Аftеr disеmbаrking, Ruаn Siхian turned оn hеr рhоnе to find it floodеd with WеChat mеssages аnd missеd саlls.
It wаsn’t until shе boardеd the shuttle bus to the hotel thаt shе finallу had а mоmеnt tо start rерlуing.
Jiаng Ziуue wаs even quickеr. In а privаte collеague grоup chаt, shе аnnоunсеd shе had alrеаdy аrrivеd in Lоndon аnd askеd if аnyonе еlse wаs still there, suggesting thеy hang out tоgеthеr.
This grоup was unoffiсiаllу crеаtеd bу thе сrew, inсluding flight аttendаnts, cаptains, сo-рilоts, аnd somе ассompanуing maintenance аnd security рersonnеl.
Somеоne аsked Jiang Ziyue who was in the cabin crew this time. After listing the names, Jiang Ziyue added, "Why? Got someone specific in mind?"
Ruan Sixian glanced at the lively discussion in the group and knew Jiang Ziyue was referring to her. Before she could even frown, two private messages popped up.
One was from Captain Yue, who was currently stationed at the London base, inviting her to dinner.
The other was from a flight attendant who had arrived in London yesterday, inviting her to hang out in the afternoon.
This wasn’t the first time they had shown interest in Ruan Sixian, and they certainly weren’t the only ones.
For some reason, Ruan Sixian felt her romantic luck had been particularly strong this year. The endless stream of suitors kept her busy, especially after she appeared on the cover of World Airlines’ March issue. Every week, several people would find ways to add her on WeChat through various connections.
Ruan Sixian declined both invitations, saying she already had plans for the day.
As she sent the messages, Jiang Ziyue beside her glanced at her phone and teased, "Captain Yue? You’re turning him down too?"
"…"
While Captain Yue’s interest in Ruan Sixian wasn’t exactly public knowledge, anyone with eyes could see it.
Still, it was a private matter, and having it brought up so openly—especially after someone peeked at her phone without permission—would annoy anyone.
"I’m meeting a friend in London today."
Jiang Ziyue didn’t believe her, or perhaps she thought it was just an excuse. She pursed her lips and looked down at her phone. "I’ve always been curious why you never date. Are your standards just too high?"
Ruan Sixian replied, "No… I’m just not thinking about that right now."
Jiang Ziyue raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly. "Look around World Airlines. Captain Yue is incredibly handsome, only twenty-nine, earning a million a year, and a candidate for chief captain. So many in our cabin crew are eyeing him, yet you’re not interested."
Ruan Sixian glanced at her, taking in her expression.
Could it be that Jiang Ziyue had feelings for Captain Yue?
Captain Yue was indeed outstanding, but his reputation as a playboy was well-known. In an environment like an airline, surrounded by waves of beautiful flight attendants, it was like stepping into a harem. He changed girlfriends as quickly as models changed outfits—one moment it was one person, the next it was someone else.
"It’s not that I’m not interested," Ruan Sixian muttered quietly. "He’s just not my type."
A soft snort came from beside her, tinged with a hint of mocking insight.
How could she explain something like this? Ruan Sixian felt she and Jiang Ziyue weren’t close enough to share personal thoughts, so she stopped engaging. Scrolling further down her WeChat, she noticed Si Xiaozhen had sent several messages four hours earlier, asking how things were going.
Ruan Sixian replied with just six words: Didn’t give it. No chance.
Si Xiaozhen didn’t reply because she was already on a flight to New York.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Ruan Sixian and Jiang Ziyue shared a standard room.It was now 10:30 AM London time, and Jiang Ziyue was removing her makeup to get ready for bed. Ruan Sixian didn’t have her ability to adjust to time zones and was afraid that if she slept now, she’d be so exhausted on the early morning return flight two days later that she’d lose her mind. So, she had made plans to meet a friend during the day.
“By the way, Ruan Ruan, what happened on the plane today?” Jiang Ziyue asked, her face covered with a sheet mask, her lips moving as she spoke. “I saw you sitting on President Fu’s lap.”
Ruan Sixian, who was changing clothes, froze for a moment: “…”
Could Jiang Ziyue please not use the word “lap” so precisely?
“What lap? I just lost my balance during the turbulence.”
Jiang Ziyue chuckled, but the thick sheet mask hid her expression—
Late summer and early autumn overlapped, the wind carrying the scent of flowers along with a chill.
London was often rainy. Ruan Sixian wore a white shirt and jeans, looking as pure and simple as a small white flower swaying in the wind.
—Ruan Sixian felt she really was swaying. After flying for over ten hours and forcing herself to stay awake, she was almost unable to stand steadily.
“Ruan Ruan, have you arrived in London?”
Bian Xuan’s voice was quiet, but she still spoke in a hushed tone. “Sweetie, I just got off the plane and couldn’t wait to call you. Today, you absolutely have to come with me to a place—I have a surprise!”
Before Ruan Sixian could respond, the other person hung up.
Clearly, she really couldn’t wait.
But Ruan Sixian liked Bian Xuan.
She liked her enthusiasm, generosity, and fun-loving nature, and she enjoyed eating and drinking with her.
“Alright, but where should we meet?”
A few minutes later, Bian Xuan replied with a message.
“Sorry, I was too excited just now and forgot to ask—where are you?”
Ruan Sixian sent her location.
“Then we’re really close! Just come to W.T Airport and wait for me. I’ll be out in about forty minutes.”
W.T Airport was a private airport in London.
Ruan Sixian had once diverted to this airport, so she wasn’t unfamiliar with it and walked there directly.
As for why she was meeting Bian Xuan at a private airport, Ruan Sixian wasn’t surprised because Bian Xuan was a private flight attendant—a cabin crew member for private jets.
This private airport belonged to her boss.
In reality, private airports weren’t much different from regular ones, at least in appearance.
Inside the bright, clean building, one could directly watch planes taking off and landing on the runway. The floor beneath her feet was so polished it reflected light. Ruan Sixian bought a cup of coffee and stood in the arrivals hall, keeping an eye on the people coming out of the exit.
The foot traffic wasn’t heavy today. Travelers hurried along, looking weary, while those waiting outside seemed anxious and restless. Only Ruan Sixian appeared leisurely, sipping her coffee from time to time as if she were there for sightseeing.
Bian Xuan still hadn’t come out, so Ruan Sixian sent her another message.
“I’m already here.”
“Mhm, mhm! I’m on my way! My boss ran into the airport manager and chatted for a bit, but I’m almost at the exit now.”
“Why are you still with your boss after getting off the plane?”
“That’s exactly the surprise I wanted to tell you about! My boss is hosting a private yacht party tonight on the Thames. He invited me and said I could bring a friend!”
Ruan Sixian nearly choked on her coffee.
“So, you want to bring me?”
“Yes! You’ll come with me, right? I’d be so bored alone!”
Ruan Sixian didn’t reply immediately, and Bian Xuan sent several more messages in a row."The boss is super nice! He's a really fun and hospitable old man!"
"Come with us! Let's go, let's go!"
"A yacht party on the Thames! This might be the only chance in my lifetime!"
Unable to withstand Bian Xuan's barrage of text messages, Ruan Sixian agreed.
Half a year ago, Bian Xuan had also asked if she wanted to quit her job and come to the UK. She knew that her boss had a business partner who had been handling operations in China for the past few years and was looking to hire a Chinese private flight attendant. Ruan Sixian was smart, had a science and engineering degree, spoke fluent English, learned quickly, and was beautiful—making her the perfect candidate for a private flight attendant. Moreover, the compensation for private flight attendants wasn't something ordinary flight attendants could compare to. Bosses who owned private jets didn't care much about salaries; sometimes, if the boss brought guests along and the private flight attendant provided excellent service, the tips alone could amount to half a year's salary for an average person. Plus, they could travel around the world with their boss all year round. What an enviable job.
But Ruan Sixian had refused. One stayed in Jiangcheng, while the other went to London. The two hadn't seen each other in almost a year. Compared to her hesitation about attending a gathering of strangers, Ruan Sixian was more eager to spend a happy day with Bian Xuan.
As she looked up, Ruan Sixian saw Bian Xuan emerge from another exit.
As a private flight attendant, she had taken the regular passage and was wearing a bright red uniform, dragging her flight case behind her, making her stand out in the crowd.
Bian Xuan waved at Ruan Sixian from afar.
Under the bright airport lights, Ruan Sixian strode briskly toward her with a smile.
After so long apart, the other seemed to have changed quite a bit—a little thinner, but even more beautiful.
Unconsciously, Ruan Sixian's eyes filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.
But just as she was about ten meters away from Bian Xuan, Ruan Sixian saw two more people emerge from the same exit.
The one leading the way had such an outstanding presence that he immediately caught Ruan Sixian's attention.
Before Ruan Sixian could adjust her expression, she met Fu Mingyu's gaze.
And she was still smiling brightly, walking with light, energetic steps.
"..."
In that instant, Ruan Sixian's first thought was: Why is he at this airport?
Her second thought was: Oh my god, he probably thinks I'm deliberately following him, doesn't he?
Ruan Sixian's smile gradually froze at the corners of her mouth.
—Why is she here?
—She must have planned this meticulously.
Ruan Sixian was almost certain that Fu Mingyu was thinking exactly that, because the moment he saw her, he paused for a moment before turning and heading toward another exit.
Ruan Sixian: "..."
I really...
"Ruan Ruan!"
Bian Xuan rushed over and gave her a bear hug, abruptly interrupting Ruan Sixian's train of thought. "I missed you so much! Did you miss me?"
"Ruan Ruan?"
Bian Xuan shook Ruan Sixian's shoulders. "What's wrong with you?"
Ruan Sixian took a deep breath.
She realized that ever since encountering Fu Mingyu, she was always taking deep breaths.
Maybe one day, sooner or later, she'd die from insufficient qi and blood under his tailored trousers.
"Nothing, I'm just so happy I'm a bit dazed."
Ruan Sixian forcefully threw her coffee cup into the trash can with a loud "thud," full of strength.
Bian Xuan looked Ruan Sixian up and down. "But... why do I feel like you're not very happy?"
"So now I need to be happy, and I even feel like drinking." Ruan Sixian hooked her arm around Bian Xuan's shoulder. "Let's go."
It was noon. Ruan Sixian accompanied Bian Xuan home to drop off her things, change clothes, and have lunch. The entire afternoon was left free for getting ready.Bian Xuan felt Ruan Sixian was dressed too plainly and dragged her out shopping for clothes. Coincidentally, Ruan Sixian was in a bad mood and indeed needed some retail therapy. Fortunately, flight attendants like Ruan Sixian who worked international core routes earned decent incomes, enough to afford her occasional indulgences.
In the evening, pedestrians and tourists thronged the banks of the Thames. The rising and falling clamor, washed by the river breeze, seemed to become pleasant to the ear. In contrast, the river surface remained calm and placid. Amidst the shimmering golden light, a yacht drifted leisurely like a swan—only those aboard could feel its opulent extravagance.
Ruan Sixian wore a wine-red dress with long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, while Bian Xuan stood beside her in snow-white attire.
Both radiant and dazzling, they remained the center of attention even amidst the glamorous crowd on the yacht.
Holding a glass of wine and linking arms with Ruan Sixian, Bian Xuan leaned against the railing and pointed to a silver-haired old man on the deck. "That's my boss, Alvin. He said he's hosting this party today to welcome an important guest. Look at all these people—so many handsome guys!"
Ruan Sixian turned and acknowledged a blond, blue-eyed man's friendly gesture, then whispered, "What's the use of being handsome? This is England—most of them probably aren't interested in women."
Bian Xuan covered her mouth and laughed, while Ruan Sixian lifted her chin to survey the yacht.
Alvin was a local tycoon, the kind with the means to build a private airport. His lavish gathering naturally attracted a distinguished crowd. A tailcoat-clad orchestra played symphonies on the deck, and wherever one stepped, fine wine and delicacies awaited, with waiters weaving through the crowd—a testament to the importance of this guest.
Leaning against the railing and enjoying the breeze, Ruan Sixian asked, "What kind of guest is your boss making such a fuss over?"
"Well, my boss mainly loves lively gatherings like this, but of course, the guest is important too." Bian Xuan scanned the crowd, searching for the guest but finding no trace. "W.T Airport is being acquired by World Airlines—yes, the very World Airlines you work for. The son of World Airlines' owner is here for an inspection... What's wrong?"
Ruan Sixian nearly dropped her glass into the river.
"You mean... the guest is the son of World Airlines' owner?"
Bian Xuan nodded. "Exactly."
No wonder he had appeared at W.T Airport today.
Ruan Sixian's feelings were indescribable. She even considered leaving the yacht immediately. Since they were in the middle of the river, she could jump overboard if needed.
As they spoke, Bian Xuan waved toward the center of the crowd. "Hey! My boss is calling me over!"
Ruan Sixian immediately looked over. Under the glittering lights, a man in a suit slowly emerged beside Alvin, holding a glass with slender, well-proportioned fingers. Even more striking were his long, perfectly proportioned legs. Standing there in the distance, clad in a well-fitted suit, his aura of cultivated elegance outweighed that of every other guest present.
Who else could it be but Fu Mingyu?
As if sensing something, Fu Mingyu also glanced over.
When their eyes met, Ruan Sixian almost instinctively wanted to turn and avoid him, but her feet remained rooted.
Amid the bustling crowd, Fu Mingyu tilted his head slightly and handed his glass to his secretary beside him.
Seeing him about to leave, the secretary asked, "Mr. Fu, are you going to rest?"
Fu Mingyu shook his head and strode toward the railing.
He's coming, he's coming—walking over with that confident stride again.
Ruan Sixian tightened her grip on the stem of her glass, her other hand clutching the chain of her shoulder bag.
Huh?Ruan Sixian suddenly remembered that she had brought the letter written by Si Xiaozhen with her when she left home today.
She desperately hoped Fu Mingyu would read its contents.
Whether it would change his mind was no longer important—she just wanted to avoid being misunderstood for no damn reason.
Before Fu Mingyu could approach, Ruan Sixian immediately rummaged through her bag and took out the letter.
"President Fu."
Fu Mingyu stopped in front of Ruan Sixian. His expression wasn’t as cold as before—perhaps due to having drunk some wine, there was a hint of frivolity in the curve of his brows.
He lowered his head, his eyes curving into a pleasant arc.
"What a... coincidence."
Ruan Sixian: "..."
If you say it’s a coincidence, then it’s a coincidence.
It really was quite a coincidence.
Ruan Sixian curled the corner of her lips. "Please don’t overthink it. I was invited here by a friend."
Fu Mingyu clearly didn’t believe her.
An occasion like this couldn’t possibly have invited Ruan Sixian.
Unless she was the daughter of some hidden tycoon.
"But none of that matters," Ruan Sixian said, holding out the letter in her hand. "You didn’t read this letter before. Please take a look now to avoid misunderstanding my intentions."
Fu Mingyu simply looked at her, the corners of his mouth pressed into a faint curve.
Though he was smiling, there wasn’t a trace of warmth in his eyes.
Seeing that Fu Mingyu had no intention of taking it, Ruan Sixian considered tearing open the envelope and shoving it in his face to make him see clearly.
But her right hand was holding a glass of wine, there were no attendants nearby for the moment, and she couldn’t possibly expect someone like Fu Mingyu to lower himself to hold her glass for her.
So Ruan Sixian opened the letter with just one hand.
As she took out the letter inside and was about to toss the envelope aside, her hand slipped. She watched helplessly as the letter was caught by the wind, fluttering and swaying before finally falling into the river.
The lingering music happened to stop abruptly at that very moment. The only sound in her ears was the flowing river, intensifying the awkward tension in the air.
"Blood deficiency" was no longer enough to describe Ruan Sixian’s current state of mind.
She closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, she saw the expression "I’d like to see how the hell you explain this" on Fu Mingyu’s face for the second time.
There was no point in saying anything now—she couldn’t just jump into the river to retrieve the letter.
"I..."
Fu Mingyu suddenly took a step closer, cutting Ruan Sixian off.
Ruan Sixian instinctively wanted to step back, but behind her was the railing, pressing against her waist. There was nowhere to retreat.
The river breeze blew in gusts, stirring the colorful ripples on the water’s surface. Ruan Sixian’s hair was tousled by the wind, repeatedly brushing across her eyes.
"Fine."
Fu Mingyu spoke these words.
Hearing that Fu Mingyu seemed willing to let it go, Ruan Sixian breathed a sigh of relief.
The next second, Fu Mingyu placed a card in Ruan Sixian’s hand.
Ruan Sixian looked down at the card in her hand.
A room key.
Just as she was wondering what he meant, she heard him say, "I’ll give you a chance."
Ruan Sixian: "..."
Are you fucking insane?!
OpenNovel