Hello, Mr. Major General

“Shaoheng, you’re going on a mission?” Song Jinning opened the office doors, and the first thing she saw was the small suitcase Huo Shaoheng was carrying. She then noticed a tall, handsome young man beside Huo Shaoheng who smiled at Song Jinning.

“Hello, Director Song. I’m the Chief’s subordinate.”

“The gown and jewelry I prepared for you are in this suitcase.” Huo Shaoheng set it on the ground and then introduced them. “Mother, this is Little Ning. He specializes in styling.” He then told Little Ning, “Create a good style for my mother. Try your very best.”

Little Ning smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, Chief. I can create whatever effect you want me to.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” Huo Shaoheng patted Little Ning’s shoulder and nodded with encouragement.

Song Jinning smiled at them and took the suitcase inside the room to get changed. Huo Shaoheng followed her inside because there were some things he needed to tell her. Song Jinning walked into the room and set down her suitcase to see that Huo Shaoheng had followed.

“What else do you need to tell me?” Song Jinning shut the door and assessed Huo Shaoheng top to bottom. “So, you don’t have a fever.” That meant he was purposely not attending.

Huo Shaoheng smiled but didn’t explain any further. He opened the suitcase to reveal the evening gown, jewelry, shoes, and bag inside. “Mom, tonight you’ll be the most dazzling guest at the Prime Minister’s inauguration.”

Song Jinning frowned slightly when she saw the coral mermaid evening gown that was as fluid as moonlight. “What do you mean? You need me to steal the spotlight in an event like this? What are you trying to do?!”

To Song Jinning, this was a matter of basic manners. For example, purposely dressing more beautifully than the bride at someone else’s wedding was the main trait and method of a cunning b*tch. Song Jinning would never deign to do such a thing.

Huo Shaoheng only said one thing. “Thanks to the Tans and the Cais, your son almost perished in the United States.”

Song Jinning felt her mind buzz instantly as a stream of blood rose from her chest—all manners and all rules were instantly out the window. Suddenly, she understood the intention behind Huo Shaoheng’s actions, why he lied about having a fever and would not attend the Prime Minister’s inauguration, why he made the effort of delivering the obviously expensive evening gown and accessories to style her.

Tan and Cai. Weren’t those the main characters at the Prime Minister’s inauguration today?! She clutched her chest suddenly and asked with apprehension, “What did you say?! Is it really true?!”

“You taught me to give as received. They have been plotting all this time and created such a big net to trap me. Of course I need to repay their kindness.” Huo Shaoheng’s tone was as normal as ever, just like he was talking about a trivial thing.

Song Jinning’s eyes instantly turned red. “Shaoheng, what do you need me to do? I’ll do whatever you tell me to.” Her voice shook as she reached out to grab Huo Shaoheng’s arm, but she only reached out halfway before dropping her head weakly. Her son was nearly 30, no longer the tiny boy from all those years ago.

“Don’t be sad, Mom. I already said that they’re not the only ones who know how to weave a net. I do, too.” Huo Shaoheng’s voice was slightly cool. “Also, my net is larger and more closely knitted, so once it’s tightened, there will be no fish escaping.”

Song Jinning looked at Huo Shaoheng with tearful eyes. Once again, she felt she wasn’t a responsible mother. When Huo Shaoheng had been born, his grandmother, Xie Ziyan, had raised him single-handedly. Afterwards, Song Jinning had an accident with an experiment, and his grandmother also passed away, so Huo Shaoheng needed to completely rely on himself. It was thanks to the heaven’s blessing that he could grow up to be the man he now was.

Huo Shaoheng smiled faintly as he got a tissue from the desk and passed it to Song Jinning. “Don’t be upset, Mom. I’m ok. Attend the Prime Minister’s inauguration tonight. I only hope that you can display all the brilliance you possess.” He wouldn’t give Song Jinning any pressure. He only wished for her to not conceal herself anymore. Gold should shine like gold, and diamonds should glitter like diamonds. Fish eyes should rest honestly and quietly instead of shamelessly masquerading as pearls. They shouldn’t think that everyone else was blind and wouldn’t see the truth.

…

After a while, Huo Shaoheng came out of the room and asked Little Ning to go inside to style Song Jinning. Little Ning nodded and walked in with a smile. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw a glamorous woman standing in the middle of the room. She wore a coral mermaid evening gown and glittered like a gem despite being bare-faced. It was like there was actual light shining from where she stood, and it was so brilliant, it dazzled his eyes.

Little Ning averted his eyes slightly and was so shocked by this woman’s beauty that his heart nearly stopped beating. There was actually such a stunningly beautiful woman in the word, and she was actually almost 50?! With such stunning beauty, Little Ning thought that his added touches would not only make her look like she was in her early 30s, but early 20s wouldn’t be a stretch! Walking in to take a closer look, Little Ning began to gush even more.

“Director Song, how do you care for your skin? I’ll test your skin’s age…” Little Ning was speechless when he read the data on the test paper. All he could say was that she had good genes that defied age. The test paper indicated that Song Jinning’s skin’s age was only 22 years old! Little Ning didn’t want to say anything more.

Pursing his lips, he used his livelihood’s skills to style Song Jinning. First he did her hair, then makeup, and lastly, skincare for her body. He studied her features. Typically, with Little Ning’s ability, it was a very simple thing to create a makeup look akin to “a plastic surgery effect,” but Song Jinning’s features were impeccable. Little Ning studied her for a long time, and in the end, he only cleaned up her eyebrows a bit. Aside from typical makeup like foundation, blush, and eyeliner, the only other major change he made on Song Jinning’s face was sculpting her eyebrows.

Huo Shaoheng waited outside for more than an hour before Little Ning finally walked out. He said to Huo Shaoheng excitedly, “Chief, can I ask Director Song about her health maintenance secrets if she has some free time in the future?”

Huo Shaoheng was speechless. The door behind him opened, and Song Jinning walked out slowly. In one stunning moment, the air seemed to stop flowing inside the room. Huo Shaoheng’s eyes sparkled as he gave Little Ning a thumbs up. “This is great, Little Ning! This effect is better than expected.”

“Actually, it’s because Director Song has a great foundation. I only did her eyebrows.” Little Ning looked at Song Jinning with a dreamy expression. She was his best work ever.

Huo Shaoheng walked over to tell Song Jinning and said, “Mom, it’s already past 6 pm. I’ll have Fan Jian and Little Ning stay back so they can take you over to the National Center for the Performing Arts. Take my car.” He left behind the pearly blue Bentley Mulsanne for Song Jinning to use and left the Institute of High Energy Physics alone with his Bentley Bentayga SUV.

After Huo Shaoheng left, Little Ning went downstairs to find Fan Jian. He saw Fan Jian standing dazedly in front of the pearly blue Bentley Mulsanne, so he patted his shoulder. “Little Fan, why are you spacing out?” He then glanced at the Bentley with admiration. “What a good looking car. This is Chief’s own car?”

“These are all Chief’s own cars.” Fan Jian gulped. “I’m actually driving a Bentley Mulsanne today.”

“Just look at your silly face! Don’t embarrass Chief today.” Little Ning was making a guest appearance as Song Jinning’s assistant today and would be going to the inauguration with her, so Fan Jian would be the driver.

…

Huo Shaoheng drove away from the Institute of High Energy Physics and called Yin Shixiong on the way. “Big Xiong, do you have plans tonight?”

Yin Shixiong was bored at home alone and was about to play online games. When he received Huo Shaoheng’s call, he was very happy and asked, “Chief, what fun are you up to?”

Huo Shaoheng smiled subtly, his voice light and confident. “Do you want to go see Qiqi’s house?”

“Qiqi? Ma Qiqi?” Yin Shixiong grinned broadly. “This girl is pretty interesting, but what is it? Chief wants to go?”

“Nianzhi is going to Ma Qiqi’s house for dinner tonight,” Huo Shaoheng said suggestively.

Yin Shixiong instantly understood. “Got it. I’ll ask Qiqi.” He ended the call with Huo Shaoheng and immediately sent Ma Qiqi a text to ask her directly, “Qiqi, I’m free today. Can I drop by your house to have some dinner?”

At the same moment, Ma Qiqi, Gu Nianzhi, and He Zhichu were playing poker in the game room on the second floor of her house. Her phone chimed to indicate she had a text. Ma Qiqi quickly glanced at it to see Yin Shixiong’s text, then picked it up to read carefully. Hmm? He wants some dinner? Ma Qiqi smiled and sent a big “OK” back.

Yin Shixiong got the reply and also smiled. He asked Ma Qiqi for her address and planned a time before he called Huo Shaoheng. “Chief, Qiqi said she’s inviting me for dinner.” He grinned and purposely didn’t mention Huo Shaoheng.

Huo Shaoheng didn’t mind at all. “Ok, I have a car, so I’ll drive you over.” He made it sound like Yin Shixiong didn’t have a car!

Yin Shixiong was stunned speechless and knew he could never prank Huo Shaoheng. Instead, he would “embarrass himself” in the process! “Chief, hurry and pick me up.” Yin Shixiong hung up, exhausted.

…

Ma Qiqi’s house was in the suburbs of the Imperial Capital and wasn’t too far from the Institute of High Energy Physics. Huo Shaoheng and Yin Shixiong only took half an hour to arrive at her front door.

“Brother Xiong, you’re here!” Hearing the car outside, Ma Qiqi ran out of her house. A silver Bentley SUV was parked on the side of the road by her door, and coming out of the car was not only Yin Shixiong but also Huo Shaoheng.