The car pulled smoothly into the underground garage.
Jiang Yanqin stepped out first and came around to open the passenger door. He leaned in and lifted the deeply asleep girl back into his arms. She shifted with a soft murmur seeking comfort against him settling only when her forehead rested against the cool buttons of his shirt.
The elevator rose quietly. In the stillness he could feel her breathing warm against his neck sweet and faintly scented with wine. The mirrored walls showed them clearly him tall and steady holding her small and curled close. His gaze lingered on their reflection darkening as he felt the soft curve of her waist and the warmth of her body through the thin fabric.
Almost as if spellbound he lowered his head his nose brushing gently against her warm ear his breath unsteady and hot. His lips were just about to graze her delicate pink earlobe when she stirred faintly.
He froze instantly and pulled back.
Jiang Yanqin you despicable thing he berated himself inwardly. Yet a darker thought rose unbidden If claiming her makes me a monster perhaps… it is a price I could bear.
Then sharp clear calculation took over. He foresaw every consequence. She would be frightened away. That was too high a cost. Not now. At least not yet.
The next morning Ji Xia woke wrapped in a familiar light scent and throbbing with a heavy headache. Fragmented memories rushed back bringing a wave of embarrassment the noisy room Fu Yichen the girl beside him the quiet glances the sweet fruity drinks that hit harder than expected.
After that everything blurred. She remembered crying… being lifted in someone’s arms… saying things she could not quite recall. Then one mortifying memory snapped sharply into focus clinging to Jiang Yanqin’s shirt teary and slurring I like Uncle Jiang… like I like my father.
Her face burned bright red and she pulled the covers over her head wishing she could vanish on the spot. How could you compare him to your father He must think you are utterly childish and foolish.
After ten minutes of gathering courage she crept toward the door praying not to meet him. He should be gone by now Aunt Liu always said he left early.
Her luck ran out. She stepped out and nearly walked straight into him standing tall in a crisp black suit holding documents about to head downstairs.
Ji Xia froze heat rushing back to her cheeks unable to meet his eyes. Good morning Uncle Jiang she whispered barely audible.
He paused looking at her calmly unchanged cool and composed as if he had not carried her home in the dead of night. He shifted his papers to his other hand his tone steady. Good morning Does your head still ache.
No it is fine she answered nervously wondering if she had imagined everything. Had she actually said those dreadful things or was it just a dream.
Aunt Liu has prepared something to help he said warm in the kitchen go and have some. His manner was polite concerned and properly distant exactly as an elder should be.
Thank you Uncle Jiang she said feeling awkward and uncertain. He must be tired of having to look after her.
He nodded stepping past her I have an early meeting the driver will take you.
She stood listening until his footsteps faded then let out a long breath. Relief gave way to a quiet unfamiliar ache. She shook it off firmly. Never again. No more drinking especially not over him.
Thinking of Fu Yichen brought a quiet heaviness. She realized now what she had felt was admiration for his success and a dream she had built around him rather than real love. The dream was over and it was time to move on. He had someone else and she would not linger or grieve unnecessarily.
She opened her phone found his name once pinned at the top of her messages and tapped to remove the special status. His name settled into the long list of ordinary contacts. A small hollow feeling lingered briefly then steadied into quiet resolve.
That chapter is finished.