Blossom through the Cloud - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

After getting off the plane, Ruan Sixian opened her phone to find that various WeChat messages and missed calls had piled up to the point of overflowing.

Once she boarded the tour bus heading toward the hotel, Ruan Sixian finally had a free moment to start replying to messages.

Jiang Ziyue moved even faster than Ruan Sixian, sending a message in a colleague group chat to announce that she had already arrived in London, asking if any other colleagues were still in London and proposing a get-together.

This group was created privately among themselves, including flight attendants, captains, co-pilots, as well as some accompanying flight mechanics and security officers.

Someone asked Jiang Ziyue who was in the cabin crew this time, and Jiang Ziyue listed them off one by one before asking: Why are you asking? Is there some hidden meaning behind that?

Ruan Sixian glanced at the heated discussion in the group, knowing Jiang Ziyue was talking about her. Before she even had time to frown, two private chats popped up.

One was from Captain Yue, who was stationed at the London base this year, inviting her out for dinner.

The other was from a flight steward who had arrived in London yesterday, inviting her to go sightseeing together in the afternoon.

This wasn't the first time they had expressed interest in Ruan Sixian, and certainly not the last two.

For some unknown reason, Ruan Sixian felt her romantic luck had been exceptionally good this year. The endless stream of suitors left her overwhelmed, especially after she shot the magazine cover for Shihang's March issue. Every week, several people found roundabout ways to add her on WeChat.

Ruan Sixian declined both of them, claiming she already had plans for today.

As Ruan Sixian sent out the messages, Jiang Ziyue shot a teasing glance at her phone. "Captain Yue, huh? You're even turning him down?"

"..."

Captain Yue's intentions toward Ruan Sixian weren't common knowledge to everyone, but anyone with eyes could pick up on a few hints.

Still, when all was said and done, it was a private matter. Having it brought up so blatantly, and with someone snooping at her phone without permission, would upset anyone.

"I made plans with a friend in London today."

Jiang Ziyue didn't believe her explanation—or perhaps she felt it was merely a perfunctory excuse. She pouted, lowering her head to look at her phone. "I've always been curious about why you never date. Is your standard just way too high?"

Ruan Sixian replied, "No... I'm just not considering those things right now."

Jiang Ziyue raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly. "Looking across the entire airline, Captain Yue is drop-dead gorgeous, only twenty-nine years old, making a million a year, and on the shortlist for chief captain. How many people in our cabin department are staring at him with eager eyes, yet you still look down on him."

Ruan Sixian glanced sideways at her, taking in every nuance of her expression.

Could it be that Jiang Ziyue had a thing for Captain Yue?

Captain Yue was indeed an outstanding catch, but at the same time, his reputation as a playboy was well known. Working in an airline environment surrounded by wave after wave of beautiful flight attendants felt almost like stepping into an imperial harem; his speed in changing girlfriends rivaled a runway model changing outfits, transforming completely in the blink of an eye.

"I didn't mean to look down on him," Ruan Sixian muttered under her breath. "He's just not my type."

A light snort sounded beside her, carrying a hint of all-knowing cynicism.

How was one supposed to explain something like this? Ruan Sixian felt she and Jiang Ziyue hadn't reached the level of heart-to-heart confidantes, so she stopped responding and scrolled down her WeChat list instead, only to find that Si Xiaozhen had sent her several messages over the past four hours asking about the situation.

Ruan Sixian replied with just six characters: Didn't deliver it. No go.

Si Xiaozhen didn't reply because she was already on a flight heading to New York at that moment.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Ruan Sixian and Jiang Ziyue shared a twin room.

It was currently ten-thirty in the morning London time, and Jiang Ziyue was taking off her makeup to get some sleep. Ruan Sixian lacked that kind of jet-lag-defying superpower; she was terrified that if she fell asleep now, she would be so exhausted she'd lose her mind during the return flight two mornings later, so she had arranged to meet a friend during the day.

"Oh right, Ruan Ruan, what on earth happened on the plane today?" Jiang Ziyue was holding a sheet mask, her mouth moving as she spoke. "I saw you practically sit right on President Fu's lap."

Ruan Sixian, who was in the middle of changing clothes, paused. "..."

Could Jiang Ziyue please refrain from tossing out the words "on his lap" with such pinpoint accuracy?

"What lap? I just lost my footing during the turbulence."

Jiang Ziyue smiled, hiding her expression behind the thick sheet mask.

Summer was brushing against early autumn, carrying both floral fragrance and a hint of chill in the breeze.

London was frequently rainy. Wearing a white shirt and jeans, Ruan Sixian looked as pure and fresh as a small white flower swaying in the wind.

--- Ruan Sixian felt she truly was swaying in the wind; after flying for more than ten hours and forcing herself to stay awake, she could barely stand straight anymore.

"Ruan Ruan, have you landed in London?"

The line on Bian Xuan's end was very quiet, yet her voice was kept quite low. "Babe, I just got off the plane and couldn't wait to call you. You have to come with me to a place today—there's a surprise!"

Before Ruan Sixian could answer, the other person hung up.

That alone showed just how eager she was.

Still, Ruan Sixian genuinely liked Bian Xuan.

She loved her enthusiasm, generosity, and playful spirit, and she loved eating and drinking around with her.

"Alright, but where are we meeting?"

A few minutes later, Bian Xuan replied.

"Sorry, I was too excited just now and forgot to ask—where are you right now?"

Ruan Sixian sent over her live location.

"Oh, we're super close then! Just come straight to W.T. Airport to wait for me. I'll be coming out in about forty minutes."

W.T. Airport was a private airport located in London.

Ruan Sixian had diverted to land at this airport once before, so she wasn't unfamiliar with it and simply walked straight over.

As for why she was going to a private airport to wait for Bian Xuan, Ruan Sixian wasn't surprised at all, because Bian Xuan was a private jet flight attendant.

This private airport belonged to her boss.

Actually, the difference between a private airport and a regular airport wasn't all that huge, at least in terms of appearance.

Inside the bright, clean building with its crystal-clear windows, one could directly watch airplanes taking off and landing on the runway. The floor beneath her feet shone brightly enough to reflect light. Ruan Sixian bought a cup of coffee, stood in the arrivals hall, and kept an eye on the people emerging from the exit.

Foot traffic wasn't heavy today. Travel-worn passengers hurried along with brisk steps, while those waiting outside looked impatient and anxious. It seemed only Ruan Sixian strolled leisurely, taking a sip of her coffee from time to time as if she were out sightseeing.

Bian Xuan was running late, prompting Ruan Sixian to send her another message.

"I've arrived."

"Yup yup! I'm on my way! My boss stopped to chat with the airport director for a bit, but I'm almost at the exit now."

"Why are you still with your boss right after getting off the plane?"

"That's the surprise I wanted to tell you about! The boss is hosting a private yacht party tonight right on the Thames, and he invited me—while also letting me bring a friend along!"

Ruan Sixian almost choked on a mouthful of coffee.

"So you're bringing me?"

"Yeah! You'll keep me company, right? I'd be so bored by myself!"

Ruan Sixian didn't reply right away, prompting Bian Xuan to fire off several more messages.

"My boss is super nice! He's a really fun and hospitable old man!"

"Let's go together! Come on, come on!"

"A yacht party on the Thames! This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Unable to withstand Bian Xuan's text message bombardment, Ruan Sixian agreed.

Half a year ago, Bian Xuan had also asked her if she wanted to quit her job and come to the UK. She knew Bian Xuan's boss had a business partner who handled Chinese operations and was looking to recruit a Chinese private jet flight attendant. Ruan Sixian was smart, had a science and engineering degree, spoke fluent English, learned things quickly, and was gorgeous—making her the absolute ideal candidate for a private jet position. Furthermore, the compensation for private flight attendants was beyond what ordinary airline crew could compare to; owners of private jets cared nothing about that little bit of salary. Sometimes, when a boss entertained guests, if the private flight attendant provided exceptional service, the tips alone could equal half a year's salary for an ordinary person. On top of that, they got to fly around the globe with the boss year-round—such a job was endlessly enviable.

Yet Ruan Sixian had declined, with one staying in Jiangcheng and the other heading to London. The two of them hadn't seen each other in nearly a year, and compared to any hesitation about a strange gathering, Ruan Sixian wanted even more to spend a happy day with Bian Xuan.

As she looked up, Ruan Sixian spotted Bian Xuan walking out from another exit.

Because she flew private, she bypassed the regular channel. Wearing a striking crimson uniform and dragging her flight case, she stood out distinctively amidst the crowd.

Bian Xuan waved at Ruan Sixian from afar.

The airport lights blazed bright overhead as Ruan Sixian strode forward, walking toward her with a smile.

Having been apart for so long, her friend seemed to have changed quite a bit—she had slimmed down a little, but looked even more stunning.

Ruan Sixian's eyes welled naturally with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

Yet just when she was about ten meters away from Bian Xuan, Ruan Sixian saw two more people emerge from that same exit.

The one in the lead possessed an arresting aura that immediately captured Ruan Sixian's line of sight.

Before Ruan Sixian could adjust her expression, she locked eyes directly with Fu Mingyu.

And she was still maintaining her bright smile while striding forward on brisk feet.

"..."

At that exact second, Ruan Sixian's first thought was: Why on earth is he appearing at this airport?

Her second thought was: Oh shit, is he going to think I'm intentionally stalking him?

Ruan Sixian's smile slowly stiffened at the corners of her mouth.

--- Why on earth did she appear here?

--- She really was plotting and scheming, wasn't she?

Ruan Sixian was almost certain Fu Mingyu thought this way, because the moment he caught sight of Ruan Sixian, his footsteps hitched for a beat before he turned on his heel and walked toward a different exit.

Ruan Sixian: "..."

What the hell...

"Ruan Ruan!"

Bian Xuan rushed over and trapped her in a bear hug, abruptly cutting off Ruan Sixian's train of overthinking. "I've 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 spent a lot of time taking deep breaths.

Sooner or later, she was going to die of oxygen deprivation under his tailored suit trousers.

"Nothing, just too happy, acting a little silly."

Ruan Sixian forcefully tossed her coffee cup into the trash can with a resounding thud, putting plenty of force into it.

Bian Xuan looked Ruan Sixian up and down. "But... how come I feel like you don't look very happy?"

"That's why I need to be happy right now, and I even want to drink alcohol." Ruan Sixian hooked her arm around Bian Xuan's shoulder. "Let's go."

It was midday. Ruan Sixian accompanied Bian Xuan home to drop off her things, change her clothes, and grab some lunch, leaving the entire afternoon wide open for getting dolled up.

Bian Xuan felt Ruan Sixian was dressed way too plainly, so she dragged her out to shop for clothes. Since Ruan Sixian was in a foul mood, she genuinely needed some retail therapy to decompress. Fortunately, flight attendants on international core routes like Ruan Sixian earned decent incomes, more than enough to support her occasional bouts of extravagance.

By early evening, pedestrians and tourists lined the banks of the Thames. The fluctuating commotion of the crowd was washed clean by the river breeze, sounding pleasant to the ear. The river surface, conversely, remained tranquil with gentle ripples, golden light dancing across the water as the yacht drifted idly like a swan, its opulence and extravagance palpable only to those on board.

Ruan Sixian wore a burgundy dress with her long, wavy hair draped over her shoulders, while Bian Xuan beside her wore attire as white as snow.

Both radiating brilliance, they remained the focal point of attention as they walked through the shimmering, well-dressed crowd on the yacht.

Holding a glass of wine and linking arms with Ruan Sixian, Bian Xuan leaned against the railing and pointed toward a silver-haired old man on the deck. "That's my boss, Alvin. He said he specially threw this gathering today to welcome an important guest. Look at how many people are here—so many handsome guys, too."

Ruan Sixian turned her head to acknowledge the friendly gesture of a blonde, blue-eyed man, lowering her voice to say, "What's the good-looking part matter? This is the UK; half of them probably don't even like women."

Bian Xuan covered her mouth and giggled, while Ruan Sixian raised her chin to appraise the cruise ship.

Alvin was a local tycoon—the kind with the capacity to build a private airport. Since he was hosting a grand social gathering, it naturally drew an elite crowd. A tuxedo-clad band played symphonies on the deck, fine wine and delicacies waited at every turn, and waiters wove through the guests, all of which spoke volumes about the immense importance attached to this guest.

Leaning against the railing and letting the breeze wash over her, Ruan Sixian asked, "What kind of guest is this to make your boss pay this much attention?"

"Well, mainly my boss just loves lively environments and throws parties like this all the time. But of course, the guest is also a big deal." Bian Xuan's gaze swept across the crowd searching for that guest before coming up empty. "W.T. Airport is about to be acquired. Shihang—oh right, that's Shihang, the airline you work for—Shihang is acquiring W.T. Airport, and the airline boss's son came over to inspect... What's wrong with you?"

The glass in Ruan Sixian's hand almost dropped into the river.

"You mean... the guest is the son of Shihang's boss?"

Bian Xuan nodded. "Yep."

No wonder he had shown up at W.T. Airport today.

Ruan Sixian's feelings were beyond description; she seriously considered jumping off the yacht right now while it was cruising down the middle of the river.

As they spoke, Bian Xuan waved toward the middle of the crowd. "Hey! My boss is calling me over!"

Ruan Sixian immediately looked over. Under the festive lights, a man in a formal suit was walking out from beside Alvin, holding a glass of wine with neatly proportioned, slender fingers. Even more slender and well-proportioned than his fingers were his legs. Standing tall over there in a sharply tailored suit, the aura of someone born to wealth and privilege weighed heavier than that of any other guest present.

Who else could it be but Fu Mingyu.

Seeming to sense something, Fu Mingyu looked over as well.

The moment their lines of sight met, Ruan Sixian's instinct was to turn away and avoid him, but her feet stayed planted.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Fu Mingyu tilted his head slightly and handed his glass to the secretary standing beside him.

Seeing him move to leave, the secretary asked, "President Fu, are you heading to rest?"

Fu Mingyu shook his head and strode toward the railing.

He was coming; he was coming; he was confidently striding over again.

Ruan Sixian gripped the stem of her glass tighter while her other hand hooked onto the chain of her shoulder bag.

Huh?

Ruan Sixian suddenly remembered that she had brought the letter written by Si Xiaozhen along with her when she left today.

She desperately hoped Fu Mingyu would actually read its contents.

Whether it would change his mind didn't matter anymore; as long as he stopped jumping to goddamn conclusions about her.

Before Fu Mingyu could walk all the way over, Ruan Sixian immediately dug into her bag and pulled out the letter.

"President Fu."

Fu Mingyu stopped right in front of Ruan Sixian. His expression wasn't as icy as before—perhaps due to the wine he'd consumed, the corners of his eyebrows carried a hint of flippancy.

Lowering his gaze, the corners of his eyes curved into an attractive arc.

"This really is... quite a coincidence."

Ruan Sixian: "..."

Call it a coincidence if you want.

It really was quite a coincidence.

Ruan Sixian twitched the corner of her lips. "Please don't overthink it; I was invited here by a friend."

Fu Mingyu clearly didn't believe her.

Gathers like this wouldn't invite Ruan Sixian.

Unless she was the daughter of some hidden billionaire.

"None of that matters, though." Ruan Sixian held out the letter in her hand. "You didn't read this letter earlier, so please take a look at it now to save yourself from misunderstanding my intentions."

Fu Mingyu merely stared at her with a shallow, curved smile lingering at the corner of his lips.

Smiling as he was, there wasn't a single shred of amusement in his eyes.

Seeing that Fu Mingyu had no intention of taking it, Ruan Sixian planned to tear open the letter and slap it across his face so he could read it clearly.

However, her right hand was holding her wine glass, there were no waiters nearby at the moment, and she couldn't possibly expect someone of Fu Mingyu's status to condescend to hold her glass for her.

Thus, Ruan Sixian attempted to tear open the letter using only one hand.

As she pulled out the letter inside and tried to flick the envelope away, her hand slipped, and she watched helplessly as the sheet of paper was caught by the wind, fluttering and swaying all the way down into the river.

The surrounding music happened to cut out completely at that exact moment, leaving only the sound of flowing river water echoing in her ears, compounding the stagnating awkwardness in the air.

Oxygen deprivation was no longer sufficient to describe Ruan Sixian's mood right now.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she saw the expression on Fu Mingyu's face for the second time: "Let's see how the fuck you plan to explain your way out of this one."

Nothing she said now would be of any use; she couldn't exactly dive into the river to fish the letter back out.

"I..."

Fu Mingyu suddenly stepped closer by a stride, cutting off Ruan Sixian's words.

Ruan Sixian instinctively wanted to step back, but her back hit the railing behind her, pressing against her waist with nowhere left to retreat.

Gusts of river wind blew past, stirring the colorful ripples on the water's surface. Ruan Sixian's hair was whipped upward, repeatedly brushing across her face.

"Fine then."

Fu Mingyu uttered those two words.

Hearing that Fu Mingyu didn't intend to pursue the matter further, Ruan Sixian breathed a sigh of relief.

The next second, Fu Mingyu placed a card into Ruan Sixian's hand.

Ruan Sixian looked down at the card in her palm.

A room keycard.

Just as she was trying to figure out what he meant, she heard him say: "I'll give you a chance."

Ruan Sixian: "..."

Are you out of your fucking mind?!