Ji Xia took a slow breath her fingers trembling with quiet excitement as she opened the conversation.
Fu Yichen: Ji Xia have you arrived yet Something urgent came up at the lab today and I could not get away I am sorry I could not meet you at the airport.
She typed back quickly keeping her tone light and understanding. It is quite alright Senior Work comes first I am all settled in already.
His reply appeared almost immediately. Are you getting used to the dormitory.
My father was not comfortable with me staying in a dormitory so I am staying temporarily at a family friend’s home Everything is fine do not worry she sent. She held her phone feeling a quiet hope rise wondering if he would ask more about how she was getting on.
The typing indicator appeared at the top of the screen and her heart beat a little faster. Yet his reply caught her by surprise.
Fu Yichen: A family friend’s home.
Fu Yichen: Are you sure it is not inconvenient staying in someone else’s house all alone.
The question felt abrupt. Ji Xia blinked and replied honestly It is perfectly fine Uncle Jiang is very kind he has been a close trusted comrade of my father’s for many years I am quite safe.
The mention of Uncle Jiang seemed to change something. The typing icon lingered on screen for a very long time so long she wondered if her connection had frozen. Finally a message appeared its tone stiffer and strangely different.
Fu Yichen: Ji Xia you must be careful living away from home. Even with people you know through your father keep your guard up and protect yourself.
Ji Xia frowned reading the words. There was something uncharacteristically severe in his tone and beneath it a faint unspoken hostility toward Jiang Yanqin she could not understand. This was not the gentle polite Senior Fu she knew. Why would he be so wary of someone her father trusted so deeply.
A faint sense of unease settled over her. She did not like feeling suspicious of someone especially someone who had been nothing but kind to her. Deciding to speak plainly she wrote.
Ji Xia: Senior do you know Uncle Jiang Your words sound as though you have some concern about him Did something happen between you.
Her directness seemed to bring an abrupt silence. The screen stayed dark for what felt like a very long time before a reply appeared brief and distant.
Fu Yichen: It is nothing.
Fu Yichen: Just take great care of yourself.
The conversation ended there.
Take great care of yourself.
Ji Xia stared at the words her confusion only growing. Careful of what. Careful of whom. Could he mean Uncle Jiang. But why He had been so thoughtful and proper and her father trusted him completely and besides surely he was not capable of anything like that.
Leaving things unsaid felt unbearable. She typed quickly.
Ji Xia: Senior please tell me what you mean Is there something I should know.
The message showed as read instantly yet there was no reply. The silence stung worse than an argument. He had seen her question and chosen not to answer.
She set her phone aside the excitement of hearing from him fading completely replaced by a lingering fog of doubt. It was late and she could not sleep so she got up quietly and went toward the kitchen for a glass of water.
Light spilled from beneath the study door. Jiang Yanqin was still working. She glanced over and saw him seated with his back toward her the cool glow of the screen outlining his sharp jawline and focused profile. Stripped of the familiar label of uncle he was undeniably striking mature and handsome and looked far too young to be thought of as any sort of elder.
Then his words echoed back to her keep your guard up and protect yourself. A strange unsettling thought slipped into her mind. After all they were barely ten years apart could such a difference in age truly mean there was nothing more to how he might see her.
Her heart skipped a beat and she felt foolish for thinking it.
As if he had sensed her gaze Jiang Yanqin turned and their eyes met. Caught red handed she nearly dropped the glass.
Not asleep he asked his voice low and slightly rough from long hours of work.
I just came out for some water she answered instinctively avoiding his eyes.
Jiang Yanqin studied her face for a moment. The flustered look the way she would not meet his gaze and the quiet curiosity were impossible to miss. He knew instantly someone had spoken to her and he knew exactly who. Yet his expression remained calm and composed the very picture of a concerned respectable guardian.
It is late he said gently. Go back to bed and get some rest Young people should not stay up so late.
His gaze was open and clear entirely free of anything improper or hidden. She felt her face burn with embarrassment. Good heavens what was she thinking. He was only doing her parents a kindness and here she was doubting him because of a few vague words from someone else. Her father and mother would be horrified if they knew what she had been imagining.
I will Goodnight Uncle Jiang she said hurrying away.
The moment her door clicked shut the gentle mask fell away completely. He lifted his phone and called Li Yang. Find out what projects the Fu family are pursuing.
Seconds later Li Yang replied. They are pushing hard for a major partnership with Shengye Group it is their biggest opportunity this year and they are determined to secure it. Would you like me to intervene.
Block it Jiang Yanqin said flatly.
Understood Should we make it clear why.
There is no need If his father has any sense he will work it out for himself. He leaned back in his chair his tone calm and utterly final. If he does not then their company does not deserve to continue.
He ended the call and did not spare another thought for how Fu Yichen might react. If the young man had spoken out of turn then it was up to his parents to teach him better.