Chapter 323: Uncontrollable desires
The crowd outside the stadium was still buzzing even after Hua Jing was safely whisked away by Fu Jingrong. The fans, though visibly saddened by her sudden departure, carried a bittersweet glow on their faces.
"She really came out to greet us!" one fan cried, clutching her light board with trembling hands. "I thought I’d never see her again in my life, but today... today I saw Hua Jing with my own eyes!"
"I recorded everything! Look, look!" another shouted, showing shaky footage on her phone, her voice breaking between sobs.
But among all the excited chatter, a common complaint kept repeating itself.
"If only Fu Jingrong had stepped out too! Ahhh, can you imagine? The husband and wife standing side by side in front of us? It would’ve been perfect!"
"Forget it," another sighed, wiping away tears of joy. "You all know President Fu. He’s too aloof, too cold. Just the fact that he let her get out of the car already shows he’s giving us face. Don’t be greedy."
"Yes, yes, you’re right," someone else chimed in, though her eyes were still filled with longing. "Still, I would’ve fainted on the spot if I saw him."
The laughter, the tears, the hoarse voices of fans refusing to leave—even as the couple’s car sped off, the feverish energy lingered in the night air.
Online, the scene erupted into wildfire. Within minutes, multiple hashtags shot to the top of the hot search list:
#HuaJingIsBack
#HuaJingGreetedFans
#OurRedRoseReturns
#FuJingrongLurkingInTheCar
Comments poured in by the millions:
> "I was there! I saw her smile with my own eyes! She’s even prettier than before!"
"Do you all realize this is her first public appearance since the accident? This is HISTORY."
"Fu Jingrong, you’re too cold! Why not get out and wave?!"
"I don’t even care anymore, Hua Jing is back. The entertainment industry can start breathing again."
"Lin Qian looked so good next to them earlier. Please let them all collab again!"
The internet was in chaos, reporters flooded media sites with clips, and fans who had not attended the ceremony wept in regret.
Meanwhile, inside Blue Entertainment’s headquarters, the atmosphere was nothing short of suffocating.
Mao Li, the company’s chairman, sat in his leather chair with his face darkened like thunderclouds. His desk phone had not stopped ringing since Hua Jing’s brief reappearance. Scripts, endorsements, drama invitations, even overseas offers—they all wanted Hua Jing.
Not Hua Ling.
Not anyone else.
Only Hua Jing.
Every time his secretary rushed in with a new call, Mao Li’s jaw tightened further.
"President, this is another big drama director. He says if Hua Jing agrees, they’re willing to—"
"Hang up!" Mao Li snapped, slamming his palm on the desk. The poor secretary trembled but obeyed.
Mao Li leaned back, his mind churning with bitter memories. He still remembered that night vividly—the night Hua Jing’s brakes failed and her car slammed against the lamppost. He was among the first informed, the one who had to rush to the hospital, the one who saw her mangled body wheeled past the emergency doors.
The doctors’ voices still echoed in his ears: "The chances of survival are slim. Even if she lives, waking up... is unlikely."
He had believed them. He had counted her out, struck her name from future plans, and shifted everything onto Hua Ling. Business was ruthless—there was no time for sentiment.
And now?
Now she had not only survived, she had returned more dazzling than before. One appearance, and the entire Blue Awards ceremony had been overturned. Fans walked out, the awards lost their shine, and the company’s golden goose—Hua Ling—looked pale in comparison.
The betrayal stung like acid.
"How dare you come back..." he muttered under his breath, his nails digging into the armrest. "After everything... how dare you come back."
His secretary carefully asked, "President... should we release a statement to congratulate her return?"
Mao Li’s face twisted. He wanted to spit curses, but he forced his lips into a tight smile. "Congratulate? Hmph. Watch closely. Let the fans scream for her now... but let’s see how long she can stand on her own. A flower without roots will wither sooner or later."
Inside Blue Entertainment, chaos brewed. Departments argued over shifting resources, managers whispered about whether Hua Ling’s position would collapse, and assistants hurried through the hallways with panicked expressions.
...
Lin Qian had left the award show earlier than most. The chaos, the flashing cameras, the endless screams of fans—she didn’t want to be caught in it again. She had already done her part on stage, already given her blessing for Hua Jing and Fu Jingrong to stand in the spotlight they rightfully deserved. Tonight wasn’t about her. It was their night.
The drive back to her home was surprisingly quiet. She lowered the window halfway, letting the cool night breeze wash over her face. A rare lightness tugged at her chest—freedom, perhaps, or maybe relief. The fans had gotten what they wanted. The truth was no longer so blurry. And she? She could finally breathe a little.
Her home was in one of the most coveted suburban neighborhoods of the capital. The kind of place where security was tight, silence was prized, and every villa was a fortress of luxury. As soon as she pulled into her driveway and stepped out of her car, her heart had already settled into the comforting rhythm of routine.
She slipped off her high heels by the entrance, humming softly, her lips curved in a faint smile. But before she could take more than two steps inside—
A strong hand suddenly grabbed her wrist and yanked her back.
Her body slammed against the wall with a muffled thud. For a moment, she thought the back of her head would collide with the hard surface—but instead, it landed softly against a pair of arms already braced behind her to cushion the impact.
Before she could react, a searing kiss pressed against her lips.
Her eyes widened. The heat, the dominance, the familiar taste—she didn’t need to see his face to know who it was.
She struggled instinctively, pressing her hands against his chest, but the man was too strong, too unyielding. He only deepened the kiss, claiming what he wanted until he finally pulled back. His lips curved into a satisfied smirk as he licked the corner of his mouth, as if savoring her.
"You jerk!"
