Ji Xia returned to Banyan Court, tied her apron and set to work in the kitchen. She simmered soup and prepped every ingredient with quick, capable movements. The whole apartment filled with warm, savory scents, alive with the comfort of home cooking.
Everything was ready. The soup bubbled gently on the stove and the dishes he liked were prepped and waiting only to be stir-fried fresh before serving. Evening drew near and city lights glowed beyond the windows.
Ji Xia picked up her phone. She typed and retyped her message before sending it at last.
Uncle Jiang, will you be home for dinner? I made soup and prepared a few dishes. I hope they suit your taste.
After sending she stared at the screen, her mind racing. He must be busy. Am I disturbing him? Is it too forward to ask him to come home on New Year’s Day?
Up on the top floor at Shenzhou Technology, the boardroom was thick with heavy silence.
Jiang Yanqin sat at the head of the table, his expression cold and unyielding. He tapped one finger slowly against the table. Senior executives sat with heads bowed and sweat beading on their foreheads. The project presentation they had worked on for days had just been torn apart by his sharp, unsparing questions.
Is this what three days of work produced? His voice was quiet yet cutting. Shenzhou’s resources are not for wasting.
No one dared breathe too loudly. Being called in on New Year’s Day was hard enough. Facing his full fury was far worse.
Then his phone lit up and a soft, special tone broke the hush. Everyone froze. Who would message him now? Did they want to make things worse?
Jiang Yanqin glanced at the screen and the icy stillness around him softened instantly. He gave the faintest, briefest smile. It was barely there yet against his stern face it was striking.
The executives exchanged panicked looks. He is smiling because he is furious. We are doomed.
Jiang Yanqin paid them no mind. He stood, walked to the window and answered the call. His voice was gentle, carefully steady as he spoke. Hello Ji Xia.
Oh Uncle Jiang, did I disturb you? It is fine if you are busy. I just wanted to ask. Her voice was soft and warm and settled something deep inside him.
You did not disturb me. I will be home soon.
Really? I will wait for you!
He set the phone down and turned back to the room. Everyone waited in dread. He picked up the report he had just criticized so harshly and handed it back. His tone was still cool but far less harsh.
Your approach is wrong. Rework it. I want fresh ideas by tomorrow morning. He looked around the room. Meeting adjourned.
The executives stared at one another completely bewildered as he grabbed his coat and left. They had no idea what had shifted but they were relieved beyond words.
Banyan Court
The moment Jiang Yanqin stepped inside he was met with warm air and the rich scent of food. The hallway lamp glowed softly and on the table sat the small potted sunflower she had bought.
From the kitchen came the sound of frying and the clink of utensils and her soft, quiet voice humming.
He stayed quiet and leaned against the shadowed wall watching her slender apron-clad figure moving busily about. She leaned in slightly as she cooked, strands of hair resting against her neck, her profile gentle in the warm light.
A surge of longing hit him so strongly it felt like instinct. He wanted to walk up behind her and wrap his arms around her and rest his chin on her hair and breathe in her scent and feel her warmth and ask if she had missed him just as any loving partner would.
His fingers curled and his throat tightened but he held back, his iron will keeping that longing in check. Just a little longer Jiang Yanqin. She will be yours.
Ji Xia turned off the stove and lifted the pan. She spun around and saw him standing there. Then her face lit up with a bright open smile.
Uncle Jiang! You are home! Dinner is ready. Wash your hands and come eat.
Her smile was brighter than the sunflower and lit up the dark places inside him.
Yes. He set his coat aside, his voice softening without him even noticing. Thank you for all this.