Chapter 14
"Are you alright?" She instinctively reached out to support the other's waist to prevent them from falling.
As her gaze met those amber eyes, as clear as glass, Feng Jin quickly withdrew her hand and said calmly, "Pardon me."
The boy had soft-looking flaxen hair. He bowed slightly to Feng Jin with gentlemanly grace. His youthful voice was ethereal, almost like a melody from the heavens.
"No, I just wanted to tell you—the dew is heavy at night. Standing here for too long, you might catch a cold." His Chinese was fluent, his tone gentle and refined, and his smile was so beautiful that he seemed almost out of place in the mortal world.
Feng Jin had no idea when this boy had appeared—she hadn't even sensed anyone approaching. Her guard was clearly slipping.
"Thank you," Feng Jin said politely. "I should head back."
"The ball is almost over." The boy looked at her with warm eyes, then extended his right hand toward her, palm up, his left hand gracefully placed behind his back as he bowed slightly. "May I have the honor of this final dance?"
Someone was walking toward them.
Feng Jin looked up and smiled faintly. "Sorry, I already have a partner."
"Ah, I see." The boy smiled softly and stood upright. "I haven't introduced myself, have I?"
Feng Jin now noticed that the boy stood tall—slightly taller than she was.
"Hello, I'm Rhea."
"Hello," Feng Jin replied, gently shaking his hand. "I'm Feng Jin—'Jin' as in 'holding jade while embracing virtue.'"
Their introductions were brief. Jiang Suliu had arrived.
Letting go of her hand, Rhea looked at him and asked, "Is this your partner?"
"Yes," Feng Jin answered with composure.
Rhea smiled. "Then I wish you both a lovely evening."
Feng Jin offered no further explanation. She smiled and naturally took Jiang Suliu's arm.
"If you'll excuse us."
As the two of them walked away together, Rhea looked toward the blooming peonies in the courtyard. His fingers gently pinched a petal of vivid red.
In the brightly lit night, the stars seemed to have hidden themselves.
A soft breeze stirred, and that vibrant red petal fell into the soil with the wind.
"Fallen into the mud, ground into dust, yet still fragrant... is it?"
Heh...
On the way back, Jiang Suliu noticed the chill of dew clinging to her. He took off his jacket and draped it over Feng Jin.
She looked up, meeting his slightly upturned, beguiling eyes. She smiled. "Thank you."
Jiang Suliu turned his gaze away. "You're welcome."
"Ah Jin, so this is where you were."
At the sound of the voice behind her, Feng Jin frowned slightly but still turned around to greet the person with polite detachment. "Mr. Chu."
"Ah Jin, may I have this dance tonight?"
The moment Chu Mingyu appeared, Jiang Suliu's eyes turned icy. He wrapped an arm around Feng Jin's waist and looked coldly at Chu Mingyu. His tone was calm, yet firm: "Mr. Chu, I believe you should ask her escort for permission first."
Feng Jin was surprised, but her expression remained composed. She was almost nestled in Jiang Suliu's arms. His hand held her tightly, a faint, crisp scent lingered near her nose. Her eyes held an unreadable emotion, but she didn't resist. Her hand naturally rested against his chest.
In that posture, she looked particularly gentle and intimate.
Chu Mingyu's expression twisted. He looked heartbroken as he stared at Feng Jin. His voice hoarse: "...Ah Jin, you..."
He had never seen such a tender expression on Feng Jin's face. He never imagined she'd be this close to another man. It should've been him by her side! Jealousy and bitterness choked him. As he looked at the man beside her, fury and envy threatened to consume him.
Suddenly, Feng Jin looked up and spoke coolly: "Chu Mingyu, whatever the Chu family is planning—do it with real skill. I'm quite interested in the Chu Group myself."
With that, she straightened up, resting her hand on Jiang Suliu's arm. She added, "I'm not someone who shies away from a fight. I hope you're not either." Then, she walked away with Jiang Suliu, leaving behind a furious Chu Mingyu.
"Mingyu, Mingyu... what are you doing here? Dad asked me to follow you. You just said you were going to the restroom—why did you come here?" A gentle female voice called from behind.
Feng Jin didn't need to turn around to know it was Tang Yiyun. So, the Chu patriarch had acknowledged her now?
With the ball drawing to a close, Feng Jin no longer felt like staying.
Jiang Suliu, meanwhile, wore a composed expression but felt conflicted inside. "President, I was out of line earlier."
"You were helping me. No need to dwell on it." Then she asked, "Secretary Jiang, what's tomorrow's schedule?"
Suppressing his emotions, Jiang Suliu answered, voice calm and respectful.
"You have a meeting at 10 a.m., and a 3:10 p.m. flight to City A to handle a dispute at the branch."
Feng Jin lowered her gaze, deep in thought. She nodded. "Alright, let's go."
It was already midnight when Feng Jin exchanged a few polite words with Wang Hongsheng before leaving the Wang estate with Jiang Suliu.
The night air was cold, but the jacket on her shoulders gave her an unexpected sense of warmth.
The driver was already waiting. Jiang Suliu opened the car door, shielding the edge with his hand. After she got in, he closed the door gently and took the front seat himself.
"Secretary Jiang, inform the department heads that tomorrow's meeting will be moved up two hours. Also, have Vice President He Ruihua handle the issue in City A." Feng Jin looked out at the passing city lights and added, "Book me the earliest flight to New York tomorrow."
"Understood, President."
The car's heating was on, creating a drowsy atmosphere.
Jiang Suliu leaned back in his seat, lips pressed into a thin line.
Midnight had passed. Everything seemed unchanged.
When the car stopped outside Feng Jin's villa, she was sound asleep, her breathing calm.
Jiang Suliu raised a hand, stopping the driver from speaking. In the dim interior, his eyes, hidden behind glasses, darkened. He could tell she didn't sleep well—even with a perfect appearance, the signs were obvious to someone with years of medical experience.
About half an hour later, Feng Jin finally woke up and realized they had arrived.
Jiang Suliu got out first, opened her door, and offered his hand.
Feng Jin accepted and stepped out. The villa was brightly lit, as if waiting for her return.
She returned the jacket to Jiang Suliu. "Secretary Jiang, you should get some rest too."
"Yes, President." He took the jacket and bowed slightly. "Good night."
Watching her enter the house, Jiang Suliu returned to the car and asked the driver to take him home.
Earlier during the banquet, Jiang Suliu had taken a call from his older brother, Jiang Sufeng. He had originally planned to visit S City but was delayed by business in New York. Coincidentally, Feng Jin would be heading there too. Jiang Suliu sighed and began arranging the flights and follow-up matters.
S City never slept. Its night was bright as day.
After confirming the flight, Jiang Suliu sent Feng Jin a message and called Vice President He Ruihua to convey her instructions. Though annoyed to be disturbed, He Ruihua could only comply.
"D*mn business trips, d*mn Chu family," He Ruihua grumbled before turning back to the pleasure he'd been enjoying.
On the other end, Jiang Suliu frowned. At his age, he wasn't naive. From He Ruihua's voice, he could tell exactly what had been going on.
Recalling the night's events, Jiang Suliu closed his eyes and took a breath.
He only wanted to repay her. Nothing more.
...
When Feng Jin entered the house, Housekeeper Hua greeted her cheerfully. "Miss, you're home."
"You don't need to wait up for me this late, Hua."
"I'm old and can't sleep well anyway. Don't worry about me." She brought over a bowl of dark herbal medicine. "Drink this and rest soon. You look very tired lately. I'll bring you a glass of milk in half an hour."
"Thank you, Hua." Feng Jin knew there was no arguing with her. She drank the medicine without flinching, rinsed her mouth, then said, "Hua, I'll be going to New York tomorrow. I might be away for a while."
"To see Mr. Feng?"
"Yes." Feng Jin nodded. "I don't know the exact flight yet. No need to see me off."
"Alright. But please call to let me know you've arrived safely."
"I will."
Back in her bedroom, Feng Jin went straight to the bathroom. When she emerged, a glass of warm milk had been set on the table. She drank it, picked up her phone, and called Shi Yu.
A few days ago, Shi Yu's high-profile appearance had caused quite a stir and overshadowed Tang Yiyun's incident at the Sheng'an entrance. Her manager, worried Shi Yu would stir up more drama, had personally come to collect her.
Shi Yu's manager was also the CEO of the entertainment company she founded—a highly capable man who also happened to be an old acquaintance of Feng Jin's.
On the phone, Shi Yu scolded her briefly, then softened her tone, gently reminding Feng Jin to check in once she reached New York and to take care of herself.
Feng Jin listened quietly, smiling, without interrupting.
Eventually, Shi Yu, reluctant to end the call, hung up so as not to disturb her rest.
In the stillness of the night, Feng Jin lay in bed, thinking about the call from the butler. Her eyes darkened.
The butler hadn't said exactly what had happened. Feng Jin didn't speculate.
She would know soon enough when she got to New York.