Early morning at Don Mueang International Airport.
The VIP lounge had been cleared out, and the Mo Family’s private Bombardier Global Express jet sat quietly in its designated area.
Ruan Chaoxi wore a simple T-shirt and light-wash jeans, with canvas shoes on her feet and a backpack slung over her shoulders. Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail. Stripped of her glamorous dresses and jewelry, she looked nothing like the dazzling little princess of the Mo Family she usually was.
Her family surrounded her, offering their final words of advice.
Mo Xiaohan patted his daughter’s shoulder, his typically stern face showing rare, visible concern. “Remember, these three months are both your vacation and your lesson. Think twice in everything you do, and put safety first. If anything happens, contact home immediately. China may not be our territory, but no one from the Mo Family should ever be mistreated, no matter where they are.”
“I’ll remember, Dad,” Ruan Chaoxi nodded, her nose tingling slightly.
Ruan Xingchen’s eyes were red-rimmed as she gently pulled her daughter into an embrace, her countless words condensed into tender reminders. “Take good care of yourself. Eat on time, pay attention to the weather, and don’t stay up too late. We must video call every day—no disappearing. If anything happens, tell us right away. Be cautious when making friends… and stay away from boys with ill intentions.”
This last remark carried the universal worry of mothers everywhere.
Ruan Chaoxi hugged her mother back and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
Mo Jinchen remained his usual playful self as he handed Ruan Chaoxi a black card. “Here, it’s globally accepted with no spending limit. Have fun, but don’t actually pretend to be a poor student.” He winked at his sister. “If you run into trouble, dropping your brother’s name might not work anymore, but… money can still pave a few paths.”
Ruan Chaoxi took the card with a smile. “Don’t worry, brother. If it ever comes to ‘paving,’ I won’t hold back.”
Samia stood a little farther away, not stepping forward. He simply watched her quietly, his gaze deep, suppressing all turbulent emotions beneath a calm exterior.
Beside him stood his father, Savika, the former commander of the Mo Family’s armed forces in Myanmar. Though now retired, his authority still lingered. In his youth, he had been sharp and unruly; with age, he now exuded the pressure of long-held power.
Only when looking at this girl he had watched grow up did his weathered features reveal a glimpse of his former self.
“Be careful in everything. Xixi, remember, Myanmar will always be your backyard. If anything happens, look for your Samia-gege, or come directly to me.”
Ruan Chaoxi nodded. “I know, Uncle Savika.”
Lastly, there was Samia’s mother, Su Lixia.
Time and experience had given her a sharp beauty, but as she looked at Ruan Chaoxi, her eyes held the concern only those who had been through it could understand.
She gently took Ruan Chaoxi’s hand and led her aside, offering detailed advice.
“Xixi, Auntie knows you’re smart, but China, especially Beijing…” At the mention of her hometown, her voice faltered almost imperceptibly, and a complex emotion flickered in her eyes. “The social customs there are different from here. There are some things Auntie needs to remind you about.”
Ruan Chaoxi nodded earnestly. “Please go ahead, Auntie Xiaxia.””First, keep a low profile, lower still,” Su Lixia said with a serious expression. “True elites never flaunt who they know. Families with deep roots are the most wary of ostentation. So once you’re there, there’s no need to show off wealth, but don’t be overly frugal either—moderation is best.”
“Second, always leave room in your words and actions,” she continued. “Social relationships there are complex, with circles within circles. Be friendly with your classmates, but don’t open up too quickly. Don’t easily reveal your background, especially details about Southeast Asia and the family. If someone digs too deep, just smile and change the subject. People often view the unknown with caution, even prejudice.”
“Third, and most importantly,” Su Lixia squeezed her hand slightly tighter, “don’t easily offend anyone. Beijing is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers—you never know who might be behind an elderly gentleman riding a bicycle or an auntie in a hutong. Politeness never goes amiss; it’s always better to be courteous.”
These reminders contained no darkness or schemes, only genuine, practical survival wisdom and heartfelt care.
Ruan Chaoxi felt a warmth in her heart and squeezed Su Lixia’s hand back firmly. “I’ll remember, Auntie Xiaxia. Thank you.”
Su Lixia patted the back of her hand, glanced with a complicated expression at her silent son, then said gently to Ruan Chaoxi, “Sometimes, distance can help you see things more clearly than when you’re too close. Live well, and… feel deeply.”
It was almost time.
Ruan Chaoxi took a deep breath and hugged her parents and brother in turn. Finally, she paused in front of Samia.
Samia finally moved.
He stepped forward and took out a small ring. The setting was simple in design, with a tiny black diamond on the face.
“Wear this.”
Ruan Chaoxi extended her hand, and Samia slid it securely onto the middle finger of her right hand—the fit was perfect.
“This is made of the latest alloy material—waterproof, shockproof, and heat-resistant. It has a built-in positioning system with an independent satellite channel, impossible to damage or block through conventional means.” He held her hand with the ring. “Press the black diamond for three seconds to activate emergency communication, directly connecting to my dedicated line. No matter where you are, no matter when.”
He looked into her eyes, as if a thousand words were condensed in his gaze, but in the end, he only said, “Every night at nine, I’ll call you on time. You can also reach out to me anytime.”
This was almost the biggest concession he could make—giving her “freedom” during the day, but keeping the right to connect at night firmly in his grasp.
Ruan Chaoxi looked up at him, suddenly feeling reluctant. She nodded. “I’ll wait for your call every day, Miya.”
“Mmm,” Samia replied. He raised his hand as if to touch her face but stopped mid-air, finally just pressing lightly on the top of her head. “Go on. Three months—I’ll be waiting for you to come back.”
“Wait for me, Miya,” Ruan Chaoxi said, standing on her tiptoes to give him a hug—light and brief.
Then she looked around at her beloved family, smiled brightly, and waved.
“I’m off! I’ll miss you all!”
With that, she turned and walked briskly toward the private passage.
Mo Xiaohan and Ruan Xingchen stood side by side, watching their daughter.
Savika’s expression was solemn, while Su Lixia sighed softly and linked arms with her husband.Mo Jinchen walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the Bombardier jet about to take off, and handed Samia a cigarette.
Samia took it, lit it, and took a deep drag, the smoke blurring his sharp, cold features.
“Just letting her fly away like that?” Mo Jinchen set aside his usual playful demeanor, exhaling smoke rings, his gaze distant.
Samia didn’t speak, only stared as the plane taxied onto the runway, accelerated, and soared into the clouds, until it finally disappeared into the azure sky.
After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice unnervingly low: “I gave her the sky.”
“But if the kite string snaps,” he slowly turned his head, crushing the cigarette butt in the nearby ashtray, a turbulent undercurrent of obsession swirling deep in his eyes, “I’ll tear open the sky myself and bring her back.”
Fly, Xixi.
Go see the world you want to see.
But don’t forget, your kite string will always be in my hands.
Mo Jinchen saw the ruthlessness in his eyes and knew he wasn’t joking.
He stubbed out his own cigarette, patted Samia on the shoulder, and said, “Alright, I know how precious she is to you. Come on, have a drink with me. The next three months are going to be tough for you.”
The two men walked side by side out of the VIP lounge.
One flamboyant and unrestrained, the other cold and unyielding as a mountain—together, they formed the most solid foundation of this dark empire.
On the plane, Ruan Chaoxi took off the black diamond ring and examined it carefully in the sunlight streaming through the window. The diamond’s shimmering light was just like Samia’s eyes, which always reflected her image.
She put the ring back on, gazing at the shrinking outline of the Southeast Asian landmass below, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Her “ordinary” life had begun.