Qin Xu led the way personally through a quiet corridor and showed them into an exquisitely decorated private room. The space was tastefully arranged and outside the window lay a carefully tended courtyard glowing in the night light creating an atmosphere that felt private and serene.
Please take your seats the dishes will be served shortly Qin Xu said then withdrew discreetly closing the door softly to leave them entirely to themselves.
Once out in the hallway Qin Xu leaned against the wall and let out a long breath He pulled out his phone and tapped quickly on the screen opening a three person group chat named Sleepless Tonight which included himself Jiang Yanqin and their childhood friend Liang Siyan.
Qin Xu Damn it Guys Something huge just happened
Qin Xu Jiang Yanqin brought a girl here Alive A real woman And she looks barely of age
Qin Xu Damn it He opened the car door for her and helped her out himself He would not even tell me her name Just warned me to watch my mouth
Qin Xu That girl is so pure looking And the way Jiang Yanqin was about her I cannot even describe it He is done for He has fallen hard no question
Qin Xu @Liang Siyan Get over here You will not believe this unless you see it for yourself
Qin Xu [Message withdrawn]
Qin Xu [Message withdrawn]
Qin Xu Forget I said anything I saw nothing I value my life too much
Qin Xu stared at his phone and pulled his messages back immediately caught in a fierce internal battle between the urge to share and the instinct to stay safe Self preservation won by a landslide.
He put his phone away with a determined look deciding to keep everything he had seen tonight to himself He would not breathe a word of this to anyone not until Jiang Yanqin gave him leave to speak.
Inside the private room Ji Xia looked around in admiration It is so beautiful here Uncle Jiang she whispered.
Yes Qin Xu has done well Jiang Yanqin replied evenly and passed her the menu See what you would like to eat.
His gaze rested on her face She still had traces of stage makeup about her eyes fine shimmer catching the soft light making her look delicately luminous more ethereal than usual.
Ji Xia took the menu and glanced through it her eyes widening slightly at the prices She handed it back obediently You choose Uncle Jiang I am fine with anything.
Jiang Yanqin ordered several dishes knowing what she preferred As they waited the room settled into a gentle quiet.
Feeling she should say something Ji Xia chose a safe topic Did your trip go well Uncle Jiang.
It did he replied taking a sip of tea His eyes rested lightly on her fingers curled slightly in shyness It just took longer than expected.
Longer than expected indeed He had left the moment his work was done turning down further engagements arranged for him His mind had kept drifting back to the small figure waiting for him at home.
Ji Xia had no idea what he was thinking She only noticed he looked tired and was about to say something comforting when her phone rang breaking the quiet.
It was a video call from her father Ji Xiangdong.
Her heart gave a nervous jolt She glanced instinctively at Jiang Yanqin across the table.
This feels exactly like getting caught doing something I should not be doing she thought even though all she was doing was having dinner with him.
She answered with a brave smile trying to look natural Dad.
Her father’s face appeared on the screen grinning broadly Xia Xia What are you doing Have you eaten yet Where is this place.
Ah I am out for dinner she said quickly.
With friends Boys or girls her father asked in his usual inquisitive way.
Just then Jiang Yanqin leaned forward naturally into the frame He spoke clearly and steadily to the camera Ji Xiangdong.
Ji Xiangdong paused visibly then broke into a wider smile Yanqin So Xia Xia is with you That is wonderful I could not be more at ease.
Ji Xia fell silent.
Of course I am at ease I trust you completely Xia Xia has not been any trouble I hope.
She is very well behaved Jiang Yanqin said his gaze resting on her gently with something that felt almost like the fondness of a caring elder.
Her father chatted a moment longer then ended the call fully satisfied The quiet returned to the room.
Ji Xia let out a breath but a strange feeling lingered This was perfectly proper a guardian taking his ward out to dinner So why did it feel so different after that call.
Was there something faintly tender and uncertain hanging between them.
She looked up at Jiang Yanqin He appeared entirely composed calm and dignified His appearance on camera had been polite his answers to her father thorough and reassuring.
Everything was exactly as it should be Which made her own confused feelings seem foolish and almost disrespectful toward him.
She pushed the thoughts away firmly feeling a little guilty with herself Ji Xia Uncle Jiang has been so kind to you How can you think such things.
Jiang Yanqin meanwhile seemed entirely unaware of her inner turmoil He picked up serving chopsticks and placed a plump prawn ball onto her plate.
Try this it is one of their signature dishes he said.
Elsewhere in the Ji family home Ji Xiangdong set down his phone looking thoroughly pleased.
His wife Wu Meiling frowned slightly and nudged him Old Ji Is it right for Xia Xia to be out so late I thought she was going out with friends I was quite worried.
Nonsense Ji Xiangdong waved his hand dismissively She is with Yanqin What is there to worry about Safer than being with a dozen friends.
Yanqin is a fine man a true gentleman Wu Meiling agreed then paused thoughtfully But Old Ji even though he has been injured he is still a man Could it be that he still has feelings in that way He might be keeping them to himself He is so attentive to our Xia Xia what if.
Stop right there Ji Xiangdong interrupted What on earth are you imagining Yanqin does this out of friendship for me He cares for her as a niece I know him well He is honourable and he knows his place Besides he sighed even if he did feel anything his pride would never let him speak of it or burden her with it Do not ever say such things again.
I know I know I was just talking Wu Meiling nodded quickly It is just such a pity though a man as good as him.