Kang Jun had told AnLing that he'd pick her up at 7:00 pm sharp, at the from her room. So, imagine his surprise when, at 6:50, he opened his door to see her standing right there, wearing a knee-length plain white dress with a jean jacket draped upon her shoulders.
They had decided to go out to a fancy restaurant. Fearing that someone might recognize her AnLing had to go all out for once in her life and completely change her appearance.
"Do I look okay?" AnLing asked. A hint of uncertainty lingered in her words. She hadn't put on makeup in so long.
Realizing that she sounded like a girlfriend talking to her boyfriend. AnLing blushed.
"Nevermind, pretend you didn't hear that." AnLing didn't give him a chance to answer her, before turning around. "Anyway, let's go."
She hoped that Kang Jun would drop it but, he wasn't the type to do so. His eyes couldn't help but slowly trace the contours of her face and body.
The style gave off a sense of purity but her makeup accentuated her cheeks and lips was sexy mostly when she decided to pout. Kang Jun felt his body begin to heat up.
He wanted her.
It wasn't fair that he was the only one becoming like this. As soon as AnLing turned, his voice resonated in the hallway.
"No." He said slowly.
No…
No?
NO?!?
AnLing furrowed her eyebrows as she felt her fist and her heart tighten at the same time.
'Did this jerk just call me ugly?' AnLing was one second away from turning around and slapping him. She didn't care how rich Kang Jun was but then, he spoke once more, leaving her heart to melt.
"You look beautiful."
As soon as the words left Kang Jun's mouth, AnLing became as red as a rose.
Thank god she had her back turned to him, or else, she feared he would laugh at her.
"O-oh really?" She stuttered.
After she had left the country she never had much of a reason to wear nice clothing or makeup. She spent most of her spare time with friends or at home anyways, but now, Kang Jun's presence in her life was bringing her back to the way she was before she left but different…
She couldn't quite explain.
He brought back the innocence she had lost, the fun-loving soul she kept locked away and the everyday amusement that was always missing.
"Really." Kang Jun's husky voice permeated her senses.
AnLing began to laugh.
Nothing was really funny but she just felt the sudden urge to laugh as if she'd never laughed before. In fact, she laughed so hard that she had to grip her stomach when she began to lose her breath.
"You know I almost slapped you," AnLing said between laughs.
At first, Kang Jun was looking at her in shock. He couldn't understand why the girl had burst out in laughter. But that look quickly disappeared.
Seeing her laugh made Kang Jun's heart erupt like a volcano. He walked towards her and stopped by her side, waiting for her to take another step forward.
"Oh did you?" A smirk appeared on his face.
AnLing couldn't help but stop laughing and admire the man's smile.
She felt like a completely different person.
For once, she felt free.
Outside, it was still bright outside. Darkness wouldn't come for a few more hours but Kang Jun wished it would come faster.
Observing AnLing, Kang Jun had the urge to cover her with his coat.
He didn't lie to her, she was beautiful but he much preferred her how she was usually because she was at her most comfortable and free. That wasn't the only reason though. A part of him didn't want others to look her way, and he knew that they would.
Once they'd left Hotel Helios they went to pick up Mingyu.
In the car, Kang Jun turned slightly to look at her. Right then AnLing was slightly rigid, even when they sat in the car alone.
Or rather, it might have been because they sat in the car alone.
Kang Jun didn't want to go through the whole ride in silence so he spoke to AnLing first, clearing the mood.
"How did the audition go?" Kang Jun asked.
There was no answer for several minutes causing Kang Jun to frown. He turned his head slightly to look at AnLing but when he laid eyes on her he saw that she was deep in thought.
"What's wrong?" Kang Jun couldn't help but worry a bit.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Ask what?"
AnLing laughed dryly and a quizzical smile formed on her lip. With that one question, she broke out of her trance-like state.
AnLing: "Why would you ask if something is wrong?"
"You don't look happy." Kang Jun said matter-of-factly.
AnLing paused for a moment.
"Well, It's not like anything is really wrong or that I'm unhappy…" AnLing tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her rosy cheek. "I just met a friend today."
"Friend?" Kang Jun's frown worsened. "Was it the same friend as last time?"
AnLing was startled by his reply.
"No. Not him. It was a girl this time. Back in high school, I use to hang out with her. I guess you could say she was my closes friend from before I left."
AnLing paused and waited for Kang Jun's reaction but he didn't react at all. She took it as a sign to continue talking and obliged.
AnLing: "So today…"
Kang Jun didn't say a word. He just allowed AnLing to speak. She explained him all of the events of that day in detail and she explained how she felt strange around the girl now, mostly after she had been given the necklace.
"Why'd she do that?" Kang Jun was sincerely curious. Did women usually give each other their belongings?
AnLing waved her hand in the air as if she was swatting a bug. "That's just something she does. If she's close to you she likes sharing or giving away her stuff though it's the first time I ever received something so expensive! But, then again, she's a popular singer right now. Do you know Xiao Mian?"
"Never heard of her."
Kang Jun's reply was befitting of him. So befitting, in fact, that AnLing burst out in laughter once more.
Once she calmed down, she turned to look at Kang Jun and said, "If I get it, think I might just reject the job."
Kang Jun: "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"I… I don't know. I need the money but at the same time, if I got a job not by talent but because of Xiao Mian, wouldn't I hate myself for stealing the job of someone much more talented than me?"
"Maybe."
AnLing raised her eyebrows, "You don't think so?"
Kang Jun shrugged. "Many people get jobs because of who they know rather than their skill. Even if you do get it, you could still accept it but show them that they made the right decision."
Kang Jun's statement rang true in AnLing's mind but still…
"I just don't want to regret anything, you know." AnLing sighed.
Kang Jun: "I know…Then, that means congratulations are in order."
"What do you mean congratulations. I don't even know if I got the job yet…"
AnLing stared at Kang Jun but he didn't turn to look at her. He just continued to drive straight ahead.
Kang Jun: "No matter if you get it or not, at least you tried and that's more than some people can say so congratulations."
With a smile, AnLing tilted her head quizzically.
She couldn't understand Kang Jun's train of thought but it warmed up her heart.
Even if today turned out to be the coldest day she'd ever physically experienced she was sure that at this moment, the warmth would still be there; burning like a furnace at her center.
Arriving at Kang Manor, Kang Jun left to get Mingyu. At the front door, he was welcomed in by the housekeeper who submissively bowed to him. Usually, when Kang Jun came to pick him up, Mingyu would be waiting near the doorway but that day, he was not.
"Where is he?" Kang Jun asked without greeting the woman.
She didn't speak.
Kang Jun was not going to ask again. If the woman didn't speak he would walk right past her and find Mingyu himself.
"He's with Miss Qiao." She spoke with hesitation and refused to look at him in the eyes, fearing that the man's eyes would see into her soul.
Kang Jun's cold aura seeped into space. The woman felt the temperature in the room drop several degrees. She shivered. But suddenly, the cold was gone, and everything went back to normal.
When she looked up, the man was gone. He had disappeared up through the dining room doors.
Inside, there was only Mei Xue.
Kang Jun shot the little girl a look. She didn't cower or fear. Kang Jun was a kind man when it came to her and Mingyu. She knew this well. Even though the little girl didn't understand him as much as Mingyu did, she did know that he would never hurt her.
The girl gave Kang Jun a sad look. As if she was a mind reader, she said, "If you're looking for Mingyu and mom, they're both upstairs."
Kang Jun didn't smile, nor was there a change in his aura. "Thanks."
As Kang Jun left Mei Xue went back to whatever she was doing.
He went up the stairs, towards Mingyu's room. Once he got close he began to hear Qiao Lan's voice. It was hollow of all emotion. He couldn't depict what she was saying but by the tone of her voice, he knew nothing good was happening.
Quickly, he ran to the door only to see Qiao Lan with her hand raised in the air about to strike the cowering Mingyu.
"Qiao Lan!" Kang Jun voice pierced the air with ice and disgust.
Qiao Lan's hand froze midair at the sound of it. She could feel the murderous intent seeping from his body and voice wanting to strangle her.
She shivered, but she didn't back down.
Seeing her reaction, Kang Jun walked towards them slowly, his footsteps ominously echoing, until it came to a complete stop, creating the illusion of an empty house.
"Mingyu."
The boy lifted his head up.
With his hand, Kang Jun beckoned the boy towards him. The boy walked his way, and then stopped at his side.
Without looking at him, Kang Jun commanded, "Go to the car."
Mingyu hesitatingly looked between the two adults but obeyed Kang Jun nonetheless. Leaving the two to sort out the unspoken words and questions that lingered in the air.
Once the door slammed, Kang Jun spoke,
"Qiao Lan, do you have a death wish?"