hollywood billionaire

Chapter 539 Winter Family Feast (Part 2)

Monday, December 12, 2016, 3:51 PM.

Today in New York, the temperature is around 44 degrees Fahrenheit, which is quite a relief compared to the previous two days when it plummeted to 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

The clear sky that briefly peeked out in the afternoon was now gradually swallowed by dark clouds. The sun, which was expected to set at 4:30, had long since disappeared. But for New Yorkers, as long as there was no biting wind or heavy snow, it was a rare good day in winter.

"Welcome back, everyone! This is Z100, the best pop music center in New York, and I'm your host, Christopher Rosas... What did you think of the Jingle Ball three days ago at Madison Square Garden? Oh my god, I still can't stop thinking about it."

"For those who missed it, the tour is still going strong. We're in Washington, D.C. today, Rosemount on the 14th, Atlanta on the 16th, and Miami on the 17th and 18th... If you happen to be in any of these cities during the Christmas season, or simply don't want to miss a great show by Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers, or Charlie Puth, there are a few tickets left on our website. They're very, very limited, so be sure to grab them while you can."

"Alright, enough chit-chat. Next up is a song from one of Jingle Ball's most popular performers. This girl is unstoppable right now, sweeping across the continent like a storm with one hit single after another, capturing the hearts of countless music fans—please welcome Madison Bill, 'Bad Things'."

Am I out of my head? Am I out of my mind?
If you only knew the bad things I like…
Before Han Yi could even start singing along, Zhao Youzhen in the passenger seat reached out and turned the volume down to the minimum.

"You've heard it so many times lately, haven't you?" Han Yi immediately guessed the real reason why Youzhen did this.

“Yeah.” Yuzhen pouted and nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. “I listen to it at work, I listen to it after get off work, and I listen to it on my way to and from get off work.”

"You're getting a good deal and still acting innocent," Han Yi teased his girlfriend, then glanced at the estimated arrival time on his phone screen. "We'll be there after just one turn. Double-check that we've brought everything."

"I already checked it." Youzhen pulled her feet inward, letting Han Yi hear the rustling sound of the paper bag being squeezed. "Everything is complete."

"OK, then... buckle up!"

"...At a speed limit of 30 miles per hour, I wouldn't be hurt even if I stood up."

"Hey, you just have to embarrass your boyfriend, don't you?"

With an exaggerated tone, Han Yi didn't look at Youzhen, who was covering her mouth and chuckling. Instead, he focused on maneuvering the Aston Martin, turning left at the end of Moses Lane and onto Perham Street, the unmarked asphalt street where the Madison family lived. He stopped on the gray shoulder about a hundred meters from Bill's mansion.

"Why don't you drive in?" Youzhen looked at him with some surprise. "McGrady said she has a parking space available at her house today."

Han Yi remained silent, but gently touched his lips with his finger.

"Oh."

Her tone was stiff, but her eyes were moist as if they had been immersed in a clear spring. Youzhen leaned down and gave Han Yi a light peck on the lips.

"Is that all right?"

"not enough."

"Bad guy."

The estimated arrival time was pushed back by two minutes before the two reluctantly let go of each other.

The reason Han Yi asked for a kiss before arriving at Bill's mansion wasn't because he was desperate... well, he was indeed a little desperate, after all, it had been a month since he last saw Barbara, and the young man's desire was burning brightly. However, this kind of inconsiderate intimacy was actually to send a message to Youzhen, to reassure her.

Although after entering Bill's mansion we could only revert to a business partnership, I will never forget who you truly are to me.

Han Yi believed that this approach would effectively soothe Youzhen, who had been somewhat anxious since last night, and would also significantly reduce the probability of an unexpected situation occurring later at Madison's house.

The final result did not deviate from his judgment. After that deep, tender kiss, Zhao Youzhen completely relaxed. She was radiant, and joy filled her eyes.

What Korean girls need is this sense of security—to be constantly remembered, cherished, and sought after.

I'm so good at this, hehe, let me put my hands on my hips for a bit first.

Wait... how could I be so familiar with this kind of scumbag's methods and tricks?
I think I'm... pretty innocent!

Yeah, it must be because I read too many harem novels on Qidian when I have nothing to do. It's corrupted this honest and simple boy.

That's absolutely right.

While stealing glances at Youzhen who was rushing to touch up her makeup, Han Yi mentally blamed the innocent online novel authors thousands of miles away for his own misdeeds. He stepped on the gas again, drove a hundred meters, then turned the steering wheel to the right, turning the car inward and driving into the space that Bill's family had specially reserved for their distinguished guests on the gravel road on the right side of the front yard.

"Ding--"

Stepping out of the sedan chair, Han Yi and Youzhen each carried a bag. When they reached the main entrance of Bill's mansion, Han Yi pressed the doorbell. Before the second "dong" rang, Madison's little face, filled with excitement and anticipation, appeared in his sight.

"Welcome home!"

Madison recited the lines she had prepared beforehand, lines that felt particularly meaningful and that she absolutely had to say no matter what. Then, following the route she had planned, she opened her arms and crashed headfirst into... Zhao Youzhen's arms.

"The world's best manager is here!" Madison nuzzled Yoojin's chest twice, shouting energetically.

"Good afternoon, McGrady." Youzhen paused for a moment, then flashed a sweet smile and affectionately patted Madison's head.

"Come in quickly, come in quickly!"

Madison quickly pulled away from Youzhen's embrace, glanced at Han Yi standing to the side, and casually beckoned to him.

"You too, boss."

Madison believed she had perfectly executed her acting, making it as natural and seamless as possible. However, Zhao Youzhen, being a woman herself, keenly noticed something amiss—Maddie hadn't stayed in her arms for nearly as long as they had during the genuine embrace. The Long Island girl also adopted a somewhat indifferent attitude towards Han Yi, avoiding any hint of impropriety. More importantly…

Madison, who had spent the entire day at home, wore tight-fitting athletic leggings paired with loose-fitting long wool socks, looking both relaxed and energetic. Her burgundy velvet sweatshirt was an oversized size, so much so that her left shoulder and part of her collarbone were "accidentally" exposed. Her bun hairstyle initially appeared effortlessly chic, but upon closer inspection, one could notice the carefully curled wisps of hair at her forehead and temples. When she snuggled into Madison's arms earlier, Yuzhen had clearly smelled the scent of shampoo, indicating that Madison had just washed her hair.

As for the makeup, Han Yi probably wouldn't be able to tell, but how could Zhao Youzhen not recognize the "no-makeup" makeup look? The base makeup is light and sheer, emphasizing the skin's natural glow. A light inner eyeliner is drawn, followed by lengthening mascara, making her fox-like eyes more beautiful and expressive. The blush and lip gloss are natural mauve shades, enhancing her complexion without looking overdone.

All of this is to create the effect of "I can just do this casually at home, but I still look beautiful".

In Chinese, we call this effect "pure desire." Who is it for?

What do you think?

Madison's first act of embracing Yoojin was a gesture of "I know my limits."

But such actions are precisely the most dangerous signal.

Add to that her quick glance and casual hook of the hand, which perfectly complement her seemingly casual yet meticulously chosen outfit, as well as her almost rigid enthusiasm for Yoojin, and it perfectly illustrates McGrady's little secret of wanting to attract the attention of her crush while being afraid of being discovered by others.

The artist and her manager have both fallen for the same man. On the surface, they remain very close, but a subtle rift has already formed between them that is difficult for outsiders to detect.

This was precisely the situation that Youzhen was most worried about and least wanted to face. It was the culprit that had kept her tossing and turning in the guest room until dawn yesterday, unable to fall asleep.

"Reed, buddy!"

While Youzhen was still standing there somewhat dazed, Han Yi had already stepped into Bill's front hall. The first to greet him was Madison's younger brother, Reed.

At the height of his rebellious phase, Reed deliberately projected an aura of "don't bother me." His hairstyle was a meticulously styled, tousled perm; the short hair appeared casual, yet possessed a natural fluffiness and curve, with a few strands of bangs casually falling across his forehead. A gray-black flannel shirt was loosely open, revealing a plain black T-shirt with an abstract spray-painted pattern underneath. He wore dark jeans with distressed, ripped knees. Of course, the most eye-catching and crucial fashion item was undoubtedly his enormous Beats Studio headphones. The headphones faintly emitted a powerful rock drumbeat, suggesting that he was immersed in his own world before Han Yi rang the doorbell.

So classic.

When Han Yi was in his teens, although he didn't listen to this much rock music or dress this much punk, his adolescent bravado of "I am a one-of-a-kind genius in this world, none of you mortals can understand me" was exactly the same.

"Hey, Yi!"

Upon seeing Han Yi, a smile instantly appeared on his face, which had previously been expressionless and even carried a hint of aloofness typical of adolescence—a smile that was somewhere between shy and familiar.

His parents had teased Han Yi about this the last time they met. Red-Bill was usually quiet and reserved at home, always looking at everyone with a deadpan expression, barely saying a word all day. He only became slightly more cheerful in front of Han Yi.

Han Yi understood that this was how teenagers expressed their respect for people they admired.

For Red, who experienced all of Madison's journey, it is truly admirable that his sister, who was sent home dejectedly from Los Angeles with her luggage, spent her days huddled in her bedroom sobbing and even climbed onto the roof one night to try to jump, has become the dazzling and sought-after supernova she is today.

"Robert, Tracy."

After bumping fists with Reed, Han Yi turned his attention to Mr. and Mrs. Bill, who arrived a few steps later. He shifted a few inches to the left, making room for Youzhen, who had regained her senses, and then nodded and smiled at them. The reason he addressed them by their first names was because the title "Mr. and Mrs. Bill" included the word "former." After the divorce, Tracy Bill hadn't reverted to her original surname, so to show respect and closeness, Han Yi deliberately changed his overly polite habit of addressing acquaintances by their surnames.

"Lorian! It's so good to see you again."

As for why he called Madison and Reed's grandmother, Lorian Allen, by her first name, it was simply out of affection. Lorian wasn't just stylish in her appearance; her thoughts and actions were also trendy. That retro yet fashionable coolness made her a well-known figure among the older generation in the Hamptons community, and also one of her granddaughter's closest friends. Naturally, Han Yi also felt a strong liking for Lorian.

"Me too, dear."

After embracing Han Yi with that ever-calm smile, Lorian raised her right arm, which was covered in accessories and made a metallic clanging sound with the slightest movement, and stroked Zhao Youzhen's cheek, her smile widening.

Good afternoon, my sweetest little pie.

"Good afternoon, Grandma." Yoo-jin chose a different form of address than Han Yi, not because she was distant from Lorian. On the contrary, every time Yoo-jin met Lorian, she was reminded of her grandmother who lived far away in Seoul, which unconsciously stirred up feelings of longing in her heart.

"Good girl, good girl." Only in front of Youzhen would Lorian show this rare, kind smile. Holding the Korean girl's hand, she looked her over with satisfaction for a while. Then, noticing the prying eyes of the others around her, Lorian felt her persona was starting to crumble. So she cleared her throat, took a step back, and rubbed the sunglasses hanging around her neck with her right hand, reverting to her cool, mature woman persona.

"Come on, guys, why are we all standing here? Let's welcome our guests in!"

Following Lorian, who turned nimbly and took the lead, Han Yi and Youzhen sat down in the living room they had visited before. It maintained the elegant and casual style of French eclecticism, with the overall space using large areas of soft, warm milky white as a base, as if enveloped in a soft light, instantly isolating the gloom of winter outside. The soft texture of the velvet sofa made Han Yi, who had just driven for an hour, instantly feel a little sleepy. With the arrival of the holiday season, this already comfortable space was decorated even more warmly, filled with a strong family atmosphere.

The most eye-catching feature, of course, is the enormous Fraser fir Christmas tree standing in the corner of the living room, almost touching the high ceiling. Although Christmas trees are not a Jewish tradition, in the United States, many secular Jewish families, like Christians, buy Christmas trees to add a festive atmosphere to their homes, and Bill's family, being very secular and showing almost no trace of traditional Judaism, is no exception.

Upon closer inspection, besides the usual gold and red glass spheres that refract a soft glow, there are many more handcrafted items and unique ornaments that bear personal touches: several slightly childlike angels made of beads and macaroni are masterpieces from Madison and Reed's kindergarten days, appearing every year on Bill's Christmas tree. Several small crystal apples imprinted with "MadisonNY" record Madison's affection for her hometown, souvenirs she bought before her first trip to Los Angeles. And the miniature gold record-shaped magnetic chuck is a new item Tracy Bill specially commissioned this year to celebrate Madison's first number-one single.

The wooden shelf above the fireplace was also meticulously decorated, adorned with a wreath of evergreen spruce branches, wrapped with tiny strings of lights and adorned with several red pine cones and golden bells. In the center of the wreath hung a childhood photograph of Madison and Reed, their smiles wide and innocent, seemingly radiating joy that permeated the entire room. On either side of the fireplace, in the corners, sat two vintage red metal candlesticks—essential decorations for Hanukkah celebrations in Jewish homes, and perhaps the only remaining symbol of Bill's Jewish identity. The electric candles emitted a warm, flickering light, mirroring the crackling of the real fireplace flames, casting orange-red shadows onto the creamy white walls like a constantly shifting, warm mural.

The air is filled with the crisp scent of pine, subtly mingled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked red velvet cake and the rich fragrance of hot cocoa. Sight, smell, hearing, and even the sense of belonging to home evoked in memory are all subtly awakened and gently enveloped by these thoughtful decorations. All these subtle details work together to dispel the winter chill and imbue this stylish mansion with a simple yet touching warmth—an irreplaceable comfort of home.

"What would you like to drink?" Tracy didn't go to the living room with the others; her voice, accompanied by the clinking of cups and plates, drifted from the kitchen. "Coffee? Mint tea? Hot cocoa?"

“Choose hot cocoa.” Lorian pointed at Yoojin, then at her own chest. “I made it myself.”

"Okay." Yuzhen placed her hands on her knees and nodded obediently. "Thank you."

"Give Youzhen a cup of hot cocoa!" Lorian called out, then looked at Han Yi, "Hot cocoa?"

"I can't drink it." Han Yi shrugged. "I can't eat any chocolate products, it gives me a headache."

"What?" Lorian's eyes widened, looking incredulous.

“You heard me right.” Madison’s gaze shifted between the two of them, and she added with a smile, “Yi is like a puppy; he’ll die if he eats a piece of chocolate.”

“Okay, I’m sorry you can’t taste the most delicious cocoa ever made by humans… but okay.” Lorian raised an eyebrow and leaned back completely into her personal armchair.

“It’s alright, Yi. Trust me, you haven’t missed too much.” Robert Bill, the nominal head of the family, patted Han Yi on the shoulder. He ignored Lorian’s disgruntled rebuttal and continued to greet the guests with a smile, “Yi, Youzhen, I would like to formally welcome you to… well, our home. Thank you for taking the time to visit us. This is definitely the most anticipated family gathering of the Bill family this winter.”

“It should be our honor, Robert,” Han Yi replied politely. “To be honest, this is the first time I’ve stayed in the United States during Christmas… sorry, it’s the holiday season.”

“It’s okay, say whatever you want.” Lorian scoffed and waved her hand. “We don’t do that kind of political correctness in our family.”

“Okay, Lorian,” Han Yi replied with a smile. “This is my first time visiting someone’s home during Christmas, and I believe it’s also Youzhen’s first time, right?”

"To express our gratitude and to share the festive spirit with everyone, we have prepared a gift for each of you."

(End of this chapter)