Chapter 16: It Couldn’t Possibly Be Such a Coincidence

For several consecutive days, the weather in the capital had been exceptionally fine.

On the morning of her departure, Jiang Mian did not go to the airport with Shen Li; instead, she took a taxi from her own residence.

By the time she arrived at the airport, Shen Li was already waiting by the entrance, pushing a suitcase.

The young girl was leaning on her luggage with her head down, seemingly absorbed in something, her brows faintly furrowed.

When Jiang Mian approached, Shen Li suddenly snapped back to attention.

She immediately straightened her posture and widened her eyes as she looked at Jiang Mian.

“Sister Mianmian.”

Jiang Mian glanced at the girl's phone screen, which was still displaying a group chat.

The staff in the studio had their own little group chat, which did not surprise her much.

Sometimes, excessive closeness between a boss and employees could undermine authority.

Smiling slightly, Jiang Mian pulled her suitcase and headed inside the airport, with Shen Li quickly closing her phone and tugging her suitcase to catch up.

“What were you just worrying about?” she asked gently, pulling a bottle of vitamin water from her crossbody bag and handing it to Shen Li.

She had only eaten a croissant that morning, so she had bought two bottles on the way—a good way to quench thirst.

Shen Li accepted it, smiling sheepishly and scratching her head.

“They asked me to help with some purchasing!”

Jiang Mian twisted the cap open and took a sip, her gaze inadvertently falling on a man in the distance.

He was backlit, his face obscured, but his upright posture caught many glances.

Another man beside him was speaking to him; he slightly lowered his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Jiang Mian was momentarily distracted, lowering her eyes to screw the cap back on.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man seemingly walking over in their direction.

When she looked up again, he was close, and his familiar face made Jiang Mian pause.

“Miss Jiang, long time no see.”

Wen Jinhuai was dressed in a black shirt, buttoned neatly to the collar, with a round cufflink on his wrist.

When she lowered her eyes, she noticed the pattern on the cufflink resembled a flowing night sky.

“President Wen.”

She replied softly, then glanced at the man beside Wen Jinhuai.

He, too, wore a shirt and trousers and had a pleasant demeanor, but compared to Wen Jinhuai, he was somewhat overshadowed.

“Miss Jiang, hello. I am President Wen’s special assistant, Xiao Ming.”

The man nodded lightly with a smile.

“Assistant Xiao, hello.”

Jiang Mian returned the smile and turned to Shen Li beside her.

“This is my assistant, Shen Li.”

After greetings, Jiang Mian glanced at the time—there were still thirty minutes before boarding.

“Miss Jiang, have you made a decision?”

He was straightforward, with no preamble.

Jiang Mian looked at him with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes and did not answer immediately, instead resting her hand on the suitcase handle.

The man appeared unhurried, his eyes calm, lacking the ruthless decisiveness typical of the business world.

She opened her mouth but abruptly changed the subject.

“President Wen, are you going on a business trip?”

“Something like that. Invited to attend XG’s new product launch.”

“What a coincidence,” she tilted her head slightly, instinctively pressing her lips together.

Had her senior also invited Wen Jinhuai? She had never heard him mention this man before.

At her words, Wen Jinhuai’s thin lips curved slightly, his eyelids drooping as he looked at her calmly.

“Miss Jiang, are you also attending?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

Then, the two fell into a certain silence.

Shen Li tugged at her hem from behind; Jiang Mian turned her head to see Shen Li lean close, one hand covering her mouth.

“Sister Mianmian, do you think we’ll be seated together?”

“No way, it wouldn’t be that lucky.”

She whispered back, tapping Shen Li lightly on the forehead.

The young girl stuck out her tongue and, catching Xiao Ming’s gaze, lowered her head shyly.

Compared to Wen Jinhuai’s assistant, Shen Li was just a rookie in the workplace.

Although appreciated and promoted by Jiang Mian, her experience was still limited.

Under Xiao Ming’s professional pressure, she was somewhat uncomfortable.

Perhaps because first-class cabins were not that spacious, or perhaps because Shen Li’s words came true.

In any case, Jiang Mian stared at the seat beside her, lost in thought.

Wen Jinhuai, however, seemed oblivious, methodically placing his laptop bag on the tray table before settling into his seat.

He raised his hand, his knotted fingers resting on the armrest.

When he turned his head, his fringe partially obscured his gaze.

Jiang Mian was momentarily dazed, mechanically placing her bag away before slowly sitting down, her spine involuntarily straightening.

She simply could not fully relax in front of Wen Jinhuai.

Lowering her eyes, she held her phone pressed against her lap, motionless for a moment.

The man beside her leaned forward slightly, turning his upper body in her direction, his gaze fixed on her.

Jiang Mian’s long hair hung down, partially covering her face, but it was clear she was lost in thought.

Wen Jinhuai’s mouth twitched upwards briefly before settling down again.

His gaze rested on the partition between their seats, his eyes dimming slightly.

“Miss Jiang, there’s really no need to be so nervous.”

“What?” she was momentarily startled, her back stiffening as a thin sweat appeared.

Turning her head, Wen Jinhuai was already leaning against the seatback, the partition blocking most of his body, so Jiang Mian could not see his expression.

Her eyes fell on his crossed long legs; his black trousers stretched neatly.

Her gaze returned forward, only catching the tips of his shoes.

Just then, a flight attendant passed by on one side, and Wen Jinhuai raised his hand.

“A Coke, and one for the lady next door as well, thank you.”

“No need,” she replied.

But her words had little effect; Wen Jinhuai did not even glance in her direction.

Jiang Mian felt a bit deflated, unsure of what to say next.

Originally, she had planned to fly economy, but her lifelong accustomed high-quality life was unbearable, so she had bitten the bullet and booked first class.

At first, Shen Li was thrilled knowing she had booked first class.

The young girl had rarely flown before, let alone in first class, and clung to Jiang Mian’s arm, acting coquettishly for a while.

Jiang Mian exhaled softly and leaned back slowly in her seat.

The plane taxied for a stretch on the ground, then gradually lifted its nose and finally soared into the sky.

The air conditioning in the airport was set rather low; she asked a flight attendant for a blanket to cover herself, her gaze resting on the tall glass on the tray table.

Tiny bubbles clung to the glass walls; leaning closer, one could smell the champagne’s gentle, delicate aroma.

She had never been particularly fond of champagne on previous flights, thus seldom tasted it.

Holding the glass, she took a careful sip; a faint floral fragrance seemed to linger between her lips and teeth.

Her peripheral vision flicked over to Wen Jinhuai’s glass, which was nearly empty.

She didn’t notice when he had taken out his laptop, but it was open now.

However, Jiang Mian did not look closely, knowing that would be impolite.