Liu Mingkun saw Huo Tianhao rummage out his lunch box and, with hands in his pockets, followed him to the cafeteria. "Brother Hao, the Golden Microphone semi-finals are tomorrow."
"Yeah," Huo Tianhao replied faintly.
"Yeah?" Liu Mingkun’s eyes widened. "That’s all you’re giving me? Come on, man, you can’t be like this. Are you really planning to die alone?"
Huo Tianhao frowned at him. "I know what you’re going to say. First, I’m not close with Ms. Xia. We just have an agreement for her to be my ’shield’ to turn down all sorts of blind dates. Second, she’s already in a relationship. So, what is it you want to tell me?"
Liu Mingkun pursed his lips. ’Ms. Xia Zhaoyun already managed to kiss you, so what are you still holding back for?’
’When did you ever become so talkative?’
’Explaining is just making excuses, and making excuses just means you have a guilty conscience, right?’
However, considering this old brother of his might not have gotten the hint yet, he smiled and slung an arm around Huo Tianhao’s neck.
Huo Tianhao grabbed his wrist and gave it a slight tug. Seeing the man standing on his tiptoes due to his lack of "altitude," he let out an unapologetic sneer.
Liu Mingkun blushed and pulled his arm back, obediently stuffing his hands into his pockets again. "Sigh, I was just thinking about that bastard Xu Weilin. I’m worried he’ll pull some strings for his new girlfriend and screw over my sister-in-la—"
Sensing the death glare from his boss, he quickly corrected himself. "I’m worried that someone as outstanding as Ms. Xia Zhaoyun will be overlooked. That’s why I’m inviting you, Brother Hao, to come supervise with me."
"Brother Hao, you don’t know that dog Xu Weilin. The moment he sees a beautiful woman, he’s completely rooted to the spot."
"You were the one who brought Ms. Xia Zhaoyun into the picture. If Xu Weilin sets his sights on her, won’t you have to take some of the responsibility, Bro?"
"That guy is full of dirty tricks. He might promise not to do anything shady on the surface, but if he wants something, he has a million ways to get it! From what I’ve seen, he’s interested in Ms. Xia Zhaoyun. There’s no guarantee he won’t try to manipulate her."
Huo Tianhao’s expression turned cold. "We’re all from the military compounds. Does he have no bottom line at all? Ms. Xia is seeing someone!"
"What’s the big deal?" Liu Mingkun shrugged. "Xu Weilin is a total playboy. He spreads his affection around to everyone. He doesn’t force himself on women; instead, he just pours his heart out and treats you incredibly well."
Having seen the fashions of future generations, she copied the styles she knew. For He Qingran, she had sewn a white, chic, Chanel-style blouse paired with a red, asymmetrical, knee-length skirt. Her hair was tied back in a half-up style, teased for volume at the crown.
The result was a harmonious blend of He Qingran’s dashing personality and her gentle features. Combined with stage makeup, her looks, which were normally a seven out of ten, blossomed into a perfect ten, exuding a unique charm!
He Qingran looked in the mirror and could hardly believe she could be so beautiful. Even standing next to a bare-faced Xia Zhaoyun, her presence wasn’t overshadowed in the least. She was, without any exaggeration, dazzlingly radiant.
Xia Zhaoyun wore a light blue mandarin-collar shirt paired with a navy blue, knee-length pencil skirt. The style was elegant yet featured subtle, clever details that confidently accentuated her figure and temperament.
Her hair was tied all the way up in a loose bun. With her makeup on, the intense Attack Power of her glamour was completely reined in, leaving only a dignified and stately aura. The determination in her eyes was a perfect match for the content she was about to broadcast.
Both of them were competing over the weekend, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
With no one to watch the kids, Xia Zhaoyun decided to just bring both of them to the Cultural Palace, and she and He Qingran would take turns looking after them.
Her three-year-olds already knew how to be vain, insisting on changing into new clothes, wearing their little backpacks, and putting on little straw hats.

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