Transmigrated as a vicious stepmother, I raised a child who became a heartthrob.

Huo Wang found it hard to describe the feeling at that moment; looking at the other person was like seeing a savior, yet also like seeing a monster.

"What do you want me to do? Just give up that spot?"

Huo Wang didn't think the spot was worth that much money, but it was also possible that it was just a rich person's momentary entertainment.

"Okay, give me some of your work, I need to use it. Also, paint me about ten different pieces, and some of your previous sketches too. Got it, poor student?"

The other person seemed to be getting a little impatient, and their voice became somewhat high-pitched.

"Of course. May I ask how you would like to pay?"

Huo Wang had no other choice but to lower his head. He also put on a fawning and ingratiating smile, just like everyone else.

"A check. I advise you not to get any ideas."

The flimsy piece of paper was tossed on the ground, and the other person walked away, clattering in their leather shoes.

Huo Wangjian picked up the thin piece of paper, feeling so heartbroken he almost cried. His hands trembled uncontrollably, but he couldn't bear to crumple it up.

Thirty million.

He didn't tell his mother about this; he only said he hadn't passed the exam. Without saying anything else, the two signed a confidentiality agreement, completing this tacit cooperation.

The other party used some unknown means to go abroad, leaving Huo Wang with no choice but to find another way out.

Once you actually go abroad to study, you'll find that art students don't actually earn much; it's something only wealthy people can do. It consumes a huge amount of time and money. If you don't pursue postgraduate studies or go further, then that degree will be worthless, and all your previous efforts will have been in vain.

Perhaps the other party had spoken to him beforehand, but Huo Wang wanted to work in a related industry or do something like graphic design or modeling, but no one wanted him.

Huo Wang simply enrolled in a technical school, choosing car repair, a field with a large international reach. Why isn't color correction considered a form of art?

"And what about your mother? Has she recovered?"

Jiang Zhuhua listened to the story in silence. It was simple, yet it encompassed almost all of the other person's suffering.

"No, the surgery was relatively successful, but it recurred and metastasized later."

When Huo Wang talked about these things with someone for the first time, his eyes couldn't help but redden.

It was only when he was holding that box in his hands that he truly realized there was no one else behind him.

"But you haven't owed him anything. Your relationship was a transaction before, but it's not now."

Jiang Zhuhua knew almost without guessing that the painter Chen Sha was the original buyer.

She could guess what Huo Wang was thinking; it was nothing more than the fact that although the other party's money carried a humiliating connotation, it was, after all, money to save a life.

I will feel a little guilty.

Huo Wang's heart is gentler than his appearance suggests.

Jiang Zhuhua never thought that way. What's past is past, and a collaboration is a collaboration; it can't be brought up again for the next collaboration.

These things should not be confused.

Huo Wang remained silent, only slightly raising his head to look at her. The vulnerability in his eyes was clearly visible.

Perhaps he just wanted to find someone to rely on, to gain affirmation from others, or to need someone's help in making decisions in order to escape the subtle self-reproach and gain strength.

Jiang Zhuhua couldn't deny that his heart skipped a beat when he saw that look.

He was clearly a tall and imposing man, yet he was as fragile as a delicate blade of grass. It had nothing to do with his appearance; it was the fragility of his soul.

Do you need me to help you make a decision?

His voice was almost hoarse. For the first time, Jiang Zhuhua respected his inner impulse and wanted to give the other person some support.

Huo Wang didn't speak, but instead snuggled closer to the other person under the covers, gently putting his arm around their waist.

The two drew closer to each other, without the slightest hint of ambiguity, only a rare sense of peace.

My nasal cavity felt sore and my eyes were a little sore because tears were about to well up.

Huo Wang lowered his head, barely managing to suppress the urge to cry. He finally had the right to rely on someone again, and had a warm embrace.

It felt like I was no longer alone.

"Thank you."

Huo Wang spoke in a muffled voice.

"Wang!"

A clear bark came from outside the house, accompanied by the sound of a dog scratching at the door.

"Tiedan! Quiet."

Jiang Ji whispered, trying to pull the dog back, but then realized that the dog was actually very strong. Normally, she could only pull it, and it was completely at her mercy.

Jiang Zhuhua got out of bed, put on his slippers, and opened the door. Looking at the small figure still struggling with the dog, he sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

The white Samoyed barged in, not jumping onto the bed, but whimpering beside Huo Wang, as if to comfort him.

Jiang Ji stood awkwardly by the door, toes touching toes.

Jiang Zhuhua didn't think anything of it, and just smiled slightly.

"Tiedan, get out. Your father and I will be out in a bit."

Jiang Zhuhua didn't dislike dogs, but he didn't particularly like them either; he simply patted the dog's head gently.

An attempt to engage in dialogue with the other party.

Tie Dan lay on the ground, not moving an inch.

"Iron egg."

Jiang Ji leaned closer, called out softly, and grabbed the dog's hind legs, trying to drag it away.

Tiedan didn't bite; it just crawled up from the ground with its front paws. The two of them just kept struggling in that spot.

Huo Wang's sadness vanished instantly, and he could no longer lie in bed. He threw off the covers and sat up.

"silly dog!"

Tie Dan interrupted their pleasant conversation, and Huo Wang stopped calling the other person by name, instead gritting his teeth and calling him "stupid dog."

woo-

When Tie Dan saw that people had perked up, he immediately stood up, wagging his tail, clearly showing that he was very happy.

It barked softly, as if it wanted to spin around in circles.

Exhausted and speechless, Huo Wang pointed to the door, and Tie Dan tactfully left. Jiang Ji followed behind, quietly closing the door behind him.

"Stop overthinking. This matter needs to be resolved quickly, otherwise it will become a settled matter. I'll go take a look and contact that person."

Public opinion moves very fast. If we don't quickly refute the rumors or come up with a solution, they will be assumed to be true, regardless of whether they are true or false.

Since entering this industry, Jiang Zhuhua has understood that public opinion is a double-edged sword. The longer it drags on, the easier it is to be torn apart.

"I'm really impressed by that dog."

It's truly baffling. The two of them were lying in bed, enjoying a very cozy time. After Huo Wang regained his energy, he really admired that dog—why did it have to interrupt their sweet moment in this situation?

"This time, let me pursue you."

Jiang Zhuhua leaned against the hidden wardrobe, made a fist with his right hand, gently placed it to his lips, coughed, and then spoke.

"Ok?"

The topic changed so suddenly that Huo Wang looked over with a slight bewilderment. His hair was still a bit messy in the blanket, with a strand stubbornly sticking up, making him look particularly dazed.

"I said, I'm going to pursue you. This time, it won't be so easy to say goodbye."

Previously, because An'an couldn't accept it, the two of them got together hastily and broke up hastily, as if it were just a joke.

But now, An'an can accept that they can't be together so hastily again.

Jiang Zhuhua had her own set of standards. She had seen how much the other person had sacrificed for her. She admitted that she had feelings for him, but her love might not be as pure as his.

Her feelings were always hesitant and uncertain, so she couldn't give pure affection.

However, she will still choose to respect the other person's decision. Once she has chosen to be with them, she cannot continue to expect them to make sacrifices.

Sincerity is an essential element that must be demonstrated.

"I'll pursue you."

Huo Wang said with certainty.

Jiang Zhuhua gave the other person a questioning look, signaling them to continue.

“I was the one who coveted you first, and you’re so outstanding with such a high social status, I have to show you my sincerity.”

Huo Wang was equally persistent in pursuing her.

"Even when we weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, you were always very tolerant of me. During the time we were dating, you didn't look down on me because of my status or position. On the contrary, you were even more tolerant of me and even accepted my strange hobbies. With such a good person, what reason did I have not to pursue you?"

The other person rambled on and on, and Jiang Zhuhua felt that many of these things were unimportant, or even things she hadn't thought about. Yet the other person pointed them out one by one, as if she were exceptionally outstanding, a celestial being.