“You two know each other?” asked a middle-aged man in his forties sitting to Liu Yijing’s left.
“Yes, we were on the same flight today. We even sat next to each other.”
“What a coincidence. That must mean you two are fated to meet,” said Liu Yijing’s brother, President Liu, with a meaningful tone.
President Jiang looked surprised as well. After agreeing with a nod, she took a moment to introduce everyone at the table to Jiang Qing.
As she had mentioned earlier, most of the people here were senior executives from her company. Only President Liu was an outsider, though he was considered a potential investor. He had also brought his younger sister, Liu Yijing, along.
After everyone sat down, the conversation flowed naturally, as they were all familiar with one another. The topics were no different from usual.
They talked about which plots of land the government planned to redevelop, which companies had started paying overdue taxes after hearing rumors, and other business matters that Jiang Qing could almost understand but not quite.
Her mind didn’t really connect with the world of business, so she quickly lost interest in the discussion.
No one paid much attention to her, so while the others carried on with their confident speeches, she focused on eating.
Whenever her eyes met one of the executives in the middle of a passionate explanation, she responded with a sincere look of admiration, as if to say, “You’re amazing.”
The executive would immediately soften, giving her a kindly, almost doting look in return.
While reaching for a piece of steamed lily root with egg tofu, Jiang Qing happened to glance across the table and lock eyes with Liu Yijing, who looked equally uninterested and idle.
The moment their eyes met, they both understood.
Yes, they were both just here for the free meal.
President Liu eventually noticed the quiet exchange between the two of them, who had clearly been left out of the serious business talk.
He shifted slightly, adjusting his belt over his round stomach, the fine lines on his face twitching as he said, “Xiao Jiang, how old are you this year?”
Jiang Qing put down her chopsticks and responded politely. “I’m twenty-five.”
“Yijing, aren’t you also twenty-five this year?” he asked, turning to his sister.
Liu Yijing nodded.
“And what do you do for work?” President Liu asked Jiang Qing.
“I’m an actress.”
“That’s great,” President Liu said with genuine enthusiasm. “Actors make good money, and they’re famous. If President Jiang’s company ever needs a spokesperson, she can just hire her own sister. That way, she can save the advertising fees too.”
Jiang Qing smiled calmly. “If my sister ever needs it, I would be happy to help for free.”
President Liu found himself liking Jiang Qing more and more.
She had excellent manners, carried herself with grace, and had a strong, impressive presence—exactly the kind of Alpha aura people admired.
He said, “Since you two young ladies look a bit bored, why don’t you take a walk outside? We’ll be talking for quite a while.”
Jiang Qing had no objections. She and Liu Yijing left the private room side by side.
The hotel was elegant but dull. Other guests and staff were moving through the halls, which made things a bit inconvenient. So they decided to take a walk outside in the garden instead.
As they stepped out, the rich colors of the setting sun flooded the sky. The night breeze was crisp and carried the coolness of early autumn.
“I can’t believe we’re meeting again so soon. What are the chances?” Liu Yijing said.
“Yes, sometimes the world feels very small.”
They strolled over to a Baroque-style bench and sat down.
“Did you know our families are planning a marriage alliance?” Liu Yijing asked.
Jiang Qing blinked. “What?”
She thought for a moment. President Liu seemed cultured and gentlemanly, but he was old enough to be her sister’s father.
Her mind was a mess as she tried to find the right words. “Has your brother stayed single because of work?”
“What?”
Liu Yijing blinked in confusion, her thoughts circling in a full loop before she realized what Jiang Qing meant.
This was a huge misunderstanding.
She couldn’t help but laugh as she looked at Jiang Qing. “My brother’s twins are already ten years old.”
“Oh. I see. Sorry, I misunderstood,” Jiang Qing replied. “So the engagement is between…?”
“My brother did marry for business reasons,” Liu Yijing said jokingly, “but bigamy is illegal. Otherwise, I’m sure he’d try to form alliances with several more companies.”
She added, “This time, it’s me. Our family business has mostly operated overseas, but now we want to expand into the domestic market. A marriage alliance with a major firm like the Jiang Group would be the best and fastest way.”
“You and my sister actually seem like a good match.”
One was cheerful and lively, the other calm and reserved. In terms of personality, they were opposites, which made them complementary.
Liu Yijing burst out laughing. “Are you serious or just pretending to be clueless? How could I be the one marrying President Jiang? The engagement is supposed to be between you and me.”
Jiang Qing looked at her with a helpless expression. “I already told you. I’m not interested in romantic relationships.”
Liu Yijing was still smiling, but the light in her eyes faded slightly. She looked at Jiang Qing for a long moment.
The breeze played with her hair, and the fabric of her chiffon dress rustled softly.
The light from the streetlamps stretched her shadow out behind her, making her look a little lonely.
A quiet sigh disappeared into the wind.
“How did President Jiang manage to raise you to be this innocent? People like us, born into wealthy families, don’t get to decide who we marry.”
Jiang Qing had never really thought about that before.
President Jiang had never mentioned anything about marriage alliances. Jiang Qing assumed it was because she didn’t believe in using marriage as a business tool.
In fact, if President Jiang did believe in such things, she would probably offer herself up first before anyone else. She was that much of a workaholic.
Noticing that Liu Yijing was starting to shiver, Jiang Qing said, “The night breeze is getting stronger. Let’s head back inside.”
Liu Yijing nodded silently. Her eyes were unfocused, fixed somewhere in the empty air. A quiet sadness surrounded her, and she remained silent the entire walk back.
When they reached the door of the private room, Jiang Qing paused with her hand on the handle. She didn’t open it right away.
Still lost in her thoughts, Liu Yijing almost bumped into her. She looked at Jiang Qing with confusion.
The lighting in the hallway was dim, but Jiang Qing’s eyes were still clear and bright, full of focus and calm.
Jiang Qing turned her head slightly to look at her and said with quiet seriousness, “You know, we have to become our true selves first, before we can be the version of us that others expect to see.”
The days without work passed quickly.
If she really counted, Jiang Qing had not spent much time with President Jiang. Her sister was always busy. Her position alone meant she could not afford to spend too much time by Jiang Qing’s side.
Although they technically lived under the same roof, it felt more like two tenants sharing a space. They each handled their own affairs and rarely interfered with one another.
Even so, when it came time for Jiang Qing to leave, President Jiang still found it difficult to let her go.
“Why don’t you talk to Director Chen? Tell him you want to stay a little longer. Maybe go back next month instead.”
“By next month, filming will already be finished.” Jiang Qing smiled. “Once I’m done and have nothing else scheduled, I’ll come spend time with you.”
“Alright.” President Jiang handed her the suitcase.
She was still a rational and mature Alpha. She knew that personal feelings could not be placed above work responsibilities.
But as she watched Jiang Qing walk farther away, she stayed in the same spot, unmoving.
Just before going through security, Jiang Qing turned her head as if she sensed something. She smiled behind her large sunglasses and waved her hand.
President Jiang smiled too and raised her hand to wave back.
See you again.
She said the words softly in her heart.
The Shujing Film Base was located in the suburbs, not far from the airport.
It only took thirty minutes to get there by taxi.
When Jiang Qing arrived, He Shu was already waiting outside to greet her.
Jiang Qing glanced toward the entrance and asked curiously, “Why is it so loud by the main gate today? I could hear all the noise from inside the car.”
He Shu replied, “The production team arranged a fan visit today.”
“Then I must be late,” Jiang Qing said.
“What?” He Shu paused for two seconds. “Qing, you don’t actually have fans yet.”
“That’s not true. I do. Haven’t you seen my fan page? I have a few fans who really like how I look.”
He Shu didn’t have the heart to bring her down, so she pulled out her phone and pretended to scroll through the page.
“You’re right. I see them. You definitely have some fans. It’s just too bad they were all busy and couldn’t come today.”
“Since there are photographers at the fan event, and everyone else is getting pictures, if my fans see that I don’t have any, they’ll probably be disappointed.” Jiang Qing looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, “There are probably some media reporters here too. I should go walk around outside so they can take more photos. Later, they can upload them online.”
He Shu smiled. “You really know how to make the most out of every opportunity.”
At the gate, a sharp-eyed young fan spotted Jiang Qing first.
It was one of Song Qin Ning’s loyal fans. In her eyes, Jiang Qing was the woman trying to stir up drama around her idol.
She quickly turned to warn Song Qin Ning. “Qin Ning, Jiang Qing is here. I’m sure she’s trying to use you to get attention. Stay away from her.”
Song Qin Ning was in the middle of signing posters and banners for her fans. She looked up when she heard the warning.
A tall and beautiful Alpha was walking in their direction.
Her chin was lifted slightly, and her dress swayed around her legs like waves with every step. She carried herself with a proud confidence, like a small peacock ready to show off. It almost felt wrong that she wasn’t walking with two bodyguards behind her.
Song Qin Ning couldn’t help smiling slightly.
The next moment, she remembered where she was and quickly adjusted her expression.
She lowered her head and continued signing. Her cool face softened with a gentle look as she said, “Don’t worry. If she does anything wrong, I won’t ignore it.”
Her fans were immediately charmed.
She’s so kind.
They would always protect Song Qin Ning, the best person in the world.