Chapter 55

 

It was not difficult to temporarily hold someone back—the key lay in the reason.

Liang Jiancheng couldn’t find a single reason to delay Pierre’s security check,

And not just by a few minutes, but by half an hour.

If the flight itself wasn’t delayed, then even at Ming Xi’s absolute fastest speed—from Tiansha to Haigang International Airport, through the terminal, and finally reaching Pierre—twenty-five minutes was an extremely harsh limit. Even if she didn’t stop to catch her breath the entire way, it was still a near-impossible timeline.

Most likely, Ming Xi wouldn’t be able to get to him and Pierre within twenty-five minutes.

If…

If Ming Xi failed to arrive in time, Liang Jiancheng had already prepared himself to rebook Pierre’s flight and offer a formal apology.

He thought this, but in the previous call, he told her, “If you can’t get here in twenty-five minutes, Ming Xi, then you owe me a request.”

Ming Xi was so anxious that she immediately hung up the phone.

Liang Jiancheng also hung up. Ming Xi’s nervousness made him feel inexplicably uneasy—not for himself, but for her.

When competing for orders earlier, he hadn’t yielded for her sake. But today, when she had so rarely asked him for help, he truly didn’t want to let her down.

Living in this world, there would always be situation where one willingly compromises.

Besides, he had feelings for her.

At present, international cultural and economic exchange was still in its early stages of development. There weren’t many passengers in the international terminal. Only four or five people were scattered in line at the check-in counters. The flight information board updated intermittently, and the broadcast played the latest boarding announcements.

At the security checkpoint, Pierre, clutching his suitcase and boarding pass, was genuinely puzzled by Liang Jiancheng’s request for him to wait. A French-style joke slipped out: “Mr. Liang’s enthusiasm has given me a fluttering suspicion. Could it be that after a few days of hosting me, you’ve grown reluctant to part with me?”

Pierre spoke lightly, laughing himself—and making Liang Jiancheng laugh as well.

Liang Jiancheng lowered his head slightly and pursed his lips. Aside from a wry smile, his handsome face also revealed a hint of helplessness and apology, as if this had nothing to do with anyone else—only a sincere personal request.

“It is indeed for personal reasons, I hope you can wait another thirty minutes. Someone wants to come and see you off in person.” Despite his seemingly inconsiderate words, Liang Jiancheng maintained his courteous demeanor.

Pierre roughly guessed what was going on and asked, “Is it Lamia—the one we met the other day?”

Liang Jiancheng: “Yes.”

“If I’m not mistaken, you two are competitors. Why is Mr. Liang being so generous?”

Pierre had worked in the Hong Kong office and understood some aspects of Chinese interpersonal relationships. Harmony was prized in Chinese society, but this level of assistance seemed excessive—especially between competitors.

That day at the coffee shop, Lamia had spoken positively of Xinghai, acknowledging the abilities of both Xinghai and Mr. Liang. There had to be something more between the two.

When Pierre voiced his doubts, a subtle emotion flickered in Liang Jiancheng’s clear, steady gaze—something genuine that moved Pierre deeply. The French were born romantics; even if Liang Jiancheng said nothing more, Pierre could already guess much of it.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman standing together was like a scene from a romantic movie. Pierre clearly remembered how Mr. Liang had looked at Lamia that day. To have assumed they were merely competitors—that had been his oversight.

Even though matters of the heart were hardest to articulate, Liang Jiancheng still stated his reason plainly: “She is someone very much worth liking. And I happen to like her very much. So I ask you, Pierre, to wait for her—for my sake.”

Absurd, and yet deeply moving.

Fortunately, Pierre was French, not a rigid German. He readily agreed, even shared his own impression: “Mr. Liang is truly a reserved yet romantic Chinese man.”

Only the Chinese would bury their feelings so deeply, without letting the person involved know.

Pierre not only agreed to delay security by half an hour but also promised to keep the matter confidential.

Perhaps the deepest love was never spoken aloud, but felt by the other person. Pierre joked, “Mr. Liang, I have a strong feeling that I may soon be able to work with Miss Ming.”

In this world, good things could serve as a guarantee of trust in cooperation, such as a man’s earnest and sincere love.

As Ming Xi rode in Factory Director Li’s car, she wondered if she had acted too impulsively this time. She could have contacted Pierre later and mailed him the new sample.

But beyond the sample itself, she wanted to demonstrate her attitude toward work. Once she seized an opportunity, she would never give up any chance of turning the tables.

Would luck be on her side this time?

At least the traffic lights were on her side.

Factory Director Li floored the accelerator, driving with a passion that rivaled a young man’s. Over the past three days, Ming Xi had spent most of her time stationed at the factory, studying the market with this older man, designing the new sample, refining it bit by bit. When it was finally completed, he couldn’t wait to show it to her first.

This new sales rep from Haiou had left a very deep impression on Li Tianming.

She had even, inadvertently, inspired him.

Growing old and being phased out often felt like a law of nature—not because the market rejected them, but because they accepted it themselves. But Ming Xi had been right.

The market only cared about the product—not the age of the person who developed it.

In just twenty minutes, Factory Director Li parked the Xiali at the entrance of the international terminal and called out to Ming Xi, “Young Ming, give it your all. Even if you don’t make it, it’s fine—good products never lack opportunities.”

“Okay!” Ming Xi pushed open the door. A gust of wind rushed toward her as she nearly flew out of the car.

Her connection with Factory Director Li stemmed from the fact that her surname was Ming, and his name also contained the character “Ming.” After they became acquainted, Factory Director Li called her Young Ming, and she called him Old Ming.

Ming Xi ran at full speed, clutching the bag containing the sample. Inside was a colorfully designed box. Before she could even reach the terminal, she almost crashed straight into the chest of a tall, upright, and familiar figure.

Ming Xi stopped abruptly, anxiously looking at Liang Jiancheng who had already come outside. She immediately understood—Pierre must have already boarded, otherwise Liang Jiancheng wouldn’t be out here.

Her face pale and flushed at once, breath held tight, Ming Xi rasped, “Has Pierre already left?”

It hadn’t even been twenty-five minutes…

Seeing her disheveled hair, labored breathing, and flushed cheeks, Liang Jiancheng smiled lightly and pleasantly. His hand naturally lifted to smooth her hair away from her forehead.

“I came out to wait for you, just to tell you something, Ming Xi… You’re really lucky.”

Huh?

Ming Xi processed this, lips spreading into a grin. That means Pierre hasn’t left, right?

Liang Jiancheng gave a quiet hum in confirmation.

He had already prepared to rebook Pierre’s flight—but then a sudden announcement rang through the terminal: Pierre’s flight was delayed by an hour due to air traffic control.

Liang Jiancheng had taken this route many times; its on-time rate was about ninety percent.

Was it Ming Xi’s luck?

Or his?

Or perhaps, they were both lucky?

At the terminal entrance, people were coming in and going out. Ming Xi and Liang Jiancheng stood closer than they ever had before—less than half a palm’s distance apart. Her breathing was still heavy, her chest rising noticeably; they were almost pressed together.

In fact, Liang Jiancheng’s hand was already on Ming Xi’s shoulder: “I came out to catch you early just to remind you—so later you wouldn’t rush in out of breath and scare the client. Pierre has a vivid imagination. If you’d come charging in like this, he might’ve thought this Chinese girl want to chase him all the way to France.”

At a moment like this, Liang Jiancheng was still joking with her! Ming Xi felt both grateful and a little indignant—though perhaps it wasn’t anger so much as a spirited kind of defiance.

He’d even used the word catch—no wonder he’d grabbed her like a rabbit earlier.

A smile flickered in Liang Jiancheng’s eyes as he reminded her to tidy herself up.

“What’s Pierre doing inside right now?” Ming Xi asked while fixing her appearance.

Liang Jiancheng: “Using the restroom.”

Ming Xi tugged the corner of her mouth in relief. Once she’d mostly fixed her hair and clothes, she used Liang Jiancheng as a mirror and asked, “How do I look?”

Liang Jiancheng had grown up abroad and was accustomed to expressing himself in English. Since returning to China, he generally avoided mixing languages—but now, looking seriously at Ming Xi, her breathing steadied though her cheeks were still faintly flushed, a single English word slipped out: “Gorgeous!”

When praising a girl, compared to “beautiful” or “pretty”, “gorgeous” better captured the speaker’s sense of delight.

She was already so captivating that it genuinely pleased him.

Fortunately, Ming Xi kept a thick advanced English vocabulary book by her pillow at night—otherwise she might not have understood his compliment.

“Thank you!” she replied with a smug grin.

Factory Director Li rolled down the window, and Ming Xi turned around and waved to him. Since cars couldn’t stop here for long, she had him head back first. She trusted that Liang Jiancheng would definitely see her home.

After all, he’d helped her so much—there was no way he wouldn’t take her back afterward.

Liang Jiancheng smiled openly, his brows and eyes lively as he blinked. Hadn’t this huge favor come with conditions?

…

She truly hadn’t expected that she would not only manage to personally deliver the new sample into Pierre’s hands, but do so without any trace of haste or disarray—calm, poised, and composed, presenting the bag with both hands.

Ming Xi said to Pierre, “Although Christmas is still a long way off, in China we believe gifts should be given in advance.”

She offered the samples to Pierre as a Christmas present.

In the high-end small appliance market, Haiou could never compete with Xinghai and Shuangyang. She shouldn’t waste her energy on things with minimal chances; instead, she needed to change her approach.

Could she redefine small appliances?

What she gave Pierre was a small Christmas table lamp—designed by herself, with a handmade prototype produced by Factory Director Li. She had asked him which products currently had the highest margins.

Factory Director Li had said lighting components were quite profitable.

High-end appliances weren’t replaced often in ordinary households. But these inexpensive, feel-good little items—people bought them less for practical value and more for emotional satisfaction.

Therefore, Ming Xi’s design philosophy focused solely on aesthetics; practical functionality was secondary.

As long as it lit up, that was enough.

“Lamia, I’ll open your gift on the plane. If I like it, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”

Ming Xi was confident. “I will definitely hear back from you.”

After holding him for half an hour, it was finally time for Pierre to go through security.

Liang Jiancheng and Pierre shook hands again. Ming Xi’s gaze drifted lightly to the watches on their wrists—one understated and elegant, the other ornate and substantial.

A couple of days ago, Sister CC suddenly grabbed Ming Xi’s wrist, looked at the quartz watch on her wrist, and asked where she bought it and how much it cost. Ming Xi had answered honestly: a watch shop in an alley, one hundred yuan.

The disdain in Sister CC’s eyes had been impossible to hide. She bluntly told Ming Xi to buy a better watch. For someone in sales—especially foreign trade—a good watch was indispensable.

She even recommended a brand.

That was how people were. When Ming Xi hadn’t cared about her watch, she’d casually rolled up her sleeve to check the time. But once Sister CC deliberately pointed out that her cheap quartz watch was embarrassing, it was impossible not to feel a little self-conscious.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have paid attention to the watch on Liang Jiancheng’s wrist.

It seemed to be the brand Sister CC had recommended.

Look at her—so ambitious already. The order wasn’t even secured yet, and she was already studying the boss’s setup.

When Pierre disappeared beyond the security checkpoint, Ming Xi finally had the leisure to take in Haigang International Airport. Embarrassing as it was to admit, today was the first time she had ever seen an airport in person.

The tall, wide glass curtain wall allowed natural light to flood the entire place, creating a luminous effect.

Well-dressed passengers waited calmly at the check-in counters, while uniformed airline staff, smiling, efficiently processed their check-in.

In the waiting areas, passengers sat quietly—some resting with eyes closed, some working on laptops, others flipping through magazines.

Ming Xi had been to Haigang’s train station and long-distance bus terminal before. Those places were crowded and frantic. The airport was different—orderly, composed, unhurried.

She looked around with open curiosity. Seeing how carefully she was observing everything, Liang Jiancheng slowed his pace to match hers, as if accompanying her on a tour. Ming Xi found it amusing and asked Liang Jiancheng, “Mr. Liang, what’s the farthest place you’ve ever flown to?”

Without hesitation, Liang Jiancheng answered, “Argentina.”

Ming Xi, initially captivated by the airport, was startled by Liang Jiancheng’s mention of Argentina. Argentina wasn’t a particularly mainstream destination. She only knew a little about it from Brother Jiangliu’s posts. A ridiculous thought suddenly surfaced, and Ming Xi silently panicked, afraid it might show on her face.

If Liang Jiancheng was Jiangliu Dadao…

She couldn’t even imagine how she would feel. She had showered Bother Jiangliu with so much praise—praised him to the skies. If that person turned out to be Liang Jiancheng…

She wouldn’t even dare to face him…

Even as she desperately told herself it was impossible, once the suspicion existed, the urge to confirm it followed. But she couldn’t ask directly, so she spoke around it: “I’ve never been abroad. I’ve never even flown on a plane.”

Her voice softened, as if she were casually saying she’d never eaten durian—like it was no big deal.

“Then you might get tired of it in the future. As a foreign trade sales rep, catching flights could become routine.”

“Really?” she glanced at him.

Liang Jiancheng: “Of course! You’ll go to many places in the future. Faraway places. Even places you want to go.”

Liang Jiancheng mentioned “places” three times and Ming Xi listened with longing.

But even as she yearned, she blinked playfully, pretending to be innocent. “Mr. Liang… how many countries have you been to? Could you tell me which ones?”

If mentioning Argentina earlier had been unintentional, then now—seeing the sly sparkle in her eyes—Liang Jiancheng’s guard went up.

He knew how clever she was.

“Not many. We’ll fly together sometime in the future,” Liang Jiancheng chuckled.

Ming Xi, however, wasn’t going to let him off the hook: “Mr. Liang, just tell me a few, let me broaden my horizons.”

“No, there’s nothing worth talking about,” Liang Jiancheng shook his head.

Ming Xi: …

Hmph, this guy is definitely not Jiangliu Dadao! Her Brother Jiangliu was a generous sharer, unlike this guy in front of her, who was very tight-lipped. Ming Xi lifted her chin, about to walk ahead.

Then, behind her, came a polite yet probing voice, tinged with a faint smile:

“Ming Xi, you said on the phone that you’d agree to any conditions, does that mean I can ask you for anything?”

Ming Xi turned around, looking momentarily stunned.

She had completely forgotten about that.

How could the dignified Boss Liang seriously take the words spoken by a little woman in urgency!

But since she planned to become a dignified woman herself someday, she nodded lightly and repeated what she’d said on the phone: “Yes… I said I’d agree to any conditions you ask me today.”

Liang Jiancheng tilted his head, thinking seriously for a moment: “Did you say today?”

Ming Xi replied confidently, yet cautiously: “Yes! I said today… Did you hang up too fast and not hear the rest?”

Liang Jiancheng sighed. Truly impossible to guard against. He’d thought he could gain a huge advantage—a blank check, essentially. But there was a condition—

It had to be today!

Right.

Ming Xi had added “today” on the fly. Today she was still a struggling young woman. She didn’t believe Liang Jiancheng would ask for anything outrageous.

Unless…

Never mind. Liang Jiancheng sighed again, looking both amused and helpless.

Ming Xi sensed the deliberately revealed frustration—as if he’d been outplayed by a schemer.

And yet, for someone supposedly frustrated, he looked rather happy.

“Ming Xi, you have to treat me to something,” Liang Jiancheng said.

Ming Xi became the most agreeable person in the world, her eyes crinkling as she asked Liang Jiancheng, “What do you want to eat?”

So, Liang Jiancheng’s request was for her to treat him?

No problem!

Although airport food was expensive, she believed she could afford anything Liang Jiancheng saw at the airport today.

Without hesitation, he said, “The ice cream at that counter over there is pretty good. Treat me to ice cream.”

Huh? Just ice cream?

Ming Xi looked up and indeed saw an ice cream stand in the shopping area past the entrance. She gave Liang Jiancheng an OK sign and quickened her pace towards the ice cream counter.

She bought one for Liang Jiancheng and one for herself. Different flavors: He chose chocolate. She chose strawberry.

…

The two of them walked out of the terminal building holding their ice creams, stopping beside two round stone bollards. From time to time, travelers dragged wheeled suitcases past them.

Liang Jiancheng’s car was parked in the airport parking area; he planned to finish the ice cream before taking Ming Xi back.

Ming Xi stood next to Liang Jiancheng, carefully licking her ice cream. She always looked satisfied while eating, let alone something as sweet and delightful as ice cream. And because these two ice creams were ridiculously expensive, Ming Xi ate with particular care and focus.

“Delicious…” she said to Liang Jiancheng.

No wonder someone like Liang Jiancheng, who didn’t look like a foodie at all, would recommend airport ice cream. She had thought he was trying to save her money, but the two cones still cost her fifty yuan.

Someone ate with a curved smile, and a little red strawberry jam accidentally smearing on the corner of her lips…

Liang Jiancheng suddenly became a little distracted.

“Is it really delicious?” His throat felt cool, and even his voice seemed to carry a chill.

“It’s delicious,” Ming Xi replied. Hadn’t she said it many times before? It really was delicious!

When a man decided to throw everything to the wind, neither morals nor manners could restrain his shamelessness.

“Can I have a bite of yours?” Liang Jiancheng made this request with a serious yet slightly frivolous tone.

Ming Xi froze instantly. She stared at her ice cream, which she had almost licked halfway through, feeling that not only was she stunned, but the ice cream in her hand was also stunned!

It was ice-stunned.

“I’ve never had strawberry flavor before,” Liang Jiancheng explained.

Ming Xi: …

Should she go buy another one?

“Didn’t you say you would grant me any request today? My request today is this.” The first shameless sentence came with a hint of embarrassment; by the second one, he had completely abandoned all shame.

The evening breeze outside the terminal carried his clear, understated voice straight into Ming Xi’s ears.

She narrowed her eyes slightly and met his gaze. Liang Jiancheng pressed his lips together; his eyes not fixed on the ice cream in her hand—but on her.

At this moment, pretending to be clueless would only ruin the atmosphere.

Between a man and a woman, sudden sparks of attraction are like a gust of wind whose direction and timing are unknown—appearing without warning and disappearing just as quietly. If she showed embarrassment or coy hesitation now, it would feel like a waste…

“Alright, I’ll give you a bite.” Ming Xi said, blinking once, her clear, bright eyes meeting his direct yet probing gaze without flinching.

She raised her hand, offering the ice cream to his mouth. As long as he lowered his head slightly and opened his mouth, he could taste it.

Liang Jiancheng: “…Thank you.”

Ming Xi: “Don’t bite too much. Just a small bite.”

“Okay…”

Liang Jiancheng took a small bite of her strawberry ice cream. It was really sweet.

“Do you want to try mine? It’s good too.” Liang Jiancheng also held out his chocolate ice cream.

Ming Xi: …Oh.

At this point, it would be fair for her to try his.

Liang Jiancheng had already extended his ice cream. Just like before, she only needed to open her mouth.

“You can take a bigger bite,” he teased.

Then she wouldn’t hold back.

Ming Xi bit off the entire pointed tip of his ice cream.

“Heh.” Liang Jiancheng chuckled softly.

Ming Xi turned her head away, looking toward the stream of rental cars and sedans moving along the departure platform.

She didn’t know exactly what kind of feeling existed between her and Liang Jiancheng at that moment—but when she gently bit into the ice cream he was holding, a natural warmth flowed quietly through her heart.

Soft, tender, and lingering as it passed.

—

In the blink of an eye, June turned into July.

Since she had already “bitten onto” a big fish like Pierre, Ming Xi had no intention of letting go. Seeing Liang Jiancheng personally driving Pierre to and from appointments, she knew his value went far beyond the small contract volumes he had brought earlier.

Her judgment proved correct.

Compared to high-end small appliances, everyday household novelty items were indeed more popular in the North American market.

In July, Ming Xi went back to Ding Xiao’s place and bought two more business dresses.

This month, a new sales rep at Zhongjin Tower closed a massive deal. The news spread quickly—not only among the colleagues at Haiou, but even sales reps at Xinghai were quietly discussing Ming Xi’s first order.

“My god! Haiou’s Lamia landed her first deal worth five hundred thousand US dollars!”

“What a waste for talent like that to stay at Haiou—out Boss Liang should poach her!”

“Poach her so she can steal your orders?”

“Maybe she just got lucky.”

“Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Luck is the most terrifying strength’?”

“But no one can stay lucky forever.”

“When luck runs out, you rely on ability. When luck’s there, it’s luck plus ability!”

“…”

It was Saturday. Ming Xi had volunteered to work half a day overtime. Right—she was also hosting dinner tonight, and planned to bring along a new friend to introduce to everyone.

Recently, she had been busy. Cai Ni was busy. Han Junjun and Dezi were even busier…

Of course, Liang Jiancheng was no exception, equally busy.

Being busy was good.

Every day felt full and forward-moving.

Today she was treating everyone, including her new friend and the Yicheng group.

The only person she hadn’t invited yet was Liang Jiancheng.

Mainly because…

Privately spending time or eating with him was fine. But when Liang Jiancheng joined meals with her friends, the subtle atmosphere of differing social classes trying to forcibly blend together always made her uneasy.

She wasn’t being considerate of the wealthy one—she was being considerate of those without money.

Forget it. When a group ate together, whoever stood out the most was where the problem lies.

Overtime culture hadn’t really taken hold yet. The office was empty on Saturday except for her. Ming Xi directly called Liang Jiancheng and told him about the dinner.

“Are you free? Six o’clock tonight… It’s at Jiangnan Mei.”

Jiangnan Mei was a popular spot for team dinners in Haigang—reasonably priced, with a wide variety of dishes. Ming Xi had already booked a private room.

“Ming Xi,” Liang Jiancheng said, “is this the first time you’re inviting me to dinner?”

Liang Jiancheng asked gently, but his voice changed slightly over the phone, sounding a little annoying.

Hadn’t she treated him to ice cream before?

“Just the two of us?” Liang Jiancheng asked again.

No, there were many people. Ming Xi cleared her throat and listed everyone attending, including her Yicheng friends.

“No problem,” Liang Jiancheng agreed.

“There’s one more,” Ming Xi added.

“Who?”

“Also…a friend of mine. He’s a local Haigang.”

“Oh…”

To make sure Liang Jiancheng was really coming, she asked again, “Mr. Liang, are you honoring us with your presence or not?”

At this moment, Liang Jiancheng had just finished a friendly tennis match. He waved to his partner, signaling he was leaving. At the same time, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel hanging around his neck.

His competitive edge from the match still hadn’t completely dissipated. Holding his phone, Liang Jiancheng agreed with a very confident tone, “Yes, of course I’ll come.”

It was only been a short time. In the blink of an eye, this “networking” friend had become one of the group of friends.

“Great. I’ll introduce my friend to you tonight. He’s really impressive.”

Liang Jiancheng wasn’t the type to pry or care about strangers for no reason.

“How is he impressive?” Who said men lacked intuition—he already sensed the friend was male.

“He… he graduated from Peking University,” Ming Xi revealed the truth.

Oh.

How strange! Liang Jiancheng was amused by his own sudden, inexplicable sense of relief.

Peking University…

It’s really quite good.

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