The plane landed smoothly at Deep City Airport. Ji Xia’s heart thumped wildly as she walked along with the crowd craning her neck to look around eagerly.
Before she left she had casually mentioned her flight details to Fu Yichen on WeChat. He had not said whether he would come to meet her only replied travel safely.
Yet amid the bustling crowd at the arrivals gate the handsome face she had been hoping to see was nowhere to be found.
Just as her eyes fell in disappointment a tall figure moved steadily through the crowd and stopped directly in front of her.
Ji Xia looked up and froze.
The man wore a perfectly tailored charcoal grey suit. He stood tall and straight his bearing cool distinguished and commanding carrying the natural authority of someone accustomed to being in charge.
It was Jiang Yanqin.
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Ji Xia looked at the powerful figure before her and her mind drifted back instinctively. She had met Jiang Yanqin three times before.
The first time was when she was in eighth grade. A comrade of her father’s had come to visit. He was unlike the others quiet sitting upright on her sofa with a stern unyielding look in his eyes. Ji Xia had been a little afraid of him she was not sure why he simply felt like someone not to be crossed. Her father told her to greet him so she had politely called him Uncle Jiang and then hurried back to her room.
The second meeting was during her first year of high school. One evening she came home from school to find him sitting in their dim living room. His face was pale beads of sweat on his forehead one hand pressed hard to his abdomen his knuckles white his gaze sharp enough to cut. She had run back to her room in fright but then found herself bringing him the chocolate she had been saving and placing it on the coffee table before him. The next day the box was gone.
The most recent time had been her eighteenth birthday. He had been in North City for a business trip and stopped by their home. He had given her a limited edition music box beautifully made exactly the kind she liked. He had seemed very busy fielding calls constantly yet he had sat with her father for a drink and wished her a happy birthday. That time she had thought him almost gentle. Later when she had wandered tipsily into the garden looking for Senior Fu she thought it was he who had pointed her the right way.
It had been two years and he seemed different though she could not quite say how. More composed perhaps and his presence even more compelling. He stood there and it was impossible not to notice him.
Uncle Jiang Ji Xia pulled herself back to reality offering a bright polite smile. I did not expect you to come yourself. This is so much trouble I could easily have taken a taxi.
Jiang Yanqin stepped forward and took her suitcase from her hand naturally. I was nearby. There was a meeting close to the airport that just finished.
Thank you Uncle Jiang she said warmly careful to show every respect as a younger relative.
He began walking with her luggage and asked casually Were you waiting for someone just now.
Ji Xia grew instantly alert. Here it comes Father’s informant is on duty.
No not at all she said quickly. I was just looking at the signs because it is my first time here. We should go Uncle Jiang.
Jiang Yanqin glanced at her catching the flustered look on her face a faint almost imperceptible smile touching his lips.
His black Maybach was understated and luxurious inside carrying the crisp clean scent that clung to him. The car merged smoothly into traffic and after a quiet moment he spoke. Are you thirsty There are drinks in the console.
No thank you Uncle Jiang I am fine she answered politely.
Then his phone lit up on the dashboard with a call from Li Yang. Sir Gu from Zhongcheng is here.
Jiang Yanqin cut him off simply. I am driving call later. He ended the call his tone calm yet absolute.
Ji Xia felt a sudden pang of guilt as if she were holding up some enormously important deal. Please go and attend to your business Uncle Jiang she said. You do not need to trouble with me I can manage perfectly well.
He looked at her through the rearview mirror his gaze steady. It is not urgent. I promised your father I would see you settled.
The car eventually pulled into a highly secure riverside estate stopping outside a building with sweeping views. They took the elevator straight to the top floor. The entrance door was sleek dark grey and slid open quietly as he placed his finger on the access panel.
Ji Xia hesitated at the door wide eyed and hesitant to step inside.
Just then a smoothly designed lifelike robot glided toward her. Hello Miss Ji Xia welcome home. You must be tired after your journey. Would you like a tour of your new home.
Ji Xia jumped back in surprise pointing at the machine. It knows my name.
Jiang Yanqin set his suit jacket over the back of a sofa glancing over his shoulder. It knows everything about this house.
Ji Xia missed the deeper meaning in his words and was simply impressed. Did your company build this Uncle Jiang It is amazing.
He looked at her face bright with admiration and the sight pleased him greatly. He stepped closer stopping just far enough that she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his eyes.
Do you like it he asked quietly his gaze resting on her flushed excited cheeks.
Yes she nodded like a delighted child. I have seen things like this on television but nothing looks nearly so real.
She spoke with genuine admiration. Ji Xia had always known she was not the sharpest so she looked up to those who were especially someone like him who could create something so advanced.
A faint quiet smile touched his eyes. He tapped a few commands on his phone and said to the robot All permissions granted. Assist Miss Ji Xia with anything she needs from now on.
Can I talk to it and play with it she asked excitedly.
He watched her delight at something he had helped build and a soft warm feeling spread through him something he could not quite name.
Of course. Make yourself at home here. Everything in this house is yours to use.
Including me he added silently to himself his gaze lingering on her bright happy face her slender neck and for the briefest moment her soft lips before he turned away.
He said everything was hers to use but Ji Xia would never be so presumptuous. She was a guest and even with their families being close she knew how to behave. Still his kindness made her feel truly welcome.
Thank you Uncle Jiang she said with a genuine happy smile.
And beneath her gratitude lay a quiet thrill she was truly fascinated by the wonderful robot and could not wait to get to know it better.