Chapter 18

Chapter 18 He Approached

She shot onto her feet and shrilled, "Xia, what's the meaning of this? Can't you suck it up this once instead of vying against me for the first-class seat? Need I remind you the reason we're on this flight? It's because we're going to my awards ceremony! Mine!"

Mu Xia spat coldly, "Relax. I'm not here for your precious first-class seat."

Situ Qingshan knitted her brows before interrogating loudly, "Then why are you here?"

Right then, Situ Hai had overheard the commotion and joined in with a thunderous voice. "What do you think you're doing, Xia? And here I thought you were a sweet and obedient girl. Was that all just a façade?"

Mu Xia was about to respond, but the man beat her to it. He interjected with a sharp gaze, "I'm afraid you're all mistaken. Ms. Mu is not here for the first-class cabin. Rather, I'm escorting her to that private jet, the one next to this aircraft."

"What!" Situ Qingshan bellowed as her eyes shot over to the window in disbelief.

What she saw clouded her thoughts with resentment. It was a luxurious private jet with an extremely sleek and polished exterior. Across the jet's body was an elegantly written word with fine penmanship-Ye.

「That's the Ye family's private jet!」

Situ Qingshan whipped around to stare daggers at Mu Xia, jealousy flitting across her dark eyes.

Even Mu Xinyue, who had been silently observing, balled her fists after seeing the Ye's jet.

Situ Hai soon snapped back to his senses and quickly asked the man, "Sir, I'm Shan Shan's father, and our family is traveling together in this flight. If it's alright can the rest of us can go as well?"

The man maintained a neutral expression as he pointed out, "Apologies, Young Master Ye has only extended his invitation to Ms. Mu alone. Not to mention, the three of you got a cabin upgrade but chose to abandon Ms. Mu in economy-class by herself. Is that how a family should with one another?"

Regret festered in Situ Hai like a tumor.

「Damn it, I should have upgraded Xia's seat to first-class too. If I had done that, then maybe I would be lounging in Young Master Ye's privet jet at this very moment...」

The man couldn't care less about what Situ Hai thought. He swiftly turned on his heel and bowed respectfully to Mu Xia. "This way Ms. Mu."

Mu Xia nodded, then cast an icy stare on Situ Hai. "I'll meet you guys at the airport."

With that, Mu Xia held her head high like royalty and disregarded Situ Qingshan completely. She followed closely behind the man as they exited the airplane.

Situ Qingshan's and Mu Xinyue's faces twisted with jealousy at the luxurious private jet that parked beside them

Shortly after, Mu Xia boarded the jet. The first thing she saw was Ye Sijue, whose head was lowered to focus on reading a contract.

The secretary spoke up, "Young Master Ye. I've brought Ms. Mu over."

Ye Sijue hummed a simple Mm–hmm in reply without even looking up.

Mu Xia felt uneasy. Not knowing how to respond or what to do, she tensed with her feet planted on the ground

Thankfully, the secretary came to her rescue. He advised, "Young Master Ye is currently busy. You may make yourself comfortable in the cabin that's inside."

"Okay." Mu Xia nodded. She then cautiously walked past Ye Sijue and entered the cabin.

Once inside, Mu Xia's jaw dropped in shock. She exclaimed, "Rain?"

The blonde man lifted his gaze and gawked, equally as surprised. "Shan? I never thought I'd see you here. Have you returned to this country?"

"Mm–hmm, I just got back some time ago."

Rain cheerily patted at the seat beside his, beckoning her over. "Come sit with me."

Mu Xia obliged. Once she sat down, questions about her current life came out of Rain's mouth with burgeoning excitement. He also invited, "I'm heading to Nanshi for the academy's award ceremony. If there's nothing on your schedule, would you like to attend as well since you are one of our academy's founders?"

Rain was the principal of the Crown Coffee Academy and a world–renowned coffee sommelier.

Back then, Mu Xia and Rain were the ones who came up with as well as established the Crown Coffee Academy

They wanted to create a place where coffee enthusiasts could expand their knowledge on coffee–making

What they never expected was for the academy to develop into a well–known spot for socialites. Hence, Rain created a restriction whereby only ten students may receive the expert level barista certificate. This way, only the elite, talented, and worthy coffee connoisseurs could receive these certificates.

Mu Xia's lips curled into a devious smile when she heard that Rain was on his way to Situ Qingshan's award ceremony. She stated, "What a coincidence. I'm heading there myself…"

Rain beamed at once. "That's wonderful! The students will be ecstatic to meet the academy's founders. They'll be over the moon!"

"No." Mu Xia shook her head and requested, "I was hoping that you'll keep my identity confidential."

Rain's vibrant smile fell glum in an instant. He then inquired, "Why?"

"I have some personal reasons."

"Alright then, I'll be more than pleased as long as you attend the event."

Mu Xia flashed a faint smile but didn't say anymore.

Two hours of flight later, the jet gradually made its descent into Nanshi airport.

Ye Sijue had already left by the time Mu Xia disembarked from the jet.

Unbothered, she exchanged goodbyes with Rain and went to look for the other three Situs

「That's strange. Didn't we agree to meet up after getting off our flights? So why aren't Hai and the others here at the arrival hall as promised?」

Mu Xia held her ground in silence. She knew that Situ Hai wouldn't abandon her because she was still of value to him. So she waited.

Right then and there, a bodyguard dressed in a coal–black suit strode towards Mu Xia's direction. Beside him was a man that she would recognize anywhere–Ye Sijue.

Despite standing next to a tall bodyguard, Ye Sijue still towered with his superior stature.

Some passersby curiously paid attention to Ye Sijue. Their faces either turned a bashful shade of red or gawked as they vividly babbled about Ye Sijue's appearance.

"That guy's incredibly handsome! Do you think he's a celebrity?"

"No way. If he is, then he should have blown up all over the Internet by now. Even those influencers can't compare to his good looks."

Compared to the eagerly buzzing crowd, Mu Xia's skewed frown was an underwhelming reaction

She glanced briefly at him before focusing on her phone and dialing Situ Hai's number.

The call went through, yet Situ Hai had instantly rejected. Mu Xia knew that this must have been Situ Qingshan's doing.

「Although Xinyue is a wicked woman, she wouldn't be so stupid to use such sloppy tactics against me.

It seems like Qingshan is trying to get on my nerves by keeping me in the dark about their whereabouts. Game on, then. I'll patiently wait here for them. 」

Noticing a lounge nearby, Mu Xia headed over for some refreshments.

What she hadn't realized was that she walked right into the lion's den; just as she entered, the lounge door flung shut behind her.

Mu Xia instinctively turned around but was shoved to the wall by a towering man. His powerfully built body pressed against hers, trapping her.