Chapter 15 - First Meeting After Many Years

Piermont’s interior decor was modern with glass, romantic lighting and chandeliers. Several supporting pillars were inlaid with mirrors to give an illusion of more light and more space.

Zhao JingShi stopped in front of one of the mirrors and straightened his jacket. He pulled up his collar, fixed his tie, made sure his hair was combed just right...

Beside him, Feng Bo guided: "Flick that bit of hair up again, Boss. No, not like that. A little to the left, that's it. Here, let me."

This was what Su YiWei saw when she came out to look for Little Dumpling's dad: Mr. Money stood straight, staring at himself in the mirror. A man who also looked like he was made of money was stuck to his side, fixing his hair, rubbing his face, adjusting Mr. Money's tie and shirt...

A lightbulb blinkered on. Su YiWei: This is why the little guy doesn't have a mom!

"Ah hem!" She cleared her throat.

The two men separated and looked over. Not a hint of embarrassment was on their faces. For Su YiWei, it was further evidence of their deep relationship. Yes, this is why there's no Mom for the Little Dumpling.

Zhao JingShi didn't know or care what a cafe staff thought about him. He was focused on meeting his son's mother.

"Lead the way," he invited. His voice sounded as steady as the most boring business meeting. No one but him knew the anticipation in his heart.

"It's this room right here," the staff gestured at a door to the left of herself. When she saw that he didn't move immediately, her eyebrows went up. "Are you going in? My friend is inside, looking after your son."

Behind him, Feng Bo countered, "How do you know we are his relatives? Did you ask for identification? You will let anyone come in and take the child without verifying?"

"Why verify? The boy called you..."

Zhao JingShi ignored Feng Bo. Who knew why this assistant took more offence than he, the father, in this matter? Both Feng Bo and the female staff were dust in his eyes at this point.

He walked past the couple and entered the room by himself. He quickly shut the door with the back of his hand - he wanted his first meeting with her after so many years to be in private and without interruptions.

There she was, just standing in the room next to the table. Dim light cast shadows on her face, shone on her black hair, made it too dark to see the colours of her eyes clearly. She was slim - still as slender as when he last talked to her many years ago.

He inspected her forehead, her cheeks, her bare arms, and the skin of her legs beneath the short hem of her skirt. There was a time when he saw her –

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He consciously cut that image.

He pulled his gaze back to her eyes. Pure and clean, without any knowledge of him. She watched him - all 185cm of him - as intently as he looked at her.

"Um..." Eventually, a sound came from her. She loosely clasped her hands - a sign of nervousness. "Are you Little Dumpling's father?"

The irony. The first words she said to him were these.

His lips pulled into a cold smile and he hurriedly turned his face away, squeezing his eyes shut. He felt a wet droplet on the corner of his eye.

"Mister?"

He blinked his eyes open and hastily wiped away the tears. When he faced her, he was once more the invincible, emotionless businessman. He was steady and distant but not too cold. "My name is Zhao JingShi. Call me JingShi."

"Ah?" Her head tilted slightly. "Mr. Zhao -"

"JingShi," he corrected.

Her head shook in denial. "We just met," she protested. In their society, people didn't call each other's first names unless they were friends and relatives or same-age acquaintances. The family name was more commonly used.

"We can drop formalities," he tried to be gentle as he persuaded. "You found my naughty son and I am grateful to you."

She waved her palms in protest, her cheeks turning a noticeable red. "Not at all. I didn't do anything. He wandered in by himself and made the phone call himself. He's a smart child," she praised at the end. "You raised a really smart Dumpling."

She looked at him. He looked at her.

What to say next?

"You are –"

"Li Xia!" She interrupted. "My name is Li Xia. Family name 'Li'. First name 'Xia'."

He nodded, going along with her introduction. "Li Xia. Let me and my son take you out for dinner to thank you."

Suspicion entered her eyes.

Zhao JingShi tried for his most innocent expression. Where am I suspicious? I'm a normal man interested in a beautiful woman. "Miss?"

Her suspicion grew. "Do you know me?"

He chose not to hear the question.

"On the phone you said my name before I introduced myself."

He chose not to hear that either.

"Have you been to Country A before?"

This, he could answer honestly. "I'm a businessman. I've been there and to other countries many times."

She paused. He was watching her so closely that he could see the wheels turning in her head. She'd always been a smart one. "Then," this time she was hesitant. She looked away to the side of the room. She clenched her fists, released, clutched the fabric of her blouse, and turned even redder. A faint sheen appeared on her brow. "Have you ever met me in Country A?"

Yes. Many times.

But what he said was, "Sit down." The sweat on her forehead concerned him. "Are you feeling faint?" In one or two big strides, he was by her side, his palm at the back of her waist. His left hand moved to her forehead to check her temperature.

She dodged, startled. And stepped out of his arms. "Mr. Zhao!"

Zhao JingShi himself moved backed away from her in half a step, inwardly cursing his own IQ. "Forgive me. I was too familiar."

"Have you met me before?" She persisted.

Yes! Yes we have! He nodded imperceptibly. "Let me and my son take you to dinner. I will answer all your questions."

On her face was written 'opportunistic bastard!' Her eyes were pure of guile. "No. I don't know who you are."

His head flew back; he felt as if she punched him in the throat. Disregarding their past, his name was famous, his family was prominent! At least she should have heard of him!

"I am Zhao JingShi, the current President of the Zhao Family Group," he advertised himself like soliciting a resume.

She said nothing.

"You do know of the Zhao Family Group?"

She shook her head.

"One of the most prominent families in this country?"

She shook her head again.

He sighed. It couldn't be helped. He was just going to have to lure her home with him. He put one hand in his pocket and straightened his body. He also turned slightly to the side, striving to show off his tall, fit length and handsome face.

Confidence settled like a mantle befitting the top leader of the country's economy. "I'm rich, I am the President of the whole Zhao Group and I'm the current Head of the family and the business." He gestured to the little guy squatting in the furthest corner of the room with his back towards them. "The future boss is there. If you come with us, you will lack for nothing. We are good and kind people and we would like to take you to dinner."

Li Xia's eyes became bigger and rounder. Her face said: 'What wrong medicine did you take today?'