"Isn't President Jiang being too rash this time?"
Astra's expression remained neutral, but a storm of unspoken emotions surged within her. She didn't care about their doubts, but Jiang Ting's actions left her with an inexplicable sense of unease and anger. What was he trying to do? Who was this show for, and what situation was he pushing her into?
The meeting room fell silent as Jiang Ting's chief secretary approached and knocked gently on the door. Her voice was polite yet professionally detached: "President Jiang, there are two important events tonight. One is Miss Alice's birthday party — she sent an invitation in advance and hopes you can attend. The other is an investors' banquet where you are invited to discuss potential collaborations."
"Alice?" Astra's eyes widened slightly. She had heard the name before — Jiang Ting's childhood friend, someone from an influential family and a frequent candidate for high-profile business marriages.
Her gaze instinctively turned to Jiang Ting, curious about his decision.
Jiang Ting closed the file in his hands, his voice cold and resolute. "Decline them both."
The secretary hesitated, looking uncertain. "President Jiang, these events are significant, especially Miss Alice's party. Are you sure you want to refuse?"
Jiang Ting lifted his head, his eyes sharp as ice. "I said, decline them."
The secretary nodded, collected the documents, and quickly left.
Just after 5:00 PM, Jiang Ting stood up, grabbed his suit jacket, and glanced at Astra with a detached look. "Let's go home."
Astra was taken aback. "Go home?"
"Hmm," Jiang Ting replied firmly. "I'm hungry. You'll cook for me."
A wave of frustration, anger, and confusion welled up inside Astra.
Jiang Ting leaned back on the living room sofa, legs crossed, his expression relaxed yet contemplative, a glint of mystery in his eyes. He watched Astra's figure disappear into the kitchen, a faint smile curving his lips.
Astra walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and took out eggs, tomatoes, tofu, and beef. Her fingers trembled slightly, her mind in turmoil. Jiang Ting's actions throughout the day replayed in her head — making her public yet excluding her from the meeting. What game is he playing?
"Finish cooking first. I'll access the Akashic records tonight and figure it out." She silently encouraged herself.
The sound of the knife hitting the cutting board was crisp and deliberate. Soon, a steaming bowl of tomato and egg noodles, topped with tofu and beef sauce, was ready.
Jiang Ting walked to the kitchen island, inhaling the aroma. His brow lifted slightly as he said coolly, "This is the taste."
Astra's chopsticks paused mid-air. She replied indifferently, "It's just a simple bowl of noodles. I'll clean up after you eat."
Without another word, she untied her apron, wiped her hands, and picked up her phone, heading to the bedroom. Her thoughts had already drifted to the message from earlier — a patient had just left the emergency room and needed her remote energy healing to stabilize their condition.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Astra took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her mind gradually entering a state of clarity. With her third eye open, she saw the patient's energy field:
"Stabilize the blood pressure — the energy flow there is erratic. Support the heart — the energy flow is too slow. Enhance cerebral blood flow…"
Her consciousness moved delicately, threading through the patient's energy channels, gently repairing each imbalanced node.
Time slipped by unnoticed. When she opened her eyes again, three hours had passed.
She rubbed her tired eyes and exhaled deeply. "Done."
Suddenly remembering the mess in the kitchen, she quickly stood up, surprised. Why didn't Jiang Ting come to urge me or interrupt?