The Shadow of the Banquet: Jiang Ming's Probing and Exploration
The soft glow of a crystal chandelier bathed the banquet hall in gentle light. The atmosphere seemed lively on the surface, yet beneath it, undercurrents flowed. Jiang Ting and Astra entered together, immediately becoming the focal point of every gaze. Invisible threads of tension seemed to weave around them, binding their presence tightly.
Astra wore an emerald-green velvet gown, the hem swaying gracefully under the light, emitting a serene yet mysterious luster. Her demeanor was composed, her gaze cool, maintaining an aloof distance from everything around her. Such an aura deterred people from approaching but left them unable to look away.
Jiang Ting stood beside her, his dark suit accentuating his tall figure. His expression was one of innate calm and detachment. Together, they formed a perfect composition, flawless like a meticulously crafted painting.
Jiang Ming approached slowly, holding a wine glass, a faint, meaningful smile playing on his lips. His eyes glimmered with a complex light as they lingered on Astra, as though attempting to peel away her indifferent exterior to uncover deeper truths.
"Big Brother, you brought quite an impressive guest back this time," Jiang Ming's voice was laced with teasing, barely masking his curiosity.
His gaze carried the typical brotherly intrigue and inquiry, mixed with a subtle jealousy and vigilance. He was always interested in the women around Jiang Ting, curious about their relationships and whether they posed a threat to his own interests in the business world.
Astra lifted her eyes, her cool gaze meeting Jiang Ming's. Her lips curled slightly, and she said blandly, "Young Master Jiang, drinking too much tonight wouldn't be wise."
The words fell lightly, a concealed jab cloaked in politeness. Jiang Ming's smile stiffened momentarily, but he quickly resumed his relaxed facade, chuckling. "Miss Astra is certainly no ordinary woman."
Yet Astra caught the fleeting darkness in his eyes.
Jiang Ming sipped his wine, his gaze sweeping over Astra with veiled intent. "The people around my brother are never ordinary. I'm curious — what does Miss Astra do? It seems my brother's investment decisions rely heavily on your advice."
Astra's eyes remained serene, unaffected. She understood Jiang Ming's implication — he was probing her identity, background, and influence on Jiang Ting's decisions.
"I merely provide answers and suggestions," Astra replied indifferently. "As for Jiang Ting's decisions, they are his own judgment."
A glint of sharpness flashed through Jiang Ming's eyes, though his smile remained fixed. "Your advice must be quite unique for my brother to trust you so much."
Astra smiled faintly, noncommittal. "Trust goes both ways. I've always admired Jiang Ting's judgment."
Jiang Ming's gaze darkened slightly, his fingers stroking the rim of his glass, his probing curiosity intensifying.
Astra's eyes glanced over him, but a weariness crept into her heart. She had long grown accustomed to such scrutiny — whether in professional circles, social gatherings, or the intricate games of power. There were always people excessively curious about her.
She sighed softly, as if these gazes and words were nothing more than dust on her shoulders — insignificant and transient.
Her mentor's voice echoed in her mind, clear and distant:
"Those destined for their final lifetime often feel alone. The connection to this world grows faint, and relationships seem shallow. The entanglements that remain are merely unresolved karmic debts."
Astra's heart trembled slightly, a vague emptiness filling her. She felt that detachment — as if separated from the world by an invisible veil. No matter how deep the interaction, it would eventually fade, becoming distant and unfamiliar.
She shook off her thoughts, ready to dismiss the conversation, but her gaze drifted to Jiang Ting beside her.
He was conversing quietly with a guest, his sharp features etched with a cold precision. Yet, when he sensed her gaze, he turned slightly, his eyes softening with concern.
In that moment, something tender within her stirred.
Why did fate bind her to him so deeply?
She looked at Jiang Ting, confusion flickering in her eyes. Though they had known each other only a short while, he stood beside her without hesitation, his trust and protection seeming instinctive. This unwavering trust felt both unfamiliar and, somewhere deep inside, desired.
Jiang Ting noticed her gaze, his brow raising slightly, his voice low, "What is it?"
Astra smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Nothing."
The Hidden Memories of the Manor
Astra stood at the edge of the crowd, champagne in hand, the delicate bubbles rising silently. Her gaze pierced through the clamor, landing on an ancient tapestry on the wall. The dark gold threads glimmered under the lights, depicting the history of the manor — winding stone paths, intertwining oak and elm trees, and the stately English-style mansion.
Her eyes narrowed, and she reached out, fingertips brushing the tapestry. Higher-dimensional information extraction quietly activated. Her consciousness unfurled like unseen threads, peeling away the manor's buried memories.
In the dim garden, sparse beams of moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting shadows on a moss-covered bench. A boy sat quietly, a book in hand, his expression calm. Even in the dark, his eyes held a sharp focus.
"So this was Jiang Ting as a child," Astra confirmed inwardly.
The young Jiang Ting had already learned to remain composed under the weight of family expectations. Darkness enveloped him, yet his heart was a still, deep pool. Rather than succumb to the shadows, he saw them as paths to traverse — expectations, business challenges, all necessary parts of the journey.
The scene shifted. A cluster of roses swayed in the night breeze, dark red petals fragile yet alluring. A young girl stepped delicately through the flowers, her dress brushing the stems, dew drops falling like silent tears. She plucked a bloom, eyes glancing toward a window on the second floor.
"Lin Yuwei," Astra recognized her.
Love and hesitation flickered in the girl's eyes, burning like a concealed flame.
Suddenly, a chill surged through Astra's fingers, pulling her consciousness deeper into the tapestry's shadows. A hidden passageway beneath the manor's stone floor appeared. Damp air, the smell of mold, and the sound of dripping water filled the space.
Two boys' silhouettes flickered in the dim light, their suppressed voices filled with urgency.
"Together, we can change everything," one voice said, tinged with longing and unease.
"I don't need to change everything. I just need to do what's expected of me," the other replied, cold and steady.
The weak light illuminated a face twisted with suppressed anger, jealousy burning in his eyes.
Jiang Ming.
His envy and bitterness ran deep. He longed to surpass his brother, but each failure deepened his frustration, almost consuming him. He groped in the darkness, seeking a path to the light, but only fell further into shadow.
Astra's brows furrowed. Something felt wrong. She withdrew her consciousness, reassessing Jiang Ming's fragmented memories.
The scene reformed. Jiang Ming stood in a dim room, holding a phone. The name Milano glowed on the screen.
Shadows coiled deeper. A pale, cunning face flickered — the Duke of August.
Plots in G country, Milano came to Jiang Ting that night, plans to short the currency… The pieces assembled into a chilling conclusion.
Jiang Ming was entangled in a conspiracy to bring down the Ying Group.
Why? Was it jealousy, revenge, or deeper interests?
Astra's fingers trembled, a cold dread spreading through her. Her gaze focused back on Jiang Ming, who was chatting with guests, his smile unbothered. But she had seen the darkness behind his mask.
Her fingers clenched around the champagne glass. She felt the urge to dig deeper, to unravel Jiang Ming's full involvement.
But a familiar, firm voice echoed in her mind:
"Do not interfere too much with others' karma. Everyone's choices and consequences are part of their destiny. If you intervene too deeply, you will bear their karma."
Her heart shuddered. She decided to share her findings with Jiang Ting after the banquet and let him investigate further. But after the event, Jiang Ting was caught up talking with his parents. Astra returned to her room alone.
A sudden knock shattered the night's calm.
"Thud, thud, thud."
Astra's eyes snapped open, alertness gleaming in the dark. The knock came again, urgent yet steady, carrying an undeniable pressure.
She switched on the bedside lamp, soft light pushing back the shadows. Taking a deep breath, she stepped barefoot to the door.
Her fingers grasped the handle. Her voice was cool and steady. "Who is it?"
A brief silence. Then a low, husky voice. "It's me, Jiang Ting."
Her heart fluttered slightly. She opened the door.
Jiang Ting stood in the dim hallway, his black hair tousled, weariness and restrained emotion etched into his face. The light outlined his sharp features, his eyes dark and deep as the sea.
Without hesitation, he stepped in, bracing the doorframe with one hand. His other hand cupped the back of her neck, pulling her close. Before she could react, his lips descended.
Soft, heated, with a hint of long-restrained desperation.
His kiss was urgent, pouring all his unspoken anxieties and exhaustion into the moment. His fingers held her firmly, grounding her in his world.
Astra's eyes widened, her heart pounding wildly. Her fingers clutched his shirt, feeling his rapid heartbeat sync with hers.
Time stretched, the world fading away.
When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, breath mingling.
His voice was hoarse, low. "I was afraid I was too late."
She looked up, eyes shimmering with complex emotions. Silently, she pressed her hand to his chest, feeling his heart's fierce rhythm.
In this moment, no words were needed.