Chapter 31: The Unreasonable Immortal Jiang

Inside the photo frame, there were two people.

Beneath the sunlight, shaded by trees, stood a pair of young adults in their early twenties. The man had thick eyebrows and large, expressive eyes, his features youthful and refined. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sun, his mouth stretched in a wide, exuberant grin, radiating vitality. The woman’s features were exquisitely sculpted, her complexion sun-kissed, and her hair cut short in a tomboyish style. She held onto the man's arm, a trace of contentment on her lips, yet her eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness. The two seemed perfectly matched.

“Mom, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

Little Xixi, seeing her mother lost in thought and unmoving with the photo frame in her hands, grew worried and called out to her.

The stunning woman snapped back to reality, glanced at Xixi, and was about to speak when a thought struck her. She called toward the kitchen, “Aunt Xue, could you come here for a moment?”

Footsteps sounded, and Aunt Xue approached. “Miss, what is it?”

The beautiful woman’s heart pounded. With a trembling hand, she passed over the photo frame, her gaze a whirl of complexity—nervousness, anticipation, longing, sorrow. Trying to steady her voice, she said, “Xixi said the kind man who saved her today looked very much like the man in this photo. You’ve met him before—see if you think it’s the same.”

Aunt Xue took the frame and studied it carefully, then nodded. “Yes! They look almost identical. The hairstyles are different, but their faces could have been carved from the same mold...”

Before Aunt Xue could finish, tears were already streaming down the beautiful woman’s face. Suddenly, she hugged her knees and burst into loud sobs, startling little Xixi beside her. Xixi clung to her mother and pleaded, “Don’t cry, mommy, please don’t cry. If you cry, I’ll want to cry too...”

Hearing her daughter’s sobs, the beautiful woman lifted her head and pulled Xixi into her arms. Her lovely eyes were now red with weeping, but she gently stroked her daughter’s hair and murmured, “He’s come back. Your father has come back...”

Not here yet?

It was the third time he’d asked the same question. Gao Chao found it curious but replied dutifully, “Your Highness, five more minutes and we’ll be there.”

The luxury sedan sped through the bustling city. In the back seat, Jiang An was dressed in a tailored suit, his strikingly handsome features giving him an aristocratic air. Beside him rested a large bouquet of blazing red roses. Though his face was calm, his gaze was somewhat evasive.

Unable to hold back, Gao Chao ventured a question: “Your Highness, have you taken a liking to the owner of Xizi Company? I’ve heard quite a bit about her beauty—apparently it’s beyond compare. Her background’s mysterious, though; even the most notorious playboys in Lin City don’t dare make a move on her.”

“Oh?” Jiang An’s face turned cold. “So I have competition?”

“I’m afraid so,” Gao Chao shrank back, then quickly flattered him, “But with your wisdom and valor, who could possibly outshine you? The beauty is surely yours.”

Jiang An snorted, a strange smile appearing. “There’s nothing to compete for. She’s always been mine.”

Gao Chao didn’t quite understand, but at that moment, the car rounded a corner and they arrived at their destination.

“Your Highness, we’ve reached Xizi Company.”

They were now in the high-tech district, surrounded by businesses of all sizes. Jiang An stepped out with the roses, while Gao Chao turned off the engine, straightened Jiang An’s collar, and together they strode toward Xizi Company, exuding confidence and purpose.

Suddenly, a sports car pulled up to the entrance. Out stepped a tall, handsome man in an expensive coat, who casually tossed his sunglasses onto the seat. He reached into the back and retrieved two enormous bouquets of red roses. Turning to head inside, he stopped short—another man was also approaching, flowers in hand.

The air grew awkward.

Gao Chao glanced at the flowers in the other man’s hands, then at those in his master’s. What were the odds? He’d just been talking about rivals, and here they were. But there was a difference in scale—the other man’s bouquet dwarfed theirs, and he had two.

As Gao Chao mulled over this, the man in the coat approached Jiang An with a mocking grin. “Hey there, never seen you around before. First time, huh? Word of advice: give up now. The three of us have been trying for ages with no luck. I bring two bouquets every week without fail—been doing it for four months. And look at you—not much effort there.”

Faced with the provocation, Jiang An merely smiled inwardly. He suddenly turned to Gao Chao and said, “This guy’s an eyesore—teach him a lesson.”

So brash? But if it’s a fight you want, I’m all for it!

Gao Chao obeyed without hesitation, grinning coldly as he moved in. The man in the coat looked surprised, then sneered, “How uncouth. You want to fight me? Don’t you know I’m a karate expert? Even if you both—ow!”

Gao Chao, already impatient, landed a hard punch to the man’s eye, eliciting a wail and instantly giving him a panda eye. Not content, Gao Chao kicked him to the ground and proceeded to pummel him mercilessly, muttering under his breath, “That’s for chasing after my boss’s woman... for bringing so many flowers... for showing off...”

Employees entering and exiting Xizi Company stopped to gawk and whisper as the fight unfolded. Jiang An, pretending not to know the pair brawling outside, sauntered into the building, relaxed and unhurried.

Xizi Company occupied a large footprint, a mid-sized firm with over a hundred employees specializing in cosmetic research and sales. Due to the nature of the business, apart from security, all the staff were women, each remarkably attractive. The boss herself, famed as the most beautiful woman in Lin City and a wealthy bachelorette, made this one of the city’s most coveted workplaces for men.

At the reception desk, Jiang An offered the receptionist a charming smile. “Hello, I’d like to see your President Song.”

The receptionist sized him up, instantly recognizing the type. Suitors for President Song showed up daily—did he think he could just stroll in? Maintaining a polite smile, she replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but without an appointment, you can’t see President Song.”

“I insist. Could you please make an exception?” Jiang An smiled again, his eyes suddenly mesmerizing as he used a subtle charm spell.

As expected, the receptionist’s demeanor shifted, her tone now sincere. “Of course, sir. President Song is on the fifth floor. You may go up directly.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang An headed straight for the elevator, intent on his destination.

“Sister Shuang, Xixi fell asleep after playing.”

In a tastefully decorated office, a young woman in professional attire emerged from the small lounge, adjusting her black-rimmed glasses. She addressed the breathtaking woman behind the desk.

This was President Song Wanshuang, owner of Xizi Company and Lin City’s acknowledged beauty.

Song Wanshuang was standing by the window, gazing out, lost in thought. She turned back with a smile. “Thank you, Xiaorong. Is there anything else on my schedule?”

Her secretary didn’t even need to check the planner. “You’re seeing two distributors today and attending the next phase of the promotional meeting. This afternoon—”

“That’s enough,” Song Wanshuang massaged her temples. “Cancel everything. I’m not myself today and don’t want to do anything.”

“Understood,” the secretary replied, then asked with concern, “Are you feeling unwell? I can take you to the hospital. Health comes first.”

Song Wanshuang waved her off wearily. “No, I’m not sick, just restless.” After a pause, she suddenly asked, “Xiaorong, what’s the quickest way to find someone in Lin City?”

The secretary was puzzled. “I’m not sure I understand—who are you looking for?”

“Never mind,” Song Wanshuang picked up a glass of water. “Forget it. I’ll just take Xixi and leave the office for now. If anything—”

Knock, knock, knock!

A series of knocks interrupted her. The secretary opened the door to find a tall, striking young man holding a bouquet of flowers. Her expression soured instantly. “How did you get in? I’m sorry, but—”

Crash!

Behind her, the sound of a glass shattering. The secretary turned to see her usually serene, icy boss frozen in place, eyes wide and fixed on the man at the door, chest heaving, as a single tear slid down her cheek.

At last, they met again.

Looking at the beautiful woman before him, Jiang An felt a sudden tenderness. It had been nearly six years since he’d last seen his little Shuang.

Both he and Shuang had grown up in an orphanage. He remembered how, as a child, she was dark-skinned and skinny, her hair cropped short. He’d even mistaken her for a boy. As they grew older, both attended university, but the orphanage closed down, and they cared for each other like true siblings, striving to make it on their own. Even then, he sensed her feelings for him went beyond sibling affection, but he had only ever seen her as family. Then he met Liuxu and rejected Shuang. She was heartbroken, cried bitterly, and left for another city to intern in their final year of college. From that day, they lost all contact—until now.

She was no longer the stubborn tomboy with a perpetual frown. Now, she was tall and curvaceous, her silken hair elegantly pinned, her features the very pinnacle of earthly beauty—delicate brows, phoenix eyes, a perfect nose and cherry lips, skin fairer than snow, her bearing ethereal. To Jiang An, she was a thousand times more beautiful than any goddess.

Yet he had made her cry again...

A surge of emotion swept through Jiang An. With resolute steps and a beaming smile, he approached. “Little Shuang, I’m back!”

But it wasn’t a smile or open arms that greeted him—it was a high-heeled shoe hurled straight at his forehead. Jiang An did not dodge, letting it strike him.

“Why did you come back?! Go away, I don’t want to see you—just leave!” Song Wanshuang, distraught and weeping, rushed at Jiang An, pushing and hitting him in a futile attempt to drive him out.

Jiang An didn’t get angry. On the contrary, he felt deeply guilty and sorry for her. Shuang didn’t hate him—she resented him! So he smiled, letting her vent her anger, unfazed by her feeble blows.

Can’t you take a hint? You should leave now!

Jiang An looked over at the secretary, winking for her to get the message. But she stood there, transfixed by the scene, as if turned to stone. Jiang An coughed pointedly until she snapped out of it.

Secretary Xiaorong glanced at her heartbroken boss, then at the mysterious man. Understanding dawned, and she quietly slipped out, closing the door behind her.