At Qin Xu, the place really was every bit to Ji Xia’s taste, just as Jiang Yanqin had said.
She’d been busy all day and barely eaten a thing, so by now she was positively famished. With such delicious food before her, that faint awkwardness vanished in an instant.
The prawn balls were golden and crisp-fried. Biting through revealed plump, springy fresh prawns coated in just the right amount of sauce. Ji Xia’s eyes lit up, and forgetting all about decorum, she ate with complete, single-minded focus.
Her cheeks were stuffed full like a little hamster hoarding food. Now and then she’d squint in satisfaction, completely unaware of the smudge of sauce at the corner of her mouth.
Jiang Yanqin barely touched his chopsticks, only sipping his tea now and then, his gaze resting calmly on her.
The private room was quiet. Only the soft sound of her chewing and the faint clink of his cup against the table could be heard. It was not an uncomfortable silence. Instead there was a strange peacefulness to it, as if all the hours he’d spent rushing from one thing to another had been for the sake of this moment, watching her eat with such ease.
Ji Xia took another chopstickful of steamed fish. It was tender, melting on the tongue. She ate utterly absorbed, until she became aware of a gaze fixed on her, so steady it was impossible to ignore.
She looked up and met Jiang Yanqin’s deep eyes. He had been watching her for who knew how long. His gaze was profound, like a whirlpool ready to draw her in.
Ji Xia paused, suddenly conscious of just how unladylike her eating had been, while he had scarcely eaten a bite.
A rush of mingled shame and embarrassment flooded her. She set down her chopsticks at once, her face flushing scarlet right down to the lobes of her ears.
“Uncle Jiang, please eat too,” she said, her voice soft and unsteady with shyness. “Don’t just watch me. Am I eating too messily?”
Jiang Yanqin’s dark eyes darkened for a moment, that deeper intensity fading into the familiar, gentle warmth of an elder. He gave the faintest smile, as if amused by her words.
“Not at all,” he said, his voice low with a quiet indulgence barely perceptible. “It’s a pleasure to see you enjoy your food so much.” He paused, then added evenly, “You’re still growing. Eat plenty.”
Ji Xia felt a warm glow inside. Uncle Jiang was truly kind, so thoughtful and considerate.
Relieved, she smiled shyly, though she did eat more carefully after that, in small bites, glancing up at him surreptitiously now and then.
And every time she looked, his gaze was still on her, sometimes her face, sometimes her hand holding the chopsticks. His attention was steady and calm, and Ji Xia’s just-settled heart began to race all over again.
She felt as if the room had grown warmer, and touched her hot cheeks with her hand.
Jiang Yanqin noticed the little gesture. His gaze deepened as he reached over and quietly filled her bowl with warm soup, sliding it toward her. “Drink some soup. Take your time. There is no hurry.”
When most of the dishes had been finished, Jiang Yanqin seemed to remember something. He took a small, exquisitely made velvet box from the inside pocket of his suit.
He set it casually on the table and pushed it toward her with long fingers, his tone matter-of-fact. “A client gave this to me. I have no use for it. See if you like it. If not, throw it away.”
Ji Xia stared at the elegant box, shaking her head. “From a client? It must be very valuable! Uncle Jiang, I cannot accept this.”
Jiang Yanqin looked at her, his expression calm. “It would only gather dust with me. Do young women not like these sorts of things?” He paused as she hesitated, adding in a tone almost like dismissing a minor inconvenience, “Or should I keep it to give to a girlfriend someday?”
He said it so naturally, with a touch of self-deprecation, as if having a girlfriend were something distant and even troublesome.
And those words struck right at Ji Xia’s heart!
She remembered what her father had said, that he had been deeply hurt, and her heart ached for him. He was such a good man, yet he might never have a normal relationship, unable even to give someone a gift. Refusing now would feel cruel.
“That is not what I meant,” she murmured. Before she knew it, her hand reached out and took the box. “Well… I could keep it for you? And give it back whenever you need it?”
Jiang Yanqin’s lips curved almost imperceptibly. What he gives, he never takes back. Someday? There will never be a day she needs to return it.
“Keep it then. Enjoy it.”
Ji Xia opened the box to find a delicate, beautifully designed diamond bracelet that caught the light, scattering bright, tiny sparks.
She knew little about luxury goods, but even she could tell this was extremely valuable, tens of thousands at least? Perhaps as she thought of who he was, a far larger figure crossed her mind. Could it be worth hundreds of thousands? Enough to buy a fine car or put a down payment on an apartment. And he was giving it away so casually?
Her fingers tingled at the thought and she tried to push the box back to him.
But Jiang Yanqin seemed to read her mind, and brought the matter to a close with quiet finality, gesturing for the bill. “All finished?” he asked, smoothly steering her attention away from the bracelet.
“Yes,” Ji Xia nodded quickly, closing the box and tucking it carefully into her backpack. Whatever its origin, she cannot keep something this precious. She will find the right moment to return it later.
Jiang Yanqin took his jacket and slipped it on, adjusting his cuffs as he asked casually, “Any plans for this evening?”
“I am meeting friends. We are going to the Riverside Square for the countdown! They say the fireworks will be wonderful this year!” She slung her bag over her shoulder, her tone bright with youthful anticipation.
Jiang Yanqin swallowed the invitation he had been about to make. He must not seem too eager. He had already done so much, picking her up, dinner, the gift. To invite her along would reveal too clearly how much he had planned this.
His eyes darkened, his feelings once again hidden behind a polished, composed mask. “Take care. There will be crowds.”
“I will, Uncle Jiang! Goodbye!” She waved and hurried out of the room like a bird set free.
The door clicked shut, cutting off the light and the faint scent of her.
A heavy sense of loss and restlessness settled over him. He had cleared his schedule, worked through sleepless days and nights, just to be back in time to see the New Year in with her. And he had had to play on her sympathy just to get her to dinner. Now she was gone.
His phone rang. He answered. “Sir,” came Li Yang’s professional voice. “The Cloud Viewing Deck is ready as requested. The champagne and your reserved wine are both breathing now. Anything else you need?”
“No,” Jiang Yanqin said curtly, and ended the call.