A few intersections later, the two finally reached their destination.
The elderly gentleman Ji Jinyan had come to visit was named Elder Liu. Ever since Bisha was first founded, he had maintained a steady partnership with the company; both Ji Jinyan and her father had been well looked after by him over the years.
Keeping his kindness close to heart, Ji Jinyan always made a point to visit him during holidays and major festivals.
Today happened to be Elder Liu’s birthday.
Stepping out of the car, Ji Jinyan popped the trunk open and retrieved the fine wine and gift boxes she had brought along.
Remembering Ji Jinyan’s earlier jab about lacking manners, Li Wanqiu took the initiative this time before she could be prompted. Extending her hands toward her, she offered, “Let me carry them, President Ji.”
The title came out sounding stiff and clumsy.
Ji Jinyan glanced at her sideways, a flicker of amusement passing through her eyes. The morning sunlight had grown richer, spilling across Li Wanqiu’s fingertips and lending her neat nails a lustrous sheen that complemented her fair skin beautifully.
“All right, then,” Ji Jinyan agreed with a nod, not bothering with unnecessary polite refusals. Shifting the heavier gifts into her right hand, she passed the lighter bottles of red wine to Li Wanqiu.
“There,” she said. “Let’s head in.”
Elder Liu preferred peace and quiet, living in a sizable private villa well outside the bustling city center. The property was framed by a lush variety of flourishing flora, every corner tended to with meticulous care.
It was easy to see that the master of the house possessed a deep appreciation for life.
Following behind Ji Jinyan into the main hall, Li Wanqiu was soon introduced to a kindly, silver-haired gentleman.
Li Wanqiu greeted him in tandem with Ji Jinyan: “Elder Liu.”
“Ah!” Elder Liu chimed in, a beaming smile spreading across his face. “Xiao Ji is here again.”
“You always remember to drop by for every festive season.” Chuckling warmly, Elder Liu had the staff bring out tea and refreshments, gesturing for the two to sit before chatting leisurely with her. “Been busy lately?”
“Tolerably,” Ji Jinyan replied with a smile. “Business as usual.”
“Good, good.” Elder Liu nodded, his tone tinged with fatherly concern. “Do remember to take proper care of yourself, now.”
Pausing, his eyes drifted over to Li Wanqiu. “This young lady looks unfamiliar, I don’t believe I’ve seen her before.”
“A new hire,” Ji Jinyan introduced smoothly. “Today happens to be her first day on the job.”
“Her very first day and you’ve already dragged her out on errands?” Though well advanced in years, Elder Liu still retained a playful, youthful streak. Leaning in as though sharing a conspiracy, he asked Li Wanqiu with grandfatherly warmth, “Working under her, is it exhausting?”
At that, Li Wanqiu instinctively glanced toward Ji Jinyan.
Ji Jinyan happened to be watching her too. Showing no intention of intervening, she curled her lips into an intrigued little smirk, waiting to see how Li Wanqiu would handle it.
Hesitating for a fraction of a second, Li Wanqiu returned the elder’s smile: “It’s quite manageable, really.”
“President Ji is young, accomplished, and very approachable. There’s a great deal to learn from her.”
A textbook, immaculate corporate answer.
In the very next second, Ji Jinyan let out a soft chuckle.
Li Wanqiu glanced back at her in slight bewilderment, lowering her voice with hesitant uncertainty: “W-what is it?”
“Nothing,” Ji Jinyan murmured, reaching over to give her shoulder a gentle pat. “A promising future awaits you.”
Her fingertips carried that same subtle fragrance—identical to the scent lingering on her skin, wafting past with disarming elegance.
Li Wanqiu froze momentarily, turning her head away with a hint of awkward self-consciousness.
“Oh.”
Elder Liu’s wife had passed away years ago, and his children lived abroad year-round, seldom returning home. Ji Jinyan’s visit had clearly brought the old man immense joy.
“My daughter will be back later today,” Elder Liu said, glancing at the clock after they had chatted for a while. “Why don’t you two stay for lunch?”
“We’ll have to pass,” Ji Jinyan said with a polite shake of her head. “There are still unresolved matters back at the office.”
“I’ll come visit you again soon,” she promised, reminding him to look after his health before rising to her feet. “Happy birthday to you, and may every day bring you joy.”
“The same to you,” Elder Liu said softly. Knowing how demanding her schedule was, he didn’t push to keep them. With his hands clasped behind his back, he saw them all the way to the gate, watching their figures gradually recede down the tree-lined lane.
Near the end of the road, Li Wanqiu cast a glance over her shoulder and realized Elder Liu was still standing in the driveway watching them.
She paused, involuntarily raising a hand to wave back at the old man before whispering to Ji Jinyan, “He really seems reluctant to see you go.”
“He does,” Ji Jinyan agreed with a nod, turning back to wave along with her without breaking stride, a light smile on her lips. “It’s always like this.”
“Do you have urgent business today?” Li Wanqiu looked up at her. “Why not spend a little more time keeping him company?”
“I’d love nothing more.” Hearing this, Ji Jinyan turned her head to meet her gaze. “But his children wouldn’t appreciate it.”
Li Wanqiu looked bewildered. “Why?”
“They probably assume I’m driving a wedge between them and their father,” Ji Jinyan answered, casually passing a bottle of water to Li Wanqiu as she started the ignition. “I crossed paths with them a few times in the past, and it invariably ended on an unpleasant note.”
“On his birthday of all days, it’s best to steer clear of that drama.”
So that was it.
Li Wanqiu nodded, quickly reading between the lines. It was nothing more than typical insecurity: his children barely ever came home, yet seeing Ji Jinyan visit regularly to stave off the old man’s loneliness gave them a sense of crisis, making them suspect she harbored ulterior, scheming motives.
“How unreasonable can they get?” The more Li Wanqiu chewed on it, the more indignation welled up inside her. They were the ones neglecting their filial duties, yet they had the gall to cast blame on an outsider. “If they care so much, they should come home more often!”
“What kind of people are they?”
She rambled on, genuinely incensed. It was rare for her to say this much in front of Ji Jinyan—just like the previous night, she had turned right back into a prickly, puffed-up little hedgehog.
Ji Jinyan smiled, nodding along in mild amusement: “Indeed.”
“So dreadful. How could they behave like that?”
Her voice was thick with playful teasing, devoid of genuine irritation, sounding very much like an adult humoring a ruffled toddler.
Li Wanqiu realized how she sounded almost immediately. Casting a conflicted look at Ji Jinyan, she felt a flush of mild embarrassment and clamped her mouth shut.
Guiding the steering wheel into a smooth turn, Ji Jinyan eased the car into a parking space. “When there’s another opening, I’ll take you along to see Elder Liu again.”
With that, she pushed the door open: “Come on down.”
Li Wanqiu stepped out after her: “Where are we off to now?”
Ji Jinyan tilted her head as if in thought: “Hmm, there’s another birthday to celebrate.”
Li Wanqiu blinked in surprise: “Another one?”
“Just teasing.” Ji Jinyan let her intonation rise, amber eyes sparkling with unmistakable amusement. “It’s getting late. Lunch is on me.”
Li Wanqiu: “?”
Li Wanqiu felt slightly exasperated, but kept pace behind her nonetheless. Following Ji Jinyan through the restaurant’s revolving doors, she let the host lead them to a quiet table.
Remembering the mention of birthdays, curiosity got the better of her: “Do you memorize the birthdays of a lot of clients?”
Sweeping her hair over one shoulder, Ji Jinyan lowered her gaze to look over the menu. The movement revealed the elegant curve of her fair neck, where a delicate mole rested prominently against her skin.
She hadn’t seemed to anticipate the question, pausing briefly before offering a response. “Not just clients.”
“Anyone who matters, I remember.”
She smiled, leaning her chin lazily against her left hand, the faint upturn of her lips radiating an effortless allure.
It was an indescribable, understated sort of sensuality.
Ji Jinyan’s palate aligned surprisingly well with Li Wanqiu’s; every dish turned out to be delicious.
Rushed for time that morning, Li Wanqiu had only managed a dry piece of bread, so she was genuinely ravenous. Finishing her meal with contentment, a warm sense of comfort washed over her.
Ji Jinyan, on the other hand, had stepped away repeatedly throughout lunch to take phone calls.
A business of Bisha’s magnitude hadn’t blossomed overnight by pure chance; it took relentless effort and commitment from everyone involved, and Ji Jinyan—as its driving core—inevitably carried the heaviest burden.
Understanding her obligations, Li Wanqiu didn’t pry. She finished her meal quietly, and was just touching up her lipstick when Ji Jinyan returned to the table.
“All set?” Ji Jinyan asked.
“Yes,” Li Wanqiu nodded. “What about you? Would you like a little more?”
“I’m fine, had plenty.” Ji Jinyan smiled faintly. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Ji Jinyan had settled the bill in advance. The two walked out toward the street, but before they could reach the car, another ringtone broke out. Ji Jinyan answered, offering only a brisk confirmation: “I’m heading over now.”
It sounded as though her afternoon was completely packed.
Sensing this and unwilling to hold her up, Li Wanqiu offered proactively: “I can just hail a cab home.”
“Will you be alright on your own?” Ji Jinyan turned her gaze over.
Li Wanqiu shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”
“All right, then.” Ji Jinyan didn’t insist, nodding in agreement. Yet she made no move to leave right away; glancing down the sidewalk, her eyes caught sight of a candied hawthorn stall.
Since it was the weekend, the street was bustling with kids at play. Savvy to the business opportunity, the vendor had also added sugar figurines to the display. Business was booming, with children clamoring around the cart, each happily nibbling on their prize.
To Li Wanqiu’s complete surprise, Ji Jinyan stepped up and bought one.
“Here,” she said, offering it out.
“What’s this for?” Stunned, Li Wanqiu looked up at the woman before her. “These are for little kids.”
“It looked nice, so I picked one up,” Ji Jinyan said casually. “Consider it a reward for your diligent work.”
“What?” Taking a step closer, Ji Jinyan let out a soft, teasing laugh. “Do you want it or not?”
It was practically an open provocation, as if she were dealing with a petulant child.
Ruffled by the bait and refusing to be treated like one, Li Wanqiu snatched the sugar figurine from her hand and bit right into it on the spot.
A subtle sweetness bloomed across her tongue, it was undeniably tasty. Li Wanqiu met Ji Jinyan’s gaze, crunching down on the hard candy with deliberate, exaggerated loudness as she retorted with stubborn defiance:
“Who said I didn’t?”
“I’ll take it.”