vstars Chapter 103: It Can't Be Hidden Anymore, Everyone's Discovered
Chapter 103: It Can't Be Hidden Anymore, Everyone's Discovered
Chapter 102: It Can't Be Hidden Anymore, Everyone's Discovered
On the 16th at Los Angeles International Airport, David drove his black Cadillac Escalade smoothly into the VIP lane.
Liu Yifei leaned against the right-side car window, dozing off wrapped in a beige cashmere scarf.
In the passenger seat was Assistant Xiao Chen, a round-faced 25-year-old girl.
He was quietly checking the packing list: "Yifei has two suitcases, one for clothes and the other for gifts and miscellaneous items. President Jiang has one suitcase, a business style. Wang Wei and I each have a carry-on suitcase—"
In the back seat, Jiang Yu's assistant, Wang Wei, sat to Jiang Yu's left.
This 32-year-old woman was personally selected by Chen Jingming last year from a group of headhunters in China. She graduated from Peking University's Guanghua School of Management and has worked in investment banking and film and television funds. She has extremely strong professional skills.
At that moment, she was quickly reporting BJ's work arrangements on her computer, her voice steady and clear.
"Boss, Mr. Jiang has arranged a meeting for 9 a.m. the day after tomorrow. It's a joint meeting of Light Chaser Pictures, Light & Shadow Digital, and Light Chaser Holdings. The topics include the annual financial report, the budget for new projects, and the domestic release of 'Lucy.' At 3 p.m., there's a tea party with Mr. Liu from JD.com at Fangshan Restaurant in Beihai Park. Mr. Liu said he wants to talk to you about the self-operated logistics model. At 6:30 p.m., there's a dinner party with Mr. Han at the Wangfujing Hotel."
"Not tonight," Jiang Yu interrupted her, his eyes fixed on the rapidly receding airport lights outside the window. "I have private plans tonight."
Wang Wei's fingers slid rapidly across the touchpad, her expression unchanged. "Okay, then I'll postpone tonight's social engagement to the day after tomorrow."
The car came to a complete stop at the terminal entrance. David got out, opened the trunk, and the luggage for all four people was neatly taken out.
Liu Yifei had two suitcases, one large and one small, with the larger one covered in cartoon stickers.
"Boss, are you sure you don't need me to come back with you?" David asked as he loaded his luggage onto the luggage cart.
"You stay in the US and keep an eye on '2012' and 'Lucy'." Jiang Yu took his own suitcase and then took Liu Yifei's large suitcase covered in stickers from David.
"Cameron has weekly progress meetings, you'll attend for me. Also, I need to see the full version of the Twilight 2 promotional plan by the end of next week."
"Understood." David nodded, then lowered his voice and gestured towards the car, "So... is there anything I need to arrange for Miss Liu?"
Jiang Yu glanced at him: "No need, she has her own team."
David nodded knowingly, but a hint of worry still flashed in his eyes: "Boss, the paparazzi in China are much fiercer than those in America."
You two————
"We know our limits." Jiang Yu patted his shoulder. "Go back now, be careful on the way."
"6
The check-in process went smoothly.
The VIP passage was almost empty, except for two ground staff members on duty who were talking quietly behind the counter.
When Jiang Yu took out the four passports, the ground staff girl clearly recognized Liu Yifei. Her eyes lit up for a moment, but her professionalism allowed her to quickly regain her composure.
"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Liu, these are your boarding passes. The VIP lounge is on the second floor, to the right. Boarding is scheduled to begin at 7:45." She smiled and handed over the documents. "Have a pleasant journey."
Upon entering the VIP room, it was completely empty, except for an elderly man reading a newspaper in a seat by the window.
Liu Yifei finally woke up completely, rubbing her eyes and asking groggily, "What time is it?"
"It's 6:30." Jiang Yu brought over a cup of hot milk from the buffet table; the temperature was just right. "Sleep a little longer; there are still more than ten hours on the plane."
Liu Yifei sipped her milk, curled up like a kitten in the large leather sofa.
Looking at the brightening sky outside the window, she suddenly said, "Jiang Yu, will we be flying like this often in the future? Back and forth, across the Pacific Ocean."
"perhaps."
Jiang Yu sat down beside her, maintaining a perfect distance between them; not so far that it seemed awkward, not so close that it would draw attention. "You're filming, and I'm working, so we're always running back and forth. But 'Lucy' will be filming in China, so I'll be able to stay here for a while."
"That's alright—" she muttered, placing the empty cup on the coffee table and unconsciously leaning slightly towards Jiang Yu. "But flying around like this is so tiring. It takes me several days to adjust to the time difference each time, and my dark circles are practically falling off the floor."
She paused, then her eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had come up with a brilliant idea: "If only I had a private jet! I could sleep soundly on the plane, without having to rush to catch a flight, and fly whenever I wanted—"
These words flashed through Jiang Yu's mind like a flash of inspiration.
He sat up straight, a movement that caught Wang Wei's attention.
Wang Wei immediately put down the financial magazine in her hand and got into work mode.
"Make a note of this," Jiang Yu said to Wang Wei, his tone typical of a working professional. "Go back and study the feasibility of buying a private jet. It needs to be a large aircraft capable of direct flights between China and the US, with a range of at least 12,000 kilometers. Budget—start with a proposal of $80 million, including purchase, modifications, crew training, and maintenance costs for the first three years."
Wang Wei's fingers swiped rapidly, the screen light reflecting on her focused face: "Okay, boss. Should we prioritize contacting Gulfstream or Bombardier? Or consider Airbus's ACJ series?"
"Contact them all and do a comparative analysis." Jiang Yu's mind was already in business decision-making mode. "Also, have the legal department study the tax differences between registering in the Cayman Islands and Ireland. Also, consider the second-hand market; some retired business jets from airlines offer better value after modification. Pay attention to the remaining engine life and airworthiness certification."
"Understood." Wang Wei took notes quickly. "Should I contact a few business jet leasing companies to rent one for a period of time as a temporary measure?"
"Okay. Let's rent it for six months first to gain experience." Jiang Yu nodded. "Also, the aircraft interior needs to be redesigned. The cabin layout needs to be clearly defined: rest area, office area, and meeting area. Soundproofing needs to be done well; I need to be able to hold international video conferences on the plane."
Liu Yifei stared wide-eyed at the series of smooth commands and responses, as if witnessing a meticulously planned military operation.
She whispered, "You really want to buy a plane? I was just saying it offhand—"
"It's not because of you." Jiang Yu turned to her, his tone and eyes softening, a hint of seriousness in his smile. "The company does have a real need. I've calculated it; I fly between China and the US at least twenty to twenty-five times a year. Each first-class flight, plus the time cost—waiting, transfers, delays—can cover the cost of a second-hand business jet over five years. Moreover, the flexibility of private jets is unmatched by commercial flights; takeoff and landing times are flexible, and they can fly directly to second- or third-tier city airports, saving transfer time."
He paused, looking at Liu Yifei's somewhat bewildered expression, and added, "Of course, if you like, we can add some personalized elements to the interior design."
These words were like flipping a switch.
Liu Yifei's eyes immediately lit up, her previous drowsiness vanishing instantly: "The plane must have a real bed! Not one of those reclining business class seats, but a large bed that can lie flat!"
"We also need a small kitchen," Xiao Chen joined the discussion, pushing up his glasses. "Sister Yifei always needs to eat on the plane, and she has a sensitive stomach, so she needs to eat hot food."
"A kitchen is a must," Wang Wei added, offering a more professional perspective. "It needs to be able to prepare light meals and drinks. In addition, the office area should have high-speed satellite internet, a printer and scanner, and a small conference table that can accommodate four to six people."
"We need a good audio-visual system!" Liu Yifei became more and more excited as she spoke. "We need a big screen, surround sound, and a complete movie library!"
This way, you can watch movies on long-haul flights!
"An audio-visual system, of course," Jiang Yu nodded. "And noise-canceling headphones, the latest models from Bose or Sony."
"And there should also be—" Liu Yifei tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly revealed a sly smile, "There should be a window where you can see the stars!"
Not these small portholes, but large ones, so you can see the whole sky!
Looking into her bright eyes, Jiang Yu felt a pang of tenderness in his heart.
He opened his laptop, which booted up extremely quickly: "Come on, let's take advantage of this free time and check it out first."
Several people gathered around, browsing pictures and specifications of various private jets on the computer screen.
The Gulfstream G550's classic design, the Bombardier Global Express's luxury, the Airbus ACJ's spaciousness, and the Dassault Falcon's elegance—
Liu Yifei's finger slid across the touchpad and suddenly stopped on a pure white, streamlined airplane.
"This is beautiful!" she exclaimed, pointing at the screen. "It looks like a swan."
"That's a Gulfstream G650, the latest model." Jiang Yu zoomed in on the picture; the fuselage lines were indeed elegant and smooth. "It has a range of 13,000 kilometers, enough to fly directly from BJ to New York without stopping in Anchorage. Its maximum cruising speed is Mach 0.925, faster than similar models."
He pulled up the detailed parameters: "The cabin is 13.7 meters long, 2.59 meters wide, and 1.95 meters high. It can be configured with four cabin areas:"
The front section features the kitchen and crew lounge, followed by the meeting area and main living room. The middle section contains the bathroom and wardrobe, while the rear section houses the master bedroom.
It can seat up to 18 passengers, but we can customize it to have 10-12 seats for more space.
"This is it!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. "We can pre-order it!"
Jiang Yu glanced at the price tag: "A brand new machine, plus custom interior, will cost approximately $6500 million. Delivery time—if you order now, you'll have to wait about two years."
"Two years it is!" Liu Yifei said matter-of-factly. "We can rent one first and use it while this one is built!"
Jiang Yu was amused by her enthusiasm: "You're paying?"
"I—" Liu Yifei's momentum faltered for a moment, but she quickly straightened her back again. "I can pay in installments! I'll pay the down payment first, and you can manage all my earnings from now on!"
She said it so naturally that she was stunned after she finished speaking.
Xiao Chen and Wang Wei exchanged a glance, then tacitly lowered their heads and pretended to look at the computer. In situations like this, the best strategy for an assistant is to become invisible.
Jiang Yu's lips curled up, and his eyes couldn't hide his amusement: "Okay, then you can pay the advance for 'Lucy' first."
According to the contract, your salary is two million US dollars, which is about 120 million after tax, enough to cover a small portion.
"That's not enough!" Liu Yifei counted on her fingers, her brows furrowed. "I still have to give money to my agency, pay Chinese taxes, and I also want to buy my mother a new house in Wuhan; the one she's living in now is a bit old—"
She calculated so meticulously, as if she were planning her entire life.
Looking at her slightly pouting lips and trembling eyelashes, Jiang Yu suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair. This gesture was more intimate than they usually did in public.
"Pay it back slowly." His voice was soft, with a rare tenderness. "No rush, we have a lifetime."
The phrase "a lifetime" is spoken lightly, yet it's like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating invisible ripples in the quiet air of the VIP room.
Liu Yifei's face flushed red instantly, the redness spreading from her cheeks to her ears and then to her neck.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but no sound came out.
Wang Wei and Xiao Chen both held their breath, and the subtle silence was broken by an announcement: "Take flight CA984 to Beijing."
Passengers, please note that boarding is now beginning.
'
The first-class cabin, located at the front of the Boeing 777, has only eight seats, but today there were only four passengers.
After the flight attendant drew the curtain, this place became a private space isolated from the world.
After the plane leveled off, Liu Yifei curled up in her seat and fell asleep almost immediately.
She was so excited last night that she didn't fall asleep until 2 a.m., and then got up at 5 a.m. this morning. At this moment, her body and mind have reached their limits.
The flight attendant brought over a soft blanket and pillow. Jiang Yu took them, gently covered her with the blanket, and placed the pillow behind her neck.
"President Jiang, you should rest for a while too," Wang Wei said in a low voice. "We'll be going straight to a meeting when we arrive in Beijing; there won't be time to adjust to the time difference."
"I'll look at some documents for a bit." Jiang Yu turned on his laptop, the light from the screen outlining the contours of his profile in the dim cabin. "You guys go to sleep, we'll be busy when we get to Beijing."
Xiao Chen was indeed tired. He adjusted the seat to a reclining position, and soon his even breathing could be heard.
Wang Wei didn't go to sleep immediately; she dealt with several urgent emails before putting on her eye mask.
The cabin fell silent, with only the continuous low hum of the engine and Liu Yifei's soft breathing.
Jiang Yu processed several emails from Beijing and Los Angeles, and reviewed the investment situation of Korean company Kuijiang Group and NEXON. During the financial crisis, many things seemed like freebies.
About an hour later, he felt a weight on his right shoulder.
Turning her head, Liu Yifei realized that she had changed her position in her sleep, and her head had slid from her pillow onto his shoulder.
A few stray hairs slipped down and clung to her cheeks, rising and falling slightly with her breath.
Jiang Yu stopped moving and let her lean against him.
I simply adjusted the angle of the computer screen to prevent the light from shining on her face.
Then I continued working, but this time I kept the keyboard clicks even quieter.
The flight attendant quietly approached and mouthed whether we needed drinks or food.
Jiang Yu shook his head, indicating that he didn't need it.
The flight attendant nodded in understanding and brought over an even thicker blanket, gently covering Liu Yifei with it.
He didn't know how much time had passed, maybe two hours, maybe three hours, but he felt the weight on his shoulders lighten.
When he opened his eyes, Liu Yifei was staring at him with wide, clear eyes, indicating that she had been awake for a while.
She just looked at him quietly, her eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.
"Awake?" Jiang Yu asked softly, his voice a little hoarse from not speaking for a long time.
"Mmm." She nodded, remaining still with her head on his shoulder. "Are you tired? Am I pressing down on you?"
"Not tired." Jiang Yu moved his stiff right shoulder, which was actually a little numb, but he didn't say so. "You slept for four hours. There are still eight hours until we get to Beijing."
"It's been so long—" Liu Yifei complained softly, finally sitting up straight, but her hand unconsciously grabbed Jiang Yu's sleeve. "Time on the plane passes so slowly, it feels like it's been stretched out."
Looking at her sleepy eyes, Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh: "That's why I need a private jet. I can move around freely, lie down and sleep, and time will pass faster."
"Then we need to buy it quickly," Liu Yifei said earnestly, as if it were the most important thing at the moment. "Next time we fly, we won't have to suffer like this. I want to sleep well and eat well on the plane, and also—"
She suddenly stopped, her face flushed slightly, and the words she hadn't finished saying disappeared into the air.
Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow at her: "What else do you want?"
"I want to—" Liu Yifei bit her lip, her voice barely audible, "I want to lie down and watch a movie with you. On that big screen, watching an old movie. Just the two of us."
The implication in those words was so obvious that Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat.
He remained calm, simply nodding. "Okay. Let's choose one we both like."
Just then, the flight attendant brought lunch. The first-class meal was exquisite: the appetizer was smoked salmon with arugula salad, and the main course offered two choices: pan-fried steak or sole.
Liu Yifei's eyes lit up for a moment, then quickly dimmed again.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Yu noticed the change in her expression.
"I'm jet-lagged and have no appetite." She poked at the broccoli on her plate as if she were poking at some enemy. "And the thought of seeing my mom makes me nervous—my stomach is clenching up."
"Why are you so nervous about meeting your mom?" Jiang Yu chuckled, cutting a piece of his steak and placing it on her plate. "Aunt Liu isn't a tiger; she's not going to eat you, is she?"
"She's scarier than a tiger." Liu Yifei wrinkled her nose, her expression as vivid as a little girl's. "She has such sharp eyes, she can definitely tell that we're different now. You wouldn't believe it, when I was little, I would sneak snacks and hide the wrappers under my bed, and she could always find them. If I didn't do well on a test and tried to hide it from her, she could tell just by looking at me."
Jiang Yu put down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and then looked at her seriously: "Are you afraid she'll find out, or are you afraid she won't?"
This question stumped Liu Yifei.
She bit her lip and thought for a long time, her fork stirring the salad unconsciously.
I'm afraid she'll notice—but I'm also afraid she won't.
She finally spoke softly, her voice filled with genuine confusion, "Isn't it a contradiction? I know I can't hide it from her, and if she really finds out, I don't know what to say. But if she doesn't find out—I wonder if we're not obvious enough? Is it that things between us aren't actually as obvious as I think they are—"
She didn't finish speaking, but Jiang Yu understood.
He reached out and gently took her hand under the table.
"It's not contradictory." His voice was calm. "Just let things take their course. Aunt Liu is so smart, we can't hide it from her anyway, so we might as well be open about it. As for how to say it—I'll say it when the time comes."
"You tell me?" Liu Yifei looked up, her eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.
"Okay." Jiang Yu nodded. "I'll talk to Aunt Liu. It's what I should do."
She grasped Jiang Yu's hand in return and nodded vigorously: "Okay."
After dinner, the two watched a movie, "Love Actually," which was chosen by Liu Yifei.
She fell asleep halfway through the movie.
This time, she slid down completely, resting her head on Jiang Yu's lap and curling up in the spacious seat like a small animal that had found a warm nest.
Jiang Yu didn't wake her up, but simply gestured to the flight attendant to bring another blanket.
When Xiao Chen woke up and went to the bathroom, he saw this scene and exchanged a glance with Wang Wei.
Wang Wei pushed up her glasses and whispered in Xiao Chen's ear, "Don't look at what you shouldn't see."
The two put on eye masks and continued to try to fall asleep, even though they probably wouldn't be able to.
At 9:05 a.m. Beijing time, the plane's wheels touched the runway, causing a slight vibration.
Liu Yifei was fully awake. She sat up straight and rubbed her eyes.
The cabin lights were already on, and the flight attendants began preparations for landing.
She turned to look out the window. The winter sky in Beijing was that familiar gray-blue, and in the distance, she could see the bare trees and gray buildings surrounding the airport.
"We've arrived," Jiang Yu's voice rang out from the side.
He had tidied up his computer and files, and resumed his professional business demeanor.
"Mmm." She nodded, then suddenly sneezed; the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the cabin was unbearable for her nose.
Jiang Yu almost immediately took off his scarf and wrapped it around her neck without saying a word.
The movements were quick and gentle, and his fingertips inevitably brushed against her chin and earlobe.
"No need—" she tried to decline, because the scarf was clearly a men's style.
"Wrap it up." Jiang Yu's tone left no room for refusal, but he carefully adjusted the scarf, making sure it was warm enough without being too tight. "It's minus five degrees Celsius in Beijing now, much cooler than Los Angeles. Don't catch a cold as soon as you fly to the microphone; you have a show to record tomorrow."
The scarf still carried his body heat and a faint scent, not from shaking off water, but from the sandalwood soap he often used, with a hint of coffee.
Liu Yifei buried her face in the soft cashmere, secretly took a deep breath, and then blushed.
Chen Jingming was already waiting at the exit in the VIP passage.
The CEO of Houguang Holdings wore gold-rimmed glasses and a well-tailored dark gray cashmere coat, exuding a refined yet capable air.
Upon seeing Jiang Yu and his group emerge, he immediately stepped forward, a perfectly timed smile on his face.
"Mr. Jiang, you must be tired from your journey." Chen Jingming shook hands with Jiang Yu, his grip moderate.
Then he turned to Liu Yifei, his smile deepening, "Ms. Liu, welcome back to China. You look even more radiant than I have in the past six months."
"Mr. Chen, you're too kind." Liu Yifei tugged at her scarf a little shyly. "It's too kind of you to come and pick me up personally."
"Of course." Chen Jingming smiled, his gaze quickly sweeping between Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei, finally settling on the dark blue scarf.
He didn't say anything, but simply turned to the side and gestured for us to go, "The car is already outside, let's go."
As the group stepped out of the terminal, the cold winter air of Beijing hit them, carrying the dryness and chill characteristic of the north.
Two black Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars were already waiting at the door, their ignition microphones running softly, and white mist billowing from their exhaust pipes.
Before getting into the car, Chen Jingming politely asked, "President Jiang, would you like to go back to the company first or to your residence to rest?"
Jiang Yu glanced at Liu Yifei, who was looking up at the gray-blue sky of Beijing.
"Take her home first," Jiang Yu said, a hint of tenderness in his voice, "to Shunyi."
"Okay." Chen Jingming nodded and opened the back door for the two of them.
Naturally, Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei got into the same car.
Xiao Chen and Wang Wei exchanged a glance and then walked to another car on their own.
Chen Jingming sat in the passenger seat, glancing at the two people in the back seat through the rearview mirror; Liu Yifei leaned against the window, Jiang Yu sat beside her, maintaining a polite distance between them, but the atmosphere—
Having worked in the industry for over ten years and witnessed countless people and events, Chen Jingming knew what that atmosphere meant.
The car smoothly drove onto the wheat field highway.
The winter scenery outside the window of Beijing unfolds: bare tree branches, a constant stream of cars on the road, and the silhouettes of tall buildings that are faintly visible in the haze in the distance—everything is both familiar and strange.
Liu Yifei leaned against the window, her nose almost touching Bingya's glass.
Looking at the familiar street scene, she said softly, "I haven't been back for half a year. Beijing seems to have changed again."
She pointed in a direction, "That used to be an empty lot, but now there are tall buildings there."
"It's always changing." Jiang Yu's gaze also turned to the window, but he spent most of his time looking at the profile of her face. "It's different every time you come back. Just like people, they're always changing."
"Yes," Liu Yifei turned to look at him, "you've changed too."
"I've changed?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, turning his body slightly towards her.
"Become more—" Liu Yifei tilted her head and thought for a moment, as if searching for the most accurate word, "more gentle? You used to be very serious, like a general, and you always had a stern face, like the world owed you money. Now you seem to have relaxed a little."
The lines of his jawline are less sharp, and the look in his eyes has softened.
She spoke very seriously, as if she were describing the details of a painting.
Jiang Yu was amused by her words; it wasn't the polite smile typical of business occasions, but a genuine smile that radiated from his eyes.
"He probably found a girlfriend," he whispered in her ear. "When you're in love, you naturally relax."
Liu Yifei asked in a hoarse voice, her body unconsciously leaning towards him, "How come you talk so eloquently now? You used to be so different—"
Do you like it?
"like."
Chen Jingming smiled knowingly in the front seat. He wisely refrained from interrupting, only occasionally whispering the route to Simai.
The car drove into a high-end villa area in Shunyi.
The environment is serene, with neat rows of plane trees lining both sides of the road. Although the leaves have long since fallen, the branches remain upright.
Most of the villas are in European style, and each one has a unique design.
After turning right at an intersection, a white three-story villa came into view.
A woman stood at the gate of the courtyard.
She was wearing a beige turtleneck sweater, dark gray wool trousers, and a light brown shirt over them.
She has a great figure, stands tall, and her long hair is tied into a simple bun at the back of her head.
Even from a distance, one could sense her gentle yet capable demeanor; she was Liu Yifei's mother, Liu Xiaoli.
.
As soon as the car came to a stop, Liu Yifei eagerly pushed open the car door and practically jumped out.
"mom!"
She ran over and threw herself into her mother's arms.
Liu Xiaoli and Zhang Cheng caught their daughter in their arms. In that instant, the usually composed woman's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
She gently patted her daughter's back, just like she used to lull her to sleep when she was a child.
"You child—" Liu Xiaoli's voice choked with emotion, "You've lost weight—and gotten so dark—did you not eat properly while you were abroad?"
"No way!" Liu Yifei snuggled against her like a little bird returning to its nest. "I've even gained weight! The Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles are so delicious, Jiang Yu always takes me there—"
She stopped halfway through her sentence, realizing what she had said.
Liu Xiaoli had already taken it to heart. Her gaze swept over her daughter's shoulder as she looked at Jiang Yu and Chen Jingming, who were getting out of the car.
Liu Xiaoli quickly composed herself and regained her composure with a polite smile.
She released Cheng's daughter and stepped forward a few paces: "President Jiang, President Chen, you've arrived. Please come in and have a seat; the outside is more elegant."
"Aunt Liu, it's been a long time." Jiang Yu stepped forward, smiled, and said, "You look great, even younger than you did six months ago."
"Wow, Mr. Jiang really knows how to compliment people."
After Liu Xiaoli finished speaking, her eyes quickly swept between Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei, keenly catching certain details.
The dark blue scarf around the daughter's neck was clearly a men's style; there was an unspoken understanding between the two; and the light in the daughter's eyes when she looked at Jiang Yu was undeniable.
Chen Jingming also stepped forward to greet him: "Teacher Liu, sorry to bother you."
"Mr. Chen, you're too kind. Please come in."
The group entered the villa.
The living room features a typical modern Chinese style, with white walls, wooden floors, and furniture mainly made of walnut wood with simple lines.
Several ink paintings and calligraphy works are hanging on the wall, all signed by famous masters.
A huge solid wood tea table sits by the window, covered with tea leaves and sesame seeds. A small stove next to it is burning sandalwood, with wisps of smoke rising from it.
The entire space is warm and elegant, reflecting the owner's taste and appreciation for life.
The yard outside the window is large, with a well-manicured lawn and several plum trees, whose buds are just about to bloom at this time of year.
"Please sit down, I'll go make some tea," Liu Xiaoli said, heading towards the kitchen.
"Auntie, let me help you." Jiang Yu got up naturally, took off his coat and draped it over the armrest of the sofa.
"No, no, you're a guest—"
"I'm not a guest," Jiang Yu said with a smile, his tone sincere. "Here, I'll always be a junior."
These words from Tian Miao both expressed closeness and brought up their past relationship.
Liu Xiaoli glanced at him and didn't refuse again: "Alright, you help me wash the tea leaves. Yifei, you sit with President Chen for a while."
""
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