

Huo Lintong smiled; there was nothing he wouldn’t agree to.

“Of course.”