An Xin pressed a fingertip to the corner of her lips, stifling her laughter so it wouldn't slip out.
It reminded her of the way her dad had stroked his chin after dinner a few days earlier.
Muttering "that brat's full of tricks," yet unable to hide the smile in his eyes.
"After you left the other night, Dad said chatting and eating with you was fun—told you to drop by whenever you're free."
The moment the words left her, she sensed the faint, almost imperceptible freeze in the air.
Qiao Yinyin's fingers tightened on her hem; Bai Xiaoxiao's juice glass tilted a fraction.
Both girls lowered their lashes, even their trembling caution visible in the silence.
Although Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao were sensible and never dared show jealousy in front of her,
it was precisely because of that sensibility that they deserved to be cherished.
In most families, the well-behaved child is always placed further down the queue.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
But Jiang Cheng didn't want it that way.
Every sensible child deserves kindness even more.
He lifted his eyes to answer An Xin, then turned his gaze to Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao.
His tone deliberately softened: "The lounge has fresh-ground coffee, fruit platters, and Wi-Fi—want to sit there for a bit?"
The two girls looked up instantly, a flash of shyness at being seen through, quickly replaced by gratitude.
Of course they understood—Jiang Cheng was giving them a graceful way out,
quietly comforting them at the same time.
After all, compared with An Xin, their own standing was far too weak.
"Mm-mm, Xiaoxiao, let's go take pictures!" Qiao Yinyin pulled Bai Xiaoxiao to her feet.
Her voice carried forced cheer, yet the glance she swept over Jiang Cheng as she turned betrayed a soft reliance.
An Xin stayed where she was, eyes resting on Jiang Cheng's lowered profile.
At that moment he was bent over his phone again, fingertips tapping, a languid smile at the corner of his mouth.
Behind those seemingly gentle eyes lay an abyss she still couldn't fathom.
Was his indulgence of these girls true affection, or another form of silent control?
An Xin's fingertip unconsciously traced the rim of her cup; the chill sobered her a little.
Whatever the case, Jiang Cheng was now the ally she had chosen—and the man she tacitly allowed Annie to depend on.
His complexity, his contradictions, might be exactly what drew her.
Yet she couldn't help wondering: whose hands could ever warm a man like this? Could anyone truly hold him?
Watching Qiao Yinyin whisper into Bai Xiaoxiao's ear, the two girls blushing and giggling as they sneaked glances at Jiang Cheng,
a thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Perhaps being cherished and indulged by him was temptingly sweet.
The instant the notion appeared, she crushed it.
She, An Xin, had never been the clinging-vine sort that needed a man to lean on.
She was clear-headed about that much.
Yet just as she told herself so, Jiang Cheng happened to glance her way.
There was a questioning smile in that look.
At that simple eye contact her heart skipped half a beat.
A mere exchange of glances, and her pulse inexplicably faltered, a faint heat rising to her ears.
An Xin calmly averted her gaze and stood, walking over to Annie's side.
Seeing Jiang Cheng alone, Chen Jiaxue and Zhao Yihan immediately carried their trays toward him.
Crystal glasses of sparkling water frothed with tiny bubbles.
As Zhao Yihan bent to refill his glass, the lace of her uniform collar brushed his arm,
leaving a faint, ticklish sensation.
Chen Jiaxue deftly shifted half a step to the right,
just in time to block the view of Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao, who were touring the cabin.
"Young Master Jiang, may we prepare some refreshments?" Chen Jiaxue's voice was soft as down, her gaze unabashedly suggestive while her fingertip traced circles on the tray's edge.
Jiang Cheng's eyes had just fallen on Zhao Yihan's unbuttoned collar when Bai Xiaoxiao's voice drifted over from afar.
"Sister Yinyin, look! That window seems perfect for photos."
With those words Bai Xiaoxiao yanked the still-photographing Qiao Yinyin along,
hissing under her breath, "Stop shooting—someone's about to burglarize the house! No, it's worse—chickens will be stolen clean!"
While talking she hurried Qiao Yinyin toward Jiang Cheng, her steps urgent.
"Onii-chan, there are two more rooms on the plane, way bigger than regular business-class cabins."
"Right, looks really comfy," Qiao Yinyin added.
In fact the aircraft's rooms could be reconfigured.
But with so many people aboard, Jiang Cheng had only allowed two to be fitted out.
If rest was needed, An Xin and Annie could share one room,
and Jiang Cheng could squeeze into the other with the two girls.
"It is comfy—how about…"
Before he could finish, An Xin let out a cry of surprise.
Turning, they saw Annie clutching her stomach after only one glass of drink.
According to Jiang Cheng, the child had to be raised rough.
Coddle them and a sip of cold beverage or a snack would upset their stomach.
Watching An Xin lead Annie to the room to rest,
Jiang Cheng rose and walked toward the two girls.
He slipped an arm around each waist, feigning dizziness.
Seeing An Xin take Annie inside, Jiang Cheng stood and headed for Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao.
He looped an arm around each girl's waist and deliberately swayed.
Voice weak: "Ugh, every time I ride this plane I get a headache—same old problem…"
"Ah? You get airsick?" Qiao Yinyin instantly tensed, reaching to feel his forehead, worry brimming in her eyes.
Jiang Cheng nodded, leaning into her: "Mm, a bit dizzy—want to lie down in the room."
"I'll go with you!" Bai Xiaoxiao chimed at once, rummaging in her bag. "I brought motion-sickness pills—let me get them!"
Jiang Cheng had been about to say the room had some, but changed his mind.
He was afraid the girls would balk if they had time to think, unwilling to stay in one room together.
Actually, they'd considered it, but this was an airplane after all,
and though the two rooms were opposite each other, they were very close.