At N City Airport, a quintet of towering figures disembarked from the plane, their towering presence drawing immediate attention from the bustling crowd. A sixth person followed closely behind them - a petite figure with an irrepressible spring in her step and a radiant smile on her face. As she effortlessly pulled her suitcase behind her, it was as if she were skipping through sunshine.
The six individuals's collective allure was undeniable, their striking features and statuesque physiques commanding stares from passersby. They exuded an aura akin to that of celebrities, their tall frames dominating the airport's crowded corridors.
However, amidst this sea of confidence and poise, one figure appeared decidedly out of sorts. The tallest man among them wore a scowl etched across his handsome face like a permanent fixture. His handsome visage seemed to scream 'I'm unhappy' in stark contrast to the petite figure's radiant smile.
The figure beside him chuckle rumbled like distant thunder he patted the tallest man's muscular back with a hand that could have easily crushed bone. "Come on, Kane," he said with a playful grin, "Why so serious? It's not every day you get to drag your whole entourage along for a business trip."
Kane recoiled from Axel's touch as if burned, his scowl deepening into a grimace. "Both of us have reasons to be here," he grumbled, running a hand through his messy hair. "My father and brother told me to handle the project here for the test, but why is my brother tagging along again? He already came here two weeks ago to teach me everything I need to know. I understand Nathan would follow him, but..."
Kane's brow furrowed as he pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Why did his best friend and our little sister have to come too? It looks like some kind of family vacation or something!" He sighed heavily, shoulders sagging under the weight of his frustration.
He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if their grandfather had decided to tag along too - it would be an endless parade of clingy relatives following him everywhere! Kane shuddered at the thought of his overbearing mother; she'd probably tag along and drag his grandfather, Kian and Kara with her everywhere they went.
If Kane tried to meet up with Yohan later on and they ended up following him, it might seem like he was proposing to Yohan in front of his entire clan. But then again... Kane smirked at the thought - maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing after all!
Axel snorted in amusement as he glanced around at their group dynamic. Kian and Nathan walked ahead, their faces set in serious lines, while Cyruss, on the other hand, was in high spirits, chatting away nonstop beside Kian. It was a wonder how two people with such vastly different personalities had become best friends in the first place.
Behind them, Kara looked like she was having the time of her life after throwing a tantrum earlier to follow her brothers to N City.
Axel scratched his head. He honestly wonders why there was a whole entourage following him and Kane to the airport this morning. He could understand Nathan and Kian's presence; they probably had some business to attend to or a new project in the works. Plus, Kian had given them all notice three days prior.
But then came the curveball he never saw coming - Kara and Cyruss were tagging along too!
Apparantly Kara suddenly threw a fit, announcing that she was skipping school and wanted to go on vacation with her two brothers. As for Cyruss... well, according to Nathan, he just happened to show up at Kian's company yesterday and whisked him away for lunch.
Upon discovering that Kian would be in another town with his younger siblings, Cyruss felt like it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; so he delegated work duties to his assistant and also his younger brother, fresh out of high school - to joined them on their escapade.
"So let me get this straight... we've got one businessmen with his assistant, a teenage girl throwing tantrums, and another businessman who decided to ditch work just because?"
Kane nodded, his hands buried deep in his pockets. "Yeah, I'm getting more and more confused about what's going on. But honestly, can we just focus on our own agendas?" He let out a frustrated sigh.
Unlike the others lugging suitcases or carry-on bags, Kane walked empty-handed. His belongings remained at Axel's mansion; he'd been shuttling between the two cities without any need to pack.
Axel sensed Kane's disinterest in discussing past events further and decided to steer the conversation towards more pressing matters – specifically their accommodation situation since the Xu family had no place to stay in N city. Although there were branch members who lived there, the Xu siblings were uninterested in staying with unfamiliar relatives.
"You're still going to stay in my mansion, right?" Axel asked while strolling away through the crowd of people at the airport.
"Of course," Kane replied nonchalantly. "But if something unexpected comes up later on... I might consider buying an apartment or mansion of my own."
Just then, Kara piped up with a question she'd been eavesdropping on. "Does that mean I'll also be staying at Brother Axel's place?"
"If you don't mind. It's just a small mansion I bought on a whim two years ago," Axel replied with a smile directed at Kara.
"I don't mind!!!" Kara cheerfully replied, almost dropping her suitcase in excitement.
They made their way towards the airport exit, Kian walked ahead of them while Nathan trailed behind with Cyruss.
"Kian, are you--" Axel started to ask before getting cut off by Kian's response.
"Nathan and I are going to sleep at the hotel."
Cyruss chimed in excitedly. "I'll join my buddy in sleeping at the hotel then!"
Axel chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he shook his head in wonder. "I guess even after all my offers, Kian will never take me up on it," he said with a hint of amusement.
As they stepped out of the airport doors, which slid open with a soft whoosh, they scanned their surroundings for their ride.
The sleek Qin family car and the imposing Xu family car pulled up in tandem, their chauffeurs waiting patiently beside them. Kane, Axel, and Kara gravitated towards the Qin vehicle, while Kian, Nathan, and Cyruss made their way to the Xu car. Just as they were about to climb in, a chilling voice cut through the air.
Kian's words froze them all mid-step.
"Kane Xu."
His gaze was sharp and unwavering as he fixed it on Kane who had been reaching for his phone to text Yohan. Kane immediately turned back with a startled expression.
"Remember what your biggest priority is right now," Kian said coldly. "If you fail..." He trailed off ominously before adding with steely resolve "...you know what the consequences are."
A flicker of understanding crossed Kane's face; he knew exactly what Kian was referring to. He tucked his phone away, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
"I understand, brother," Kane sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "But can't I just meet him for one moment? Just a brief encounter?"
Kian's expression turned stern once more.
"Father has entrusted this big project to you as a test of your capabilities and worthiness as one of the heirs of the Xu family. You just graduated from college, but this is your chance to prove yourself," Kian reminded him sternly.
He gave Nathan a signal with his eyes, prompting him to rush towards Kane with a stack of documents. The sudden appearance of the paperwork left Kara, Axel, and Kane stunned, all silently wondering where Nathan had pulled them from, prompting identical thoughts:
Are you Doraem*n? Where did these documents come from?
After making sure he handed over everything necessary, Nathan adjusted his glasses before retreating back to Kian's side.
"We conducted the survey two weeks ago. Now it's time to put our findings into action," Kian instructed Kane. "Start by reviewing all the data we collected during our last visit and address any issues or concerns before construction begins."
"Take care of the administrative tasks. You'll be responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly. I'll keep an eye on the broader project development while overseeing commencement of works once constructions mobilizes," Kian continued.
"I'll have Joe and Davis handle communication planning. They will keep you informed about project developments and guide you through next steps."
Kian looked at Kane sternly as if emphasizing how important his role was in the upcoming project.
"I've already instructed your team to prepare everything for takeoff. You should start working immediately," Kian said firmly, leaving Kane speechless and overwhelmed by the mounting work instructions.
After speaking, Kian promptly entered his car while Axel rushed over to him, whispering something in his ear and patting his shoulder with a chuckle. Once done, Axel returned to his car where Kane and Kara were waiting, while Kian nodded at whatever was whispered before getting into the car with Nathan and Cyruss. Their chauffeurs quickly started the cars and drove them towards their destinations.
Sitting inside the Qin family's car, Kane let out a deep sigh as he looked through the documents on his lap before glancing at Axel who seemed preoccupied playing with his bracelet.
"What did you talk about with my brother?" Kane asked curiously.
Axel simply winked mischievously and continued fiddling with his bracelet.
"It's a secret."