It was ten o’clock on New Year’s Day. Ji Xia opened the door softly and slipped into Jiang Yanqin’s spacious, quiet penthouse apartment.
The place was still and silent.
“Aunt Liu? Uncle Jiang?” she called out gently, testing the air.
No one answered.
A pang of guilt for staying out overnight crept up on her. She changed into slippers and tiptoed toward the master bedroom door, which stood slightly ajar.
She pushed it open just enough to see inside. The bed was perfectly made, not a single wrinkle in sight, cold and untouched. Clearly no one had slept there.
Her heart sank. She turned to the sleek, silent service robot that always appeared when least expected.
“Good morning, Miss Ji Xia,” the robot glided over, its electronic eyes glowing soft blue.
“Why is no one home? Where is Aunt Liu? Did Uncle Jiang come back last night?” she asked quickly.
“Aunt Liu went on leave yesterday evening and will return tomorrow morning,” the robot replied in its steady tone. “The master did not return home last night. According to the schedule, he went directly to the company at six fifteen this morning to handle urgent matters.”
Ji Xia froze. “Six fifteen on New Year’s Day?” Her guilt swelled into something deeper, warm and aching with concern. Had he not rested at all? Could he not even take New Year’s Day off when he was already injured so badly?
She made up her mind. She would do something for him. At the very least, he should come home to a warm home-cooked meal on the first day of the year.
She might not be able to do much else, but cooking was something she was good at, something she had inherited from her father Ji Xiangdong.
Years ago, her father had earned his place in an elite unit not through combat skills but through his extraordinary cooking. He had risen through the ranks all the way to the kitchen of the most important department.
Yes, her quiet, dependable father was a legend in the logistics team. He could flip a wok so sparks flew and make soups that warmed you to your very core. And it was through feeding everyone that he had formed such a deep bond with Jiang Yanqin. After all, who could say no to the man who quietly slipped you an extra bowl of hot broth after a long, dangerous mission?
Thinking of it made Ji Xia smile. It was such a strange, lovely contrast, both funny and heartwarming.
Back in her room, she took off her coat and noticed her backpack on the table. The expensive bracelet was still inside. It did not feel safe to carry it around while going out.
She took out the box and opened it once more. The fine diamonds glowed clear and bright, the design simple yet exquisite.
“I wonder how much this really cost,” she murmured.
Curiosity got the better of her. She took photos from every angle and ran them through shopping apps. Some returned nothing. Others showed similar-looking pieces for wildly different prices, none quite matching.
She searched for “ultra-fine diamond bracelet minimalist interwoven design” and found everything from cheap trinkets to luxury pieces, but nothing exactly like hers. She even looked closely at the clasp and found a tiny, unfamiliar maker’s mark. Searching that brought up nothing.
Finally she took a close-up photo and sent it to Huang Yuhan, her best friend who knew luxury brands best. “Help me figure out what brand this is. Someone gave it to me.”
Her friend replied right away. “Wow it is stunning! Such a unique design. I do not recognize it though. It is not one of the usual big names. Could be a very small independent designer or a vintage piece from an old European workshop. It looks incredible but I cannot tell you the price.”
If even her well-traveled friend could not identify it, Ji Xia gave up. She decided it must be a rare custom piece, made specially as a gift, which was why no listings matched. She tucked it deep inside her bedside drawer, determined to return it when the right moment came.
With that settled, she pulled out a notepad and began planning dinner. He preferred light flavors and Cantonese cuisine. He also needed nourishing food to help his body heal. She made a list of fresh ingredients and herbs and set off for the market in high spirits. The sun was bright and she was going to make him something warm and heartfelt.
Carrying her bags of fresh food, she passed a shop window and slowed down. People were picking out gifts for their families. She thought of the bracelet and knew she wanted to give him something in return.
But what do you give someone like him?
A tie felt too personal. A wallet? He used understated, high-quality pieces far beyond what she could afford. A watch was completely out of the question.
She wandered along and stopped at a quiet boutique for men. In the window, resting on dark velvet, were several pairs of cufflinks. They were not loud or flashy. They carried a quiet, undeniable elegance.
“Cufflinks,” she whispered.
That was perfect. Not too intimate like a tie, yet refined and practical. They suited a man who always wore tailored suits. And they were within her budget, the nicest thing she could possibly give him.
She took a breath and stepped inside. The lighting was soft and the sales assistant greeted her warmly, treating her with full respect.
“Hello, I would like to look at cufflinks,” Ji Xia said.
“Certainly. May I ask who they are for? Do you have a preference for material or style?”
“For an elder,” Ji Xia chose her words carefully. “He is quiet and dignified. He likes simple things with good quality. Nothing too showy.”
The assistant brought out velvet trays. “These would suit him well. Classic four-hole or chain-link styles work beautifully for business wear. Platinum or white gold with black onyx, white agate, or small diamonds are understated and luxurious.”
Ji Xia’s gaze passed over the elaborate designs and settled on one pair. They were sleek platinum rectangles, polished so smooth they shone like mirrors. No carvings, no extra decoration, just fine beveled edges catching the light with cool, quiet brilliance. They felt solid and substantial in her hand.
This is exactly him, she thought. Quiet and unassuming yet precise and strong.
“I will take this pair,” she said.
“You have excellent taste,” the assistant said, putting on gloves to show them. “Platinum is timeless. It goes with everything and never goes out of style.”
The price tag made her wince a little. It cost nearly her entire monthly allowance. But she thought of the bracelet and how kind he had been to her. It was worth it.
“I will have them. Please wrap them beautifully.”
The assistant placed them in a deep blue velvet box and tied it with matching satin ribbon. It looked lovely. Ji Xia held it gently, though a little doubt crept in. Compared to his collection, these must seem like child’s play. He would probably put them away in a drawer and never wear them.
But that did not matter! She smiled, bright and determined. It was the thought that counted. Even if he never wore them, he would know how grateful she was. That was the real gift.