CH 7

His tall, slender figure drew a hazy shadow and his handsome face looked deep and indiscernible in the shadows.

His gaze was also somewhat intimidating in the twilight.

“Miss Jian.” His voice was as deep and cold as usual.

I didn’t know how long he had been standing there, or how much he had actually heard. I looked at him without saying a word.

It was just that today had been really hectic and it was exhausting to deal with these difficult characters over and over again. My tired-out mind just wished the man in front of me would end this meeting sooner, but obviously, that was only a wish.

“If you can, please take the time to visit the Jian Estate.”

The low voice paused, then added, “Now.”

Now?

I frowned, trying to suppress the irritation in my heart.

“Mr. Xi, you seem to have forgotten that our appointment is tomorrow.”

His eyes were stern as he looked straight at me. “Now, I think you should be free.”

“Xi Xichen, I have to say, you’re really presumptuous.”

Ignoring me, he said, “Please.”

I started to feel a little angry, as anyone would be in this situation. I didn’t know why he had come to mess with me, as there was no need to!

“I’ll be there tomorrow morning.”

Without further ado, I turned around and walked towards the flat gate. Piao Zheng should already have taken the lift straight up from the car park, and my lingering was going to cause another long, unnecessary racket for a while.

“Your father leaves for Singapore tomorrow.”

I stopped walking immediately! What did he mean? Was he telling me that Jian Anjie, who had been kicked out of the Jian family, was no longer qualified to return to the family anytime, anywhere, or was he trying to tell me that even if I wanted to meet my own father, it would depend on whether that father was available to summon me?

To this day, I have to admit that I was afraid of – and hated –  Xi Xichen! Yes, hate! Six years ago, when he hit me, I still couldn’t forget that throbbing heat coupled with the lowest of insults. That startling moment, when I lost all my pride and self-respect for an instant and could only caress the corners of my mouth and sob on the floor.

I turned back to him with a calm face. Six years of experience had honed my senses on worldliness and hypocrisy.

“If that is the case, then please tell my father that there is no need to waste this amount of time on me tonight, and as for tomorrow, heck, coincidentally I will be leaving as well.” I smiled, “I suppose you’ll be happy to pass this on for me, Mr. Xi?”

I turned away once more, but Xi Xichen moved three steps to stand in front of me. I was not expecting such swift movement from a man.

“What do you mean?”

What had been a stoic expression before now became elusive.

If Ye Lin’s approach was what made my heart palpitate and panic, then Xi Xichen’s approach was what frightened and scared me.

I tried in vain to push him aside, but he grabbed my arms.

“Nom de Dieu, damn it!” I subconsciously cursed in French, “Let go, Xi Xichen!”

“Let go? Is it okay for him to hold you!” There was a hidden anger in his eyes that would have been hard to detect if he hadn’t been standing so close to me. I didn’t know what his anger was about though. It was inexplicable, since I was the one who should have been angry in this situation!

“I don’t think you’re in a position to ask me about things like that!”

His body trembled as he stared at me, his eyes dark and compelling.

When he spoke again his voice had regained its composure. “If I have understood you correctly, then you mean, Miss Jian, that you will be returning to France tomorrow?”

“More or less.” I was going to see my mother in Shanghai tomorrow afternoon and flying to France early the morning after, but I didn’t think I needed to explain that much to him.

“More or less?” His tone returned to condescending. “Then Miss Jian, you must return to the Jian Estate tonight.”

“Ridiculous! Who are you to tell me ‘must’!”

“Legally, I am your cousin.” Xi Xichen’s voice got a little sad when he said this.

This was so refreshing! I resisted the urge to laugh out loud.

“Don’t press me with this irritating relationship! It’s disgusting to hear!”

“Very well! I’m also–”

The sudden ringing of his phone interrupted his next words. Xi Xichen took the phone out of his coat pocket, glanced at me, then frowned before answering.

“….Yes!….good!”

Then he handed the phone over to me. “Your father.”

I looked at him and then at the black phone in his hand for a long moment before finally taking it.

“Xiao Jie, I asked Xichen to pick you up, I hope you don’t mind.”

His tone was rusty and polite, not like family. “Can you come over now?” The old voice sounded humble and sincere.

I was determined not to go back before taking this phone call. Previously, I had wanted to sort some things out before returning but when I had discovered that I had a brother, and dragged my luggage out of Jian’s house, nothing had mattered anymore.

I handed the phone back to the man in front of me, turned, and walked to the curb where I signaled for a taxi.

He followed and stood in front of me. “Do you have to do this?”

I looked at him sideways and then smiled. “Didn’t you say I was afraid of you? I admit it, I’m afraid of you.”

Xichen’s eyes darkened and he looked like he wanted to say something, but he eventually  suppressed it.

A car pulled up in front of me and without hesitation, I crossed over and climbed in.