As Ji Xia climbed in a warm scent mixed with Jiang Yanqin’s distinctive clean fragrance wrapped around her instantly chasing away the chill outside.
Uncle Jiang she said a little breathless and sheepish Have I kept you waiting I am sorry I had to sort out a few more things.
Jiang Yanqin turned to look at her. The dim light inside the car outlined his deep defined profile his expression unreadable.
Not long he replied his voice carrying that quiet weariness she had heard on the phone steady and calm.
His gaze lingered on her face still dusted with stage makeup for a moment heavy and intent and Ji Xia felt her cheeks warm up all over again for no clear reason.
She touched her face instinctively feeling awkward and reached for something to say. The trip must have been tiring Why did you come to the gala all of a sudden.
Just returning Principal Chen extended an invitation it would have been impolite to decline he answered simply signalling the driver to start then asked as if casually I saw you on stage earlier Why were you performing.
Oh that Ji Xia’s attention shifted at once and she told him the whole story It was like this they pushed me up there last minute I almost moved my hands and feet at the wrong time It was a good thing I only had to stand at the back.
She chattered on her eyes shining bright with excitement like stars caught in them.
Jiang Yanqin listened quietly without interrupting. His gaze rested on her lips moving quickly still touched with a little shimmer from the stage.
He remembered the whispers from the audience below Which department is she from She is so cute Her eyes are so bright.
Bright indeed Bright enough to make him want to keep all that radiance for himself and no one else.
You danced very well he said when she finished his voice dropping a little deeper and rougher.
Ji Xia blinked feeling flustered Uncle Jiang please do not tease me I was barely keeping up I was just filling in.
I am not teasing he cut in his tone unusually sincere You looked lovely.
Ji Xia’s face burned bright red Being praised so openly made her feel more exposed than standing under the stage lights and she mumbled softly It was mostly the dress that looked good.
Jiang Yanqin watched her trying to appear calm while clearly flustered a faint quiet smile touching his eyes The restlessness that had built up while he was away melted away easily because of her.
The car drove smoothly forward settling into a soft quiet broken only by the hum of the air conditioner and the faint sweet scent she carried.
Ji Xia felt the silence sitting heavy and tried to break it Where are we going to eat Uncle Jiang.
A private dining place The food is very good I think you will like it he paused as if remembering something and asked naturally Did you say goodbye properly to your friends before coming out.
Yes I did I told them you had just returned from a business trip and I had to leave Ji Xia answered earnestly I do feel bad about leaving them behind though I promised I would treat them next time.
Jiang Yanqin’s expression did not change as he spoke in the same easy tone There is no need to wait I have already asked Li Yang to contact your classmate and your group’s dinner tonight has been charged to my account.
He added simply Consider it a celebration of your first performance.
Ji Xia froze completely It took several seconds for the warmth to spread through her chest He thought of absolutely everything.
Uncle Jiang she spoke softly filled with gratitude You did not have to go to such trouble for this.
Jiang Yanqin saw the flush rising on her cheeks and the look in her eyes and felt a quiet satisfied sense of possession settle in his heart He liked seeing her like this He liked every feeling she showed because of him.
It is nothing at all he said in a steady reassuring tone that promised he would always stand behind her Enjoy the meal and let them enjoy theirs too.
He would make sure every single one of her friends had a wonderful evening The price was that tonight her time and her smile belonged entirely to him and no one else.
That was only fair.
The car turned onto a tree lined quiet road and stopped outside an elegant secluded courtyard.
Jiang Yanqin got out first and reached out his hand to help her.
Ji Xia looked at that hand long clean and well defined and hesitated He opened doors for her often enough but he had never reached out to help her down like this before.
Perhaps he was just being polite Perhaps he was worried she would trip in her dress.
She did not think too deeply resting her slightly cooler hand in his.
His palm was warm and dry closed gently around hers holding her securely as she stepped down then let go almost immediately as if it were the most ordinary of gestures.
But that brief contact carried a warmth and feeling that felt like a soft electric current passing between them making her heart skip a beat She tucked her hands behind her back her fingers curling slightly and stole a quick glance up at him.
Jiang Yanqin looked perfectly composed looking straight ahead guiding her toward the entrance with no sign of anything unusual.
Ji Xia looked away at once feeling foolish for letting herself imagine things He was just being a gentleman He was just making sure I did not fall How silly of me to read anything else into it.
She followed him inside The restaurant looked very modest from the outside but was beautiful and refined within a place that required membership and introduction to enter peaceful and beautifully designed.
The owner was in his early thirties dressed casually in clothes that were clearly expensive He smiled in familiar amusement when he saw Jiang Yanqin So President Jiang you have finally graced us with your presence.
His eyes fell on Ji Xia and his teasing expression vanished replaced by obvious surprise and curiosity He spoke to Jiang Yanqin while looking at her And who is this.
Jiang Yanqin kept walking glancing at Qin Xu with a look so calm it felt sharp enough to cut off all further curiosity.
In the brief moment as they passed and Ji Xia was slightly out of earshot he spoke low and sharply so only Qin Xu could hear Watch your mouth.
Qin Xu’s playful manner vanished instantly He understood immediately This girl was off limits and asking more would be courting trouble.
He turned to Ji Xia at once with a perfectly polite warm but not overly familiar smile Miss it is a pleasure to meet you Please come right in.