Chapter 37: Handsome and Kind-Hearted

After hearing Tang Xi’s request, Zhou Jingchuan smiled. "Seeing you hold back for so long, I thought it was something major. Miss Tang helped me today; as a matter of courtesy, I should do something in return."

He made a phone call right in front of her. "Three days from now, I will have all the information regarding that person’s whereabouts in Hong Kong sent to you."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou." Tang Xi was truly grateful. She knew she could never have accomplished this on her own.

"Is there anything else you need help with?"

Tang Xi quickly shook her head; she had already troubled him enough.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Jingchuan received a call and departed. The gathering had been organized by his close friend in Kyoto, Lu Jin’an, the heir to Beiyin Airlines.

Inside the private room, Lu Jin’an swirled his glass. "I haven’t seen you come to Kyoto this often before. Is there some massive project that warrants a personal visit from our Mr. Zhou?"

Zhou Jingchuan didn’t speak, but he appeared to be in a very good mood. He clinked his glass against Lu Jin’an’s. "It’s not a project."

"Not a project? Then it must be a person?" Lu Jin’an’s gossip instincts flared. "Tell me, which young lady has caught your eye? If you’re too shy, I can play matchmaker for you."

"It’s not the right time yet." He took a sip of his drink, his eyes, deep as a mountain lake, softened under the dim lights.

Lu Jin’an had known Zhou Jingchuan for five years, and this was the first time he had ever seen him like this. He was burning with curiosity—who was this fairy who had managed to bring Zhou Jingchuan down from his pedestal?

A waiter entered to deliver drinks. Through the open door, Lu Jin’an caught sight of a figure hobbling down the hallway on crutches.

His gaze darkened as he set down his glass. "Excuse me for a moment."

Song Xining had been called to join a gathering by her colleagues. She hadn't wanted to come because her foot injury hadn't fully healed, but she couldn't resist their persistence. She was searching for her room number when she was blocked by a wall of a man.

"What happened?" Lu Jin’an leaned against the wall, a cigarette held between his fingers.

Song Xining didn't expect to see him here, and her eyes flickered. "A car accident."

"Broken?"

"If you're trying to show concern, I thank you. If you’re just here to mock me, please get out of the way," Song Xining said, annoyed.

"Which room?" The man seemed not to have heard her.

"V09." No sooner had the words left her lips than she was swept up into his arms. She gasped, frantically grabbing her crutches. "Lu Jin’an, what are you doing?"

"Handsome and kind-hearted, just doing a good deed."

He carried her all the way to V09. When he pushed the door open, everyone in the room froze. Someone quickly came to their senses and called out, "Captain Lu."

Under Song Xining's pushing, Lu Jin’an set her down on the sofa. "Enjoy yourselves, everyone. Tonight's tab is on me."

Faced with such generosity, the room erupted in cheers. After Lu Jin’an left, someone couldn't help but gossip, "Xining, you and Captain Lu aren't in the same flight crew, are you? You seem quite close."

"Yeah, yeah! Have you two been seeing each other in secret?"

Song Xining remained expressionless. "I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. We’re just colleagues who happened to run into each other. Captain Lu is just handsome, kind, and helpful."

"Captain Lu is definitely handsome and comes from a good family, but he’s known to be a flirt. He’s not Xining’s type."

"Come on, let’s drink! Let’s hope Xining returns to the crew soon; we’ve all missed you like crazy."

~

Tang Xi opened the door to find Song Xining on the balcony, talking on the phone. She hadn't expected her to be up so early after attending the gathering last night.

As Tang Xi set breakfast on the table, she heard Song Xining’s voice: "The world is vast; can’t I find a job to support myself? If this place won't have me, there’s plenty of room elsewhere."

"It’s just as well that I’m injured and can’t work for a while. If I’m done, I’m done. I won't starve."

"Keep my unemployment a secret, okay? Don't let..." Song Xining walked out from the balcony, only to look up and see Tang Xi standing behind her.

She hurriedly hung up the phone and put on a look of nonchalance. "Morning."